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  • Created to Maximize

    Created to Maximize

    You were created to be a honeybee

    a beautiful creature

    designed to create something sweet

    and a greater purpose – to choose

    Caleigh Ball

    —————————————————

    Growing up, my mom often played an album by Switchfoot that I believe really played a part in shaping me as a person. She would turn on the stereo, put the CD in, press play, and the whole house would be filled with the tunes of this particular album. My mom always did this to motivate herself to get the work done around the house that needed to be done. What she didn’t realize was the impact it had on me as a child.

    Maybe that’s why I’m such an advocate about the music you listen to. One of the reasons at least. But music has a way of moving you, and depending on the choice of music, it can be either in a good direction or a negative one.

    I mean, music does set an atmosphere, and like I said above it can go both ways, good and bad. There’s a reason that, in the armies of Israel, the ones who led the armies were the musicians. Or when King Saul was suffering from a troubled mind, he sought out a musician in an effort to ease his troubles. Music sets an atmosphere. For my mom, it was the encouraging lyrics and upbeat music that motivated her to do the work that was set for that given day.

    The song that I believed affected me the most is called “Meant to Live.” The title alone insinuates that something greater is meant for each of us, more than the monotonous life we’ve become accustomed to. 

    The first line of the chorus says, “We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?” Oftentimes, we allow life to pass us by without us even realizing it. We get caught up in the day to day routine of life. Wake up, get ready for the day, get the kids off to school, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed. Day after day we tend to repeat the same routine. (Well, I don’t have kids yet, but maybe you do.)

    This is not to say that routines are a bad thing whatsoever. I absolutely love a good routine. However, when we get so focused on the routine that we neglect to stop and smell the roses and be intentional and present in the moment, it’s almost like we stick our heads in the sand or put blinders on. So while routines are a good thing, those good things can become toxic things if we allow it.

    Meant to live… speaks volumes. Are you truly living? Or are you caught in a routine?

    See, we weren’t created to get caught in a routine. We were created to maximize our lives and to live to the full potential that God intended us to. Like I had mentioned, sometimes we get so caught up in the mundane that we develop tunnel vision. When this happens, we are in danger of losing the vision God has spoken to us.

    Meant to live… 

    God created each of us with a specific purpose to accomplish. He wants to do those things in and through our lives, but oftentimes we get so wrapped up in living our own lives that we neglect the purpose He planned for us. And ultimately, the plan He has for us will bring fulfillment to our lives; it will bring meaning to it.

    However, we have a choice. We can either maximize our lives, what He has for us, and what He’s entrusted to us or we can squander it out of neglect. Choosing to maximize is an intentional choice; it’s something you have to remind yourself of daily. It doesn’t just come; it requires effort.

    You were created to live for God and what He has purposed for your life. The question is, are you willing to choose to maximize? 

    My prayer for you is that you choose, as Robert Frost said, the road less traveled. To take your life by the reins and maximize all that God has entrusted to you. 

    ❁

    Stay tuned for my next blog post where I’ll share with you the “how” to maximize the life God has given you.

    Bye for now, my friends.

    Caleigh

    An adventurer and coffee enthusiast at heart, Caleigh Ball has a passion for reaching out to others to inspire them to live with intention and purpose. As an ordained minister, she spends her time ministering as a youth pastor and is actively involved in Arise Ministries as the vice president and bookkeeper as well as one of the ministers. She enjoys life with her husband, Emmanuel, and their cat, Alaska, in their home state, Almost Heaven West Virginia.

    Find Caleigh on Instagram at @caleigh.ball 

  • Fear is a Liar!

    Fear is a Liar!

    2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

    If we ever needed to come against fear, it’s right now in the world we live in. Fear is attempting to take over everything and it demands full control. The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but the Lord has come to give us a rich and satisfying life (ref. John 10:10). Our world appears dark and grim. Turning on the news is enough to send you down a frenzy of panic. Do you think this is how disciples of Christ should be living, also?

    Absolutely not. Yet, I see many “Christians” trusting in the government over God and living in fear and seclusion like the world. In John 8:12, Jesus tells us He is the light of the world and if we follow Him, we won’t have to walk in darkness. Now here is where true disciples come into play. Any of us can read the Word, think it sounds good, and go on about our day hoping God swoops in like a magical genie to make everything alright. But that’s not how it works. We have a huge part to play in God’s hand moving in our lives and nation. We are instructed to armor up and to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. We are told to fight the good fight of faith.

    We have a very real enemy who would love nothing more than to paralyze us with fear and make us think we are going down with the rest of the world. But take a look at Psalm 91 with me:

    Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
    This I declare about the LORD:
    He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
    For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
    He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
    Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
    Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
    Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
    Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

    If you make the LORD your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
    no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
    For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
    They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
    You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

    The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
    When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
    I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

    As you can see, we can live in God’s supernatural protection… IF we make the Lord our refuge, if we love Him and trust in His name. He sends His angels to keep charge over us. We have the angel armies on our side if we will choose to access it. We have a part to play in the outcome of our lives. Do not listen to the spirit of fear; rebuke it and it shall flee. Make the Lord your dwelling place and choose to trust God over what you see and even feel at times. Fear can only lie and as we see in 2 Timothy, it is not of God.

    I encourage you to focus on and proclaim only the things of the Lord and watch how the darkness has to flee in Jesus name!!! If you feel fear and it goes against the Word of God, cast it down and find the opposing promise from the Lord and begin to speak that out often. The Lord’s Word does not come back void and cannot be stopped by any enemy we have. Any fear you experience is just a lie from the pit of hell to try and stop you from experiencing all God has for you. So pick up your mat and walk!

    Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years. 

    At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.

    Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.

    She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!

    To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”

  • What We Can Be

    What We Can Be

    And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

    The very phrase, “I want to be the person God wants me to be,” can seem overwhelming and points to a goal that seems impossible to achieve. This is due in part to how we see ourselves. Have you ever noticed that we can be harder on ourselves than anyone else can be? Thankfully, God sees us as a work in progress- not a finished product.

    It is said that in the company of sinners, Jesus dreamed of saints. When He called His twelve disciples, He certainly called an imperfect crew. If we read the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, this becomes very apparent. The same invitation to follow Him that was given to these imperfect men is the same invitation that is given to us. Let us look at that call.

    Hear Jesus say, “Follow me.” This is an open invitation to know Him personally. He has extended the invitation; all we need is the desire to accept it. The Apostle Paul expressed this desire clearly: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Simply, we must be willing to do whatever it takes to really know and follow Him.

    Now hear Jesus say, “I will make you fishers of men.” Philippians 1:6 says: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” He is able to finish what He starts. He knows we are imperfect. Therefore He works in our lives and shapes our character as we follow Him. Then, as time passes, He begins to use us to influence others to follow Him.

    It seems that the Lord has more confidence in us than we have in ourselves, doesn’t it? Knowing this, we need to be encouraged. Yes, we are imperfect. However, He is always mindful of what we can be. That is even more reason to answer the call to follow Him. 

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Stop & Rest. Learn How to Make Beef Tips & Noodles.

    Stop & Rest. Learn How to Make Beef Tips & Noodles.

    Beef Tips & Noodles. 

    Start with a large pot.

    Add oil and fry a roast on all sides (this locks in the flavor).

    Add 1 large can of beef broth and 1 pack of Lipton Onion Beef soup mix. Mix well. 

    Cook for at least 3 hours with lid on. You will most likely need to add more broth as it cooks. And your roast may take more cooking time depending on the size. 

    Cook until tender, set aside to cool, then shred.

    Add 1 large can of beef broth to a large pot, bring to a boil, then add Amish noodles and cook until tender. 

    Drain all but 1 cup of broth. Add 1 can of onion soup mix and mix well. 

    Add shredded beef and salt and pepper to taste.

    Stop And Rest.

    Back in our grandparents era, life didn’t seem as fast paced as today. They actually used their front porches, visited their neighbors, family and friends, and went on Sunday afternoon drives to enjoy the scenery. And that was despite not having all the labor-saving devices that we have today, which actually don’t seem to be helping a lot in creating rest in our lives.

    Our calendars are crammed with commitments. We race from one place to another; annoyed by the fact it took more than a minute at the fast food window or the red light didn’t change as quickly as we anticipated.

    Halfway through the day we’re so tired we don’t think we can to make it to the end of the day. But, we have to plan rest just like we do everything else in our lives because it won’t just happen on its own.

    We need to be intentional about setting time aside to spend with God. That’s where real refreshment and strength comes from and that time with the Lord will make the remainder of your day so much better.  

    “Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!” Psalms 55:6.

    From my House to Your Kitchen, Tina.

    In addition to providing delicious recipes on her Faith and Food blog, Tina Rucker is a proud mom to her 18 year old son, happy wife to her husband Joel of six years, and the spearhead of the Five Loaves Food Pantry ministry in her local church, open twice a month. 

    Tina has worked in the food industry for over 25 years, and has a heart and a passion to serve, feed, and provide for those in need.

  • Giving it All to God

    Giving it All to God

    PSALMS 23:4 NIV. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

    Have you ever been in a valley? Probably so. I think we all have at one time or another. But have you been so deep that you thought you would never be able to climb out? Yeah, me too. I was there not too long ago, I had myself in a situation that put me deep in that valley and I was scared that I wouldn’t get back out. Maybe some of you are in that same place right now. I didn’t have any idea which way my life was going to go from there on. So many terrible thoughts were going through my mind. How did this happen? I KNEW I had messed up…but this was serious. 

    I had to leave a job that I loved. I felt betrayed somewhat by some of my co-workers; why didn’t they step in and help me when I needed it? I was having anxiety attacks…something I had never dealt with before. I had trouble sleeping, and cried out loud and silently a lot. Those close to me that knew what I was going through wanted to help… but I didn’t even know what to tell them. I didn’t know myself what would help me at that point.

    I had to go through some tough inquiries and after each one I just hoped I had said the right thing. I knew what the consequences could be for me and it scared me beyond imagination. I felt like I was just going through the motions of life, when was this going to end??

    I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let this take over my life anymore. I needed to start climbing out of that valley… and start climbing up that mountain. So… what did I do? What I should have done from the beginning. I took it to God, I prayed to him that I believed without a doubt that He would help me through this. When I woke up in the middle of the night, I prayed. Anytime the negative thoughts came knocking, I prayed.

    All of a sudden, I realized I was starting to move up that mountain. Satan kept throwing his best shot at me. He was trying to knock me back down into that valley. He would throw doubt in my head and tell me that I wasn’t worthy of protection from God. Satan will do that and it is so easy to believe him…but don’t let him get in your head.

    A song that always seemed to help me was “Turn It Over” by Zach Williams. The words are so on point. The more I talked to God, the more I knew He was taking care of me. I received a letter that resolved me of anything…. Hallelujah!! God took me under his wing and protected me. He has plans for me and no one can take that away.

    I changed my whole outlook on prayer, reading his word, and worship. I dug myself out of that valley and climbed that mountain, but only with Him beside me every step of the way was it possible. I am a daughter of the King.. and I know he will be with me in any situation that comes before me. I pray that this will help someone that is in a valley right now. DON’T EVER GIVE UP… Just give it to God. 

    Lou Ann Virden is the author of the blog Farmhouse, Coffee and Jesus. She is very active in her church. She volunteers in the food pantry, usher/greeter team, and cleaning crew. She is on the prayer team, is over the sound room team, and she writes the newsletter for her church. Lou Ann and her husband Donnie will be relaunching The Refuge 180 Evangelism Ministry. They have been married for over 40 years. They live on her husband’s family farm with their dog Hunter. In the summer they are busy canning what they harvest from their garden. Her hobbies include going to the beach, reading, camping, and serving however she can. She hopes that her blogs inspires someone that might be dealing with a similar situation.

  • FREEDOM!

    FREEDOM!

    Hey guys! Long time no see. I have been taking a break to get my own life and stuff more together. 

    This past month I had the opportunity to go to a wonderful retreat in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. There, I got to worship with some of the most amazing people on the planet. There were healings and restorations and, because the Spirit of the Lord was there, there was freedom. 

    Something amazing happened on that mountain that nobody can describe. You just had to be there to understand. Such a move of God! 

    I write all of this to say that I received healing and freedom from Autism! I have officially overcome Autism! Guys, it was the singular most amazing feeling I have ever had. The feeling of freedom overwhelmed me! 

    How it happened is this: me and three ladies went into one of the rooms in the cabin and they started praying and they said that I needed to forgive some people to set myself free from any unforgiveness. Unforgiveness can cause soul wounds and keep you from getting true healing. So we prayed and they declared freedom and healing over me and then they prayed for healing from spiritual soul wounds and I felt a release. I am still walking out my healing and my freedom.

    Through this next year I’m wanting to take you along my journey of walking in that freedom and getting to know myself again. I was diagnosed 13 years ago so I have put my whole identity in my diagnosis and now, by faith, I believe I am healed…so what’s next?

    Well I guess we will figure this out together! Stay tuned to watch me find myself again!

    I love you guys! God Bless! Peace out peeps!

    Hannah Benson — known for her big heart, her kindness, and her eagerness to serve — is the author of the Overcoming Autism blog.

    Hannah was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 14, and now uses this media platform as a way to reach out to those living with Autism and other handicaps. Hannah shares tips and coping skills for those with Autism and for family and friends of those who have been diagnosed; she also relates her life to stories in the Bible and chronicles the lessons she’s learned along her journey.

    Hannah Benson can be found on Instagram @hannah_benson94 or on Facebook on the Overcoming Autism Hannah’s Story.

  • Throughout the Years

    Throughout the Years

    The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread (Psalm 37:23-25).

    “I have been young, and now am old.” If we live long enough, we will all be able to repeat King David’s words. In these verses, King David is looking back over his life. The older we get, the more we can reflect on our lives and the more we can see the hand of God throughout the years. Let us see what David was seeing.

    First of all, our steps are ordered by the Lord. He knows what we do not know. He walks with us and even walks before us along life’s way. We do not know what the future holds, but He does. We can be grateful that He gets there ahead of us.

    Secondly, He always supports us. When we fall, God never pushes us down like some people tend to do. He reaches down to help us up and then encourages us to keep going. As the Psalmist wrote, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” We can keep our heads up because we know he is on our side.

    Thirdly, He is always near. God’s people are never forsaken — even when trouble comes. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”(Psalm 46:1).

    Finally, He sustains us. Notice King David’s reference to His seed not begging for bread. Food sustains us physically. The Lord sustains us spiritually. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst”(John 6:35).

    Knowing these things, let us walk with the Lord every day of our lives. Then we will see His hand helping us throughout the years.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • There’s No Glory Without Guts 

    There’s No Glory Without Guts 

    I was in the army for a very short time; I joined when I was 19 years old. I had no idea what the real world was like or how hard training to fight for our country would be. I don’t believe that it was necessarily the Lord’s will for me to join the military, but back then I didn’t care what anyone said except myself. I was impatient, spontaneous, and selfish to be honest. But praise God, won’t He use everything we go through for His Glory and our gain?

    I tell you all this to say that I joined out of what I thought was honor and service. I truly joined because I wanted to fight for our country. I wanted to make a difference and change the world. I had big plans for myself. I saw the recruits graduating from basic training and thought “that’s going to be me soon.” What I didn’t see was the intense, long 9 weeks it took to walk that graduation stage. I wanted all the feelings of accomplishment without the guts and hard work it took to get there. Those 9 weeks were the hardest I’ve ever been through. I had but 3-4 hours of sleep at night, I cried while doing pushups thinking what had I done, and I wanted to quit almost everyday. I had blisters so large on my heels that I had to cover them in duck tape just to continue ruck marching for miles. I felt like I was going through hell. But the only way out was to graduate. 

    See, many soldiers quit before the finish line. They didn’t have enough guts and grit to get the glory. Quitting has never been an option for me in the big stuff in life. Sure, I’d give up on things that seemed insignificant to me, but I couldn’t quit this. I had signed that dotted line saying I’d surrender all to protect the freedom of my country and that’s what I planned to do. I wanted to deploy more than anything but God had other plans and fortunately I was never able to leave the states. 

    I made a lot of sinful mistakes in my 3 short years of service. The Lord restored and redeemed them all. I got my beautiful daughter out of it along with many other painful things. But the Lord has used it all. You see, the reason I longed to fight and be a soldier is because I was meant to go to war… but only the one with our spiritual enemies. The Lord recently told me that my time in the Army wasn’t wasted. God said He would use it for training ground for the Lord’s army I was really supposed to be in all along. 

    I learned how to fight until the finish line, I learned what it means to be so physically exhausted you can’t keep your eyes open, I learned how to eat in less than 3 minutes, and I learned honor, grit, and hard work. Ultimately, at the end of those 9 weeks when I graduated, I experienced a small taste of what it will be like when I get to Heaven and hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” The Lord uses my experience in the army to teach and show me a lot of things, but most of all He reminds me I was meant to be a solider all along, and that if I will fight strong and finish the race, the reward on the other side will be indescribable! 

    We will not experience the Glory of eternity with our King Jesus if we don’t have the guts and grit to run the race set before us on earth, and continue to fight the good fight of faith from the place of victory the Lord gave us. So when you see someone doing something for the Kingdom that you aspire to do, I encourage you to ask them the battles they faced to get there. The oil isn’t cheap or free. None of us start at the top. We have to prove ourselves faithful over the small in order to receive the large. Each time we level up in the Kingdom, it’s like we have to go through basic training all over again and defeat the enemy to conquer new land and promotion. Most of all, these last days are going to require more grit and assurance of our place in Jesus than ever before. Become a person of character and strength through Christ Jesus. Get in the Word, pray, fast, seek and find. Now is not the time to retreat Soldier, armor up and get to marching. Because the victory is worth the fight!!!

    Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years. 

    At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.

    Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.

    She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!

    To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”

  • New Things

    New Things

    Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).

    “This is getting old.” How many times have we heard this statement? How many times have we spoken it — or at least thought it? This is especially true over the past couple of years.

    God’s Word says we can experience more than just the same old thing. The key to this is faith-filled prayer that sincerely and expectantly asks for new things in our lives and our world. Hebrews 11:6 says it plainly: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” It is so simple. We believe, we pray, and God rewards our faith with answers to our prayers. Let us look at a couple of things we should be praying for in this new year.

    Firstly, we should be praying for new levels of God’s righteousness in our lives. As our society becomes more and more permissive, it is easy to get caught up in the wave of unrighteousness that prevails. Yet we know that our righteousness is never enough; His righteousness is what we need.

    Look closely at the writings of the Apostle Paul concerning the righteousness we should seek: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith”(Philippians 3:8-9). No matter how we look at it, God’s righteousness always exceeds our righteousness. His Word declares our righteousnesses to be as filthy rags. Therefore we must raise our standards to His level instead of lowering them to the level of this present world. After all, God is holy.

    Secondly, we should be praying for new levels of closeness to Him. Scripture says that if we draw nigh to Him, He will draw nigh to us. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” He desires that we be close to Him. All we have to do is open the door!

    Finally, we need to pray for new ways to reach out to the lost. During this COVID-19 pandemic this statement has been prevalent; “The church has left the building.” Obviously, this was in reference to such things as parking lot services and on-line services. The truth is, we should have reached out beyond our church walls way before this.

    In Matthew 25 Jesus said, “If you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me.” The “least of these” includes the homeless, the desolate, the hungry, the incarcerated, the lonely and the hurting. They were out there before the pandemic ever came. Now that we have “left the building” we need to ask God for new ways to present the gospel to those who need it the most.

    If our situation is getting old to us, we can improve our situation. Let us ask the Creator of all things to do what we cannot do alone. Let us believe Him and ask Him for new things in this new year.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Fight the Good Fight of Faith

    Fight the Good Fight of Faith

    I’ve noticed a trend in my blogs. It’s because the Lord is beckoning and calling us to war. He is asking us to be on the offense, rather than Satan’s punching bag. The Lord is calling us to wake up, stand up, and armor up. He’s asking us to suit up in our armor and be on the offensive team. 

    Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. – Ephesians 6:10-17

    Now is not the time to play around with the enemy. This is not the time of lukewarm, on the fence, Christianity. Soldier, I don’t think you understand the honor and privilege you have of being chosen for these last days. Do you realize the magnitude of being placed in this season of the world? We are in the greatest days in history. The magnitude of the Gospel being preached is greater than ever before. The miracles, signs, and wonders are about to be poured out like never before. It’s gonna be so great that no history book will contain it. The third Great Awakening is upon us!

    Now with that being said, Satan knows what’s coming more than we do and he isn’t going to sit back and let it happen. I’m sure most of you reading this have been under greater attack than ever before. It’s because Satan is using every weapon he thinks he’s got to stop us dead in our tracks. But praise God that Isaiah 54:17 says, “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!”

    We are in the greatest war in history, Soldier. There isn’t time to only defend yourself when attacks come. Now is the time to be on the offense because Satan is fighting harder than ever before. If you give him an inch, he will take your entire life. Satan has no good in him, all he can do is lie. God is every good thing and Satan is every evil thing. We can’t be passive any longer. There is a high calling on your life and Jesus paid a high price for you to fulfill it. It’s time to armor up, fight the good fight of faith, and usher in the victory of our Lord. 

    And the reason we are told to FIGHT the good FIGHT of faith is because it takes a fight to accomplish it. We don’t need to put on supernatural armor if there isn’t a war involved. What thing worth having ever comes easy? Besides accepting salvation, we have a big part to play. If you are living for the Lord, you have a target on your back and you’re Satan’s worst enemy. Let us not be ignorant to our enemy’s devices. Satan prowls around like a lion looking for whom he may devour. But we have all authority in Heaven and on Earth to stop him. 

    I encourage you to begin to fight and take down the enemy’s camp. It can’t stand when Jesus is involved. Start exercising your authority and watch what God will do!

    Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years. 

    At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.

    Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.

    She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!

    To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”