Traditions – Are They Good or Bad?  

Traditions, traditions, traditions! We all know what these are and we probably engage in some ourselves. But, in the whole scheme of things, are traditions good or bad? And how do we know?

According to the dictionary, a tradition is a custom handed done from one generation to another but a more insightful definition from the American Heritage dictionary is: a tradition is a set of such customs viewed as a coherent precedent influencing the present. This is very interesting because it shows how ingrained these traditions can be.

So, I ask you, are they good or bad? It depends on what they’re based. If they’re based on godly, Biblical traditions like family prayer and Bible study time, giving thanks at mealtimes, church attendance, etc., then they’re good.

But if your customs/traditions are based on things that aren’t true – like Santa Clause, The Easter bunny, Halloween, or even talking to loved ones who have died [like at the cemetery], then these traditions are bad and make the Word of God of no effect.

Mark 7:13 (KJV) 13  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

We should never teach our children to believe something to be true when it isn’t. That will confuse their believing the real truth about Jesus and cause them to question whether or not what we tell them about God is actually true.

The bottom line is that we need to examine what we believe or do as our traditions and customs based on the Word of God. If they contradict God’s Word, we need to separate ourselves from them and live our lives according to what God has said. Then and only then, can we be confident that victory is ours!

Pamela

 

 

 

 

Many False Witnesses Today!

Proverbs 19:5 (KJV) 5  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Proverbs 19:9 (KJV) 9  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

Deuteronomy 33:29b (KJV) 29  … and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

These are the last of the last days as anyone who is observant can see. Things – evil things – are happening all around us at an alarming rate,

2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV) 1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

As you can see in the above scripture, one of the signs of the end times is that people will be trucebreakers – liars! People will lie to protect their own hide or to discredit others. Yes, this has been happening all down through the ages but has accelerated at a vicious rate in these days.

This is all too evident in the USA today. Our president has been so maliciously maligned that it’s the grace of God that he hasn’t thrown up his hands and just left the Office of President. But, thank God, he hasn’t because he loves this country too much to watch it go down the tubes.

Just look at the lies that have come out recently regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and its widespread consequences of global economic shutdown, which shows that there’s more to the pandemic than the virus. It’s about control by fear!

Lies are being perpetrated against all human beings but through it all, God’s Word still stands. He says that those who perpetrate lies will perish. They will not escape exposure and will be brought down by the truth.

Brothers and sisters, we need to be on our guard and not blindly believe everything we hear, no matter who says it. We need to check out the facts and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so we can prosper and be the light God has called us to be!

 Matthew 10:26b (KJV) 26  … for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Matthew 5:16 (KJV) 16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

— Pamela

God is More than a Bail-Bondsman!

How many of you know people who claim to Christians but only go to Him when they’re in trouble and need help? God is more than a bail-bondsman! Sure, He wants to help us but there’s more to it than that. We have our part to do.

Heb. 11:6 says that without faith it’s impossible to please God. So, why would a person – a Christian – choose to live their life void of pleasing God and then expect Him to “jump” when they snap their fingers? This is a good question because there are multitudes of people in this category.

As you know, God is not a respecter of persons. He doesn’t choose one over the other at His whim. He is a faith God and He responds to faith. That’s how He has set it up and that’s how it will be throughout all eternity.

People who “do their own thing” without regard for God and His Word, shouldn’t wonder why their prayers never get results. You can’t live and act and go about your life ignoring God and His Word and then shoot up a prayer when you get into trouble. No wonder you don’t get your desired results. God is not obligated to answer the prayer requests of those who aren’t committed to Him.

 Am I saying that you have to be perfect? No way! We aren’t perfect and never will be this side of Heaven but we can have a heart toward God and walk by faith and not by sight.

Remember, brothers and sisters, with God it’s always a heart issue! We can fool others but no one, and I mean no one, can fool God!

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 2:11 (KJV) 11  For there is no respect of persons with God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) 7  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Pamela

In God I Trust!

Have you ever been at a crossroads in life when you had to make a decision but weren’t sure which way to go? If you’ve been on planet earth for any length of time, the answer is yes! It seems that decisions are a daily way of life. So – what do we do? What should we do? Good question.

Then there are the times when we made a decision, a choice and it turned out to be the wrong one! This is very unsettling because it can make us hesitant about ever making another decision. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) 5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP) 5  Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

As you can see from the above scriptures, God already has a plain path for you to walk in but you have your part to do. His plans don’t just fall on you like ripe cherries off a tree.

John 16:13 (KJV) 13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Our part is to trust the Lord to do what He said He will do – lead  us and guide us by His Holy Spirit. Of course, most Christians will say that they trust the Lord but in actuality, when push comes to shove, they don’t. They rely on themselves, their doctor, their counselor, their friends, etc.

How do I know this? Just stand back and observe. When someone you know has a tough decision to make, to whom do they go? When you have decisions to make, to whom do you go? Whom do you seek for the answer? Who is the source you choose to help you make that decision?

You see, God is the only One Who can show you the perfect way to go. He has to be the Source you turn to. He has to be the first One you turn to, not an afterthought! It’s okay to get godly input but God has to be your ultimate and final Source.

I know about making wrong decisions and don’t want to ever make the wrong ones again. I used to consider the “pros and cons” of what I was deciding to do because that was what I was taught. Then I just did what I thought would be best. That’s how I made my decision.  But when I finally got “enlightened” to the fact that I could actually hear from God for myself and He would show me what to do, life became a whole lot better.

John 10:14 (KJV) 14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:4-5 (KJV) 4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

You see, Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. And – He said we know his voice! How ‘bout that? If Jesus said we know His voice, then it’s true that we know His voice. But it takes practice. We have to learn how to recognize His voice because it sounds so much like us.

[Note: There are lots of teachings on how to hear the voice of the Lord and it would behoove you to study this because it’s one of the most important things you’ll ever learn.]

But in the meantime, start putting your trust in God as your Source for everything and acknowledge His wisdom and His Word in all you do. Your life will never be the same!

 — Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Right Place at the Right Time!

We’ve heard it said, “I was in the right place at the right time!” But, how many of you have said that about yourself? Hopefully, you’ve all experienced that at some time in your life.

How would you like to always be in the right place at the right time? Let’s look at some scriptures:

 Proverbs 2:4-12 (KJV  4  If thou seekest her [wisdom] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6  For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7  He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8  He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9  Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10  When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11  Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12  To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) 7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Here we see that when you seek the wisdom of the Lord, knowledge and understanding are also available to you. But you must seek them. Simply said, God’s Word will direct your path if you let it. That’s a sure way to be in the right place at the right time.

 Isaiah 46:9a-10 (KJV) 9  … for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

As you can see, God knows the end from the beginning. He knows the best path to take but we have to draw it out with our faith. Remember, all the promises of God are in the spirit realm and we have to use our faith to draw them out.

Nothing from God happens by accident. And even though His promises are always YES, they don’t fall onus like ripe cherries off a tree. We have to use our faith to access His promises. And that’s how we make our way straight.

Isaiah 45:2-3 (KJV) 2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3  And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

God does go before us and makes the crooked places straight but we have to go His way. Otherwise, we’ll be walking a crooked path that leads to destruction

If you know that you can get God’s wisdom about everything you need to know simply by asking in faith, then you can rest confidently that you’ll be in the right place at the right time.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) 20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
James 1:5 (KJV) 5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Proverbs 3:16-17 (KJV) 16  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Pamela

Are You Entering in or Standing on the Outside? [Part II]

 Hebrews 4:2 (KJV) 2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Hebrews 3:19 (KJV) 19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Unbelief is evil. It’ll keep you sick, broke, and destitute if you let it. As you see in the opening scripture, the Israelites couldn’t enter the Promised Land because of unbelief. They wandered 40 years in the desert, needlessly.

It’s the same with us today. Unbelief will keep you from entering your Promised Land of health and healing, deliverance, prosperity, protection, etc. And even though you might have heard messages over and over, if don’t believe them, they won’t profit you.

You can’t receive healing if you don’t think it’s God’s will to heal – every time, all the time. You’ll fall into the devil’s trap “excuses” for why you’re not healed. People who don’t get healed, use their experience to explain away God’s Word. They don’t let the Bible get in the way of what they believe.

It’s the same with prosperity. If you think it’s humble to be poor, you’ll never prosper the way God wants you to. It works in all areas. Unbelief is no respecter of persons. If the devil can dupe you into believing that God’s Word won’t work for you, he can keep you in a state of non-resistance to him and keep you from enjoying God’s promises.

Brothers and Sisters, we have to settle it once and for all that God’s Word is true, that He said what He means, and means what He said, and His Word works every time if we stand on it in faith.

There’s no better life on planet earth than standing on God’s Word in faith. It’s a sure foundation. He has all the answers and it would behoove us to get with His program and enjoy the victorious life He has ordained for us!

Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP) 11  For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Entering in or Standing on the Outside? [Part I]

Hebrews 4:1-3 (KJV) 1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Do you sometimes feel like you’re on the outside of what God has for you but can’t actually enter into His promises?

Why is it that a whole group of people can hear the same message but it only profits some? Why is it that a person can hear the message of salvation over and over and not get saved? It’s the same with healing.  

A person can hear messages on healing and even agree that they’re true but not actually get healed. Why?

As we see in Heb. 4:2, even though the Word was preached to them, they didn’t profit from it because they didn’t mix faith with what they heard,

Heb. 11:6 faith is how we access the promises of God. His power is always on “go” but unless we ignite it with faith, it won’t profit us.

God is no respecter of persons. What He does for one, He will do for you if you’ll use your faith. God is a faith God and that’s how He operates, whether or not you like it. You can complain or disagree all you but that doesn’t change the fact that God operates by faith and if there’s no faith, there’s no results!

However, the Good News is that if you’ve been born-again, you have the God-kind of faith in you. And since God has already done His part by graciously giving us all His promises, our part is to activate them by using our faith.

Romans 12:3 (KJV) 3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Let me remind you that faith is voice activated. You must actually speak your faith if you want to see results. You must speak the promises of God over your life. They don’t automatically fall on you like ripe cherries off a tree.

Jesus said if your faith was only the size of a mustard seed, it was enough to move a mountain into the sea! We need to take that mustard seed size faith and develop it by getting into God’s Word and getting His Word into us because that’s where faith is – in His Word!

Romans 2:11 (KJV) 11  For there is no respect of persons with God.
Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Matthew 17:20 (KJV) 20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Pamela

God Keeps What We have Committed to Him!

Have you ever thought or even said, “Why did God let that happen?” Well, first of all, God only let’s happen what we let happen. What I mean by this is that we are the ones who really control how much God can actually move in our lives. Yes, He is the do-all, end-all but He won’t override our free wills. Therefore, He is not controlling everything that happens ion planet earth or in our lives. And everything that happens is not necessarily God’s will.

So, when someone asks why God let that happen, it’s wrong question because He was not the one who let it happen. We are!

Too many times, actually most of the time, people want to blame someone else for their misfortunes and a lot of the time they blame God, He is not the One who let or stopped something from happening.

Remember Genesis 1:26 where God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the entire planet? Well, things haven’t changed. Jesus bought back that lost authority and dominion and now it’s time for us to take our rightful stand in the Lord and take dominion over planet earth and everything that has to do with us.

Genesis 1:26 (KJV) 26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

If bad things happen, we need to look at where we opened the door for the enemy to get access to us.

 2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) 12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

This verse tells us that God will keep those things that we have committed to Him. What have you committed to Him? What haven’t you committed to Him? These are serious questions that we need to ask ourselves.

1 Peter 1:5 (KJV) 5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) 20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Notice that God keeps us by His power but it’s according to the power that works in us. And that means according to the amount of Word that’s in you because that’s where the power is – in His Word. Most people wouldn’t be able to fill a thimble with the amount of Word that’s in them. How on earth can they expect the power of God to work on their behalf if there’s no power working in them?

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you should know that it’s the Word that you have to stand on to get results because the Word is where faith is and that’s how we please God and get results.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By standing on God’s Word, we are protected, provided for, empowered, healed, delivered, and experience the victorious life that He has provided for us!

Psalm 138:8 (KJV) 8  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: 
Philemon 1:6 (KJV) 6  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 (KJV) 1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) 4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Pamela

Don’t be the Devil’s Pawn in the Chess Game of Life!

Do you sometimes feel that you’re just a pawn in the Chess Game of Life? Well, that’s not God’s will for us. We have a God-given mandate to take dominion over the earth and bring it into subjection to God’s Word.

Genesis 1:26 (KJV) 26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

God gave Adam the dominion mandate and that’s how he was to rule the earth –  by speaking God’s Word. But satan came along and when Adam committed high treason, he lost his ability to rule supernaturally and was left to rule via his five physical senses and things were a mess!

But Jesus! Yes, Jesus not only won back our dominion mandate but reinstated us into right relationship and fellowship with our Father God!

Jesus tells us in John 14 that we can do the same works He did and whatever we ask the Father in His name, God will give it to us! Not only that, we now have legal authority over the devil and all his evil, conniving, deceitful ways.

We no longer have to resign ourselves to being satan’s pawns. Jesus overcame him and now we’re overcomers by faith in what Jesus did! Praise the Lord of glory!

So, pick yourself up and start dominating your circumstances and bring glory to the Name of Jesus!

Matthew 10:1 (KJV) 1  And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 10:8 (KJV) 8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
John 14:12-14 (KJV) 12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Luke 10:19 (KJV) 19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Romans 1:16 (KJV) 16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Isaiah 54:17a (KJV)
17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. 

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (KJV)
 Psalm 91:1-16 (KJV)
 
Pamela

How’s Your Foundation?

Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)
24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Luke 6:47-49 (KJV)
47  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

 Notice that both men built houses but one laid a good foundation and the other didn’t. Also, the storm came against both houses! One stayed up and the other was destroyed. Why? Let’s take a deeper look.

First of all, let’s look at how they built their houses. One was diligent and patient enough to lay a good foundation, which is comparable to being grounded in God’s Word. Not only did the first person hear God’s Word, but he also did God’s Word and it probably was an on-going way of life to him.

The second person seemed to be in too much of a hurry and just built his house on the sandy earth – not a good foundation and not a good idea!

We see in Luke 6:48 that when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against the house with the good foundation and could not even shake it! I want you to notice that it was inevitable that the storm would come as we see in the following scripture:

2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV) 12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

This verse tells us that if we’re going to live godly in Christ Jesus, we will get persecuted! And many times persecution is a whole lot worse than a physical confrontation!

However, the first person’s house couldn’t even be shaken because he was steadfast and grounded on God’s word. But not so with the second person, who didn’t take the time to ground himself in the Word of God.

You see, brothers and sisters, if we’re going to be victorious, we have to be grounded on God’s Word. It’s imperative, especially in this day and age, to be grounded, fixed, stable, and unmovable on God’s Word. That’s the only way to be the victorious, overcomers God has called us to be. His Word has never changed and has as much power in it today as when He first spoke it.

James 1:22 (KJV) 22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

We’re to be doers of God’s Word, not just hearers. That’s how we build our foundation!

Pamela