Tag Archives: GreenePastures.org

Feeling Trapped: How To Relieve Anxiety, Depression, and Hopelessness

Have you ever had a feeling of being trapped? If you have, it is not a pleasant experience.

Imagine being trapped in an elevator; trapped in a coal mine; trapped in solitary confinement, or even trapped by human trafficking. In everyday life, we can be “trapped” in our marriage, our career, our home, our physical body, our financial situation, or even in our place of worship.

The feeling that you cannot do anything to escape these situations is discouraging and scary. Sometimes these situations can cause us to become apathetic, slide into a mental illness, or even become suicidal.

Everyone experiences “feeling trapped” at some point in their life—if not physically, emotionally.

Individuals with physical disabilities may feel trapped in “their handicap.” Those with mental illnesses feel trapped in their psychic.

Trapped: Unfortunate Life Circumstances

Unfortunate life circumstances usually build upon 4 phases. First, a concern leads to an anxiety. Anxiety leads to depression.  And depression leads to hopelessness. How one moves or fluctuates through these 4 stages are dependent upon one’s emotional stability or specific happenstances that occur along the way.

The first and only time I entered a tanning salon, I was quite panicky. It was mainly peer-pressure that lead me to enter the doors of the tanning salon in the first place. Once there, I should have felt secure since the instructions given were thorough and detailed even before I entered the tanning room. However, I felt uncomfortable about how I was dressed (or should I say not dressed) as I rotated myself into the tanning bed. As I laid in the booth, my anxiety rose. I wasn’t sure what thought overpowered me—the regret of even being there or my fear of a severe heat rash burn. I wanted so much to close my eyes and relax, but I feared that if I fell asleep, the attendant might never come back. My fear became so exaggerated I truly believed I might die.

Apparently, I suppose the instructions were not as good as I originally thought because I learned later that there is a space where my hand could have fit to open the tanning lid myself. I was unaware that the lid didn’t lock! There was a way of escape, but I didn’t know it. The same goes for us when we encounter unfortunate life circumstances.

While the illustration above is biographical and true, it is told as a “moral tale” to share how we may react under pressure. The question now presents itself as, “What happens when one feels trapped?”

When You Feel Trapped and Your Dreams Are Shattered

When your dreams are shattered, you may turn to psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, fortune tellers, clergy, and more. You will do anything you can to be free from the situation. Then, when the “helpful” people cannot provide relief, you become depressed and hopeless. At this point, you may lose your will to go on, because your dreams have been shattered. You see no viable choices to rid yourself of the deep rut you find yourself in.

You might . . .

– Divorce your spouse and leave your children,

– Quit your job,

– Change your living situation,

– Resign yourself to being mentally or physically deranged,

– Claim bankruptcy,

– Drop out of the church, or more.

When a situation becomes too painful, you want to escape instantly. But, there is another option. That option is to trust in the Lord to help you through the trials you are facing. Sometimes we are even fixating on the wrong aspect of our dilemma. Somewhere in my concern over the tanning bed, I probably should have been more concerned about the ultra-violet radiation and the possibility of getting cancer, but I wasn’t.

Trust in Jesus: The Way of Escape

God is a mighty God—always willing to help you escape distressing perpetual life emergencies. When you reach a severe lowness in life, God’s desire is for us to look up and receive His son Jesus Christ. Trusting Christ and asking Him to change your heart is the best place to start. He loves you and wants to help you with the pain and agony you are experiencing.

In Receiving and Giving, author David A. Peterson writes, “God never steps over us in our trouble. God never turns a blind eye to our need. God is never insensitive to our broken dreams. God is not put off by the consequences of our rebellion. Our walls are ever before Him.”¹

God’s Gift of Salvation

God desires a personal relationship with you. His gift of salvation is available to you. Without Christ in your life, your existence may seem incomplete.

But, God has a plan for your life. To experience His will, you must accept Jesus Christ with a change of heart towards Him. Through a personal conviction when God Himself comes to you, we can repent, turn from our sin, and have faith in Christ. Once this occurs we are born again into the family God.

While situations may not improve overnight, you have the assurance that God is on your side and that He is helping you live securely and contently with all of life’s unexpected turns. God is always present to give you wisdom and understanding. Through all your ins-and-outs of life, God’s guidance will help all you to remedy and work through your distressing situations properly.

Jesus Christ is powerful. He can heal your marriage, find you a new job, and provide miraculously for your every need.

We do not have to live a lifetime of feeling trapped. His love and His willingness to lead our lives into productivity are absolutely astounding.

8 Steps to Relieve Our Concerns, Anxiety, Depression, and Hopelessness

  1. If you haven’t already accepted Jesus Christ, you must ask God to forgive your sins, to accept Jesus Christ, and have faith in Him to be your Lord and Savior.
  2. If you have accepted Christ but are not following Him fully, you must recommit your life to worship Him with your entire body and soul.
  3. Pray and not lose heart over your situation.
  4. Brainstorm your problem. Think of ways to change your situation and spend time going through all the ideas you come up with and see what might work. Then, give all these ideas to Jesus in prayer again.
  5. Determine not to make any changes until you experience both His guidance and direction.
  6. Accept and seek help—medical, spiritual, or both.
  7. Read the Bible and determine not to proceed with any action that is contrary to the Word of God. You may need to talk to a mature believer or a pastor for help in discerning what is right from wrong, especially if you are a new believer in Christ.
  8. Share your concerns with a trustworthy friend or counselor.
  9. Understand that God may be teaching you a valuable life lesson through your situation.
  10. Then, start again with No. 1.

Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Bartimaeus, a blind man was sitting by the road begging when Jesus was passing by. He heard a multitude of people going by and he asked what the commotion was all about. He was told Jesus was passing by. He called out say, “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!” He was sternly told to stop and be quiet, but he kept crying out to Jesus. Jesus stopped and commanded that this man be brought to Him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus said that he wanted to regain his sight. Jesus told him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” His request was granted, and he received his eyesight, began to follow Jesus, and glorified God. (Luke 18:35-43)

Think of the possibilities. When you feel trapped, wouldn’t you like God to ask you, “What do you want me to do for you?” Trust Him and start the process by telling Him what you want Him to do for you. His answer might just be exactly what you need to start afresh!

Bible Verses

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7)

Prayer

Dear Lord. It is hard for me to fathom that you can get me out of the situation I am currently in. I feel trapped with no way out. I don’t think I can take it anymore. Lord, help me in my unbelief. Help me to reach out to you and accept your salvation and guidance. Teach me to pray. Teach me to desire Your will and Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

God Bless,

Member Inspirational Writers Alive; Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member


¹Peterson, David. Receiving and Giving: Unleashing the Bless Challenge. Houston: David A. Peterson, 2012.

Bible verses are taken from the NASB if not noted otherwise.

If you found this post helpful, please like/share it so others can get the benefit. Thanks. If you would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe.

Books by Patti Greene

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A Christmas Devotional YOU Can Use: For Families

A Christmas Devotional YOU Can Use: For Families 

I want to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May this Christmas season be filled with joy, gratitude, and a dependence upon the Lord for everything.

This year I decided to write a “Christmas Devotional” that my friends can use year after year with their family. Sharing it with you is my pleasure. All you need to do is copy and paste, print it, follow the instructions, and you are ready to lead a Christ-centered devotional for your family. It can be adjusted to your family needs and time allotments. My prayer is that you will enjoy it, share it, and save it! [Scroll down to devotional.]

In case you missed my last few blogs, see below. Always know you can share any of my blogs with your friends and family.

How Prayer and Bible Study Will Revolutionize Your Life
https://greenepastures.org/prayer-bible-study
It’s the Inconveniences that Get to Me
https://greenepastures.org/inconveniences
What is a Hoarding Disorder?
https://greenepastures.org/hoarding-disorder 
When God says, “Enough is Enough”
https://greenepastures.org/ezekiel-son-man

As always, remember you can find my devotional prayer journals for the New Year on Amazon. Click here.

Order soon so you or a loved one can use them at the beginning of the NEW year.

God Bless and I would love to hear from you sometime.

Patti



Christmas Family Devotional

Patti GreeneGreenePastures.org

And thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Preparing for Your Christmas Devotional
– Find a fun Christmas song for the family to listen to.
– Decide on a Christmas song to sing as a family.
– Locate music/instruments as accompaniments.
– Locate a Bible. Family Bibles are fun to use.
– Decide on a Devotional Leader.

Prelude
– Play a favorite Christmas song or hymn.
– Open with a prayer thanking God for the Christmas season and the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
– Read Luke 2:1-20 from the Bible
[Children and teens love the opportunity to read the Bible.]

Responsive Reading:
Leader: 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 Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hears My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: I am the light of the world; he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Leader: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Family: Jesus is Savior of the World.

Song/Hymn
Sing your chosen Christmas song or hymn with optional instruments. Note: Young children can use any noisemaker; i.e. maracas, children’s instruments, guitars.

Sharing Time
Leader: As we celebrate the Christmas season, let’s not lose the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas does not rest in finely-trimmed trees, expensive gifts, or in the hustle and bustle that fills the Christmas season. Christmas is about the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Through Jesus, all mankind can experience forgiveness, and freedom.

Leader: Ask family members if they would like to share what Christmas means to them.

Family Prayer

Leader: Pray and thank God for the coming of Christ. Consider your family joining hands and allow each member of the family an opportunity to pray.

A “Christmas Gift” from Me to You!

Merry Christmas,
In Christ,

Patti Greene

Adjust to your family needs; approximately 15 minutes.
©GreenePastures.org

Fool’s Gold: The Folly of a “Semblance of God”

Many people today have what amounts to a “Semblance of God” in their lives, such as a figure of Christ in their churches, or a cross in their homes. In churches, Bibles have been replaced in the pew-back pockets by offering envelopes, social activity schedules and pencils.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines semblance is as, “an outward and often specious appearance or show.” Specious, in turn, means “having a deceptive attraction or allure”, and “having a false look of truth or genuineness.”

What will happen to “semblance churches,” which are deceptive and give a false appearance of what Christian living is all about? Will they survive in their fallen form, or go the way of many European churches which are now restaurants or museums—left standing solely to maintain the architecture and design of a historical time period? No more do the church bells chime. No longer do praises of our heavenly Father emanate from the holy sanctuary—they are only a memory and a remnant of days gone by.

“Sad” is the only word I can use to describe this situation.

Today there are still distraught and needy people the world over who seek the one true God. There are still shoulders that need embracing, hugs that need to be given, prayers that need to be heard—and a Savior who longs to reign in His church.

We show up for funerals, and leave unaware of the final resting place of the deceased. We mourn for those left behind, but not for too long, as we don’t want to face where our own eternal destination might be.

Christ is the only answer for the people, and Christ is the only answer for the church. Christ is also the only answer for our own eternal security.

How to Bring Christ Back into Our Churches by Relinquishing a “Semblance of God”

  1. Teach that it is the Holy Spirit who draws people to Christ. It is only through repentance of our sins and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our personal Savior we are rescued from hell. Only when this is done will we be ready for our eternal life with Jesus Christ.
  1. Invite to leadership positions only those who have accepted God’s gift of salvation, proven their integrity, possess the fruits of the Spirit, and are actively growing in their spiritual lives.
  1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to enliven our churches. Dead churches produce religion. Live churches, on the other hand, produce hope, comfort, assurance, and peace.
  1. Stand up for what is right. Talk about it. Whether you are the preacher or not, there are topics about which we can speak up when confronted, such as abortion and evolution.
  1. Stop bribing people to come to church for a free meal, a big performance, or with other such gimmicks. Get back to the basics of teaching God’s Word, praying, and seeking Him above all else.
  1. Stop segregating church attendees into age groups. Seniors have a lot of wisdom they can share with younger generations, while children and millennials offer their energy and vitality to their elders.
  1. Stop using church growth as the main metric of successful evangelism. Be more concerned that converts to Christ are truly repentant of their sins, and that opportunities exist for discipleship.
  1. Stop allowing weak and false doctrines to seep in and dilute church teaching. Many churches and their members choose to believe only the parts of the Bible that fit into their already-established lifestyles and cultures. Other churches may participate in Eastern therapies during the week, through certain forms of yoga or guided illumination.

Throughout the Old Testament God’s people went through continuing cycles of loving Him followed by periods of rejection. God had finally had enough and punished them severely. This punishment often caused factions and disagreements within the church and among the people who called themselves believers.

But Jesus Christ never gave up on His people or His church. He came to Earth to live an honorable and reputable life as an example to us. He suffered and died, then rose from the grave as propitiation for our sins, so that we may live godly lives.

And when we live godly lives, resembling His ways, our churches will come to resemble God, and not just be a semblance of Him.

Bible Verses:

So, Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” John 8:28

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Timothy 4:13 KJV

Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. Hebrews 13:9

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, let my heart and mind be sold out to You. Let my church family be sold out to You also. Let’s grow together—keeping You foremost in our minds. Let us learn to follow Your Holy Spirit in all You say and do. Make my priorities Your priorities. May I be ever careful to follow Your laws and rules with love. Give me the courage to speak out for You and to love You more and more each day. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

God Bless,

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive

Edited by E. Johnson; Bible verses taken from the NASB.


If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It is an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! Moreover, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Books by Patti Greene

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 90-day devotional prayer journal for all ages; This informative and how-to book on prayer is for seekers, new believers, and mature believers. It encourages a commitment and devotion to the art of prayer. Learn how God reveals himself through Bible study and prayer. ISBN: 978-1512760453 (Paperback) $11.95 on Amazon.

Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 365-day devotional prayer journal for in-depth Bible study; Fun words or phrases from the Old and New Testaments! Perfect for mature believers. ISBN: 978-1490893181 (Paperback) $27.95 on Amazon.

Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 181-day devotional prayer journal for growing individuals; The Bible and social issues. Perfect for new believers. Comes with a group study guide. ISBN: 978-1490893174 (Paperback) $19.95 on Amazon.

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God, I Fell into My Kitchen Sink: My Story

God, I Fell into My Kichen Sink by Patti Greene, Greene Pastures by Patti


There is a big difference between doing crazy things ourselves and Biblical prophets doing crazy things. The former is just a part of life we live as human beings. Sometimes our antics make us laugh. Sometimes we get in trouble. But, the latter is usually to convey God’s message to human beings.

My Story

I had never fallen into my kitchen sink. And, I wasn’t planning to fall in today, but it happened! All the training I have had in this life did not prepare me for this moment.

I just finished cleaning my house in preparation for a party I was having over the weekend. That was the only thing on my agenda today. The house was dusted; the floors mopped; the carpets vacuumed; the tables set up; and the cute decorative plates and cups from the Dollar Store were placed around the centerpieces in an orderly fashion. While it is a totally different situation, I felt like Jael in the Old Testament when she said, “Out of the window [I] looked and lamented,” (Judg. 5:28). My house was looking extremely good, but then I spotted pesky water marks and food splotches behind the open blinds above my kitchen sink, and I lamented!

I had no intention of cleaning my windows the professional way, with a squeegee and dry cleaning cloths. I just grabbed my window cleaner and some paper towels and I was ready to do the quickest clean-up job possible.

Being my age, I already knew that I was not capable of using my arms to help me jump up on the kitchen counter, as I had been able to do in the past.

I had already placed all my chairs around the tables that the guests were going to use and I didn’t want to disturb my décor, so I made the decision to stand at the counter with my front facing the opposite counter; I pushed my feet on the counter, and somehow scrunched myself up onto the kitchen counter. It wasn’t easy!

From there, I sat on the counter and started my window washing feat. I have a divided sink—a 70-30 split double sink. I sprayed the windows above the smaller sink and did the minimum required so no one at my party would think I am a bad housekeeper.

The dilemma came next. Should I jump down off the counter and do the same process of getting back up on the counter so I could clean the other side of the window? That seemed like a lot of work, so I decided to just squiggle my back end across the front part of the sink with my legs hanging down to get to the other side.

It worked great past the smaller sink, but as I tried to pass the larger sink, I plopped right into the second [and larger] sink. My back end knocked down my water-filled college coffee cup; pushed back the faucet; and I landed right onto a drenched soak-filled kitchen dishcloth.

As I sat in the sink with my legs dangling over the sink, I had three thoughts.

  • I wasn’t planning on falling into my kitchen sink today;
  • My granddaughter takes her baths in a kitchen sink; and
  • How hard is it going to be to get myself out of the sink?

I wasn’t alone. My friend was sitting outside on my back porch. Honestly, I didn’t want to call out for her and then have her come in and see me plopped in the kitchen sink like a real weirdo. So, I sat in the sink for a while and finally figured out how I could get out. Did I mention these sinks are the deep kind—the kind you pay more for to have them installed? I did get out of the sink by wiggling around and pushing up and down on the counter. It was not a pretty picture. Finally, I jumped and landed on the kitchen floor feet-first with my pants soaking wet. I momentarily felt my back hurt when I hit the ground.

After the ordeal was over, I stumbled outside and told my friend what happened. At first, she seemed concerned, but as I told her the story, we just could not stop laughing. She then asked me for a reenactment, so I graciously accommodated her as I followed the exact steps over again. All the while she snapped photos.

The Moral

So, what’s the moral of this story?

  1. We all do crazy things sometime. (I fell into my kitchen sink.)
  2. Bad decisions and risky behaviors usually result in consequences. (I was soaked.)
  3. Doing crazy things can be dangerous. (I could have fallen off the counter and really hurt myself.)
  4. Thank God for friends who love you even though you do crazy things. (Friends are valuable.)
  5. Vow not to do them again. (I made the decision to be more careful in the future—after my reenactment.)
  6. See the humor in your actions and laugh if you can. (I laughed about my crazy feat.)

Conveying God’s Message

We all have done crazy things, whether it was making a prank phone call as a child or a misguided judgment call as an adult. But, do we ever think of people in the Bible doing things that appear crazy to others? They did.

  1. Ezekiel took a brick and started drawing artwork on it and playing with it (See Ezek. 4).

“Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem. Then lay siege against it, build a siege wall, raise up a ramp, pitch camps and place battering rams against it all around. Then get yourself an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between you and the city, and set your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it.”

It sounds like Ezekiel was playing with plastic construction toys that children use for play, but he was really drawing and playing as a prediction of the upcoming siege of Jerusalem.

But, it looked crazy to others.

  1. Daniel chose not to eat the king’s food (See Dan. 1-2).

“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so, he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”

It sounds crazy to give up the delicious food offered by the king, but Daniel told the overseer to test Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and himself for ten days and give them only vegetables to eat and water to drink. They turned out to be more intelligent and healthy than the others who ate the king’s food. God’s purpose was to prove their wisdom to King Nebuchadnezzar. Later the king would call on Daniel (and his friends) to discern a dream. Being available in this way prevented them from being destroyed with the rest of the “wise” men of Babylon.

  1. Hosea named his second and third child crazy names: No Mercy, and Not-My-People (See Hosea 1).
[His wife] conceived again and bore a daughter. And the Lord said to him, “Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all. But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the Lord their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen.”

“When she had weaned No Mercy, she conceived and bore a son. And the Lord said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.”

Hosea’s crazy names were not for himself, but to show God would have no more mercy on Israel and that they were not His people and He was not their God anymore.

Using Your Antics for God

The difference between our crazy things and some of the crazy things the people above did was that they did their crazy things to convey God’s message to the people.

But, how about this? Use some of your crazy things to convey a message from God. Put them in a blog; share them with your friends; become a humorous story teller; then add a twist of the Bible to your stories. That is what I tried to do here and it is just plain old fun! Use whatever God allows in your life to be for His glory.

When we allow God to take all our life and all the things that happen to us, He can use and change us. God did change me today. I learned something about danger, irresponsibility, and consequences. I was fortunate that I landed feet-first when I leaped out of the sink. But I still had a consequence—luckily, the only consequence I had was to change my soaking wet pants!

To read another “Crazy Patti” story, click here to read about how I almost sank in a drainage ditch. (Title: Consequences)

Bible Verses:

[There is] a time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance (Eccles. 3:4).

[Paul} said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. (Acts 14:10).

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality (Col. 3:25).

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17).

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all You put into my path. Let me enjoy life. Let me laugh and have good, clean fun. Let me use all the situations You put in my life to be a means to share the joy of my salvation. I love You Lord. Thanks for the fun and crazy experiences You allow me to have. Keep me from sin and temptation and give me wisdom to make wise decisions. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Bless,

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive

Edited by E. Johnson; Bible verses taken from the NASB.


If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It is an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! Moreover, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

Books by Patti Greene

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 90-day devotional prayer journal for all ages; This informative and how-to book on prayer is for seekers, new believers, and mature believers. It encourages a commitment and devotion to the art of prayer. Learn how God reveals himself through Bible study and prayer. ISBN: 978-1512760453 (Paperback) $11.95 on Amazon.

Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 365-day devotional prayer journal for in-depth Bible study; Fun words or phrases from the Old and New Testaments! Perfect for mature believers. ISBN: 978-1490893181 (Paperback) $27.95 on Amazon.

Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 181-day devotional prayer journal for growing individuals; The Bible and social issues. Perfect for new believers. Comes with a group study guide. ISBN: 978-1490893174 (Paperback) $19.95 on Amazon.

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Do Actions Speak Louder Than Words?

Do Actions Speak Louder Than Words?

by Patti Greene, Greene Pastures by Patti

[From Email notifications, click the title for best web viewing]

Have you ever tried to share your Christian beliefs with someone, and feel you couldn’t get through to them—no matter what you say? They adamantly refuse to hear anything about God or religion. Their callousness might be foreign to you, and even scare you to the point of being fearful of ever talking to them again.

It happens all the time. We may be genuinely interested in a person’s spiritual well-being, and it breaks our heart when we are ignored, criticized, or made fun of for our beliefs just because we try to talk to them about God.

Many reasons abound as to why some people do not have an interest in hearing about God. Maybe it is because they don’t see us living out the Christian life. Maybe it is because they have encountered negative experiences within the church or with Christians. Or, maybe, it is because they have made a conscious decision to avoid all conversations about God or the Bible.

Many times, our mere words cannot express our feelings, thoughts, and beliefs as well as our actions can. If you find your talking gets you nowhere, God may be leading you to switch over to using actions instead of words to show your love to others.

God Uses Our Actions

God used Ezekiel in a “different way” to fulfill his calling in the beginning of his ministry.

In the first half of the Old Testament Book of Ezekiel, we see Ezekiel using actions solely (instead of words) to convey God’s message to the people. The Israelite exiles in Babylon became so desensitized and hard-hearted they would not listen to the word of God being proclaimed by the true prophets. So God commanded Ezekiel to take a different approach—an action approach.

God was so serious about using Ezekiel’s actions to communicate His words that He shut Ezekiel’s mouth for a period of seven years, allowing Ezekiel to speak only when and what he was commanded.

Instead of talking, Ezekiel was called to use what author Warren Wiersbe calls “action sermons”. The people had been warned verbally about their sinful behavior over and over to no avail. But now it was time for actions to take over. Many times, our actions can be what causes people to listen to us.

In Ezekiel 4, God commanded Ezekiel to: write on brick, put up an iron wall, prepare food, and to lay on both his left and right side to show what He wanted to get across to the exiles who had become isolated and distant from God.

Ezekiel sketched a map of Jerusalem on a brick and began playing soldier with the brick to show the House of Israel that the city of Jerusalem would be seized by the Babylonian army. He was then commanded by God to lie on the ground on his left side facing his brick for 390 days and then 40 days on his right side. Many commentaries use these mathematical calculations to show the years of Israel’s past sins and the years that Israel spent in the wilderness with Moses.

This kind of symbolism continues as Ezekiel continues acting out the horror and devastation of what was to come to Jerusalem. Later, the Lord asked Ezekiel to mix 3 different grains and 2 vegetables together to make bread. Scarcity of food was upcoming and Ezekiel was called to caution the people what was to come upon Jerusalem. The people had been warned of their heresy and separation from God with words before, but now God has chosen Ezekiel to use symbols and actions to show His disgust with their disobedience.

Now you son of man, get yourself a brick, place it before you and inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem. Then lay siege against it, build a siege wall, raise up a ramp, pitch camps and place battering rams against it all around. Then get yourself an iron plate and set it up as an iron wall between you and the city, and set your face toward it so that it is under siege, and besiege it. This is a sign to the house of Israel. “As for you, lie down on your left side and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it; you shall bear their iniquity for the number of days that you lie on it. For I have assigned you a number of days corresponding to the years of their iniquity, three hundred and ninety days; thus you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. When you have completed these, you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah; I have assigned it to you for forty days, a day for each year. Then you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem with your arm bared and prophesy against it. Now behold, I will put ropes on you so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have completed the days of your siege. “But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself; you shall eat it according to the number of the days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days (Ezekiel 4:1-9).

Have you ever thought maybe we have talked too much—sometimes until we are blue in our collective face—trying to get God’s message into the hearts of our friends, family or acquaintances?

Maybe it is time to try “action sermons!”

Through our actions sermons, people may see something different in us that will lead to a discussion on our faith. We may even be privileged to share in the joy of their salvation.

While God uses our actions, He is also quite capable and willing to use our speech and words to convey His intended will and plans.

God Uses Our Words

But, God also uses words. Later on in the Book of Ezekiel, God opened Ezekiel’s mouth so he could be a verbal witness in declaring the future prophecies of Jerusalem.

While God may not call us to do weird and strange “action” things like he called Ezekiel to do when he prophesized the unfortunate events awaiting Jerusalem, He may call us to show God’s love to others through a kind word, a meal, a note, or a smile. So I am not saying we should never use words to minister.

Writer Will Maule says it best in his recent article titled “22 Things Christians Need to Stop Doing…Now!”

He states, “It’s just as important to represent Jesus by how we live, but someone can’t respond to the Good News without hearing it . . . and they can’t hear it if no one opens their mouths (Matt 10:27, Romans 10:14-15).” ¹

In my life, I have come to believe that unless what we say agrees with what we do, what we say is meaningless to most people.

God Uses Our Actions and Words

In an ongoing survey, people were asked if people were known by their actions or their words. The result was that 57% believe people are known by their actions and 43% believe that actions do not speak louder than words. ²

This discrepancy leans more to the belief that actions speak louder than words. The Bible is full of verses that discuss the importance of our actions. For example:

But these verses do not overpower the fact that God also uses our speech to minister, guide, encourage, and love others. Without the powerful words of Old Testament prophets, the people would not know God’s laws and His plans. Without the convicting words from the New Testament apostles, people would not know the plan of salvation and sanctification.

Be Obedient

Be open this week to His will in all you DO and SAY. Don’t be afraid to step out and do something “different” if you feel God impressing you to do so. If your motives are right, and it ends up not what God had in mind, He will fix it and make it right. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone to grow, mature, and be obedient, whether in our words or actions. Being obedient to whatever God impresses upon us to do is the key. Both words and actions are important!

God Bless,

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive

Bible Verses:

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. John 10:25

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunities You give me to share my life with others. Give me wisdom and understanding regarding the best way to approach people with Your truths. You are a God I can trust to lead me in the paths of righteousness. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.


¹ Maule, Will. “22 Things Christians Need to Stop Doing…Now!” Hello Christian. http://hellochristian.com. Accessed 17 Feb 2017.

² “Do actions speak louder than words?” The Premier Online Debate Website. Debate.org. N.p., 21 Feb. 2017. Web. 21 Feb. 2017 <http://www.debate.org/>.

Edited by E. Johnson; Image Permission from J. Morisho 2-18-2017. Bible Verses from NASB.


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Books by Patti Greene

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 90-day devotional prayer journal for all ages; This informative and how-to book on prayer is for seekers, new believers, and mature believers. It encourages a commitment and devotion to the art of prayer. Learn how God reveals himself through Bible study and prayer. ISBN: 978-1512760453 (Paperback) $11.95 on Amazon.

Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 365-day devotional prayer journal for in-depth Bible study; Fun words or phrases from the Old and New Testaments! Perfect for mature believers. ISBN: 978-1490893181 (Paperback) $27.95 on Amazon.

Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 181-day devotional prayer journal for growing individuals; The Bible and social issues. Perfect for new believers. Comes with a group study guide. ISBN: 978-1490893174 (Paperback) $19.95 on Amazon.

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How to Pray: 10 Tips for a Better Prayer Life

How to Pray: 10 Tips for a Better Prayer Life / by Patti Greene

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Matthew 26:41 states, “Watch and pray, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

As believers, we are all given the privilege of praying, but why do we fail at it? Sometimes we don’t want to pray or we don’t know how to pray. Satan will do all he can to stop us from praying through apathy, distractions, laziness, or sin. In our flesh, we don’t have the strength to pray as we ought to. But, God’s Holy Spirit will empower us to pray and help us in with our prayer life.

10 Tips for a Better Prayer Life

  1. Understand there is a scriptural basis for prayer.

    God specifically tells us to pray. The principle of ‘calling on God’ is mentioned multiple times in Scripture. The Bible tells us to pray explicitly and the LORD will answer our prayers and tell us great and hidden things not known (Jer. 33:3).

  1. Use a framework when praying.

    Prayer consists of many aspects—praise, worship, thanksgiving, confession, and petition. People from both the Old Testament and New Testaments prayed. Prayer unleashes the Holy Spirit and ignites a change in us. God’s people and God’s church are empowered through prayer (Phil. 4:6-7).

  1. Understand we are called to pray.

    Believers are called to pray. God can do whatever he wants to do, but he delights in working through our prayers. Praying takes discipline. It is our responsibility to pray for ourselves and for the needs of others. Sometimes we hesitate to pray because we do not believe that there will be results (1 Sam. 12:23).

  1. Just ask.

    God wants us to ask for what we need. The Bible mentions numerous things we can pray about for ourselves or for others such as, good health, God’s will, wisdom, and strength. Matthew 7:11b states, “How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (2 Chron. 1:11-12a).

  1. Be bold.

    Be bold—do not be general or half-hearted in our requests to God. God wants us to be bold in our prayers. Ask the LORD for a verse to speak especially to us. Claim God’s promises in prayer. We can start with John 15:7, John 15:16, and John 16:23-24 (Acts 4:31).

  1. Pray the Scriptures.

    Many people have discovered the power of praying Scriptures in their communication with God; thus, developing confidence in their prayers. To “pray the Scriptures,” try substituting names, pronouns, places, and circumstances into the Word of God (Heb. 4:12).

  1. Agree in prayer.

    Sometimes we pray with no results. This might be a time to call for others to pray with us. Jesus promises to be with us when two or more are gathered in his name. When united in prayer, God’s power multiples as our prayers are uplifted and intertwined in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 18:19-20).

  1. Read the Bible in addition to praying.

    2 Tim. 2:15 says to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God.” Spending time in Bible study and prayer causes our spirits to become sensitive to his leading. Succumbing to today’s culture of liberalism is easy, but when the words of God dwell within his people, we are less likely to be led astray (James 1:5).

  1. Believe in his divine providence.

    The universe is not governed by fate. God is in control of every occurrence in the universe. All that happens is because it is either his will or he allowed it. Because God is involved in everything in the world, he able to answer our prayers because he sees the big picture unfolding in our lives. (Ps. 103:19).

  1. Pray for God’s will.

    While there is no set procedure for knowing God’s will, his will never contradicts what his Word says. With Biblical guidance, prayer, counsel of mature believers, faith, glimpses from the Holy Spirit, and sometimes miraculous intervention, revelation of his will is possible (Heb. 11:8).

God Bless. And if you have any tips for readers, please comment so we can all learn together. Thank you.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive


Bible Verse:

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:18

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, with thanksgiving, I call on your name. Teach me how to pray. Let me hear, understand, and feel your presence. Holy God, guard my steps, and let my requests be in line with your will. Let me do what is right in your sight, O Holy God.


Bisango, John. The Power of Positive Praying. Nashville: B&H, 1979.

Greene, Patti. Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer. Bloomington: WestBow, 2016.

Rogers, Adrian. “Prayer #2064”. www.youtube.com. 1 Jan 2017.


This blog is taken from the “How to Pray” section of Answer Me: Developing a heart for prayer.

For more articles on prayer, click here.

Bible text verses are taken from the English Standard Version Bible. Linked verses are taken from the New American Standard Bible.


Books by Patti Greene:

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

Test Your Knowledge [Thanksgiving]

Test Your Knowledge [Thanksgiving] / by Patti Greene, Greene Pastures by Patti

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Many of you know the Bible contains many sentences about thankfulness, being thankful, thanks, and thanking. So, let’s do something fun this Thanksgiving! Let’s test your knowledge on Biblical phrases or sentences using derivatives of the word “THANK.”

Below you will find 20 fill-in-the-blank Bible verses from the English Standard Version [ESV] version. See how many you can get correct. If you have an ESV Bible, feel free to use the open-book option to find your answers.

The answers are listed at the end of the blog. Please share this blog with your friends and family – especially educators who love tests they don’t have to make up!

Thanksgiving Bible Trivia Quiz

  1. From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of _______________. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained. Jeremiah 30:19

a. bells     b. music     c. rejoicing     d. gratitude

  1. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all _______________ ; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

a. cities     b. things     c. situations     d. circumstances

  1. It was the duty of the trumpeters and _______________ to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 5:12-13

a. singers     b. saxophones     c. musicians     d. choir

  1. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all _______________, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

a. love     b. wisdom     c. words     d. praise

  1. With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving he shall bring his offering with _______________ of leavened bread. Leviticus 7:13

a. cakes     b. loaves     c. muffins     d. sticks

  1. I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his ________________, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High. Psalm 7:17

a. holiness     b. perfection     c. righteousness     d. precepts

  1. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make _______________ to him with the harp of ten strings! Psalm 33:2

a. melody     b. music     c. dances     d. praises

  1. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and _______________, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter. Daniel 2:23

a. might     b. justice     c. love     d. knowledge

  1. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. _______________ belongs to the Lord!” Jonah 2:9

a. Patience     b. Tithe     c. Salvation     d. Eternal life

  1. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “_______________ of it, all of you . . .” Matthew 26:27

a. Sip     b. Drink     c. Swallow     d. Gulp

  1. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “_______________” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 1 Corinthians 14:16

          a. Blessings     b. Amen     c. Praise     d. Exaltation

  1. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to _______________. Philippians 4:6

          a. your Heavenly Father     b. the angels     c. Jesus     d. God

  1. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of ________________, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

          a. Everlasting God     b. Yahweh     c. the Lord Jesus     d. your creator

  1. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his ________________ with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalms 100:4

          a. courts     b. gates     c. door     d. mansion

  1. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the _______________! Psalm 147:7

          a. harmonica     b. keyboard     c. lyre     d. harp

  1. For everything created by God is _______________, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 1 Timothy 4:4

          a. heavenly     b. first-class     c. good     d. marvelous

  1. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your ________________ is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

          a. love     b. faith     c. hope     d. confidence

  1. And let the peace of Christ ________________ in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

          a. control     b. rule     c. grow     d. be powerful

  1. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, _______________, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. Luke 18:11

          a. unjust     b. liars     c. murderers     d. robbers

  1. First, I thank my God through ________________ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. Romans 1:8

          a. praise     b. Jesus Christ     c. the Holy Spirit     d. Abraham

Scroll all the way down for the answers.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful day. You are a mighty God and you do so much for me. I am so grateful for your love, your kindness, your patience, and your direction. Thank you for my family and friends. Thank you for my well-being. Thank you that I can trust in your guidance and love every day of my life. Thank you for giving strength and protection to me. You are a generous and holy God. In Jesus’ name.

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving,

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1

Patti Greene, Member Inspirational Writers Alive


The Holy Bible: English Standard Version containing the Old and New Testament. Wheaton: Crossway, 2001. [All verses come from the English Standard Bible unless noted otherwise]

Edited by E. Johnson


If you liked this article and would like to receive email notifications of new posts or to receive monthly newsletters, please click here and scroll down on www.GreenePastures.org to subscribe. It is an easy way not to miss any posts in your feed! Moreover, I would love seeing you as part of the Greene Pastures Community.

My Books – Available on Amazon or can be ordered at any retail book store. You may order an autographed copy by clicking on ‘Shop-Books by Patti Greene’ on this site.

NEW RELEASE – Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer
Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer

Just in time for Christmas! Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer has just been released by WestBow Press. I am so excited about this new book. If you or anyone you know is interested in developing a life of prayer, this 90-day prayer journal is perfect.

Answer Me includes:

  • An Undated Dateline
  • Topic on Prayer
  • Scripture Verse
  • Suggested Reading
  • Daily Thought
  • Prayer Request Section
  • Personal Reflection Section
  • Prayer

To Order from Amazon:

Answer Me: Developing a Heart for Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 90-day devotional prayer journal for all ages; This informative and how-to book on prayer is for seekers, new believers, and mature believers. It encourages a commitment and devotion to the art of prayer. Learn how God reveals himself through Bible study and prayer. ISBN: 978-1512760453 (Paperback) $11.95 on Amazon.

Other Books by Patti Greene:

Awaken Me: Growing Deeper in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 365-day devotional prayer journal for in-depth Bible study; Fun words or phrases from the Old and New Testaments! Perfect for mature believers. ISBN: 978-1490893181 (Paperback) $27.95 on Amazon.

Anchor Me: Laying a Foundation in Bible Study and Prayer (A Devotional Prayer Journal) by Patti Greene, click here

A 181-day devotional prayer journal for growing individuals; The Bible and social issues. Perfect for new believers. Comes with a group study guide. ISBN: 978-1490893174 (Paperback) $19.95 on Amazon.

Comments are always welcome. And, I would love to see you subscribe to my blog. To sign up for Newsletter and/or blog, click here.

On my blog, I want to write about topics that serve your needs and about what matters to you. I strive to help you with your needs and interests. Therefore, I am inviting you to share your interests with me so the content I write about will be more relevant to you. Please comment on this blog or email me at Patti@GreenePastures.org for confidentiality.

Answers to Test Your Knowledge [Thanksgiving] – 5 Points for Each Correct Answer!

  1. c – rejoicing
  2. d – circumstances
  3. a – singers
  4. b – wisdom
  5. b – loaves
  6. c – righteousness
  7. a – melody
  8. a – might
  9. c – Salvation
  10. b – Drink
  11. b – Amen
  12. d – God
  13. c – the Lord Jesus
  14. a – courts
  15. c – lyre
  16. c – good
  17. b – faith
  18. b – rule
  19. a – unjust
  20. b – Jesus Christ

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Divine Encounters

Divine Encounters

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Divine encounters come and go. Sometimes we act on them; other times we allow them to pass us by without even giving them a second thought. God places people in our lives with His purposes in mind. It is through people we encounter the opportunities to see God orchestrating our circumstances. A divine encounter might be a majestic incredible moment or it might just be a simple everyday activity like opening the door for someone or giving them your seat on the bus. No matter what, each time we are obedient to his appointments we are opening ourselves up to more appointments. In Mark 4:24 Jesus states, “For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” The more we take advantage of small opportunities to be used by God, the more He will entrust to us. It works similar to credit cards. The more you pay your bills on time, the more credit you might be able to get. If you don’t pay your bills on time, there is less chance for a larger credit limit.

Using a Biblical example, let’s look at an incident in David’s life where one ‘unnamed man’ was placed in David’s life for a specific purpose. In 1 Samuel 30, the Philistines rejected David. David’s wives were captured by the Amalekites. Great distress filled David because the people spoke of stoning him, but God miraculously strengthened his soul. David asked God if he should pursue the Amalekites, and God answered, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” While the Amalekites were dancing and drinking because of the great spoil they just received from the Philistines, David took 400 men to defeat the Amalekites.  In a “divine encounter,” David’s men found “an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David.” David asked him where he was from and he replied, “I am a young man of Egypt, a servant to an Amalekite, and my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago.” In God’s orchestration, this one man led David to the “rejoicing men” and David’s band of men struck them down! David rescued his wives and his men regained all their losses. God took this one sick man whose master let him stay behind to be the instrument for David’s men to defeat the Amalekites. Some may say this happened by chance, but I believe it was a divine encounter.

Yesterday, I was in a FedEx store for the sole purpose for FedEx to cut the spines off two books and hole-punch the rough draft of a new book I am writing. When the clerk brought out my completed work order, a woman who was standing at the counter next to me, saw the covers on my books and commented on how pretty they were. She noticed that they were Christian books, so she probably felt comfortable asking me if I had a smartphone figuring I might be a nice person. This lady had just stopped by the Fed-Ex store to ask for directions to the Attorney General’s Child Support Building. She had been driving around for 2 hours trying to locate it without success. I assumed she wanted me to find out the location of the office was with my phone. So, after I paid for my order, we moved over to an unoccupied counter and I looked up the directions for her. We introduced ourselves and I proceeded to call the Child Support Office. While being on hold listening to the Child Support Office’s recording requesting me to push Number 1 for this; Number 2 for this; Number 3 for this, and more, Terri was sharing about all her family problems — moving to Texas, her son, and other miscellaneous concerns. I really couldn’t concentrate on all she was saying between being on the telephone and trying to listen to her. But here was a perfect stranger sharing her life with another perfect stranger in a FedEx store. As I was helping her find directions, I knew this was a divine encounter. I gave Terri detailed instructions on how to get to her destinations, which she really needed as the major street she needed to go down was closed, due to Houston’s torrential floods in April 2016. I gave her my Greene Pastures business card and asked her to call me to let me know she arrived at the Child Support office. I haven’t heard from her, but she does have my number.

The point is that God orchestrates even little encounters (some call them divine appointments) in our lives.  We may or may not even know why these encounters occur, but God does.

  • What are the chances I’d be ministering to a lady who happened to be in a FedEx store just looking for directions?
  • What are the chances I knew that the exact route she needed to take had been flooded and was closed? [Remember, this is Houston, Texas with a population of 4.5 million people.]
  • What are the chances that I had been to the building she was looking for a few years ago with a friend?

I will not look upon this simple chance meeting as a random meeting. It was a God-orchestrated event to fulfill His purpose.

  • I could have ignored her at the counter.
  • I could have cut the conversation short and gone on my way!
  • I could not have cared.
  • I could have missed the opportunity to pray for this lady.

Only God knows the purpose. Maybe she just needed to know someone cares, maybe she just needed directions, maybe she just needed to know there are some good people in life, or maybe it was just that we were supposed to exchange pleasantries. I would love to know what her thoughts were about our encounter, but I probably won’t ever know. But, that’s okay. I know God was guiding me to be nice to this woman. God can use one person or a multitude of people to create divine appointments. To use an everyday cliché, we may be the only Jesus someone sees. And visa versa, they might be the Jesus we need to see.

I decided to look over my prayer requests over the past week. They included:

  • Show me what is missing in my ministry;
  • Lord, let me stop and smell the roses; and
  • Give me creativity in my next blog.

Through this encounter at FedEx, all of these requests were answered — In His time and in His way.

Have you had a divine encounter you would like to share? If not, I trust you will keep your eyes open for your upcoming “FedEx” experience!

Bible Verses:

Be prepared for divine encounters.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am about to come to you in a thick cloud in order that the people will hear me talking with you so that they will always trust you.” Moses told the Lord what the people said, and the Lord said to Moses: “Go to the people and take today and tomorrow to make them holy. Have them wash their clothes. Be ready for the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai for all the people to see.” Exodus 19:9-11

Divine encounters can change your life.

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:1-5 ESV

Prayer:

Oh Heavenly Father, thank you for being in my life. Thank you ahead of time for the divine appointments you have already planned for me to encounter. I pray that my eyes will recognize how you desire to work in my life. Use me Lord. I love you so much. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

God Bless.

PATTIGREENE.eps-(1


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Negative Peer Pressure

Negative Peer Pressure

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In The Difference between Negative and Positive Peer Pressure, writer Denise Witner states,

Peer pressure is not a bad thing. We all are influenced by our peers, both negatively and positively. It helps define who we are and how we feel about subjects in our lives. It is how we chose to react to peer pressure that defines who we are as an individual. Are we a leader or a follower? Both types of people are needed to make the world go around . . .The difference between negative and positive peer pressure is the outcome.²

Everybody feels peer pressure at one time or another. We might choose to belong to a particular group or organization,  i.e. political parties, gangs, or church denominations. Our peer groups encourage us to conform to that group’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. This can be seen as either a positive or negative change of one’s attitude or compliance to a group’s belief system. Someone might be influenced to wear only gothic punk clothing while someone else might be positively influenced to join a spirit-filled church group. We all desire to be accepted and secure in our own little conclaves.

We tend to think of peer pressure as a feature that only teenagers experience, but that is not true. Today, peer pressure follows us no matter what age we are. But, as a believer, when negative peer pressure tempts us, we must decide to follow the crowd or follow Jesus.

Peer pressure tempts all age groups. In the teenage years, young people are sometimes attracted to the wrong crowd or friends. They can be drawn into risky behaviors that can be detrimental to their health and safety while others are drawn into a peer group that stresses high achievement and more positive activities. In the young adult years, one might be drawn to compete with their friends for the bigger house, the most kids, the best jobs, or even the best mani-pedi. In middle age, one could compete for a position in the Women’s Club or on the tennis team. And, for those who work, one may be striving for that vice-president job that everyone in your department is striving for. When children are ready for college, parents might feel pressure to get their children into the best college or university, buy a second home, or even try to outdo others for the most prestigious church ministry. One would think that following the crowd would die down when reaching the golden years, but there are seniors competing for the best home update, car, portfolio, assisted-living home, and even the best medical alert system.

There is no age or culture immune to peer pressure. Just because “everyone is doing it” does not make it right. In Uganda, Africa, many women are peer pressured to apply harsh chemicals and carcinogens to their skin to lighten it. This process is very harmful, but there is so much pressure for the women to be beautiful. They are led to assume that their beauty comes from being lighter and fairer than others.¹ The pressure to fit in is even prevalent in poor countries even though grave harm may come upon people. In the case of the Uganda women, the chemicals could burn their eyes or cause cancer in their bodies. Young people are joining gangs and the potential dangers often costs them their lives. In addition, joining a gang may cause drug addiction, violent behavior and possible prison time. Following the wrong crowd and trying to fit in can cause lifetime consequences. We must stress this upon our children.

Negative Peer Pressure may lead to . . .

  • Risky Behaviors: People will be influenced to participate in risky behavior that may lead to  jail time, prison incarceration, a ruined career, and more.
  • Misguided Friendships: People will be continually attracted to the wrong crowd and friends.
  • Single-minded Dependence: People will depend upon “their group” for help and guidance; thus there might be a non-dependence upon family and/or God.
  • Inconsideration: People will hurt those that love them by their actions and words.
  • Short-sightedness: People will be impractical or imprudent by not recognizing their reputation may be damaged and/or opportunities may be lost by the groups they associate with.

Just as there is a cost in following the wrong crowd, there is a cost in following the Lord. Luke 14:27-30 says,

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Throughout the Bible, we see people choosing to follow God and not the world.

In Genesis 7, Noah obeyed God and built the ark while “the crowd” sinned and the Lord saw the wickedness of man. The evil continued and eventually the people were destroyed by the flood — all that is except Noah and his family who separated themselves from the wicked people and obeyed the Lord.

In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar as the crowds were doing. But, the king threw them into the furnace and heated it seven times more than it was usually heated, but they survived. They decided not to follow the crowd, and God delivered his servants who trusted in him.

When we decide to follow Christ, we can stop worrying about what other people think of us. We know that God is the one directing our steps. We can trust in what the Holy Bible tells us to do. We believe that the Holy Spirit is directing our lives and are able to avoid the tangles brought by the popular culture of the world. When obeying the Father and striving to be like Jesus, every decision we make will be made through the eyes of God.

While costs are involved in following both the crowd and Jesus, the benefits of following Jesus are so much more.

BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING JESUS

  • Assurance of salvation and life after death in heaven;
  • Comfort in knowing there is a purpose in their life;
  • Forgiveness for our past, present, and future sins;
  • Love from Almighty God;
  • God’s peace in life.
  • Ability to trust that God knows the big picture of our lives; and
  • Joy as we use our spiritual gifts and develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

While there are many who try to live in both the secular world and the spiritual world, the Bible warns against those who become complacent in their Christian walk. Many times those are believers who have accepted Christ, but have never grown deep roots into the things of God.

Old Testament Joshua says,

Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 23:14-15

If you are hanging with the wrong people, it is time to decide whom  you will serve. God will give you the courage to choose Him. Choosing to follow Christ means a change – a change of attitude – a change of friends in some cases – and an understanding that following Jesus Christ will create a positive shift in your life. These changes will become more and more positive as they grow roots through Bible reading and prayer.

God Bless.

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Bible Verses

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors. Proverbs 1:8-19

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Matthew 11:18

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Mark 15:15

Prayer

Heavenly Father, let me see areas where I am following the crowd and giving into unnecessary peer-pressure. I am asking you to change my life so I can follow you fully in everything I attempt to do. I want you to change my heart and may I always bring glory to you. Let me believe and trust that you will respond to all my needs as I give take up my cross to follow you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

¹Strickland, Ashley. Light and shadows: Skin bleaching in Uganda. CNN. 22 Jan 2016. Online.

²Whitner, Denise. The Difference between Negative and Positive Peer Pressure. About Parenting. 4 Dec 2014. Online.

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Pride

A man received a promotion to the position of Vice President of the company he worked for. The promotion went to his head, and for weeks on end he bragged to anyone and everyone that he was now a VP. His bragging came to an abrupt halt when his wife, so embarrassed by his behavior, said, “Listen Bob, It’s not that big a deal. These days everyone’s a vice president. Why they even have a vice president of peas down at the supermarket!” Somewhat deflated, Bob rang the local supermarket to find out if this was true. “Can I speak to the Vice President of peas please?” he asked, to which the reply came: “of fresh or frozen?”¹

The world defines pride as a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people and a feeling that you are more important or better than other people.² From a spiritual viewpoint, the late Adrian Rogers says, “Pride is a declaration of independence.” It is like saying, “God, I am self-sufficient. I have everything I need. Your services are no longer required.”

In Proverbs 6:16-19 being proud is listed as the first of the six/seven deadly sins the Lord hates. “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies. And one who sows discord among brethren.” Pride lives in the heart of man and it precedes destruction.

King Uzziah, an Old Testament King of Judah, became king when he was only sixteen years old. He started his 52-year reign seeking the Lord and was mentored by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah. However, as he became successful in both his political and military endeavors, he changed. He grew very proud and thought very highly of himself. Uzziah was a very good man and a great leader, but when he prospered, his pride began to develop to the point he became very angry when he was confronted by Azariah and eighty other courageous priests of the Lord about his burning incense to the Lord. Proud people do not like to be confronted and be told what they should or shouldn’t be doing. While he was still angry at the priests, God allowed him to fall to leprosy. At the end of his life, he was known more for his arrogance and pride than the man he first was. His “destruction” manifested as we see in 2 Chronicles 26:22-23 when it says, “Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, from first to last, the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz wrote. So Uzziah rested with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings, for they said, ‘He is a leper.'” Note, he was not remembered as the great King he was, but as the leper he became due to pride. This is an apt example of pride coming before the fall.

We all have some degree of pride in our lives. And, all pride isn’t bad. If you are proud of your child’s accomplishments; if you are proud of re-staining an old dresser, that is pride in the good sense. The apostle Paul was proud of the Corinthians when he said, “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.” 2 Corinthians 7:4

But, let’s look at some characteristics of a proud person. One may possess various degrees of these traits.

In the world, a proud person may:

  • Argue and defend oneself when criticized;
  • Be a demanding person;
  • Be concerned about their reputation and how others perceive them;
  • Be overly confident in their knowledge;
  • Be self-righteous;
  • Blame others, but rarely themselves;
  • Boast in their achievements and accomplishments;
  • Compare themselves to others, especially in the area of class, money, possessions, and even spirituality; and/or
  • Feel a company or ministry should be privileged to employ them;
  • Focus on the failures and bad points of others;
  • Glory in themselves;
  • Have a difficult time asking for forgiveness;
  • Have a difficult time saying they are sorry;
  • Have to always prove that he or she is right and you are wrong;
  • Look down on people and things;
  • Seek adoration and praise from others; and/or
  • Want to be served by others.

In the spiritual realm, a proud person may:

  • Be self-righteous;
  • Believe in their intellect about spiritual aspects;
  • Believe they have no need to repent;
  • Find it hard to share their spiritual needs;
  • Neglect God because they feel they are good enough or know enough already;
  • Not be able to confront their individual sins, because they would rather deal in vague generalities; and/or
  • Try to hide their sins and faults.

As believers, we should desire to break the power that pride may have in our lives – before destruction befalls us. We do this by asking God to change our heart. Our desire should be to turn from our pride toward humility – a topic we will discuss next week. While a proud person finds it hard to even pray, let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ and for those who are putting off accepting the Lord due to pride, so they will be filled with the hope, joy, and peace that can be received when we are close to Jesus. Pray the Holy Spirit will soften their hearts to hear the Word of God and desire His presence in their lives.

Blessings Always,

Patti

Bible Verses on Pride:

You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as the eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down, says the Lord. Obadiah 1:3-4

And I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. Leviticus 26:19

He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride. Job 41:34

Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt. Psalm 31:18

The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13

When pride comes, then comes disgrace but with the humble is wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 29:23

I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11

I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. 2 Corinthians 7:4

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, please let me keep a check on any pride that may seep into my life. Let me learn to recognize pride in myself and let me learn to lay my prideful moments at your feet. Help me to become a humble person. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit as I seek to understand pride and humility in both myself and others. Let me stay prayed up and in communication with you daily. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

¹Anonymous. Vice President of Peas. Stories for Preaching. Retrieved from www.storiesforpreaching.com

²Rogers, Adrian. “The Peril of Pride.” One Place. 15 Feb. 2011. www.oneplace.com.

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