RUSSELL SANDERS

11-30-2024

GENTLENESS

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The fruit of the Holy Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22-23 includes the attribute [Christian characteristic] of gentleness. What does gentleness involve?

It is kind. It is considerate. It is empathetic. It is not harsh. It is not demanding. It is not judgmental.

Sometimes you encounter a situation that angers you, or troubles you. Somebody may say something critical of you or may tell a lie about you. How do you react? Do you get angry? Do you want to give them “what for” over it? That would not be a response of gentleness.

Proverbs 15:1 speaks of gentleness when it says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” A soft answer is one which demonstrates gentleness, temperance, and forbearance. It will defuse a potentially explosive situation.

There are a few occasions, although seldom, when gentleness might not be the best thing, especially when dealing with sin. Jesus was not gentle when he went to the temple to overturn the merchants’ and the moneychangers’ tables. He violently drove them out with a whip. Just requesting them to leave would have accomplished nothing. However, we should not react that harshly unless specifically led by the Holy Spirit to do so.

“Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.” When we encounter unrighteousness or unholy situations, our response, or reaction, including correction, should be rendered in the context of love. Harsh responses are less likely to bring a good result. Gentleness, kindness, and empathy are more effective.

HELEN SANDERS

12-30-2024

WATCH AND PRAY

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I received a very unique Christmas gift. It is a bird feeder with a smart camera built into it. It hooks up to my Wi-Fi and notifies me if a bird is at the feeder so I can see it. It stays on both night and day, waiting for a bird to come to feed. I get a notification when there is movement so I can watch it through a phone app. 

But If I don’t look at the camera through my phone app, I will miss something. It reminds me of a message that was written on January 2, 2024. I am hearing that same word today, “Watch and pray” and can’t seem to shake that theme.  

I suggest we read that message given a year ago, and truly let it sink in. We are to continuously be watching, listening, praying, and be ready for “surprise” attacks from our adversary. Are you in that mode? I pray that you are.

Here is the message from 1-2-2024:  

When Jesus had finished the last supper with his disciples, he went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus finished his prayer by surrendering his will to the Father, knowing what was ahead of him. In Mark 14:37-38 it says, “And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? Couldst not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”

Peter, James, and John were the closest friends that Jesus had. One would think they would have done a simple thing like keeping watch while he prayed, but it didn’t happen. They all fell asleep. The hour was late, and the flesh gave in to sleep. This didn’t happen once. It happened three times! How could real friends sleep when you needed them the most?  

The season we are in has been prophesied as being a hard one for all. Many will find their lives in total disarray because they haven’t “watched and prayed.” So, what is it that we watch for? We watch as vigilant soldiers on the offense, knowing that the enemy is “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). 

Peter, yes, the same Peter that fell asleep in the garden was changed when the Holy Spirit came upon him at Pentecost. He wrote the words in his letter to warn us that our adversary, the devil, is looking for ways to “devour” us. We must be watchful and should continuously be praying. We must be watchful with our words. If we say words of unbelief and doubt, we must repent quickly so no door is open to the enemy.

 We should not sit idly by, waiting for the attack. We remain on the offense, fighting off the attacks before they come. By praying for others, we help ward off the attacks that may come their way! To watch and pray should be our life’s theme in this hour. By watching and praying we avoid temptations and may even save our lives or someone else’s. If you have been asleep like the three friends of Jesus were, then now is the time to repent and wake up and get vigilant. We are in the last of the last days. Satan knows his time is short, but we also know where he will end up. So, as we do battle against this enemy by watching and praying, then we not only protect ourselves, but others.

(By the way, I haven’t seen a bird at the feeder yet, but I know one will be there soon, because I am watching!)

APOSTLE PAT MURRAY

PROPHETIC EXHORTATION

Don’t be alarmed when God doesn't STEP IN and STOP you from going through that FIERY trial you’re now facing. However, you must know that at times God will just stand BACK and WAIT. After all there are many things you cannot see from where you are and one is; God has a POINT to PROVE…And that means some folks are about to find out who really IS in control. So you just stand back and be prepared; For it’ll be the guilty ones who helped to cause that firey trial thinking it would surely be to your demise. Oh, but they are the ones who will have a big surprise!! Yep…It’s going to be another good report just like ole Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had back in Daniel 3. It’s there we read about the people who threw those strong young men into the fiery furnace; And how they saw firsthand that God was so much greater than the fire. Yes, that day God proved to those guilty onlookers that our God will deliver His children from what the enemy thought would take them down and put them out…But it did NOT happen. So don’t you be alarmed IF God doesn’t stop you from the fiery trial you’re now facing; For He has a point to prove to you and to those people who THREW you in there!! Now you wake up and get up knowing that this same God can and He WILL deliver you still today; Wherever you are…And regardless of how big or fiery your trial may yet be.

DEBRA TOPE

SEER/INTERCESSOR



Monday Thought For Today

We are entering a New Year and a New Season!



Psalms 78:32 NIV

“In spite of all this, they (the Israelites) kept sinning; in spite of His wonders, they did not believe.”

If you read Psalms 78:9-31 it is a recount of all the wonders God did when the Israelites were in the desert.

And then Jesus said in the New Testament:

 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:12-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God did amazing miracles in the Old Testament. And the accounts we have of Jesus in the New Testament show us that He also never stopped doing miracles. He wants us to believe that we can do what He did here on earth.

Are you ready to step out in faith and believe for miracles?

Little Birds HCC

                     The little birds, so beautiful,

                     All sizes, colors, shapes.

                     So hungry are they this time of year,

                     Their suet, they love this taste.

                     They make me smile as I watch them,

                     Their feathers on display.

                     Red and Yellow, Blue, and Green,

                     God’s glory throughout each day.

                     Come to us heavenly Father,

                     Such blessings you give to us.

                     These tiny little birds,

                     Such trust they have in us.

To see more of HCC's beautiful poems on YouTube click here

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