Refuge Temple of Prayer

08/09/2021

I was saddened when I read about that 7 month old that was left in the hot car here in Mesa. I am not being critical of the parents but I am having difficulty understanding how you can forget a child. Have we become so absorbed in our lives and what we need to do that we forget the life that God entrusted to us. I am not being critical. I am just asking a question. I wept over that 7 month old like it was my child. I am still hurting thinking about it. The scriptures say about children:

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:4 5

In Matthew 19:13-14, we learn how Jesus had a heart for children:

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus loved children. Although my heart is hurting for a child I did not know, our Lord has assured me that He was right there comforting that baby as he gave up his earthly life. So I prayed for the mother of that child. I know it was a mistake. She was focused on her shopping, a distraction. Lord please forgive us for our busy lives that keep us distracted and self-absorbed. I am guilty of allowing frivolous things to distract me from those things that are important to you O God heal our hearts as we remember this 7 month old who has no name as of this writing. But you know his name and the name of his parents. Bless them and keep them as they journey through this situation. Take them to the other side. Amen and it is so.

08/09/2021

Good Morning Family, I awaken this morning in a state of praise and worship to our God. Our days are not always filled with joy and it is hard to praise Him in those situations. But I urge you to praise Him anyway. When we are depressed we are in a dark place. Praise and worship of our God turns the light on. With the light on we are able to see who is making us depressed not what is making us depressed. Jesus said:

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

This month we have been focusing on Mental Health and those things that make us depressed. Depression is not new. Even the prophets of old became depressed. Let us consider Elijah who called down fire from Heaven to burn the sacrifice as he revealed the false God Baal. When Jezebel threatened his life he became depressed. 1 Kings 18 and 19. Consider David as he fled for his life as Saul pursued him to take his life. In Psalm3 David laments over his situation. But he knows that God is his refuge. No, depression is not new because Satan uses the same wiles to beguile us. He knows nothing new, he uses the same trickery. But Jesus said in this world we will have trouble but we must look up because He has overcome this world for us. He IS Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. So I am reaching out to you family to let you know that whatever is troubling you today if you praise and worship God in the midst of your trouble, He will journey with you to the other side of your trouble.
Amen and it is so.

Love in Christ
Mary Ann Alston, Editor

08/07/2021

08/07/2021

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
Psalm 133:1 Come worship with us a place of compassion and prayer.

Church Service:
925 N. McQueen Rd
Gilbert, Az 85233
1:00 PM