Over six years ago, I had one of those years where the pressures of life made me feel like I was in a pressure cooker, literally! I had spent years pursuing a doctoral degree and my time was up – I either had to produce or forget it! I hated going to work – for more reasons than I have time to cite! I was weary with having to give so much of myself to so many – mid-life turned into a time of stretching and challenging my faith over and over again! read more...

This week-end I attended a Family Reunion and even though a great time was had by all, it was a vivid reminder why I came to Christ in the first place! Many of you don’t really know my testimony and space will not permit me to tell in detail, but bear with me as I share a portion… read more...

We’re coming to the end of our week where we have been sharing with you concerning “fighting the good fight of faith.” I don’t want anyone to think that this “fight” is going to be easy. It’s not easy, even the Apostle Paul, who was taken up into the third heaven – had some problems fighting sometime. The following passage is an example: read more...

Yesterday we are right at the point of our story where Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah…was about to speak to Jehoshaphat and all the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem. To re-create the scene we found that King Jehoshaphat was terrified of the impending alliance that surrounding nations had made to come against God’s people. However, he had called the people together and instructed them first of all to go on a fast. As they were assembled waiting on further instructions we see the words of Jahaziel:

“He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 2 Chronicles 15-17 (NLT) read more...

We began this week with the thought in mind that we should “fight for the little ones.” There have been times in my life when I would just as soon as thrown in the towel and given up – sometimes even to the point of giving up on life itself. I had no fight, no drive, no determination left – I had become weary with the trials that kept coming at me, and felt as if there was no hope for anything getting better. But I had been given something that few people in my generation had. I had not one, not two, not three children looking to me for their care and provision, I had eight children – who came here to this earth realm because of me, and no matter what was going on in my life – they were dependent upon me to care for them! read more...

Today I heard a song in my spirit that I had not listened to for quite awhile. It is a song by Donald Lawrence, who I consider to be a very talented songwriter. The words I heard were, “see yourself in the future, you are royalty!” Of course this song is based upon a familiar passsage of scripture, 1 Peter 2:9-10,which for this post I chose the MSG version: read more...

“But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NLT) read more...

One of my favorite people in the Old Testament is Nehemiah.He was a man who loved God and loved his people. He was willing to sacrifice a life of ease to toil side-by-side with his brethren to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem to fortify the city. Most of all, Nehemiah was what I would call a spirit-filled strategist. Beginning his work in prayer, and continuing in prayer, he was sensitive to the leading of the Lord, who spoke to his heart a day-by-day, play-by-play plan to accomplish this task. As much as I love telling this story, there was only one scripture in this book bouncing around in my head today, it was Nehemiah 4: 13-15 (NIV): read more...

Only God’s Word Can Convey My Grateful Heart This Day!
God Bless You,
Maria read more...

Editors Note: Today we are featuring the message of Jon Jones, Worship Director of Atmosphere of Heaven, the worship ministry we advertise on the third Friday of each month. Jon is more than a Worship Leader, and in this post he is writing about his recent missionary trip to Turkey. Just as Jon is more than his music, so the Atmosphere of Heaven worship service is more than worship – for more information about today’s worship service, enter the link on the right, Atmosphere of Heaven! read more...