April 2016
Heart to Heart April 2016
Refuse to Quit
// Kenneth W. Hagin
Over the years, I have seen many people start out believing God for things. They were excited at first, but when the answer didn't come as soon as they thought it should, they quit believing. They fizzled out in their faith.
Did you know that every minute you remain in faith about something, you are a minute closer to realizing the fulfillment of what you are believing for? But if you give up and quit, you stop your blessings in their tracks. And that's what Satan wants. He is doing everything he can in this earth realm, in the realm of your senses, to try to get you to back off from believing and trusting God.
You are going to have to persevere through the pain, the obstacles, and the thoughts and feelings that come to tell you that God's Word is not true—or that it's not true for you.
Don’t Give Up on God
// Kenneth W. Hagin
In the uncertainty of modern life, many have given up on the Word. From their point of view, the "shoreline" they've been seeking so desperately is nowhere in sight. They're about to "abandon ship" where faith is concerned. But if we want to experience victory over our trials and troubles, we must learn to esteem the virtues of God's Word.
THE WORD OF GOD—the Bible—is not just a collection of words and sayings in a sacred book. God's Word, including each word that is written, is the very power of God to those who will believe it (Rom. 1:16). It is a rock we can stand on in troubled times.
When the tides of change come rolling in and fear seems to be everywhere present, God's Word is a solid, sure foundation that the storm cannot wash away.
Hold Tightly to Jesus
Someone might ask, "Reverend Hagin, do you know what's going to happen to our economy?" No, I don't know the future in detail, but I know the One Who does. I don't know what decisions will be made in Washington that will affect our nation and the world. But I know the One Who can change the tides to accomplish His plan and purpose. And my trust is in Him!
Stirred Up to Win Souls
// Lynette Hagin
THE HARVEST of souls upon the earth is ripe. But Jesus said in Matthew chapter 9 that the laborers are few. He told His disciples to pray for laborers to be sent out into the harvest fields of the earth (Matt. 9:38).
Why are there so few laborers in the Lord's harvest? I'm sorry to say that sometimes we Christians are so busy enjoying God's blessings that we don't have time to go out into the world and be witnesses for Him.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8 (NLT), "You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere."
Do you realize how many people today are lost and going to hell? Do you realize the exciting opportunity this gives us to tell the world about Jesus? Our first responsibility as Christians is to proclaim this wonderful Good News—the Gospel!
Where are we going to be witnesses? Wherever God takes us. Every day we come in contact with someone who doesn't know Christ. How sensitive are we to listen to the voice of God and pray for an opportunity to minister to those people? Are we too busy to lend a helping hand to those who are lost, those who are hurting, and bring them in?
What’s Missing?
// Michael Cameneti
DOES SUCCESS ever seem out of your reach? If so, your life may be missing an ingredient. And adding this one ingredient will help you become successful.
That missing ingredient is probably not what you think. But it is necessary if you want to receive the promises of God in every area of life.
We find this missing ingredient in Romans 3:18: "There is no fear of God before their eyes." To fear the Lord means to have a wholesome dread of displeasing Him. Another side to fearing Him involves reverence. Every Christian should practice reverence for God every day.
Reverencing God is simply acknowledging that He is in you wherever you go. That attitude of awareness will keep you in a position where He can continually move through you in every situation.
You Are a Carrier of God!
Because people don't stay in constant fellowship with God, they feel as if they have to "work up" to Him to get Him to move on their behalf. God doesn't need us to make Him willing to help. He's always ready and willing to show His power on our behalf. The problem lies with us. We forget that we are carriers of God, because He is always with us.
Where Do You Fit?
// Lynette Hagin
SEVERAL YEARS AGO the Lord gave me a clear visual image of His plan for each of us in the Church. He said to me, "The work that I have for the Body of Christ to do is like putting together a beautiful puzzle."
Have you ever put together a puzzle? There are so many pieces, but you have to put it together piece by piece. And it takes every one of those pieces to make the puzzle form a beautiful picture.
If you've ever struggled to find one or two missing pieces, you know it can be extremely frustrating. You're so disappointed every time you look at the puzzle. Even though everything else looks pretty, all you can see are the glaring holes where a few pieces are missing.
Sometimes I can picture the Lord as He looks at our puzzle in the Body of Christ. Even though most of the puzzle has been put together and many of us have gotten into place, I can see our Heavenly Father looking at those glaring holes in the puzzle where someone has not taken the proper position.
After the Lord gave me this visual image, He said to me, "In order for what I have for the Body of Christ to be accomplished on this earth, every person has a piece of the puzzle. It's important that each of you takes your piece of the puzzle and accomplishes My will for your life. As that happens on this earth, I am putting together a beautiful picture of My plan."