Encouragement

Thought For The Week...

Trap II

When we are caught off guard, it is not something that just suddenly happens; the adversary
has been working, tirelessly laboring behind the scene putting one plan/plot/scheme after
another in place. He is like a chameleon—camouflaged—lying in wait to ambush and lure us
away from spending time with God. His conspiracy is to get us to reside in a lax/lackadaisical
mode and then use God’s Word to his advantage, i.e. if we are overtaken in a fault we will be
forgiven. And that is true, but he leaves out the most important part of that forgiveness, which
is repentance.

As a born-again believer, it is imperative that we spend time studying, meditating and applying
God’s Word to our daily living. We must be extremely mindful, knowing that we cannot fight the
adversary on our own. The Word tells us that we do not fight, contend or wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world, and against spiritual
wickedness in high places. It also tells us that even though we walk in/live in the flesh, we do
not war/fight according to the flesh. Our weapons/artillery are not carnal, that is of the flesh, but
they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. With that being said, let us be
mindful to be consistenly steadfast and diligent in our praying, thanking God for keeping us
hedged/cloaked in the shelter of His sanctuary. Confession is good for the soul, i.e. Dear Lord,
I am not above temptation. Please help me to recognize and heed the warnings you whisper to
my soul. Grant me the courage and strength to run from temptation and resists the enemy’s
attempts of deception in my life. Thank you for Your Word that guides me when directions
seem unclear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

Take heed…

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a
shield]. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from
all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this
time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5-8 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thoughts For The Week...

Trap

‍One of the oldest tricks that the adversary uses to overcome the believer is unbelief; it is his
greatest device and stratagem, his arsenal of artillery. He knows that if he can catch us off
guard—unaware of his tactics—he can begin to plant seeds of doubt regarding the truth of
God’s Word; and once that happens, he starts to heighten/secure the stronghold that he is
attempting to put in place. He will do whatever he can to ensnare us; he is subtle. His strategy
is like the game dominos, once you knock down the right die the rest will follow in unison. He
will circumvent, circling around us like a dog in heat, placing one temptation after another in
place until he finds the one that he thinks will weaken our resolve. Yes, he is a crafty little
demon, but our God is greater.

As a born-again believer, it is up to each individual to truly believe that God, Jehovah Sabaoth,
is the Lord of Hosts; He is powerful and mighty and He rules over the vast multitudes of angels
and stars and armies. He and He alone is able to keep us. We are either going to believe and
trust in God or believe the lies of the adversary. It is time that we stop sitting around the
campfire with the adversary shooting the breeze and reminiscing about the past, allowing him
to use our mind as his playground. We are no longer girl scouts and boy scouts. As believers,
we are soldiers in God’s army and as such, we have already received and have at our disposal
the greatest badge/weapon that will refute the adversary and his tactics; FAITH. It is up to
each of us to sew on the badge of FAITH, wearing it for all to see and applying its principles to
our daily lifestyle.

Take heed…

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will
not slumber. (Psalm 121:1-3 — NKJV)

Rev. Donna Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Priority II

We are a strange people! Some individuals have a superior attitude; they want everybody to stop what they are doing and focus on their needs. They just want to be catered to, never taking into consideration the needs of others. Everyone has their own issues and situations to deal with, and most would never feel as though their needs should take precedence over anyone else's needs. When was the last time you rearranged your schedule to meet someone else's need?

The Word of God tells us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Even before He left His throne in Glory, Jesus made us His highest concern. He saw our need for salvation as so important that He rearranged and pre arranged everything that He was about. Nothing was too hard for Him. There was no pain or humiliation that He was not willing to suffer because He knew that without His dying on the cross, we would not have the ability, stamina, fortitude, perseverance, and strength to survive in this chaotic world. In His dying, Christ made it possible for everyone to be a recipient of the very essence of who He is. And because of that, the born-again believers have the mindset to not only think of themselves and their needs, but are willing to aid others in their time of need. With that being said, let us not look out only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Take heed...

Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor. (Matthew 23:12 - AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Priority

When we love somebody, we want to be with them, do for them, and help them become all they can be. It's the same way with God. He wants to be with us and help us accomplish our promised destiny. He set us as His most prized possession, making us a little lower than the angels. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to come and live on earth as a man to show us that there isn't anything that can stand in our way when we submit ourselves to Him. God desires intimacy with us, and it is up to each of us to allow Him to guide and direct us in everything we do. When we place God at the forefront of our lives, making Him our utmost concern, we can ask what we want and be assured that we have our petition because we have learned to pray His will.

We must constantly seek to enhance our relationship with God, enjoy spending time with Him, talking with Him, letting Him know our concerns and weaknesses, and our love for Him. He wants us to share everything with Him, even our transgressions. And because He is omniscient, He already knows our thoughts before we think them. He will not force us to communicate with Him, but He will be there waiting for us to call on Him. Are we willing to make Him our highest concern? Are we willing to rearrange our schedule so that we can spend time with Him? Are we willing to surrender what we want for what He wants for us? Do we really want intimacy with God, or are we just looking for a sugar daddy or sugar mama? These are all questions that we must ask ourselves in any relationship, most importantly with our Father, Abba God. When we love Him, truly love Him, our actions will speak volumes, more than our mouth can utter. With that being said, it is imperative that we arrange our schedules, giving God precedence, and allow Him to order our steps and lead us along the paths that He has designated for our destiny. And we must not only be hearers of God's Word, but doers as well.

Take heed...

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (^(b)His way of doing and being right), and then all these things ^(c)taken together will be given you besides. (Matthew 6:33 - AMPC)

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and my words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me]. (John 15:7,9 - AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

‍

Thought For The Week...

Thankful

There are some people, no matter what they have or what you do for them, they are never satisfied. And then there are some who have a tendency to look back down memory lane and wonder what their life would have been like if they had done things differently. However, what they fail to realize or take into consideration is that they wouldn't have the memories they have now. Ever been there?

The Word of God tells us to forget the things of the past. It is imperative that we move forward with anticipation, knowing that God is doing a new thing. He promised in His Word, "I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." What better advice is there than to take what God gives, since He knows our beginning and ending. Whatever we stand in need of, let's make it our highest priority to give God the glory, knowing that He's the giver of every good and perfect gift.

"Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, for He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now, let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich, because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks."

Take heed...

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 - AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week..

Hope

As we begin this New Year, it is my sincerest desire that we all come to the understanding that despair is one of our greatest enemies, and is the opposite of that which we set our sights on - the expectation that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can think or ask.

Regardless of what transpired last year - oppression, depression, opposition, loneliness, indebtedness, sorrow, sickness, pain, death of loved ones, etc. - we weren't left all alone. We serve a God that is able to keep us, comfort us, love us, provide for us, soothe our troubled spirit, guard us and protect us from hurt, harm and danger. This is a new year, and the blessings and promises of God are still intact. God is not a liar, and He will not and cannot go back on His Word. If He promised, He will bring it to pass. In fact, if we will look back, we will realize that God was performing His promise even in the midst of challenges, situations, tests and trials. The adversary tried his best to steal from us, destroy our witness and kill our spiritual lives; he did everything he possibly could to hinder us. Yet, we are still here. That is the power of God working in our lives. Listen, God perfects those things that concern us, and it is our job to keep on trusting Him, relying on Him. Even when we can't tell night from day, we must keep on believing that His blessings and promises will come to pass. So it is our job to understand that His timing is not our timing. He doesn't always come when we want Him to, but He is always on time.

The songwriter penned a song that we should take heed of and make our motto: My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

The Word...

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [throught the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises. (Romans 15:13 - AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Focus‍

As we journey through this life, we should always be critiquing ourselves to determine if
we are making progress in how we operate/function and that our efforts show fruit. Life
is an instructor, and we should be ever learning. As we continue along the path of
righteousness, the born-again believer understands that there will always be adversarial
opposition that will attempt to derail us and get us off track.

When we do err, we must immediately repent and thank God for His forgiveness. It is
inevitable that we will find ourselves in compromising positions, but we must not move
forth based on what we think or feel, but seek the Holy Spirit—our helper, standby,
strengthener, counselor, advocate, intercessor—who is ready to aid us. With that being
said, let’s make sure that we are studying and meditating on God’s Word and are
applying its precepts and principles so that we remain on the designated path He has
for us follow.

Listen and take heed…

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of
our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to
maturity and perfection]. (Hebrews 12:2a — AMPC)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Discouragement II‍

It is time that the born-again believer stops allowing the challenges, circumstances,
obstructions, situations, tests, and/or trials to keep us from moving forward and reaching
our God given destiny. There are so many blessings and promises that God has for us,
but we will never reach them or achieve the success that belongs to us if we allow the
fears and doubts of past failures to hold us hostage in the valley of cannot, no
confidence, guilt, and/or shame. If Jesus forgave Peter, His disciple who denied Him
three times, will He not do the same for us. God loves us and His blessings and
promises are there for us, but we must get off the merry go-around of past guilt and
shame.

When we allow ourselves to be hedged in by the doubt and uncertainties of the world,
we will miss so many of God’s blessings and promises. We cannot move forward if we
keep looking backward; we must not be a repeat offender but allow the blood that Jesus
shed and died for on our behalf to truly set us free so that we can run as an athlete
striving to reach the finish line and receive the medal of victory. With that being said, we
must daily meditate on the Word of God and allow His Word to heal and free us from
the past and its failures. We must be assured in our sanctified souls that victory belongs
to the child of God—that’s us—and defeat is not an option.

Take heed…

Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who
are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the
dictates of the Spirit.
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and
are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His]
design and purpose. (Romans 8:1, 28 —AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Discouragement

As long as we live, we will be faced with life’s twists and turns, and the more we are
faced with them, the more adept we should become in navigating its roadways. No
doubt, there will be some twists and turns that will aid us in reaching that which we have
set out to accomplish and/or to reach our God given destiny. And then there are those
twists and turns that will lead us down the highways of despair, gloom, and negativity;
these are the highways that life’s adversities and/or the adversary will set before us to
deprive us, deplete us and/or destroy our courage, hope and confidence. The adversary
will use whatever he can to obstruct our path and dissuade us from taking the correct
avenues that God has set before us to reach the blessings and promises He has for His
children.

The born-again believer has come to understand that no matter what they are faced
with—challenges, circumstances, obstructions, situations, tests, and/or trials—they
must not give up and allow themselves to dilly dally in the alleyways of darkness,
depression, despair, fear, oppression, and/or suicidal tendencies [The believer must] muster up every
ounce of strength they have and call on the name of Jesus. With that being said, when
the twists and turns do attempt to burden us down, we can call upon our helper, the
Holy Spirit, who will aid us in charting the waterways of life so that we will not be
prevented from reaching our God given destiny.

Take heed…

We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but
not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to
find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven),
but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck
out and destroyed; Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the
same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of
Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Excited III ‍‍

There’s not one person who will be exempt from the trials and circumstances of life, but
we who are born-again can be exceedingly glad because our defender is nearby. Of
course, there will be times when the last thing we want to do is rejoice; but if we don’t,
we’ll lose the ability to be strengthened and our spiritual stamina will be weakened.
What we must always remember is that the battle is not ours, but the Lord.
We must be on guard at all times so that we recognize our opponents and when we are
presented with any circumstances, obstacles and/or situations we should be overjoyed
knowing that our defender has the situation under control. With that being said, the next
time that the adversities of everyday life or the adversary attempts to insinuate, initiate
or stipulate anything that is not of God, all we need do is step aside and allow the Holy
Spirit to take over as we sing songs of praise, glorifying God for all that He has done, is
doing and will do.

Listen and take heed…

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter
trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial
and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let
endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so
that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in
nothing. (James 1:2-4 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.