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  • Never Ashamed

    Never Ashamed

    Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).

    Denying Jesus is a terrible thing to do. Yet, at some time in our lives, we have all done that very thing. We can deny Him by our words and our actions. Even our silence — failing to speak up for Him when we should — is a form of denial. It is certain that we should never be ashamed of Him — after all He is our Savior.

    John 1:11-12 says, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Clearly, we are given the option to receive or reject Him. Receiving Jesus by faith means we confess Him before this world. We will never be ashamed that we have received Him.

    In addition to being unashamed of Jesus, we are unashamed of His gospel. The Apostle Paul stated this most eloquently in Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” We read the gospel, believe the gospel and do our best to live it out in our lives. We will never be ashamed that we have believed and stood for the gospel of Christ.

    In Joel 2, there are two verses that contain the exact same phrase regarding God’s people. Look closely at verses 26 and 27: “And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.” That phrase is: “..and my people shall never be ashamed.”

    This phrase pertains to us today. This phrase will pertain to us on the Day of Judgement. Just imagine hearing Jesus say to our Heavenly Father, “This one was not ashamed of me and I am not ashamed of him/her.” He has promised we will never be ashamed. He will keep that promise.

    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.

  • You’re Part of Jesus’ Crew!

    You’re Part of Jesus’ Crew!

    You know in the movies, or even real life, where there is a popular, wealthy friend that everyone wants to be involved with or acknowledged by? And people will do anything to get in the popular crew, even things they don’t want to? It’s just that being liked and accepted is so huge in human nature that they give in. But in real life, Jesus should be the most likable person. The Lord should be the Man we want to know more than anyone, and His crew is where we should want to reside. 

    Being part of the Lord’s crew is everything. I never really felt like I fit in completely with one group. I pretty much got along with everyone, but I was kind of on the outside of things. I now see it’s because I was set apart from the start. I was never meant to be part of a worldly crew or group. I was meant to be in the Lord’s Army all along. And the same goes for you! Being in the Lord’s friend group is more than I could have ever pictured it would be!!!

    You can’t be shunned or thrown out of the Lord’s group from a small mistake or because you’re no longer liked. Even when you choose to walk away, there is grace and mercy that is so freely given to welcome you back with open and loving arms! The Lord’s crew has limitless benefits. When you get saved and born again, you now have access to things you never would have when you were part of the world. You are now the righteousness of the Lord. You are blameless and Holy in His sight (ref Col. 1:22). You don’t have to try to dress a certain way, go through an initiation process, or work for your acceptance. It’s actually the complete opposite of a worldly group.

    The Lord wants someone to know you can be a part of His crew, too. He loves you with an unending, unconditional love. You will be accepted, loved, cherished, forgiven, comforted, and adorned. You don’t have to try to fit into this world any longer. You were never meant to anyway. We are IN this world but we are not OF this world. When you get into God’s crew, you also become friends with other people in His crew. Friendships in the Lord are better than any worldly friendship you could experience. 

    All you have to do to be part of Jesus’ crew is to be born again. He offers a love that can’t be comprehended. Not only does He offer us mansions and a new, perfect Earth when He comes back, He offers us so much now on this Earth, too. The Lord is so faithful, understanding, kind, and joyful! He is my best friend, and He can be yours too. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had! His friendship is unmatched. Not only does He offer us eternal salvation, but He’s so gracious to offer an immense number of blessings even before then. He wants to be your closest friend, too! Run to Him. He’s worth it all!

    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!”

  • Seize

    Seize

    Seize: take (an opportunity or initiative) eagerly and decisively.

    You know what sounds nice? The promise of security. The promise of freedom. The promise that, no matter what, someone would always be there for you, accept you, and love you. The promise of blessings. The promise of forgiveness.

    And you know what? All of that is ours for the taking when we accept and pursue a relationship with Jesus. How crazy is that!

    So today, I encourage you to seize the opportunity and pursue God. Look into the Bible and see what He speaks over us; what He’s promised to His people; who He is to us. And then you’ll know.

    Seize the moment. Seek Jesus today.

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige

  • Defeating Fear

    Defeating Fear

    Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God (II Timothy 1:6-8).

    At this time, we are in a chaotic chapter in our nation’s history. There are many questions being asked with no answers on the horizon.

    When will this pandemic end?

    Is our economy going to hit rock bottom?

    Where are we headed politically?

    Will we see the America we have known and loved again?

    These are questions that produce fear, even in the hearts of believers. It is so important that we know where fear comes from so we can properly deal with it.

    I John 4:18 says, “fear hath torment.” Scripture says God does not tempt us. If He doesn’t tempt us, then why would He torment us? Obviously, He would never torment us. Therefore, fear does not come from God: Satan is the source of fear. God gives us good things.

    Firstly, He gives us power — power to fight the enemy of our souls. Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. Jesus is saying to us exactly what He said to the disciples in Luke 10:19: “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” We need to interpret this Scripture in the spiritual context that it is written. We can handle whatever Satan throws at us because of the power our Lord has given us.

    Secondly, He gives us love. Again, I John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” There is no love more perfect than the love of our Heavenly Father. If we believe He loves us, it follows that we believe He will take care of us no matter the chaos that surrounds us.

    Finally, he gives us sound minds. I Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” There is a lot of confused thinking in our society; thinking that breeds discontent and aggression. God enables us to think clearly so that we have peace of mind instead of a constant war going on in our heads.

    Yes, on the surface there are fearful events occurring almost daily. However, we need to see past that to the spiritual warfare that is being waged. As Christians, we are not powerless. God Almighty is on our side. He provides the power, love, and soundness of mind to enable us to be victorious no matter how difficult the battle.

    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.

  • Patience

    Patience

    Hey guys! 

    So I saw a video of one of my friends and his chocolate lab puppy. In the video, he was showing how the puppy had the patience to wait for my friend to say a certain command. It got me thinking about patience and how in the autism world, both us as aspies and the people that do life with us have to have patience. It can also pertain to people who are just living life. We all need patience. 

    In my mind, there are two types of patience: one we use for each other, and one we use when there is a process. Both are super important so I’m going to make this a two part series. The first part is going to be about the patience that we use with other people. 

    I have experienced the lack of this in society my whole life! That is, up until about four years ago. People tend to just write people like me off and give up, but four years ago I found my church family and they have shown me that there are still people out there that are patient and understanding. It is hard for us aspies to live in a world where people are not willing to take the extra patience to help us. We sometimes will watch as people with Down’s Syndrome are given more patience than what is given us… why? You can see their disability and ours is hidden. I digress, it doesn’t matter who it is… everyone needs patience. Especially us aspies, haha! It’s biblical.

    In Ephesians Paul reminds us to be humble and gentle, be patient bearing one another in love. 

    Part two is coming soon!

    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.

  • Waste

    Waste

    Waste: (of a person or a part of the body) become progressively weaker and more emaciated.

    When I was younger and would express how “starving” I was, I would often have a relative poke fun at me by saying something like: “Oh, you must just be wasting away!”

    And when planning for this post, I remembered this. The message that I feel led to give is this:

    Many are wasting away. Many are starving themselves spiritually and aren’t getting the proper “nutrients” in their walk with Christ. And because of this, they are starving. They’re becoming weaker and weaker. And now is the time to do something about it. 

    To those people, I say this: You’re not defeated and you’re not done. You can pick yourself back up and put in the work. You can be revived once again. And you can be restored. 

    You are never too far gone. God will always accept you. 

    Come back to Him today. It’s possible, and He’s waiting.

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige

  • Everyone Needs A Song

    Everyone Needs A Song

    By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land (Psalm 37:1-4).

    Obviously, these verses correspond with a sad time in the history of God’s chosen people: Israel. They were in captivity in Babylon. They had lost their freedom: they had lost their song. Harps hanging in the willows were the evidence that the music was silenced in their lives.

    Like the Israelites, we dwell in a strange land. As Christians, we are in this world, but we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in Heaven. However, we must never hang our harps in the willows. No matter what our situation, we always need a song. As God’s people — enroute to a much better place — we have reason to sing.

    Psalm 118:14 says, “The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” We sing because God is our salvation. Isaiah 12:2 reminds us that we can trust Him. Since He is our salvation and we trust Him, we have no need to fear. Surely, we can sing of His salvation!

    Psalm 40:2-3 states so eloquently: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust the Lord.” As we look back, can we remember the pits He delivered us from? Every deliverance we have experienced is part of our testimony to a world that needs to know the awesome power of God. May we let our songs be testimonies of deliverance.

    We need to remember that the Christian life is not a life of defeat. We are more than conquerors through the Savior who loves us. Many are the battles we face. We do not face battles alone. God is always with us to see us through to victory. Psalm 140:7 lets us know He always has us covered: “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” When we sing about victory in Jesus, we are not singing empty words. Let us sing songs of victory with confidence that we are on the winning side.

    Obviously, life is not all sunshine and rainbows. There are dark seasons as well. Sunshine or rain, clear skies or storm clouds, we always need a song. Our God always provides a reason to sing. Psalm 42:8 says “Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

    Everyone needs a song! God provides the song for every season and every situation. Let us take our harps out of the willows and sing our songs with all of our hearts.

    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.

  • What’s in the Well Comes Up With the Bucket

    What’s in the Well Comes Up With the Bucket

    I’ve been thinking about the way that people act and react a lot here lately. There are so many things that make us who we are and that make us act the way we do. 

    I was talking with my daughter, Ryleigh, the other day and we were talking about why she had done something. She said something and I said, “That’s not an excuse.” 

    She said, “No, but it’s a reason.” She’s only 10 years old, you all. 

    I began thinking about times that I have acted in ways that I am embarrassed of. Things I wish I could take back the moment I said them or did them. It’s so frustrating. But it’s not a new problem. Paul says in Romans 7:15: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” In other words I do the things I don’t want to do but don’t do the things I want to — the things that are right! 

    Our thoughts play a more important role in this than many of us realize. Several weeks ago, I had a lesson planned out for the kids about flexible and negative thoughts. It had to do with how what we think about a situation affects how we feel which, in turn, affects how we act. I had it all planned out in my mind and was ready to talk to them about it in the next day or two. 

    Now, I will say that I’m a pretty laid back person and don’t really lose my temper much. But do you know that I had put some burgers on the grill and burned them? I was so mad. I was pretty loud about how mad I was and it felt good too. Until I turned around and saw my husband and daughter looking at me like I had lost my mind. They couldn’t understand why I was so upset over burgers. Really, I shouldn’t have been, but for some reason, it just set me off. Needless to say, that lesson got postponed for a few more days, and after I had some time to get over myself, I used it as an example to show them what not to do. Ha!

    King Solomon said in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”. How do we guard our hearts? We fill our mind with God’s Word. We pray and ask God to help us, and we think on good things. 

    After all, we cannot act differently than we think. It’s not okay to go around offering excuses for things that we do. But, behind every action is a reason. If our minds are filled with doubt, fear, and worry, it affects how we act. But if we fill our minds with who God says we are, the things we think, do, and say, will change for the better. 

    I just recorded a song that I wrote that will be coming out very soon that deals with this and I can’t wait to share it with you. In the meantime, keep thinking good thoughts! Be aware of who you are in Christ and walk confidently knowing that you are seen, known, and loved by the creator of the universe.

    Telina Frye is the author of Dare to Dream, as well as a pastor’s wife and mother to her 13 year old son and 10 year old daughter. 

    She is a singer/songwriter and a natural born dreamer. Telina is also credentialed in the Church of God as an Exhorter and holds a Minister of Music License. She serves as the worship leader at the church where her husband serves as lead pastor. 

    Telina loves having deep, meaningful conversations about what is and what could be. She hopes this blog will inspire readers to dare to look past what is, see what can be, and reach for the impossible.

  • Is Your Lifestyle Bible-Based or Religion-Based?

    Is Your Lifestyle Bible-Based or Religion-Based?

    Wow.

    That’s the best word I have to describe what the Lord has been showing and teaching me lately. Is this what it’s like to go from Glory to Glory? Everything I thought I ever knew about the Lord and the Word is being challenged and wrecked. 

    I wasn’t sure what to write about today. Normally I have a word burning in me, but today I had to seek the Lord to find out what He wanted me to share. 

    I had been going through some struggle and felt I might not make it out. On the outside, my life was great, but my spiritual warfare was intense behind the scenes. Satan knew I was about to learn the Truth and he wanted to do everything in his power to stop it. The Lord had foreshadowed of things to come for me, but I didn’t realize it would be in this manner. For once in my life (ouch, it hurts to say that), I truly sought after the Lord and what He wanted for me. It didn’t take long before He began to show me things I never thought I needed to know. 

    I rarely read the Word for myself… (blunt honesty). I went to church, I “prayed,” I believed what I was taught by those I assumed were right with God. But I never challenged it against the Living Word. I didn’t really seek the Lord deeply for myself. I never questioned what I was taught or listened to. The Lord was drawing me to Himself. He had me quit my job, stay at home, and seek Him. He put me in the one place I said I’d never be: back in my hometown as a stay at home parent. Where would I go from here? Would I be angry and stay complacent, or would I seek the reason the Lord brought me here? 

    The Lord has a reason for everything. Do we love Him enough to seek those answers? I can almost guarantee you have adopted some truths that aren’t really Bible based. This blog is an encouragement to seek the Lord for yourself. Open your mind enough to accept the possibility that you have probably been taught some wrong things. Drop the spirit of religion and your learned behaviors. Seek the Lord with everything you have; read the Word as much as you can; and saturate yourself in the Lord’s presence. It is no secret we are living in the last days. We need the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, more than we ever have. 

    I included some bible verses below I felt the Lord wanted me to share. This is a different blog, no doubt about it, but it is one the Lord wants out there. If you are reading this, make no mistake, it was meant just for you! Now go and learn the truth… “and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20) 

    —————————————————————————

    This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. – Jeremiah 29:10-14

    To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

    Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:31-36

    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!”

  • Burn

    Burn

    Burn: an act of clearing of vegetation by burning.

    This week, I felt led to use the word burn. Typically, I would use this word to convey a message about being on fire for God. And that’s very important! But as I was looking through the list of definitions for burn, I saw the one listed above. 

    To burn, in this meaning, means to clear vegetation by burning it. It also said “an area of land cleared by burning.”

    In order to clear the land for use, it seems, it sometimes has to be burned. 

    Think of this in the context of being on fire for God. We all want that as Christians, right? We want to be on fire for Him. To be excited about our relationship with Him, and reading the Word, and going to church, and serving, and so on and so on. But we forget something.

    Fire isn’t just something to excite us. Fire is something that consumes. Fire burns away what can not remain.

    So in order for us to truly be on fire for God, some things in our lives would need to be burned away. Sometimes it’s things we don’t want to give up. But if we try to hold onto something that needs to be cleared, our flames might be extinguished. 

    Is there a fire burning in you right now? Or has it been extinguished? Are you letting the fire consume all, and burn away what can not remain? Or are you fanning the flames away from you?

    Do a heart check today. See if there’s anything that needs fixed. Let go of the things that so easily ensnare you. Then, pursue God and be set ablaze today.

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige