A little background before I get into my internal struggle that I most recently encountered.  1) Every night I ask God for forgiveness for the things I did or didn’t do that caused Him pain, same for my words and thoughts.  Next, I ask Him to search my heart, mind and soul and ask if there’s anything there that is not  of Him to please remove it and replace it with the fruits of the Spirit.  2) I am in most part a happily married person.  My marriage isn’t perfect, but I can’t imagine my life without him.

So what transpired happened pretty innocently.  Whenever I get groceries I always ask my hubby if there’s anything he would like.  One day he started requesting some microwavable meals so he could just pop them in when he took his lunch.  I was so excited! Most of the kids are gone and our son was doing his own meal plan and cooking for himself.. I wouldn’t have to think of what to make, did a customer come when the food was ready, was he too busy to come in at that time…none of that!  Just make my own meal and make dinner one day a week when all the kids come over for the day.

Well, as time went on there would be some days that I wasn’t home to make supper.  All was good – he did have his own food to make, but suddenly when I was thinking of what to make one afternoon I started getting these thoughts in my head such as: don’t worry about it – he’s got his meals, remember that time you spent all that time cooking and when he came in and said he wasn’t hungry, or that time when you tried a new recipe and he refused to eat it?  Remember how that made you feel?  I knew right away those thoughts weren’t right and wondered where were they coming from.  When I would cook something, I started feeling bitter and started giving in to those thoughts and I would cook less and less.  I knew something was going on inside, but why were things and feelings from the past coming up?  We weren’t fighting, everything was fine…except not cooking.

I asked God how and why was I feeling this bitterness.  These things happened in the past and I thought I had forgiven him long ago.  The words that came to mind, were: get rid of bitterness and malice; the heart is deceitful.  Of course I don’t know where these are located, so I googled the words and got the following verses:

Ephesians 4:31-32

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you with all malice; and be tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick: who can understand it?’’ Like I said before, I thought I had forgiven him.  Was it possible that I was still holding a grudge?  I know the enemy likes to use our emotions and the past against us.  Was this the enemy?  I then started asking God to Help me get rid of those thoughts and feelings, and if I truly didn’t forgive him before, to help me do it now.

Todd gave me a lot of grace until he finally ran out and confronted me about it.  I didn’t argue with him.  Instead I agreed and said I knew it was a problem.  I told him of everything I said here and would really try to do much better.  Since that time, I’m back to making meals about 90% of the time.  I can see he does appreciate the meals and is going out of his way to compliment and thank me.  I am thankful that it finally came to ahead and I was able to express my feelings and he was understanding.  Thank You, God, for another prayer answered.

If this was the enemy, he no longer has the power of those feelings.  If this was God making me deal with a grudge I was holding, He made a way to deal with it and is making my life better and my marriage stronger.  To that, I say Amen!

My advise: No matter how small and petty something is bothering you; ask God for help.

By Spiritual Ministry Team Member

Jeanette Cory

IT is summer time and so I thought I would share one of my favorite summer devotions from “Rylisms”….

“Who’s Your Caddy?”

“Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ — whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21, New Living Translation).

Tommy Bolt, winner of the 1958 US Open, tells the story of an incident he had with a caddy during one of his tournaments. This was before professional golfers had their own caddies as they do today. Bolt arrived at the venue for the tournament and was approached by a youngster, “Mr. Bolt, you need a caddy, sir?”

The lad seemed unseasoned, so Bolt replied, “I’ll let you know, kid.” He then went to the caddy master and asked about the youngster. “He’s a real good caddy,” the man said, “knows the course, the greens, and the rules of the game. But he talks a lot.”

So Bolt went back to the youngster and said, “You can caddy for me on one condition: Don’t say a word.”

The kid accepted and carried the bag for the Open champion. The first round went well, as did the second, and third. Bolt was in contention in the fourth round, when an errant tee shot landed in the woods. The ball was sitting down in the rough, with a risky shot to the green, which was guarded by water on the right.

Bolt asked the kid, “You think a five iron will do the trick?” The kid shook his head no, but never said a word. “What, you want me to hit a six iron?” Again, the kid shook his head no, but did not speak. Bolt grabbed a six iron a lashed the ball out of the rough and landed on the green, rolling to about three feet for a birdie. As they walked to the green, Bolt said, “Aren’t you going to say something now, after seeing a shot like that?”

The kid then replied, “Mr. Bolt, that wasn’t your ball.”

Many of us go through life with a Caddy we never let speak. He is the Holy Spirit, and we would listen to Him, engaged in an ongoing conversation, He would save us many penalty strokes on the Links of Life.

Is that a five iron in your hand?

Praying For You to have Your Game On,

Pastor Daren

Three like seven represents completeness.  The number 3 in the Bible generally conveys themes of divine perfection, completeness and God’s profound involvement in the world.  Three, The Holy Trinity: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.  There is one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons.  Three crosses on the hill, Jesus rose on the third day, three gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, God’s promises to Abraham, Jacob and Isaac for the chosen people of Israel, three days Jonah spent in the great fish, three weeks of mourning by Daniel, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times in the wilderness and the list goes on.

At the Last Supper, Jesus said the two people would betray him.  As the scripture plays out we know, one was Judas (for “30” pieces of silver) and the other was Peter (denied Jesus “3” times before the rooster crowed.  Both betrayed Jesus, but it is how they handled the ABC’s that made the difference.

Here is the parable or prophecy Jesus was teaching: Judas took the greed of this world (monetary value) and he eventually felt remorse.

Matthew 27:3-5 ³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

You see, Judas thought he could do it all himself, as he did the “A” and admitted he was a sinner and repented by returning the money and saying he done wrong, BUT  he turned to man and himself for repentance. (When he returned the money to the chief priest and the elders and stated, “I have sinned and betrayed innocent blood.” Their reply was “What is that to us?  That is your responsibility.”  You see, they didn’t forgive or console him and he couldn’t forgive himself so he hanged himself.  Judas never Came Back to Jesus, the “C” of the ABC’s-CALL UPON HIS NAME FOR SALVATION.

Matthew 26:24 ²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Peter and the ABC’s.

Peter wept bitterly, showing remorse and repentance the “A” of the ABC’s, admitting he is a sinner. He also came back to Jesus, admitting that he needed a savior.

John 21:14-17 ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. ¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Jesus asked three times, “Do you love me?”  One for every time Per denied him “3”, Peter affirmed, recognizing He is the Lord, Completing the “C” of the ABC’s.  That he can not do it all himself. He needs the Lord.  Being obedient (worship) now we can understand why the 3 times…the res of the story.

Matthew 16:18 ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter,^[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades^[b] will not overcome it.

What category do you fall under?  Worldly pride? Or Humble salvation?

IT is summer time and so I thought I would share one of my favorite summer devotions from “Rylisms”….

“Who’s Your Caddy?”

“Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ — whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21, New Living Translation).

Tommy Bolt, winner of the 1958 US Open, tells the story of an incident he had with a caddy during one of his tournaments. This was before professional golfers had their own caddies as they do today. Bolt arrived at the venue for the tournament and was approached by a youngster, “Mr. Bolt, you need a caddy, sir?”

The lad seemed unseasoned, so Bolt replied, “I’ll let you know, kid.” He then went to the caddy master and asked about the youngster. “He’s a real good caddy,” the man said, “knows the course, the greens, and the rules of the game. But he talks a lot.”

So Bolt went back to the youngster and said, “You can caddy for me on one condition: Don’t say a word.”

The kid accepted and carried the bag for the Open champion. The first round went well, as did the second, and third. Bolt was in contention in the fourth round, when an errant tee shot landed in the woods. The ball was sitting down in the rough, with a risky shot to the green, which was guarded by water on the right.

Bolt asked the kid, “You think a five iron will do the trick?” The kid shook his head no, but never said a word. “What, you want me to hit a six iron?” Again, the kid shook his head no, but did not speak. Bolt grabbed a six iron a lashed the ball out of the rough and landed on the green, rolling to about three feet for a birdie. As they walked to the green, Bolt said, “Aren’t you going to say something now, after seeing a shot like that?”

The kid then replied, “Mr. Bolt, that wasn’t your ball.”

Many of us go through life with a Caddy we never let speak. He is the Holy Spirit, and we would listen to Him, engaged in an ongoing conversation, He would save us many penalty strokes on the Links of Life.

Is that a five iron in your hand?

Praying For You to have Your Game On,

Pastor D.L. Barnett

Romans 13:11-12  And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Contrary to the spiritual shift seen across the globe, God calls us to understand the present time and NOT ignore its reality in an apathetic or lethargic manner. I have read several recent articles that express that the focus of the American church has moved to a non-prophetic view, a here and now worldview without a view of how what one does today effects their eternal future.

Let’s define some terms from the of the above passage:

understanding = eidō: knowing, to see literally and figuratively, the perfect tense of to know, be aware, behold, consider, look, perceive.

present = ēdē: even now, already, by this time.

time = kairos: occasion, set or proper time, always, opportunity, due season.

the hour has come = hōra: it is high time, day, instant, season, eventide

wake up = egeirō: through the idea of collecting one’s faculties, rouse from sleep – sitting – lying – disease – death – obscurity – inactivity – ruins – stand – take up.

slumber = hupnos: (where we get our English word hypnosis from) through the idea of deep – sleep – spiritual lethargy.

put aside = apotithēmi: cast off, lay aside – down

deeds = ergon: toil, effort, occupation, act labor, work

darkness = skotos: shadiness, obscurity, error, adumbration – that is done in the shadows

armor = hoplon: to be busy about, implement, offensive utensil or tool for war, weapon

So, when you put all the meanings together, and look at the context of the passage, God is telling us that we are to know exactly what is going on in this age, and that it is not a time to coast spiritually, and it is the season of our salvation (rescue

and deliverance) is very near. One cannot afford to be asleep spiritually, to treat prophecy with contempt or in a light manner. And as many passages indicate, working out our salvation with fear and trembling, being about the Master’s business, living as though Christ will come back at any moment, watching, and guarding. Since this is true, no longer should incognito iniquity be part of a believer’s life; rather, the believer should shun shadiness and even be on the offense in the war of the world on souls… in fact one should be shining, manifesting and full of Holy Spirit fire, all the more, as the Day of the Lord draws near.

As a very dear friend and sister in Christ used to say “I have questions”… I do, and so here they are:

What are you doing to take of the deeds of darkness, to come out of the shadows, and step into the light, to be the light, and to live the light?

How does the knowledge of Christ’s return compel you? I mean – are you so deep in spiritual sleep that you cannot hear the Spirit’s leading?

How on fire for the LORD, His Word, His work are you?

Do you understand the times? Or do you hold God’s Prophetic Word in contempt?

Well, I hope this wake’s you up and gets you ready for THE day, for the night is far spent and the Son is coming!

By Jesus’ Grace and Light,

Pastor Daren

There are many controversies among believers today. It seems that everywhere one turns, offence and defense abound. Argument and opinion have taken the driver’s seat; while the Word and the Spirit have been put in the back seat – and some have even strapped them in the restraints of the car seat. Why is this contention among God’s people?

It boils down to four reasons: The Gospel, The Christian Life, The End Times, and Scoffers following their own minds. Maybe you’re asking yourself, as I have, how could any true Christian quarrel over the Gospel, or living the Christian life, the promises of prophecy in the End Times or and Scoffers following their own minds?

It starts in the heart and mind! Presumption of heart condition and preconceived notions in mindset, apart from deep Bible study and diligence in prayer, is put in place of the truth – that is “my truth” has been exchanged for The Truth of God and His Word. It is parroted theology, closed eyes and deaf ears, and an unwillingness to get outside one’s own interpretations.

In Scriptural fact, let me share the following passages that states what was just read above:

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet. 1:19-21)

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet. 3:3-4)

 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

 “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears.  (Zec. 7:11)  

 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Matt. 13:15) 

As one can see, or at least I hope so, the Biblical evidence is overwhelming that even people, who claim to be God’s people, stop up their ears, close their eyes, scoff and get their spiritual priorities out of order.

Since, the first issue of concern I raised was the controversy among believers, here are a few recent realities, events, happenings and discussions that have been circling the Christian news cycle, that are causing disunity – based on what our personal views are about them; and dare I say not looking to the whole counsel of God, but on what parts we prefer:

– The upcoming eclipse in April 2024

– The war in Israel and Gaza

– The apostacy of Christians

– The breakdown of Christian families

– The rise of paganism in society

– The red heifers and animal sacrifice

– The firing of Candace Owens from Daily Wire

– The funding of Ukraine by the U.S.

– The inflation and shrinkflation in the world economy

– The number of natural disasters increasing

– The agendas of powers, principalities, rulers of the world

– The amount of deception in the media

– The rise of violence and persecution of Christians

– The difficulty of the times in which we live

– The technology, A.I. and the 4^th Industrial Revolution

– The Green Movement and Climate Change

– The undermining of national governments

– And yes, vaccines are still an issue

These are just a few (though that is a lot)…. And in Christian circles, people are arguing over whether we really are in the end times, whether or not the signs of the times are actually prophetic, whether or not one should just preach the Gospel and not touch on Bible prophecy, some even focus so much on the 1/3^rd of prophetic future found in the Bible that the other 2/3^rd’s are ignored.

I would like to try and help us get a grip and quit griping about one another, and stop. Be still. Not letting“bitter roots” grow (See Hebrews 12). Check ourselves at the door of the Word of God. Listen to what “The Spirit” is saying to the Church today (See Revelation 2-3).

Biblically speaking on issue of disagreements –  they are bound to rise, as Paul said – led by the Holy Spirit, “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” (1 Cor. 11:18-19); God has called us to unity in the one Lord, one baptism, one faith and one Spirit. (See Eph. 4)

Again, I have said it before – I refuse to ignore the warnings, the signs, the necessity to watch, guard and stand in our age!!

As Jesus Himself said, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:25-36)

There is a rebuke that Jesus gave that tells us hypocrites pay attention to the weather but not the time in which we live – along with not seeing the spiritual climate of this age and signs of the times.

He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:54-56) 

He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matt. 16:2-3)

 So, why am I sharing all this…. We are not immune to controversy. I am hoping and praying that the controversies we discuss and are a part of, are God honoring, Biblically grounded and Spirit led. I am asking and anticipating that God will convict each of us, in the area of controversy we each are prone or drawn to, to consider if we place to much emphasis on one and not enough on the other. Let’s let “man sharpen man as iron sharpens iron” (See Pro. 27:17). Let’s set our “self” aside and seek the LORD, study His Word, heed His Spirit. Then, as the issues fade in the light of the Scriptures, offence and argument will dissipate and The Truth will prevail. After all, are we not all on the same journey with Jesus? Isn’t what He says on these matters more important than any man’s opinion about it? One day, we will see the LORD, we will know that He is right, and we will understand where we were wrong.

Therefore, I close with this:

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Cor. 1:10)

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:16-17) 

 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. (2 Cor. 13:8)

By Jesus’ Grace,

In Brotherly Love,

For the Truth,

When I consider the omniscience (all knowingness) of God, it has always seemed to me there is little need for prayer.   So, if God has always known our thoughts, needs, desires and concerns since  the beginning of time….Why do I need to pray?

Scripture tells us to “pray continually” (1 Thess 5:17) and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Eph. 6:18).

One consideration is, we are children of God, part of His royal family.  God, like all good parents, wishes to hear the thoughts and desires of His children, even though He knows what those thoughts and intents are.  Just like most parents, it is a general desire for God to address the problems and wants of His children and respond with either yes, no, or wait.

 Therefore, because God knows everything, He knows our prayers. Just as He hears our salvation prayer, when we trust in the faith the reality of the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross, when we believe Jesus is God incarnate (the God/man) – Jesus elects (choses and calls) us to His purpose (Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”) long before mankind was created (Ephesians 1:4-5 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—”).

Because of this – isn’t it reassuring to know that God hears our prayers long before we bow our heads….

By Mitch Jenkins, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

What Do You Say?

Ephesians 4:29  “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

It is so easy to let words fly off our tongues and spew out of our mouths unchecked and unthought of…. We are all guilty of this, and I often – more than most. The above verse hit me like a semi skidding into a jackknifed position against oncoming traffic! Why? Well, I have noticed a terrible trend among believers today – with the need to stand up and speak truth, we have forgotten the need to “be gentle and patient, able to teach – even when we have been wronged.” And, for some ungodly reason, we feel it is a right to fly off the handle without regard of the damage it does to those listening – not just the one who needed a good stern rebuke, but the on listeners that are in earshot of the conversations.

So we understand what is meant here by Paul, as the Lord led him, through the Holy Spirit to write to the Ephesians, here are the definitions of some terms in the above verse:

Corrupt Communication = rotten – worthless – putrefied thoughts – talk – topics – reasoning – motives – expressions

Building Up = architecture, structure, confirmation, edifying

That it May Give = ministers – brings forth – delivers – yields

Same goes for the right kind of discourses and discussions. There are times to lay the foundation, to check the materials, to take out the mismeasurements of terms and premises, and certainly the tones and motives. Some edifying means some correcting and confrontation that will build back the right way and set the right direction.

I think you get the picture. So, what should we do then and how should we say what needs said? It is rather simple – if it lines up with the Scriptures, the Truth and the Holy Spirit – then say it in a grace giving way…. And if it comes from anything else – don’t say it.

Besides, this passage goes along with a parallel Scripture that is even more pointed:

Ephesians 5:3-4  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

So – let’s consider what we say and not speak carelessly, let’s say what needs said and avoid what doesn’t and remember to be holy in our conversation and not horrid with our mouth – after all, what we say, says a lot about our hearts…. And some things just should not be said, let alone thought and harbored like a ship in our hearts.

By Jesus’ Grace,
Pastor Daren