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“Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known unto God.” (Phil. 4:6) November, 2011 Dear Friend, Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. We are all fine, and amazed that it is almost November already! We will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks! When I think of what to thank God for, I am overwhelmed when I think of you. I thank God for your love, and your prayers for those who send their requests in to Christian Hope Network. Our prayer line is growing tremendously, more and more people are becoming desperate to know that there has to be more than this! Every day we are privileged to lead our callers to the Lord. If you need prayer, call the Hope Connection (718) 238-4600 and an anointed, powerful, prayer warrior will agree with you in prayer. While we have so much to thank God for, we also have much to think back on where people were devastated this year by tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, fires and unrest in the Middle East, etc. We certainly had much to pray for, as people all around the world suffered in some way. If we were spared, we thanked God, but our thoughts were with those who went through all those disasters. Our East Coast had both, earthquake and hurricanes! Paul tells us in Phil. 4:4 to rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! How can we rejoice when we see so much sorrow around us? One thing to realize is that our citizenship is in heaven. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our time on this earth is temporary. There will be a time when as Christians, we will be rejoicing in heaven with our Savior Jesus Christ. But what about now? How do we live now? How do we go through life with all of its joys as well as sorrows? Paul says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made unto God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” That second part says it all! When we pray, and truly believe that God hears, we will have peace! God’s Shekinah Glory will overtake us and fill us with His everlasting love and peace and joy! Wow! Our minds and hearts will be guarded. In other words, no attack of the enemy can overtake us and cause us to fear! How do we do this? What steps should we take to become an overcomer? Paul says in Chapter 3 vs. 14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” To “press” is to push with force, to persevere, to be determined to win! We have a purpose… to overcome, so we are to go for it and not look back! When we became Born Again, we became brand new creatures in Christ. When we confessed our sins, He forgave us. We were set free from the bondage of sin, we were given a new life, and new goals. Therefore, let us not look back! We are to become mature, and decide to fully follow Jesus and know that where He takes us is to a good place. Paul tells us to meditate on “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.” (Phil. 4:8) Herein lies the answer as to how we overcome! Our thoughts can make us or break us! If we want to be joyful, we do what God’s Word says to do. If we want to have peace, let us stay in the Word! If you do not have a Bible study now, find one. You can even find some Bible reading plans on the Internet. The important thing is soak in God’s Word every day, and take time to meditate upon what we have read, and then apply it to our lives. Hear me now.... the day may come when we will not be allowed to read or own a Bible... The end times described in the Bible will be hard times for sure. If we do not have the Word of God implanted in our memory and hearts, we will lose it. Take it now and digest it. Let it become a part of you. If you do not have a Bible plan to follow, simply start at the beginning with Genesis and read a Chapter a day. The key is to be content in whatever situation we are in, knowing that our God is a Good God and He is Faithful. There is nothing impossible with Him. Paul says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) The next time the enemy tries to harass you, take this promise and say it out loud! God WILL supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Vs. 19) Paul and Silas were in prison, and what did they do? They sang and praised the Lord! Let us begin today to praise God in all situations! Let us all live a life of praise and hope and trust in the One who loves us so much. This Thanksgiving, let us sing His praises, and agree to trust God in all things. Let us think of the times when we felt lost and afraid, and how He “suddenly” showed up and rescued us! Does that make you smile? I am sure it does! God loves to surprise us and show up when we least expect Him, when we feel like there is no hope, nothing to look forward to, no answer to our problem. Then... there He is! The sun shines again, there is joy, there is hope! Remember these times! Let us pray together... Father, in Jesus Mighty Name we worship and adore You. Thank You for all that You have done in my life and in the life of my loved ones. Thank You in advance that every member of my family will receive You as Lord and Savior. Thank you that we are overcomers’ by the Blood of the Lamb. Amen! God bless you, and Happy Thanksgiving! Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino, Ph.D.
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