Society has plagued us with what it thinks we should look like. Have you ever wondered what God thinks? God is not only wondrous with His very best creation…namely you, His sons and daughters, but through His gentle caress, His hands molded you into the beauty you were created to be. 

The process of comprehending God’s infinite care for His children allows you to get a firsthand look at each of your unique strengths and weaknesses and puts a perspective on self-esteem. In finding your uniqueness and self-worth you must remember that…

God breathed His Spirit into you and because you were created in His image your worth as a human being is associated with God. Your self-esteem and uniqueness comes from God because He intimately knows you.

In Psalm 139:1-5 & 14 David is pouring out his heart to his Almighty God. It is a prayer of heartfelt devotion and loyalty to the Lord. He is expressing his profound awareness of how awesome God is and how God knows him intimately. “Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

God’s intimately familiar with you and thus 1. God knows what you do in your daily routing of life, both active and passive; 2. God knows what you think.  He knows your subconscious life; 3. God knows where you go, your habits and the things you have need of before you do; 4. God knows everything you will say before you even know what you are going to say; 5. God knows your past, present and future; and 6. One should praise God for one is fearfully and wonderfully made! When things don’t go right don’t get caught up with the status quo. Be different, be unique, be yourself and start making a difference in your life.

Praying that you will fill your minds and meditate on things that are true, noble, and beautiful and may you embrace your uniqueness in Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor Jenny

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Tragedy, death and mayhem happen every day as seen through the television accounts of all the chaos surrounding our lives today. Nevertheless, the story of any child getting hurt is even more painful, as our heart aches for the child; all the while asking how a loving God can allow this to happen. The fear of losing a child can send one into an emotional frenzy that so often puts blame in Him who deserves no such blame. We cry out in outrage because we are not able to save a child from pain and pray for that child’s life. If a tragedy occurs many turn their backs on God refusing to have anything further to do with Him.

There were evil forces working against little Jessica that day, which began to put in motion the sequence of events that lead to her fall. God did not forsake baby Jessica; in fact, God was in the midst of all that chaos. He was there supplying the rescuers with the strength and stamina and unrelenting will to continue until baby Jessica was released from her prison. He was there with all the people who provided and supplied everyone with equipment, food, and encouragement into the long hours of the night. He was there with all the people in the nation and the world who came together in prayer for the deliverance of one little girl. He was with all the people who gave generously to a trust fund for baby Jessica ensuring any future needs would be met. Such love, compassion and generosity were driven by the God who created baby Jessica and all of us.

In the 23^rd Psalm 1-6 we read the beautiful words of King David, who said “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will FEAR NO EVIL; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Baby Jessica both cried and sung in her ordeal. But one truth remains, she was not alone during those grueling 58 hours. God made sure that she would be rescued and brought together not only the nation to watch over her, but the world.

Praying that you remember in the middle of your anguish just how much God loves you and wants only the best for you. Call out to God and He will rescue you.

In His Service,

Pastor Jenny 

Psalm 91:11 “For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

In the story of Joseph we find that robes in his day were very important because robes were used to warm oneself, wrap babies in, bundle up one’s belongings or even use them as security for a loan. The robes were probably plain, knee length and short sleeved. However, the robe described in the story, was the kind worn by royalty, long sleeved, ankle length and colorful (Genesis 37:3). Because Jacob loved Joseph “more than any of his other son,” Jacob presented his son Joseph with a magnificent gift. Jacob’s favoritism of his youngest son brought on dissension amongst his brothers, so much so that Joseph was hated by all his brothers and not one would speak a kind word to him. In fact, the hatred brewed amongst the brothers to the point that they began to plot murder in their hearts. One day while the eleven brothers were out in Dothan, they saw Joseph approaching. Immediately the plot to kill Joseph took form, however, the eldest Ruben tried to save his life and instructed his brothers not to kill him, thus Joseph was stripped of his ornamented robe and thrown into a cistern (cisterns were used to store water. They were usually pear shaped, and 15 to 20 feet deep, and the actual opening was only a 2 to 3 feet), which did not have any water.

Jacob’s exhibition of favoritism concerning Joseph brought into the home rivalry, deceit, and contention. Jacob allowed favoritism to hinder his family and aggravated the already strained relationship between Joseph and his brothers. Jacob disregarded his other son’s emotional egos thus changed the direction of the future of his sons.

Jesus said “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50). God’s family is eternal and He loves each and every one of us. He loves those who have not accepted Christ for “the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God loves us so much that “He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Praying that God’s peace will reign in your heart as He meets you where you are to welcome you into His waiting arms and that you maintain the love and dignity of the family by loving each child equally as God loves you.

Blessings,

Pastor Jenny

1 John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

Even though the love between Jack and Rose was fictional, there is another love story that was and is still more real. A man, the Son of God lived and walked the earth several thousand years ago. He came because of His unconditional love for us…mankind. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It didn’t matter if you were a sinner, a liar, or a thief; a Jew or Gentile, a woman or a man, lame, blind, deaf or mute. The sins that people committed did not dissuade Jesus. He loved them all!!! In fact, Jesus’ own words tell us that “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).  

He loved us so much that He even suffered a criminals’ death! He was chastised. The guards mocked Him. They stripped Him and put a purple robe on Him. They twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head. Jesus hands were tied. They put a staff in His right hand. They fell down on their knees and paid homage to him. “Hail, king of the Jews! And they spat on Him. They blindfolded Him. They took the staff from Him and with the same staff hit Him over the head, repeatedly and demanded Prophesy! Who hit you? They said many insulting things to Him. Then while Jesus blood was drying over his open wounds, they pulled the purple robe from the dried blood, opening up His wounds again and placed His own clothes on Him. They took Him away to crucify Him; all the while being ridiculed. That is how much He loved YOU and ME!!! He was crucified, He died, was buried and was resurrected! This Easter as we celebrate with eggs and chocolate, remember that the true spirit of the season is the love that Jesus had for you. He gave His life as a ransom for you!!! Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Praying that you will enjoy the freedom Jesus gave as a gift and may you live an abundant life in the love of Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Jenny

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

When we hear bang, our minds automatically begin to see an explosion, flare-ups, and upsurge of devastation. That is because we have been trained to see an explosion as a chaotic eruption of destruction. Consequently, the galaxies, planets and moons began to form into a synergy of beauty. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1); “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands” (Psalm 102:15).

God began forming the earth and in the first three days He filled it with – light, water, dry ground, vegetation. On the last three days, He filled the earth with lights, every living thing, livestock, wild animals, creatures that moved along the ground and every green plant. Then after He finished with the earth, He began to work on man and woman. He began by making us in “His own image” (Genesis 1:27). It is important to note that He left us for last because we, you and I are His crowning jewels. He took His time in that He wanted His children to have everything and be provided for. Then God “blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number, fill it and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28). “…I give you everything on the face of the whole earth …everything that has breath of life in it” (Genesis 1:29-30). God bless both man and woman to become one and share equally under God’s headship in being stewards of God’s gift of creation. He placed us here as capable agents to represent God’s claim to kingship over His creation and to bring glory to the Creator.

Now stop, take a moment and look around you. See the beauty that could have only been manifested by the hand of the one Architect above all other architects. The designer took care in every minute detail as He brought forth His creation. Scientist may believe that an explosion was capable of producing order and beauty, however, I as a believer of truth will continue to stand on the belief that only God alone could have brought forth order from chaos, beauty from ugliness, and perfection from imperfection. For “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hand” (Psalm 19:1).

Praying that in these times of disbelief you may hold onto the Spirit of truth given to you by God, the Creator of all things, and become steadfast in YOUR faith. 

Blessings,

Pastor Jenny

Psalm 119:89 “Your word, Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth and it endures.”

In trying to open up a new world for Helen Keller, the Miracle Worker, Anne Mansfield Sullivan steadily pumped cool water into Helen’s hand while tapping repeatedly the alphabet code of five letters in her other hand, first slowly, then rapidly. Anne Mansfield Sullivan was determined to help the struggling youth by repeating the activity over and over again until Helen painstakingly struggled and broke her world of silence.

Before Jesus was lead to his death, He told His disciples that He needed to leave them in order for them to receive “another advocate” (John 14:15) for “you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17); a promise that He keeps to those who love Him.   

In the final hours of Jesus’ life, He was ridiculed, mocked, spat on and suffered great pain and anguish. On the cross He heard the people saying, He saved others, now why can’t He save himself? The crowd could not understand the meaning of Jesus words when He said “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Jesus’ words showed the complete isolation Jesus was experiencing on the cross. He was not only cut off from His fellow man, but from His fellowship with His Heavenly Father…God Himself.

Our perception is that we are always alone, but that is not true. Jesus said that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His gift to us is the “Spirit of Truth” (John 16-17). The Spirit of Truth shall live in us. Thus, when He said where two are gathered He meant that – you are 1 and the Spirit of God IN YOU is 1, so 1 & 1 = 2, which means that Jesus is always with you! You are NOT alone!!

Jesus truly suffered all alone! Helen Keller had her lifelong friend and teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan. Through God’s love for you, You WILL NEVER be alone, but have an unwavering promise of a lifelong friend in Jesus Christ.  

Praying that you will always walk in truth, and chose to live in the glorious presence and wisdom of God.

In His Service,

Pastor Jenny 

John 15:15 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

In the story of Cain and Able, both brothers brought offerings to God. Cain worked the soil while Able kept flock (Genesis 4:2). However, it was the choice Cain made that triggered the events to follow. Because Cain decided to bring some of the fruit as an offering and Able brought fat portions from some of his first born from his flocks; the offering brought by Able was viewed as favorable, thus gave rise to jealousy between the brothers (Genesis 4:4).

God favored Abel’s offering because his offering was through faith and heartfelt. Able recognized that all things were created by God and were God’s. Whereas Cain’s offering was not from the heart and as a result his motivation and attitude were displeasing to God, making his offering uncaring and thoughtless. Cain’s lack of respect for His Creator allowed jealousy to open the door for sin to enter into his heart and consequently the killing of his brother, Able.  

Since jealousy and anger are such debilitating emotions, trying to control them while in the middle of the emotion is impossible at best. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like” (Galatians 5:19-20). Therefore, the best thing to do is ask God to help you through the situation, to guide you, give you clarity of heart and mind and discernment to address those issues that trigger your jealous tendencies. Remember, jealousy has been in the world since the beginning of time and because of that it is a difficult emotion to deal with, however, the best medicine to cope with this green eyed monster is to have the one who can cut through the emotions “For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12), help you…God himself.

Praying that you ask God to help you permanently dissolve the emotions of jealousy and anger and to restore and renew your heart, mind and spirit through Jesus Christ.

In His Service,

Pastor Jenny

Romans 4:20 “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”

The story of the man who brought his evil possessed son to Jesus shows us the difficulty when the evil forces begin to affect our faith. It was after the transfiguration that Jesus discovered the remaining nine disciples defeated and in confusion. Originally the man brought his possessed son for healing from an evil spirit that robbed him of speech, throwing him to the ground with seizures, and left him foaming at the mouth, gnashing his teeth and becoming rigid, to the disciples. Remember, up until this point in time it was Jesus who was doing the healing, while the disciples watched. Thus when the disciples were confronted by this serious challenge (which Satan was going to use), they became powerless because of their lack of faith. Yet, even with the disciple’s confusion, Jesus enters into the picture to bring peace to the chaos which ensued. 

When you get so caught up in your problems, your circumstances, your family, your job, you tend to forget that God is in control and that you too have the power and authority given to each believer through Christ in that you “can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Not only that, but as difficult as it sounds, one must “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The father of the evil possessed boy was not only disappointed, but disillusioned with the disciples. This gave way to false hopes and the people being lead astray. Don’t let anyone attack your belief in God and what He can do for you. Ask God to show you how to see through His eyes at your circumstances and stand firm!

Never underestimate the power of believing! Jesus tells us we can do all things because of our FAITH! Never give Satan the opportunity to diminish your faith power by doubting God’s ability to work on your behalf. Plant the seed of faith in your spirit. Then water and nurture it until you begin to see the power of the Hand of God working in your life.

Praying that your faith light will never burn out but grow in its full potential to achieve great success through Christ Jesus.

In His Service,

Pastor Jenny

Psalm 119:76 “May your unfailing love be my comfort according to your promise to your servant.”

Mary the mother of Jesus came from humble beginnings. She never wore fine clothes. She never exalted herself, nor did she ever enter a palace. As a young girl in Nazareth, Mary was more serious and devout than the other girls of her age and was more given to believing in the wonders of the God of her forefathers. She was too humble to even think that she would be the center of humanity’s greatest miracle. One night Mary, a young Jewish girl, received a visit from the angel Gabriel. She was not only surprised, but fearful and troubled. Why had he come? The angel Gabriel, known as the messenger for God came to announce to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah (Luke 1:35). Mary, who was a direct descendant of King David, would give Jesus the right to ascend the Jewish throne.

The Promise, a gift of such magnitude was predestined to be delivered through Mary for the salvation of the world. The certainty of God’s Promise was that since “there was no one greater for Him to swear by, He (God) swore by himself, saying I will surely bless you… Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:13-14; 17-19). However, not everyone was going to accept the gift. Jesus, God incarnate was born of a woman, experienced childhood and grew up to be a man, underwent every imaginable hurt, grief, pain and suffering so that we would have a chance at life. “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed” (Hebrews 9:15).  

Although Mary was fearful and troubled, it was her unconditional love, faith and belief in the Almighty God that protected and delivered her. Will you have that same faith?

Praying that your spirit rejoices as you remember how valued you are because of God’s Promise of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ!

 In His Service,

Pastor Jenny

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

God is Omnipotent, all-powerful. The power of God is in His ability and strength and can bring to pass whatever He pleases, whenever He pleases. His infinite wisdom may direct and He has the power to execute His will. A woman’s grasp of the power of God will transform her thinking and her actions.

There is an interesting story about people who believed and people who did not believe in the Old Testament. Twelve men were chosen by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan (the land which the Lord was giving to them). The spies went out and came back and reported directly to the people; saying “the enemy is bigger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). Out of the twelve only two believed that their mission was not impossible. Because the people believed the ten who insisted the mission was impossible, the people voted not to go into the land that the Lord was giving them and consequently, the people wandered for 40 more years.

However, the other story is the one in which Joshua succeeding Moses was also directed by God to send out two men to spy out the land. This time, the spies reported directly to Joshua, and the people believed that “God is bigger” than any enemy. The news was received enthusiastically and everyone supported the report. The people acted upon the report and they settled in the Land of the Promise.

The generation before Joshua’s leadership, began with little faith in God’s power; however, it was Joshua’s generation that grew to have great faith in the power of God. The power of God in your life can bring incredible results, therefore speak God’s Word faithfully and all kinds of positive things will begin to happen, while all kinds of obstacles will be removed and conflicts…settled.

Consider the stories of the way God’s power transformed the lives of the people in the Bible. Then “Let the one who has my word speak it faithfully…”Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:28-29). When you begin to speak the word of God, in faith and in the Name of Jesus, you will have awesome power to overcome seeming insurmountable obstacles.

God promised the nation of Israel a land full of milk and honey. Yet, their lack of faith and belief in the power of God left them in the desert to wander without receiving the blessing they were destined to receive. Will you decide to believe in the power of God for your life or will you continue to wander in the desert?

Praying that you will choose to believe in the Omnipotent God and may you be filled with truth to receive its freedom and allow God to accomplish His desire for your life.

In His Service,

Pastor Jenny

Palm 62:11-12 “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”