I heard the testimony of a minister who kept a notebook of prophecies—inspired encouragements—that he had received over the years concerning his life and ministry. When he was battling a life threatening health crisis, he read that notebook over and over, reassuring himself of things spoken by the Spirit to him. He made a conscious effort to remember those words and they brought such encouragement to him. He did recover and is continuing strong in ministry, fulfilling God’s will … read more

I’d like to share a few tools you can have in your marriage tool box to help with those issues that inevitably come up in every life shared by two people trying to be one flesh. I think a common feeling among married couples that tries to rear its ugly head is self-pity. The thought that “I am doing more in this marriage than he or she is” comes to us all and it’s a thought that we should dissect and dismantle when it comes. Self-pity is an enemy to our souls and to our relationships. … read more

Worship leading is a vital position in most churches today. A lot of emphasis is put on the best sound, the current look, the most engaging personalities, all for the purpose of leading the congregation successfully into the portion of the service we call worship. There are lots of opinions out there as to whether this is a good thing or a bad thing and I’m sure sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad. … read more

Tony had taken an astronomy class in college, and he explained to me one night while we were dating that the ability to view the stars and planets well required “good seeing.” This means conditions atmospherically are conducive to a clear view of what you are looking at in the night sky. “The seeing is the term used in astronomy to quantify the steadiness or the turbulence of the atmosphere.” Even though we were looking at the stars and planets through our eyes alone and not with a telescope, we soon developed a judgment whether or not the night was a good seeing night or a bad seeing night. Read this article by Lisa Cooke

Psalm 53:5 tells us that “God scatters the bones” of those who oppose his people. Knowing and believing God’s attitude toward the enemies of His people is a potent advantage we can have as we wage war against any of our adversaries and especially toward any doubts that may wander into our thought life. Remember that “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12). God has made our enemies His enemies and no one and nothing can conquer Him or His will. This may sound foreign to us when we are so used to thinking about the love and mercy of God, and of course, we pray that everyone will humble himself or herself before God and receive His mercy. The Apostle Paul himself was a great enemy of the church, and he received mercy. Read this article by Lisa Cooke

Philippians 3:14 is the rallying cry for those whose choice it is to follow God’s ways. We make the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus” our goal and with each new day pursue afresh this high calling. But let us do this with delight because we see this goal as a treasure God has made possible for us to seek. The enemy of our souls persistently tries to steal our joy, particularly in doing the will of God. … read more

The alarm bells are going off in my spirit. I hear the words “watch and pray” over and over as a directive and a reminder. This is no time to relax and “sleep” but a time to be diligently on guard and “awake” in the spirit realm. These days we have before us are days of intensity and urgency in spiritual matters, and we need to be at our best and brightest in the service of our God. … read more

When the Lord spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai, one of the things He said to him was “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for My name is in him. But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies …read more

The above passage is a favored Bible verse for many of God’s children. To be told that we don’t have to worry, but can tell God what we need through prayer is indeed a holy kindness. I have spent many prayer hours telling God what I need and what I think others need. I have taken God at His word and have made my requests known to Him every day of my Christianity. …read more

One of the things I love to do when Tony and I visit Rocky Mountain National Park is to go into the park late at night, away from city lights, and look at the night sky with the uncountable number of stars. Those stars, even though they appear as just pinpricks of light, have always fascinated me.  …read more

I could tell there was something the Holy Spirit wanted to say through me to a brother who is actively believing for healing from a particular disease, but I didn’t know what it was until I stood directly in front of him. The next thing I knew, these words were coming out of my mouth: “It’s all yours.” That’s all I said to him but he understood exactly what I meant. To “get what he is so ready to give” reminds us of the attitude that the Godhead has toward us. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are of the same frame of mind with an eternal willingness to give mercy and help. … read more