If You Want Tomatoes, Plant Tomato Seeds!

It seems obvious that if you want tomatoes, you should plant tomato seeds. But what if you plant lettuce seeds and expect tomatoes? How smart is that? I’m not being facetious. People do that all the time.

Have you ever heard someone complain about how sick they are or how badly they feel? Or,  how about someone complaining about how much they hate their job or how they never seem to have enough money?

We’ve all heard it – people griping and complaining about any number of things. Maybe you’ve even heard yourself say these things! So, I ask you, do they ever get exceedingly blessed? No – why? Because they’re planting the wrong kind of seeds. They’re planting what they don’t want and expecting what they do want! They’re doing the same wrong thing over and over and expecting different results. Isn’t that a definition of insanity?

God says you can have what you say and you’ll reap what you sow. So what do you do? You sow what you want and the way you do that is with the words of your mouth. That’s what you’ve been doing all along and that’s the results you’ve been getting, but on the negative side.  And in addition to this, you’re building and developing faith for all those negative things.

What you need to do is speak crop failure to all that negativity and begin speaking what God says. Put God’s Word in your mouth. Feed your spirit continuously with God’s promises. As you do this, faith for the promises will begin to develop. And over a period of time, you will begin to see changes in your circumstances.

All this effort takes diligence. You need to get into the Word of God and find the promises that pertain to your situation and begin sowing the incorruptible seed of God’s Word. Then you’ll reap a harvest that’s worth shouting about!

Mark 11:23-24 (KJV) 23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Galatians 6:7 (KJV) 7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

— Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It Takes Patience to Grow in Patience

Patience – we all need it, we all want it but how do we get it? It seems so elusive at times, especially when we’re angry, upset, or in a hurry, which is much of the time these days.

First of all, patience, the God-kind of patience is a fruit of your re-born spirit. And, as you know, fruit has to grow and develop. When you got born-again, your spirit came alive to God and you were endowed with godly fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [Longsuffering is patience.]

Throughout the scriptures, God uses natural things to explain spiritual things. So, just as natural fruit has to grow, develop, and mature, so does your fruit, patience being one of them.

You have the seed of patience but the way it develops is to USE it.  Who would have guessed that’s how it works! Does that mean you have to actually practice patience to grow in patience? Yes! It might seem odd but that’s the way it works.

Hebrews 6:12 (KJV) 12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Patience is necessary when you’re praying about something and waiting for the answer. It takes patience to wait for the manifestation. We all want instant results but it doesn’t always happen that way. Enter the fruit of patience. If there was no need for patience on our part, God would not have given it to us. But there is and He has.

Developing patience is the same as developing all the other fruit – practice. It’s like developing strong muscles. If you want strong muscles, you actually have to use and exercise your muscles. Just praying about strong muscles doesn’t get it. So it is with patience. Just praying for patience won’t work either. You already have the patience in your spirit. Your part is to exercise it so that it grows, develops, and matures.

One of the ways I practice patience on purpose is when I’m in line at the grocery store. (You know how that is!) I make myself be patient and wait my turn – joyfully. Besides, getting upset or frustrated doesn’t make the line go any faster! Sometimes I’ll even let someone else go in front of me. It’s a practical exercise and I feel good afterwards. 

As you practice patience, you’ll find that it gets easier and you’ll begin to notice a change in yourself. But as I say, it will take effort on your part. You can do it. Go for it!

— Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scared prayers don’t work!

Sometimes we confess the right scriptures over and over but then wonder where the deliverance is. I want to address this issue and hopefully shed some light on it.

When there’s a crisis, do you go right to the Word and start confessing the appropriate scriptures, praying fervently? Good! But why, you might ask, isn’t it working? It could be that you’re praying in fear. Praying and confessing the Word in fear doesn’t get the promises to work in your life. Scared prayers don’t work. What do you really believe?

When you’re praying in faith, there’s a peace that ensues. God’s Word always works but you have to work the Word. God’s Word has enough power in itself to cause it to come to pass. When God released His Word into the earth, His faith, the dunamis power of God, was released. Our part now is to establish that Word by speaking it out of our mouths in faith to effect a change.  As God told Charles Capps, His Word is not void of power, His people are void of speech.

Mark 11:23-24 (KJV)
23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Yes, we must confess the Word of God in every situation, but not in fear. Get rid of the fear by binding it and casting it out of your life and continue to stand on the Word for your deliverance.

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) 7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) 8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1 John 4:18a (KJV) 18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. 

God’s Word has a promise for every kind of situation you’ll ever encounter. He has already provided the solution. That’s His part. Your part is to believe and use your faith to activate that promise to cause the manifestation of what you desire.

If you need healing, search out the healing scriptures. If you need finances, search out the promises regarding financial prosperity. If you need deliverance, search out the promises regarding the fact that we’ve been delivered from the authority of darkness. Actually, Jesus, by His redemptive work, has already delivered us from every evil thing that comes against us. Our part now is to enforce the devil’s defeat and walk in the victory Jesus bought for us!

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) 13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The secret sin that’s blocking your faith

As I’ve said many times: faith in God’s Word comes by hearing God’s Word, over and over and over. Faith doesn’t come by having heard! Everything you need from God comes by faith because faith is the access road to the promises. 

But, there are be numerous things that can block  and negate your faith and therefore, stop you from receiving the blessings you desire. The one I want to address today is unforgiveness.

Unforgiveness is in direct violation of God’s Word. And since God can’t bless rebellion to His Word, unforgiveness has to be dealt with and eliminated. Let’s look at what Jesus had to say:

Matthew 18:32-35 (KJV) 32  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
33  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV) 14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

Mark 11:25-26 (KJV) 25  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

As you can see, unforgiveness is totally against what Jesus taught: that we should forgive one another, just as our Heavenly Father has so graciously forgiven us. But if we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven. However, this is not talking about the sins that Jesus paid for on the cross. What it means is that when we hold unforgiveness toward someone, it opens the door for the devil to beat our spiritual brains out and torment us. This is not a pretty picture! 

You can’t be in faith when you’re acting against God’s Word. It will short-circuit your faith and you won’t get anything. So how you forgive someone who’s really hurt you? By just forgiving! It’s a choice and it’s not base on feelings. Remember, if you only go by your feelings, you’ll be a spiritual cripple and never walk in the supernatural things of God.

Choosing to forgive is simply a decision to actually forgive! You decide. It’s an act of your will and you can do it. The Lord would be unrighteous to tell us to do something that we couldn’t do. If you wait ’til you feel like forgiving, you probably won’t do it. So, just do it and get on with your life. Living in torment is not a life worth living and you’re the one who’s being tormented, not the other person.

Too many times we brush unforgiveness under the ol’ proverbial carpet and hope we don’t have to deal with it. You’re an overcomer, so overcome and use your faith to please God and fulfill all the plans He has for you!

 1 John 5:4 (KJV) 4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t Sign for the Package!

Are you being bombarded with worry and anxiety in the form of nasty, horrible thoughts? Is your mind in a constant tizzy trying to figure out what you’re going to do about all the problems facing you? Well, hold on, there’s help!

In Matthew 6 Jesus told us not to take any anxious or worried thoughts about anything! He wants us to be at peace at all times. The devil wants us to be in a constant state of anxiety because if he can keep us there, he can hinder and eventually annihilate our faith.

Your faith can’t be effective when you’re worried or anxious. So, what do you do to stop all that nonsense?

First of all, you have to know and believe that it’s possible to “not think on the wrong thoughts” because Jesus told us not to. He would never tell us to do something that we couldn’t do. That would be unrighteous. 

You have thoughts running through your mind night and day. You’re always thinking about something. Therefore, you have a choice as to what you think.

Romans 8:6 (KJV) 6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

To be carnally minded means to be led by your flesh – your five physical senses. That only leads to death because it gives the devil an entrance into your life to steal, kill, and destroy.

John 10:10 (KJV) 10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

When evil thoughts come knocking on your door, don’t sign for the package! You are the one in control. You’re the one who chooses what you think on, not the devil. But what if he keeps bombarding you with bad reports, diagnoses, temptations? Choose God’s solution:

 

Philippians 4:4-9 (KJV) 4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

When you’re thinking on good things, you can’t think on the bad. Think on the blessings: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous, and praise worthy. Then God’s peace will envelope you and you’ll be glad you didn’t sign for the devil’s package!

— Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which truth will make you free?

You’ve heard it over and over, the truth shall make you free.  I’ve heard it on TV programs. I’ve even heard unsaved, non-believers say it. But what does it really mean? Does the truth itself make you free? Let’s go to God’s Word and find out.

John 8:32 (KJV) 32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

This is Jesus speaking, saying that the truth shall make you free. But, hold on. There’s a danger in taking something out of context. So, let’s back up to the previous verse.

 

John 8:31-32 (KJV) 31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Notice that Jesus said  if you continue in His Word, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.  But that’s still not all there is to it.

For example, if you’re in debt and someone deposits money into your bank account, are you debt free? No! You still have to withdraw the money and pay off your debts. You have your part to do. Just knowing something is not what makes you free. What makes you free, is walking in the truth that you know. 

Jesus said that we are to abide and continue in His Word. How do you do that? By doing what the Word says to do. That’s your part. It’s in the doing of the Word that makes you free, not just knowing it.

Here’s a classic example. Knowing that Jesus paid the price for your sins so you don’t have to go to hell, but have a home in Heaven, does not get you saved. You have to do something with that knowledge – believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Just knowing about salvation does not get you saved!

Another thing is that Jesus is the Word of God and when you believe and act on the Word, then Jesus makes you free. And you are free indeed! 

John 8:36 (KJV) 36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

— Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We don’t know everything!

It should be obvious that we don’t know everything, so why do we think we have to know everything? We don’t understand all there is about electricity but we still use lamps, microwaves, and ACs in our homes. Not understanding how they all work, doesn’t stop us from using them. Right? We even fly in planes and to our amazement, they get off the ground!

So what’s the point? Too many times people try to figure out HOW God is going to answer their prayer requests before they step out in faith. This might not seem like a bad thing but the down side is that if they can’t figure it out, then they “think” that God can’t do it!

Since when does our mind even compare to the awesome wisdom of God? There’s a whole realm – the spirit realm – that our minds can’t wrap around. We live in the physical realm, where our senses dominate. But God lives and operates out of the spirit realm, which is way beyond our minds. (Remember, God is a Spirit and that’s how we contact Him – spirit to Spirit.)

Romans 8:7 (KJV) 7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

You don’t have to know how God is going to do what you have asked Him to do before you can use your faith to receive the promises He’s given. Trying to figure it all out before you will believe is called reasoning. And the drawback to reasoning is that the more you reason, the farther away from the supernatural you go. That’s not good and that’s not faith!

Galatians 5:16 (KJV) 16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Walking by your reasoning is walking in the flesh – your five physical senses. Walking by your flesh is being carnally minded and that leads to death. But to be spiritually minded is to walk by faith in God and His Word and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. That’s life and peace.

Romans 8:6 (KJV) 6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

So, just as you don’t have to know how electricity works to partake of its benefits, so it is with faith in the Word of God and His promises. His Word always works!

1 Kings 8:56b (KJV)
56  … there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

Pamela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blessing is Already Here!

 

First of all, let me make a shocking statement: Everything we’ll ever need on planet earth has already been provided by our Heavenly Father! Wow! Really? Yes, really. It might not seem like it’s true, but it is nonetheless. Let’s go to God’s Word and find out the truth. Remember, our experiences don’t prove or negate the Word of God. God’s Word is true, now and always, regardless of anyone’s experience.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (KJV) 3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Ephesians 1:3 (KJV) 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Here we see that God has not only blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ, but He has also given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him – Jesus.

Notice that all these blessings have already been given to us – past tense. But, they’ve been given through the knowledge of the Jesus, Who is the Word of God.  Everything we need is in the God’s Word and has already been given. Our part is to receive. Remember, there’s a God-part and a man-part.

So, how do we receive? By our faith! We can’t get away from faith. That’s the way we please God and access all the blessings that He’s already given.

Walking by faith and not by sight has to be learned because our natural inclination is to follow the flesh, which does not get us the promises of God. Being led by the flesh is called being carnal and that leads to death. But, being spiritually  minded, by following the Word, leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:5-8 (KJV) 5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Being led by your five physical senses is being led by your flesh and that will not get the promises of God to manifest in your life. Even though all things that we will ever need have already been given, they’re not in the physical realm but in the spirit realm. And the way we access the spirit realm to bring what we need into the physical realm is by our faith!

Romans 10:17 (KJV) 17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Keep growing and developing your faith so that you can partake of all the blessings the Lord has provided for you.

 

Pamela

 

Even horses have good sense!

My husband told me an interesting story that happened years ago when he lived in upstate NY. He, his father, and brother went to a horse auction where his father purchased four beautiful horses.

When they arrived home, they drove up to the barn, opened the door, and turned on the lights. Having set up the ramp for the horses to exit, they then opened the door of the truck. But, much to their surprise, instead of walking down the ramp to the barn, the horses leaped over everyone and took off into the dark of night!

Well, as you can imagine, everyone was quite upset, even the truck driver, as he had never before seen that happen.

What to do? Everyone was exhausted from the days’ activities and decided the best thing to do was go to bed and get some rest. Trying to corral runaway horses in the middle of the night didn’t seem like the better part of wisdom.

So, Jim’s father put out some oats, left the barn door open and the lights on, hoping the horses would find their way back.

In the morning, lo and behold, all four horses had returned, safe, sound, and content to be where they should be. They followed the light and found their way home.

So, what’s the lesson here? Jesus is the Word of God, the Son of God, the Light of the world, and the Bright and Morning Star. When we follow the Light of the world, Jesus, by following His Word, we too  will arrive at the place we’re to be.

Even sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day. We follow the Son!  There’s a message here for all to see. If you aren’t following Jesus, the Light of the world, the only other thing out there is darkness. Which will you follow?

John 8:12 (KJV)
12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV)
19  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Pamela

How many sins will keep you out of Heaven?

Which sins are the really bad ones – adultery, murder, theft? What about lying, gossip, criticism, and judging others? H-m-m . . . let’s see what God has to say.

James 2:10 (KJV)
10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

The Law has to do with what God has commanded us to do. In James we see that if we commit just one sin,we’re guilty of all sins. That’s why Jesus went to the Cross because we couldn’t be perfect and sinless. Only He could and is.

Every sin we commit makes us guilty of all sins. That’s what God said. So what do we do? I’m glad you asked because that’s not the problem.

It’s not our various sins that keep us out of Heaven because Jesus paid the price for those sins. In fact, He paid the price for everyone’s sins – past, present, and future. But, we have to receive what He did or we’re still in our sins. It’s not automatic that everyone gets saved. It’s a choice, an individual choice.

Now, back to the original question: How many sins will keep you out of Heaven? The answer is: one! But you have to know which one it is. There’s only one sin that will keep you out of Heaven and  send you to hell: the sin of not accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

It was never God’s intention that humans go to hell. He wants everyone to get saved.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Once you’re born-again, you’ve become a new creation, not just a new and improved version of your old self! And even though the penalty for sins has been paid, you still need to repent when you sin. You need to live a life that’s pleasing to the Lord. And you can do it! 

— Pamela