It is with great pleasure I bring you another guest post! Please welcome my friend, Barbara M Britton to our blog with some beautiful sentiments on God's Word.

​Take it away Barb...
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Thanks Pam!
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God’s Word never ceases to amaze me. Even though I know a Bible story well, there are always details that deepen my faith. 
My latest release covers six stories in the Gospel of Mark that show the power and compassion of Jesus. In Jesus, we have the Son of the Most-High God, and someone who was fully human. Jesus never sinned, but He needed to take care of His physical self. 

This week I studied two other Bible heroes, who like Jesus, prayed to God in good times and challenging times.
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Let us start with Jesus. While Jesus is listening to His disciples debrief on their exploits of evangelism, so many people are disturbing them that Jesus says, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 NIV)

If you know what comes next, Jesus doesn’t find rest right away. He and the disciples feed five thousand men, and the women and children with them. Preparing a banquet for thousands is not restful. Afterward, we are told that Jesus made His disciples get in a boat and go on ahead of Him. What did Jesus do? He went up on a mountainside to pray. (Mark 6:46).

Jesus knew prayer with the Father was critical to staying focused on His mission. He may have had to multiply loaves and fishes first, but He didn’t forget to talk to His Father.

Likewise, when Nehemiah received word that his home city of Jerusalem was in ruins, he “mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heavens.” (Nehemiah 1:4 NIV). Nehemiah also prayed while in the presence of King Artaxerxes. Long prayers or short prayers, Nehemiah stayed connected to God. He would need that connection to complete the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall while facing enemies from outside the city and from within.

And then there is Daniel. I taught this story to a group of elementary girls this week. I thought I knew this story by heart. Daniel is thrown into a lion’s den because he doesn’t stop praying to God. An edict had been given that everyone had to worship King Darius alone.

Daniel continued to pray at least three times a day to God. (Daniel 6:10).

The word that caught my eye regarding Daniel’s prayer life was uttered by King Darius. Before throwing Daniel into the lion’s den, something he didn’t want to do, the king states, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Daniel 6:16 NIV).

When the king goes back to the lion’s den in the morning, he asks something similar, “has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20). Did you catch the word that stood out to me? Daniel prayed to God and worshiped God continually. People noticed, even the king.

Daniel’s prayer life affected the king and his new decree declared that everyone in Darius’s kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. Amen!

These accounts in the Bible encouraged me to pray to God more often.

I don’t know what you are facing in your life. Your days may be smooth sailing in a boat, or you may be facing your own den of lions. Pray continually and consistently to God. We need to stay connected to God and focused on His sovereignty and compassion.
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As you read Scripture this week, notice other prayer warriors in God’s Word. If you have a favorite, share it with us.

Discover the life changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.

Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.

A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or even a book club.
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Barbara M. Britton is an author of Christian Fiction who loves to bring little-known Bible stories to light. She has taught the Bible in church and schools for thirty years. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website barbarambritton.com.

I remember reading the best-selling book, "The God Chasers" by Pastor Tommy Tenney, and even today, I wonder... Are there any God chasers in the Catholic Church?  How about the Baptist or Methodist or Full Gospel churches?

I'm not talking about Church goers or man pleasers, but God seekers. 
 
The Bible says that "God is no respecter of persons." 
 
Why are we? 
 
There are seven things God hates, one of which is "one who sows discord among the brethren." 
 
Why do we?  Why do we judge and criticize those who are not of the same "faith" as we? 
 
Jesus said, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” I try to live my life by that Scripture as well as my own personal motto which is: Don't mock what you don't understand.
 
Many of us used to wear bracelets that encouraged us to think W. W. J. D. We spout the phrase, “What would Jesus do?” We don our pins and proudly display bumper stickers, crucifixes and key chains, but how often do we really consider what Jesus would do in our situations?  How many of us talk the talk but don't walk the walk?

Even Jesus praised the Canaanite woman for her faith. Why can't we praise each other? How many of our church doctrines and church laws (regardless of the denomination) are Scriptural based but man enforced without the love, mercy, and forgiveness commanded of us by Christ? 
 
Why have we made love and forgiveness a job instead of a joy?  
 
How often do we approach the altar of God with sin in our hearts, minds and lives?  How often do we really repent whether through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or on our face before God?  How often do we go to church without really going to God?  How often do we seek the approval of man, or seek God's hand and not His face?  How often do we really worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, instead of ritual and tradition?  How often do we put church over God?  How often do we really minister to Jesus?  Do we sit at His feet, seek His face, serve Him with our whole hearts or do we become enslaved by what we once loved?  How many of our priests and ministers have lost their reverence for God and simply perform rituals?
 
Some say the Catholic Church is the one TRUE church, started by Jesus, but how often do Catholics practice what they preach?  How often do we fast and pray other than lent?  Do we really hunger and thirst for righteousness?  How often do we fast from negativism and feast on the positive? 
 
What about you?  What about your church? 
 
I AM NOT writing to judge or condemn any religion or denomination - I am writing to encourage ALL people, all religions and denominations to become more lovingm more forgiving, more accepting.

In other words, to be more like God.
 
So, let us pray.... Dear God, we cry out to You.  From the bottom of our hearts and the depths of our souls, we repent of our judgements and ask your guidance on changing our minds and hearts to love our neighbors as ourselves. Open the floodgates of heaven, Lord, and make us one heart, one mind, one in our desire to be an instrument of Your peace, a vessel of Your love, a fount of Your wisdom, a channel of Your blessings and a conduit of miracles. AMEN and Thank YOU.

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™
"Coaching in Pjs" ™

Get your copy of The God Chasers at Amazon in Large Print Paperback, Audio (only 99c with your Audible trial membership) or on Kindle

Good Morning Dear Ones,

I started this blog to share my spiritual journey and people, books, movies, etc., that speak to me on a faith level. As you've noticed in the past, I occassionally posted something from a friend that was meaningul, beneficial, and fit into these guidelines. Today is one​ of those days and you'll see them more often as I've invited folks to share their spiritual truths with us. I hope you'll enjoy these visits as much as I do and welcome our guests.

Jill DeVille is a devout lover of Jesus, multi-published Author, Motivational Speaker, the Pastor of Gift Minsitry of Louisiana and my dear friend. In her latest book, This Holy Day: Be the Light in the Darkness, Jill reveals what the Lord showed her about being the light on even the "darkest" holidays and that every holiday should be a holy day.

I feel the same way! In fact, after Jill's book came out, I shared with her a poem I wrote years ago about this very subject. I'll share it with you now and then we'll hear from Jill...       
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Once I truly surrendered all to the Lord, I began reading the word of God a lot. Within four months, my bible looked like I’d had it for decades. I was seeking and wanted answers. Why did I feel like I could do some things that religion was saying, “no” to?

Why did I feel God saying, “you can be the light in the darkness”?

With my attempts to be the light, pastors or Christians would look at me funny or make comments when I carved a pumpkin for Halloween. Matthew chapters five, six, seven, and twelve stood out to me the most in regard to the Holidays. That is where God would take me. God’s voice sounded like this, “be the Light in the darkness.”

“How can I be the light in the darkness,” I would ask? Holidays look like the celebration of self or sin to me. I wondered and asked God, wouldn’t others think I am trying to have the holiday another way to please myself?

Then He would take me to Matthew six, in all things do it for Me so I can see you and I will bless you. Seek me first and my right standing then all will be added to you.

All and first stood out to me. All…So all things? Interesting, right? All things that would still honor and please the Lord, to be clear.

If we take all the things that God has given us access to and turn them for the good of God, others, and us, like He taught us, traditions and religion would change. Then when our children come into this world knowing the way, truth, and life of the Lord in our traditions, they will naturally follow Him in all things without feeling uncomfortable. It will be what they know and believe naturally. It will allow them to be the light in others’ darkness too.

Many will give up what appears to be the worst of sin. While they keep a death grip on a tradition like a sport event or holidays like Halloween or Christmas. They will pray, like I used to, for the Lord not to come each year during that season. Crazy right? I know!

Maybe I am the only one. Ha!
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Why not find a way to serve the Lord in all things and be that very light for others to see their way through it too?

This Holy Day: Be the Light in the Darkness can be found at Amazon and at The Charmed Page bookstore in Lake Charles, Louisiana & Gospel Book Store in Gretna, LA.
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​Pastor Jill Deville is the Speaker, Founder, and CEO of Jill Deville Ministries founded in 2023. Through Jill Deville Ministries, Jill is a speaker at conferences and events throughout the world both online and in person with God’s Girls and Book It! Conferences and Events.

​You will find her on Tik Tok, YouTube, Facebook and in your community. If she is not there then she will be, just ask her!

​Email Jill at:  [email protected]

As Christians we are encouraged to become more like Jesus, but how is that possible in a world where hearts have grown cold and mutual honesty, integrity and respect is almost nonexistent?

In his book, Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado offers us numerous examples. I own this treasure trove of encouragement and have read it numerous times, but I must say, loving as Jesus loved/loves and living as He lived, is not easy!

Sometimes it seems as though Life sets out to prove just how difficult a task this is. Not wanting to get into particular situations here, let’s suffice by saying I have never considered myself capable of emotions strong enough to actually hurt—I mean physically—hurt someone. But I have. I’ve experienced anger, so deep, so raw it nearly rendered me incapable of feeling basic kindness much less compassion.

I’m not proud of it and am certainly not advocating acting on those feelings! But there have been a few times in my life I can honestly say I’ve experienced something so fierce, so strong… so dangerous that it actually scared me.

I’ve seen social media posts that say when asked WWJD remember that turning over tables and taking a whip to someone is not out of the realm of possibilities.

Yeah, there are times when I’d like to do that.

Or worse.

Without a qualm.

Hard to believe, right? Especially for those who know me personally.

Hard for me to believe too.

Thankfully, I haven’t felt such intense rage like this often or in a long time.

So how can we be more like Jesus when we have such undesirable emotions?

Scripture gives us the answer… “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44 and Romans 12:14: “Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.”

So that’s what I did and continue to do: Pray and trust that God has the entire situation under control and will show Himself strong on my behalf, help me see the people/circumstances in a different light, or change my heart completely. I’ve prayed, “Lord, I’m willing to forgive and I surrender this situation and these emotions to you, but only YOU can make the forgiveness true in my heart.”

Three other prayers have proven beneficial when faced with something like this…

• Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness, meaning "to make things right." I’ve studied and practiced this prayer and am a Certified Ho'oponopono Practitioner. With this prayer you take full responsibility for your emotions by apologizing to and asking forgiveness from the perpetrator(s), saying “thank you,” and ending with, “I love you.”

 
Which isn’t easy when our ego mind screams, “yeah, but…!!!” One thing that helped me was to add, “I forgive you and I release you to God,” at the end of my prayer. Another was to write the prayer in full using the person/people’s names. In her book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity, Edwene Gaines suggests writing your forgiveness statement 35 x twice a day for 7 days (70 x 7). I have this book and will discuss it at a later time. I want to re-read it first. 😊

Surrogate Tapping for those involved helped too.

• The prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and the Amni Christi are wonderful too because both help you focus on emulating Christ.

 
Have these things made me more like Jesus?

Maybe, a little, but I know there’s always room for me to learn, to heal, and to grow.

Something to think about...
PamT
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“Inspirational with an Edge!” ™
"Coaching in Pj's" ™

​I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts so leave a comment!