What you're worth? by David Asscherick

 

The 50 Dollar Story - Part 2

Cocktails and orange juice

One day I was invited to a cocktail party. I didn't usually go to such celebrations, which were held almost every day in government circles. There was always a lot of drinking there. But this time I was saying goodbye to a good friend who had been a legal adviser to the California government. So, for once, I decided to attend his farewell party.

Some of my Adventist friends prefer not to make a fuss about not drinking alcohol on such an occasion. In order not to attract attention, they hold a full glass in their hands throughout the evening. They don't drink, but they're something of a "semi-Adventist" - underground fighters who don't want to be noticed, soldiers without uniform. Maybe they are ashamed of the army they belong to? Do you know that, too?

When I got to the party, the door opened and a lady greeted me, saying, "Dr. Farag, welcome! I know you don't drink alcohol. I've prepared something special for you: here, a glass of orange juice.” I replied, “Thank you for thinking of that!” Little did I know that the governor was standing right behind me. He had overheard and said to my surprise: "An orange juice for me too!"

He drank nothing else all evening. Rather, he stayed by my side and peppered me with questions, "Why don't you drink alcohol? How else do Seventh-day Adventists live? What do you think about this? How do Adventists see this?” He talked to me at such length that other guests asked, “Mr. Governor, do you talk to other people besides Dr. Farag?”

The world needs our values

What am I trying to say, especially to our young Adventists? Don't be ashamed of your faith! There are people who would like to live according to good principles, but are too weak to do it on their own. But when they meet someone who is principled, they are happy to join them. Therefore, we should always remember that we not only have a great responsibility for ourselves, but also for our fellow human beings.

Sometimes I, too, have felt the temptation to veil my faith—like when I applied when I almost didn't tell you that I was a Seventh-day Adventist. But let us not be ashamed of our special faith! The world needs the values ​​we hold as Adventists. Let's wear our "uniforms" and be proud of it! God has no underground Christians. He wants us to be his representatives, his ambassadors.

What I didn't know

It was not until many months later that I found out in passing why my predecessor had been fired. He had embezzled money and accepted an expensive Mercedes-Benz as a bribe. This had caused the governor a great deal of inconvenience. Sensitized by this incident, he was immediately taken with me when he learned that a missionary was also among the narrow group of applicants. He is said to have said spontaneously, "Who could be more honest than an Adventist missionary!"

I kept thinking how good it was that I had identified myself as an Adventist when I applied. Through God's power I had been able to be honest at that crucial moment.

Back to Australia

As our home leave came to an end, I presented the governor with the complete California health care plan. I gave him a report in triplicate. One copy was intended for him personally, the other two were to be presented to the Senate and the State Assembly for discussion and decision-making.

Based on experience, I was told that this process would take about a month. Since my presence was required during this time for any queries and explanations, I had to postpone my departure accordingly. My wife and our three girls boarded the ship as planned, which was to take them back to Australia in 31 days crossing. We agreed that I would come by plane once everything was settled.

Night call

Finally we all got back to Australia on time. Only three weeks passed when the phone rang one night and woke us up. It was midnight. I picked up the phone and the voice on the other end of the line said, "This is Robert Pearson." Drowsy, I asked back, "Robert who?" "Robert Pearson, the President of the General Conference."

I had never received a call from the President of General Conference, and I was amazed that he would want to speak to me in the middle of the night. "Yes, Brother Pearson, what is it?" I asked. "Brother Farag, we want you to come back." In disbelief, I repeated, "Come back?? We've only just arrived!'

“Yes, I know,” Brother Pearson said. "But Governor Reagan has contacted President Nixon and told him that he needs you to help implement the US public health plan. Reagan and his advisors believe that no one else can do this as well as you. President Nixon then called my home and asked that you be released for this task. I have discussed this with the General Conference Committee, and they prayerfully concluded that you should heed the call of President Nixon and Governor Reagan.” My wife and I cried because it was a difficult decision for us. Finally we decided to go back to America.

God also loves the great of the world

It would be a total of almost 20 years of working among the "rich and famous". All along, opportunities have come to testify of what we Adventists believe. I didn't choose this - it was God's plan. It is important to God to reach the big ones in the world.

I cannot point to any experience of anyone in government circles becoming an Adventist through my testimony. But I can say one thing openly and honestly: everyone I have dealt with in the course of my work has learned what Adventists believe. Sometimes the governor or members of parliament even called me at home and asked for advice. Although some of the topics were outside of my area of ​​responsibility, they wanted my opinion because they knew I would always tell them the truth.

A notable exception

When Governor Reagan left office, all of his advisers were fired, as is customary in America. All except me. The successor, Governor Jerry Brown, called me and asked me to stay. "I used to work for Governor Reagan," I replied. "Yes, yes, we know that," he said. When I asked him the reason for the takeover, he explained: “We made detailed inquiries about you. You are not tied to any party. You always tell the truth, whether you're speaking to Republicans or Democrats. Such people are rare.”

Wasn't that a big compliment? This incident also shows that most people appreciate it when someone is honest and sincere. God's people must be truthful! Let's not be ashamed to be completely honest in front of people.

A Sabbath

Jerry Brown had completed training as a Catholic priest. Little did he know when he took office as governor that I generally don't work on Sabbaths. So it was that one Sabbath morning, as we were leaving for church, the phone rang. My wife was already in the car with the children. I thought it was someone from the church and answered. It was the governor. He said: "Dr. Farag, please come to my office as soon as possible. We have a special session. It will not take long."

It wasn't his secretary who had called - he himself! I replied, "I'm sorry, Governor, I can't today." He replied, "I know something is unexpected. But there are some people here from Washington who need your advice. It really only takes a few minutes.” For a moment I thought about going over there and helping them out. But then I was like, "No, you can't do that." So I told the governor that. "Please come, just for a few minutes!" He pleaded with me. "It's not about the few minutes," I told him. “The point is that I'm a Seventh-day Adventist and I don't generally work on Saturdays. My family is already in the car and we want to go to church for the service.” “Oh,” he cried, “that's no problem! I am writing your priest a letter.”

He was familiar with that, as a graduate of the Catholic seminary. "No," I replied, "I don't want that at all. But I'm more than willing to come to you after sundown and if necessary work through the night for you.” – Silence on the other end of the line. Then came the terse reply: “Well, all right. Goodbye.” When I hung up the phone, I had an uneasy feeling. Turning to my wife, I said, "I think I just lost my job."

"Dr. Farag, where have you been?”

The cabinet meeting was on Monday morning. My neighbor Dr. Jerome Lackner, Director of Health, said to me, "Dr. Farag, we missed you on Saturday. Where were you?” The governor sat at the head of the table and listened. I replied, “I was in church at the service. But you are a Jew. Why weren't you in the synagogue?” The question just slipped out of my mouth – in the governor's ears. dr Lackner scratched his head in embarrassment and replied, "Yes, I know, I should have been in the synagogue. I just didn't have the courage. dr Farag, you are a better Jew than I am.”

The governor opened the meeting and, addressing his secretary, first recorded the following: “In the future, meetings attended by Dr. Farag is scheduled to attend is no longer on a Saturday.” And so it is that since that episode I have never had a call from the governor on the Sabbath.

I worked for Brown and the California government for another eight years. It wasn't as interesting as the first eight years under Reagan, but I did my best during that time. And the Lord has put his hands protectively over me.

Set yourself high goals!

Why did I report these experiences? Because God also wants to reach "the upper ten thousand". He is looking for associates who are able and willing to bear witness to him before the rich and powerful. These people also need a Savior. Many of these high profile celebrities feel a hunger for the soul. Many are looking for the enduring values ​​in life. They too need witnesses. We care a lot about the ordinary people - and that's a good thing. But Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea must also learn the truth, just as Paul reached people in high circles.

In those very interesting years I have learned that every human being needs a Savior, the humble worker as well as the government official. Very few Adventists are represented in the leadership circles of this world. Above all, God is looking for younger people who want to serve him faithfully. Aim high! We need Daniels and Josephs in many places around the world. Let's make ourselves completely available to God and let him put us where he puts us. He wants to do great things through us!

Salem Farag, The $50 Story,  (Iss. 23, 2014), pp. 65-71 

Calm Seas

There are days when your life is filled with so much joy, you just can’t help but praise Jesus for His goodness! But the moment when everything seems to go wrong, it’s a whole different story! Let's be clear: just because you are a Christian does not mean that everything will go smoothly in your life! Remember, calm seas . . . don’t make better sailors! In other words, if you’ve never experienced the challenges and difficulties of life, you would never learn to lean on Jesus! If people were always blissfully happy, they would never know their need of a Savior! So instead of being bitter, thank God for your trials! The Bible says in James 1:2, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” And in James 1:12, we’re told, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” What a beautiful promise to claim! Remember Job stood the test and remained faithful to God even though he lost literally everything! He lost all his wealth, his home, his wife, his children, and even his friends! Yet, through it all, Job praised God! Oh, how wonderful it would be to have that deep love and faith in God! It doesn’t matter what heartache or trials you are experiencing–in all things . . .  praise God! 

© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com

https://brendawalsh.com

The 50 Dollar Story - Part 1

After a happy few years in California, my wife, our three little girls, and I were called to the mission field. In a responsible position I was supposed to expand the medical care there. First we went to New Guinea for three to four years. Then the General Conference sent us to Australia, which also had a large mission area. It was customary in those days that after about seven years of service in the mission, you would be given nine months of home leave.

A year before we were due to begin our nine-month vacation, I prayerfully began preparations. We were looking for a quiet place to live in the USA. In addition, there should be further training opportunities for me nearby and a job where I could earn good money, since the wages in the mission field were very modest. I wrote to my friend who worked at the University of California on this matter. In his reply he assured me that he had an interesting and well-paid research job in store for me. I was to contact him as soon as I arrived in the US. That seemed like an answer to prayer!

Then came the day we left Sydney for San Francisco. We looked to the future with confidence. Our voyage lasted 31 days. I found the crossing unbearably long, but my wife and our three girls enjoyed the carefree time on board.

Bad news

When I finally arrived in California, I immediately called my friend and discussed a number of details with him. I was supposed to check in with him on the first day of work before I left the house. Everything seemed to be going well. But God had a different plan for me. Sometimes what we have prepared so well, so that God can fulfill his intentions for us, goes wrong. When I called my boyfriend on the morning of the first day at work, as agreed, he had bad news for me. Shortly after our last conversation, he explained to me in dismay, a lawsuit against the university had come to light. The university then imposed a two-month hiring freeze, which of course also affected me. My friend tried verbosely to console me for the time afterwards; then I could definitely get the promised research contract. But nothing could be done at the moment.

I understood but was deeply disappointed. We finally agreed that I would contact him again in two months if I hadn't found another job by then. To be on the safe side, I gave him our current address and private telephone number.

Looking for a job

Now I had to look for another opportunity to earn money. I figured it wouldn't be bad to try Sacramento, the capital of California. There I asked the first passer-by where I could find work here. He pointed to a building and said I should try the California employment center over there. So I did the same. I was sent to a lady who was responsible for job placement. She showed me wall shelves with many, many thick files containing over 10,000 vacancies. The huge range included all imaginable jobs, from the simplest to the highly qualified.

I took out some folders and flipped through numerous ads. Three of them in particular caught my attention. The most interesting sounded the following job offer: "California Governor Seeks Special Counsel for Health Care." This governor was Ronald Reagan, later President of the USA.

When I considered whether this position could seriously be considered for me, I had doubts: “What advice could I give the governor? This vacancy has been printed in all the major American newspapers and I'm sure a lot of people will apply. Would I even have a chance?” But somehow the offer just wouldn't let me go. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that I would actually like to advise Ronald Reagan on certain things! For hadn't we Adventists received many good principles of health that we should pass on to others in due course?

A question of honesty

Finally, I took the three ads that appealed to me the most and presented them to the lady at the counter. She gave me an application form for each position and asked me to fill it out right away. In principle it was a simple matter. But two questions really gave me a headache: the one about my last salary and the one about my religious affiliation.

What would you think of someone who was last making just $50 a week? Shouldn't the admissions committee doubt my mental abilities, not knowing that Seventh-day Adventist missionaries were paid very little? Wouldn't it be better to just leave the field blank or would it be better to state my last salary in the USA? I made very good money at the University of Loma Linda, where I had done research. After some hesitation, I decided to make an honest statement nonetheless. I truthfully wrote, "$50 a week."

But I found it even more difficult with the question of religious affiliation. This information was mandatory at the time (it is no longer the case today). "If I identify myself as a Seventh-day Adventist, I can forget about the application," I thought to myself. But here, too, I finally made up my mind to stand by the truth.

Surprise

After filling out all three forms, I gave them to the lady at the counter. I was pretty sure that these applications were hopeless. I also told my wife that when I told her everything at home.

To my great surprise, a few days later, I received a call from the governor's office. I was told I was one of ten shortlisted people to be called for an interview. When I told my wife about the phone call, I again expressed my doubts as to whether I really had a real chance of being accepted. My faith at the time was not very strong.

"Are you Albert Schweitzer?"

A few days passed before the governor's office called again. The time had come: I was summoned to Sacramento for an interview.

The governor's mansion was impressive. I was then led into the room designated for the questioning. The members of the application committee sat on one side, and the vacant chair opposite was reserved for me. I sat down and looked around at those present. The Chairman's expression didn't bode well for me. With a slightly mocking undertone in his voice, he began the questioning. "Well, I read here that you were last paid $50 a week. Are you Albert Schweitzer, or are you a fool?”.

For a few seconds I didn't know what to say. Then I replied: “Neither, Mr. Chairman. I am a Seventh-day Adventist missionary. And we don't measure people by how much money they make, but by what they contribute to the work.”

The chairman had obviously not expected such an answer. He was amazed. His voice sounded completely different now, any hint of sarcasm gone. The situation had eased noticeably. Another prover spoke up: “A Seventh-day Adventist missionary? Can you tell us a little more about that?” And so I gave the commission a brief outline of where and how I had served as a missionary. At the end they asked me a few organizational questions and then I was allowed to go. My wife welcomed me expectantly at home. I immediately explained to her that someone else would certainly be chosen for this interesting position. After everything I had experienced, I assessed my chances as low to non-existent.

Unbelievable!

Three days later the phone rang; it was someone from the governor's office. He said, "You have been selected as the governor's special adviser." I was absolutely stunned! I happily promised to come to Sacramento as soon as possible. At that point, however, it was still completely unclear to me what exactly was expected of me and what I had gotten myself into. God doesn't always show us everything that's coming our way, lest we get discouraged at the beginning.

When we got to Sacramento, the governor told me my job was to create a health plan for the entire state of California! At the time, I knew next to nothing about California's healthcare system. I was forced to learn a lot of new things in a short time. But God helped me.

The governor assured me that I could enlist any help I could think of in preparing the health plan; there is generous financial and human support. I was allowed to make decisions independently, also with regard to my staff. I worked 15 hours a day to get things moving.

News

After a creative phase of several weeks was behind me, one evening my friend from the university called me at home. He said the hiring freeze had been lifted and I could start the planned research work immediately. I told him about my new, extraordinarily interesting job, which of course I didn't want to just give up now. But he insisted that he really needed me and therefore wanted to speak to the governor personally. He managed to negotiate a compromise with the governor: I was allowed to help my friend with his research work for a few hours a day until a replacement was found for me. So it happened that I was employed by two different employers at the same time for about two months. The governor provided me with an official car. In the morning I drove to the University of California and worked on the research project, and the rest of the day I worked for the governor in Sacramento. And I received a full salary from both jobs!

I did my best to get the health care plan moving forward as quickly as possible, even under this double burden, as I had limited time until the end of the vacation. The Lord helped me day after day, I could feel that.

An Adventist in government circles

As a governor's advisor, I moved in the highest circles of government in California. Everywhere I was introduced as an Adventist missionary from New Guinea. My stay in New Guinea had impressed both the members of the bid committee and the governor, for it was well known that cannibals had already murdered foreign missionaries there. Now, I felt it was God's guidance that I put my name on the Seventh-day Adventist form and identified myself as a missionary at the interview. It pained me a little, though, to think of how hesitant I had been to make that statement.

Knowing that I belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, people expected certain behavior from me. They also sometimes behaved differently in my presence than usual. They often apologized when they used vulgar expressions in my presence. If alcohol was drunk, it was sympathetically mentioned that they knew about my abstinence. I didn't tell anyone that I didn't drink alcohol! But our actions are known to speak louder than our words.

A Prayer for Cleansing

 

Finding True Happiness

Someone once said, “A bad attitude is like a flat tire - you can’t go anywhere unless you change it.” Oh how true that is. Happiness is a choice. You can look at life’s challenges as a learning opportunity and stay positive or you can slump into the dumps feeling sorry for yourself and lamenting about how life just isn’t fair. But herein lies the danger: as long as you continue to swim in an ocean of self-pity, you will be immobilized and guess what? Your future will be no different than your past. Instead of concentrating on all that you “don’t have,” concentrate on what you “do have.” You never have to fear the storm no matter how fierce or turbulent because God is with you always. God sends the storm to show that He is the only shelter. The Bible says in Psalm 94:18, “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” Thank God for the tough times for it is in your darkest hours that you lean on Him the most. Heavy rains remind us of challenges in life. Never ask for a lighter rain, just pray to God for a better umbrella. 

© Brenda Walsh Ministries

How I met God: My Testimony

Today I am going to tell you about my first encounter with God.  Before I do, I need to explain a few things.

I was raised Adventist from birth. My entire family is Adventist. I am 3rd generation Adventist. This means my grandparents were adventist, so is my mother and I am the third generation of Adventists in my family. However from a very young age I hated being Adventist and everything related to Adventism, as I constantly felt restricted. And so from around 13 I decided I would never ever become Adventist. As soon as I was old enough to do my own thing, I stopped going to church. Everything that Adventists weren't allowed to do I did it! At school all my friends were non Adventists because I didn't want anything to do with adventism.

Anyway, back to my story.

At the time of my encounter with God, I was studying at a university in Spain. It was near the end of my course and one of my friends decided to throw a huge party.

I had arrived around 6pm and everyone had been drinking and having fun.

My only memory of that night was that I was feeling quite ill around 2am as I had drunken too much.

Day 1

Feeling really drunk to the point where my entire body was floppy, unable to move my limbs and I was constantly going in and out of conscientiousness.

Day 2

Constantly hallucinating/ really bad nightmares 

Can't figure out what's real and what's not.

Day 3

Regain full conscientiousness.

Could see the light coming through my bedroom window and could hear the children near my apartment playing. I could also smell the stench in my room. My bed was soaking wet from urine, sweat and vomit. The room smelt awful from horrible stench of stale alcohol, urine and vomit.

A few minutes later I remember hearing my flatmate Elise calling me.

In that moment, I tried to speak, tried to let her know I was there. But my mouth was as if I was mute. No sound came from my mouth; no matter how hard I tried. I then tried lifting my body but I couldn't move.

My whole was paralysed. I could move only my head and my neck but the rest of my body was paralysed from my neck down to the tips of my toes.

Immediately, I was frightened and started to panic and cry.

Then I remembered, all the bible text I had to recite as a child and all the songs we use to sing. I started to pray, begging God to help me and promised that if he answered my prayer; then I would never drink again, never eat pork again, never party again, never smoke again. I made lots and lots of promises. After that I spent the whole day singing and praising God and reciting bible texts of thanksgiving and praise because in my heart I genuinely believed that God would answer my prayer.

Day 4

I remember waking up the next morning. I could hear the birds tweeting.  I felt good because I was confident that God had answered my prayer. Slowly I tried lifting my body out of bed, but I couldn't. I kept trying, each time trying hard than before.  But, it was no use, I was still the same. My whole body was still paralysed. I couldnt move anything except my head. 

I was fuming, vexed! I began shouting, cursing and arguing with God as though he was a real person inside my room with me. 

I yelled.... You said.....in your word! Whatsoever we ask according to your will you will hear us! You said....ask and you shall recieve, seek and you shall find! I have asked! I have seeked! And I have believed! I believed with all my heart that you would help me, why have you not answered my prayer?!

The one thing, I have asked you for and you haven't done it! 

Then after arguing and shouting at him for about 30 mins. I concluded... 

I am done with you!!

I don't ever want to hear the word, God, again!! I am done with religion. This whole Christian thing is a lie. You are a liar! You don't even exist! It's a load of lies. I don't ever want to hear the word God mentioned to me again!

Then around 10/15mins later when I had finally calmed down. I heard this still, gentle, calm voice 

(I know it sounds crazy but it's true). 

All it said was..... How do you say Seventh Day Adventist in Spanish?

It was so simple yet profound. You see at the time I was training as a Spanish translator/ interpreter. My specialism was legal and political translation, so my level of Spanish was pretty high. Also at the time when God asked me this question, I was extremely proud of my achievements in Spain; I was so fluent in the Spanish language, that most people thought I was a native Spanish speaker. 

However, for some unknown reason, I could not respond to God's simple request. I knew how to say seventh and day, but no matter how much I tried, I just couldnt figure out how to translate adventist in Spanish, or even how to put all words together to make sound correct in Spanish. No matter how much I tried, it never quite sounded right. After racking my brain for I while I finally concluded, I didn't know. I also realised that I didn't know any Spanish words relating to God. I knew how to curse God or blaspheme his name. But I didn't know how to say, Jesus, or Holy Spirit, hymns, bible, prayer, pastor, saviour and any many other words related to the praise and admiration of God. I also started to realised that I don't know any bible scriptures or Christian songs in Spanish. I had been there nearly 1 year, and I never once visited a church or read my bible. Suddenly, I started to remember all the times I cursed or used Gods name in a fowl way. I also remembered moments in Spain when I ridiculed the adventist name and principles. I remembered all the bad things I had done over the past year. Then like a flashback, I remembered how I had just cursed God a few moments ago. My lips started quiver.  Out of shame and repentance for what I did I started to cry uncontrollably; weeping like a mother for her dead child. I started to cry out to God for forgiveness. Not only for my behaviour over the past year but also for my rude and offensive words. In that moment I recognised God's love for me. He could have ended my life. After all, I totally rejected him. I had made my decision clear. I didn't want to know him. Yet. Instead of leaving me; he decides to give me another chance. Like a loving parent, he decides to gently talk with me. He decides to ask me, one simple yet profound question. 

Something that would change my life forever. 

Anyway, after confessing and apologising to God. I then ended with this prayer....

You have no reason to heal me. In fact, if this is the end for me, I understand. However, should you decide to heal me. I can't promise you much. I can't promise I won't drink again. I can't promise that I won't go out, nor stop smoking, etc.....but the one thing I can promise, is this: If you choose to heal me. I will find an adventist church and I will go every sabbath. That's the only thing I can promise. 

After this, I remember feeling at peace and later fell asleep. 

Later that night around 9pm. Just like the first day, my flatmate came to my bedroom door calling me. 

Again, I tried to answer her as before. And as if by miracle my voice returned to me and I was able to say...

Yes! Yes! Yes! Am here! In my excitement I tried lifting my upper body. Again, miracluously, I was able to move (It was as if I was being released from chains). I sat upright in my bed and staggered my way to the bedroom door, and opened it; exclaiming to my flatmate, you wouldn't guess what happened to me?

Later that night, after sharing my experience with my flatmates. They explained how I made it home. 

Early the next morning after the party, around 6am, someone constantly kept ringing the buzzer for long periods of time. So much so, it woke up my flatmate and her boyfriend. Finally, as the person would not stop, Micheal decided to go and answer the intercom.

Now my flatmates were both French. And Michael didn't knew any Spanish or English, so whenever you wanted to speak to him, you had to speak French! Nonetheless, on this occasion, when he answered the intercom. He said that the person kept repeating to him, 

"come now, she's at the gate! Come now, she's  at the gate!" He then, hang up the phone and went back to bed. However, the person kept buzzing!! When my flatmate  Elise asked Michael why he refused to answer the phone. 

Michael explained to her that he didn't understand what they meant. They just kept repeating, "Come now she's at the gate!" Elise, then suggested that, it could be me and that maybe  I had forgotten my keys. 

Michael then described how he saw me,  down stairs lying dead on the pavement outside the front gate. He took me upstairs and him and Elise took off my shoes and laid me on my bed and close the door. And that's how I got home from the party. 

So my message you is simple, God is real! Try God, he exists, he loves you, he hears you and he answers prayers. 

May God bless you!

Happy Sabbath :-)

Fear Not

Over and over again the Bible tells us not to be afraid. In fact, “fear not” is the most repeated command in the Bible. God does not want His children to live in fear, and yet most people, if they are being honest, struggle with facing their fears. People fear all sorts of things, such as snakes, spiders, flying on a plane, elevators, heights, or auto accidents. Others have more personal fears, such as rejection, failure, public speaking, or dying. But there’s a reason that God doesn’t want His children to be afraid. Living in a constant state of fear will prevent you from accomplishing your goals, being the person God wants you to be, and most of all, it will keep you from trusting God. When David was fighting the Philistines and started to feel afraid, instead of succumbing to paralyzing fear, He turned to God and said in Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Putting faith over fear can sound like a cliche or something you put on a t-shirt, but you really can claim this victory by releasing all your worries and stress to Jesus. Choosing to trust is just that - a “choice.” When fear and anxiety threaten to overcome you, claim God’s promise in Psalms 23:1.

© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com

Shut your mouth

Judging others is easy because it distracts us from the responsibility of judging ourselves. That’s why God tells us in Matthew 7:5, “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” When you’re tempted to criticize, pray for Holy Spirit strength to shut your mouth tight before saying anything negative about anyone. You’ll not only be pleasing God, but you’ll feel better too! 

© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com

Bible Trivia #2

 

How many stones were on the 'breastplate of judgment' worn by the High Priest?

Explanation: There were 12 stones on the breastplate. One for each of the tribes of Israel and engraved with their names.
Reference: Exodus 28:21

God's purpose for your life

Do you suppose you arrived in life, a blank slate, with no sketches or advance planning in the mind of the God who chose you? No, David exclaims in this psalm. The Divine Artist who shaped us in our mother’s womb is the Divine Historian who recorded our lives before they were even lived. A provocative thought wondering is it not?

In this prayer David celebrates an individuality so unique that God’s life and mission for you can be lived and accomplished by no other individual in history —but you!

So are we bound by God’s destiny? Hardly. The tragic life of King Saul is proof enough that all of us are free to choose our own way. But why reject the destiny of the one whose love from the beginning has shaped us to soar with him to our highest potentials in life?

Gossip

Your words have the power to destroy someone’s self esteem, their reputation and their life! In fact, the Bible says in Matthew 12:36, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” Wow! It doesn’t get more serious than that because your words could cost you eternal life! God has no use for slanderers, gossipers, or people who spread lies - period! In fact, He wants you to stay away from those who do. Proverbs 20:19 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” When someone confides in you, it is because they trust that you’ll keep their secret. Whether or not you keep their confidence says a lot about your character. A person who gossips is not a person with integrity, a person to be trusted, or a person you want to be friends with. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:13, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” You can speak things into existence so be careful with your words. If you truly understood the evil just the slip of a tongue can do, you might stop and think before you open your mouth to say anything at all. You are responsible for not only what you say but also what you listen to. The only way to stop gossip is to refuse to listen. Don’t allow someone to disturb your peace by telling you what other people said about you or anyone else. Ask them to keep it to themselves. If they continue to talk - walk away. You can’t stop people from gossiping but you can control what “you” say and what “you” choose to listen to. Follow biblical advice in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Text: Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 17:9, Psalm 141:3

© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com

Boasting

 

Let's Pray #1

 

Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.—(Messages to Young People, 249, 250

The night you were conceived.

From a strictly statistical point of view, your presence on this planet is a miracle! At the very dawn of your life you had to overcome overwhelming odds- odds higher than any you will ever have to face in any other situation. No matter what you may think of yourself now,…no matter what ills may befall you in life, no matter what suffering you may be forced to endure, no matter what family or financial problems you may eventually have to face, it is imperative that you understand this: You came into this world a Champion. Why? Because God chose you! God chose you the night you were conceived.

Anthony DeStefano - Ten prayers God always says yes