I Wonder

I am wondering why it is that we Americans, we Christians are just sitting back and doing nothing about the things going on in this wonderful country of ours.

For centuries, we have fought for our freedom, and for our Christian brothers and sisters, for our churches to have freedom to live for the only true and living God.
Religious freedom is the reason the pilgrims first came to America. Schools were opened so we could read the Bible and learn about God.

What happened America? What happened my Christian brothers and sisters? Why are we are so afraid to speak up? Years ago we allowed one woman, an atheist. An enemy of God to wreak havoc on Christians. Prayers were stopped in schools, at all school games, then reading the Bible was stopped in schools…and we sat by and did nothing.

NOTHING!

How long are we going to sit by and do nothing? September 11, 2001 came and Americans everywhere bowed their heads to pray and cried out to God. Peoples of every nation came together to help one another. Our enemies killed thousands that day. Hundreds of our firemen and women and police officers died trying to save those in the twin towers. Was it for naught?

Wake up! WAKE UP!! America is in serious trouble and the only way to save us is to cry out to God to heal our nation.

Our service men and women are being killed every day. Whether you want to believe it or not, we are fighting the enemy of God. This is a spiritual war. If you don’t believe it, just read the Bible. We are fighting a spiritual battle and God is waiting for YOU to cry out to HIM. The battle is the Lord’s and only HE can save us, but we MUST pray and cry out to God to heal our land and save us. God is ever listening, it is NOT too late. Pray people pray.

God bless us and heal our land. Forgive our sins for they are many, and save us. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Candy Mills

An Open Letter to Our Nation

This is an open letter to our nation and peoples everywhere:

I am wondering why it is that we Americans, we Christians are just sitting back and doing nothing about the things going on in this wonderful country of ours.

For centuries, we have fought for our freedom, and for our Christian brothers and sisters, for our churches to have freedom to live for the only true and living God.
Religious freedom is the reason the pilgrims first came to America. Schools were opened so we could read the Bible and learn about God.

What happened America? What happened my Christian brothers and sisters? Why are we are so afraid to speak up? Years ago we allowed one woman, an atheist. An enemy of God to wreak havoc on Christians. Prayers and reading the Bible was stopped in schools…and we sat by and did nothing. NOTHING!

How long are we going to sit by and do nothing? September 11, 2001 came and Americans everywhere bowed their heads to pray and cried out to God. Peoples of every nation came together to help one another. Our enemies crashed four airliners and killed thousands that day. Hundreds of our firemen and women and police officers died trying to save those in the twin towers and other crash sites. Was it for naught?

Wake up! WAKE UP!! America is in serious trouble and the only way to save us is to cry out to God to heal our nation.

Our service men and women are being killed every day. Whether you want to believe it or not, we are fighting the enemy of God. This is a spiritual war. If you don’t believe it, just read the Bible. We are fighting a spiritual battle and God is waiting for YOU to cry out to HIM. The battle is the Lord’s and only HE can save us, but we MUST pray and cry out to God to heal our land and save us. God is ever listening, it is NOT too late. Pray people pray.

God bless us and heal our land. Forgive our sins for they are many, and save us. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Candace Mills

I Thank God for You!

I thank God for you, good friend of mine,
Seldom is friendship such as thine;
How very much I wish to be
As helpful as you’ve been to me_
I thank God for you.

When I recall from time to time
How you inspired this heart of mine,
I find myself inclined to pray,
"God bless my friend this very day"_
I thank God for you.

Of many prayer requests, one thou art
On whom I ask God to impart
Rich blessings from His storehouse rare,
And grant to you His gracious care_
I thank God for you.

So often at the throne of Grace,
There comes a picture of your face,
And then instinctively I pray
That God may guide you all the way_
I thank God for you.

Some day I hope with you to stand
Before the throne at God’s right hand,
And say to you at journey’s end,
Praise God, you’ve been to me a friend_
I thank God for you.

Author Unknown

The Folded Napkin

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly
Folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the
Tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus
Loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen Wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to
Understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had
To do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that
It was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just
Out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would
Not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe
His fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that
Napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the
Wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid
It beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because.....

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

He is Coming Back!!

GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME!

GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME!

Pastor Jacob Baker, pastor of the Auburndale, Florida Church of God of Prophecy sent me this from the church prayer captain. (Note: This is not only for Florida, but for every Christian in every church worldwide.)

Precious Church of Florida and friends;

Multitudes of people have experienced great loss in recent
months. The prayer requests continue to come in for the restoration of
homes, family, finances, jobs, health and substance.
We would like to declare war and "attack the lack". The adversary of your soul would love to find a comfortable place for the spirit of defeat to reside.
I am impressed to share a brief personal testimony with you regarding defeat. Recently the enemy attempted to bring defeat into a
situation in my own life and as I prayed about this matter, the Lord ministered something to me that I believe is for every son and daughter of God. He said "we are not defeated by the largeness of the problem, but when we are defeated, we are defeated by the smallness of our spirit".
He said "The Spirit of God within you MUST BE GREATER than any setting or situation you find yourself in".
I was instantly delivered of that feeling of defeat.
I want to encourage you to increase your supply of prayer time, both at home and in your local churches. We are asking the Church of
Florida to arise, connected as one, and face every giant that would attempt
to cause you to walk in a posture of defeat. Through prayer, break every
assignment that would oppose the Body of Christ, and decree that every
cycle of defeat and disappointment is NOW broken, in the name of Jesus!
We encourage you to pray for the Lord to defeat everything in your life and church that is not under His reign, bring restoration to the waste places and
finally…that God would make us instruments of recovery in this last hour!

The Holy Ghost of God resides on the inside of you….Let God arise and His
enemies be scattered! Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the
world!

Serving Him & you,
Jeannie Bierly
Intercessory Prayer Director

Please Be Patient

Hurry, Hurry, time to go,
Hurry, hurry, time is so slow.
So much to do, so much to say,
As I go about my busy day.
I hear a voice very quiet and still,
"Please be patient."

Errands to run, shopping to do.
Make the beds, sweep the floor.
Another day to go through
With such short time.
Then the Lord speaks again,
"Please be patient".

Call for oil, pay the bill.
Take the trash down the hill.
Check the laundry, fold, put away.
Call for prescriptions, call the doc.
Sit down, relax-take it slow,
But no time to stop.
Then I hear again,"Please, be patient".

Oh, I don’t feel good,
But can’t slow down,
Appointments today all around.
Pay the rent, pay the bills,
Shop for food-I can’t stop now,
But I hear His voice, Please! Be Patient!"

A brand new day, get up and go,
But not today, my body says "No!"
You take care of others and but forget "you".
Today you go slow, today you wait.
Today you listen before it’s too late.
Heed my Words and strength you’ll draw.
"Please, just be patient".

2-16-09
By Candace Mills
Note: God give me this poem while recuperating in the hospital with double pneumonia. I was there 10 days.

Malachi 3:3

Malachi 3:3, And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they
wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get
back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and
let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the
silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn
away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of
silver.'
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front
of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver,
but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the
fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be
destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in
it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

What is Christmas?

I was recently asked what to tell an older child when they ask about CHRISTmas. This was my answer. cm

Santa Claus represents the love of giving. God gave us the greatest gift of all when HE sent us HIS Son Jesus Christ. CHRISTmas stands for giving love and truly when we give not expecting anything in return, we are showing love to others. Children need to know the true meaning of CHRISTmas and who Santa Claus is and they need to hear from their own parents.If not heard from you, they will hear it from other kids and sometimes kids can be cruel. Talk with your child when he/she begins to question and explain the true meaning of CHRISTmas is Jesus. We worship HIM and give gifts in 'honor' of, not in memory of, because Jesus is alive and well and we bless HIM when we worship HIM. When we give to others, even if it is our own children, we are still showing love. Many times our children don't deserve what we give them, but we have to remember 'we' don't deserve the blessings we receive from God, but as HIS children, HE loves us unconditionally.

Be a special blessing this year and tell someone about Jesus and HIS plan of salvation. Give of yourself. Make something yourself. My daughters favorite gifts from the girls and her grandkids is something they make themselves.

Let us remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas is not what we get, but what we give and do for HIM.

Merry CHRISTmas.
Love Candy & David and family

"Why are we astonished"

What makes you astonished? Surprised? Shocked? I am surprised each time, which is very rare, that my husband buys me a gift. I’m surprised when someone else besides me does the dishes or cleans up. I’m surprised when someone takes out the trash without being asked to. And I’m really surprised when my husband actually wants to leave the comfort of his recliner to go somewhere.

But I wonder why it is we are astonished or surprised when God does something for us, especially something we asked Him to do.

Acts chapter 12 tells us about the time when Peter was locked up in the prison. The church was fasting and praying for God to get Peter out of prison. They were praying for Peter’s safety. Herod had just killed James and had every intention of killing Peter, but God had other plans for Peter. At the appointed hour for the guards to bring Peter to Herod, God sent his angel to get Peter out of prison. The angel had to wake Peter, and get him out quickly. He took him through the locked prison doors, past the guards, then through the gates of the city. Peter then realized God had brought him out of prison and he quickly went to the house where the church were praying and knocked…several times waiting for someone to let him in. Rhoda came to the door but did not open it, she ran to tell the church that Peter was knocking at the door. Now remember the church was praying for Peter, but did not believe he was at the door.

When the door was opened the church was astonished! Shocked! Surprised! But why? Why are we surprised when God does something for us?

Why are we surprised when God answers our prayers? Are we not praying in faith for our prayers to be answered?

Why is it we always have that little ounce of doubt. The one thing God hates is doubt. As children of the Most High God, we MUST have faith and trust in HIM.
We must learn to always give thanks to God. There are so many things HE does for us that we don’t even acknowledge some because we don’t even know about it but God is always there for us. Taking care of us. Meeting our needs.

I read a short story about a Christian man sitting at his table with a pile of bills in front of him and he is upset and worried saying, "How can I pay all these bills?" There are two birds sitting on the window ledge, and one says to the other, " Doesn’t he know he’s a child of God and the Lord will take even better care of him then HE does us, and yet our needs are always met?"

Why is it we grip and complain and forget to praise Him. Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!" If I am to understand this verse it says "in all things give thanks". Rejoice and give God praise always……no matter what.

Need more faith, read your bible. Read and believe what the WORD says and trust in the living and true God.

Candy Mills

At the Save-a-Lot

Dear ones,

Today I decided to go to Save-a-Lot in Portland to buy grocery shop. While there I met a young man in his early 20's. I had seen him before in Sanford and began talking with him. He came in and helped me shop and load everything in the car. I asked him if he had eaten anything today. He said the last time he eat was midnight the night before. I told him to meet me at the Subway (it's in the same shopping center). I ordered him a foot long sub and a drink. He told me thank you several times before I left. He said he was living on the street and each night he goes to the Seven-Eleven at midnight, that was when they threw out all the cooked food that was not eaten that day. So at midnight tonight and every night he and many others go to the local Seven-Eleven for food.

It's too bad these and other restaurants and stores either can't or don't give their extra food to those who can benefit from it.

In Florida I happen to be at McDonald's in Lakeland one day at 10:30 am when they switch from breakfast to the lunch menu. The asst. manager with one big scoop, put all the cooked items left over (and it was quite a bit) into a trash can. I remember thinking, "What a waste"

In Florida I met a woman, very nicely dressed, very clean who was living on the street. She said her life changed in a week's time and she was on the street. I seen her again months later and she had found a job and had her own apartment again and was doing good. She was a Christian woman. She said it was something the Lord needed her to go through. Now she works with people on the street helping them to get off the street, find a job, and their own place to live.

There are people who will be out in the cold this winter, living on the streets. Some are there because of circumstances beyond their control and then there are some on the street because it's their choice. No matter what their reason is......they are people. We cannot feed everyone, nor can we help everyone but we can do what we can.

One day in Portland, I had decided to take a sandwich and a bottled water with me to Portland in case I seen someone with a sign "will work for food". When I stopped at a traffic light and seen two gentleman I tossed the food out to them. They were thankful.

Of course not everyone who says they will work for food will actually 'work for food'. These are the ones who just want money for a drink (alcohol) or their 'habit'. Years ago a friend of mine, a missionary for the Dominican Republic while in America stopped and told a gentleman holding a "will work for food" sign to hop in. The gentleman jumped in John's can. John said, "I'm taking you to where you can work for food". John said the man jumped out of the car much quicker then he did getting in the car.

Once while traveling David and I stopped for gas and met a man who was trying to get home. David bought the gentleman a coffee, a sandwich and a big Cinnamon roll. When we left David give him $5.00.

Compassion. Love. Charity. How can you possibly go wrong?.

God bless you. Remember this is the holiday season. Be thankful and be generous.
"And the greatest of these is Love!" 1 Corinthians 13.


Candy Mills

When is the Time to Trust

Author unknown

Submitted by Jan Bergeron

Summer 2008





When is the Time to Trust




When is the time to trust?

Is it when all is calm,

When the waves the victorʼs palm,

And life is one glad psalm

Of joy and praise?


Nay, but the time to trust

Is when the waves beat high,

When storm clouds fill the sky,

And prayer is one long cry,

Oʼ help and save!


When is the time to trust?

Is it when friends are true?

Is it when comforts woo,

And in all we say and do,

We meet but praise?


Nay, but the time to trust,

Is when we stand alone,

And summer birds have flown,

And every prop is gone,

All else but God.


What is the time to trust?

Is it some future day,

When you have tried your way,

And learned to trust and pray,

By bitter woe?


Nay, but the time to trust

Is in this moment of need,

Poor, broken, bruised reed!

Poor, troubled soul, make speed,

To trust thy God.


What is the time to trust?

Is it when hopes beat high,

When sunshine gilds the sky,

And joy and ecstasy

Fill all the heart?


Nay, but the time to trust

Is when our joy is fled,

When sorrow bows the head,

And all is cold and dead,

All else but God.

The Fern and the Bamboo

(Author Unknown)

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.........
I wanted to quit my life so I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said."Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care
of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew
from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."

He said, "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the
bamboo seed. I would not quit."

He said, "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

Don't compare yourself to others." He said, "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high."

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can
help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad
days give you experiences; both are essential to life.......

If you walk by fear, you will only see the problem.