“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)

November, 2009

Dear Friend,

Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. We are fine, and thanking God so much for giving us twenty wonderful years of ministry. It is because of you, our partner that the work goes on. However, today's economy has hit our ministry, as it has others. You know I very rarely make an appeal; I don’t believe in constantly asking for donations. I trust that God will always supply. But there are times when I must speak up, and this is one of those times. A donation of any size would be greatly appreciated, we are really at the bottom financially. The cost of our prayer helpline, printing, stationary, postage, and upkeep of equipment is going up, and we are barely making it. Last week alone two women in sexual abuse situations were given a place to go for help. One hundred people who received the Lord at an evangelistic event were ministered to on our phones, and literature and referrals were sent to help them in their new life in Christ. Sixty five Seniors were called and ministered to. Hundreds of people who called for prayer were given hope needed to go on... The list goes on...I pray right now, that God will bless you in the form of your need as you give sacrificially to help meet the needs of others. Amen!

This morning as I was doing my laundry and ironing, ...(yes, I do that too! Smile) I began to thank God for all the many blessings in my life. I am not ashamed to admit that I just reached 70 years old, and I am thankful to God for it. Anyhow, I began to think back to my life, and how God healed me of polio at the age of eight. How He revealed Himself so powerfully as I laid in bed totally paralyzed. He not only gloriously healed me, against all odds, but He came into my life as my Lord and Savior. Throughout the years I have had many ups and downs, as everyone has, but He always brought me through. The things that I am most grateful for are my precious family, my children and grandchildren, and all the most wonderful friends He has blessed me with for so many years. Many of my friendships go back as far as 40 years, and they are jewels. As God brought me through in my walk with Him, He opened doors that I would never dream of. Going to Bible College and Seminary was one of them. I am so grateful for that opportunity and for my very dear friend, Dr. Mary A. Bruno, who encouraged me all the way. We continue to be close friends today. Then there is my Church, my Pastors, and my church family. What a blessing to be a part of all that God is doing today. But then, dear friend, there is you!! Throughout the years you have been there to pray, and seek God on behalf of those who call in on our prayer line. I thank God every day for you and pray for you. Thank God for this ministry, it has been a huge part of my life, and especially for all the wonderful volunteers, the precious, anointed, prayer partners that I have had the privilege of ministering with. We are all volunteers, we do what we do because God has called us to do it, and our hearts are for souls, and for their growth in the Lord. We all just love what we do, and we thank God for the privilege.

God brought to my mind my first love this morning...the time when He came into my life and heart. He gave me hope and filled me with determination to press in, in spite of outward circumstances. In the natural, I was laying in bed, unable to move, or even chew food. But He prodded me on, spoke to me in the night, Baptized me in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues, which I knew nothing about at that age. Growing up took its toll: I had my times of closeness with Him, and then times of going off track as all teen-agers do. But thank God our Gentle Shepherd took His Staff and brought me back in. I think we can all identify with those times, and then thank God for His Goodness and Mercy, bringing us back and drawing us nearer.

What is your story? What events led you to the Lord? How has your life been changed, and where are you now with Him? I would love to hear your testimony! I’m sure it would encourage so many! Please feel free to write and I will read it, and if  you include your phone number, I will call and pray with you.

Take time today to think of your first Love, and how He has made a difference in your life, and thank Him and praise Him. I believe, with how the world is going, we really need to get on our knees and thank Him and praise Him. I believe it is a time of soul searching, a time of making changes if necessary. Jesus is there, full of love for us. He stands there waiting for us to allow Him to enter in and speak to us. He forgives our sins when we confess them, praise God! They are not only forgiven, but they are forgotten! If we turn around and return into His loving arms, He stretches them forth to grab us and hug us. Run, don’t walk, into His arms today! Call on Him and thank Him for all that He has done in your life, all the times that He stepped through that maze of confusion and doubt, and hardship, and brought you to that place of rest and peace once again. Thank Him for steering you to where He would have you; a place of hope and love and joy unspeakable. The world can be in turmoil, but in Him we have safety and love and hope. Nothing can harm us with Him at our side! He cheers us on! His thoughts are for our good! His goodness and love are upon us, and He shows us the way we should go. He guides us day by day showing us what things are important to Him, and who we can minister to, either at home, in school, in the work place, in church, or in a ministry. Let us, on this Thanksgiving Day place it all into His hands and allow Him to take charge of our lives. Let us pray: Father, in Jesus Name, I life up this reader to You, and I ask You to fill this heart with Your love, Your peace, Your joy, Your hope, Your wisdom, Your knowledge, and all that is of You. We love you Lord, and we thank you for all that You do. I thank You for this reader Lord, and I ask you bless him or her abundantly above and beyond all expectations. Thank You Father, In Jesus Name we pray. Amen. Happy Thanksgiving!

Rev. Barbara Yovino, Ph.D.