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October 04
Storm Instructions
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 10/4/2011 10:18 AM

There are a variety of storms that each of us face in life.  It might be a physical storm such as an earthquake or an emotional storm such as health problems or the loss of someone we love.  As believers, we also face spiritual storms and question why we are going through so much suffering.  I would like to share four simple instructions to help you stand strong in the midst of any storm you might encounter: R.E.S.T.

 

R - Remember:  What do we need to remember about a storm?  There is an interesting scripture in Nahum 1:3, "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm."  This verse tells us the Lord uses storms and difficulties to accomplish His purposes in our lives and in our world.  Even in situations that are painful and we do not understand why certain things have happened we must believe that, "The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all his deeds" Psalm 145:17.  Do you feel you are living through a type of emotional or spiritual storm?  Remember to trust the Lord and His ways and know He has a purpose even in the middle of your storm. 

 

E - Expect:  What does the Lord expect of us in our storm?  In Mark 4:36-40 we find a situation when the disciples were in a boat with Jesus during a severe storm.  The men became fearful and asked Jesus if He was concerned they were going to die.  When Jesus spoke to the storm and it became calm He then asked the disciples, "Why are you so timid?  How is it that you have no faith?"  How interesting that Jesus did not comfort them in their fear but instead challenged them to have more faith.  Could this be the example our Lord wants us to follow when we face problems that cause us fear?  Your storm will either increase your faith or cause you to tremble in alarm.  The Lord gave us this boat lesson in His Word and is asking us not to be frightened and faint-hearted, but to expect that He will bring us through the storm.

 

S - Shelter:  What shelter do we have in the storm?  "Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings" Psalm 61:4.  This is a promise you have for any stormy situation you are in, the assurance that Christ will be your shelter and your protection.  During a recent heavy rainstorm my son looked out our back window and pointed out two birds sitting under our tree that must have been caught in the storm before they could get to shelter.  As I watched the birds I was amazed at what I saw.  There was a baby bird with its back against the tree out of the heavy wind and rain.  The parent bird was a little further out in the storm sitting calmly and enduring the pouring rain.  The parent hardly moved, but stood guard and was nearby to be a comfort to the little one who was just learning to fly.  As the storm began to subside and they moved out together to a bush with more protection, I could see this as an example of how our Lord is with us in our storms and how He will be our shelter.

 

T - Tranquility:  How can we have tranquility in the midst of a storm?  "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" Colossians 3:15.  Tranquility means to be calm, in a peaceful state of mind and absent of worry.  It's easy to turn to the things of the world or to others for comfort but, the better step to first take is  go to the Word of God and fill your mind and spirit with His living Word.  Be diligent to spend time in prayer and allow the Lord to comfort your hurting heart and speak His peace to you.  This is the most powerful way to find tranquility in any storm you encounter.

 

The next time you are in a difficult situation remind yourself of the storm instructions R.E.S.T:  Remember the Lord is in your storm.  He expects you to have faith.  He will be your shelter.  Fill your mind with God's Word so you have tranquility in any storm you encounter. 

Remember

Expect

Shelter

Tranquility

 

 

 

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September 16
Prayer for Africa
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 9/16/2011 10:08 AM

​Drought, violence, famine surrounds the people of East Africa today.  This drought is being quoted as the worst in 60 years and has the potential to affect more than 12 million people.  Contributing to the already difficult situation are rebel groups that hinder delivery of food in the region and the need of additional funding for international aid.  As humanitarian agencies are working to provide food and resources to the Horn of Africa, we can be a help to the many suffering people by praying for this nation as they face a time of great crisis.

  • Pray the Lord will move in a miraculous way to get food and supplies into Africa. 
  • Pray this will be a time that people will look to the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and their refuge.
  • Pray protection for the people who are working and serving to try and get help to those in need.

"Vindicate the weak and fatherless;

do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

Rescue the weak and needy;

deliver them out of the hand of the wicked."

Psalm 82:3-4

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August 23
A Vessel for the Lord - Part 2
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 8/23/2011 11:10 AM

​Vessel:  Somebody who embodies quality

(Bing.com/dictionary)

 

Another reason we are to understand the importance of a vessel is found in II Timothy 2:21.  We are told to avoid wickedness and, "if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." Consider the purpose for each one of us is to be a useful vessel for the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Wal-Mart plate vs. a Dillard's crystal dish - serving pieces for different circumstances -"Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware" II Timothy 2:20.  This example of the gold and earthenware dishes is a reflection of the different types of people in the Body of Christ.  This might speak of those who have been given more resources compared to others who have less means. It might be an example of people who have spiritual gifts and qualities that are used in a more well-known setting compared to people who faithfully serve behind the scenes without recognition or acknowledgement.  Our responsibility is to, "give preference to one another in honor" Romans 12:10, to not envy or demean others because of what they have or don't have. Each dish and vessel is equally important for the service in a home just as each person in a fellowship is equally valuable to the Lord.

A loud teapot - a complaining vessel - "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker ... will the clay say to the potter what are you doing?" Isaiah 45:9.  We have a word of warning to be careful of dissatisfaction in our life.  One area to be cautious of is comparing your life to others.  You have been uniquely created by a loving God who gave you certain qualities and characteristics.  You are opening your heart to discontent when you contrast your situation, appearance or qualities with someone else.  The Lord says, "It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it" (Isaiah 45:12) and our mindset shoud be "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139:14.  Choose to be a grateful vessel for how you have been created. 

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June 23
A Vessel for the Lord - Part 1
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 6/23/2011 9:42 PM

​

Vessel:  a container for holding something or a person into whom some quality is infused. (Merriam-webster.com)

 

There is a reason we need to understand the importance of a vessel.  The Word of God tells us, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves … that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body”    (II Corinthians 4:7 & 10).
 
As Believers in Christ, we want to be containers or vessels that hold the presence of the Lord and a good verse to pray for our lives is, “That each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”  Another translation says, “That each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable”  (I Thessalonians 4:4).  Let’s look at different vessels and see how they might apply to our lives in a spiritual way.

 

Rent to own dishes - a vessel that is owned by another – “But now, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You our potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand” Isaiah 64:8.  As a vessel that is owned by another, we will not always have the right to make choices for our lives.  There are decisions and situations our Lord will ask us to follow that we do not understand.  We are reminded in I Corinthians 7:23 that we were bought with a price, that we belong to someone else, to the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you are now in a difficult place and wonder why the Lord allowed certain things to happen in your life, remember His word that you are being shaped as clay.  As the potter, His hands will not be removed from you until He is finished with the work being created in your life. 
 
A basket – a vessel to serve and feed the Body of Christ – the disciples “… filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten.” This story is taken from John 6:3-13 when Jesus took five loaves of bread, two fish, fed over 5,000 people and still had twelve baskets of food left over.  This is a picture to us that we are also to be a vessel that feeds others.  How can you be a type of spiritual basket?  You can feed others by speaking the Word of God to them and encouraging with words of wisdom from the scriptures.  When you read something from the Bible and it reminds you of a friend share it with them.  Use a passage of scripture to pray for someone or encourage others in the good qualities you see in their lives by using a verse from the Word.  One of the last things Jesus asked Peter to do was to feed His sheep - John 21.  You can be a vessel that feeds those around you with the words that are spirit and life (see John 6:63).
 

 

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May 27
A barking dog and a forgotten wallet
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 5/27/2011 1:32 PM

​

What a wonderful morning I was having.  The house was quiet, my prayer time with the Lord had been so enjoyable and I was reflecting on a scripture from Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  This passage was a comfort for me because I had just asked the Lord to forgive me of an area of failure in my life.
 
As I was enjoying a time of feeling refreshed, my phone rings and a family member called asking for help. They had forgotten their wallet at home and needed me to pick it up and take it to their work.  My peaceful morning instantly turned into frustration at having my prayer time interrupted with such an unorganized problem.  As I went out the door I asked the Lord to help me be forgiving and to think on the scripture I had just read about his forgiveness.  As I was driving I remembered a recent phone conversation with a friend who was frustrated with a neighbor’s barking dog and the lack of sleep it was causing.  I called my friend and said I had found the solution to our dog and wallet challenges; it was forgiveness. 
 
There is a valuable lesson to be learned from Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Only the Holy Spirit could have done a work in my heart to take me from impatience to a place of peace so that when I arrived with the wallet I was grateful to be a help to a loved one who was under stress.  The next time I am faced with a situation that takes me out of my little areas of comfort I hope I will remember the forgiveness that Christ has for me and be faithful to also extend that forgiveness to those around me, even when it is only small inconveniences like a barking dog or a forgotten wallet. 

 

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May 22
A Job Friend
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 5/22/2011 12:02 AM

​

“A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:7)
 
Job was a man who went through one of the more difficult situations compared to many people of the Bible.  He lost all of his children, his belongings and even his health.  When Job’s three friends heard what happened to him they began to mourn with him and even sat with him for seven days and seven nights.  What a comfort it must have been for him to have friends during his time of pain.  Job said, “For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend” (Job 6:14).
 
How interesting that Job had three friends.  The number three is symbolic of strength, “A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).  The friends that came around Job should have formed a circle of strength to help him in his time of suffering.  The friends’ actions seemed honorable but their words were not.  They believed Job’s suffering was his own fault and accused him of being an ungodly man.  There were no words of comfort, only harsh assumptions adding more pain to a hurting heart. 
 
Have you ever felt that way about your friends when they are going through tough times?  “There must be something wrong with their lives or why can’t they get their life together or why do they keep making the same mistakes?”  The Bible says, “Men at ease have contempt for misfortune” (Job 12:5 NIV). When life is going well for us it is easy to become unsympathetic toward people who seem to struggle on a regular basis. 
 
Do you tell your friends you understand but really think critical or judgmental thoughts about their situation?   Be careful not to be a “Job” friend and instead give your friends words of encouragement and reminders of Gods love for them even if you do not understand their situation.  Then you will accomplish Gods command in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Pray you will be the kind of friend who loves at all times.   

 

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May 16
Life on the Street
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 5/16/2011 8:38 PM

​I see them everywhere I go, sitting under a bridge, sleeping on a bench and walking around the city.  They are weather burned, unkempt and in need of a bath and hair cut.  They are the people who live on the streets of my city and they have become a part of my everyday life.  My reaction ranges from wanting to help to feeling there is little I can do.  How easy it has become to look the other way.  

It's common to find them at a street light with a sign to encourage you to feel something for their situation.  Those moments when my heart grieves for them, my thoughts are, "Is it wise to give them my change?  Will it go for drugs and alcohol? Am I only supporting their habit?" As I sit inside the comfort of my car wondering what to do I realize there is something even better I can give than money; I can give the gift or payer.  Here are a few ideas you can pray:

 
·        They will have opportunities to hear about Jesus.
·        They will not harden their heart to the love of Christ.
·        A desire to change and be set free. 
·        Protection from the ungodly influences of street life.
·        Food, shelter, and other bodily provisions. 
·        The enemy will not keep them in a state of confusion. 
·        Deliverance from drugs and alcohol.
·        Healing of their emotions.
 
Even though you may not have spoken or given money, you have touched their life by offering a simple prayer and followed what we are encouraged to do in I Timothy 2:1, “First of all, then I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men.” May the Lord give you a greater heart of prayer for those who live on the street. 

 

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May 09
What I found about obeying.
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 5/9/2011 12:19 PM

​Several years ago, I was praying for someone and felt the Lord direct me to pray the word obedience because it was a quality he desired to greatly use in this person's life.  My first thougt was how difficult it can be to obey the Lord and his word, but as I began to study and read more about this quality I was surprised by what I found.  What started as a simple word to pray for someone became a powerful lesson for me.

The first thing I discovered was that obedience has set us free.  This is seen in the life of Jesus, "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:8).  Not only have we been set free by Christ's obedience on the cross, but his act of submission has made us righteous and set us free from sin (see Romans 5:19).  Even though I have known these scriptures for many years, my heart was deeply moved that Jesus had a choice to make regarding the cross and he chose to be obedient to what the Father was asking him to do.

The next thing I found was obedience is a quality that has far reaching effects.  When Abraham obeyed God many people were blessed, "And through your offspring all nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed me" (Genesis 22:18).  Wow, how did I not ever notice the obedience of one person touched so many lives?  When we choose to obey, it will have an effect on those around us and will bless others.  Imagine the affect this could have on our family, friends, our work place and even our nation when we obey the Lord's voice?  In those times when obedience is difficult and costly, cling to what Acts 5:29 tells us to do, "We must obey God rather than men." Each one of us will face situations the Father will not want us to be involved in and will be hard to say no to, but the decision of obedience will be blessed and used in ways you may not ever see. An obedient heart is one that can be trusted with many things of the kingdom.

Something else I discovered was that obedience results in intimacy with God, "Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples" (Exodus 19:5).  How interesting that obedience is tied to relationship.  This made me evalulate my life, even the simple things I don't give much thought too.  What areas am I not obeying that has affected my walk with Christ, my life of prayer and relationship with him?  My prayer was, "Lord, it is my desire to have fellowship with you, please show me those areas that I have not obeyed you and your word" and he did.  Is it fair to say that obedience = devotion?  I believe so. 

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May 02
What is waiting for you?
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 5/2/2011 4:27 PM

Every morning when you wake up there is something waiting for you.  It might be a job, a family to take care of, or classes to attend.  Maybe there are other things waiting for you like the loss of someone you love, a physical illness, bills that cannot be paid, a sadness that never seems to go away.  But, the word of God tells us there is something even greater waiting for you, the loving kindness of the Lord.

This attribute of the Lord waits for you every morning, "The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease...they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23-23).  The loving kindness will be with you throughout the day and is so abundant that is reaches far and wide and will last forever, "The earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord" (Psalm 33:5).  Even the Lord himself spoke of the amazing love he has for those who follow him, "The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth" Exodus 34:6.

No matter what you are facing at this very moment you have a love that waits to help you, to encourage you and give you strength to keep going.  Pray and ask the Lord to fill your heart with his kindness, your mind with thoughts of his love and a faith to believe he wants you to experience his loving kindness.

Scripture references taken from Psalm 52:1, Psalm 86:5, Psalm 36:5, Psalm 136

 

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April 22
The Remnant
by  Terry GoodingNo presence information  on 4/22/2011 9:18 AM

 

“…there has also come to be at the present time  
a remnant according to God’s gracious choice” 
Romans 11:5
  
Remnant: a small remaining part, quantity,
 a small surviving group of people.
 (Webster’s dictionary)
 
Throughout scripture we find that God sets aside a remnant, sometimes one person or a small group of people that he has chosen to carry out a special purpose for his kingdom work.  You see this in the life of Joseph when he reunites with his brothers after many years of hardship, “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance” Genesis 45:7. Several months ago the Lord spoke a word to my heart about a current day remnant that I would like to share:
  
The remnant has been called.
They are being put through the fire
and now they are going to experience
the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
As God’s creation is groaning and
breaking forth in the physical,
it is going to happen in the spiritual.
 
Think of the example of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupting.  We will also see God’s people “erupt” and break forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. There are seven things I would like to encourage you to pray and seek the Lord about so that you may be used in a powerful way as God's remnant:
 

Do not fear.  Haggai 2:5-6, “As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst: do not fear! For thus says the Lord of hosts, once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.”  As you see the earth and nations being shaken, even your own nation being shaken, you must stand on this promise from the word and not fear.

 

Repent of sin in your life. Acts 3:10, “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Seek the Lord and ask Him to show you areas of your life that are not pleasing to Him so that you will experience a cleansing and refreshing in your heart, mind and spirit. 

 

Guard your heart through prayer.  Luke 21:34 & 36, “Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap, but keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place.” This scripture refers to the return of Christ and is also an important word of advice that you need to remember as you face difficult challenges.  It is a reminder not to let the troubles you are facing to fill your heart and mind with worry and to be careful of what you allow into your life and mind that would be a distraction. 

 

Seek the place of intimacy with the Lord. I Samuel 30:6, “Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters.  But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” As you are surrounded by difficult news and challenging situations, go before the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage you.

 

You must listen carefully for the Lord’s direction.  Isaiah 30:21, “And your ears will hear a word behind you, this is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” It is crucial that you are obedient to the things the Lord is speaking to you, asking you to do or asking you to share with others, even simple things.  The wellbeing of those around you could depend on your obedience to listen & hear direction from the Spirit of God. 

 

Go to the secret place. Psalm 31:20, “Thou dost hide them in the secret place of Thy presence from the conspiracies of man.”  When you hear about ungodly or evil plans that governments, leaders or men are implementing, learn how to be in that special “secret” place with Christ and know His protection will cover you for the work ahead. 

 

Trust the Lord will help and deliver you.  Exodus 14:13, “But Moses said to the people, do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which he will accomplish for your today.”  There is a deeper level of trust that will be needed for the future: a trust in the Word of God that will require you to look at difficulties and hardships knowing the Lord will carry out His promises on your behalf.

 
The best example I can share with you for what I believe we will experience in the future is found in Acts 3:6.  Peter and John were going to the temple for the hour of prayer and they encountered a beggar. What they said to this man is essential to understand, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene – walk!” Peter did not have money but what he gave to this man was spiritual. 
 
The power of the Holy Spirit was working through Peter and he explained in verse 16, “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know.” In the days ahead, the remnant of God may not have physical or monetary items to share, but what they will have is the power of the Holy Spirit and the mighty name of Jesus Christ to minister and give to those around them.
 
Is your spirit moved that you need to prepare spiritually? I pray the Lord will speak to you and give you understanding that you are being prepared for a time of bearing fruit, a time of walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, “And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward” Isaiah 37:31. 
 

 

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It is our hope to encourage your life of prayer and walk with Christ.  If you have any questions please contact the prayer team at terry@delsolchurch.com

  
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What Should I Pray When I Am Angry?​
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What Should I Pray During Difficult Times​
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What Should I Pray When Hurting​
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This important message by Pastor Walter, was given on November 21, 2007 during Del Sol's 1st Wednesday Communion service.