Encouragement

Thought for the week...

Humble

We all know individuals who are so full of themselves that they don’t leave room for
others to acknowledge them. We must never be so high minded that we think it’s all
about us. And we must be mindful that we don’t open up an entrance for pride to seep
its way into the essence of who we are.

As a child of God, we are fearfully and wonderfully made; we are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar person. We must allow others to see Christ
in us, the hope of glory. When we surrender ourselves to God, we are letting Him know
that He is the center of all that we are and that we will not submit ourselves to anything
or anyone who is not connected to Him. We must not allow ourselves to become
prideful, boastful, proud, arrogant, or rude. We must learn to walk in a spirit of quietness
and gentleness, being modest in our mannerism and deportment. People should know
us to be courteous, polite, respectful, unpretentious, reserved, reverential, and
submissive. They must know that we stand up for righteousness and that we believe
what the Word of God says. We must not back down and cower, cringe, recoil, flinch, or
be fearful, but take the position that we will stand up for that which is right, honest and
just. With that being said, let’s be willing to take a back seat and esteem others more
highly that we do ourselves.

Listen and take heed...

‍Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of
the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]. (James
4:10 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

‍

Thought for the week...

Testimony II

The adversary will always play on our senses because he knows that’s how we operated in our unregenerate lifestyle. He doesn’t want us to know the truth of God’s Word, so he does all he can to keep us in darkness. His intent is keep us from the realization that there is truly power in God, and, as a child of God, we have been empowered to overcome the forces of darkness. And, it is when we come to the understanding that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus that we’ll be able to declare and give evidence, openly stating and witnessing, that which God has done for us. God is not a respecter of persons; if He did it for others,He’ll do it for us as well.

No matter our past failures, God has a hope and future for us; He alone knows the plans and purposes for our life. And, it is up to us to learn how to hold on and wave our banner of deliverance for all to see. Everything that we need to know is provided in God’s Word, and it’s up to us to stay in that Word so that we come to know and understand what it is that God promised us and will bring to past in us. It is when we corroborate that which God has done for us that others will be able to see Christ in us, the hope of glory. We really are mandated reporters tasked to let people know that God loves them and that His Word is true. And, if somebody hadn’t told us, we’d still be walking around as the living dead, lost without a hope of deliverance. So, with that being said, let’s put our mandated reporter skills to use and let people know that they too can overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the substantiation of their profession.

 Listen and take heed…

Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them. Those who don’t believe God have made God a liar. They haven’t believed the testimony that God has given about his Son. This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son. The person who has the Son has this life. The person who doesn’t have the Son of God doesn’t have this life. (1 John 5:10-12 — GW)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Testimony

There’s not one person, saved or unsaved, that will not experience times of testing, trials and tribulations; in fact, there are times when we feel as though as soon as we come out of one thing another one knocks at our door. The adversary doesn’t want us to serve God so he does his job well of discouraging us by stroking the fire of adversities. The adversary will intensify the adversities hoping that as they become more unbearable, that we’ll give up and return to the ways of our past lifestyle. He wants to deaden our voice so that we don’t praise God, call upon the Holy Spirit, our help/assistance and/or witness to others.

 I don’t care what we go through, we must not give up and/or give in. It is in the midst of the testing, trials and tribulations that our character is being built up. It is during these times that we are being strengthened, fortified and encouraged. It is during these times that the Holy Spirit will help us, stand by us, counsel us, intercede for us, and advocate on our behalf. Yes, the testing, trials and tribulations may seem as though they are breaking our resolve, chipping at our faith, destroying our belief and eroding our perseverance; but it is during these times that we must truly come to acknowledge, comprehend and understand that it is not what it appears. We must not listen to our flesh. We must not go based on what our eyes see, our ears hear, our nose smells, our mouth tastes, nor hearken unto our feelings. As a born-again believer, we must hold onto our confession of faith,waving it, our banner, for all to see. Victory belongs to the child of God and defeat is not an option.

Take heed my brothers and sisters…

And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony… (Revelation12:11 — AMPC)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Disobedience

We all know individuals who appear to always do the opposite of what they’re
supposed to do, and we tend to believe that it is the children who willfully refuse to do as
they’re told. However, while that may be the general thinking, we know all too well that
we adults also act childlike when it comes to doing something that we don’t want to do,
even when given specific instructions. We have double standards. More often than not,
we’ll punish our children when they don’t obey, but we want the privilege of being able to
make up our own mind as to when we’ll obey. Well, it’s called neglecting and refusing to
obey. But let’s call a spade a spade; the real deal is, it’s sin.
 
As we begin this week, let’s make sure that we do everything within our power to not be
contrary, insubordinate, noncompliant, resistive, undisciplined, headstrong, bull-headed,
pig-headed, self-willed, and uncooperative. God has preordained that which is to
transpire in our lives and when we don’t follow the plans and instructions that He has
designated for us, we will fall into practices and/or habits that have the potential to send
us in a downward spiral that we just may not be able to recover from. Yes, God is a
loving and just God, but He is also a consuming fire. So, it behooves us to do that which
we’ve been given to do the first time so that we don’t have to live with the adverse
consequences of our action. And, if we want our children to do the right thing, then we
must become the role model that we want them to follow. Of course, there will always
be something and/or someone that will attempt to draw us away from doing the right
and respectful thing; but when we surrender ourselves to God and His way of
doing things, we can be assured that He will provide us with the correct way of handling
each situation that arises.
 
Listen and take heed…

Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of
disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s
precepts]… (Colossians 3:6 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Knowledge

Some of the greatest minds have yet to be revealed because individuals are not using
them to full capacity and some of the wittiest inventions will lie dormant if individuals
don’t take the time to look into the principles and truths that God has provided. God has
already supplied us with the needed expertise to become the next inventor, doctor,
nurse, president, ceo, coo, cfo, manager, author, teacher, preacher, etc. It is our job to
surrender who we are for who God has ordained us to be.
 
God has already provided us with the ability to do great things; He given us discernment
and awareness to see beyond our eyesight. He’s provided education so that we can tap
into that which has been done and the aptitude to grasp His thoughts about how to go
about accomplishing creative ideas. When we seek God, He will increase our
comprehension beyond anything we can imagine and deposit His wisdom in us. He’s
given us to have keen observation and judgment to make the right decisions at the right
time. There’s nothing that we can’t obtain when we put God at the helm of our life. With
that being said, let’s surrender our will for God’s will and stop wasting time wondering
what God has for us to accomplish. The Word tells us to ask and it will be given to us,
seek and we will find, knock and the door will be opened. Let’s tap into and unlock that
which God has instilled in us. There are still ideas and creative thoughts that have not
yet to come to fruition. What’s in your mind? We have been created for greatness
because we serve a great and powerful God who is no respecter of persons. If a
nonbeliever can achieve success you know that as God’s child there’s no limit to what
we can do and can be.
 
Listen and take heed…

The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise [always]
seeks knowledge. A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him And
brings him before great men. (Proverbs 18:15-16 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Provision

We all know individuals who look to others for what they need instead of looking to God, the supplier of all our needs. Before we start to pass judgment, look in the mirror. We may not get what we think we need when we need it, but as a child of God, we are assured that our every need has already been supplied and will be manifested at the appropriate time of true need.

Listen, if God provided a pillar of fire by night, a cloud by day, seeped water from a rock, and rained down manna from heaven for those who journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land, will He not do the same or us?  We must stop looking to man for what we need and look to God, the giver of all things. As we end this week’s encouragements, it is imperative that we begin to understand all that God has ordained for us and thank Him for it. He knows what we needed yesterday; He knows what we need today; He knows what we’ll need tomorrow; He knows what we’ll need next week; He knows what we’ll need next month; etc., etc., etc. So, with that being said, let’s make sure that we change our mindset, read His Word, understand His Word, and embrace His Word.

Listen and take heed…

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) our every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians4: 19 — NLT)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

‍Gratitude II

What was the first thing that you thought about as your mind came into consciousness today? If it wasn’t words of thankfulness to God for another day, begin to put that into practice. All you need do is open your mouth and tell God what you’re thankful for.

When we wake up with our mind stayed on Jesus it really does have an effect on how our day will playout. It is when we have an attitude of thankfulness and truly walk by faith that we’re able to keep our composure and praise God, even when we are presented with adversities and adversarial oppositions. When we understand the blessings and promises of God we’ll be able to walk in a spirit of confident expectation, knowing that His Word is true that no weapon formed against us will prosper. God is always at work in our lives, meeting our needs; in fact, He meets needs that we’re not even aware of. We must not take God for granted, only thanking and praising Him when He answers our prayers and petitions but thank Him for all things. With that being said, it is imperative that we make it our daily priority to worship God, singing psalms and hymns and making melodies in our hearts.

Listen and take heed.

I will give You thanks with all my heart; I sing praises to You before the [pagan] gods. I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word together with Your name. On the day I called, You answered me; And You made me bold and confident with [renewed]strength in my life. (Psalm 138:1-3 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Gratitude

There will always be times when we will fall short in the area of being grateful for that which God and others have done for us. It doesn’t make a different how small or big the thing that was done, we should take the time to say thank you. We have good intentions, but we tend to forget because we don’t make it a priority. Wouldn’t it be something if God operated the way we did? We’d be up a creek without a paddle. It should come natural for the child of God to say thank you. Thanking God should be our modus operandi; there shouldn’t be one day that we are not acknowledging and expressing our thanks and appreciation to God for all that He has done, is doing and will do in our lives.

If we open our eyes in the morning, that’s a time to be grateful to God. If we can get up and stand and walk on our own two feet, that is a time to be thankful to God. If we can take care of our bodily functions, that is a time to exalt God. If we can dress ourselves, that is a time to extol God. If we can see, that is a time to magnify God. If we can feel and taste, that is a time to praise God for His awesome wonders. If we can hear and open our mouths, that is a time to worship God. With that being said, we must always be aware that we serve a God who is able to do exceeding and abundantly more than we can think or ask. He is God and there is none beside Him; and, there isn’t anything that He won’t do for His children. He empowers us, enables us, anoints us, calls us, and appoints us for that which He has ordained for us. He leaves nothing to the imagination, and if He has called, appointed and anointed us, then we are more than capable of doing that which He allows to come before us. It is imperative that we understand and acknowledge that we serve a supernatural God and it is because of that that we are able to do the supernatural and achieve supernatural results.

Listen and take heed…

I will exalt You, my God, O King, And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will bless Your name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:1 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Wisdom

Most individuals have the desire to be wise and come up with witty ideas and sayings; however, in order for that to take place, we must do that which it takes. We must know right from wrong and put it into practice, being able to judge appropriately. We must be students willing and ready to learn all that we can. But most importantly, we must have a relationship with God, studying His Word, line upon line and precept upon precept.

We all know individuals who have book sense, but no common sense. They can quote verse after verse, page after page, and pass tests with flying colors, but when it comes to common sense they appear to be lacking. God’s Word tells us that He will withhold no good thing from us, and that if we are lacking in anything, all we need do is ask in faith and He’ll liberally supply. What is it that you’re lacking? There’s no need to walk around deficient in any area when we have a God that is willing and able to provide our every need. If asked, God will provide us with keen insight, understanding, knowledge, judgment, and prudence. He will enhance that which He instilled in us at creation and heighten our comprehension, astuteness, intelligence, and the capacity to learn. He will position us to be in the right places at the right time, giving us foresight, balance, and the ability to be circumspect, using precautious and discretion when and where needed. So, let’s ask and receive from our loving Father.

Listen and take heed…

If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5 — AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.

Thought for the week...

Worship

What a privilege to be able to lift up our hands and voice and magnify God. We have been blessed beyond measure and must not take it lightly that we have breath in our bodies and the activity of our limbs. To say God is good is an understatement. He is magnificent, omnipotent, omnipresence, omniscient, and immutable. Truly, there are no human words to describe the magnitude of just who God is.

As we grow in the Lord and His grace, He will open up our understanding of who He is, His attributes and the unconditional love that He has for us, His creation. The more we come before Him, the more He will reveal to us. It is truly an honor to serve God and His people. In service to God, we must be mindful that we do not allow ourselves to set up idols in the things that we do and that which we’ve obtained. Nothing should come before God; it’s God first, then family, then church. Paying more attention to the things of the world than we do to God, the creator of the world is called idolatry and a sure indication of where our love lies. We should be honored that God allows us to honor Him, adore Him, reverence Him, glorify Him, laud Him, exalt Him, extol Him, stand in awe of Him, praise Him, offer ourselves to Him, bow before Him, lay prostate before Him, petition Him, pray to Him, make our supplications to Him, thank Him, be of service to Him, give back to Him, and invoke His Presence. The next time that we are faced with challenging situations and circumstances, or we begin to focus more on what we have, it is imperative that we take a deep breath and think of all that God has done for us and raise our hands and sing songs of thanksgivings, counting it a privilege to be able to pour out our love for Him and all He does for us.

Listen and take heed…

O come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker [in reverent praise and prayer]. (Psalm 33:18— AMP)

Rev. Donna M. Humphries

Heaven Gates Ministries, Inc.