Joyfulness

Without faith it is impossible to please Him. We know that faith is believing, but if others saw us during a time of testing, would our faith be evident? Would our faith be meaningless words, without evidence that can be seen by a lost and dying world? This doesn’t mean we don’t cry out to God in prayer, or have time to grieve during a trial or trauma. But we must never forget that God has given us prophetic promises in His Word. We are promised a return of something good in exchange for the troubles of this life. “He promises us the oil of joy for mourning, beauty for ashes, the promise of eternal life, and so much more. The Psalmist says, “He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalms 126:6).

All the sorrows of this life, including the good things, must be balanced with a modicum of “joyfulness” to keep us walking in faith with a sound and sober mind. While vocabulary.com defines “joyfulness” as the “appearance of being happy,” for intensive purposes, one of the definitions in Strong’s Concordance in the Greek will be used here, which is “calm.” Having a calm spirit, regardless of what is going on, presents faith to all who see. It is written, “Restrain your voice from weeping And your eyes from tears, For your work will be rewarded, says the Lord; And your children will return from the enemy’s land” (Jeremiah 31:16 AMP). When we are calm, balanced, and confident, maintaining an attitude of “joyfulness,” people who need encouragement will be drawn to us like moths to light in a world of fear and darkness. The outline of Biblical usage from Strong’s uses this definition for “joyfulness,” “of persons who are one's joy.” When we are walking in faith, demonstrating a calm balanced spirit, there will be no extreme highs or lows, but we will transmit a stability that is contagious to those around us. We become someone who can bring joy and hope to others, who need to be uplifted and saved from the snare of the devil.

Like Ezra, who encouraged the people to stop grieving over the past, which they could do nothing about, saying, “Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and your stronghold” (Nehemiah 8:10 AMP). We can encourage them to embrace peace and joy. This is how the gospel becomes relevant to mankind. We are His hands, feet, and voice in this world. It is up to us to be disciplined soldiers, not entangled with the despairs of this life, but demonstrating the power of faith that is energized by love, whose catalyst is joyfulness. May the reader be “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11 KJV).

Beth Marie Evans

Apostolic Author

Associate Minister

International Christian Fellowship

The Breath of Fresh Joy, Love, and Strength

Genesis 2:7 says, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” The Word made Adam. God spoke Adam into existence. But Adam did not have life until God breathed on him.

Ezekiel 37:8-9 relays how the army in the valley of dry bones responded to the prophetic Word. But they had no life until the Holy Ghost breathed on them in verses 8-10.

Psalm 104:30 coveys that God sends His Spirit to renew:



• Strength
• Love
• Joy
• Fortitude
• Power and Authority in our Faith
• The Mind
• Direction on How to Fight Hell and its Demons

PRAY:

1. That God would renew pastors, church leaders, husbands, and others to feed and direct the flock of God.
2. For God’s breath on our home and foreign missionaries dealing with constant obstacles and setbacks so they can see direction clearly for the work they are called to.
3. For God’s Spirit to breathe on the backslider for returning to the local church in repentance.
4. That God would breathe on mothers working at home and out of the home for renewing as they face the daily grind of never ending family responsibilities.
5. That God would breathe new life on the children, youth, and singles to have their own experience and power encountering with the Holy Ghost for themselves.

Pastor Don Rogers

The Pentecostals of Wisconsin

Wisconsin District Prayer Coordinator

WNOP North Central Regional Prayer Coordinator

POA’S HOPE Prodigals Prayer Ministry ...

HELPING OUR PRODIGALS ETERNALLY & HELPING OVERWHELMED PARENTS ENDURE

HOPE Prodigals Prayer Ministry invites you to join with many around the world for 90 Days of Prayers as we unite in prayer again for our beloved prodigals, and those who love them. We are ready! 

We will pray the daily prayers from the book by Dr. James Banks, Prayers for Prodigals. You may purchase the book online or at White Steeple Book & Music Store (The Pentecostals of Alexandria). 

This prayer journey is for parents and family of prodigals as well as for our beloved prodigals. Please follow Hope2HOPE15 for daily posts. 

For questions, please contact Don or Dy Anne Long @ 318 442 5541 or The Pentecostals of Alexandria @ 318 487 8976.

“And there is HOPE in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to thine own border” (Jeremiah 31:17).

HOPE CONFERENCE ‘23 ... OCTOBER 6-7, 2023 

If you are the parent, spouse, or grandparents of a prodigal, if you were or if you are a prodigal, or if you love or have a burden to pray for prodigals, HOPE Prayer Conference is for you! 

Dr. Erwin Lutzer’s first chapter in his book, A Practical Guide For Praying Parents, is ‘Lord, Change Me.’ Having a prodigal will change us. We choose whether we are willing to submit to God’s purpose. 

God blesses our trust and faithfulness in Him and we are changed as we embrace the process. 

We invite you to POA’S HOPE Prodigal Conference. Come and be blessed. Be changed!

HOPE Conference: For prodigals, those with prodigals, and those who love them

Conference Speaker: Rev. Jason Sciscoe 

Conference Location: Pentecostals of Alexandria (POA), LA 

Registration: OPEN



https://www.eventbrite.com/.../hope-conference-2023...

https://www.poa.church/upcoming-events

Please share and help spread the word!

Don & Dy Anne Long

HOPE Ministry Directors

The World Network of Prayer Presents 

24/7 WATCH: A Year-Round Initiative for 24/7 Prayer

As of January 1, 2023, WNOP has continued the 24/7 prayer and fasting chain worldwide. It has been such a great success in 2022 that it was requested again. Each week WNOP is posting a prayer focus as daily prayer for the entire week. Also, weekly a video is posted on the WNOP Facebook Page of a prayer leader and/or minister leading in periodic prayer.

Many people throughout the world have signed up by committing in their hearts unto God that they will consistently join together in united prayer and fasting. WNOP also has partnered with those in local churches who are already a part of a current 24-hour prayer chain. All of these hours of consecration are culminating to help provide a complete mass prayer covering over the entire Church body and to help bring greater success in all that we do in Christ! Together, let’s “watch and pray” and behold great and mighty things in the kingdom of God! Let’s prevail over the enemy with victory and declare, “Not on My Watch!”



Flo Shaw

WNOP Director

October 24/7 WATCH (WEEK 1)

Evangelism: 10/40 Window



Following is the “24/7 Watch” daily prayer focus for this week. Join us in consistent prayer & fasting.

Come Expecting Great Things!

JOIN US IN THIS "CALL TO WAR!"

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You Don't Won't to Miss This!

2023 WNOP Events

• 24/7 WATCH (January 1 – December 31)
• **Wisconsin District Prayer Conference (October 13-14)
• San Diego “TNT” Prayer Conference (October 19-21)
• MAP Conference: ABI/ABC, St. Paul, MN (October 25-27)
• First New Orleans WNOP Regional Prayer Summons (October 26-28)
• Ontario Prayer Summons (November 2-4)
• **Florida District Prayer Conference (November 3-4)
• Day of Prayer: Persecuted Church (November 5)
• Detroit Metro Prayer Summons (November 9-11)
• Operation Jamaica (November 12-20)
• First Australia WNOP Regional Prayer Summit (November 17-18)
• **South Carolina District Prayer Conference (Dates TBD)
• **Arkansas District Prayer Conference (Dates TBD)
• **Oklahoma District Prayer Conference (Dates TBD)
• Operation Turkey (Rescheduled Dates TBD)
• YM + WNOP Summons (Rescheduled Dates TBD)
• SoCal District WNOP Regional Summons (January 4-5, 2024)
• New York Metro District WNOP Prayer Conference (January 2024, Dates TBD)
• WNOP International Summons: Restoration Church, St. Charles, MO (June 13-15, 2024)

Note: **Some events are District Board approved, but promoted by WNOP. Also, more 2023 event dates may be added to the WNOP Calendar later as approved by the Executive Board or submitted (District). For more info, please contact WNOP at 636-229-7986.