The Church Within You!

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]' I have overcome the world." [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33 AMP

Jesus answered, "I AM THE WAY and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There will be times when things do not always set just so. If you are a child of the King, you must remember that your God is Sovereign over all your circumstances. There is nothing too hard for God. Jesus said He is the only way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this way...

Fear not, for I am with you. This is both a command and a promise. Fear, worry, and anxiety are often sin . When the God who rules over the nations as described in Isaiah 41:2-4, the God who chose us and loves us as described in Isaiah 41:8-9, when that God tells us fear not, we must take it seriously! We are much more prone to fear and discouragement when we are alone. But we are never alone beca...

Approach each new day with the desire to find Me! Every morning as you rise, rise with the desire to search for the LORD your God. "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. Jer. 29:13, 14 Add Him to your schedule first and foremost. Thank Him, and ask Him to be with you throughout the day. Remember to include Him in ev...

Do you ever think that because you aren't good enough for God, He will not Save you? Do you ever feel as if salvation is for everyone else but you? News flash!! God gave His Son for you, He isn't going to hold back the gift of salvation from you! If Christ gave His life for you, He isn't going to turn around and condemn you! He will not withhold anything you need to live for Him. Remem...

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Mat. 11:28-30. Know this, only He can forgive you of your sins, take you in, and lead you into His Righteousness. Whenever you are ready, rem...

"The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace." When you have made up your mind that in Christ you live, you are welcome in the presence of God, the presence that will never leave you nor forsake you. In His presence, you never walk alone. In His presence, there is joy forevermore, safe and secure under the covering of the LORD. Practice the discipline of...

In the LORD's presence is the right place to put our minds. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." In the presence of God, there is peace and joy. What Paul describes here is a practical way to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Chri...

How to know God. Does anyone have an excuse for not believing in God? The Bible answers an emphatic no . God has revealed what He is like in and through His creation. Nature shows us a God of might, intelligence, and intricate detail; a God of order and beauty; and a God who controls powerful forces. We learn through special revelation , the Bible about God's love and forgiveness, and the prom...

Sometimes, less is more. Do you need to reduce? Self-sufficiency is an enemy when it causes us to believe we can always do what needs to be done in our strength. In the Bible, to prevent this attitude among Gideon's soldiers, God reduced their number from 32,000 to 300. With an army this small, there could be no doubt that victory was from God. Sometimes, less is more . Remember when someone t...

The fear of inadequacy is a state of mind in which you think your best is not good enough. TWFYT tells us to "first, acknowledge your inadequacy to God." What God bestows on us is always sufficient for us to live our daily lives, to work for Him, and to endure our suffering and "thorns in the flesh". 1 Cor. 10:13. As long as we draw near to Christ, Christ will bestow His heaven...

Are you raising children alone? It may seem so. However, know that God is watching over you and all of the effort you put into parenting. And if you are a single parent the way sometimes seems even harder than most. God sees all and knows all and He is making a way for you, single Moms and Dads as well. Therefore, you are not alone! A portion of Scripture Psalms 30:5 says this, "weeping may e...

Leaning is the sense of putting your whole weight on something, resting on and trusting in that person or thing. When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can't trust anyone — not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than even we are! We must not be wise in our own eyes! Bring your decisions to God in prayer ; use the Bib...

DON'T GET STUCK IN THE PAST! Paul warned us to forget those things in our past. He was referring to such things as past hurtful relationships, loss of jobs, the friend that walked away from you, and failures, those things are baggage that will only weigh you down and hold you, hostage, to everything that is behind you. Remember the story of Lot's wife , God had said to escape from the city...

This doxology — prayer of praise to God — ends Part One of Ephesians. The family of God includes all who have believed in Him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything. God promises His love and power to His family and the church. Blessin...

"It's only a test you're going through, the LORD is using you. Keep the faith and you will win the race, it's only a test!" Just as fire refines silver in the smelting process, trials refine our character.  They bring us new and deeper wisdom, helping us discern truth from falsehood and giving us the discipline to do what we know is right. Above all, these trials help us real...

Put your faith and trust in the One who changes not! David stated, "What can mortal man do to me?" Jesus said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" (Mat. 10:28). Instead, we should fear God, who controls this life and the next. Even in our deepest sorrow, God cares! Jesus reminded us further of how much God understands us — He knows even the nu...

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Mat. 25:21 There may come a time in your life when you are put to a test, you will not know that you are being tested. It is by your own will the outcome. These are the times you put your faith in act...

Her son died saving the life of his friend, and when this friend asked her did she think whether her son, "loved him?" She shook her finger in his face and shouted, "What more could he have done for you?" Now think of Jesus as He was hanging there on the cross, and you ask, "Does God love me?" and His mother pointing to her Son, saying, "What more could He have d...

STORMPROOF FOR LIFE! Obeying God is like building a house on a strong, solid foundation that stands firm when storms come. When life is calm, our foundations don't seem to matter. But when crises come, our foundations are tested. Be sure your life is built on the solid foundation of knowing and trusting in Jesus Christ your Savior. Blessings, Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes TWFYT | LAB

Stress is like kryptonite (Superman's nemesis) , and it's out to knock off your cape and diminish you to a heap of trembling, useless mush! SHAKE IT OFF!! We are not going to claim it! I know there will be times when we all feel the pressure of the world around us and days filled with rain. However, you and I must remember there are ways to shake it off and try not to allow stress to get t...

A friend loves at all times . When you're up, they're not envious, when you're down, they're not condescending. Proverbs make it clear that true friendship is based on love because only love will endure the tests that friends experience as they go through life together. We may have many companions and no real friends. "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there...

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Isaiah 44:22 Our God is longsuffering toward sinners. He has blotted out thy transgression, as a cloud and your sins when you come to the LORD with a sincere repenting heart. One must forgive oneself of past sins, why carry baggage that the LORD has cast into the sea of...

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand that He may lift you in due time. No matter the storm we are going through, if we keep our trust in God and stand firmly upon His Word, He will bring us through. Listen to today's reading to receive the scripture text concerning standing despite what it might look like. Blessings, Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes TWFYT

Come join me as we gather for this afternoon's Good Friday Prayer. Blessings in Jesus Holy Name, Amen, Presiding Elder Barbara Hayes