Encouragement

Thoughts For The Week...

Hope

We all go through stages in our life where it seems as though we have lost our joy and
no matter what another person may say to us in terms of encouragement, we find no
comfort and/or peace. And sometimes, it appears as though the longer we’ve rested in
a spirit of expectation there is that suspicion that we will not attain that which we’ve
looked for and waited on. We must not trust in and/or put any confidence in ourselves
but put all our expectations and desires in the true and living God, Jehovah Shalom,
who provides all our needs. As long as we live, we will experience times of disbelief, our
desire for the things of God waning and an apparent lack of trust for that which we’ve
petitioned. But, we must be aware; this is a trick from the enemy. He will do all he can to
get us off track and have us walk based on our feelings.

We must not walk based on our feelings. When we find that we are being attacked and
all types of thoughts are running throughout our mind as though a big screen TV is
before us, we must immediately rebuke the enemy, in the name of Jesus. It is
imperative that we let the adversary know that we will not allow him to implant his
thoughts of despair and negativity and that we cancel/denounce him and all his tricks,
tactics and ploys. We must daily put on the armor of God, keeping the helmet of
salvation securely in place which will guard [us from] the adversary’s access to our mind. With
that being said, we have the power, in Jesus’ name, to take authority over any thoughts
of our past and its activities being implanted in our mind. The past is the past and has
no present and/or future abilities to interact with our born again mind and spirit because
we now rest securely in the Word of God and its truths.

Listen and take heed…

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect
the Lord! (Psalm 31:24 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Excited II

We all experience days when it seems as though life has put on its boxing gloves and we are the targeted punching bag; however, the born-again believer has the promises of God, and knows that no weapon form against him/her will prosper. It is the believers' job to regurgitate the Word that has been deposited in their spirits. And as they allow the Word to comfort, soothe and calm them in their time of need, the Holy Spirit, their avenger, will step in and defend them.

The next time that the circumstances, obstacles and situations present themselves with a one, two punch, all we need to do is go into our designated corners of meditation, rest on our stool of love, take a cool rag of peace and wipe the anxiety, fear and dread from our brow. With that being said, we can be ecstatic, our emotions stirred and our bodies tingling with the anointing running through us because we know that the battle in not ours and already been won.

Take heed...

The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. (Psalm 28:7 - AMPC)

God is my strong fortress; He has made me safe. (2 Samuel 22:33 - TLB)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Fear II

Why are you afraid, my child? There isn't one thing and/or person that can come against us without God's permission, and if it comes to us, it is a teachable moment. He will keep us through it. Only be strong and courageous; just as He was with Moses, so will He be with us. He parted the Red Sea, provided water and manna, provided fire by night and a cloud by day, to protect and guide the people to the Promised Land. He will do the same for us. All He asks is that we be obedient and follow His instructions.

It is imperative that we understand that God is not a respecter of persons. If He enabled David to kill a bear, Samson to bring down a structure, Peter to preach to the thousands, Jesus to turn water into wine, Saul to convert to Paul and Timothy to pastor the people, will He not do the same for us? With that being said, it is of the utmost importance that we walk by faith, trusting God's Word, knowing that He will provide for us, guide us, encourage us, and keep us until Jesus returns and ushers us into our eternal heavenly home where we will spend eternity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Take heed...

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice (Isaiah 41:10 - AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Fear

As a born-again believer, we should not be afraid and go into hiding when adversities and troubles find their way to our door post. God, Jehovah Shammah, is always with us. He has all authority and power, and nothing can come upon us without His knowledge. When He deems it necessary, He will hide us from the adversary; and when he doesn't, He will provide us with His peace and needed strength and strategy to go through. What God did for the children in Israel He will also do for us. We can trust Him and take Him at His Word, that He is for us.

The adversary is good at seting traps along the paths we travel and uses every trick he has in his arsenal to get us to walk in a spirit of timidness. However, valleys are a part of our everyday life, and we must not become stagnant, linger on the way or become afraid to move forward because of the oppositions we will face. With that being said, it is imperative that we saturate ourselves in God's Word, understanding it's precepts and principles, and being assured that the needed strength to walk through the everyday valleys have already been provided. And, it is because of that assurance that we can forge ahead knowing that no weapon formed against us will prosper, singing I've got the victory, hallelujah, I've got the victory, hallelujah.

Take heed...

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 - AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Broken II

Anytime a fractured bone is not properly repaired, it will not function the way it was intended because it has not been set and/or properly aligned. So many [of] individuals have been reduced to rubble and have become fragmented because they have been hurt by another person; they have allowed someone to infringe upon and/or violate their principles. As a result, they have become leery and weary of allowing themselves to relax and enjoy that which God has for them. Anytime a fragmented person becomes involved in a relationship and/or situation, the potential for damages remains, not only for themselves, but for everyone and everything they become involved with. That which is fragmented can only provide/give that which it has - shattered/fragmented pieces.

God intended for us to be whole and complete, lacking nothing. When we feed ourselves with God's Word, applying it's precepts and principles to our lives. The Word's nutrients will heal that which is fragmented so that we become whole - physically, mentally and spiritually - and live healthy balanced lives. With that being said, we must not allow ourselves to become detached and disconnected from the Word of God, but allow ourselves to be healed, delivered and set free from anything that threatens to lacerate, wound, dissolve, destroy, overtake and/or keeep us from living the abundant life made possible for us by Jesus' dealth on the cross.

Take heed...

Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (Jeremiah 18:2-4 - KJV)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

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Thought For The Week...

Excited

There will always be circumstances and situations that will arise which we have no
control over, and, at times, they will leave us feeling helpless as a baby chicklet left in the
nest until it's mother returns. However, we need not become fearful or afraid as though we
have no help. The born-again believer has learned that God has provided various
remedies/antidotes for the aliments, sorrows and woes of this world, and that when they
are faced with any of them, they can find the prescribed medication—love, peace, hope,
joy, perseverance, in His Word, the Bible.

God’s prescribed medication—love, peace, hope, joy, perseverance—is more than
capable of expelling the dark clouds that come our way. All we need [to] do, is stir up the
gifts— love, peace, hope, joy, perseverance—in us and bring to remembrance that
which God has already delivered us from. With that being said, we must not be moved
by circumstances, obstacles, and situations, but be ecstatic in our sanctified souls
knowing that Jesus, our deliverer and the Holy Spirit, our comforter, helper,
strengthener, standby, counselor, intercessor, and advocate, have everything under
control. That combination of love and support is more than enough and capable of
quieting the feelings of fear, sorrow and/or woe that attempt to plague us.

Take heed...

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known
unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 - KJV)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Broken

There is not one thing that cannot be shattered, fragmented, ruptured, torn, fractured,
and/or not function properly. We, as humans, get into relationships or situations and
when the newness wears off, we have the tendency to discard the people and/or things
and move onto the next. However, the only thing about moving on to the next is that we
take our shattered/fragmented selves with us. We cannot expect perfection when we
ourselves are not perfect.
When boundaries are not set at the beginning of a relationship and/or situation, there is
the potential for things to become fragmented. We should never rush into any
relationship or situation, but take the necessary time to discover, observe, and be able to
comprehend the character flaws of a person or the particulars of a situation, judging and
separating what we want as opposed to what actually is. With that being said, it is
imperative that we do not allow ourselves to be fooled by the tricks and tactics of the
adversary, but allow the Word of God to heal us, mend us, mold us, and transform us
into the person He intended us to be so that we are able to truly discern that which He
has for us.

Take heed…

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their
sorrows]. (Psalm 147:3 — AMPC)

But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a
night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not
have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into. (Matthew 24:43 — 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 all that He has designated for us. He has set us as His most important possession, making us a little lower than the angels, and He loved us so much so that He allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to come and live on earth 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’s up to each of us to allow Him to guide and direct us in everything we do. We must not only be hearers of God’s Word but doers as well. When we place God at the forefront of our life and make Him our utmost concern, letting Him know that He is important to us, then we can ask what we will and be assured that we have our petition.

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. There’s nothing that we can hide from Him; He wants us to share everything with Him, even our transgressions. 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 what He can do for us? These are all questions that we must ask ourselves in any relationship, especially with our Father, Abba God. When we love Him, genuinely love Him, our actions will speak volumes; more than our mouth can utter. With that being said, it is imperative that we make time in our schedule to sit and chat with God, letting Him know our concerns and needs, but more importantly, spend time in praising and worshipping Him for all that He has done, is doing and shall do on our behalf.

Take heed…

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. (John 15:7 — AMPC)

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. (Psalm 37:4— AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Direction II

Most people, when they set out on a road trip, will go to the American Automobile Association (AAA) for directions or follow their phone or car Global Positioning System (GPS) so that they have a visual and/or voice map giving them turn by turn steps to take, and when those steps are followed one will end up at their intended destination; albeit, there are times that an unbeknown detour has to be taken because of various obstacles in the path. When a wrong turn has been made and/or one has to follow a detour, the GPS will state that it is recalibrating the route and will put one back on the designated path; that is if they follow its instructions.

Just as in the physical realm, the born-again believer will experience some twists, turns, and/or detours caused by the adversities of life, and/or the tricks, tactics, traps set up by none other than old sloth foot himself, Satan. However, when the believer has detoured and allowed sin to gain a foothold in their life, they can be grateful that they have a loving God who has provided the gift of repentance and made it possible that a divine reset (recalibrating) of forgiveness has been initiated. With that being said, it is of the utmost importance that when we do run into detours and get off course, that we must attentively listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and when He states that there is a need for recalibrating we must repent—turn from that twist/turn/detour/sin—and follow the path that puts us back on course to eternal life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Take heed…

I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you (Psalm 32:8 — AMPC).

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11— AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Day

Resistance

As a born-again believer, temptation is always knocking at our door enticing us with its dainties and vices. The adversary will send out his search team of imps dangling before us that which use to please us. Our flesh will fight us to get what it wants and whatever we were delivered from—drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, etc.—has the tendency to literally call us. Temptation, if we allow it, has the ability to cast a spell over us and hold us captive to its desires and pleasures.

Listen, we have the power to control what we do or do not do; and at times, that is easier said than done; however, we do not have to stand alone; we can call upon the Holy Spirit who will help us, standby us, strengthen us, counsel us, intercede for us and empower us to overcome every temptation. It is imperative that we guard our mind and not entertain the thoughts that the adversary presents before us. We must withstand, refrain, abstain, and oppose every attack counteracting it with the Word of God as our arsenal. With that being said, we must acknowledge, comprehend and understand that God’s Word is true; that as His children, we are more than conquerors and have the surpassing victory in Christ Jesus; and it is because of that, that we have been endowed with the fortitude, strength, stamina, and power to preserve against any and every attack, maintaining our position of deliverance

Take heed…

Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.