The Word Illlustrated #54--Volunteer Service

The Word Illustrated #54
© Pamyla Floyd
7/29/2010

Volunteer Service

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: -- Ephesians 6:7

Volunteer--a person who voluntarily undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service

About 3 years ago, I was praying and searching for a new church home. I’ve always been a volunteer at heart, and really wanted to get back into God’s service. My prayers were answered when the Lord sent me to Amazing Grace Church. In that place, He gave me all that I asked for and more.

I spoke with a friend who I highly regarded in the faith, and excitedly told her what happened to me. Her reaction stunned me. She said “Sister So and So said to sit down for a year and watch, before you get involved and worn out”. I realized then, that she had only talked about serving God, instead of actually doing it.

I’m not speaking on this to put anyone down, (I let her know that she was given the wrong advice). My point is that service to God is never wrong. It is unequalled to anything you or I will ever do in the service of man. If you are worried about waht you do, or what others will say, please know that you have been played by satan. Check your motives. Do you want to be seen by others for praise or are you thankful to the Lord for what He has done and want to bless Him back? You can NEVER out give God. The interest He pays far exceeds any other return!

I am thankful to be in a place, where the pastors encourage us to use our gifts and talents to honor God. My personal and spiritual growth has been accelerated since giving my whole heart to serving the Lord. You don’t have to pray about this, it is God’s will that we serve Him. It’s time to get off the pew, stop complaining, get in there, and do what we do best.

WE are all born with different talents, gifts and abilities, and even those we used in the world, can be turned around and used for the glory of God. How can you bless the Lord today? Be willing to allow Him to use you, you won’t regret it. Infact, you will wonder why you didn’t do so sooner.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Proverbs 16:7 – When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him

I Peter 4:19 -- Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator

Note: The illustration is of a hand raised up. It symbolizes a hand raised and ready for service

The Word Illustrated #53--Forgive

The Word Illustrated #53
© Pamyla Floyd
7/19/2010

Forgive

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him – I John 3:15

Forgive -- to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : PARDON intransitive verb : to grant forgiveness

If we cannot forgive those who have done even the most horrific things against us, how can we expect God to forgive us? It is not in our nature to automatically pray for, or bless those who have abused, cursed and used us; the word of God tells us that this we must do so, or we cannot enter heaven. Jesus, on the cross, asked the Father to forgive them (us). HE was held hostage, spat on, cursed, mutilated, beaten beyond recognition, and he forgave.

Unforgiveness cripples us spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. When we refuse to forgive, we are handing satan a license to afflict us with all manner of sickness and disease. If this issue is not dealt with, we find ourselves butchering relationships with people who were not present when our assaults took place. The roots of unforgiveness run deep, and its tentacles spread wide, affecting every area of our lives. Did you know that we are not to take communion if we have aught against a brother?

Forgiveness is not easy, but it can be done in faith. I learned this from my pastors. I have been freed (Hallijuleah) and I’mnow able to experience spiritual freedoms not afforded me while I held grudges against others. It is important to be led of the Holy Spirit, to know when to extend forgiveness to those who have spoiled us, or when to ask forgiveness of those whom we have wronged. We may not be received, but walking in God’s will is much more valuable, and rewarding, than approval from any man.

It is not easy, but all things really are possible with Christ. There were things that I unconsciously held on to. There were also things that I purposed in my heart to not let go of. Unforgiveness is a vicious cycle that the enemy uses to steal our health, kill our dreams, and wipe us out; Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil in our lives. We cannot enter heaven if we are harboring unforgiveness, it is NOT an attribute of God.

I cannot stress enough how walking in love and forgiveness will bless you. It is imperative that we let go of whatever we are holding over others. There may be times still when we are offended, hurt, or lied to, but we can be Christ-like in our attitude and actions towards others always. We don't have to keep score or give space in our minds as to how we will "get back" at others. The Lord says that vengeance is His.

This has been one of the most difficult assignments that the Lord has given me. It has also been one of the most important that I will ever share. I pray that I am faithful to the charge that God has given me, which is to encourage the saints, and help them to live more abundant lives in Christ.

Please, go before the Lord today and ask Him to show you where hidden unforgiveness or grudges are hidden in your heart. He is faithful to see you through every step of the way. I love you and I'm praying for you. We have to get this right.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:
Mark 11:25 -- 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.

Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Note: The illustration above is of a woman’s face showing only one side. She has a suspicious look as she gazes at someone.

The Word Illustrated #52--Be healed!

The Word Illustrated #52
© Pamyla Floyd
7/16/2010

Healed in Jesus name

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick – Matthew 14:14

Too often we lay in our sick bed, refusing to call our church family for prayer.
satan will try to convince us that we are a nuisance, or that we don’t deserve healing. he wants to keep us locked away from others, so that he can continue to steal our life away from us. Ignorance is not bliss, learn what the word says about your situation!

WE have to be careful about what we accept as truth. When I dislocated and broke my ankle this past November, I was told that I would walk with a limp, experience pain when the weather changed, and probably get cancer because of plate and screws. I was told this by well meaning Christians who did not know the word of God. I refused to accept those words, and let them fall to the ground, like rocks, null and void. I have learned to operate in faith, and not fear.

I found scriptures to meditate on, and I confessed aloud what my outcome would be -- complete and total restoration in Jesus name. If I experienced pain, I refused to think that my prayers were not heard, or that I would not be healed. When your mind is made up, you must stand, no matter what it looks, tastes, or smells like. If you begin to doubt, repent, confess the sin of doubt and unbelief, and start over again -- in faith.

Exodus 15:26 says that if we diligently listen to the voice of God and keep His commandments and statues, that He will not put any of the diseases upon us that he brought against the Egyptians. My prayer is that God would turn the plate and screws into bone. I have no pain, nor do I walk with a limp -- Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:
Psalms 30:2 -- O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me

James 5:14 – Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Note: the animated image above is of dancing notes with the caption "healed"

The Word Illustrated #51--The land of milk and honey

The Word Illustrated #51
© Pamyla Floyd
7/3/2010

The land of milk and honey

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD – Jeremiah 11:5

God has brought many out from under the bondage of debt, and He will do it for you too. The word works, and the steps are easy, but satan will try to convince you otherwise. he will argue that they are useless, that you are in too deep, or that it only happens to other people. Resolve to not give up nor give in. See yourself living debt free.

What would your life look like? How would you feel? How much more could you help others? What could you sow into God’s kingdom if you weren’t bound by debt? Now, I know that circumstances beyond our control cause financial hardships, but we have to be honest about our part in the matter.

In prayer, be truthful and honest. Repent, and ask the Lord to help you get out of debt. Gather all of your bills into a pile, and call them paid in Jesus name. We must speak to our mountains in faith, without doubt, says Matthew 21:21. Begin with the smallest balance, and formulate a plan to pay if off, Keep going, until all bills are paid in full. See yourself living debt free

Be humbled when speaking with your creditors. This is necessary, and it is pleasing to God. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the whole armor of God so that we may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. satan tried to tempt Jesus, so don’t fall to pieces when he shows up. You MUST find supportive scriptures to stand on, and mediate on them daily, saying them aloud. What’s in you is what comes out of you. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God AMEN! See yourself living debt free

Be patient. If you are standing in need of something, God through His Holy Spirit will instruct you on what to do. You can’t know His voice if you aren’t spending time alone with Him. Minimize your distractions and allow Him to be your joy. By the time you cross over into the Promised Land, you will have learned how to walk, talk, and think differently, toward all that He has given you charge over. Your relationship with Him will be a beautiful bond more beautiful than you ever imagined!

By tithing ten percent, saving ten percent, and learning to live on less; we will find ourselves living less stressed and more comfortably. By getting out of debt God’s way, we will also be able to leave an inheritance that flows down to our children’s children. There is no joy in dodging phone calls, or being stressed about going to the mail box. Jesus came to give life more abundantly. Isn’t it time we started living in it?

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Matthew 18:27 – Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt

Romans 4:13 -- For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith

Note: the illustration is a depiction of the promised land, lush and free.