The Root Of Bitterness

“Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

When things go wrong, it is very easy to become frustrated and angry.  Disappointment leads to discouragement, which in turn leads to depression (frozen anger) and disillusionment.

If we allow it, the “root of bitterness” will grow into a great tree that will overshadow our lives, something the Bible specifically warns us about in Hebrews 12:15.

That was Mrs. Job’s problem. In her eyes, religion was a failure. She could no longer trust the Lord or believe in Him.

The Lord never promised that the Christian life would be trouble free. (Phil 1:29]

It was not an easy trial, and Job complained bitterly at times. Once he cried out in anguish: “May the day perish on which I was born” (Job 3:2). Does that sound familiar? “I wish I had never been born?”

But even in moments like that Job kept a firm grip on the Lord, not realizing that, in fact, it was the Lord who had a firm grip on him.

The Lord also had a firm grip on Mrs. Job, in spite of her lack of faith. He is always true to His character. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Tim 2:13)

Make a choice today to repent of all bitterness and put your trust in the Lord’s sovereign providence.

Val Waldeck

Excerpt from His Eye Is On The Sparrow

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

Helen Phillips was healed of Multiple Sclerosis by the Lord and she will be sharing her testimony at Pilgrim Ministries Bible Studies in Durban tonight (Friday, March 19). 6.00 – 7.30 pm.

She is an author and excellent speaker. You don’t want to miss this. Open invitation.

Time:
Friday evening, March 19. 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm.
Refreshments from 6.00 pm. Meeting begins at 6.30 pm.

Venue:
Baumann Hall, Kildare Road, Glenwood, Durban.

Directions:
Up Moore Road
Left into Manning Road
Cross over Clark and Davenport Roads
Right into MacDonald Road
Baumann hall in grounds of Durban Children’s Home, corner Manning & MacDonald Roads
U-turn round first island in Mac Donald Road
Left into Kildare Road
Electronic Gate immediately on righthand side
Ring bell, enter and veer left.
Park outside hall.

All welcome!

Val Waldeck

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches.

They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ.The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians. and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin, is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along. Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ.

We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell groups has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

NO church is exempt, however, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin!!

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

The little Widow of 2 Kings chapter 4 was in a desperate situation. She had run out of money and she didn’t know what to do. The Prophet Elisha walked in the door and she thought he may help. To her surprise, he asked: “What do you have in your house?”

She didn’t have much – a little bit of flour and oil. “Use it,” he told her. “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” It’s an exciting story and the Lord met her need. She did the possible and God did the impossible.

Here is a Divine Principle. Use the gifts and talents God has given you and He will do the rest.

When I hit a bump in the road, I heard the same question in my spirit. “I have a computer and a latent ability to write,” I responded. The Lord said: “Go – and write – and sell what you have written. The results will astound you.”

The Lord has provided amazingly for me throughout my life, but I find myself in the place again every now and then when I need to fill a fresh jar with oil. This is one of those times and here is my vessel -

365-DAy Devotional that will enhance your spiritual life

Three things are necessary:

1. The Lord’s Instruction.
2. The Seller’s Obedience.
3. The Buyer’s Response.

May I recommend you buy this inspirational book today? I know it will be a blessing to you, even as you bless me.

Click here to get your copy.

My challenge to you is the same:

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN YOUR HOUSE?

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

Please take a few minutes to complete my survey.

Click here to take survey

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

To All My Friends and Supporters

Christmas Greetings!

As we celebrate the First Coming of the PRINCE OF PEACE and look forward to His Return!

Make Your New Year One of Renewed Fellowship with JESUS.

Blessings!

Val

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

ORAL ROBERTS IS WITH THE LORD.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Oral Roberts Dies:
Funeral Arrangements Pending for Legendary Evangelist

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
TULSA, OK (ANS) — Dr. Oral Roberts, a legendary evangelist who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century, died today (December 15, 299) in Newport Beach, Calif., due to complications from pneumonia. His son, Richard, and daughter, Roberta, were at his side. The founder of Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association and Oral Roberts University was 91.

A news release from A. Larry Ross Communications said that there will be a private family internment. Arrangements for a public memorial service in Tulsa are pending and will be announced soon.

“Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he was not only my earthly father; he was my spiritual father and mentor. The last member of his generation in the Roberts family, he had a passion to bring healing to the sick.

“His name is synonymous with miracles. He came along when many in Christendom did not believe in the power of God and His goodness. Oral Roberts was known for sayings such as ‘God Is a Good God,’ ‘Expect a Miracle,’ ‘Release Your Faith,’ and ‘Plant Your Seed for a Harvest.’

“The Bible teaches that when a Christian dies, he or she is instantly transferred into the presence of God. The past few months, my father has talked about going home to be with the Lord on a daily basis. He has run his race and finished his course. Now he is in heaven, and we as Christians have the Bible promise that someday we will be reunited. My heart is sad, but my faith in God is soaring.”

Granville Oral Roberts was born into poverty in Bebee, Okla., on Jan. 24, 1918. He began stuttering as a young child and then, as a teenager, contracted a potentially deadly case of tuberculosis. Bedfast at 17, he was carried to a revival meeting by his older brother, where a healing evangelist was praying for the sick.

On the way, he clearly heard God speak to him, saying, “Son, I am going to heal you, and you are to take My healing power to your generation.. You are to build Me a university based on My authority and on the Holy Spirit.”

Roberts was miraculously healed of tuberculosis and stuttering at the revival meeting. His healing ministry was born several years later. “If a former stuttering, tuberculosis-ridden young Indian boy in an obscure county in Oklahoma can see the invisible and do the impossible—and still do it—so can you!” Roberts once said.

Roberts was a legendary and beloved figure in a segment of Christianity that emphasizes healing, speaking in tongues, and other gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in the New Testament.

Dr. Jack Hayford, president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, said of Roberts, “If God had not, in His sovereign will, raised up the ministry of Oral Roberts, the entire charismatic movement might not have occurred. Oral shook the landscape with the inescapable reality and practicality of Jesus’ whole ministry. His teaching and concepts were foundational to the renewal that swept through the whole church. He taught concepts that spread throughout the world and simplified and focused a spiritual lifestyle that is embraced by huge sectors of today’s church.”

After his healing at age 17, Roberts spent a dozen years pastoring churches in Oklahoma and Georgia, and preaching at revivals around the country, while also studying at Oklahoma Baptist University and Phillips (Okla.) University.

Then, in 1947, he founded Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association (OREA) and began conducting crusades across America and around the world, attracting crowds of thousands—many who were sick and dying, and in search of healing. Through the years, he conducted more than 300 crusades on six continents. OREA officials estimate that he personally laid hands in prayer on more than 2 million people. The ministry continues under the leadership of Roberts’ son, Richard, who has ministered in the U.S. and around the world for almost 30 years.

In 1954, Oral Roberts revolutionized evangelism by bringing television cameras into services, providing what he liked to call a “front-row seat to miracles” for millions of viewers. Years later, he began a television program, “Oral Roberts Presents.” More than 50 years later, the ministry’s daily program, “The Place for Miracles,” continues to minister to millions on over 100 television stations, multiple cable and satellite networks, and can be seen around the world via the Internet.

In 1958, Roberts founded the Abundant Life Prayer Group to address the around-the-clock needs of those suffering and requesting prayer. More than 50 years later, prayer partners continue to receive calls from around the world seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Over the years, they have received more than 23 million phone calls for prayer, along with astounding reports of miracles in answer to prayer.

Roberts answered God’s call to build an institute of higher learning in 1963, founding Oral Roberts University on 500 acres in Tulsa, Okla. Longtime friend Billy Graham officially dedicated ORU four years later. In the 1970s graduate schools, including Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Law, Education, and Theology, were added. Roberts served as school president until 1993, when he became chancellor.

In 1981, Roberts founded the City of Faith Medical and Research Center, merging the healing power of medicine and prayer. The facility closed after eight years, leaving a lasting impact on the understanding by many medical professionals of the importance of treating the whole person—body, mind and spirit.

Roberts wrote more than 130 books, including such classics as “If You Need Healing, Do These Things,” and “The Fourth Man.” His book “The Miracle of Seed Faith” has more than 8 million copies in circulation. This book’s key principles—God is your Source, sow your seed out of your need, and expect a miracle harvest—formed a fundamental part of Roberts’ ministry and legacy.

“After I’m gone, others will have to judge how well I’ve obeyed God’s command not to be an echo but to be a voice like Jesus,” Roberts said. “As far as my own conviction is concerned, I’ve tried to be that voice with every fiber of my being, regardless of the cost.”

Roberts was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Ann and Marshall Nash; a son, Ronald David Roberts; a grandchild, Richard Oral Roberts; his mother and father; two sisters, Velma Roberts and Jewel Faust; and two brothers, Elmer and Vaden Roberts.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Lindsay Roberts; a daughter and son-in-law, Roberta and Ronald Potts, all of Tulsa; as well as 12 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Oral Roberts Ministry Healing Missions Fund, as part of the ongoing goal of Oral Roberts Ministries to take the saving, healing, delivering message of the Gospel into all the world until Jesus returns. Gifts can be sent in care of Oral Roberts Ministries, P.O. 2187, Tulsa, Okla. 74102, or online at www.OralRoberts.com.

Note: More information is available the A. Larry Ross Communications online newsroom: www.OralRobertsNews.com

ASSIST News Service (ANS) – PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA. Visit their web site at: www.assistnews.net — E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

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Whatever some may have agreed – or disagreed – with concerning Oral Roberts and his ministry, he left a great legacy. This man did what he could while he could and God used his ministry mightily. He had a tremendous influence on my life as a young Christian and I look forward to seeing him in Heaven.

Val

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

I visited the Teen Challenge Centres in Virginia,
Bloemfontein and Bloemspruit today. What a
challenge to see what God is doing through the
ministry of the Hobo Pastor, Herman and Jana Viljoen.

Go to www.edentc.wordpress.com and read about them.

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional

This is the Day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Val

From His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional