HOPE FOR THE GENERATIONS

Sunday, September 25, 2016

I LOVE YOU BIG

2016

"I love you BIG!" A heart felt quote I stole from a good friend of mine. I tell my friends and family; my heart is SWOLLEN with God's Love and can't help but to love BIG!

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As a child of God; striving to not only draw close to Him but to be like Jesus we come about this 'BIG' heart love honestly:

"For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift." John 1: 16

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Learning to love beyond myself was not instantaneous (although I do believe in some cases it can happen as we are adopted as children of God). Truthfully, it can only be amazingly accomplished by the Grace of Jesus and the Work of the Holy Spirit.

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When I was first married, (as a Christian young lady); I had to learn sacrificial - 'selfLESS-serving-love' toward my husband as he did for me. It was a daily pursuit as we had to learn to bite our tongues and thus serve one another. Laying down our lives and our wants for the other.

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Then kids come along...wow! And when they were babies, we found them quite demanding of wants and needs too! The big thing is; we have this 'BIG' love in our hearts for them. We WANT to provide, protect and care for them. Yet, again it takes laying our own fleshly needs and wants down for our children.

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GOD DID THAT:

John 3:16

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Painful situations in my life have come (through-out the years) as my BIG heart gets stepped on, poked at, misunderstood and eventually broken. The heart (emotionally speaking) is such a powerful and vital part of life. Without it, life would indeed be empty. Would you agree? My heart feels a little stepped on presently and as I ponder this the Lord told me;

"Imagine how I feel when my BIG heart is stomped on, poked and broken?" The Lord went on to say; "People misunderstand my Word, and or become angry with how the Holy Spirit is leading. They choose to become angry, or resistant and eventually ignore me completely."

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I bowed my head low and prayed; "Oh Lord, I first ask for Your forgiveness of the times I have done this." Then God just stirred deeper in me stating;

"This is where the church is -- I have so much planned for their lives, wrote it all out in my Word. Some have chosen to walk away completely. Others have tried to re-write what is plainly written. I send my Holy Spirit through various sources (My chosen instruments) to tell them How much I truly love them and all I have purposed for their lives.

Yet, they have 'unfriended' me. My heart, my BIG heart hurts."

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We all have sung the chorus; 'To Be Like Jesus' - as a servant of our Lord, it should be our heart's cry.

When we do, we must know to be like Him is to not only to walk holy and righteous but also to LOVE BIG! In so doing it's also being well acquainted with His hurts...His sufferings!

Philippians 3:10

^"And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did];"

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Are we willing to continue to love BIG, even though there is suffering involved? That is an answer only you and I can give. But, allow me to add; as long as we are FULL OF JESUS, and long to continue to serve Him in completeness; we will not be able to do anything else but to LOVE BIG!

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I can tell you from years of experience, I have had my moments I would rather just walk away and not feel the aches of being hurt when my love is twisted around and truly misunderstood. And, quite frankly, I have done this...walked away. Yet, praise the Lord - someone was praying I know that for sure! That, eventually I decided this has caused a distance between me and my Lord. I want to be ONE with Jesus. Thus, I knew the fear of being hurt AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN... would have to flee. I cannot have a 'precedence' first before living our a life of LOVING OTHERS.

Join me will you, LOVE BIG for Jesus!

[I dedicate this post to Darlene Cordova Rouse; who inspired me by always saying; "LUV U BIG!"]

I also dedicate this to my husband who has taught me selfless love, as well as my 3 children: Nathan, Felecia & Tabitha.

My own parents exhibited this first in my life; without that I am not sure where I would be. 

WHAT CHRISTIANS CAN DO FOR OUR COUNTRY

2016

What Christians Can Do For Our Country Now

by Daneille Gray Snowden

I try to veer away myself on the subject of political candidates; for like most ministers, I am quite conservative & honestly, I can go 'nutty' on the topic. YET... it baffles me who the majority is voting for right now. This causes me to question; is there division in our country?

More than that, how about the honest fact that our country is crumbling apart? Look within THE 'church,' most people don't seem to know what they believe in. Then observe our country, we see numerous individuals who truly do not know right from wrong.

Where do we draw the line? God knows!

Here is a directive we can walk toward:

(1) We must fast and pray & listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

(2) Repent, for our country and church. "Forgive this land Lord."

(3) Then even if the candidate isn't the 'TOP' contender...if he is the one who is standing for true Biblical standards: vote for him. In the end, we are ALL still accountable to the Lord for what we do and don't do.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

WHAT TO PRAY FOR YOUR DAUGHTER

WHAT TO PRAY FOR YOU DAUGHTER

by Daneille Gray Snowden

Our beautiful daughters are living in an age where femininity, purity, and living out the life as a Christian lady is an uphill battle. The images of woman are sadly displayed as gaudy, sexually active, loud & disdainful, plus more. The best example they could have is their own mothers.

In that, as godly mothers not only should we LIVE-OUT our testimony by how we act, dress, and talk; but how we pray!

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-- "When all around us is sinking sand...ON CHRIST the Solid Rock I stand." --

We may have a teen girl, and it appears as if things have gotten way out of hand; instead of reacting in our 'self' -- we run to the ROCK. We intercede, sometimes we fast as we pray for our children, for ourselves and our entire family; praying through, and praying again. It is in this time the Lord aligns our heart and mind with His. In so doing, He will lead us in prayers for our children that we never have ever thought of before.

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So, before I give you any suggestions...take a week where you focus your prayers for His leading on praying for your daughters. Each of us are uniquely made; God has a particular purpose for all of our lives. Yet, we ALL our HIS children...'all' means our own daughters too. Thus, realizing this can give us a charismatic passion to intercede with total surrender of our will, lives and children; and pray with great hope in the Will of the Heavenly Father.

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HOW I PRAY FOR MY DAUGHTERS:

[I am blessed to have two lovely girls.]

1.) Cover them Lord Jesus with Your precious blood. The Blood of Jesus cleanses and purifies. Keeping their thoughts pure, their hearts pure is vital.

2.) Surround them with angels...keeping them safe. "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7

3.) They will grow into prayer warriors.

4.) They will grow daily in studying God's Word.

5.) They will be living evangelist of the Gospel of Jesus Christ = starting now.

6.) They will be servants & leaders.

7.) I pray for their 'Soul Mate' -- for HIM to be very 'in-love' with Jesus, serving Him with all his heart. That he is being taught to lead as he serves. That he too, be a prayer warrior, Bible studier, pure, disciplined, loving & compassionate. That his father is teaching him life skills to carry on with his adult life.

8.) I pray that God will infill my daughters with the Holy Spirit; endued with His richness and anointing.

Ron DiCianni painting

9.) Increase the talents they have, anointing them as they use their talents for God's Glory.

10.) I pray for leading on what I as their mother need to teach them, daily.

11.) I pray for their education, health, and future life.

12.) I pray for the Lord to comfort them when I know they are hurting.

13.) I pray for the Lord to use them to be a blessing.

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Each day, week and even year the prayers steer different directions; especially now as my girls are growing into their teen years. [1 is 17 the other is 13]

The Lord will graciously lead you to scriptures to pray 'over' your children. I.E. - Ps. 91 (the protection chapter).

Our daughters need us to pray, we NEED them in the days ahead to live out their godly lives for the future generations.

I do hope this was a help, and encouraged you as a mother who wants so much good for their daughters.

WHEN JESUS MARVELLED

2015

WHEN JESUS MARVELED

By Daneille Gray Snowden

Matt. 8:10 "When Jesus heard it, he marveled,..."

WOW! Can you imagine that? Having Jesus looking at you, then at those all around, saying; "...Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel?" His emotional reaction stated in the same verse- HE WAS MARVELED at this man! I want that, I want to be THERE; in the place where my walk of faith, my words and actions that Jesus' [My Lord & King!] would be marveled at! How about you, are ya with me? Let's dig in and take a look at how this man MARVELED God (the Son).

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To be 'marveled' means causing wonder, admiration, or astonishment and in the Greek: thaumazó (thou-mad'-zo) it is defined as: admire, and to be amazed.

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I want to with all my heart; for my God to admire me and be astonished! Yet, this is NOT what this man...this Centurion was setting out to do. Not at all! He was in a place of desperation; but also REALIZATION of Who Jesus is. A centurion is a soldier over a hundred soldiers. He was a comptroller of the town and well respected in this position. An officer of this stature was; "...chosen by merit, and so were men remarkable not so much for their daring courage as for their deliberation, constancy, and strength of mind." [M. Henry] Think on this, in comparison to all of us today; he had it all! He had prestige, respect, money, authority, intelligence and power. So many of us today, that is how SUCCESS is measured; isn't it? So, if we reach success, especially to this level will our mind & heart set be brought to humility on the behalf of others? This is where this leader was, his heart was broken for his servant who was struck with an awful disease of palsy. Palsy then was a type of paralysis either resulting from a stroke, bells palsy or something that caused numbness. It was looked at as impossible to cure and likely fatal.

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Yet, he somehow knew of Jesus and recognized him for WHO HE WAS! Seeing that; this leader (the Centurion) came to Jesus; beseeching him. He recognized that Christ commanded respect because he recognized the true LEADER of the universe!

"He owns Christ’s sovereignty, in calling him Lord, and referring the case to him, and to his will, and wisdom." [M.H.]

By 'beseeching' Him, the Centurion became a beggar. 'This is the only instance of one that came to him for a servant: Lord, my servant lieth at home sick.' A humble heart was in this man; simply because He knew Who Jesus truly was (& is today). When we SEEK Jesus, read His Word...dwell in His Presence; we too can have our hearts melted to the place of being humble intercessors and servants of the Most High!

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This humility, (self-abasement) had energized the Centurion's 'readiness' to come to Jesus and heal his servant. "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof." (Matt. 8:8) This act, was an evidence of his faith in Christ.

How about us, what is our outward state on the behalf of others...even one's we consider our inferiors (which we shouldn't)? Are we or do we come to God-- with great desperation plus humility for their lives?

"The more humility the more faith; the more diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our confidence in Jesus Christ." [MH]

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This centurion man believed in Christ's power to heal, so much; that he felt that there was no need of physical contact. He believed that the power of Christ knows no limits!

Jeremiah 23:23 "Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?"

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NOTE: A Centurion's word was LAW in this time period. It was called, dictum factum; "Well-disciplined soldiers know that the commands of their officers are not to be disputed, but obeyed."

Thus, this man believed the same format...what Christ Jesus would say as the LAW of the Universe it shall be done.

Back in v.7 "I will come and heal him;" Expressing here, FAVOR gained from Jesus to this soldier. Jesus was astonished by Him, (not surprised though) but marveled! How? v.8 "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."

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HIS FAITH was great and excellent, rare and uncommon, and Christ spoke of it as a wonderful thing, to teach us what is to be admired. The Centurion was not an Israelite; yet he was being honored by Jesus the Son of God.

In the next few verses Jesus gives a 'talkin to' to the Children of Israel; where much more is expected. "But, there was no greater faith like this gentile's (non Israelite) seen in all Israel." Saying simply; it's the GRACE of God that searches the heart of ALL MAN (regardless of background).

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In application; as I stated in the beginning ... we would love to be one that MARVELS God! We have seen here, it's not about us at all! It's humility, and having THE HEART AFTER GOD ON THE BEHALF OF OTHERS! [All as we have seen in the actions of this Centurion man.] PtL!

Let's cry to God, for the souls of all man/womankind: who is dying and going to hell. For those who are lost..living in hopelessness; living in darkness.

All for the lost, sinners, the homeless, our family, friends, co-workers, peers, neighbors, leaders and so on.

Please: BESEECH...BEG...seek after the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE...for their lives!

I guarantee you, as you do the Lord will see your hearts and truly be MARVELED!

HOW DO YOU WALK?

HOW DO YOU WALK?

A word by Daneille Gray Snowden

Did ya know how WE walk those who see and follow us will walk the same (basically).

When my adult son would be walking; from a distance he appeared as if his dad was there (instead it was him): i.e.- posture, swag and pace.

As one who has surrendered their life to Christ; how do you (& I) walk? Those following us, do they see Jesus in the places we frequent? What we eat? Drink (stressed here), language that comes out of our mouths (where the heart speaks); our social, our work...and on?

LIVE out your life: so close to Jesus that others can also live out their lives fully, holy (yes holy) and prosper. When we look at our children, family & friends & see them living out their lives in completion to God's plan BECAUSE.... WE LIVED THIS LIFE STYLE OUT BEFORE THEM - it's worth it all!

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Galatians 5:7 "You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth?"

v. 25 "If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]."

GOD FAITHFULLY EQUIPS:

Ezekiel 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

PASTOR; DO YA GOT THAT 'SINKING-FEELING'?

2015

PASTOR; DO YA GOT THAT 'SINKING-FEELING'?

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I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PASTORS THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

By Daneille Gray Snowden

The call of God upon a man or woman, (when answered) totally breaths another type of life and even character into their lives. God's Heart is captured within, causing great passion for a dying world to be shown a way of salvation. As we pastors grow in our call; by serving others and spending intimate time in communion with our Lord; this PASSION intensifies greatly. So much so, it becomes greatly what we think and talk about ALL THE TIME; which then causes our feet to move and our hands to reach out.

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By serving others within this place, position, and opportunity is the mode that turns the wheels of our calling. We LOVE-to-LOVE others by teaching them the WAY of hope and life; this of course is by the Word of God being ministered weekly. We love to listen, be a shoulder for one's to cry on, and offer sound advice coupled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

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As the world changes all around; in individuals lives, our communities and such: the Lord is true to giving VISION' for the ministry God has brought them to. The scripture; "Without a vision, the people will perish." (Prov. 29:18) is the energy source to compel the called man and/or woman of God to propel themselves into the Presence of their God. Why? For it's God's Vision (not man's), and Call for the Work in the Harvest!

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Atlantic Ocean Road

As we dwell on this aspect, allow me to take you down a difficult roadway for many pastors today. They have this call, God's Heart-Beat pounding intensely within; yet their voices don't seem to be heard. God's Word is preached, prayer and fasting is being practiced, God is filling the minister with His blessed Spirit that gives great 'unction' to continue the work. Still, Pastor's telephone and visit, trying whatever avenue the Lord leads them to minister; and the response is not there. God's blessed presence is felt during the worship time in the service, the Pastor preaches (filled with love) with great affection and still; there is a deafening silence.

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Pastor, if you are there; you understand when church is over you feel an aching deep within your spirit. With a gentle smile, hugs around the necks of your parishioner's and kind words (plus quick counseling sessions); the doors are closed and locked and another service is over. Or is it? We all know and do believe God's Word doesn't return void, He is working on everyone's hearts and minds what was delivered that Sunday. It's not over inside the Pastor and even their entire family either. All week long, this is the day you anticipate to be used by the Lord for lives to be changed for His Glory. Yet another service, is over; seemingly, it seems fruit is not multiplying.

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There are ministries where the Word falls on healthy soil and God multiplies the fruit that comes forth. These ministries are filled with intercessors. There is a loving unity that abides within the Body; where brothers and sisters in Christ are just that: a family. They find it difficult to say goodbye when it's time to part. Yet, many pastors (who are true & quite genuine in their love for God & people); are in a pastorship that see's little of what a healthy church has.

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2 Timothy 3:1-5

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."

Difficult passage of scripture; yet we all KNOW that truly this is in all the world filled with, "lovers of self - more than lovers of God." The FRUIT of this is destruction; "It is the most destructive influence upon interpersonal relationships imaginable. It eliminates concern for the other person’s welfare and sucks the life out of any meaningful communication. It is the first sin of the universe, when Adam and Eve chose themselves over God, and it tops the list of sins that God hates" [Dr. Dan Hayden]

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This self love has been the break down of the church. When we note that priorities are based on the factor of: 'me'; other's needs are neglected (including God's). How does this affect Pastors? Those who do not allow anger to fester, still do deal with intense frustration; who feel a gnawing eating within their hearts. To be frank; it is MISERABLE! God's LIFE GIVING SPIRIT; has led the Pastor (and his entire family) to a ministry to bring LIFE. But, it's just not being received!

Here is where the Pastor battles his own emotions of loss on what to do and how to reach out, thus that leans to sadness. Feeling bewildered, realizing God's Heart; a Pastor (who is earnest in his call), approaches each day of service only knowing one thing: BE FAITHFUL. The difficulty lies, seeing one's self and their family in disarray. Worn, but knowing God well enough that He will take care of them. The Pastor asks God the question; "Do I continue...do I keep going on, year after year, with no fruit?" Saying to his / her Lord; "God, I want to love them with Your love...I NEED to be used of You to cultivate the harvest of souls. Help me, God: I feel as if I am slowly dying not being USED UP for You!"

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Slowly dying, ouch! Not spiritually, but ministerially and emotionally. Do pastors admit that to one

another? I think not! But, there are several ministries (churches) that are in this very 'state'. There are some pastors too, who are feeling (as they long to serve) that they are slowly sinking and their feet are just getting heavier. The support in prayer, affirmation, and finances (sometimes) is just simply non existent.

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Seek out a friend, a godly man or woman who is truly in 'touch' with the leading of the Holy Spirit. This person may or may not be a fellow pastor, or minister but can also be one who is passionate about serving the Lord and others. Confide this to them, pour your heart out. Allow them to pray for you and be your confidant. We need this. I cannot tell you that you need to leave this ministry or stay. But, I can tell you; God see's your faithfulness to Him;

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." Heb. 6:10

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Hold tightly to the fact your Lord has called you and He is faithful to His promises!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

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Please, grab this friend and do this. Try if you are able to get time for refreshing. At this period the Lord may give you amazing strength and guidance. There is nothing like time alone with our God and family.

"Refresh my heart in Christ." Philemon 1:20

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I know several aged ministers who have had those healthy, fruitful churches as well as those dry, unhealthy ones too. What encourages me as a Pastor (with my husband); is the GLOW on their faces (reminding me of Stephen when martyred by Paul) when they speak of ALL THE YEARS of ministry and how many (of their old parishioners) have come to them (even from those barren churches) and tell them how God used them (the aged Pastor) to turn their lives over to the Lord. And how, God blessed in that their families today are serving Jesus. Ya see, we just don't know; only God knows. Hang on my friend, God is making a way. Meanwhile, draw strength from the WELL, being filled with His refreshing!

"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29

Read the words to Rend Collective's song, More Than Conquerors :

"When my hope and strength is gone

You're the one who calls me on

You are the life

You are the fight

That's in my soul

We are more than conquerors, through Christ

You have overcome this world, this life....

...Nothing is impossible

Every chain is breakable

With You, we are victorious

You are stronger than our hearts

You are greater than the dark

With You, we are victorious..."

My friend; God is greater than our hearts...He is stronger...WE ARE VICTORIOUS!