Taking No Chances

Greetings, friends!  

I took no chance today, I was determined and excited to be in the House of the Lord, today, the last Sunday in December for 2013.  GOD blessed me to see this new day with an early start.  I jumped up with excitement, in prayer and praise. I even got in 30 minutes of exercise before I made my way to the House of The Lord.  As I reflect on these past 52 weeks, I can honestly say that GOD has kept me in perfect peace: peace of mind and peace of heart.  GOD has supplied my every need.  GOD has touched and healed my body.  GOD has protected me from all harm and danger, seen and unseen. For all this, I give HIM the glory. 

I am taking NO chances in this life, every breath, every second, every minute, every hour, every day I will give GOD the honor and glory.  I will continue to declare that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.  

I am reminded of King Hezekiah in 2 King 20:1-7

"In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered."

King Hezekiah was spared with 15 more years, that does mean GOD will spare me or you for 15 more years.  In the meantime, I will serve the LORD with all my heart, mind and soul.  

 In Christ,

Therese from Belize

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Greetings Friends, in the name of our LORD!

As we celebrate Christmas with our families, please be mindful of those who are in bereavement, those who are homeless, those who are on their beds of affliction.  

I pray PEACE, HAPPINESS, JOY, LOVE, CHEER to you and your family.

In Christ,
Therese From Belize

BEING COMPASSIONATE

Question of Faith: What is the most difficult message for people to accept?

BY HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT

December 20, 2013

RMany faiths celebrate many festivals at this time of year. For many faith leaders, the pressure to prepare a meaningful message that resonates with their congregants is of utmost importance.

We asked local faith leaders what message is the most difficult message to get across to their congregation? What idea/tenet/concept is the most difficult for people to accept? What provides a mental hurdle for them?

Therese Warrick, Founder/Ministry Leader, Sisters Road to Freedom Inc.: The most difficult message I believe I must get across is the need for compassion. Compassion must be a way of life for us as believers, disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. The Synoptic Gospels recorded Jesus' 33 years on earth and every step of the way Jesus walked and served compassionately, especially to the least of these. He healed the sick, fed multitudes, made the lame to walk, dumb to talk, and the blind to see. He cast out demonic spirits and taught his father's word in homes and in synagogues. He encouraged and inspired multitudes, and gave hope to the hopeless. He forgave those who persecuted and crucified him.

Compassion must be shown each day, not just during Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice. God's love for each of us is every day, not during a certain season.

The body of Christ must strive to be Christ-like and do for the least of these just as Christ did when he lived on this earth. I pray that places of worship all over Kentucky will take a stand for compassion. I pray that God will break our mental hurdles and prick our hearts that we will love and be compassionate to the least of these, not only at this time of year, but every day of the week throughout the year.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/20/2998566/question-of-faith-what-is-the.html#storylink=cpy

Therese Warrick, Founder/Ministry Leader, Sisters Road to Freedom Inc.: The most difficult message I believe I must get across is the need for compassion. Compassion must be a way of life for us as believers, disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. The Synoptic Gospels recorded Jesus' 33 years on earth and every step of the way Jesus walked and served compassionately, especially to the least of these. He healed the sick, fed multitudes, made the lame to walk, dumb to talk, and the blind to see. He cast out demonic spirits and taught his father's word in homes and in synagogues. He encouraged and inspired multitudes, and gave hope to the hopeless. He forgave those who persecuted and crucified him.

Compassion must be shown each day, not just during Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice. God's love for each of us is every day, not during a certain season.

The body of Christ must strive to be Christ-like and do for the least of these just as Christ did when he lived on this earth. I pray that places of worship all over Kentucky will take a stand for compassion. I pray that God will break our mental hurdles and prick our hearts that we will love and be compassionate to the least of these, not only at this time of year, but every day of the week throughout the year.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/20/2998566/question-of-faith-what-is-the.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/20/2998566/question-of-faith-what-is-the.html#storylink=cpy

ead more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/12/20/2998566/question-of-faith-what-is-the.html#storylink=cpy

Get Back To Church

Greetings friends!

The Psalmist, David, had sung, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the LORD." Psalm 122:1 (KJV)

Unfortunately, I have found that there are so many women who cannot relate to this Song of David in the Bible.  I have been told by several women that they no longer have an interest in attending church.  When I inquired of the reason(s), the women's answers were all similar:  someone in authority hurt them (abused, lied, cheated).

I decided to do some research on this issue and I found an article written by Ms. Jaimie Bowman called, "Why Women Are Leaving The Church".  Ms. Bowman's article documented the findings of the Barna Group's (The Barna Group provides research and training for churches, non-profits, and businesses.) research on "Women and Faith" which was released in August of 2011.  

FINDINGS BY THE BARNA GROUP:
*Since 1991, church attendance by women has dropped 11% and weekly Bible reading has plummeted by 10% – to just 4 out of 10 women. 

*The only religious behavior that increased among women in the last 20 years was becoming "unchurched." That statistic was raised by 17%. However, there was an increase in women who say that Jesus Christ is their personal Lord and Savior – an increase from 38% in 1991 to 44% in 2011.

After reviewing those findings, I am reminded of what the author of the Book of Hebrews recorded.  "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

The Day is approaching and now is the time to forgive those who have wronged us. It is time for us to come together and dwell in unity.  Psalm 133:1 encourages, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (KJV)

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I will not be discouraged, but will keep encouraging and inviting women to attend church so they can have that worship experience for themselves. Church is the place where the body of Christ comes together to praise and worship GOD. It is the place to fellowship with other believers and it is the place where we can edify and exhort each other in the name of Jesus.  

In Christ,
Therese from Belize