Come and sit and ask Him whatever is on your heart. No question is too small, no riddle too simple. He has all the time in the world. Come and seek the will of God. Max Lucado
Last year Care Fresno Kids Klub started with three kids and seven leaders.- this year we started with 29 kids and 11 parents and leaders. I am very excited about the lives that God is going to change through this ministry.
Please pray for Ashley, one of our camp counselors at Sugarpine. Last Friday Ashley was found unconscious in her dorm room. A brain aneurysm has left her in a coma.
Frank Garcia, the baby who has been at Valley Children’s hospital with swelling on the brain has passed into the arms of Jesus this last week. Please pray for strength and comfort for the family.
Penny Graham, who works in a school in Mexico, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and given a very short time to live. She is a follower of Jesus.
Please continue to pray for the missionaries at Indian Mission Society and Reaching Hand Society as they stand together against the persecution from the youth of Khoirput village.
Our Mission team to Jos, Nigeria is leaving shortly. Norm Baird has told me that about half their luggage is going to be taken up by medical supplies that they are bringing to the Faith Alive clinic there. Please pray for safety as they travel and as they serve Jesus.
Please continue to pray for the VF21 campaign. Pray that God will work a miracle through His people and ask Father what He would have you do as Your part of His miracle. Hat a cool thing it is to be the newest members of FFBC’s legacy of service to God.
We continue to pray for the following: Walt Couch & prostate cancer, Bob Rogers & his heart, The family of Walt Hemphill, Joanne Hallem & broken ankle, Nancy & recovery from an aneurysm, John Rodgers with cancer, Denise and the hole in her lung, Sherline & her thyroid, Brandon & leukemia, Shaun & depression, Judi Wright, Ted & lung problems, Merle Rush and recovery from his stroke, George & Margie Martin and his cancer, new employment opportunities for Dan Hansen, Stan Reed & cancer, Kassel Coon in Afghanistan. Please send me any updates you might have!
Pray for our missionaries - Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, SeaFM and their work in Southeast Asia, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer - Horacio & Cheryl Aleman at the LIFEhouse and Karl & Shellie Roth with Flipside..
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others. Pray for the Church that in these troubled times that she stands strong.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Holy God,
Thank You so much for this beautiful world that You have given us to live in. We look around us and see Your glory in every leaf and every cloud. We see Your love of beauty in the flowers that dance to their own silent music of praise. We are awed by the birds as they fly across the sky and sing to You.
Healer of bodies and souls, we call out for Ashley and Penny and ask that Your healing hand be upon them. And if it is Your will to bring them home to You, LORD, bring them home gently.
Jehovah Shalom, Our God of Peace, be with Frank’s family as they recover from this devastating loss. There is no pain deeper that the loss of your child, so touch them and give them peace.
Mighty Warrior God, we lift up Your children in India as they face this persecution and ask that You be their protector and sustained. I thank You for their witness that says that nothing will happen to them that the LORD Almighty does not permit to happen and that anything You permit You will bring them through.
LORD God, we pray for the team that is going to Jos. Grant them traveling mercies. Let all the medical supplies be delivered safely. Let them represent You clearly to those they will meet.
LORD, during this time we are seeking Your will for each of us individually in this VF21 campaign. Show us what You would have us to do. Help our faith be strong and our commitment be strong. Use us to work a miracle.
Holy Spirit, we lift up those who continue to be on our prayer list and ask that Your will be done in each life. In each situation, may You be glorified and worshiped.
We pray for our missionaries, LORD God, that You will keep their vision fresh, their needs met, and their lives safe in Your hand. Thank You for Your promise to care for us.
Father God, we lift up the pastors and leaders of our churches. We ask Your blessings on our ministries. Abba, we pray for the two church plants. LORD, You promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against Your church, we ask that we not only prevail against the gates of hell, but that we batter them down and through Your power, we rescue eternal souls from satan’s power.
LORD Jesus, we lift our country before You and ask that in this time of destruction and tragedy that You keep us strong and working to rebuild the lives of those who have been ripped out of the normal of their lives and made to be refugees in their own country. In God we trust.
LORD God, to bow down before You and sing Your name in worship is joy beyond compare. Just to say Your name is to feel Your peace in our troubles. You are everything. We love You, LORD God. It is incredible to know that we will be with You forever.
This comes from Remo at the Reaching Hand Society in India
Greetings in Jesus' Name.
This email comes to you from Khoirput, a village 60 Kms northeast of Malkangiri at the foothills of the Bondo Hills. This is a place where dad and mom first started the work as missionaries with Indian Missionary Society (IMS). A part of my childhood was spent here. IMS now has a church, a hostel for tribal boys, missionary couple (John and Rosemary) and an evangelist and his family (Rev. Christadass) stationed here.
On the 22nd Aug 2005 two missionaries and 4 evangelists (Mr. John, Mr. Immanuel, Rev. Christadass, Mr. Paul Chalan, Jesupadam Chalan and Somnath Muduli) when returning from a upper Bondo village were stopped by a group of 25 youth from the RSS and the Bajrang Dal and were relived of all the tracks, books and Bibles and were told to come for a meeting the next day in Khoirput. The whole of next day from 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM they were kept in a room with about 50 RSS and Bajrang Dal activists hurling abuses and threats to life. During this time they were slapped repeatedly. The four evangelists were forced to sign on a blank paper (the two missionaries refused to sign) and were handed over to police demanding an arrest. The police took a statement from them and released them at 10:00 PM.
The next day (24th Aug 2005) the RSS and the Bajrang Dal organised road blockades and disrupted traffic on the main road demanding the immediate arrest of the six persons.
RHS missionaries from Mundiguda (3 Kms from Khoirput, where we have our missionaries placed) and two missionaries from Malkangiri came and stayed with the people here in Khoirput for moral support and prayer. Mummy had been making daily trips on the 23rd, 24th and 25th Aug 2005. I started from Chennai immediately (I was there working on a tsunami rehabilitation work with a partner agency) and have been here from the 26th Aug 2005. I leave for Mundiguda after I send this message to spend a few days with the missionaries and believers there to encourage and support them.
The last three days have been quiet peaceful, except for the verbal threats and abuses that are hurled at us every time they see us at the market.
In my best opinion this is not going to be the last of the incidents. I believe that in the days to come property will be damaged, bodies will be injured and lives will be lost, but we need to go on.
Will appreciate your prayers for all the missionaries working in this area. Will keep you posted of all further developments in this regard.
Some points to praise and pray specifically for
1. Praise God for the protection so far.
2. Praise God for the courage and strength for the people when they went through the trial and now as they get on with the task at hand.
3. Pray for continued protection and strength in the days ahead
4. Pray for the RSS, Bajrang Dal and others who cause the trails that the Lord will be merciful towards them and all those who are tested would continue to love them.
5. Pray for the Churches and believers to stand united.
Thank you for standing with us so far. We really appreciate it.
Closing with prayers
Remo
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Exodus 36:5 (NLT) "We have more than enough materials on hand now to complete the job the LORD has given us to do!" they exclaimed.
I Chronicles 29:6-7a & 9 (CEV) “After David finished speaking, the family leaders, the tribal leaders, the army commanders, and the government officials voluntarily gave gifts for the temple. .....The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. ”
When I was a kid there was a community pool named Blakely’s. Blakely’s boasted of diving platform that - to my pre-teen eyes - reached half-way to the moon. There was always a line of people at the stairs waiting to take the death-defying plunge. I was never in that line. One day I was teased mercilessly by my friends until finally I agreed to jump off of that diving platform. As I waited in line, my stomach kept getting queasier and queasier. I felt light-headed. I made it up the stairs, walked to the end of the platform and looked down at the tiny swimming pool miles below me and knew that there was no way I could jump. I retreated to a corner and started motioning other kids to come up and jump. It was about 45 minutes before a lifeguard realized what was going on. He climbed the tower and tried to convince me to jump - but in tears, I refused. Finally he let me climb down the stairs. Even though nobody had ever been hurt jumping off that platform, even though I seen people jumping safely off of it, I did not have faith that I would land safely in the water.
When God called the Israelites out of Egypt it represented a change in how God was going to deal with people. From Adam & Eve to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, God interacted with people on an individual basis. But from Moses on there is a switch as God now interacts with a group of people - those called to serve Him. The individual interactions were still most important - but now they were also seen in the context of God’s interaction with His people. In the Older Testament that group of people were the Israelites. The judges who rescued Israel from oppression, the kings who ruled over them, the prophets who called Israel back to her God. In the Newer Testament they were the Church, the Apostles who built the church, Paul who brought Jesus to the Gentiles. This continues even today. My relationship with God is very individual and yet it is also very much in the context of my place in His Church.
The other change was that made with the Israelites was that for the first time God wanted a specific place within the community where He could meet with His people. He told Moses how it was to be built and promised that once it was built He would dwell within it. Moses asked the people to give what they could towards the building of the house of God. And the people gave freely and wholeheartedly. They gave so much that the workers had to go to Moses and say that they had enough to complete the work - please stop the people from giving anymore.
The next House of God that we read about was the permanent temple in Jerusalem. God had told king David that he would not be the one to build the temple. David then determined that if he couldn’t build it - he would get the materials together. He went in front of the people and appealed for help. The response from the leaders of the nation of Israel was overwhelming and the people rejoiced at their response as did the king, as did the King of kings. Synagogues quickly appeared in all Jewish communities as God continued to meet with His people individually and corporately.
When the Church was first born in Jerusalem, she met in the temple. But when she continued to spread through the world the first Christian Houses of God started being built. And we have been building Houses of God ever since.
It isn’t something to be taken lightly - building a house for God to dwell. It takes commitment, it takes sacrifice and it takes faith. It took all three when the desert house of God was built. It took all three when the Jerusalem house of God was built. It takes all three today.
It isn’t easy though. These days just to renovate an existing house of God can take several million dollars - to build a new one - even more. To make a several million dollar commitment guarantees that there is going to be a sacrifice on your part. You are going to have to give more than your weekly offering and that may affect your lifestyle. To make the commitment is to make the sacrifice and to have faith that God will supply all that you need. To have the faith to make the commitment to willingly sacrifice is a huge step - sort of like taking a jump off of a diving platform. We are part of a history that began with Moses in the desert and continues through today. A history of God providing for his house being built through His people and providing for His people who make the commitment and sacrifice. We have seen it is the history of the Bible, we have seen it in the history of the Church and we have seen it in the history of Fresno First Baptist Church. We are part of a legacy that began with Moses in the desert and will continue long after we have gone home to Father. All we need to do is make the commitment, be willing to sacrifice and take the leap of faith in Him.
The teasing when I got down off that platform was worse than before. They kept it up long after we had left Blakelys. The next time we were there I went up that diving platform again. I was still queasy, lightheaded - but I was determined. When I looked down I almost turned back - but then I stepped off. The fall was forever, the water was cool as I arrowed deep into it. The first gasp of breath as I broke the surface was exhilarating. What a rush! I climbed out of the pool and got in line to do it again. And again.
Are you standing on that diving platform of faith? You know what commitment Father wants you to make, you know what the sacrifice is going to take, but the water looks really far away - and you are afraid to take that leap of faith. Are you about to turn back? Don’t! Remember our history with God and all the times we have seen Him work though our commitment, sacrifice and faith. Jump and feel the rush! It is like nothing you have ever experienced before.
Father, I know the commitment You want me to make and it scares me. But I see Your hand of provision throughout history and so I will take this leap of faith - knowing that You will catch me and I will land safely.
One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible.
The Church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.
As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it. The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's work.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a >talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship."
The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.
The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be >for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He says He's never been in this church!
I am so thankful that you all are praying for me, my family, and our new church plant. Our Kick-Off is only 3 weeks away! It is hard to imagine that we’ve been in this “building mode” for a full year. Here are a few things that are going on that we can praise God for…
*4 people accepted Jesus on our Spirit West coast trip
*At youth group last Tuesday one of the students who made a decision to accept Jesus at Spirit West coast led his friend to Jesus. Jay and Mikendra are doing a great job leading our youth ministry!
*Two kids accepted Jesus this last week.
*One family have been coming to our church every preview service since Mother’s Day. The husband told me he grew up in a Catholic school, “and the nuns were every bit as mean and nasty” as their reputation. He said he’d been to church at most two times in a row while growing up but never since Jr Hi. In his words, “you must be doing something right because I want to keep coming back”. His son was one who accepted Jesus at Spirit West Coast and whom I pick up every morning we do a preview service so he can help us set up before hand.
*I am the coach for running backs and the defensive backs for Joe’s football team. There is quite an opportunity to share Jesus with the team, parents and coaches. I get to gather the kids and coaches before each game and have some prayer with them. They are a little surprised to find out I am a pastor but are very open to talking with me about Jesus and the Church.
Please be in prayer for these things:
*Our preview service this Sunday (August 28th) That we will have 200 people attend
*Our Kick-Off service on Sept 9th at 9 and 11AM (9/11 @ 9 & 11) That we will have 500 people attend
*For protection from the devil. I’ve never experienced spiritual warfare like this past year has brought- and especially now leading up to our Kick-Off. Please, pray for God’s protection and anointing over me, my family, and our team.
*Continued financial provision
(please pray regularly and continually for these things over the next 3 weeks leading up to our Kick-Off).
Thank you so very much. I’d love to see you this coming Sunday for our final “preview service” before our launch! Blessings, Karl
Helplessness becomes prayer the moment that you go to Jesus and speak candidly and confidently with Him about your needs. This is to believe. O. Hallesby
Brian Lewis was found last Thursday after being missing in the Sequoia Forest for almost two weeks. He lost considerable weight, his feet and legs are all tore up, but he is alive. His family asked me to pass on their gratitude for our prayers.
Care Fresno Kids Club starts this Friday. Please pray for the leadership of this wonderful children’s ministry. Father gave us a great year last year - we are looking for even more blessings this year!
John Rodgers, Annie Dennis’ father, is now being seen by a specialist in his type of cancer. His cancer is in remission. He no longer needs the neck brace and is able to drive again.
Nancy, Ilene Luna’s friend’s daughter, has had three surgeries for the bleeding in her brain that was caused by an aneurism. She is recovering well.
Walt Hemphill has gone home to Jesus after a long time of heart problems. I spoke to his son, Ray, on Sonday and he and Donna (Walt’s wife) are doing well. Walt’s Celebration of Life will b held this Friday at 11:00 at the church. Please pray for the family.
Joanne Hallum from Madera has broken her ankle. She is already suffering from Multiple Sclerosis - which will affect her healing.
My step-father, Walt Couch, has been diagnosed with prostrate cancer. It is a slow-moving type and they discovered it early so his prognosis is good.
Oda Donnelly is under hospice care. Please pray for her and her family during this difficult time.
Khamla’s arm continues to improve - but she reports that Bounkham is sick with the flu.
Bob Rogers, Ramona McDonald’s uncle, has a progressive heart disease and his pacemaker is not working right.
Pray for all of our students - that they will remain strong in the LORD.
Please continue to pray for the VF21 campaign. Pray that God will work a miracle through His people and ask Father what He would have you do as Your part of His miracle.
We continue to pray for the following: The residents and staff of the Hacienda as it closes, Denise and the hole in her lung, Emmy Lou & her heart, Frank at Valley Childrens with swelling on the brain, Sherline & her thyroid, Brandon & leukemia, Shaun & depression, Judi Wright, Ted & lung problems, Danette’s ex father in law with the growth in his throat and Danette’s mom employment situation, Merle Rush and recovery from his stroke, George & Margie Martin and his cancer, new employment opportunities for Dan Hansen, Stan Reed & cancer, Kassel Coon in Afghanistan, Ray Rahn & his wife. Please send me any updates you might have!
Pray for our missionaries - Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, SeaFM and their work in Southeast Asia, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer. Please pray for Horacio & Cheryl Aleman at the LIFEhouse in Reedley. Please pray for Karl & Shellie Roth with Flipside. Flipside has it’s next preview service this Sonday - and next month on Sept 11th will be their official start date.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others. Pray for the Church that in these troubled times that she stands strong.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military. I read this on a Jonny Hawkins calendar page and it really touched my heart. “I pledge allegiance to the stars and stripes of freedom’s battlefield and I pledge our hurting land to the Son, for by His stripes we are healed.” LORD Jesus - heal our land.
Holy God,
We read this prayer list and we are awed by how You care for us. We read of prayer requests that have turned into praise reports. We read of those who have left us through death’s door and we know that You have received them into Your presence - another reason to praise. We read of the situations faced by our friends and family - health challenges, employment challenges, faith challenges and financial challenges - and we know that Your hand is already in each of these situations - still another reason to praise You. We think about our own lives and realize how rich we are. We are not rich by the worlds standards - but the earth and it’s standards will pass away into nothing. We are rich beyond compare by eternal standards because we have You as our God. We are rich on this earth because You are with us, we will be richer in eternity because we will be with You. Nothing compares to having You in our lives.
It is amazing to us that You, Who flung the stars across billions of light years in space, love us so much that You know the count of the hairs on our head. In the vastness of You, our lives are just a vapor on the wind - but Your Word tells us that You love us so much that You knit our bones together while we were still in the womb and You will be with us when we close our eyes for the final time. There is not a moment in our lives when You are not there with us. Your love is the foundation that we have built our lives on.
We lift our songs of praise to You and join the millions of millions across the earth and across time to worship You. You are God alone, and we bow our knees, hearts and souls before You in adoration. May the sound of our worship bring You joy and honor. Our praise and worship will last forever.
Abba, this world is a cold place. It doesn’t care about us and it would crush us without even knowing it. You are our refugee in a time of trouble. You are the stronghold of protection that we run to when the world is bleak. You lift our heads, You renew our joy. When the world knocks us over - You pick us up and set us back on Your solid Rock. We can ride out any storm because You are holding on to us - and nothing can take us out of Your hand. We are Yours.
Triune God, there is so much to praise and worship You for. You are so infinitely glorious that eternity cannot describe You and we cannot truly comprehend You. But although we cannot comprehend You, we understand that You always knew that we would fall into sin and that Your love is so relentless towards us that You always knew that there would be a plan to bring us back to You. You should have washed Your hands of us - but You couldn’t and so You sent Jesus to take our place so that we could be restored to You. Thank You for giving us a way to come home.
King of kings and LORD of lords, tonight we just wanted to spend time with You in praise & worship. We know that You know all of the names, all the prayers and all the situations that are listed above and we ask that Your hand of mercy be on all of them.
As much as You have given us on earth it is nothing compared to our future in eternity with You. We will finally bow at Your feet and be able to tell You how much we love You - if the glory of You doesn’t make us speechless. We will take our place around Your throne and worship You for eternity. Our future is secure because our future is You. We love You, LORD
Valerie Rae Hanneman
John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God” (NIV)
Do you remember that geeky little kid back in elementary school who just never fit in? You know, the one who was always picked last for the team - no matter what the game was. When you were stuck in the classroom for rainy-day recess nobody ever picked them during “Thumbs-up, Seven-up” nor did they sit with them in the cafeteria. These geeks were on the fringes of playground society. I know so much about the geeky kids because that was what I was. I was a geek. Schoolyard rejection combined with a home life that featured a step-father who took every opportunity to assure me that I could never measure up to “his daughters” made a negative impact on me. To say that I had low self-esteem would be to say that I had at least some level of self esteem - and I did not. I knew what I was - I was a big, fat loser.
That was the image that I carried of myself through most of my life. I hid it well behind a mask of false security and aloofness but the truth was that I knew that it was just a matter of time until people saw the reality behind the mask and realized that I was a loser in life.
After traveling in a country far away from God for almost 20 years, I returned to Him when I was 41. The mask that I had in place now hid the additional loser-ness of drug addiction. My bitterness at my stepfather could not - would not - allow me to accept God as my Father. But over the years, those barriers were removed as God taught me who I am, whose I am and why I am. And now my relationship with God, my Father, is the most incredible thing that ever happened to me.
My heart swells with so much joy when I think about how God has taken me to be His child. He has chosen me and calls me His own. He looks at me with honest eyes and sees me as I am. He doesn’t see me as the playground geek or the step-daughter who could never measure up. He sees me as His - and He sees me as a winner. I am my Father’s daughter. And if my Father - my only real Father - is the King of all creation and eternity - do you know what that makes me? I’m a princess! Talk about an ego boost! I am a princess - daughter of a King more powerful than we can imagine.
But I am not a fairy-tale princess - nor am I even like an earthly princess. I am a princess in the kingdom of God. In my Father’s kingdom princesses (and princes) work for the good of the Kingdom. I don’t kiss frogs, sleep on peas nor dance on glass slippers. I am not waited on hand and foot by a bevy of servants - instead my Father calls me to serve. I serve Him first. He has called me to serve others in the Kingdom and to serve others outside of the Kingdom. He calls it “Loving your neighbor as yourself” And my service to Him affects the Kingdom for all eternity. My Father values my service.
Earthly princesses tend to be a little snooty. In a photo-op you see them hanging out with the “commoners” as if they do that all the time. Truth is though that the minute the camera goes down, they wipe their hands on a towel, climb into their limo and off they go without a backwards glance. My Father, the King, says His children are not to behave like that. We are not to judge the value of a person by the world’s standards - but by the King’s standards. He call’s it “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” How I treat others affects the Kingdom. My Father values me being real in this world.
Princesses sometimes get sent to other countries to represent their kingdoms. I also am in a world that is not my home, representing my Father and a Kingdom that is my home. My Father says that I am of a Royal priesthood, an ambassador of hope to this world. I am to be an ambassador who reflects Him in my thoughts, my words and my actions. My Father expects me to represent Him to the best of my ability. How I act in this alien world affects my Kingdom home. My Father values me as His ambassador.
Like all princesses, I long to be in my home Kingdom, to be with my Father. But for now, my Father wants me to continue to serve Him here. So I continue to serve Him with joy, knowing that I have His promise - the King’s promise - that when my work here is done, my Father is going to send the Prince of Peace, Jesus, to bring me home. And I will never have to leave. My King-Father values me enough to want me with Him for all eternity.
I suffered with a lack of esteem for most of my life. I looked in the mirror and saw a loser-geek. Because my Father has shown me how valuable and worthy I am I look in the mirror now and see Princess Valerie. He has answered the questions of who I am, whose I am, and why I am.
I am Princess Valerie, daughter of the King of all creation and eternity.. I am His. I am called to live a life of joy and service to the King and His Kingdom.
When you look in the mirror do you see what the world calls you - or do you see what Your Father calls you. See who you are, whose you are and why you are through His eyes and You will know how incredibly much He values You. You are His beloved child.
Father, sometimes the world tells me that I am a geek loser because I don’t measure up to their standards. Thank You for showing me that I am a princess in Your kingdom and that You value me. My worth is found in Your eyes - not theirs. I love You, Father.
Subscribe to the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist or contact Valerie at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Hey everyone!
Can you believe there are only 3 weeks left until Flipside Christian Church’s Grand Opening and Kick Off!
We have two services leading up to our Kick Off on September 11th. This Sunday and next Sunday, August 21st and 28th, at 10am at Valley Oak School on Champlain off of Friant.
Now is the time we need you! We need you to be present at our last two services as we “ramp up the momentum” leading up to our Kick Off. Please make every effort to be in worship with us the next two Sundays. This Sunday we are looking at “Four Tests I Must Pass” for God to be able to release His dreams in my life. These are the same 4 tests every Christ follower will face and must pass. The circumstances will vary, but I guarantee you will go through these 4 tests. I want you to be prepared for them.
And of course please be with us for our Kick Off service on September 11th. We are doing two services that day at 9 and 11 (9/11 at 9 & 11).
Please be in prayer for God’s blessing in the launching of Flipside Christian Church into “full time” ministry. God is doing great things and He wants to use you to do it. Invite all your friends and family to the services- especially our Kick Off on September 11th! I’m counting on you! We have a goal of launching with 500 people! What a huge goal! I know we can do it! Let’s begin now inviting everyone God brings into our path. I am inviting my whole neighborhood, some people from Joe’s football team, and my kids school class. This is going to be great!
See you Sunday! Blessings, Karl
We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. Oswald Chambers
Baby Morgan is now 10 months old and starting to pull herself up on furniture. The soft spot on the top of her head continues to close. Her family sends a great big thank-you for all the prayers.
Please pray for Margaret and all of the residents and staff at the Hacienda senior residence. The property has been sold and notices have been given that residents must move by October 16th and staff is laid off as of the same date.
Denise has had a set back with a new hole that has formed in her lung. This has caused a reinsertion of the tubes that drain the fluids from her lungs.
Please continue to pray for the VF21 campaign. Pray that God will work a miracle through His people and ask Father what He would have you do as Your part of His miracle.
Brian Lewis, has now been missing up at Sequoia National Forest for 11 days. Please pray for his safe return.
We continue to pray for the following: Emmy Lou & her heart, Frank at Valley Childrens with swelling on the brain, Sherline & her thyroid, Nancy & bleeding on her brain, Brandon & leukemia, Starla’s brother, Thomas, Elaine Brown, Shaun & depression, Matt & Daniel Johnson, Judi Wright, Ted & lung problems, Logan and complications following his birth, Danette’s ex father in law with the growth in his throat and Danette’s mom employment situation, Merle Rush and recovery from his stroke, George & Margie Martin and his cancer, Michael Ferris, John Rogers & cancer, new employment opportunities for Dan Hansen, Stan Reed & cancer, Kassel Coon in Afghanistan, Ray Rahn & his wife. Please send me any updates you might have!
Pray for our missionaries - SeaFM and their work in Southeast Asia, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer. Please pray for Karl & Shellie Roth with Flipside. Please pray for Horacio & Cheryl Aleman at the LIFEhouse in Reedley. Flipside has it’s next preview service this Sonday - and next month on Sept 11th will be their official start date.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others. Pray for the Church that in these troubled times that she stands strong.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Father God,
Thank You so much for Your presence in our lives. Thank You for the relentless, uncompromising love that You have for us - a love that says that You love us no matter what happens, no matter how far we stray from You. You are our Father and we are Your children.
Forgive us for not obeying Your will for our lives as well as we should. Search our hearts, show us what we do that grieves Your heart, and help us to be more like You.
Thank You for Your protection and healing of Baby Morgan. Continue to touch her life.
Father, open doors of opportunity for all those affected by this closing of the Hacienda.
LORD of All, You are our compassionate God, the One Who comforts us in our troubles. We ask Your compassion and comfort be upon Denise and this new hole that has formed in her lungs.
You are the Seeker of the lost, LORD Jesus, and Brian is pretty lost. Not from You, You know exactly where he is. But we don’t. Please lead the searchers to Brian.
Jehovah Jirah, God Who Provides, we pray for the VF21 commitment that is coming soon. We want to be part of this great adventure with You. Use us to accomplish a miracle through this campaign and to engage our world today and into the future.
Holy Spirit, don’t let us treat those who remain on our prayer list lightly just because they have been there for awhile. As we read the list, remind us that each name is a person precious to You. Remind us that each situation is important to You and should be important to us. With renewed hearts we pray for our friends and family who continue to be on our list.
Light of the World, we are so privileged to be a part of Your global outreach to the farthest ends of the earth. We pray for our missionaries around the world - both those we know and those we don’t. We ask that You pour out Your blessing of abundance on them.
Touch the pastors, their families and the fellowship of LIFEHouse and Flipside churches. Continue to expand their vision for Your work in their communities. Bless the preview service that Flipside will be having on Sonday with new people and new families.
You have placed in our fellowship extraordinary pastors to guide us and lead us. Thank You so much for them. We ask that You bless them with strength in all situations. You have placed leaders and ministries within our fellowship whose purpose is to serve You. Bless their purpose and service.
We pray for Your Church, LORD Jesus, that she continue to stand strong in You. Give us opportunities to share You with the world.
Eternal God, we pray for Israel and for the unrest there. Bring peace and healing to the region of Gaza and to the broken spirits and lives that are there.
We pray for America, Abba. We ask that you use us to bring her back to You. Grant our leaders wisdom in the decisions that they make. Bless our men and women in the military as they serve freedom’s cause.
Our desire is for our lives to be a lovesong of praise to You. Let the courts of heaven echo with our praises - for You alone are worthy of our praise. We love You, LORD.
Gospel for Asia Update: God Gives Victory in Assam
After five months of tension and prayer, God has given Gospel for Asia's ministry in Assam a true victory!
In early March, leaders of a powerful insurgent force in far-northeastern India had made an extortion demand and threatened to totally destroy our work in Assam if they were not given more than $180,000.
Immediately, hundreds of thousands of believers around the world-possibly millions-began to pray for the situation. They prayed for the safety of our leaders, Bible colleges, churches and believers in Assam-and that God would touch the hearts of those making the terrible demands.
God's first answer to those prayers was that the insurgent group gave our leaders in Assam more time. They said they wanted to study the work and ministry of Believers Church among their people. Since then, there have been no more threats or incidents.
Yet tension remained, because no one knew what the final decision would be on the part of the insurgent leaders.
But early this week, God provided the answer in a very certain and unexpected way.
The problem ended when a larger paramilitary group in the area identified the one man behind all of the threats and warned him that if he did not stop harassing Believers Church, he would be killed.
"We praise the Lord that, unknown to us, He was using a non-Christian group to protect our churches, Bible colleges and workers from the harm threatened by another non-Christian group," said GFA President K.P. Yohannan. "And even as we praise God for the resolution of this situation, we also pray that the man who had threatened our work in Assam will come to know Christ as his Savior."
"One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple braided cord is not easily broken" (Ecclesiastes 3:12, TLB).
Many readers will be familiar with the song made popular by Barbara Streisand, "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." She's right of course.
Jesus was very definitely a people person. He was a friend to and of sinners and ordinary people alike. True, he needed space at times to be alone with God, but he always came back to be with people. He rarely, if ever, ministered alone (except for going to the cross which he alone could do for us). And he relaxed with friends, both male and female.
We all need some close, supportive friends. "Bear one another's burdens" and "love one another" is at the very heart of Christianity.
Make time to develop and maintain close friendships. In a day of trouble you will need them. You will also need them in good days. We were created for relationships and can only live healthy lives when we are in healthy relationships.
A poet wrote:
I went out to find a friend,
But couldn't not find one there.
I went out to be a friend,
And friends were everywhere.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me first of all to be a loving friend and then find loving friends to be with. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
<:))))<><
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Esther 4:14 (NIV) For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
I like to believe that I have a heart that is turned to Father, listening for His voice and ready to do His will. I like to believe that - but it is not true. All to often He speaks and I argue, He persuades and I am stubborn, He reminds me of my promise and I sulk. For several weeks He called me to a new ministry called Care Fresno. I reminded Him that I didn’t even like kids. I told Him I didn’t want to work with kids. I put a fleece (challenge) before Him to make Him prove my calling. Finally I gave in because I figured it was better than getting swallowed by some fish. When He gave me the idea for the e-Ministry and I took it to Willie, I thought that was that - God’s message delivered. Only Father had plans that the messenger also be the coordinator. Immediately the excuses began. “I can hardly string two sensible sentences together! How can I write devotionals? I don’t have time! I am in the middle of this custody case - plus my job is really hectic right now. Isn’t there somebody else more suitable?” I put a fleece before Him again - and when He answered it - gave in (a little ungraciously). It took several promptings by Father about the choir before I realized He was talking to me. Then I laughed! “God, remember when Steven was sick and I was rocking and singing to him? Remember he said, “Please, mom! I’m sick enough!” Not only can I not sing - my singing makes people sick!” Again the fleece - again the answer I didn’t want to hear.
I can understand what Esther felt when she got that message from her uncle Mordecai telling her that she had to go to the King. Sometime earlier Esther had won a beauty contest and her prize was marriage to the King of Persia, the most powerful man in the world. (It was like that (un)reality show “The Bachelor”) Nobody in the King’s court knew Esther had a little secret because Uncle Mordi had told her to keep it to herself - Esther was a Jewess - part of a people held captive in Persia. Then Haman, chief adviser to the King, fell in hate of Mordecai. It was a hatred so deep he schemed to destroy not just Mordecai but all of the Jewish people. He convinced the King (all-powerful, but not to bright) to sign a proclamation that all the Jewish people were to be killed. When Esther got her uncle’s message she probably freaked about it. After all, the queen before her had not obeyed the King’s drunken commands and she got kicked to the curb. Not only that - if anybody approached the King without prior permission, his guards turned you into sushi before you had a chance to say, “Oops, wrong turn” Esther sent a response to Uncle Mordi, “You know what will happen if I approach the King and he doesn’t hold his scepter out to me - I’m dead.” Mordecai told her, “If you think you are safe in that palace then you are the queen of de-Nile. If you remain silent God will still deliver the Jews in another way (Man I LOVE this man’s faith!) But you will pay the price of your disobedience. Did you stop to think that maybe God caused you to become Queen for just a time as this?” Esther did what God wanted her to do and through her obedience to His calling not only were the Jewish people rescued - but Mordecai ended up replacing Haman.
Have you ever noticed that God’s calls to us usually are not very convenient? He calls to us and we look at our busy life and say, “Listen God, now is just not a good time. Let things calm down and then I will do it.” Only things never really calm down - do they? Or we say, “I don’t really think I am qualified to do this maybe You should find somebody else.” We forget that God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Or sometimes we flat out don’t want to do it. It is out of our comfort zone, and so we whine, “God, I don’t want to do this because I don’t like it. Don’t make me do it.” We sound like spoiled children.
I wonder what Esther thought as she waited to approach the King. Did she think about the inconvenience of being hacked to pieces by the guards? Probably. Did she keep saying that she was just a young girl, she wasn’t qualified to rescue a whole nation. Probably. Did she keep whispering “I do NOT want to do this!” Probably. But when the time came she approached the King. And in the end, the inconvenience, the doubts the fears didn’t amount to a hill of beans. She obeyed God’s calling and the Jewish people were rescued. Esther was raised by God for such a time as that.
I am about to start my 9th year of Care Fresno. I am awed by the way that Father has worked though me to change children’s lives. I am in my 5th year with the e-Ministry. Every once in awhile I get a note from somebody who says that what I wrote through God’s power helped them. I am in my 6th year in the choir. God has not done a miracle and given me any type of singing talent But occasionally someone will tell me that they can tell by my face how much I love to sing to God. And I realize that God uses my enthusiasm - not my talent - to reach people. I know that I was created for such a time as this to be used for God’s purpose in the ministries that He has called me to. Just like you are.
Do I think that the children would not have been changed by God if I had not responded to Him, or that people would not be helped by what I write, or that the choir would be less enthusiastic if I weren’t up there? Naw - I’m with Uncle Mordi when he told Esther that God’s purpose would be fulfilled - even if she chose not to respond. If we chose not to respond to Father’s call - He will go and find somebody who will respond to Him.
But personally, I don’t want to be standing before His throne trying to explain why my response to His call was “No, I think not.”
Father, truly my heart’s desire it to respond fully to You. But sometimes the world gets in my way. Help me to shove the world aside and be responsive to Your call on my life.
God's answers are wiser than our prayers. -Unknown
A man was waiting nearby while his young son prayed silently before going to bed. Suddenly the boy burst out laughing. "Reggie!" scolded his father, "Why are you laughing during prayer?" "But Dad," the boy answered, "you told me that prayer is talking to God as to a friend, and I just told him a joke." (No wonder Jesus told us to be as little children)
Floyd and Bev Willis attended a Grizzly’s game this past Sonday night. When they left Floyd was knocked down by a man intent on stealing the bag in Floyd’s hand. Bev put her years of choir practice into her scream and in his haste to escape, the thief lost one of his shoes and a sweater. He did steal Floyd’s black bag that contained 2 bottles of water. Isn’t it Father’s poetic justice that he lost more than he gained? We praise You, Father, because Floyd is just fine! Please pray that Father can reach the heart of this thief.
Laura, JT & Patty Tapney’s niece, is in remission from her leukemia! Bobbi Ronsley’s Lupus is in remission as well!
Emmy Lou Graves was discharged from St Agnes on Sonday. I talked to her this evening and she is still to weak to come to church - but she is doing much better.
I check Denise’s blog tonight and her husband reports that she is doing better. She still faces significant challenges but the leak in her lung has stopped and there is a new breathing aid from the City of Hope that should help her continue her recovery.
Please pray for Frank Garcia (16 months old) who had a seizure in the bathtub last night. He is at Valley Childrens with dangerous swelling in his brain.
Sherline will be undergoing a radioactive iodine treatment for her thyroid on August 15th. She has a number of tests and appointments both before and after to try to determine what is wrong with her. Sherline continues to have a positive outlook because she is depending on Jesus.
Ilene Luna is requesting prayer for Nancy, her friend’s daughter in law. Nancy has had two emergency surgeries this week for bleeding on her brain and the doctors still do not know the cause.
I am facing unexpected financial difficulties. One of my thoughts was that I would still make my VF21 commitment but would wait until the difficulties cleared up before I fulfilled it - no big deal. Then I realized that it is a big deal. If I do not make the commitment and follow through with it then I am voting with my wallet that Father will not provide for me when times get tough. And so - I will make my commitment and I will follow through with it. Please pray and ask God what He would have You do as you join Him in what He is accomplishing through FFBC. Then pray that He works a miracle though His people.
2 year old Brandon Johnson, Maddie’s cousin, has taken a turn for the worse in his fight with leukemia. He seemed to be in remission - but was rushed to the hospital with a high fever and balance problems.
A coworker’s relative, Brian Lewis, has been missing up at Sequoia National Forest since Sonday. Please pray for his safe return.
Shaun Ardemange is dealing with depression pray that God guides her doctors in her treatment.
Pray for strength for Elaine Brown in an unspecified request.
Starla Baker is requesting prayer for her brother Thomas - that he will continue to stay out of trouble.
We continue to pray for the following: Matt & Daniel Johnson, Judi Wright, Erica Henson’s brother’s legal problems, Ted & lung problems, Logan and complications following his birth, Danette’s ex father in law with the growth in his throat and Danette’s mom employment situation, Tyler Fahrmeyer at Valley Children’s, Nancy Pippin & a brain tumor, Merle Rush and recovery from his stroke, George & Margie Martin and his cancer, Michael Ferris, John Rogers & cancer, new employment opportunities for Dan Hansen, Stan Reed & cancer, Kassel Coon in Afghanistan, Ray Rahn & his wife. Please send me any updates you might have!
Pray for our missionaries - Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer. Please pray for Karl & Shellie Roth with Flipside. Please pray for Horacio & Cheryl Aleman at the LIFEhouse in Reedley.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others. Pray for the Church that in these troubled times that she stands strong.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Awesome and Magnificent God,
Humbly we fall to our knees and declare that You are God of All, Ruler of Eternity, King of all Kings. We open our hearts and soul to You, LORD God. Forgive us for when we have failed You. Search us and show us how to be stronger in You. You are our desire.
Thank You for your protection of Floyd & Bev. Please touch the heart of the thief.
We praise You for the great news on Laura, Bobbie, Emmy Lou & Denise. Continue to heal these friends
We lift up the names of these who are facing medical difficulties and ask that You work through and in each of them - Little Frank Garcia, Sherline, Nancy, Brandon, and Shaun.
Solid Rock, we ask that You be the strength that Elaine and Thomas need.
We ask that You guide the many searchers to where Brian is at. Let him be safe.
LORD Jesus, look down upon all those that we continue to pray for and work in each life and situation. Thank-You for loving us so much that You allow us to bring our prayers to You.
Holy God, it is so easy for us to say that we trust You to take care of us but then when troubles come our faith shrinks to the size of our wallet. Help us to keep our faith in You as big as we say it is. Show us our part of Your dream for FFBC during the VF21 campaign.
Jesu Mapru, we ask that You bless Your Church with Your provision. Bless us as individuals who serve You in various ministries in our neighborhoods. Bless the pastors and leaders of the churches that reach out into the communities. Bless the Your servants that go and plant churches in neighboring communities. Bless our missionaries who serve You in the uttermost ends of the earth. You told us to go into the world with Your good news. Help us to obey Your will.
Bless our country and her leadership. Bless the leadership of all the countries around the world so that they will be guided by you. Comfort and protect those who serve us in the military.
Just when we think that it is impossible for us to love You any more than we do, You show us another facet of Your infinite glory. Show us more of Your glory so we can fall even deeper in love with You. You are our God and we are Your people.
The Resume of Jesus Christ
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)
Occupational Background
I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful. My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6).
People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments:
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times (See Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE.
You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance
Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart.
In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6),
and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47).
When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).
JOHN 1:12 "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:"
Have YOU received HIM?
Earlier I sent out a version of the 25th psalm rewritten by Char Cole from the Message - this is the second one she wrtoe - taken from the NIV Bible
A modern acrostic poem - taken from the NIV Bible
PSALM 25
1. Always to you oh Lord, will I lift up my soul;
2. Because in you I trust, oh my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3. Carefully. You protect those whose hope is in you, for they will never be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
4. Direct me oh Lord, Show me your ways and teach me your paths.
5. Envelop me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
6. Forever remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
7. Grant me that you will remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
8. How good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9. In love, He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his ways.
10. Justly - all the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11. Keep, O Lord, for the sake of your name, forgiving my iniquity, though it is great.
12. Lord, who then is the man that fears you? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
13. May he spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
14. Not only will the Lord confide in those that fear him; He makes his Covenant known to them.
15. On the Lord, is where my eyes will always be, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16. Please turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17. Quickly the troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.
18. Relieve me of my affliction and my distress and take away all of my sins.
19. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!
20. Take pity on my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take
refuge in you.
21. Use integrity and uprightness to protect me, because my hope is in you,
22. Victoriously redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Jeremiah 17:7 “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” (NLT)
Matthew 6:27 (Jesus speaking) "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life”(NIV)
I like games that rely on both skill and chance. I like them because even if you have all the skill necessary to win - there is that element of chance that can put a new spin on the game. I love to play poker because of the chance factor. I am fairly skilled at it - not to the point where I will ever make the World Championship of Poker - but I can hold my own. (Although I used to play for money, my stakes these days are matchsticks) One night I was in a high stakes game - each of us had bought in at $50.00! (That is high stakes for a single mother!) I was not having a good night, I was down about $20.00. We were playing 7 card stud and I got a terrific hand. As best as I could tell nobody else at the table could beat it. When my turn to bet came up I took a big breath, pushed all my chips into the center and bet everything I had on the turn of a card.
My daughter, Fawn, bought a brand new Aveo last month. It is the cutest sunshine yellow car. Because Fawn was a paid tutor over at her college we knew that her payments would be tight - but do-able. Imagine my dismayed shock when Fawn came home two weeks after she bought the car to tell me that, because of a technicality in the federal program she was paid through, they had laid her off, effective that Thursday. Nobody at the local college office or the corporate headquarters had ever given her any type of indication that this would happen to her. Suddenly I am looking at an additional $300.00 a month in car payments. I simply cannot afford this additional burden on a budget stretched so thin you can see though it. My mom suggested that maybe we should cut down to one meal a day but anybody who looks at me knows that skipping meals is not on my “willing to do” list. (She was joking anyway) That night while with Father, I cried. I told Him I didn’t know how I was going to get us out of this mess, I couldn’t let the car be repossessed - but I couldn’t pay for it either, I was facing disaster! What was I going to do? Then I heard His soft, still voice speak to me in the midst of my despair. “Quit worrying and trust in Me.” And so I took a big breath, wiped my eyes, and did what He asked me to do.
These two stories don’t seem to have much in common do they? And yet there are great similarities in them. Both of them required a certain amount of confidence. I had confidence in my skill as a poker player, I had confidence in my cards when compared to what was around the table. With my financial problem I have confidence in His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me and in the many times that He has kept that promise. . In both I am not in control of how the situation will resolve itself. In the card game, once I pushed all my chips in the center, I could no longer control what happened in the game. I just had to wait and see. In this car situation I have given control of the situation to Father when I gave Him my worry and my trust. Now all I can do is wait and see how He will work. In the poker game I was trusting that my instincts about the cards and the turn of that next card. In my situation today, I am trusting in an eternal God Who loves me. The last thing that these two situations have in common is probably the greatest one. They were both “all or nothing” commitments. I committed all of my money to that one hand of cards. I held nothing back. In placing all my faith and trust in Father, I have committed my whole life to Him. I hold nothing back.
Problems are going to come at us. Anybody who pastes their “sweet Jesus” smile on their face and tells you with a straight face that they don’t have any problems need to have their meds adjusted. We all face problems. Father never promised us a rose garden life, in fact He warned us that powers would come against us. What He did promise us was that if we put our trust in Him, He would see us through. All that we need to do is have confidence in His promises, we need to release our control into His powerful hands, and we need to trust in His great love for us. But most important of all, we need to make an “all or nothing” commitment to Him holding nothing in our lives back from Him. And when we have put all our trust in Him and given Him all our hope and confidence then He will bless us.
When I put all my trust - and money - on my cards the odds were with me that I would win. But I lost. And even as I bet everything I knew that there was a chance that I would lose. I put my trust in the finite and mortal things. I am not going to lose in the financial problems I now face. There is absolutely no chance of it. I may go through some rough times, but in the end I will stand victorious over this situation because my trust is in my infinite and immortal God. And He will not fail me.
Father God, thank You for the promises You have given me. Because of them, I know that I can trust You to hold on to me, regardless of the storms that swirl around me.
Contact Valerie or subscribe to the e-ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Dear Partner in Christ,
Greetings in Jesus' Name.
Sukmar a Bengali from MV 71 village sat deep in thought inside the prison cell. He has already spent over a year in this prison. Laban approached him and asked, "Why are you looking so sad". Sukmar said, "I am a murderer and have NO hope to get out of this cell. All my life I have to spend in the confines of a prison cell". Laban told of Jesus who can set you free even from the prison. Sukmar said, "Most here do not even believe in a God because nothing happens here, we are not even granted bail." Laban continued to minister to Sukmar whenever he met him during the daily prison programme. Sukmar last week was all smiles, he told Laban "I now believe in your God for, as you said I prayed to Jesus and now I am going to go out on bail". At least for some time I can be back again with my family. Laban advised him not to go back to bad ways but to keep praying to Jesus the ONLY true God.
Praise God for:
1. For men and lady prisoners who have put their faith in Jesus.
2. For healing Amit the 3-year-old son of Mr and Mrs. Ranjith Khora from cerebral malaria [brain malaria]
3. For healing Mrs Rukmani Takiri from Malaria.
4. For enabling Mrs. Satya Jyoti Dongri to take part in the IMA conf.
5. For the Tsunami relief programme that is going smoothly and specially for the free medical camp.
6. For protection from the cobras, the vipers and the pythons.
In this month - the following went to be with the Lord:
1. Mr. Dilip Kumar Bagh's father due to renal failure.
2. Mrs. Jyoti's brother in law Mr. Prakash, due to hepatic and renal failure.
3. Aunty of Mr. Sopon Hembrom, due to end stage Tuberculosis [She did not share with any one as the taboo which continues with tuberculosis], by the time Mr. Sopon found out it was too late.
4. Our previous staff Mr. Nibedan Samantaray, due to liver cancer, survived by his young wife, a 4 year old daughter and 3 month old son.
Please pray for the above-mentioned families and for Mr. Niranjan Kuldeep recovering from complicated hydrocele surgery and his wife Mrs. Prabhati Kuldeep recovering from spontaneous miscarriage.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer and support.
Closing with prayers
Iris
Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow.
-Theodore Epp
When Fresno First Baptist Church was established Fresno City was 4 years old. One of the first things that we did was plant the Chinese Baptist Church. At a business meeting awhile back I met a man who attends the Chinese Baptist Church and he not only knew that FFBC planted his church over 100 years ago - he knew the name of the pastor’s wife who spearheaded the plant. (A lot more than I knew!) What a privilege it is to be associated with a church whose roots are sunk deep into the soil of our community and whose history is a beautiful tapestry of service to God and outreach to our neighbors. I am excited to know that when I join God in His purpose for FFBC through the VF21 campaign, I am building on the foundation established by those who have gone before to build a bridge to future generations. Please pray for Father’s guidance for the VF21 campaign and that through us, He will work a miracle.
I went to visit Judi Wright last week. She is feeling a lot better, and her therapy is going well.
I saw Matthew & Daniel Johnson in last Sonday’s services. The neck braces, arm splints and other addition medical hardware were all gone. We praise You, Father, for Your great mercy on these two young men, and for Your healing touch upon them.
Biana Grogg is requesting prayer for her son’s sister-in-law, Denise. Denise is experiencing life-threatening problems with her lungs filling with fluid. She is in critical condition. If you want additional information and updates on Denise’s condition you can visit the website at http://pullingfordenise.blogspot.com/
We continue to pray for the following: Erica Henson’s brother’s legal problems, Denise Cox & recovery from surgery, Sandy Hall’s son’s brother-in-law with head injuries, Ted & lung problems, Logan and complications following his birth, Sherline & the pathology report, Danette’s ex father in law with the growth in his throat and Danette’s mom employment situation, Bryan & Joni Johnson, The team in China, Tyler Fahrmeyer at Valley Children’s, Joe with an unspecified need, Nancy Pippin & a brain tumor, Merle Rush and recovery from his stroke, Andrea Spees & recovery from post-operative infection, Bev Borjas’ son, Khamla & her arm, Ashley & the infection in her heart lining, Jane Irwin & ovarian cancer, George & Margie Martin and his cancer, Michael Ferris, Emmy Lou Graves, Laura in Ohio, John Rogers & cancer, new employment opportunities for Dan Hansen, Stan Reed & cancer, Kassel Coon in Afghanistan, Ray Rahn & his wife. Please send me any updates you might have!
Pray for our missionaries - The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer. Please pray for Karl & Shellie Roth with Flipside. Please pray for Horacio & Cheryl Aleman at the LIFEhouse in Reedley.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others. Pray for the Church that in these troubled times that she stands strong.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Mighty and Awesome God,
You are our rock and fortress. You are our Deliverer. Who or what can prevail against us? Not even the gates of hell! You are our only God and the source of our strength. In You we place our trust today, tomorrow and forever - because You do not fail.
LORD God, we are humbled by the history of FFBC and we are amazed at the many and mighty works that You have done through her. Show us how You would have us join with those of the past to influence the future of our service to You for the generations to come. Through us create a miracle in the VF21 campaign.
Eternal God, we thank You for the great news on Judi and on Matthew & Daniel Johnson. We ask that You continue to work in these lives.
We pray, Beloved Father, that You touch Denise and heal her lungs. Restore her life and bring her back to her family.
Triune God, we continue to lift up those who are on our prayer chain and ask that You bless each person and situation with Your peace and Your strength.
God of Eternity, bless those who serve You in countries around the world. Bless their efforts, comfort their spirits and keep them safe. We pray for those brothers and sisters around the world whose belief in You and faith in You may come at the price of their physical lives. Be with them, LORD, and protect them. We praise You for the victory of their lives.
We thank You, God, for the powerful work that You are doing at the LIFEhouse and Flipside churches. Continue to bless both of these churches with Your vision for their communities. Bless the pastors, their families and the congregations who serve You.
Holy One of Israel and the World, we pray for Your Church that in these troubled times she stands strong in You. Help us to never compromise Your glory for the cheapness of what the world offers. Remind us that just because it is “politically correct” doesn’t mean that it is God-correct.
We pray for our pastors, LORD God, that they will stand on Your firm foundation as they lead us. Help us to love and support them in all that they do. Bless the leadership of our churches, bless all the ministries that we work through to bring You glory and to reach the world.
God bless America, those who lead her and those who serve freedom’s cause throughout the world. Pour Your mercy on us.
You are the Vine of Life and we are Your branches. We draw our life, our power, our substance though You. Without You, we are nothing. We love You, LORD, and we get to love You, praise You and worship You forever.