Pat's View: Inspirational stories

Little boys love to flex their tiny arm muscles and declare with absolute confidence, "I'm strong!" and it fills me with joy every time I remember my grandson's proud grin when I agreed with him — it amazes me how early that desire to be strong rises up in them.     The truth is we all want to feel strong.     Being strong is even better.   Strong healthy bodies.  Minds.  Emotions.    Psalm 139:14 BSB  I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.   As believers we carry that desire the spiritual realm.   We want to be strong.  While Spiritual strength can't be measured with a tape measure around our biceps, we sense our need to live stronger.    Spiritual strength is measured by  faith under fire;  courage to do what's right when the enemy intimidates;  resilience under pressure and thru weariness;  peace in the storm;  and steadfastness and faithfulness through  pain.   Spiritual strength is measured not by how big you look,  but by how relentless you stand,  where you turn in good times  and tough times,  and how faithfully you endure the storm.   Maybe you are like me and you want to be stronger!   Maybe you're asking, "How?" Ephesians 6:10 Berean Standard Bible Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.   Your strength isn't adequate.  You are not built to handle all life's choices and challenges alone.  You were made for bigger strength than a muscle or a monster truck can muster.   Scripture insists "Be strong in the LORD!"  Access and draw from His strength.      Look at Paul's Words 2 Corinthians 12:10 BSB That is why, for the sake of Christ,  I delight in weaknesses,  in insults,  in hardships,  in persecutions,  in difficulties.    For when I am weak, then I am strong.   Wow! Did you see Paul's "why"? "for the sake of Christ!" That's an important why.      Is it your why?    This verse may sound radical, almost crazy.   But hold on,  let's talk about the storm for a minute.   Jesus told us that storms and tribulations would come, but He said   John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!"   1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!     Stop letting the storm overwhelm you! It is NOT bigger than the God you serve.   Jesus is with you…YES YOU!    Isaiah reminds us "He is with you." Isaiah 41:10 BSB Do not fear,  for I am with you;  do not be afraid,  for I am your God.  I will strengthen you;  I will surely help you;  I will uphold you with  My righteous right hand.     Ask Him to strengthen you.  Stop being afraid of the storm!!!! The wind is not your enemy — it's your trainer. Every time it pushes against you, it is strengthening what's inside you. You were never meant to stay small or fragile.    Like the sunflower,  your stalk was built to flex, not break. Your roots were designed to hold, not slip. And your face was made for the light, not the shadows.   So, when the wind comes,  don't shrink back.  Lean into the strength God has already woven into you.  Stand tall.  Grow higher.  Let the wind teach you what calm days never could.   A miniature version of Earth In the early 1990s, a group of scientists stepped into one of the most ambitious experiments ever attempted. They called it Biosphere 2 — a giant glass‑and‑steel world built in the Arizona desert.    It was designed to be a miniature version of Earth, a place where humans could live in a sealed ecosystem… the kind we might one day need in outer space.   Inside the dome, they created everything: a rainforest, a savanna, a desert, even a tiny ocean.   And of course — trees. Tall, beautiful trees that were supposed to grow strong and healthy in this "perfect" world.   And they did grow. Fast. Faster than trees outside the dome. But then something strange happened.   Before the trees reached maturity, they began to fall over. Perfect soil. Perfect water. Perfect sunlight. No disease. No pests. No drought.   So why were the trees collapsing? After studying the problem, the scientists discovered the missing ingredient: wind.   In the real world, wind pushes trees back and forth. That pressure creates something called stress wood — the strengthened wood that forms only when a tree is challenged. Wind also forces roots to grow deeper and wider, anchoring the tree so it can stand tall.   TELL ME HOW!!!!   Like a SUNFLOWER! A sunflower drinks in the most beautiful way. Its roots stretch deep and wide, acting like tiny straws that pull water and nutrients out of the soil. The moment the soil is wetter than the root, the water naturally moves inward — almost as if the plant is simply thirsty and the water rushes in to satisfy it.    From there, the stem carries that drink upward through little channels, delivering it to every leaf and finally to the flower itself. It's a quiet, constant flow that keeps the whole plant alive and growing.   Get thirsty for more of Jesus! Just like a sunflower is designed to pull water saturated with nutrients from the rich soil, you are designed to access and be nourished by God's strength and power.    That's just what happens when a plant is in good soil.     Your roots are in JESUS Colossians 2:6 BSB Therefore, just as you  have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him,    7 ROOTED and built up in Him, established in the faith  as you were taught,  and overflowing with thankfulness.   Draw strength,  love,  peace.. all that you need from Him.   Draw strength from His Presence God is speaking to Joshua  Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."     Spend time with Jesus!  Get in His Presence.  Worship Him.  Listen to His voice speak to your spirit as you study and mediate on Scripture.    Just because you did that last week, doesn't mean you don't need to get in His Presence again today.    It is daily bread. Sometimes…minute by minute drawing from His nature, listening to His guidance.     Pray. Ask for Strength.   Ephesians 3:16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,   Use your faith...believe God to give you strength!     Declare His Word over yourself or your situation like David did. David is declaring Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.     Paul declared in the middle of the storm He stood up in the middle of the boat, while the storm was still blowing and tossing, while it was still raining from a black sky and declared "....It will be just as he said."   Acts 27:25 NLT     Put God's Word in your heart and in your mouth. Revelation 12:11 BSB They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their TESTIMONY. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.     Being Strong is in your DNA  1 Peter 1:23 BSB Berean Standard Bible For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Never Underestimate the POWER of Prayer _ Peter is delivered from Prison

Have you ever said or thought "God doesn't talk to me!" Can I respectfully tell you, that's exactly what satan wants you to think, because it's simply NOT true.   I am convinced that it is critical that believers believe God wants to talk to His children! Every child needs to hear their father's voice.      It's always been important,  but today our culture is being bomb blasted by voices! 

Spoiler alert. I've always been a play by the rules kinda girl! I don't generally break the rules, but since it's only a people rule, I had to do it! I read the back of the book-first! I'm being silly. But seriously, I found a victory strategy in the last book of the Bible that I just have to share. It's found in John's Revelation of Jesus Christ that was given to him on the Isle of Patmos.   I found a Victory Strategy Revelation 12:11  They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.   Here's a quick snapshot of committed believers that were distinguish by the description "they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death…. Wow! they loved God more than their lives… their reputations… their possessions. A loud voice announced that they conquered the devil by the blood of the Lamb AND…I can't pass the reality of these words without pausing…the reality of His Love…the reality that Jesus gave His life for you and me…. He gave His very life blood to give you… Redemption 1 Peter 1:18, 19 BSB For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. Remember the victory strategy includes the word of our testimony. Word is also translated utterance, message, statement, speech; there is no doubt it means spoken word here. The word used here for testimony is a legal term. And our testimony is that we have been redeemed from the curse of the law! Galatians 3:13   Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Be cleansed from all sin 1 John 1:7 BSB But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. And our testimony is Lord I choose to walk in the light of your Word! I thank you that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. All sin…ALL SIN! Thank you, Father! I cannot cleanse myself. Yet, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin!! Confidence Hebrews 10:19 BSB Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, And our testimony is we praise you that because of the blood of Jesus we can come boldly (KJV) into the Most Holy Place…into your Presence. His Presence! His Presence is so wonderful. We don't come into His Presence fearful. We come into His Presence where we are welcomed and cherished and wanted. Please, please realize. There may be places that you are not welcomed, but His Presence is not one of those places!!! He made you to have fellowship with Him. He made you because He wanted you to be in His family! Hebrews 3:1 King James Bible Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; The word translated profession here is also translated confession. It simply means to agree with what God says. Dear friend, if we set our heart to believe what we see, nothing is going to change in our life. But if we set our hearts and eyes on the Word of God we can have what the Word promises. That's why we need to discover what Jesus purchased for us. If He is the High Priest of our profession, we need to be saying what God says! If you say nothing, then don't be surprised if you are not receiving what God has for you! It's important for us to realize that what God showed John in Revelation 12:11 is a 2 fold strategy for sold out believers that want to defeat the enemy! The blood of Jesus is powerful. Jesus made it possible for us to win over sin and defeat the enemy, but we must understand we access His power through faith and prayer.

A Desperate Journey of Faith  Have you ever felt an urgency in your heart, an almost desperate need to take your concerns to Jesus? Maybe you've thought, If only Jesus were here… If that resonates with you, you're not alone. The story of a nobleman in the Bible paints a vivid picture of a father's determination to reach Jesus and to heal his son. This story is more than just a miracle; it's a powerful message of faith and prayer strategies that can help us.   A Nobleman's Plea for Help  This nobleman, living in Capernaum, heard about the miracles Jesus performed at Passover and felt a spark of hope ignite within him. He hurried 20 miles to Cana, where Jesus was, longing for a miracle. It's not hard to picture him, a man of stature and status, walking with purpose and desperation in every step. When he found Jesus, he urgently pleaded, "Please, come with me to heal my son!"  48Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe." The nobleman remained undaunted, repeated his plea.   Faith in Jesus' Word  Rather than going with the nobleman, Jesus simply said, "Go your way; your son lives."  And the nobleman believed Jesus's words.  This is remarkable because the nobleman didn't argue or demand proof. He believed Jesus' words and started the journey back home. On his way, his servants met him, saying, "Your son is getting better." And when they compared times, the nobleman knew without a doubt that his son's healing happened at the exact moment Jesus spoke those words.   A Greater Miracle than Healing  But the story doesn't end there. The nobleman and his entire household came to believe in Jesus. This wasn't just faith in healing but faith in Jesus as the Messiah. The miracle was a sign that pointed to something greater—Jesus' divine identity. The nobleman's journey began with seeking physical healing, but it led to spiritual transformation for himself and his whole family.   Signs that Build Faith  John, intentionally shared this story to show us that faith is crucial. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." This nobleman's story challenges us to build our faith by immersing ourselves in God's Word and trusting in His promises.   The Power of Jesus' Word  It's significant to note that Jesus wasn't physically present at the nobleman's home when the healing occurred. It was Jesus' spoken word that brought healing from a distance. Psalm 107:20 says, "He sent His word and healed them." This is a powerful reminder that we can hold onto God's promises today. Even though Jesus isn't physically with us, His Spirit is still present, and His Word remains powerful to heal and restore.   Miracles Still Happen Today  The nobleman's story also reminds us that God performs miracles not just to meet our needs but to draw people to Himself. He uses signs and wonders to reveal His love and power, as seen in countless testimonies of people finding faith through divine intervention. One such story is of a man in Guyana, who was a Buddhist priest. During a critical illness, he saw a vision of his gods and Jesus standing at the foot of his bed. When Jesus reached out and touched him, healing power surged through his body, and he came to believe in the one true God. Miracles like these continue to testify of God's unchanging power and love.   Holding Onto Faith During Gradual Healings  Sometimes, God's healing is immediate, but other times, it's gradual. The nobleman's son began to improve, and by the time his father returned home, he was completely well. This teaches us that we must continue to stand firm in faith, even when the manifestation of healing takes time. The enemy may try to bring doubt, but God's promises are unshakable.    Invitation to Believe  The story of the nobleman and his son is a powerful reminder that faith in Jesus goes beyond the miracles we seek; it leads us into a deeper relationship with the Savior. If you're facing challenges or praying for a miracle, I encourage you to hold onto God's Word and believe in His promises. Believe God's Word. Trust that the same Jesus who healed and restored in the past is still at work in your life.

Do the things you are seeing and hearing around you break your heart? Not just for your needs, but other's needs, the prodigals, the hurricane victims, and what about the elections? I believe God is calling every believer to care and pray. We are called to intercede... to stand in the gap.    Let me share why I believe every born-again believer should be an intercessor. We live in a time where prayer isn't just encouraged—it's essential. Let's dive into the Word of God and see how Scripture calls us to stand in the gap for those in authority and the world around us.     The Biblical Call to Intercede In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul urges us to offer petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, especially for kings and those in authority. Why? So that we may live peaceful and godly lives in dignity. Prayer has a powerful effect, not only on our lives but also on our communities and nations. Throughout history, when Israel had godly leaders, the people followed in righteousness, and the reverse was also true when the leaders strayed from God's ways.    The Importance of Leaders With the state of the world today—elections approaching, natural disasters like Hurricane Helena, and unrest everywhere—it's clear that we have many reasons to pray for our leaders. When we pray, we invite God to intervene in these situations, aligning them with His will. It's time for us, the church, to rise up and get on our knees in prayer.    Spiritual Strength, Not Physical Just like the image given in Isaiah 37 and 2 Kings 19, there's a feeling that people are weary. It's like a mother ready to give birth, but lacking the strength to deliver. While many of us may be physically strong, our spiritual strength is what's lacking. And this is concerning. It's time for the church to wake up and become spiritually strong through prayer.    Don't Misinterpret God's Control We often hear the phrase, "God is in control." While this is absolutely true, it is not an excuse to relax and do nothing. God invites us to partner with Him, and one of the most powerful ways we can do that is through prayer. Jesus was a man of prayer. He also taught His disciples to pray, saying, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."     It's Time to Pray with Purpose Jesus didn't teach us to pray simply as a formality. He showed us that our prayers play a role in bringing God's will to pass here on earth. Yet many Christians today don't pray, assuming that whatever happens is God's will. This is a dangerous mindset. It's time to sound the alarm! We must rise up as the church and pray the promises of God over our lives, our leaders, and our nation.    The Power of God's Promises Prayer is more than just words—it's aligning our hearts with God's promises. Just as a baby develops over nine months in the womb, there's a gestation period for the promises of God. We must take hold of His promises, meditate on them, and pray them through relentlessly until they come to pass. As believers, we have the authority to use the name of Jesus and the Word of God in our prayers. We can boldly approach God's throne, trusting that if He gave us His Son, He will surely hear and answer our prayers.    Join the Prayer Movement   There's a significant event happening on October 12th A Million Women – An Esther Call on the Mall in Washington, D.C. (It's not just for women!) It's a day of fasting and intercession for our nation, leaders, and prodigals. If you can't attend, you can still participate by setting aside time to pray, fast, and intercede. Let's humble ourselves before God, praying for revival in our churches, families, and nation.

I believe that Precious Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth guides us into all truth!    I believe that because …we have a wonderful promise in John 16:13 says, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."   Before I take you to what God is dealing with my heart about, I'd like to be your travel guide on a little rabbit trail. Don't worry—ill get you back safely!   I'm blessed to live in Florida, a state that's known for its beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and endless fun activities. It seems like everyone wants to move here!    Most of you are too young to know this, but in mid-1950s through 1971, if you were looking for a place to vacation in Florida, your travel guide would probably have pointed you to the famous Orange Blossom Trail. Among its attractions were The Singing Tower, Cypress Gardens, and Masterpiece Gardens.   Masterpiece Gardens: A Popular Florida Gem Masterpiece Gardens was a gorgeous 38-acre showcase of towering, moss-covered oak trees and vibrant semi-tropical plants nestled along a peaceful river. It was a place where you could feed deer, watch alligators, and even enjoy a sky ride. But the real draw, the masterpiece itself, was its namesake—a breathtaking work of art that people from all over traveled to see. And believe me, it was worth the trip!   Wayne and I were at Masterpiece Gardens recently when a couple approached us, excited to see the masterpiece they remembered from their childhood. They'd taken a detour off the main highway, driving down winding back roads, eager to relive their memories. Unfortunately, we had to break the news: the masterpiece was no longer there.   The Mosaic Masterpiece: A Work of Art and Faith  Curiosity got the best of me, so I did a little research. I want to tell you what I discovered and show you the real MasterPEACE.

Have you ever felt like trusting God is a struggle? You're not alone. I've been there too, wondering why things aren't unfolding the way I expect them to, and sometimes, fear creeps in.   King Asa's Bold Faith in God  There are moments when we want to trust, but it just feels so hard. This reminds me of the story of King Asa in Second Chronicles 15. Let me set the stage for you.    Build your faith by hearing, reading and meditating on Scripture. It is so important to trust Him because there are so many benefits!

Do you ever find yourself hesitating to pray for someone's healing, wondering, "What if they don't get healed?" It's a common concern, but let's flip the script. Instead, ask yourself, "What if they do get healed?" We don't stop sharing our faith even though not everyone we witness to gets saved. In the same way, we shouldn't let doubt hold us back from praying for healing.   I want to build your faith and confidence by digging deeper into Isaiah 53:5, connect it with 1 Peter 2:24, show you the why in Matthew 8: 16,17. A close look any of these 3 verses wouldn't be complete without taking you to Jehovah Rapha! Some of you pray through the redemptive names of God, so you're going to love this! It's a lot to cover, but it's worth the trip. I get pretty excited in this teaching!  I strongly suggest that you listen or watch the audio or the video for this one!!!  

I am so thankful for the many times that I and my family have experienced biblical healing! I've been digging in God's Word and testimonies of modern-day healings, lately. That study has built my faith to see God's power demonstrated. In this post I want to share an inspiring story of a man that was healed because there is power in the name of Jesus. Smith Wigglesworth: A Vessel of Miracles God used Smith Wigglesworth in powerful ways to heal the sick. The miracles he witnessed were truly amazing. Whenever I picked up a book of his sermons, I was captivated from the very first page. One story, in particular, touched my heart deeply. It was the story of a church leader who had fallen gravely ill. I share that story in this podcast, but I also want to talk about other ways that people are healed biblically.  I pray that your faith will be stirred to pray for healing and that you will experience physical or emotional as well. #biblicalhealing #healingbyfaith #prayerforthesick

I have some great news for you. You can memorize God's Word even if you are horrible at memorization. I've struggled to memorize things, my whole life, however, it doesn't have to stop me from memorizing Scripture. Although it has been one of my excuses for not memorizing Bible verses. I'm discovering that I can't afford to miss the wonderful benefits that come from memorizing Scripture. Check out my website at https:///patriciaholland.org for more inspirational posts.

Do you want more? I've got lots of inspiring stories at patriciaholland.org What do you do when you are facing difficult circumstances?   How do you deal with hard places?   I want to answer that question by begining with a look at an aurora borealis. Might sound strange, but I think you'll enjoy the stop when you understand the back story.        Would you like to be strong in the Lord? You can be!   And I'd like to encourage you on that journey! I'd like to give you send my free ebook "Stronger". All I need is your email address and I'll get that book and a weekly encouraging note off to you right away!   Here's the link: https://patriciaholland.org/   Read More  

Do you want more? I've got lots of inspiring stories at patriciaholland.org Would you like to be strong in the Lord? You can be!   And I'd like to encourage you on that journey! I'd like to give you send my free ebook "Stronger". All I need is your email address and I'll get that book and a weekly encouraging note off to you right away!   Here's the link: https://patriciaholland.org/  

Don't Underestimate the Power of Communion Do you ever feel too forgetful? That's a terrible question. Don't answer it! Let me tell you how my mom solved that question for me.   I was so afraid that I would forget!  When I complained to my mother, she sent me to the closet to get some ribbon. When I brought it back, she cut a piece and handed it to me with the instruction, "Tie it around your finger. Now you will remember! because every time you see the ribbon you'll be reminded that Mildred has a birthday party at 3:00 on Saturday."    My mother, was right.  I remembered. I didn't let her forget either because I needed her to take me to the party.    The Israelites NEEDED to REMEMBER God knows how forgetful we can be.  Just like my mom God had a strategy to help them remember.    God was going to deliver His people from slavery. In Exodus 12 God laid out His strategy that would lead to their deliverance.    God's final plague was about to be released. The precious heir, the oldest son in every family would die throughout Egypt. Even the animals were included in this horrendous plague.   God assigned the Israelites a duty that would ensure His protection and exemption from the plague.    God told them to… Kill a lamb. Take the blood. Paint the doorposts, top and sides! You will be safe in the midst of the plague.    This plague was the pivotal event that freed them from slavery. It would change their identity and distinguish them as God's chosen people.   They needed to REMEMBER God's faithfulness. So, before the plague ever happened, God told Moses and Aaron so you won't forget, you must celebrate this miracle every year.    God had the annual celebration of Passover all planned before it even happened! A celebration that at its innermost core was a memorial to the goodness and faithfulness of God.   God had a covenant with these people, with this nation.    Hundreds of years later. It was at a Passover celebration that we spot the perfect lamb…the lamb of God, Jesus. He was about to fulfill the plan of God. He was about to do what no animal sacrifice could ever do. He was about to pay the full price of sin.    He was going to do more than redeem a nation. Jesus came to be the Savior of the World. He was about to make a way that anyone and everyone could be forgiven, cleansed from all sin and born into God's family. A sense of belonging that would help them experience a new identity. A relationship with God. Peace. Love. Joy.   A new covenant.    And like God declared "Remember" at the Passover in Egypt, Jesus, knowing that He was about to pay the ultimate price, said "Remember".    This is important…it wasn't what they expected to hear. Jesus was telling them, "From now on, when you celebrate this event…I want you to remember me!" Me? What?    This was the Passover. They were to remember how God saved Israel from death and delivered them from bondage. Israel's deliverance from Egypt was a prophetic picture of what Jesus would do at the cross for anyone that would believe on Him.   We know the saying…"Out of sight. Out of mind." Jesus was leaving them. Before He died, He set in place a memorial, a celebration to remember Jesus!   Let me show you what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11. 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,   24and when He had given thanks,   He broke it and said,   (Sorry to interrupt. Jesus knew what was about to happen to Him. Did it show in His voice? Did He speak slowly for impact? Did He stop at the end of each phrase so the gravity of what He was saying could sink into their hearts? OK. Here's what He said.)   "This is My body,  which is for you;  do this in remembrance  of Me."    25In the same way,  after supper He took the cup, saying,  "This cup is the new covenant  in My blood;  do this,  as often as you drink it,  in remembrance of Me."   The New Covenant Berean Standard Bible 1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. "By His stripes you are healed."   Forgiveness. Redemption. New Birth. Peace. Healing. Wholeness. Body. Soul. Spirit. Through Jesus!   One more thought. We call it communion at my church. It's not snack time. It's more than a symbol.   While the activity is symbolic, it is so much more than a symbol that calls us to remember the past.   Yes, remember, REMEMBER what He did so you can walk in newness of life right now-today. So, you can experience His love, grace, peace and power.   An invitation to come close, to experience a deep level of spiritual fellowship.  Do we do that? Do we even really understand what that means?   Sunday's communion stirred something in my heart. I want to know what it is to really commune, fellowship, experience Him at a deeper level.   He also gave a prophetic promise. He won't drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes!

Check out my website at https:///patriciaholland.org for more inspirational posts.   I'm so excited about the story that I have to tell you today. This story happened about 115 years ago, but it has a direct effect on my life.   I even have a couple of options for you!  Video  It is NOT perfect...ahh! So frustrating!!     Audio link      I want to tell you about Lillie Corum.  She lived in Springfield, Missouri. She was a mom with four kids, and she lived in a white clapboard house.   Back Story But now, here's the back story that's really important to help you fill in the details of how she could make such a good decision when she did. Her sister Rachel Sizelove was baptized with the Holy Spirit in the Azusa Street revival in July of 1906. In her heart, she really felt like she needed to go to the Midwest to talk to her siblings and her mom and share with them what God had done in her life. She wanted to tell them about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that she had experienced. She arrived at Lillie Corum's house the last part of May of 1907.    Little Fred,  (Lillie's son) was just a little bitty fella, but from behind his mother's apron, he tells his story of seeing Aunt Rachel. He said that when she walked in the door, it was like her face was just all lit up. She seemed all aglow. She had her hands up in the air and she was praying in her heavenly language.   The family ushered Aunt Rachel into the parlor, where they gathered around and listened to her powerful stories. The whole time she was there, she couldn't hardly talk about anything else. She had so many stories and so many testimonies of what the Holy Spirit was doing in that revival.   Rachel tried to explain to her family that the presence of God was so real. She could hear God clearer than she had ever heard him before, and that the voices of the world just seem more distant than they had ever been before too.   June 1st, 1907 Lillie Corum grew hungry to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In one of their all-night prayer meetings, in the wee hours of the morning, Lillie was baptized with the Holy Spirit. She was so excited. She just wanted to tell everybody. She was just like Rachel. Rachel didn't stay long. She went on back to California.   Lillie began telling her neighbors,  and they begin getting filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.   Azusa Street Revival was life changing. If you know about the Azusa Street revival, then you've probably heard about the miracles that took place and about the radical healings. You've probably read about the amazing transformations in people's lives when they got saved. It was absolutely phenomenal what God was doing.   God was working and moving in the Springfield group of believers too. The numbers grew, so they began looking for a building. After a long period of time and a lot of problems, they were able to rent a building.   Hungry people came. The testimonies of what God was doing stirred a spiritual hunger in people's hearts. These people came to be filled.   Curious people that showed up. They wanted to see for themselves exactly what was happening and what was going on inside the church.   The Rowdies came too! But, there was another group that showed up, and this group was what they called the Rowdies. These folks really didn't typically come inside the service, but you knew they were outside. They came to harass and annoy the believers. Sometimes the crowd outside was bigger than the crowd inside where the people were seeking God.   The rowdies made their presence known by making all kinds of racket. They would stand in the window and holler while the service was going on. They would bang on the on the walls of the building. They would cut the reins on their horse's bridles. Remember, this was 1907, many of the people's only transportation was a horse.   One night,  Sister Lula France from Joplin was preaching when one of these rowdies came in. This little fella came running down the center aisle holding an egg. He threw that egg and it hit the pulpit. When it hit the pulpit, it splattered. That egg went everywhere. It got on the preacher. It got all over that pulpit. It was on all the people down front. It went everywhere.   The boy stood there gloating,  enjoying the moment. The mess. The confusion. He's laughing. He's loving every minute of what he's seeing. Mrs. Lillie Corum goes over to the boy. She points her finger in his face and said, "you threw that egg!".   He stood his ground  as he replies sarcastically, What of it? She said, I'm going to pray for you. I'm going to pray that you won't be able to sleep at night until you give your heart to Jesus. I'm going to pray that God will make you a preacher and that you'll be a soul winner. And God will use you in mighty ways. And she did pray. She didn't talk about praying...she prayed.   Many years passed. She was in church when a nice-looking young man greeted her, "Hello, Mrs. Corum, do you remember me?" She looked at him first one way and then the other, then answered, "I don't think I know you."   To that he replied, "Mrs. Corum, I'm the one that threw the egg." Then he began to cry, "I couldn't sleep nights after that happened. As I lay there awake, I would pray. Then I began to seek God. I got saved."   And he says, "I'm up here going to Bible college now. I'm going to be a preacher."   That young man's name was Phineas Jennings Dake.     And when I heard his name I thought I recognized it.     I got my favorite study Bible.  I went to the first page and there was the name I'd just heard. Phineas Jennings Dake!   He was the author and the organizer of the study features of my precious study Bible. All the lists, I loved the lists!!! It made me go back and reread the verse sure enough, he had listed things in the verse that I had missed. He had cross references, that make me go back and forth all over my Bible.    I love technology and I do so much study online, but there was nothing like that back then. And there are things in my Dakes Annotated Reference Bible that aren't found in the reference books I've found online!   I can't begin to tell you what the Dake's Reference Bible has meant to me. It was a big, expensive Bible. Using that Bible taught me how to dig, to digest, to think and rethink about what I was reading.   My Dakes Annotated Bible has shaped me and my life and my beliefs. It has been an inspiration to me again and again.   I made the connection  to explain how Mrs. Lillie's decision impacted my life.   But in the heat of that moment how did she make such a life changing decision?   It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Lillie Corum responded like she did. Yes, she pointed out the wrong he was doing, but she also prayed for him.   She prayed for him. But,I can't help but wonder if things would be different if instead of only seeing the bad that people do, we would pray for them. If we PRAYED, really prayed for them, would things be different?    When we hear bad news, when we see people behave in ways that break our heart, AND it should break our heart! It should break our heart BIG enough that we go to God!  Big enough that we pray for them to be born again and that they would encounter God in a powerful way.    I am convinced that Lillie Corum's prayers and the way she spoke into that rowdy boy's destiny is a factor that made it possible for me to have an Annotated Bible. A Bible that taught me how to study Scripture. I will always be thankful for the gift she gave me when she prayed. I didn't even know to BE thankful for Mrs. Lillie Corum until a few weeks ago! But I can tell you...I am thankful!!!

The war was over and Corrie ten boom was back in Germany. She was there to speak to some young people about the riches that we have in Christ Jesus. I wish there was a recording of that teaching!    In her book of stories called "Amazing Love", she explains that although Germans are very reserved, she invited her audience to stay for a discussion after the meeting.    It took a lot of courage  for seven young people to stay. One of them spoke up and said, I'm an atheist. You do what you do with Jesus. I do it without Him, and I do it at least as well as you. Then, he began to talk about his successes that he had been able to accomplish in his own strength.    Wise enough to pray. Corrie ten Boom didn't want to argue or debate with anyone, so she prayed silently. Then she responded, "If the time should come in your life when you can no longer go on in your own strength, then remember and think about what you've heard this evening."   Another young man spoke up  "Oh, for me, the Bible is the inventory record of all that I possess in Him. I followed Hitler with all my heart and soul. But God intervened in my life and took everything away from me. I was a prisoner, and one of my comrades read the Bible with me every day when we were in prison camp. It was then that I came to know Jesus."   Then everybody was ready to talk.  They began to talk about the troubles they had seen and what they were going through.    One young man said," I am so unfaithful. I want to believe, but my faith wavers. And now that you've told me all these wonderful things, I feel certain again. But what about tomorrow? What if I waver tomorrow? What if my faith is not strong tomorrow?   Corrie ten boom explained with an illustration. "I was a watchmaker by trade.  Sometimes we got watches that didn't keep good time. There were some things I could repair myself, but there were some things that I just had to send back to the manufacture. When the manufacture repaired them, they ran perfect again.    That's what I do with my faith, Corey explained. If there's something wrong with my faith, I just send it back to the heavenly manufacturer. When he repairs it, it works right again.    I'm so thankful that Hebrews 12:2 doesn't tell us to look to our own faith?   Corrie continued, "If it did, I might say my faith is great and that would be pride. The victory would be the devil's because spiritual pride is very destructive."   Or maybe I would say, "Oh, my faith doesn't amount to anything. It doesn't do anything for me. And that's defeatism. That's a victory for the devil, too" .    Hudson Taylor once said, "We do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God!" Hebrews 12:2a BSB "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,..) Fill your heart with the Word of God. Renew and strengthen your faith in a great God that does what He says He will do when we choose to believe Him instead of circumstances!

Isaiah 61:3 shows us a dynamic picture of Jesus the Joy Bringer comforting the mourer.  to console the mourners in Zion— to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.   There are many reasons people grieve, but Jesus brings beauty out of ashes!

https://www.patriciaholland.org/home/gods-love-letter/ Have you ever received a love letter that was so precious to you that you had to save it…tuck it away in a safe place. So amazing that through the years you retrieved it again and again to savor the sweet words? It's only a jumble of words, written on plain piece of paper, stuffed inside an envelope, but if you're the recipient then you know the power of a love letter. Every word, every single word is pure gold. Every word is read and reread with pure delight. While the words may be simple, they are electrifying. While they may be scrawled and hard to read, the words are priceless. Every "I love you" and every tender expression communicates that the reader is recognized, chosen, and valuable. Oh, I know about love letters because when I was dating my sweetheart, he was in the Air Force and he had to go to Vietnam. And while he was there, he had to work 12 to 14 hours every day, seven days a week. And then in the evening, he would have to do courses. He didn't have a lot of time.   I don't know how he did it, but somehow, he found a way to write to me every single day. I could hardly wait until time for the mail to arrive each day. I developed an ear for the mail truck. Whenever I would hear that familiar sound grow louder, I'd run out to the end of my driveway and stand by the mailbox until it arrived.   I didn't wait till I got inside to open it. I stood at the mailbox to go through the mail as soon as it arrived. If I got a letter (even though he wrote me every day, the mail system may not deliver one every day), I would tear it open, then proceed to read every single word. Once inside, I would read it again. I was so happy to have a letter. Every word was important, because I loved him and he loved me.   I want to tell you something that you already know; God has written you a love letter.  

Hey! You can learn more about me at https://www.patriciaholland.org Have you ever opened your Bible and a promise seemed to jump off the page? I mean it came so alive to you that if felt like it was written just for you? So of course, you reread the verse. It felt like God was talking to you personally and that this promise was for you. And because you understand the power of stewarding the Word of God, you probably opened your Prayer Journal and wrote it out long hand. Whether you typed it or wrote it isn't the point, but you just knew this verse was so good that you just had to remember it.   Don't you just love it when that happens?   Oh, wow, I sure do. I mean, I do and I don't.   Let me explain. Any time you get a promise from God, a promise means that God's going to do it. But between the promise and the fulfillment of their promise, there's this gap. It's the waiting time.   Do you like to wait? Not me!   But then I think about Abraham. Abraham wanted a son really, really bad. When Abraham was 75 years old, that's a long time to want something, God gave Abraham a promise that he was going to give him a son.   There was a span of 25 years between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise.   How do you wait 25 years?   I mean, I can't imagine. You know, I'm one of those people that I used to stand in front of my microwave and tap my foot wanting to hurry it up impatiently, saying, come on, come on. When I was just simply trying to eat a cup of coffee.   But I learned something. I learned that instead of standing there watching the microwave, I could go clean out the dishwasher or I could clean out the counters. Or sometimes I would even play a game with myself and running around a room, put on a load of clothes and try to beat that time on the on my microwave. You see, that's what God did for Abraham.   God knew that there would be a time between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise.  And so… He gave Abraham some reminders. Well, at that time, his name was Abram, but he gave him some reminders that would help him along the way. How did they keep his eyes off the clock, no, the calendar? Because the span was 25 years, not 25 minutes.   Even though Abraham had to wait, his faith didn't waver.   Romans 4:20-21 ESV No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.      I want to have a story like that. I want God to say, "Pat's faith didn't waver." How 'bout you?   Abraham did something very important while he waited, something that we can do too.   I want to tell you about it in this podcast teaching. Be sure to pray with me at the end of the video. I love praying with you!

https://www.patriciaholland.org/ A dad was desperate to find help for his son. When he finally got to Jesus, he questioned him, "If you can? Please help us." He wasn't even certain that Jesus could help his son. People still wonder about Jesus. Some even come to Him with that question. And Jesus' answer hasn't changed. He still answers..."All things are possible to him who believes!" I love the dad's answer. I think Jesus did too.

Does exhausted describe you? Maybe you're mentally exhausted or simply physically exhausted because you've been BUSY!? Or maybe you are BOTH Man, I know I've been there! And it's not that you're goofing around. Maybe you're giving it all you got, it's just you ain't got any more to give it?  Or maybe you're rested and full of vim and zest, ready for anything! But I would guess that you can still identify with that feeling of total exhaustion. If exhausted describes you, now or at some point in your life, then I have to tell you about a special invitation I found for you and (me too)! If you're tired of the struggle, tired of the pressure, this invite has your name all over it. Matthew 11:28-30 BSB Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  The rest He promises you isn't an empty promise. I know the power of responding to His invitation. I've experienced it so many times. Sometimes, we want to rush into His Presence like we run through the drive through at our least favorite fast food. Expecting little and receiving little. We must learn to quiet our spirit and receive His peace. I know those words are wrapped in plain brown grocery paper. Simple words, there's nothing there to dazzle your eyes. The words are so simple they don't entice your taste buds. But if you respond to His invitation, it can transform you. The rest He promises you isn't an empty promise. I know the power of responding to His invitation. I've experienced His promise, "I will give you rest." so many times. I am so thankful that He wants to give His children rest, peace and strength. I'd love to hear your story of how He did that for you. But still, I have to ask the question, "Is there a way that we can live different? Is there a way that we don't have to get to the end of our rope before we experience His rest, His peace? Is our exhaustion the only door that rest can come through? I am convinced that answer is found in the next two verses. What does that kind of life look like? How do we get there? ...stay there? ...live there? As I was studying and praying over this teaching my thoughts visited my daughter's desire for a laundry room make over. It was a huge project. She would have to construct enough cabinets from 4' X 8' sheets of plywood to fill a 10' X 10' wall. And then the cabinets would need doors. An electrical outlet and plumbing would have to be moved. It was a crazy big project that would have been harrowing for lots of folks! But she did something that lots of people never do. Let me tell you about it and how it relates to living different.

Just like your body and mind needs rest, so does your soul. But how do we experience soul rest? I am convinced that Isaiah 28: 14 and 1 Corinthians 14:21 shows us that speaking or praying in tongues is a key to experiencing rest for our soul.   When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It changed the trajectory of my life.   I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time you can get FREE SHIPPING when you purchase Precious Holy Spirit Book with the coupon code 236HHR9R Coupon Code for Precious Holy Spirit Book   Here's the link: https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/   #patholland #holyspirit #spiritfilledliving #preciousholyspirit

I absolutely love the picture that Acts 10:38 NLT gives us of Jesus. "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." Do you read it only as an accurate recording of a historical event?   If you do then you walk away informed, but powerless. Does that verse excite you?  Does it inspire you…does it make you want to see the sick healed? Does it make you hungry for miracles? How it affects you will depend on how you read it.   You are called to do the works of Jesus. The followers of Jesus were commanded to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with power. Even though they had been taught by Jesus Himself. They still needed God's power- Holy Spirit to impact their world. You need Holy Spirit power to impact your world too.   When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It launched me into a life long journey of discovering the Word and the Spirit.   I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time, you can get FREE SHIPPING when you purchase Precious Holy Spirit Book with the coupon code 236HHR9R Coupon Code for Precious Holy Spirit Book   Here's the link: https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/   https://www.patriciaholland.org #patholland #holyspirit #powerofgod #spiritfilledliving #preciousholyspirit

In John 14:16 Jesus promised His disciples…" And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—   The words "Another Advocate" are very insightful words so let's unpack them.   When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It launched me into a life long journey of discovering the Word and the Spirit.   I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time, you can get FREE SHIPPING when you purchase Precious Holy Spirit Book with the coupon code 236HHR9R Coupon Code for Precious Holy Spirit Book   Here's the link: https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/   #patholland #holyspirit #spiritfilledliving #preciousholyspirit     Tags: paraklēton, John 2:1, John 14:16, John 14:17, John 16:7, paraklét, send you another advocate, Holy Spirit, advocate, another advocate,

In this video I give you another bite sized teaching on Precious Holy Spirit. I dig deeper into 2 Corinthians 13:14. Is Holy Spirit your friend? Is He? Can Holy Spirit be your friend? https: www.patriciaholland.org I mean, according to the Bible, can Holy Spirit be your friend? And, does it even matter?   I am convinced it does. I believe with all my heart that God wants to use you. I believe God wants to increase your influence. I believe God wants to pour His love, power, healing and life through you to hurting people. Do you believe that? But I believe something else just as much as I believe what I told you in the paragraph above. I am convinced it won't happen unless you believe it enough to get full of the Word of God and the Spirit of God.  

Do you have questions about who Holy Spirit is and what He does in a believer's life? Many believers see His name, Holy Spirit, in the Bible and don't have any idea Who He is. We need to know Him. He is important enough to take the time to learn about Him. Many churches celebrate Pentecost Sunday without really understanding what it is. It's an important day, when we celebrate both the Word and the Holy Spirit. (If you don't know why I say that, then you need to get my book Precious Holy Spirit. This book will answer your questions and help you experience more of what God has for you. https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/) Just like the disciples and followers of Jesus needed and were commanded by Jesus to stay until they were endued with power, WE NEED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. So, for the next few weeks I'm going to be talking about my precious friend, Holy Spirit. I've been working on some new stuff that I am super excited to share with you! This week's teaching is brand new. There are treasures, wonderful treasures in the Old Testament that you will never see without the light of the New Testament. The doctrine of the Trinity is one of those things. When you use the light of the Gospel of John, it is almost glaringly obvious! I am so excited to share this teaching with you. "Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God." It's short, even with my prayer. Just a side thought. When I pray in the video, do you pray with me and mix your faith with mine that God will answer our prayer? I hope you do, because I don't pray in the video to look spiritual. I pray because I want you to be blessed, so I'm asking God to do that. So please pray and believe with me.

An event happened at the Gate Beautiful that was even more beautiful than its setting. A 40-year-old crippled man was healed. The religious leaders overlooked the miracle because Peter and John's message of Jesus and His resurrection didn't fit in their neat little religious box. They were distraught! 7They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed, 10then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11This Jesus is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' 12Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Peter and John knew the inherent power that is in the name of Jesus! They had seen Jesus' miracles! They understood that while they had no power to heal, Jesus does. They understood that they had been delegated authority as children of God, to use the name of Jesus. And when they used the name of Jesus a man that had never walked was healed. The 7 sons of Sceva tried to use the name, but they were not believers, so it back-fired on them. Jesus still heals. There is power in His name. Jesus still saves and delivers.  Everything Jesus was His name still is. David Hughart As believers, when we grasp the reality of the power in the name of Jesus, we will see the miracles we were meant to see!

Have you ever felt so disgusted with someone that you didn't even want to look at them? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.) Or maybe you've felt that you were so disgusting that you didn't want anyone to see you? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.) An even more important question is does God ever get so disgusted with us that He looks away? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.) Did Jesus close his eyes when He was hanging on the cross…I mean, after all the miracles, all the fish and bread He gave them, this is how they treat Him? Did Jesus look away from the people that hated Him? I want to share my friend's story with you and what God whispered to her when she was going through a difficult situation. Let me give you a hint of what I believe. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 KJV How do we feel God's love? We receive it, believe it by faith. How do we love like God? We allow God's love to flow through us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Hebrews 12:2 NLT

Pursue You Will Recover All Go get 'em! Are you God's child? Do you realize what that means? Do you realize that God wants you to walk in victory? Yet, it's not automatic. We have a role to play. We see that clearly in David's life when he faced a hopeless situation at Ziklag. Instead, of accepting defeat, he asked God what to do. God said, Pursue Them You Will Recover All! It's never as easy as it sounds…but David would tell you it's worth it. It could be a line from a bank robbery scene in an old western or a mama's frustrated command when she hears the neighbor kid took her son's skates, but actually it's what I hear when I read 1 Samuel 30:8. Let me set up the verse before I read it with you. God is talking to David, not the king David yet. He's still the vagabond David, hiding from King Saul, living in enemy territory. He is sitting crumbled in the dirt, holding his face in his hands. He though he was coming home to his family after an embarrassing, did I say embarrassing, I should have said humiliating, confrontation with the Philistine commanders. https://youtu.be/e9vXQ0Q6BQI Lost everything!  Instead of being welcomed by family, he and his men were assaulted with the sights and stench of what remained of their homes. Everything was gone; their home, their belongings, their kids and their wives. At first the men cried, yes, they did. Strong, brave men need to cry sometimes too. This was long before  anyone taught their boys such foolishness, they cried hot tears and sobbed the loud painful cries of brokenness. But those broken cries quickly turned angry and vengeful. Angry voices through clinched teeth debated and plotted of stoning David. It looked hopeless. No. I'm serious, it looked hopeless. Ever felt like the enemy is trying to bring division in your marriage? Or that he has enslaved your kids with drugs, alcohol or rebellion? Somebody you love reeling under the weight of depression, unworthiness or shame? Sometimes it feels impossible for them to just be "normal" again. There are no impossible situations for God. I believe God is bringing home prodigals. I believe God is breaking lies, deception and bondages off our friends and family. He's delivering the broken and healing mental illnesses. Then David asked God. Should I chase them? Will I catch them? Have you asked God or have you searched Scripture to find what God says about the situation you are facing? God answered David. Here it is. Here's God's "Go get'em!" Well, God doesn't say it quite like that more like… Pursue them. You will recover all.

For more inspirational stories go to Blog - Patricia Holland Have you ever hung around a salty Christian and left wanting to have a deeper relationship with Jesus? That's what happened to my friend Rhonda. After watching the War Room, she said, "I want to pray like Clara."   Rhonda did something that most people don't do. Rhonda took action on her desire to have a closer relationship with God. One of the first things that changes when we want more of God is how we pray. Our prayer takes on a new sense of hunger and seriousness. It becomes more than words or a religious obligation. It becomes precious with God. She prayed different. Rhonda had a doctor's appointment the next morning so she prayed on the way there. She prayed aloud, verses from the Bible. in her prayer language. And she felt it. I am so thankful that we can experience the manifest presence of God!!!! She didn't say this part, but from the results she testified about, I know, I KNOW, she mixed her prayer with faith. It is time to pray big bold prayers. I get it. There are some things that I am tired of praying about. I am so ready to see the breakthrough, to see my prodigals come home. To see the manifestations of healings that I am believing God to do in our midst, so He will be glorified. But as long as I have breath I am going to keep praying and believing God's Word. Big Challenges I know that we are facing big situations in the world around us, but we serve a BIGGER God. Don't back down because the enemy of your soul is trying to intimidate you. 4 Ways to Keep Your Relationship with God a Priority! Hang out with Bible loving people. Value the Word. Mix it with faith. Act on what it says.

Say it with flowers is more than a clever florist mantra. From the lowly dandelion all the way to the brightest red rose they say "I love you", when they are given to us by someone special. My camera is always full of flower pictures, but the fireweed, yes, it is a weed, is one of my favorites. Maybe, it is my favorite because it has a secret that is important to you. Why is the fireweed's secret important to you? Is the fireweed's secret really important to you? If you've ever felt ordinary, unseen or unloved then it's secret is important to you. Or maybe you struggled with feeling forgotten or misunderstood, then this secret is for you. This secret is for you, if you've ever felt broken, alone or not good enough. It's not a secret because it should be hidden or never spoken aloud. It's a secret because so few people see it. I want to remind you that you are loved, loved, loved! Yet sometimes we don't feel very loved. I want to give you a checklist of things that will help you feel more loved. Here's a link that will get you that link and more inspiration. https://forms.aweber.com/form/56/897608456.htm

It is so easy to get anxious or become fearful when things are happening around you, or maybe even in your body. It's easy to become anxious, but you don't have to give in to the pressure of life. You don't have to live under the circumstances. You can be strong in the Lord. I want to help you face and fight anxiety with God's Word. In today's teaching, I'm going to give you 2 ways that will help you know how to fight anxiety. And so, you don't miss them, I'm going to give you the 2 ways to fight anxiety right up front. Hear the Word of God Pray the Word of God. Not only do I want you to give anxiety the one two punch of hearing and praying the Word. I want to give you 5 verses that have helped me fight anxiety and fear so many times. God's Word is powerful I fight anxiety with Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I can't tell you how many times I have prayed 1 Peter 5:7 NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Proverbs 16:3 BSB Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.   Psalm 55:22 BSB Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 34:15 BSB The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. It changes things, we get a grip on the reality that God sees and listens when we cry out to Him!!! Two ways to use these verses to fight anxiety. And, I am going to give you two resources that will build your faith muscles and help you pray more effectively. Listen, I want you to win over anxiety, but you got to get up and fight the good fight of faith. So here's two resources that will encourage you. The first resource is the video on this page. 1. Listen to these verses, but more importantly let them soak into your spirit. Say them with me again and again. Jot down anything Holy Spirit whispers as you listen to these verses. 2. Read the verses aloud yourself. I put the verses in a .pdf so you can upload them into your Kindle or whatever reader you may use. If you have joined my tribe of hungry believers, then you will have the link in an email from me. If you haven't joined me yet, let me encourage you to join us right now. Here's where you need to go to get that link for your free Bible Verses on Anxiety .pdf. https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1295189607.htm Do you realize how you think affects your moods and how you feel? When you change how you think it can make you feel better and live happier! Ready to feel better? https://forms.aweber.com/form/48/354268048.htm For more inspiration go to https://www.patriciaholland.org/blog/  

Ever had someone tell you something you should have already known, but someone the obvious escaped you? I have. Many times. Many times! Can I tell you something in the kindness way I know how. Something that you know, but may be so busy, so distracted that you don't realize you don't REALLY know it?  Well, instead of telling you...I'm going to share how a stranger told me the truth in a shocking way. And I'm so glad he did! This session is on how you can lean into or how you can get God's strength. Here are two powerful verses that remind us that God is faithful to strengthen us. Isaiah 41:10 BSB Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. Ephesians 3:16 BSB Berean Study Bible I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, I want you to be strong. More importantly, God wants you to be strong. I want to share some keys with you in my free "Be Stronger eBook."

Are you living like your strength is enough? Are you at the end of your strength?   Have you ever craned your neck back, then even further back in order to size up the situation you were facing much like David did when he faced Goliath?   Maybe you are standing there right now. As you sized up the situation, you realized that your muscles, your strength and your ability were absolutely inadequate for the fight you were facing? Standing there, facing your giant, you KNOW, absolutely know that you ain't got it in you, if you are there, then you are in a great place! Cause you have reached the end of your strength and you're finally willing to reach for God's strength.   I am a visual thinker.  That means I almost always want to know what something looks like. Most of the time I picture strength as bold and showy like the bulging muscles that drive a bully's drawn fist. And I forget that it can be seen even more  accurately in the tenacity of a skinny-armed kid defending his brother.   I forget strength can be as gentle and relentless as a bubbling current tumbling and polishing rocks in a riverbed. Strength can be demonstrated in kind words and deeds instead of hurling angry retaliatory ones. Strength that persists through difficulties. Strength that sees the best in people and speaks life into them instead of regurgitating the criticism that everyone else sees.   There are times that strength seems invisible. Elusive. Totally Absent? Sometimes the strength we need can't be seen or felt, yet it simply remains undetectable until it is needed, accessed and activated. Much like the power from an electrical outlet, which is available, yet unnoticed until someone plugs in! The power is available and is accessed as needed.   As a young girl, Corrie's father gave her some timeless advice that showed her how to access God's strength. This story will help you.   Corrie would need tremendous strength to go through the horrors of the holocaust first hand and God gave it to her. Day by day. Step by step. He was always there. Joshua needed strength to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He was always there. Gideon needed strength to fight the Midianites. He was always there. . Isaiah paints a strong word picture in Isa 46:10 NLT Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.     Isa 46:10 NLT Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. "Be still, and know that I am God!"   Do you see God tenderly sitting beside you as he calmly whispers, "Don't be afraid, for I am with you." And then He lifts your chin as He looks you in the eyes before He continues, "Don't be discouraged, for I am your God."   Right on time and right when you need it, He promises, "I will strengthen you and help you."   Then without dropping His tender gaze He takes your hand in His, "I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  "Be still, and know that I am God!"   I realize there is a tremendous temptation in our busy schedule to never sit in His presence long enough to feel His presence or His gentle reassurance. We are tempted to fill every moment of our prayer time giving Him our "Please Do List."   I'm not minimizing your situation or your broken heart; but you can make it through this! And God wants to give you the strength.   Trust me…holding onto the pain doesn't solve your problem, but holding onto Jesus will give you the strength to go through this situation.   But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31   Would you like to receive my free "Be Stronger" eBook? https://forms.aweber.com/form/41/1356933441.htm  

When we were preparing to go to Alaska I did more than pack my suitcase, I got ready physically. I wanted to see some sights. Some of those sites meant I would have to do some climbing and that requires using some muscles that I don't regularly use. I started working out…twice a day. I exercised because I didn't want to miss anything. I wanted to have more energy, more stamina so I could hike further and see more while I was there. I am convinced we need to do that spiritually as well. We've all said, I need your strength, God!" We feel our need, but how do we receive God's strength? It is so important that we do more than talk about God's strength, if we want to see and experience the victories God has for us! We need God's strength because the enemy is real and the battle is fierce. God's strength is critical for us to win over sin, discouragement and the lies of hell. We need strength because our enemy wants to wear out the saints. The enemy wants us to give up and give in. But I believe God is raising up a strong army of believers that are looking for and believing for a great revival. A group of believers that want to be part of that revival. They are like Habakkuk was, they don't understand everything around, but they are desperate to hear from God. And because they are seeking Him, they are finding Him. And in that process, they are developing some faith muscles. And because of their faith they are realizing they are strong…with a strength beyond their own. They are strong in the Lord. In my heart, I know God has more for us. There are people that I am desperate to see come to Jesus. There are some victories I want to see, some battles I want to win and that is going to require spiritual stamina, spiritual endurance and strength. So yes, I'm still digging my heels in; I want to be stronger. What about you, do you want to experience God's strength in a greater way than ever? I promise this video doesn't touch the stuff I've already told you about Habakkuk. He shares some insight about strength that I believe we need for the things we are facing today. Habakkuk 3:19 ESV GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. https://patriciaholland.org/blog/ Check out this full blog post https://www.patriciaholland.org/home/amazing-feet/ I have some pictures of mountain goats licking the salt on my website. Would you like to receive my free Be Stronger eBook and join me in pursuing more of God. https://forms.aweber.com/form/41/1356933441.htm

  Did you listen to my podcast "A Choice to Rejoice?" I hardly got that post up before my joy was tested! So, I dug deeper. When I did, I was reminded that processes can help us get keep us on track or sometimes help us get back on track. In this teaching I want to share a process, maybe more like a recipe that will help you have more joy. I want to challenge you to go beyond being happier; to go all the way to joy. I want to define rejoice from the lens of Scripture, because it is a key to access God's joy. I'm going to do more than give you a recipe; I'm going to give you a challenge. I want you to rejoice with me every day for one week. I've made a free checklist that you can download to help you develop the "Rejoice in the LORD always" mindset. If you are a subscriber, I sent you the download link for the PDF. It has 8 scripture cards that I use. Sometimes I pray them, sometimes I declare them over my heart and sometimes use to correct and renew my thinking. If you're not, you can join my tribe to get this free .pdf. Here's the link https://forms.aweber.com/form/34/293103234.htm I'll give it to you again at the bottom of this post. In my last post I shared Habakkuk's commitment to "rejoice in the Lord" and how God used his story in my life, but the same day I posted that blog a barrage of text messages came that had my heart pounding. When I read the text, I didn't rejoice. I grumbled. My sweetheart very calmly mentioned that he had listened to a teaching on YouTube that morning that I think will help you. He's always listening to stuff, so I thought, "What has this man listened to now?" Then he said, "It was called "A Choice to Rejoice". Ahhhh! That man. That man! He was right. I needed to rejoice. I managed to give him a smile and immediately raised my hands and began to rejoice. Rejoicing is a choice. My grumbling made me miserable. I'm sure Wayne didn't enjoy it either. I am so thankful that Wayne and the Lord love me enough that they don't want me to be miserable. And because He loves us, He gives us access to His joy! So, I dug deeper. I haven't backed off my statement that 2022 can be a joy filled year. I'm more convinced than ever that it can be, but we have to make the choice to rejoice. I'm having to trust God. There will always be things that we can't fix. Remember God told Habakkuk "the righteous live by his faith." https://forms.aweber.com/form/34/293103234.htm

Making a good decision is the first step toward success. This year I've made a choice to rejoice in the Lord. I'm not waiting until everything is perfect. Habakkuk made that choice, he said I will rejoice in the LORD. In this post I share how this one decision impacted Habakkuk's life and what it can do for you. That decision is especially important this year. This is my first post this year, so I really want to say...but maybe I'm too late to say it now? There's no doubt that I am late, but is it too late to say it? Please say, "Go ahead, say it."  So here goes "Happy New Year" There are a lot of folks that are skeptical about how happy this year is going to be especially since the last two have been one disaster after another. And here I am starting a conversation about rejoicing. Is there a reason to rejoice? You better believe there is and that's why I am sharing Habakkuk's story with you. Honestly, I understand their skepticism. It's been rough, rough, rough for so many people! I can't tell you that this will be a "happy" year, but I am confident that this year can be a joy-filled year with reasons to rejoice. AND…How do I know? I don't have a crystal ball that gives me the winning lottery number or stock market insight, yet I have the words of an old song that I used to listen to on a cassette tape and Scripture for the foundation of my hope. This message is from Habakkuk...the whole book! Don't panic it's only 3 chapters. The key verse in this chat is Habakkuk 3:18 NLT Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. His decision to rejoice was a vital key in turning his attitude around...and we all know how important our attitude really is! The choice to rejoice unlocks joy! We all could use more of that these days.

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.

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.    

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.

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!

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.

"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.

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.

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.  

  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.

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