The Freshope Place Madisonville

04/16/2023

10/03/2022

"Come, little leaves," said the Wind one day, "Come to the meadows with me and play. Put on your dresses of red and gold; For Summer is past, and the days grow cold.”
George Cooper

Ellen Ditterbrandt - Seeing is Seeing.

10/02/2022

The Voice

02/15/2016

Saturday evening I posted the following comment which received numerous likes, comments, and shares:

WHAT IF.. What if the the results of what happens in YOUR church in the morning depended on YOUR prayers for the service and for your pastor? What kind of service would it be? Have you even thought about praying for your pastor today? There is still time to pray for the service and for your pastor. How about some one-on-One Face-time with the Lord? Think about it. What if...?

One of the comments stated: "Would love it if you would post this every Saturday night. I think my pastor would, too. :)"

This got me thinking. Why wait until Saturday night to pray for him? I'm sure many of us pray for our pastors on a daily basis but I have a feeling that many don't. So allow me to put this challenge before you:

Beginning today and everyday this week, pray fervently for your pastor. I'm sure he is already preparing for next Sunday as he seeks God's direction. As I said earlier, "What if the the results of what happens in YOUR church on Sunday morning depended on YOUR prayers for the service and for your pastor? What kind of service would it be?"

Are you up for the challenge? Who's with me?

02/14/2016

WHAT IF.. What if the the results of what happens in YOUR church in the morning depended on YOUR prayers for the service and for your pastor? What kind of service would it be? Have you even thought about praying for your pastor today? There is still time to pray for the service and for your pastor. How about some one-on-One Face-time with the Lord? Think about it. What if...?

02/03/2016

Wanda's Weekly Words
Prayer Assignments

I don't think that God gives us burdens, or prayer assignments, just to keep us busy praying for something that is never going to happen.

If we have been called to pray for a specific issue, and we are 100% faithful to pray according to His directives, His Word, and the leading and prompting of Holy Spirit, then is He not obligated to answer that prayer in His timing?

My Scripture reference for this thought is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which states, "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."

This is a promise God has given to us, and many of us have been doing all we know to do to see it fulfilled in our country. If the principle of prayer appointments or assignments is established in this verse, is the promise not true for other God-given prayer burdens?

If you know beyond all doubt in your heart of hearts that you have been called to pray for a specific area of concern, then be encouraged! Remain faithful! God will answer!

In Galatians 6: 9 we find this time-proven promise, "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Pray on, faithful intercessor, with renewed faith, hope and confidence in the prayer-answering ability of the One who called you to prayer!

Father, I am so thankful for the opportunity to pray. You instituted prayer, communion with You, in the earliest pages of Your Holy Word, the Bible. What a privilege we have today to continue this marvelous plan of communing with You! I ask that You give us a renewed spirit that will arise to its fullest degree of faith in Your ability to give us the answers to the prayers You have called us to pray. May we all experience greater strength and tenacity to not grow weary in our well-doing, but to stand in confidence that assured answers are on the way - even at the door! I praise, worship, and thank You for answering this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

12/09/2015

Wanda's Weekly Words
WONDERFUL!

The words to a familiar song declare that it's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm sure most of us would agree! It's that special time when we go out of our way to decorate our homes. We spend hours in the kitchen preparing special meals and extra goodies to share with family and friends. We shop for just the right gift for those on our Christmas list with the anticipation of seeing their eyes light up when they open it. I know of no other season during which we place so much effort to share the joy with others. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

I love walking through the stores, the mall, or wherever I go and hearing the beautiful strands of Christmas carols being played and hearing other shoppers singing along to the songs proclaiming the birth of our Saviovr, Jesus Christ. It is the time of year when Jesus is celebrated. After all, it is CHRISTmas and it is the most wonderful time of the year!

But have you ever noticed how we use superlatives so casually? It seems that everything is the "most wonderful" or the "most amazing" it the "most awesome" or the "most spectacular" thing or event ever. It almost leaves us searching for words which really express our feelings.

Isaiah 9:6 states, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

This verse has been on my heart and on my mind for the past few weeks. As I've pondered it, I've focused on the word "Wonderful." Even though it can refer to things that are excellent, great, and marvelous, it also means that which arouses or causes wonder.

Yes, the birth of Jesus was wonderful. His name is Wonderful. It is the Name to which every knee shall bow and proclaim that Jesus is Lord to the glory of the Father! He is Wonderful!

His name is also Counsellor and He is a Wonderful Counsellor. He counsels us to cast all of our cares upon Him because He cares for us. He tells us that it is through His name that we are saved and our many sins are forgiven. He counsels us to trust Him and to lean not to our own understanding and He shall direct our paths. Yes, He is a Wonderful Counsellor!

His name is also the mighty God. It was the mighty God who performed miraculous victories throughout Scriptures and who tells us that He never changes! The mighty God is the same yesterday, today and forever! He is a Wonderful Mighty God!

His name is the everlasting Father. Jesus told His disciples that if they had seen Him, they had seen the Father. Jesus also said that He only did the things which He saw His Father doing so the marvelous things He did were done at the bidding if the everlasting Father. Yes, He is a Wonderful Everlasting Father!

His name is also the Prince of Peace. Jesus told us that He would give to us His peace - the peace He possessed. It is a peace that the world cannot give or take away because the world's peace is only temporary and will soon pass away. But His peace is an everlasting peace that can't be taken from us! Yes, He is Wonderful Prince of Peace!

The CHRISTmas season really is THE most Wonderful time of the year - all because of Wonderful Jesus!

Father, words fail to adequately thank You for the priceless gift of Your only Son, Jesus! He has shown us repeatedly the Wonderful Saviour He is! May we never fail to exalt the Wonderful Name of Jesus everyday - not just during the CHRISTmas season. I ask these blessings in the most Wonderful name ever spoken, the Name of Jesus! Amen.

12/02/2015

May the residue of the anointing you carry leave a path for others to follow. May they sense the power and presence of God in their lives and be drawn closer to Him because they have crossed your path. As you give out of your spirit to touch those around you, may you be refilled with fresh anointing! May love, favor and blessings be multiplied to you in abundance suddenly! May there be no hesitation, imitation or limitation in allowing God to use you today! Have a glorious Spirit-filled day!

12/01/2015

Wanda's Weekly Words
The Things We Do

I stand amazed at the various ways God speaks to each of us. He never ceases to amaze me!

Quite often He will speak to me through a phrase from a song or the title of a song. It could be from a hymn, a praise and worship song, southern gospel or even from a secular song.

I awakened this morning around 2:30 a.m. And felt inclined to pray for a dear friend of mine, Kim Potter, who had a very precious friend pass away this week. I was aware of the closeness of their friendship throughout the years.

Several years ago when Zona needed a kidney, Kim gave her one of hers without any hesitation. That was truly a selfless gift of love.

As I prayed for Kim, and Zona's family, I kept hearing a phrase from a secular song playing within my mind. "And you're feelin' like a part of you is dying. And you're looking for the answer..."

I continued to pray as I pondered the phrases from the song, I couldn't help but wonder if Kim felt that a part of her had died since her kidney was in Zona's body. I'm sure this is something very few people will experience. I could only imagine how she felt.

Knowing Kim's strength of faith, I am sure she stood firm and unwavering in God's ability to perform a miracle and bring a healing transformation for Zona even at that last moment of life.

Not only did Kim's heart surely feel as though it was breaking in two, but she had to feel thankful knowing Zona was totally healed now and safely in the arms of Jesus enjoying all the beauty and splendor that heaven holds for each of us.

But the song wouldn't stop playing within my spirit. I began to wonder if perhaps God was trying to tell me something more. Now, what is the title of the song? I could hear the melody of it but couldn't come up with the title. So I began an online search and found that the title was "The Things We Do for Love."

That was it! That was what God wanted me to know! This described so beautifully what Kim did for Zona! It was all because of love. She loved her so very much that she gave part of her body to her without hesitation! This was truly an act of selfless love!

I was also reminded of another act of selfless love. God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, for us. Jesus came to earth and was born of a virgin. His life taught us of His love and He showed us the extent of it when He willingly gave all of His body, not just a kidney as Kim had done, and died a cruel death of crucifixion on the cross of Calvary to bring us salvation. His resurrection three days later gave us proof of life after death!

These are two beautiful examples of selfless giving because of love. No, you don't have to give your life or a kidney to prove your love for others. It can be a simple act of just putting your arms around someone who is hurting or giving a smile and encouraging word to someone.

During this Christmas season may we all try to be more aware of what we can do for others and show The Things We Do for Love.

Father, I thank you for The selfless gift of Your Son, Jesus, who paid the ultimate price with His life for our salvation. I thank You for Kim's willingness to literally give of herself for her friend. I ask that you strengthen and refresh her with your peace and anointing. I also ask for the precious comforting presence of Holy Spirit to engulf Zona's family and bring them comfort as only He can. May we extend to Zona's family and many friends and loved ones The Things We Do for Love. We ask these things in the Name of Jesus. Amen.