Canyon Hills Women's Ministry

"Your Father knows exactly what you need!" - Matthew 6:8 Jesus said in Matthew 6:7-8, "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!When people say, "I don't know how to pray," what they usually mean is that they don't know how to pray like us. They don't know how to use our "C...hristian jargon." Jesus says you don't need to worry about getting the words right because "your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask him." God's listening to our hearts more than our words. We don't have to be self-conscious; He's not grading us on how well we express ourselves. Compare prayer to breathing. You breathe instinctively without awareness and conscious attention; it's natural expression of our moment-by-moment dependence on oxygen. That's how God wants us to engage in our communication with Him. He wants to be the air we breathe and the environment in which we live. Edwin Keith said, "Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the Spirit of God." Through prayer we can live in continuous contact with God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:6, "Pray to your Father secretly, and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you. Prayer isn't a public demonstration of how spiritual you are. Communication with the One we love calls for getting alone with Him, away from distractions and interruptions. On this fantastic Friday, it's about you and your Father having an intimate talk. When prayer becomes your habit, miracles become your lifestyle. Never give up on prayer no matter what comes your way! - written by Velma Smith

"No one rude is permitted on this road." - Isaiah 35:8 The Bible says in Isaiah 35:8, "There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude is permitted on this road. Wouldn't it be great if there was a highway specially designed for kind, considerate people? Instead, look around you; "road rage" is played out every single day. Discourteous drivers yell obscenities at fellow motorist, young and old. What's making us so rude these days? Overbooked schedules, longer commu...ting times, depending bosses, spoiled children and the stresses of daily living? Showing patience is such a rare occurrence anymore. Ill-mannered, discourteous communication has become standard practice-even among professing Christians. Whatever happened to the Golden Rule Jesus gave us? Luke 6:31 says, Do to others as you would have them do to you. Most of the time we're so absorbed in our own agendas that we don't have time to even think about others! Shouldn't our love for Christ and our desire to represent Him well here on earth have an impact on our day-to-day behavior? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5, "Love is not rude. Love does not demand its own way. There's never justification for being rude. So when you find yourself being impatient and discourteous, Repent and recommit to following the Golden Rule. Realize when you're rude, you make the very selfish and ungodly decision that your needs and concerns are of paramount importance. Followers of Christ are to be patient and kind. On this thankful Thursday, try to remember the golden rule. When you encounter somebody whose actions invite you to respond the wrong way. Everyone wants to be the sub to brighten up someone's life. But why not be the moon to shine on someone's darkest hour? - written by Velma Smith

"I will go. And if I perish, I perish. - Esther 4:16 Esther, a Jewish girl married to a pagan king, broke with long-standing tradition, marches into her husband's throne room, spoke her mind and rescued her people from annihilation. One girl saved a nation because she was willing to put everything on the line. Are you feeling inadequate today? Are you thinking, "Someone else should be doing this job instead of me? Then read these words pinned clergyman Edward Everett Hale, ..."I am only one; but still one. I can't do everything; but still I can do something: because I can't do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do." How many people did it take to rescue the dying man on the Jericho Road? One Good Samaritan. How many people did it take to confront Pharaoh and lead the Exodus out of Egypt? One man, Moses. God has put dreams inside you. It's yours and and no one else's. It declares your uniqueness. It holds your potential. Only you can birth it. Only you can live. Not to discover it, take responsibility for it and act upon it, is to negatively affect yourself as well as all those who would benefit from your dream. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, "For all sad words of tongue and pen; the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.'" In your twilight years, will you look back and feel like you've spent your life struggling to fulfill other people's expectations? Or know that you lived it to the fullest by striving to fulfill your God-given dream? On this marvelous Monday, give it some thought, while there is still time to live your God-given dream. The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called failure! Loops called called confusion! Speed bumps called friends! Caution lights called family! You will have flats called job! But if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance! Insurance called faith! A driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called successYour God-given dream. - written by Velma Smith

"So the power of God could be seen in him." - John 9:3 When Jesus encountered a blind man, His disciples immediately began to discuss the reason for the man's condition. They asked Jesus, "Was this man's blindness the result of his sins, or the sins of his parents?" Jesus answered, "He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him." Notice four things: (1) The disciples were eager to attribute the man's problem to his sin. And Satin will try to convince you that bec...ause of your sin you're disqualified from God's grace, but you're not! God doesn't examine your past to decide your future. (2) When Jesus healed him, the neighbors were more interested in debating than celebrating and not much has changed! They started asking in "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said he was, others said, No" (John 9:8-9). (3) His healing failed the "religiosity test," because the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God working on the Sabbath" (John 9:16). (4) Even the man's parents weren't free to praise God, because "Anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue" (John 9:22). To the neighbors he was a misfit, to the church leaders he was a topic of debate, to his parents he was a social stigma, so they "threw him out" (John 9:34). End of story? John 9:35 and 9:39 says, Jesus went and found him and said "I came so that those who have never seen will see. So instead of rehashing your problem and listening to other people's opinions, take it to the Lord in prayer. On this refreshing Saturday, when you share with others the best you'll get is sympathy, but when you share it with Jesus you'll get a solution. When prayer becomes your habit, miracles become your lifestyle. Never give up on prayer! - written by Velma Smith

TONIGHT is the HERstory Meetup and you definitely don't want to miss it! Join the fun while we unpack the stories of Esther, Deborah, Naomi & Ruth to see the impact they’ve made. Their stories shape our stories, so be a part of making HERstory! Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The fun starts at 6:30pm. We can't wait to hang out with you all! Click the link below for details! . . .

"Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him. - Psalm 3:2 Regardless of how badly you have failed or how often you have failed, God won't give up on you. So don't give up on yourself! Nothing you've done is beyond the scope of His grace. Others may give up on you, but not God. King David fell as low as a person can get. He was guilty of adultery, deception and murder, all major-league offenses. God forgave and restored him. David writes about it in two Psalms. In the fi...rst Psalm he writes in Psalm 3:2-6 and 3:8, "Many are saying of me, God will not deliver him. But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I awake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side...From the Lord comes deliverance. In the next Psalm he writes in Psalm 40:1-3, "He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. On this fantastic Friday, the God who turned David's greatest mess into message and his greatest test into a testimony, will do the same for you when you turn to Him and receive His forgiveness, mercy and grace. Forget the things that make you sad. Remember the moments that make you glad. For the troubles that pass away. Be excited for the blessings coming your way. - written by Velma Smith

Jesus went about doing good. - Acts 10:38 Your value in God's eyes was established at the cross. The Bible says in Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Notice the words "all things." We are all equal in Christ, but when it comes to your career, your value is determined by the problem you solve. That's why we pay a cardiologist more money than a short-order cook. Jes...us was a problem solver. People were spiritually hungry so He said in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. They were sick so He "went about doing good, healing all." He discerned what He had that others needed and provided it for them. What do you have to offer? What would you attempt to do if you knew it was impossible to fail? You are not here by accident. God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed the in the bellyI knew thee, and before thou comest forth out of the womb I set you apart and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nation’s. Everything God makes is to meet a need and solve a problem. So what are you called and gifted to do? That's where you'll find your highest level of joy! Think of your contribution to others as an assignment from God. Paul made tents to support his ministry. So your ministry may be supported by your job. But whether you are in a full-time ministry or part-time ministry, don't leave this earth until you have found and fulfilled what God called you to do. On this marvelous Monday, WHAT ARE YOU CALLED TO DO? When storms come your way remember you know the Master of the wind! When sickness finds you, just remind yourself you know the Great Physician! When your heart gets broken, just say, I know the Potter. It doesn't matter what we face or go through JESUS IS WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE! HE IS EVERYTHING WE NEED! - written by Velma Smith

Love keeps no record of being wronged. " - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Holding a grudge is costly, and you and the people in your life end up footing the bill! In all probability the offender has moved on, forgotten the offense, and left you holding the bag. But in reality, blame, not the offender, is the crux of the problem. And until you understand and accept that, you will continue to be upset. Don't let your grudges fester and turn into: (1) Self-victimization. Negative energy ...expended on others just drains your resources and robs of the chance to fulfill your God-given potential. Stop cheating yourself. Don't surrender your power to your grudges! (2) Bitterness. It's like a deadly poison; a little of it can contaminate your entire system. The hurt you harbor pollutes the stream of your daily experience, including your experience with God! (3) Isolation. There's no joy in being around someone who constantly indulges in blame, defensiveness, and anger. Others pick up the vibes and feel at risk, so they keep their distance in case they become a target in the event that they displease you. It's a formula for isolation and self-induced loneliness. (4) Negative role-modeling. Maybe you think, "My feelings aren't nobody's business!" Maybe if you live on a desert Island. Grudges are highly communicable. Hebrews 12:15 says, "Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up corrupting many. (5) Sabotaged repentance. Genuine repentance and forgiveness aren't possible until you're willing to face up to your grudges. If you're still blaming others, you're avoiding responsibility. A bad attitude is like a flat tire; until you change it you're not going to get anywhere. God's love is enough. When I fall, He catches me. When I am sad, He holds me. When I cry, He wipes my tears. When I am broken, He puts me back together again.Thank you God for always loving me! - written by Velma Smith

"He who forgives an offense seeks love, but he who harps on a matter separates friends." - Proverbs 17:9 Countless friendships are destroyed because one person gets offended by something the other one said or did. A mark of spiritual growth is how quickly you get over slights and insults; the more mature you are, the less time it takes to "forgive an offense" and more on. It has been said: "Okay, your friend ditches you and your feelings are hurt, or she's too busy to return ...your phone calls or texts, or you're out to dinner with another couple and the other guy insults your husband in an attempt to be funny. Offenses come. Jesus said they would (John 16:33). People are people. If you've been offended by a friend, or felt slighted; get over it! Hit the Control >Alt>Delete buttons. Don't let bitterness even think about putting down roots.'Love is not irritable. It keeps no record of being wronged. Never gives up and ensures through every circumstance' (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). It seems impossible and without God's love, it is. So yield to His love, Relook offense and walk in love because next week you'll be the one needing unconditional love. When it comes to being perfect, we've all blown it. If you want your friends to overlook your offenses, be quick to overlook theirs." Make this your prayer on this refreshing Saturday, "Father, thank You for the relationships You've blessed me with. I make a decision today to release anyone who has ever offended me in the slightest to overlook it, forget about it and move on. I will not keep a record of their wrongs. I will offer mercy and unconditional love. In Jesus' name. Amen. Always remember the greatest gift you can ever receive is not found in the shops or under the tree. It is found in the hearts of your loving family and friends. - written by Velma Smith

"Those who look to him are radiant." - Psalm 34:5 It's said "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," but you can waste your life trying to please the wrong beholder. When it comes to beauty you carry baggage from childhood. I've fretfully hung clothes of every size in my closet, messed with makeup when I should have slapped on sunscreen and gone outside to play. I've eaten close to nothing in an effort to stay small, wasted time worrying I wasn't pretty enough when I should ha...ve been enjoying the things that made me interesting. Throughout history the definition of beauty has shifted to reflect society. Sometimes we should be curvy, other times rail-thin; sometimes tanned, sometimes pale; sometimes with long hair, sometimes with short. We devote our energies to meeting the latest standards and guess what? There's always another mandate. It's an empty and relentless pursuit. We must seriously consider whose heart we are trying to capture. God's is the only one worth pursuing." Paul says in Romans 12:2, "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, If anyone belongs to christ...The old things have gone; everything is made new. You won't find the secret to inner beauty and peace by comparing yourself to the airbrushed models on magazine covers. That kind of image is unsustainable. You'll find peace by asking God to remove the scales from your eyes and show you what you look like in His eyes. "Those who look to him are radiant." The only healthy and lasting definition of beauty comes from God because He "looks into the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). On this fantastic Friday, BEAUTY IS AN INSIDE JOB! If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look to Christ, you'll be at rest. - written by Velma Smith

How would you like to put a pretty little bow on 2020? Canyon Hills Women’s Ministry is hosting their annual Christmas Dessert and they’ll be wrapping up the year with beautiful tablescapes, desserts, fellowship and an inspiring message from Pastor Lynda Vinson. It’s happening on Friday, December 4th, at 6:30 in the Canyon Hills Gym. The event is FREE, but space is limited and RSVPs are required. It is first come, first serve, so make sure you reserve your spot today! Don’t w...ait because this event fills up fast every year! RSVP by clicking on the link below! . . . http://bakersfield.canyonhills.com//womens-christmas-dess/

"Remember the Lord your God." - Deuteronomy 8:18 On March 3, 1863, anguished by the ravages of civil war, Abraham Lincoln declared a Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day: "Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the in th...e Bible and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then to humble before the offended Power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." God warned Israel in Deuteronomy 8:13,1 8,When your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all you have is multiplied...you shall remember the Lord your God, it is He who gives you the power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant. On this thankful Thursday, let us pray for our nation to humble ourselves and return to the values it was founded on! Make sure you TEST positive for FAITH! Keep your DISTANCE from DOUBT! ISOLATE yourself from FEAR! TRUST GOD THROUGH IT ALL! - written by Velma Smith

"Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould." - Romans 12:2 You determine the outcomes in your life because God has given no one but you power over your options. When things aren't working out for us, we often look elsewhere for the reason. Like Eve, we say, "The devil made me do it." No, Jesus said in Luke 10:19, "I give unto you power over all the power of the enemy. Like Adam, we say, "Eve made me do it." But the Psalmist says in Psalm 56:4, "I trust Go...d, so I am not afraid. What can human beings do to me?. Sometimes we believe circumstances beyond our control are responsible. But with God, Romans 8:28 says, "All things including people and circumstances work together for our good. Your misbeliefs victimize you and predispose you to a lifestyle of trying to change people and circumstances. That's like attempting to unscramble an egg. You become a blame-fixer instead of a problem-solver. Accept the truth that no matter what Satan, others, or circumstances do, God gives you the right to the last word in your life. 1 John 4:4 says,Greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. The outcome is not determined by what goes on around you, but by what goes on within you. Psalm 23:7 says, As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. The Devil can only determine the outcome with your permission and cooperation and you don't have to give them! On this thankful Thursday, believe in God's ability to bring you triumphantly through this difficulty. THE OUTCOME IS UP TO YOU! There is no storm that God won't carry you through! There is no bridge that God won't help you cross! There is no battle God won't help you win! - written by Velma Smith

"God will generously provide all you need." - 2 Corinthians 9:8 Imagine never being "never being anxious about anything" (Philippians 4:6). "God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19). Whose riches? God's! And His ability to bless you is not limited by the job market, the stock market, or the housing market. For forty years He fed His people in the wilderness with manna from heaven. He sent ravens to deliver meat to Elijah during a f...amine. He fed five thousand people with a boy's sack lunch. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:8, "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. The scarcity attitude is rooted in fear, and shows distrust of the awesome power of God to supply all our needs according to His unlimited resources. It's based upon the faulty assumption that if someone else has something, you can't have it because there's only one pie and every slice that someone gets means less available for you. It makes you believe that the blessings of others come at your expense. It says, "You win, I lose." That's no way to live the abundant life! Start today to reprogram your thinking. Remind yourself that you're not in competition with anybody, for anything, in any area of your life. Cling to the words of Jesus from John 10:10, "I have come that you may have life, and that [you] may it more abundantly. On this wonderful Wednesday, pray, "Father, help me to reject all thoughts of scarcity. Show me how to help others achieve their goals by sharing my time, talents, treasure. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen." Sometimes God will slow you down so that the evil ahead of you will pass before you get there. Your delay could mean your protection! - written by Velma Smith

"The hearts of the people melted, and became as water." - Joshua 7:5 Even the most seasoned believers experience failure. And the big question at such time isn't, "How could I have let that happen? but, "What's the right way to deal with it?" Indulging in self-condemning thoughts comes naturally to us, but it does no good. It just produces discouragement and failure upon failure. As a result of Achan's sin, Israel was defeated at Ai and fled before their enemies. Like us, in... response to their defeat, "the hearts of the people melted, and became as water." Their faith forsook them in Joshua 7:5, and "all spirit was knocked out of them. Even their leader Joshua, in Joshua 76, "fell on his face, despairing that things could only get worse! Have you been there? Do you recognize the pattern? Defeat, discouragement, despair, and more defeat. What was God's response? Joshua 7:10-13 says, Get up. Why are you groveling? Israel has sinned. So get started. Purity the people. He’s a God of repentance, not wallowing in remorse. A God of getting up, not lying down in failure! Holiness is a path, not a place. When you're off the path, God's plan is simple get back on immediately. Confess your sin (1John 1:9). By faith accept God's mercy and forgiveness. And refuse Satan's condemnation (Roman’s 8:1). Philippians 3:13-14 says. Forgetting those things which are behind, press toward the goal. Like a child learning to walk, when you fall down don't lie down and give up. Minimize your down-time, get back up and walk again. Remember thisThe moment that brings the awareness of sin should also bring the confession of sin and the assurance of forgiveness! On this wonderful Wednesday, how do you handle failure? Each day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and begin. God woke you up today for a reason. Trust in His plan. His timing is perfect! He will make a way where there seems to be no way! - written by Velma Smith

"When he was still a great way off, his father...had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. - Luke 15:20 Here's an interesting and largely unknown thing about the story of the Prodigal Son, as pointed out by Pastor James Bradley. Jewish families living in small villages were tightly knit communities where people knew one another well. So when something like this happened, word traveled fast. When the young son demanded his inheritance it was like saying to ...his father, "I can't wait until you die. I want what's mine now!" Such a thing was unheard-of. Then he went away, forgot the values he'd been taught, and squandered his inheritance on parties and prostitutes. As a result he ended up destitute, working in a pigpen. For a Jew, you can imagine the stigma. After breaking his father's heart and the rules of the community, he decided to come back home. And that's when his father "ran" to meet him. Here's why. Had he reached home after failing so badly, the village elders would have held a "ceremony of shame" known to the Hebrews as kezazah. They'd have taken a clay pitcher and smashed it on the ground in front of him, meaning his ties with the community were broken and he was no longer welcome. That's why his father ran meet him. He was saying, "I have to get to my son with grace before they get to him with the law. I have to give him hope before they take it away. I have a different ceremony in mind: a homecoming party to celebrate his restoration." And what his father did for the Prodigal Son that day, God will do for you today. On this terrific Tuesday, give your burdens to the Lord, He is waiting for you with open arms! Forget the things that make you sad Remember the moments that make you glad! Forget the troubles that pass away! Be excited for the blessings that are coming your way! - written by Velma Smith

"If we could control our tongues." - James 3:2 Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is controlling your desire to say what you shouldn't. An untamed tongue includes: gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. I can't emphasize enough how crucial it is to get control of your tongue. A lady named Jane learned her lesson the hard way. She was having lunch with a c...o-worker at a restaurant and they visited the ladies' room. While they were fixing their fixing their hair they started to talk about people at work who drove them crazy. Immediately Jane launched into a diatribe about Beth, a co-worker who had no idea how much trouble she created for the rest of the team. As Jane prepared to launch into more specifics, a stall door opened and out walked Beth, flushed and upset. In a split second what felt like a press-relief session turned into an embarrassing mess. Beth ran out in tears, and Jane couldn't take back the words she'd said. Beth never returned to work, and the next day she resigned. While her co-workers openly cheered at what they considered to be good news, Jane was miserable. She tried to call Beth, and even wrote a letter of apology, but got no response. And what's worse, Jane is a Christian and Beth made no such profession. On this wonderful Wednesday, what goes around comes around and idle chatter will surely come back to haunt you! Each day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and begin! God woke you up today for a reason. Trust in His plan. His timing is perfect. He will make a way where there seems to be no way. - written by Velma Smith

"He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:6 Stop trying to control everything! Without self-control we end up hurting ourselves. But when we become overly controlling of ourselves or others, it's an indication that we are not trusting God enough. In the final analysis, God alone determines our outcomes. So, Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. If... you find yourself trying to control every detail and aspect of your life, try using these strategies for developing the right mindset: (1) Understand that you are not independent, self-sufficient being. Psalm 100:3 says, We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Sheep can not take care of themselves; they need the shepherd to feed them, lead them, and protect them. Getting the idea? (2) When the unexpected happens, practice responding calmly. God is never taken by surprise. When seems like a crisis is often an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His love and care for you. (3) Focus on the internal and leave the external to God. Once you settle within yourself that you cannot control most external happenings but only your internal response to them, you'll be able to stop stressing out over the uncontrollable and the inevitable. Take a deep breath to slow the flow of adrenaline, send up a silent prayer, then turn the problem over to God. Realize that His plans for your life have not been derailed. Psalm 139:16 says, You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. On this terrific Tuesday, stop trying to control everything. There is no storm God won't carry you through! There's no bridge that God won't help you cross! There's no battle God won't help you win! - written by Velma Smith

Embrace Grace is a ministry of Canyon Hills Women that supports single teens and women who are in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy. As the body of Christ, we're able to come alongside them with tangible support while pointing them to HOPE in Jesus! Join us in prayer for these new mothers, share this ministry with others, and purchase a gift from the Embrace Grace baby registry. https://www.amazon.com//embracegracefall2020-/NWMZMDH68BC8 Thank you for helping a BRAVE girl choose LIFE for her baby!

"Pour your heart out to Him." - Psalm 62:8 More than anything else in life, Hannah wanted a son. And as the years passed she wrestled with disappointment and despair. 1 Samuel 1:10 says, In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. However, she did two things that worked and they'll work for you too! (1) Instead of running away from God, she turned to Him. Instead of praying less, she prayed more. She knew that while her husband couldn't give her a child, ...God could. She may not have been happy with God's timing, but she never doubted His goodness. Unfortunately, one of the things we're tempted to do when things fall apart is to avoid God's presence. That's a mistake because He's the one you need most! Yes, it's hard to pray when your heart is breaking. But unless you've prayed with a broken heart and a deep sense of your need, you've never really poured out your heart before God, or learned what the Bible truly means by prayer. (2) She didn't just think about what she wanted, she also thought about what God wanted. 1 Samuel 1:11 says, She made a vow, saying 'O Lord Almighty, if you will not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. And shortly after that Samuel was conceived. When you're willing to make a promise to God that He can hold you to (which is what a vow is), you're getting serious about prayer. And that's when God will get serious about your prayer as we well! So on this marvelous Monday, "pour out your heart before Him." God bless you with the riches of His grace, the treasure of His love, the comfort of His mercies and the strength of His presence! - written by Velma Smith

"God so loved the world." - John 3:1 Jesus loves you unconditionally! David said in Psalm 23:1, "Blessed is he whose transgressions is forgiven, whose sin is covered. No matter how hard we work, we can never pay off our sin debt. And thank God we didn't have to, because " God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Years ago a congregation decided to honor one of its retired pastor...s. He was ninety-two and some people wondered why the church even asked the elderly man to speak. After a warm welcome and introduction, he rose from his chair and walked with great dignity and effort to the pulpit. Leaning on the podium to steady himself, without notes of any kind he began to speak: When the pastor invited me here, he asked me to talk about the greatest lesson I've learned in fifty-plus years of preaching. I've thought about it for a few days and it boiled down to the one thing that has made difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I can rely on when tears, heartbreak, pain, fear, and sorrow paralyze me. The one thing that always comforts me: Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so." You could hear a pin drop as the old man shuffled back to his seat. It's something the congregation never forgot. On this Lord's day, it's something we should never forget either. Jesus loves me unconditionally. That's so today, tomorrow, and forever. There is no storm that God won't carry you through! There is no bridge that God won't help you cross! There's no battle that God won't help you win! - written by Velma Smith

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for." - Hebrews 11:1 When you are in the middle of a crisis, what you really believe manifests itself in your words, attitudes and actions. When Lazarus died and his sister Martha said in John 11:21, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. She was voicing past-tense faith. When Jesus said in John 11:23, Lazarus will live again" and she replied in John 11:24, "I know he will live I the resurrection" that was fu...ture-tense. And when she said in John11:22, "Even now God will give you anything you ask" she was demonstrating now faith, which demonstrating "now" faith, which is present-tense. As believers, the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 not to "look at things which are seen. "Now" faith stakes it's claim in Hebrews 11:1 on something even if you do not see it. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "We walk by faith not by sight. Too often we base our feelings on what we see, instead of what God says in His Word. But as Jon Walker writes, When we believe reality is confined to what we see, we become trapped into thinking the only truth is what we see. We become prisoners of our own perceptions; we cease walking in faith. For those who walk by faith, appearances are never the ultimate reality. Reality extends beyond what we can see the things we do not see are eternal [time and circumstance do not diminish or alter them (2 Corinthians 4:18). Even though things may appear bad, God is working things out for our good (Romans 8:28). He knows how the story ends, so on this refreshing Saturday fix your eyes on the unseen and not on what you see. When prayer becomes your habit, miracles become your lifestyle. Never give up on prayer no matter what comes your way! - written by Velma Smith

"Acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:6 There is power in having a vision. Having a vision gives you four things: (1) Passion. It makes you wake up in the morning and bound out of bed because there's something out there you love to do; something you believe in and good at; something bigger than you; something you can hardly wait to get at. (2) Motivation. Author Richard B. Edler said, Safe living generally makes for regrets later on. We're all given... talents and dreams. Sometimes the two don't match. But more often than not we compromise both before ever finding out. Later on, we find ourselves looking back longingly to that time when we should've chased our true dreams and talents for all they're worth. Don't be pressured into thinking your dreams and talents aren’t prudent. They were never meant to be. They were meant to bring joy and fulfillment to your life." (3) Direction. Vision simplifies decision-making. Anything that moves you closer to your vision gets a green light; everything else should be approached with caution. Vision brings what's important to the surface and weeds out anything that stands in your way. Without vision, good things will keep you from achieving great things. People without a clear vision are easily distracted. They've a tendency to drift aimlessly from one thing to another. They've no spiritual, relational, financial, or moral compass. Consequently, they make decisions that rob them of their dreams. (4) Purpose. Having vision is like getting a sneak preview of things to come. I says, "If you don't show up, something important won't happen. On this fantastic Friday, without there is power in having a vision. As long as we have memories, yesterday remains. As long as we have hope tomorrow awaits. As long as we have love, today is beautiful. As long as we have God everything is possible. - written by Velma Smith

"If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them." - Mark 11:25 The hardest offenses to forgive are committed by people who are closest to us. Why? Because we have to live with them every day! When we're young our emotions are so intense that wounds and injuries may stay with us for a lifetime. And the pain is worse when the one who wronged us was a parent. Perhaps a mother rejected us instead of providing the love we needed, or an alcoholic father was sexually abusive in t...he midnight hours. Victims of such horror may still be consumed with resentment and anger many decades later. This can cause you to "act out" and hurt the people you now love and need most. What's the answer? FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is defined as "giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me." Only when you find the emotional maturity to release those who've wronged you, whether they have repented or not, will your wounds begin to heal. Jesus put it this way: "When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Here's something you may not have considered: God's willingness to forgive you depends on your willingness to forgive others. You say, "But if I forgive them, I'm letting them off the hook." No, you're letting yourself off the hook! You're setting yourself free of pain and resentment, and positioning yourself to walk in God's blessing. Leave the offense and the offender with God; He's the only one who understands what they did and why they did it. On this thankful Thursday, forgiveness begins the healing process! Forget the things that make you sad! Remember the moments that make you glad! Forget the troubles that pass away! Be excited for the blessings coming your way! - written by Velma Smith

"They came bringing a paralytic carried by four." - Mark 2:3 Some people have to be "carried" to Jesus because they can't get to Him by themselves. Like the man in the story, they are paralyzed. "Paralyzed by what?" you ask. Paralyzed by an out of control behavior. Paralyzed by a belief system that tells you you're too sinful for God to ever love and redeem you. Paralyzed by the memory of something that happened in your childhood and now you're afraid to talk about it. Paral...yzed by an addiction to illegal substances, prescription drugs, gambling, pornography, alcohol, work, or money. Whatever your addiction-one thing is sure-it's paralyzed. You can be paralyzed by fear, anxiety, depression, a bottomed-out sense of self-worth or a nightmarish childhood of neglect and abuse. On the hand, you can be a self-made man or woman paralyzed by success, materialism, greed, self-absorption-not acknowledging any need in your life for God. Is any of this hitting home? Jesus began His ministry with these words from Luke 4:18-19, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. The New Living Translation Bible paraphrases the later part of verse nineteen by saying, "The time of the Lord's favor has come. Here's the good news! Life may not always have been good to you, but God's grace and smile of favor can change all of that-starting today. On this wonderful Wednesday, your attitude and approach determine your results! When you are hanging on by a thread, make sure it's the hem of His garment. - written by Velma Smith

"I said, ‘Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest." - Psalm 55:6 Have you ever felt that way? Sorry, there's no escape! Wherever you go-there you are! Peace is "an inside job." Oceanographers tell us that even the worst ocean storms rarely extend more than twenty-five feet below the surface. Gales can rip the ocean, causing tidal waves one hundred feet high, but just twenty-five feet below the surface of the water is as calm as a pond. The point is t...hisThe only place you'll ever find peace in the midst of life's storms, is through an in-depth experience with God. Korean Christian's have a saying that emerged from the persecution they endured because of their faith in Christ: "We're just like nails. The harder you hit us, the deeper you drive us; and the deeper you drive us, the more peaceful it becomes!" Part of God's purpose in allowing the storms of life to blow, is to drive us deeper into dependence on Him, and deeper into relationship with Him. Someone said, "God takes the broken pieces and gives us unbroken peace." When you focus on the God who never meets a problem He can't solve, instead of focusing on the problem you can't solve, you'll experience in-depth peace. And you'll carry that peace with you wherever you go. Others will notice it and seek your advice when they too face trouble. On this marvelous Monday, when you know that the God within you reigns above you, you won't succumb to what's around you. There's no storm God won't carry you through! There's no bridge that God won't help you cross! There’s no battle God won't help you win! - written by Velma Smith