Encouragement

Thought For The Week...

Truth

We all know individuals that are so heavenly bound that they are no earthly good. Some people, born-again believers included, can be so judgmental, snubbing their noses at individuals as though they have arrived. They wrinkle up their nose when they walk by the homeless, they hold their purse/satchel tightly to their chest when they see what they consider to be a thug, a judgmental spirit is written all over their face when they see young girls wearing see through and almost no clothes and young men with pants hanging below their buttocks, they ridicule the babies having babies, and if they weren’t scared, they would snatch those blunts right out of the hands of the smoker.

WE need to stop acting like we never smoked a blunt/reefer/marijuana, stank from drinking all night long, stole something from someone, showed too much flesh, and weren't a teenage mother/father ourselves. With that being said, we need to get off our saintly horse, thinking we’ve arrived and tell individuals the pure unadulterated fact that Jesus loves them and that He died so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Once a person has the facts, they are better able to help themselves. If we don’t tell them, who will?

Take heed…

It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Direction

So many wander around aimlessly following one fad and/or person after another and find that at the end of that segment of time they’ve ended up right back where they started from, not knowing what to do or how to get there. Life is full of twists and turns and obstacles are strewn along the path, and if there is not a clearly laid out plan defining where one wants to go and how they are to get there they will always be searching.

The born-again believer no longer has to wander around aimlessly following somebody—who is looking for the same thing they are looking for—because they have surrendered their life to the Lord Jesus Christ. God has a plan for each, and every believer and it is up to them to follow His plan. His plan as laid out in the Bible provides the instructions and guidance needed to live an abundant life, reap the blessings and promises designated for the child of God. With that being said, regardless of the twists and turns encountered along the life’s paths, it is imperative that the instructions that God has designated be followed and adhered to; and in doing so, the destination(s) reached will be that which God planned and purposed before the foundation of the world.

Listen and take heed…

I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress (Psalm 32:8 — TLB).

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 — NLV).

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Reflection

Life can be discouraging; it is full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, joys and sorrows, births and deaths, marriages and divorces, plenty and lack, etc., etc. When we find ourselves going through tough times and periods of uncertainty, it is good to review, revisit, think, discuss, mediate, ponder, muse, reconsider, recollect, contemplate, replay, rehearse, deliberate, study, and recall to mind, the blessings, promises and victories that have transpired in our life. We can allow ourselves to daydream and see how God moved in specific ways and brought us out of situations and circumstances that seemed as though they were swallowing us up to live in a land of lack, oppression and depression.

We must remember at all times that we serve a God who is more than enough and knows exactly what we need and when we need it. King David stated, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.” As long as we live in this life, there will be ups and downs, laughter and tears, and joys and sorrows, but it is at these times that we can go to our Father God and remind Him of His promises to us. However, we must be mindful that if we want the blessings and promises of God to be fulfilled in our life, then we need to live as His children, walking holy and upright; longing and panting as a deer searching for a stream of cool water.

Take heed…

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)

I will sing of the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation. (Psalm 89:1 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Anxiety

We all, at one time or another, have been and/or will be faced with trying and traumatic
circumstances and/or situations. However, regardless of what has and/or will take
place—marital problems, disobedient children, physical or mental ailments, termination of
employment, financial woes, death of a loved one, political unrest, wars and rumors of war,
issues in the church, etc., etc., etc.—God has not forgotten us, nor has He left us to face these
circumstances and/or situations alone. In fact, before the foundation of the world, God knew
what each one of us would be faced with and made provision for us to be victorious.
Listen, God never meant for us to carry the weight of the burdens and concerns of everyday
life, nor allow distress or uneasiness of mind to cause us to walk in a spirit of fear. It is up to
each of us to hand over everything to Jesus, the one is able and capable of handling the
pressures we face. It is imperative that we do not roam around in a state of paramnesia,
allowing ourselves to become confused and unable to tell the difference between facts and
fantasies. With that being said, let us take a deep breath, breathing in the Word of God and, as
we exhale, let go of every weight, concern and worry associated with the circumstances and/or
situations, cares and issues of life.

Take heed…

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never
allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). (Psalm 55:22 —
AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Gratitude II

There will always be times when we do not understand how God operates and how He allows
some things to happen. Some individuals, when they are going through various challenges,
obstacles, situations, tests, and trials, tend to blame God for not being there when they need
Him. However, the born-again believer understands that as long as they are in this world, they
are susceptible to all that goes on in it. They understand that they will experience various
ailments, tests, trials, and adverse situations, but these things, burdensome as they may be,
are allowed to strengthen their character and show them who they truly are, a child of the Most
High God, and that His hand is upon their life.
 
The next time that we find ourselves in situations which appear to be unfavorable, we can
thank God for taking us through them knowing that He is on our side. As a born-again believer,
we can be assured in our sanctified soul. knowing that nothing can, nor is able to, separate us
from the love of God. With that being said, it is only when we truly acknowledge, comprehend,
and understand that nothing can separate us from God’s love, it will be easy to praise and
worship Him. Even in the midst of challenging and adverse situations, we can sing Yes Lord,
Yes Lord, my soul says YES, YES, YES, YES!

Take heed…

Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power! Praise
Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness! Praise Him
with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and [single or
group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes! Praise Him with
resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath
and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) (Psalm 150 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Gratitude

Some individuals have been spared the hurt and pain inflicted by others, been saved from a
life of drug abuse, been kept from sudden death, been cradled in the arms of love when a
loved one departed, been aided by the Holy Spirit when taking any number of
examinations/tests in the natural and spiritual, and been hidden/sheltered when the adversary
attempted to deposit a spirit of oppression and depression. Everybody has had or has an
individual in their life that has befriended them, provided for them, birthed them, taken care of
them, or may have blessed them in some spiritual or tangible way. And these individuals truly
deserve to be appreciated and applauded and thanks given to God for the service he enabled
them to provide.
The list could go on about the individuals that have helped us along this earthly journey, but
the most important and lifesaving help that one can receive, is that of being saved by the blood
of Jesus Christ, from a world of sin and degradation. It is imperative that we comprehend,
realize and understand that everything that has taken place or will take place in our life, the
good as well as the bad, is at the discretion of Almighty God and we need to take the time to
be truly thankful and give Him praise; for without Him, there are many occasions when we
would have been defeated.

Take heed…

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its
boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me
and let us exalt His name together. I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of
necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my
fears.
O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the
man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:1-4, 8 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

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Thought For The Week...

Attitude

It is important that we resolve and settle in our mind/spirit that we will not allow the things that
transpire to affect our mannerism, disposition, position, how we treat one another, and/or
manipulate us into doubting God’s Word. If we trust God, then we know that He is for us and
has already worked out every situation for our good. The Holy Spirit is our resident security
system; He strengthens us, stands by us, counsels us, intercedes for us, and advocates on our
behalf. He is always on His post; He will alert us when we are faced with opposition and bring
to our mind the weapons—Word of God—we need to use to defend ourselves against the
attacks of the adversary.

We must remember who we are and whose we are; we are a child of the Most High God,
Jehovah El-Yon. He is aware, beforehand, of any challenge, circumstance, opposition,
situation, test, and/or trial that we will go through, and He promised in His Word that nothing,
no plan, plot, scheme, and/or weapon formed against us will prosper. When we call upon our
resident advisor, the Holy Spirit, He will activate within us the wherewithal—strength, fortitude,
stamina, and mindset—to master that which we need when faced with any battle and/or
opposition. With that being said, it is imperative that we walk as obedient children adhering to
God’s Word and promises.

Take heed…

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus:
[Let Him be your example in humility:] (Philippians 2:5 — AMPC)

And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual
attitude]. And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in
true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Protection IV

When we step out for the first time in obeying God’s Word, our knees knock in fear and the
adversary whispers: run, turn back before you fail. However, the Holy Spirit whispers: I will
strengthen your wobbling knees and fortify your stamina. He lets us know that we can do all
things through Christ who strengthens us. He informs us that the only weapon that we will
need to defeat the adversary is God’s Word; and when we apply it, we can stand back as a
spectator and see the salvation of the Lord.

When we are obedient, we will put on the whole armor of God—wearing the helmet of
salvation, having our loins girded with truth, having on the breast place of righteousness, and
our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace—walking in confidence knowing that

if God is for us who can stand against us. It is a blessing and relief to know that God is our
defender and that He will always be there for us, standing guard over the door of our
mind/heart.

Take heed…

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right
standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. (Proverbs 18:10 —
AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Protection III

No matter how long strongholds or yokes have been in place, God’s Word has the
power/ability to override the tricks of the adversary and bring them to naught. Where there is
hopelessness, God gives hope. Where there is fear, God instills boldness. Where there is
doubt, God sends forth faith. Where there is loneliness, God makes His presence known.
Where there is a spirit of cannot do, God instills a spirit of can do. And, when we are afraid to
step out and allow the gifts to flow, God will give us a spirit of peace.
 
Regardless of the tricks/lies that the adversary uses against us, we can be confident that
God’s Word is true; He will never abandon us. When we have been beat up by the world and
its ways, God will pick us up, cleanse us, heal our wounds, and speak life into us. With that
being said, it is imperative that we acknowledge, comprehend, and understand that our past
abandonment issues are in the past. God's love can and will bring forth the gifts that have laid
dormant in us and guarantee our success.

Listen…

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has
called according to his purpose. Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to
become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many believers. And so those
whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared
his glory with them. In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against
us? (Romans 8:28-31 — GNT)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought For The Week...

Protection II

The adversary uses scare tactics against the born-again believer and will tell them that they
are a nobody, that God does not love them and has no use for them. For those that were
abandoned by their parent(s), placed in foster care, or left by the roadside, have a number of
issues, especially with trust; it is these issues that the adversary will use to build his mountain
of lies. He will whisper that they were and are unlovable and will do all he can to eradicate
God’s truth and keep them from understanding that God has a plan for their life.
Listen, God sent His light, His Son Jesus, into the world and His love has the power to
penetrate and eradicate the dark places/strongholds that have been set up by the adversary.
God’s love for us far outweighs the lies of the adversary and it is upon that love in which we
reside. It is up to each of us to receive God’s love and walk in the power of it. Our surrendering
to God and receiving His Son as our personal Savior gives us the ability/power to override the
territorial stratagems that the adversary has set up. When we apply God’s Word to the lies of

the adversary, we will begin to maximize the power within us and see the tumbling down of the
adversarial stratagems. And it is the power of Christ in us—the weaponry of His Word—that
enables us to walk in freedom.

Take heed…

But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise
against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness,
security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the
ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they
obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord. (Isaiah
54:17 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.