What do you do when it looks like nothing is happening? You keep believing. But what about, when you have prayed really hard and nothing has changed? You keep praying. You keep believing.   But what do you do when things get worse instead of better? You trust God. You keep believing!   If you’re like me, then you’re struggling with all you see going on around you? It’s discouraging, but we put our trust in God and keep believing! I preached this sermon a few years ago, but it is still just as real as it was then.

Pat's View: Inspirational stories

Keep Believing Because

Devotion Outline Where the river goes…life grows.   The account of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the well is an amazing story of transformation. I am so thankful that Jesus still transforms people today.   Yet, I am convinced there is a powerful encouragement in this account that ever believer needs to be reminded of today.  Too much is going on around us, for you to miss the whisper of Jesus to come drink.   Devotion Outline I am a Southern girl through and through.   One of the bonuses of living in the South is the abundance of streams and rivers   I deliberately  and unconsciously drink in the beauty that surrounds me. That’s a bad thing and a good thing. It’s a bad thing when I travel through the desert, because I strain my eyes looking for life.   But but even in  the desert,  every once in a while I spot something way off in the distance.   Why the sudden change in the landscape?   A river   I know it’s there because I see signs of life.   It’s a fact; where water goes, life grows.   Water is a change agent.   It is like a slow bulldozer cutting through the landscape.     Like a highway, John 4 takes us to a well, not a river, in Samaria.   Jacob's well was a very special well to the Samaritans   She is on a mission and so is Jesus. Her mission is to get water…His mission is to give water.   Jesus’ request was simple, “Please give me a drink.”   Her response was complicated by the racial prejudices of that day, “Why?"     John 4:10 NLT  Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”   No Bucket   Jacob’s well. Do you think you are better than our ancestor Jacob?   Never be Thirsty again Artesian well   If you drink this water you’re going to just get thirsty again. But anyone who drinks my water, will never be thirsty again. This water becomes a fresh, bubbling spring ( artesian well) inside them, giving them eternal life.         Jesus didn’t tell the lady that she would never drink again, just that she would never be thirsty again.   If you are born again through faith in Jesus, the  artesian well is in you. So drink some living water.   How? Worship from your heart. Read the Bible. Come to God with your ears wide open and you will find life. (Isaiah 55:3)   Really important.   Jeremiah 2:13 King James Bible   For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.   How does a cistern compare to a well?   Don’t just drink something…drink some living water.   John 14:6 King James Bible   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.   He is the only way. If you’ve never received God’s gift of salvation you can right now. ABC Steps to be born into God's family.   Ask Jesus to forgive you for all your sins.   Believe on Jesus from your heart. Choose to believe that you need a Savior.   Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Tell someone what happened to you.    

Where the River Goes... Life Flows

We were blessed to be able to take an Alaska Prayer & Preaching Adventure. God knew it was a desire of my heart and He opened the door. I want to share with my adventure with you- not to brag on me, but to brag on Jesus. God was so good to us. Nahum 1:7 NIV The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, Places we went Girdwood Forest Ranger, not Park Ranger Walked along a waterfall. Saw a bear rambling and ambling through unlocked out buildings looking for food. Blue Ice Trail Hiked and drove to each of the spots of the Blue Ice Trail...unforgetable! I learned that it might not be wise to take the advice of hikers encouraging you to keep going when they are 40 years younger than you are! Note to self. It was worth the hike and thank you young folks for your your encouragement. Hiked up to Bryan Glacier and touched the blue glacier ice. Flat Top Mountain Looking out over the city praying for the people of Anchorage to know Jesus. Just an echo of what churches all over the city are doing. T ony Knowles Coastal Trail was a wonderful place to hike. Didn't get to finish the trail... too much to see and do. Hope, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula Just a quaint town. We had two children from that town that came to camp. I sat down at the table with them and got to eat lunch with them without realizing it until we were almost finished eating. Hatcher Pass Mining Museum, Hiking trails was breath taking!!!! Eagle River Nature Museum more hiking trails. Lots of beautiful birch trees!!!!! I hope heaven has birch trees. The first Moose we saw was one coming down the steep banks of Glenn Highway on wobbly legs. It so reminded me of the witty Bullwinkle on the old Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Little Beaver Camp at Wasilla is a place where lives are changed by encountering the Prince of Peace. Amazing place. Preaching at the North Pole. It just doesn't get any better than encountering God with awesome folks like I met there! Great pastors with a heart to reach their city. Intercessors praying for a healing and transforming revival that would bring their community to Jesus. God’s Presence was so powerful in that place. I got to eat at two amazing restaurants on Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives list. Denali When we were here 10 years ago, it was still wearing the political nomenclature Mt. McKinley, but now it wears the Athabaskan name Denali which declare who it really is “the great one.” “Mount McKinley” emerged after a gold prospector named William Dickey (who was an admirer of President-elect McKinley) used the name in an 1897 New York Sun article. Although the new president had no direct connection to Alaska, the name Mount McKinley was popularized following the president’s 1901 assassination. We saw 2 Grisly, caribou, a moose, Bali Sheep and my favorite Mt. Denali. Juneau, the capital. We got to stay with an incredible family in a beautiful home right on the Mendenhall Glacier River that sang it’s sweet song as it tumbled over the boulders. A bear visited the neighborhood and even the back yard while we were there. I got to pray in the capitol building, the only capital that can only be reached by boat or airplane. Let truth fill this place. Isa 44:23Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. https://www.patriciaholland.org/home/i-will-lift-up-my-eyes-to-the-hills/   I'll be sharing some specific stories in the days ahead.

God is Good My Alaska Prayer & Preaching Adventure

Who is Jesus in your life? Who is He to you? Can you say "And this I know!" The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to know…so they sent priests and Levites to ask John himself. Who are you, John? There must have been a hint that they thought he might be the promised one from God. The crowds that came…the baptisms? Could John be the Messiah. John, came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” Then who are you? Are you Elijah? No. I can see him shaking his head firmly. Are you the Prophet?’ they continued? No,” John answered. Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, Let’s stop here. John didn’t know Jesus? What does John mean? They were cousins. Somewhere around 6 months apart in age. Surely, there were times they played together. So what is John saying? You can know someone without knowing them. Let me explain. If I asked you, do you know Michael Jordan?” You would probably answer something like, “Yeah! Yeah! It was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is a legend.” While it is true you know about Mr. Jordan, that doesn’t mean you know him. You might know all his stats from his legendary basketball history, but you don’t know him unless you’ve spent time with Him. Unless you’ve built a relationship with him. John is saying, I didn’t know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then he repeats himself again, I myself didn’t know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “ ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” John said, I didn’t know him, but “I have seen and I testify.” I know Him now. “I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” And what about you, do you know Him? I’m not talking about the twisted view that our culture has painted of Him, but do you know Him personally. We can’t afford to put Him in our little box as if we could pull Him out when it’s convenient and return Him to that box when it’s not. Go to Scripture with fresh eyes. Allow Holy Spirit to show you Jesus like never before. Listen to His words. See His actions. See His passion. See His Father’s reflection. Who is Jesus in your life? Who is He to you? He is your way, your truth, your life. He is your bread of life. He is your living water. Please dear friend, don’t allow His words, His stories (accurate accounts) to become stale and lifeless. Come hungry to Scripture and feast, not just satisfy an appetite, but feast. Don’t singularly feed your mind with information, but feed your spirit, nourish your mind, nourish your spirit with the wisdom and light of Jesus. They tell me that often we think we are hungry, but it’s actually thirst that we are experiencing. Yet, because we think we are hungry we will eat instead of satisfying our thirst with water. Way too often we think we need a new something or other. We feel empty, so fill it with a good movie. We feel lonely so we go shopping and try fill the loneliness. I am convinced that way too often what we are feeling is the need for more Jesus. We need His fellowship. We need to access His joy, His peace, His Presence. Do you know Him? In probably the greatest sermon I have ever heard in my life Dr. S.M. Lockridge asks that question, “Do You Know Him?” then continues with powerful declarations of who He is. I’m including the link, but I want to share a few. He’s the sinner’s Saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature He’s the highest personality in philosophy He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour I wonder if you know him today He supplies strength He’s available for the tempted   It’s so good! Here’s the link. https://youtu.be/yzqTFNfeDnE Here's the Books: Alexander MacLaren Expositions Link https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=MacLaren+Expositions+Of+Holy+Scripture&submit_search=Go!

Looking at Jesus with Fresh Eyes

It’s risky work! It’s expensive to plant a crop. The machinery. The fertilizer. The time. And there’s no guarantee that he will have a good harvest. It’s risky…but a farmer plants because he has hope. Hope is powerful.   It motivates. It inspires. It changes the monotonous into meaningful. So even though it is risky, he plants because he has hope. His hopes are not based on fantasy! That hope is bolstered by educated practices and past harvests- his harvest and those of others. He doesn’t have a promise…just hope and a need to make a living. A need to feed his family. A need to pay the bills. A need to turn barren soil into lush green vegetation. The winter seasons   of pain, heartache, heart break; long, dark days of loneliness can drain our reservoirs of hope. Paul understood that; so he prayed… “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13 NIV The beginning point in this verse is trust.   Trust can be confusing sometimes. Frustrating. Scary. But hold on to what you KNOW and most of all hold on to who you know. Quiet your spirit with His promises and just hold on. To that foundation Paul prayed.   May the God of all hope Fill you—yes, you! with all joy –what an amazing thought—the deep kind, the warm, bubbling kind of joy that sustains us! and peace –I’ve come to love that word. The enduring kind of peace that is unbroken by circumstances and is beyond our ability to understand. as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope—not simply an adequate supply to get you through the situation, but overflowing, sparkling, gurgling over and out to others. by the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not something we can conjure or manufacturer, it’s through the power of Precious Holy Spirit!!! Hope that doesn’t end with hope.   A believer’s hope is based on a promise… It is based on the Truth of God’s Word. So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, having fled for refuge, to take hold of the hope being set before us, Hebrews 6:17,18 So here it is. 2 Really, Really Great Reasons you should be filled with hope. Two things that will never change. God will not lie. It is impossible for God to lie. God made an oath that He will not break. So if you need some hope, it begins with trusting in someone bigger and stronger than yourself. Because sooner or later you are going to realize that your strength has limits. Or if you are looking for a refuge… Grab hold of the hope that is right in front of you! Hebrews 6 verse 19 continues- “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and steadfast. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,” An anchor for your soul. A reason you can be filled with hope!   Firm. Steadfast. Jesus! Is the anchor for your soul.

2 Great Reasons You Can be Filled With Hope

“Well, I hope so,” doesn’t sound like hope at all. It’s flimsy, wimpy and empty. We speak of hope more often than we believe in it. Hope in the Bible isn’t the weak word we use in our culture. Instead, it is a living hope, throbbing and powerful. It produces action, steadfastness and stability. 1 Peter 1:3 ESV “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”   Let’s look at the first time the word for hope is used in the Bible. Joshua 2:21 NIV “Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” The lady speaking here is Rahab…and where’s the hope in this story? Or better yet, where do we find hope that makes us stable in unstable times? I’m so glad you asked. I want to tell you about it.

Are you looking for hope in all the wrong places?

Why you shouldn’t opt-out of the Spiritual War that is going on right now! 1. You have an enemy that wants to kill, steal and destroy you! 2. There are people depending on you, family, friends and neighbors. 3. You were made to win this war! The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4 As believers, we need to understand the war that is raging. The Senators and citizens of Washington DC on July 21, 1861 had no idea what war meant. Have you noticed how some people • are failing to respond to the spiritual war that is going on around us right now? • think they can opt out of Spiritual warfare, because its HARD and costly? • don’t see the destruction that is going on around them? • are just hoping everything will be alright. • don’t realize there is a war? You have been given authority… not just hope… authority. Stop believing the enemies lies. We’ve heard the enemy’s lies so many times, from so many different places, that even God’s blood bought church has believed them. What am I talking about? I’ve heard people say they aren’t spiritual enough to fight. Or that there is nothing they can do. Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. You have been given weapons that work 2 Cor 20: 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Psa 8:2 NLT You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. Ephesians 6: 17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

This Is A War You Can Win

God is watching over His Word! Why is that truth important to you? Does that truth change what you do and how you react to delayed victories? It was a revelation that God gave to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, to help him fulfil his assignment. Without the confidence in that revelation. You need to grip this reality to help you fulfill your assignment too! Do you have some prayers that have not seen answered? Do you have a prodigal that you are desperate to see their life turned around? Searching for answers that you just can’t turn loose of because your heart just won’t let you? Do you have verses that you’ve clung to, but the enemy has whispered in your ear, “What’s the use?” Me too! I've had some things on my heart that I am absolutely desperate to see happen. But I’m telling you, I have some things that are just too precious to abandon. Do you have some things like that on your heart? Sometimes there's just no words that describe how desperately you want to see God intervene in the situation you are facing. That's just one reason I am so thankful that God has given me a prayer language. I just run out of words. Lately I've been hearing God whisper, don't you love His whispers. Oh, there are times His whisper corrects me, challenges me or even redirects me. But this whisper has been so encouraging.  "I watch over my word to perform it." He has whispered it so many times that I realized it was time to unpack the revelation, so I could to understand what He was saying. I found the verse in Jeremiah chapter 1 11The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. Jeremiah 1:12The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” How do you plant seeds of Gods Word? Isaiah 55:10 10For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, 11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. What happens when you don’t plant the seeds? Nothing grows, but weeds. James 1:2 NIV Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.  

Why does it matter to you that God is watching over His Word?

  I’ve gone to church all my life, but when I was twelve years old I heard something that forever changed my life. Actually, it was more than just hearing that changed me…it was believing that changed me! This may need some explaining, because it wasn’t just hearing or believing…it was receiving that changed me forever! I’ve never looked at God’s Word the same. I’ve never been the same…let me do that explaining with an illustration!    There's a reason they call it a Smart phone Several years ago, I needed a new phone. I looked at lots of options.  Then I-heard I could process credit cards at conferences instead of renting a point of sale machine. That move would save me a ton of money. The salesman handed us the phone and began to explain that we could download applications. I had never heard of an app. (yes I know… I know! But you’re forgetting this was a long time ago!) So he took his phone and began to show us some of his favorite apps. I was totally amazed to learn that the applications provided additional benefits and capabilities far beyond that of a regular phone. No one wants a phone that only lets you talk to someone (I see you, you are shaking your head at me, because not there are thousands of apps that provide a myriad of functions.) Imagine not even knowing the apps are available.    Staying on the Bleeding Edge of Technology Some folks aren’t content staying on the cutting edge, they want to be the first to be in the know about everything involving technology! While knowing about  and USING apps is important if you own any kind of smart phone, but there are things, really critical things, that way too many people have never discovered. Some people don’t know that God loves them. Some people don’t know that Jesus died for their sins. And some believers, don’t know anything about who Precious Holy Spirit is. They don’t know they can be filled with the Holy Spirit. I was one of those people. My grandma would mention the Holy Spirit sometimes. But the only thing I knew about Holy Spirit was when the pastor at my church gave the invitation. My pastor would tell us, “If you have not given your heart to Jesus and you feel the Holy Spirit knocking on your heart’s door, then today is the day for you to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.” That’s all I knew. I was so hungry for more of God. I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me, so every Sunday I went down to the front. My dear Pastor, would remind me that I was already saved. I would go back to my seat like Samuel in the Bible, confused about what was going on. I didn’t know that I could be filled with precious Holy Spirit, but one day a friend shared the good news with me. Actually, I had more than one discussion and then listened to numerous sermons before I understood. It’ wasn’t that it was difficult to understand, it was just that I didn’t know anything about Holy Spirit. But when I heard,  I believed,  I received Holy Spirit.   Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? In Acts 19:2 NIV Paul is telling the story of finding some believers at Ephesus "and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Paul was excited to share the great news about precious Holy Spirit with them.   When they heard, they believed and they received. They couldn’t receive until they knew God had more for them. We can’t use an app on our phone if we don’t know it’s available. We can’t use money in our account if we don’t know it’s there. We have to hear about it first.   (Check out the book “Precious Holy Spirit” https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-ebook/%20/o%20Buy%20the%20book for more details.) But what if I told you about say a GPS app that will guide you from your front door to the place you wanted to go.   You would have a choice. You might say “I don’t believe a phone can do that. Or you might say, “Where do I download an app like that.   If you didn’t believe what I was telling you, you wouldn’t get the app. Yet, believing there is an app doesn’t get you the app. You have to download it and open the app. Paul’s account tells us they heard, they believed and they received. They couldn’t receive until they knew God had more for them. We can’t use an app on our phone if we don’t know it’s available. We can’t use money in our account if we don’t know it’s there. Hearing is the first step, but not the only step. After you hear, you must believe.    What have you heard? Was it confusing? Did it make you hungry for God? Did it make you want to be filled with all the fullness of God?   But today, in the modern church, many believers are confused. Far too few can say I heard, I believed and I received. Some folks seem to be totally ignorant on the subject and others are asking questions:   Maybe you have some questions? That's a good thing. Maybe you want to know "What is Pentecost?" Who is the Holy Spirit? Are tongues of the devil? Was speaking in tongues just for the disciples? My book points you to some of the answers https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/"Precious Holy Spirit."    There seems to be a menacing fence – complete with a huge “Keep Out” sign – surrounding Pentecost and its accompanying infilling of the Holy Spirit. Some folks  say, “You receive all you need when you get saved.” Confused and frightened by the roars of tradition and skepticism , far too many believers remain silent and powerless. I am convinced that the Person of Pentecost is the missing dynamo in the modern, anemic church? Especially since Jesus told His disciples, after His resurrection, to “receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22 Removing the barriers that keep us from experiencing more of God, demands that we search God’s Word, discover so we can receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit is for every believer. Believe Like everything God has for us, we must believe to receive precious Holy Spirit.   But Is receiving the Holy Spirit really important? Yes! It is really important. Why is this experience so critical? It is because it is a Gift from God. We can’t afford to miss God’s Gifts. It takes believers into a deeper, fuller relationship with God. The benefits of living a Spirit filled life is experiencing the partnership of Holy Spirit guiding, empowering and transforming every area of a believer’s life. I am not talking about a one time experience. I am referring to building on a relational experience that moves forward into everyday life, like a wedding should move into a deeper, fuller lifelong relationship. Out of this partnership with Holy Spirit flows love, joy, power to win over sin, power to witness, and spiritual maturity. Jesus made a big deal out of the reality that they should not grieve over the fact that He was leaving them, because He would send a comforter that would not just be with them, but would live in them.    Mix what you heard with faith. Luke 11:13 NIV If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"   I want you to be able to say I heard. I believed. I received and I shared. Not a Theological Exegesis   The book “Precious Holy Spirit” is not a theological exegesis, but it is a journey through scripture to help the reader fall in love. I wrote this book in a clear, easy to understand format using seven words pictures that describe Holy Spirit. It uses interesting stories from nature and history to unlock the mystery of Pentecost. This book is for the person that doesn’t know anything about the Holy Spirit. It’s for the person that avoids the whole conversation because they think it’s all weird. And, it is also for anyone who has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but wants to rekindle their passion, or wants to know how to access the resources available to the Spirit filled believer. This book will inspired and ignite you. You will fall in love—all over again.   Additionally, this book is written to pastors or leaders that need a little extra help making the whole topic of receiving the Holy Spirit easier to understand. It gives clear examples and illustrations that can be used in conversation, training and sermons.   Download the eBook and start reading right now.

What you don't know CAN hurt you.

I was twelve years old when I receiving the Holy Spirit. My friendship with Him has been priceless...He has walked with me all these years as comforter, guide, power source and help. I am so thankful for The Father's Promise fulfilled at Pentecost. I want to share with you how you can be filled with Holy Spirit. Maybe you already have been filled with Holy Spirit. Then this teaching will help you share with a friend or loved one how they can be filled with Holy Spirit. I'd love to give you the .pdf that goes with this teaching. Here's the link to get the .pdf and future encouraging chats that will help you connect God's Word to your everyday life.  How to Receive the Holy Spirit PDF Download - Patricia Holland

How to Receive Holy Spirit

www.patriciaholland.org/blog I love transparency When it’s coming from someone else. I don’t like to be vunerable but here goes.   I judge people way more often than I want to admit. I don’t even want to admit it to God. I know judging people is wrong.   It’s especially hard when they ask for my advice and then totally disregard it. Then they want me to bail them out when they get in a pinch! AHHHHH! So hard NOT to judge the heart behind the action.   But if I require, or want to require that people do as I say I have stepped into arrogance and that is a dangerous place to be.   1 Samuel 15:23a New International Version   For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry…        I know! I can’t see their heart, but I can sure see the stupid.  Sometimes I have to agree with the wisdom of Forest Gump, “Stupid is as stupid does!”   Our world is so upside down! Isaiah 5:20 New International Version   Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.   It breaks my heart!!! Honestly, I can’t hardly stand to see people living in such darkness. On the other hand, I can be critical.   Matthew 7:1 New Living Translation   “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. That verse is too easy to remember.     So what do I do?   So when I catch myself judging, I have learned the hard way, “he that covers his sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes it will have mercy.     I talk to my friend Precious Holy Spirit. He is in me and He came to be my helper. He knows I’m not perfect, that’s one more reason I am thankful for God’s Grace. It’s too precious to abuse and too magnificent to ignore. I need a friend that always knows what to do so I ask Him.   Now don’t misunderstand me I don’t pray to Holy Spirit, but I do have conversations with Him. You do realize He is God’s active agent in the Earth today, don’t you?   What do I do with the stupid, the absolute insanity of the things that people I love with all my heart are doing around me? The sin. The outlandish rebellion against God that is taking them deeper and deeper into a dark, dark hole! What do I do? Sometimes the sin I see makes me so mad!   So I asked my Precious friend, my Helper, Holy Spirit, “What do I do?”   He whispered so kindly, cover them with love.   Should I tell Him that I’m not feeling a drop of love right now? He already knows it anyway!   I know what He’ll say when I tell Him how I feel. He’ll say…in a way that conveys more love than I deserve, He’ll say “I’ll give you some of mine!”   And He does. This isn’t the first time I’ve run out of love.   You see I’ve learned my love is conditional…His is unconditional.   My love is limited…His is infinite.   My love craves recognition, acknowledgement…His is never needy in any way.   His love is kind, patient, enduring…I wouldn’t even know that’s what love should look like if I hadn’t experienced it first-hand so many times.   Soooo I respond to His Presence. I simply receive His love. I release my pain, my rejection, my fear, my unbelief through the gateway of tears. I give Him space to heal my heart. I let Him comfort me        

Another Reason I am so Glad Holy Spirit is My Friend

www.patriciaholland.org Are you sensing the need to hear God’s voice? I have walked through some things recently where I have felt like I was walking through a minefield and every step was a matter of life and death. I’ve been desperately aware that Precious Holy Spirit knows where the enemy has hidden the landmines (sometimes land MINDS) and wants to show me where they are hidden.   I am so thankful that He doesn’t send me off with a condescending pat on the back and a trite, “Be careful out there!”   No way! NO WAY! In the Old Testament, Precious Holy Spirit came as a visitor empowering people for specific jobs. In the New Testament He came to take up residence within us and to guide us into ALL truth.   I understand I have a responsibility to do my part if I want to hear His voice.   Each of the writers of the gospels tell a different story following the story of “The Triumphant Entry of Jesus”. But the story in John’s Gospel resonates as I search God’s Word to learn to hear God better. It is a powerful true story that illustrates how different people heard God when He spoke.   I can feel the joy, the absolute ecstasy of the people, as I read the accounts in the Gospels of the triumphant entry of Jesus that day. The Bible doesn’t tell us what Jesus felt while the people celebrated. But John pulls back the curtain to show us the heart of Jesus after the event.   John 12:23 But Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.   Jesus understood the significance of this event. It was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah.  Zechariah 9:9–13   Zechariah saw not only the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem but also the blood covenant that was required to release prisoners from the stronghold of sin. Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for His death, so He continued.   27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.  28 Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”   Pay Attention. OK! This next verse is very important. I don’t want you to miss this.   29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. 30 In response, Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours. The crowd heard thunder. But some recognized the spiritual significance. Maybe it was the religious people. Some though an angel was speaking to Jesus. But Jesus said… “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.” They missed the voice of God. They missed the understanding, the significance of this moment, because they hadn’t trained their ears to hear God.   Please hear me. I know that sometimes God speaks so clearly that I have no doubt God is speaking. He speaks to me through His Word. He speaks to me through a phone call of a brother or sister. But there comes a time for God’s children to learn how to hear God’s voice. Luke 8:18 Amplified Bible So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”   Please don’t believe the lie that He doesn’t speak to you. If you are His child…He talks to you!!!!   Maybe you just need to get the earplugs out, so you can hear what He’s being saying! I’m not being mean. This is just no time to miss what God is saying. Sometimes God says things I don’t want to hear. Sometimes He says, “You have a wrong attitude.” Or “Your attitude stinks!” So, I repent. Or “Love better.” So, I cry out for Him to give me some of His love.   Dear friend, God sees the beginning from the end. His eyes see the truth clearly and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes your emotions muddle the truth, so all you see is the mud and not the truth.   God has sent Precious Holy Spirit to guide you. So listen. You won’t hear Him if you don’t listen. Open your Bible expecting Him to answer. Ask Him questions. As you go about your day, listen for answers. Sometimes He uses ordinary circumstances to answer, but you’ll recognize it as Him! Listen. Listen. Listen. If you were blessed by this podcast would you subscribe so you don't miss a single day. www.patriciaholland.org/

How to Hear God's Voice

There are things in God’s Word that are absolutely amazing!   Jesus became a man. Born to a virgin woman. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!   Because of that… Philippians 2:9 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,   10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,   11and every tongue acknowledge  that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Then the prophet Isaiah gives us names that describe Jesus. Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   I’ve shared with you many times how precious the redemptive names are to me in my worship time.   There are 7 Redemptive names that open and disclose the benefit package that Jesus purchased for everyone of us at the cross. Let me briefly review them with you. His continual Presence JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH Shepherd, Guide, Protector, Nourisher JEHOVAH-RA-AH Peace, wholeness, Salvation JEHOVAH-SHALOM Righteousness   JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU Victory JEHOVAH-NISSI Healing JEHOVAH-RAPHA Provider JEHOVAH-JIREH   John 3:16 describes Jesus as God’s Gift. Jesus the Lamb of God that was come to save the world from their sin.   Luke 3:16 describes Jesus as the baptizer. He explains that I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with fire.   John 1:32 NIV Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’   I love to begin my prayer time by thanking God using His name and names that describe His nature. But I don’t think I have ever used the descriptive word “baptizer” for Him.   I am so thankful that Jesus is still the baptizer. He still wants to baptize believers with the Holy Spirit. Jesus still want to baptize believers with the Holy Spirit and fire. I am so thankful!        

Jesus Our Baptizer

Jason Brown was facing a crossroad. I had never heard of Jason Brown and never dreamed when I turned on the TV in the middle of the night that I was about to hear a story that would build my faith. It would encourage me to seek God not only for provision, but for wisdom!   Not just knowledge, but wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to put knowledge in practice. That's totally different! Growing a Greener World-From Cleats to Beets was the episode name. A gardening show is a unique place to meet the highest paid Center in the NFL? Cleats to beets? I was wide awake. When facing a decision Jeremiah 6:16 NIV This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Seek His will Proverbs 3:6 NLT Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Need Wisdom? James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. Wisdom is found in God. Proverbs 4: 5,6 NIV 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Proverbs 3:6 NLT Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

You Need God's Wisdom and a Donkey

 Most mornings I try to either walk on the treadmill or hop on the bike to start my day with some exercise. But a few days ago, the weather was perfect so we My husband and I decided to take our walk outside. I didn’t know how perfect the day was until I got outside. There’s this beautiful park near us with gravel trails that wind past and under beautiful live oaks along the river, but there are also dirt paths cut through the woods that zig zag along the St. John’s River. https://youtu.be/qbOswxui4m0 This post is better when you see and hear than just read it. The gravel paths are wide enough for two people to walk side by side Beyond the gravel paths are the dirt paths are only wide enough for a single person to walk with shrubs and bushes on both sides of the trail. Since it was such a gorgeous day, I wanted to take the longer dirt path. The massive roots of huge Bay Trees  and Live Oaks crisscrossed the dirt path where we walked, providing an obstacle course that made paying attention to where stepped next absolutely essential! We hadn’t walked very long until a snake on the path reinforced my need to be very careful. The vibrant leaves bursting from the leaf buds screamed “Spring is here!” I love Spring Green. It’s my favorite color, so I’m not gonna “Spring” by  plodding through the woods like nothing is going on...no way! And you can’t watch the ground and see the beauty all around you, without stopping ever now and then to drink in the beauty that’s bursting all around you. If you’re gonna really see the beauty, you have to stop, look, drink it in! Let me share with you what I saw. When the light hits the water just right, it looks like a million diamonds dancing on the water…and when I see that beauty through the oaks trees all decorated with moss hanging and dangling and dancing from tree limbs in the wind it takes my breathe away. I just go wow! As we are walking the trail, occasionally a puff of wind sends a rain of dried leaves swirling and twirling to the ground. The incessant screech of a hawk finally grew quiet and we heard the sweet sound of song birds that seemed to be almost as excited as me to see Spring finally arrive. We stopped to see the dragon shaped limb that lay beside the path. The empty nuts shells, the remains of breakfast, lunch and dinner that marked the spot where a squirrel had plunked itself on a green moss covered rotting log to enjoy walnuts and hickory nuts. Empty halves told the story of hungry squirrels with sharp teeth and a whole lot of patience. Believe me, I’ve tried to crack those nuts…and even with a hammer it’s next to impossible, I was amazed  at all those empty shells we saw. When I spotted the little yellow trumpet like blooms on the path, I had to stop to find the vine.  It’s the tale, tale signs of a yellow jasmine vine. One of the first bloomers in this area. You have to look up high in the nearby trees to find it, because it is an amazing climber. Those tiny tendrils of the Jasmine stretch and twists onto the limbs of a nearby tree tighter than the twisty on a loaf of bread. They gotta hold on, cause they’re gonna climb all the way to the top of the tree so they can get the needed sunlight to produce a massive number of happy yellow flowers. The Jasmine vine was worth the stop. Tiny burst of bright yellow blooms against dark green leaves. Their sweet fragrance fills the air. I would have missed all this if I had power-walked the trail today. Power walking is great exercise, but I needed to experience the beauty as much as I needed the exercise. I make exercise a priority. Yet, I have spiritual disciplines that are even more important. This life is short, but eternity is…well…eternity is eternal. I want this life to count. I want to accomplish what I was made for, just like that sunny, yellow jasmine climbs a big old tree to reach the sunlight. There are two spiritual disciplines that are absolutely essential in my walk with God…prayer and Bible reading. You can’t power-walk through either of them and experience the intended benefits. If you power walk through either of them, you’ll miss the beauty, the strength, the wisdom that comes from slowing down and drinking in it’s life giving message. If we had power walked as fast as we could we would have gotten through much quicker, but we would have missed beauty of where we were. Please, please don’t power walk through your devotions just to get them done. Linger. Listen. Enjoy them. Fall in love with the author at a deeper level. It’s the only book you’ll never understand if you don’t know the author personally. Take the time to worship. ...experience His love. ...know His peace. ...enjoy His joy. 

Celebrating Spring- Come Walk With Me

Welcome to Pat’s View! Our view is affected by our circumstances, beliefs and even what we CAN’T see. That’s why I am so thankful that the Bible gives us a clear lens to view life, so I’m zooming in to take a closer look. Please join me as I view life through the lens of God’s Word to live a blessed life! Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

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Pat's View: Inspirational stories

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