How To Have

   Peace No 

 Matter What!

         

  Jeanne Alcott

   You may agree that there are few things more desirable than to live in peace.  Yet, there are times it escapes us.  No matter how deep we are in the Lord or how good of a Christian we see ourselves, we know just by living life that we won’t feel peaceful all the time.

   I mean, when you think about the spiritual definition of peace we don’t think there’s any way we can feel that way 100% of the time.  The definition of peace is to be in serene confidence, free from fears, not to be agitated or have conflicts.

   It can be a challenge.  That’s why we have to be conscious of what we need to do in order to have peace in our life.  Then we can have peace no matter what.  Second Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 16 starts out by saying the Lord of peace.

   It’s important that He called Himself that so that we know it's a part of His character and therefore it's a part of our character!  Yes, peace is a part of you.  God is the Lord of peace and He is in you.  So you can truly have it in spite of the circumstances you're facing right now.

   That scripture says the Lord of peace will grant you His peace at all times and in all ways, under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes.   (Ref. II Thessalonians 3:16.)  That is His promise, plain and simple and yet powerful.  The Lord grants us His peace at all times, in all ways, under ever kind of circumstance we face or condition in which we're living or what we experience.  Whatever comes!  It will be there for us.

Oh, thank goodness it’s over.

   Now we have to make sure that we have it.  We take it.  Use it.  Recognize that this kind of calm and confidence are in us.  We can be relaxed and happy knowing we will be taken care of by God.  And He wants us like this in spite of the storm, not only after it's over.  Have you ever gone through a trial or disappointment and after it was over it was like you breathed a sigh of relief.  Your mind and heart were able to relax.  Oh, thank goodness it's over! you thought.  Well, God is saying that we can be at that point before it's over.

   It's like a poem I read about how the disciples were during the storm they were experiencing on the sea.  It says…

     "Exhausted and frightened, they battled the rain,
      The wind, the waves, enduring the strain,
      Till finally their nerves could stand it no more;
      And their strength was almost gone and their muscles were sore.
      But up on the mountain Jesus could see,
      Every white capping wave on the rough Galilee.
      And treading the billows like a carpet of sod,
      He came to their aid with the power of God.
      They worshiped Him then, with rejoicing and awe
      For the marvels He did and the wonders they saw.
      But better to praise Him with the storm at its worst;
      By remembering His power and promises first."

   In other words, the praise should have preceded the power.  There's nothing better that shows God we have peace than to praise Him before we see evidence of His power.  The disciples didn't have peace at that time therefore they had to live with the extreme fear from the storm, which caused them to be exhausted.  Their strength was gone.  Now, we can identify with how they feel.  Nerves can't stand it anymore.  Our strength seems gone.  We're sore from trying to battle what's coming against us.

   So, we have to make a decision:  do we want to live like that—nervous, tired, fearful.  And we all know what it's like to feel that way.  There's no way we want to live that way.  So we're going to decide to have peace no matter what!  God has promised that He's given it to us.  His very own peace.  So that we can stay calm, relaxed, and let Him be our source of happiness and joy during that time.  Power will operate in our lives.  We give thanks to God for how He has promised to preserve us.

   When we feel surrounded by issues or challenges, that's not the time to panic.  If we do, that actually puts us in a position for something worse.  We need to really think of that when we start to give in to frustration or fear or hurt.  We're putting ourselves in a worse spot.  If we decide to have peace no matter what, we're positioning ourselves so that God can move in our behalf.

When the bees are buzzing around you.

   Here's a good way to look at this.  There's a professional photographer by the name of Eric Valli.  And he tells the story about how he decided to go to Nepal so that he could photograph a very unusual thing that happens there.  In the Himalayan foothills are the world's largest honeybees.  There are natives of that land that lower themselves on a rope to get to the sheltered honeycombs in the cliffs so they can gather the honey.  In order to photograph this, this photographer is hanging by a nylon rope from a 395-foot cliff in Nepal.

   Nearby him on another rope is a man looking for the honey.  He's done this for decades so he knows what he's doing.  As he is in the process of getting this honey, thousands of bees are buzzing around both the men.  Now, that would drive some people crazy.  However, the man who has done this for years is totally calm.

   On the other hand, the photographer feels as though he is going to freak out any moment.  Yet, he knows if he does, he will be dead.  So he says, "I took a deep breath and relaxed.  Getting stung would be better than finding myself at the bottom of the cliff."  He was able to overcome his fears and he won a competition for his efforts.

   When things are buzzing around us, and we’re to the point we feel as though we're going to freak out, remember the alternative.  You don't want to end up at the bottom of the cliff or the bottom of the circumstances.  Just like Eric, take a deep breath.  Relax.  Thank God for His goodness and mercy.  Know that His power is surrounding you.  Praise Him that all things will be taken care of according to His Word.

   The Word says the God of peace preserves you sound and complete.  Faithful is He who is calling you to Himself.  He's trustworthy.  And He will fulfill His call by keeping you.  That promise is in I Thessalonians 5:23, 24.  There's no need to freak out.  Praise Him and thank Him.  Take a deep breath and relax.  Even if you feel as though you're getting stung, have peace.  Recognize that God will preserve and keep you. 

Separate yourself from what takes your peace.

   How will He do that?  As the scripture says, He will help us keep our peace by separating us from those things that are not of Him.  This is a very crucial point to understand about living in peace.  We have to be separated from those things that take away our peace!  The places or habits or people.  Oh hear how important it is.  Don't get involved in things that we shouldn't be.  Don't go there.  Because if we do, if we're saying and doing the wrong things, we're separating ourselves from peace.

   We have to discriminate what is right for our life.  Distinguish that.  Know what's good for us and what's wrong for us.  Or even if something is good in of itself perhaps too much of it is not.  If we're going to experience confidence and freedom from fear and live in a peaceful state, we may have to separate ourselves from some things.  That's simply a requirement of God's.

   We cannot expect Him to preserve and keep us if we're not putting ourselves in the spot for Him to do that.  But when we separate ourselves from what would pull us away from the peace of God, then we can experience it.

   So we give thanks.  We praise Him.  And we separate ourselves from what is wrong for us.  That's when we can have peace no matter what.  And we have to make a tough decision at times to do that.  It's not an easy one when you can't seem to find a right job or the church best for you or the right friend or mate.

   Maybe you're in a place you don't want to be.  If you looked at your finances you would be downright scared.  You've heard the test results and you feel the challenge that's before you.  Or you're listening to those neighbors next door blare their music and talk at the top of their lungs until one o'clock in the morning.  It's happened to me.  Oh, the Christian thoughts I was having!

   But you know, I decided the same thing that you have to decide every day.  We say to ourselves, "They're not going to take my God-given peace from me.  I believe and trust that He will keep me.  Preserve me.  He'll take care of what is bothering me.  I praise Him before the storm is over.  Because of that, not only will I survive, but I will experience joy and peace during the storm.  I praise Him and thank Him and separate myself from those wrong thoughts and emotions.  I am totally God's.  I belong to Him.  He will not desert me.  He is faithful to fulfill His Word to me.  Amen."
 

A PRAYER FOR YOU.

 Father, I know You are pleased today as we have made a determination to have peace no matter what.  Your peace.  That's what You've placed on the inside of us, and that's what's going to come out!  In spite of the storm or bad report or challenges in front of us.

So, WITH PEACE my friend and I come before You for their needs to be met.  We give You thanks and praise for the way You are working to bring Your will to pass.  And it is Your will that we ask for.  Your protection, provision, and healing.  Your deliverance from harassment, and resolution to the issues.  Even though the storm rages or the bees are buzzing around them, they will not freak out.  No, they're living in confidence.  Serene confidence.  No fear.  They are quiet in the spirit.  Quiet before You as You fill them with Your joy and rest.  Thank You, Lord!

As they have peace no matter what, they will witness the great and glorious fulfillment of Your will for their life.  How we praise You for this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Believe God will preserve you.

     God Almighty is speaking to your spirit today.  I know you're facing some tough issues.  But as we join together and we praise Him, He is going to preserve you.  I believe that and encourage you to share with us what's personally happening in your life or with someone you love.

     God has called us to join you in a powerful agreement of prayer.  Then He gives us scriptures and words to write back to you.  So let us hear from you soon by clicking here.

SPECIAL NOTE: Just think of the people who will thank you in heaven!

     Now, we want the dear listeners who give to support this work and pray for us to know how important you are to this ministry and to God.  He sees the sacrifices you make so that His word of power can go out.  And He is faithful and just to fulfill His Word to bless you because of that.

     Then just think of the people that you will meet someday either here on earth or in heaven who have been helped because you cared.  So, we expect great blessings to come to you.

DONATE NOW.

We want to be your spiritual Partner.      

And we encourage every person listening to contact us to be your spiritual Partners.  It's absolutely critical that you have someone of faith agreeing with you for your needs to be met and for God's call to be fulfilled in your life.  That's what John and I are here to do.  Get a hold of us today and let us know you want us to be your spiritual Partner.  We are here for you and I believe you'll see great things happen in your life as we join together.

All scriptures are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition unless otherwise indicated.

     Escape

    the Pain!

         

  Jeanne Alcott

   Have you ever come to the place where you would do just about anything to escape the pain?  We feel the pain of a circumstance or something is him hurting us in our emotions or body and we can’t stand it.  We want to avoid it.  Get away from it.  We have failed expectations and our hope goes down.  It’s just too painful.

   The root grows and grows until it starts taking over our thoughts and actions, and we find ourselves doing things that we don’t want to do.  We are running from the pain.

   It has been reported that the use of antidepressants has soared almost 400 percent since 1988.  One writer offers this reasoning.  She says that we are not discovering the root of our pain.

   Some people feel antidepressants can give them that quick fix.  They are just trying to keep their head above water, keep doing all the responsibilities, paying the bills, pursuing what they do in life.  They can make themselves appear okay but deep down something is growing because of the pain of life.

   When the aching of what they are experiencing starts to rise up, they may mask it with taking an antidepressant.

   But there are many things that can be used to mask the aching.  It doesn’t have to be a pill.  It could be certain foods or being a workaholic or driving ourselves to do exercise workouts all the time or constantly being on the go, or one million other things to which we can turn in order to dull the ache.

Pain tries to drive us away from what is best for us.

   God wants us to see what is causing this and pull it up by faith.  Don’t allow it to drive us away from what He has for us.  And that’s really what pain can do.  It drives us away so that things get worse instead of experiencing the good things waiting for us.

   This is what Elijah did.  This prophet of God had just had a showdown with the prophets of Baal and God moved in a mighty way.   (Ref. I Kings 18 and 19.)  In this showdown, the false prophets who were causing Israel to stray from God made a sacrifice to Baal and prayed for him to consume it with fire, but nothing happened.  But then Elijah built his altar of sacrifice and even threw water on top of it to make it obvious that his God could do anything.  When he prayed, God consumed the entire sacrifice and altar with fire.

   Then the false prophets were put to death and the people declared they would worship the one true God.  However, then Elijah received a note from the evil Queen Jezebel who had supported the false prophets and she said she was going to make sure the same thing that happened to her prophets was going to happen to Elijah.  He was a dead duck.

   After he received that note he went on the run.  All of this was just too much pain.  That’s how we get when circumstances are too painful.  We go on the run.  We may not actually go anywhere, but we find ways to get away from those thoughts and emotions.  We allow them to drive us to do things to get away from the aching.

   Elijah was driven to a cave and was staying there by himself.  That’s when the voice of the Lord came to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?  (Ref. I Kings 19:9).  In other words, “Why are you here?  Let’s get to the root of what’s going on here.”

   Elijah’s answer to Him was this: he reminded God of everything he had done.  “I’ve stood for Your Word.  I got rid of all those false prophets.  I’ve worked and done everything You told me to do.  And now they seek to destroy me.”  (Ref. I Kings 19:10.)  He was telling God that he’s done everything he knows to do, and because so much is against him, he just can’t go on.  The pain of it was driving him away.  Into the cave.

We feel alone in what we’re facing.

   It can drive us inward when we feel pain.  It causes us to have irrational thoughts.  We feel alone.  Elijah told God, “I’m the only one left who is working for You now.”  He felt broken.  So the root had gone deep in him.  It caused him to run, feel self-pity, and have wrong thoughts that he was the only person who was standing for God.

   That’s why we have to get a hold of those thoughts and emotions that try to come to us and expose them.  This root will cause us to have wrong thoughts about ourselves and others; it will cause us to run from what God is trying to show us that He has for us.  We must expose the root of those emotions and thoughts that are driving us.  God can help us go on with our lives and not be pulled down by the pain.

   That’s why He said to Elijah to return.  Even though it was painful, he must return and do three things.  They were very important.  He was to anoint the next king of Israel to take the place of the one that wanted to see Elijah destroyed.  Also he was to anoint the next king of Syria.  Then God told him he had given him an assistant to help him and he would mentor this assistant.

   Then God added, “By the way, Elijah, I have 7000 others who have not bowed before Baal so you are not alone.”

   He knew the pain of what had transpired had driven Elijah to stop the work he was doing.  He went away from his calling and career.  He withdrew inside himself.  He couldn’t see things as they actually were because the pain had taken root and was blinding him.

   Can we see ourselves in there at times?  We go away from what we could be doing that is beneficial and good for us and others.  We withdraw from the very people we should be with or the places where we should go.

   We get wrong thoughts about the things that God would have us do that would fulfill us and help others and instead we end up hurting ourselves.  We may even get into self-pity and feeling alone.  People don’t understand.  They can’t help me.

Pull up the root of the pain and get on with it.

   By faith, we have to pull up that root and get on with what we are to do and experience.  Pull up the root and get on with it!  Don’t allow the pain to determine our life.  Really hear that.  Don’t allow pain to cause a root to grow in you and start determining what is and isn’t going to happen, what you can and cannot achieve, what you’re going to receive in your life.

   God is there to help you pull up that root and have the strength to go on into the wonderful and exciting things He has planned for you.  He sent an angel to minister to Elijah’s needs.  He fed him and helped him rest.  That’s what God does when the aching has worn you out, and you hear the threats just as Elijah heard the threat from Queen Jezebel.  God shows you those are not His plans.  You are not alone.  He strengthens you with His presence and His Word.  He heals you from the pain, and that root is gone.

   Pluck up that root today by faith and be healed so it does not drive you in the wrong direction.  That’s when you can get up as Elijah did and go into blessings and experiences from God.

A PRAYER FOR YOU.

          Lord, we thank You that this day we are taking back control.  We get rid of the root that has caused pain in the life of this dear friend.  We’re excited about where they are going to go on from here.

     No more will they be driven by the pain of what has happened.  They see things as they really are.  They know You have good plans coming up for them.  They’re not going to be pushed into an emotional cave and feel alone.  But You come to them today and strengthen them just as You did Elijah.  You give them just what they must have to arise and walk into Your plans.

      So right now I join with them and we combine our faith as a seed as we speak to that root that has dug into their life.  We command it to be pulled up and thrown away.  We see it for what it is.  We pluck it up.  Now they are restored and delivered.  By Your power this is done in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

You are not alone in this.  We are with you.

   That feels good.  It feels free.  Getting rid of that root.  Being healed from the pain.  That’s what God is doing.  And He’s showing you what’s next for your life just as He did Elijah.

     Your faith and my faith are joined together so that you can be victorious in this.  It’s important that you share with me what pain has been trying to drive you.  What happened?  Let’s believe the root of that is gone and will stay gone.  You are not alone in this.

     After John and I pray with you, we want to send you a note that will have a word from God’s Word in it.  Can’t wait to hear from you.  Contact us soon by clicking here.

SPECIAL NOTE: You are a part of this victory!

     God has put together such a great team of people to carry out the vision He has for Alcott Ministries.  We thank you for being a part of that with your prayers and your gifts.  This ministry is going forward in spite of what the enemy tries to do to stop us.

    The Lord has called you to be a part of that victory.  As you step out to do that, that’s when His blessings begin to flow in abundance.  You can see greater fulfillment and answers to prayer and deliverance because you’re in obedience to God’s Word.  That’s His promise.

      He takes your gifts and touches other people and delivers their lives and grows them closer to Him.  So thank you for being a team member with our vision.  John and I join you with our prayers and our personal finances in this team work.

DONATE NOW.

All scriptures are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition unless otherwise indicated.

       Grace To

       Be Well!

         

     Jeanne Alcott

   Here is one of the most amazing things that can happen because of the grace of God.  He has given His grace so you can be made well.  Grace is what enables you to believe and reach out and receive health in every area of your life.

   Now here is why that’s so important.  When you understand that it’s by grace you’re given the opportunity to be made well, that erases the need for you to try to earn it or hope that you’re one of the ones that God chooses to heal.  Grace is given to everyone.

   So establish in your mind right now that healing is for you.  Don’t act as if all you can do is pray, then sit around and wonder if God is going to do something.  Will you be “chosen?”  No, the grace of God is extended to all.  Everyone can be made well.  It’s as my husband, John, says.  “God is not sitting up there with a stamp that says ‘approved’ and another stamp that says ‘not approved.’”

Approved or Not Approved Stamp.

   I wonder if that’s how people envision God and the possibility of being made well.  Is God going to pull out the approved stamp or the not approved stamp?  Will He stamp as approved my prayer request to be well?  What kind of a gracious God would He be if that’s how He operated?  So to make sure that we understood that His grace enables us all to be made well, He established that truth in His Word.

   I want to tell you about just one testimony of someone being made well, and I could give you so many of these.  But the one I want to share with you now is from a friend and ministry Partner who sent us a letter that was filled with such good news.  You see, for years prior to this she didn’t have such good news.  In fact, it was sad and downright scary news.  Some of you have been there.  She was diagnosed with stage IV cancer.  It became so advanced the doctors didn’t do surgery.  So she began a journey of discovering which treatment would be best for her.  Many people began to pray for her, and I laid hands on her and prayed also.  Lots of intercession and faith were going up.

   After she went into her treatment plans, there were times when she received good news and times when she received bad news.  But that’s how anything is in our life.  When we are standing in faith, there will be times when the conditions appear good and times when they appear bad.  But that doesn’t change the fact that God is still working and that His answer will be seen.  So during that time, grace is what enables us to believe we shall see!

   That’s what this dear woman continued to do even when she was told the cancer had spread to other parts of her body.  She still had grace to believe she could be made well.  Now I’m sitting here reading this note from her and it’s talking about how after having a CT scan and MRI, the results have been amazing.  They don’t see any cancer in any of her organs.  She is doing very well.  She gives God all the praise.  She knows it’s because of His amazing grace that she is seeing amazing results.

Jesus Gave Us This Message.

   That’s what God wants to do for everyone until the day we go to heaven.  His grace is there so we can be made well.  That’s the message Jesus gave us when He was here on earth.  In the book of Luke chapter 4 it describes Jesus going into the synagogue in the town where He’d been brought up, Nazareth.  When He entered the synagogue, He stood up to read from the Scriptures, so He was handed the scroll of the book of the prophet Isaiah.

   The person who handed that to Him did not realize they were giving Him the very scripture that was being fulfilled that day.  Jesus went to the portion that Isaiah had written that said, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].  (Ref. Luke 4:18, 19.)

   Notice that Jesus didn’t say the Spirit of God was on Him and He was anointed so that He could go to just a few people and raise them up and make them well.  Whoever would accept His message could receive it.  Then Jesus sat down and said, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled.   (Ref. Luke 4:21.)  I don’t know about you, but I think if I’d been there, I would’ve jumped up and rushed over and asked Jesus to do all those things for me.  But the people didn’t do that.  Sure, they were impressed and marveled at what they called “the words of grace” that came from his mouth.

   But they were surprised because you see, they knew this man.  He grew up there so they knew Him as the son of Joseph.  He was that kid that used to run around, and now He was standing up saying that He is anointed to do all these wonders.  So they had problems receiving those mighty words of grace.  Because of that, they did not receive the fulfillment of that scripture for their lives.  So Jesus went out of that city and went on to Capernaum.  There He taught also.  But the people there had a different response to His words of grace.

   After He taught, He went to the house of Peter, and everyone who had anybody in their household who was sick brought them to Jesus.  They went to Peter’s house and began to lay people before Jesus.  There were various diseases that were brought to Him.  It wasn’t one certain type of illness or affliction.  But anyone who had anything wrong with them was coming to be made well.

   Now what’s important to know here is that Jesus didn’t say, “Okay, Peter, you and the other disciples start finding out who these people are and what kinds of afflictions they have.  Then once I have all the information and know what kind of person they are, then I’ll decide if they are approved or not approved for Me to cure them.”

   And God doesn’t do that today to us.  Listen, if He did, then we would have no grace.  When you come to Him, His grace is covering you.  He has covered all of us so we can draw near to Him and believe for our conditions to be repaired, to be mended, to be raised up and made whole in every area of our life.

Every One of Them Cured!

   So as those people began to crowd around the house of Peter, the Bible says Jesus put His hands upon EVERY ONE OF THEM and cured them.  (Ref. Luke 4:40.)  You can see it in Luke chapter 4, verse 40.  It describes how there were all kinds of different illnesses, but He healed every one of them.  You see, those people came to Him because they believed He could do something.  The grace of God was upon them to take the journey to the house of Peter and have faith that when they walked away from the house, they would walk away whole and well.  And that’s what they received.  EVERY ONE of them.  You are one of the “everyones.”  You can receive.  You can do it because the grace of God is on you to help you believe.

   Oh, amazing grace.  When you believe it is yours, you can be made well.  It’s for everyone who will receive it.
   Whatever seems bad can be made good.
   Whatever has gone wrong can be cured.
   You can be restored and repaired in every area.
   Reach out and receive God’s amazing grace now.

A PRAYER FOR YOU.

Jesus, we come to You now just as those people came to the house of Peter, and we bring before You this dear person who needs Your grace.  You see the area of their life that needs to be made well.  They don’t have to earn or deserve it.  They don’t have to be “chosen” to receive Your help.  They are already chosen because they are Yours.

You’ve said in Your Word that You will restore them.  So we take You at Your Word.  We ask for Your grace to be poured out on them.  Begin to do a great work of healing, wholeness, restoration, deliverance, and making new again.  You touch those conditions that are wrong and You make them right.  You overcome the attack and turn it into a victory.  You take weakness and make it strong.

You’re telling them there is not one thing they need which You cannot supply.  You’re ready to give it all to them.  So we receive it ALL.  Everything they need, we call it into their life.  And we receive it by the grace of God.  In Your mighty name.  Amen.
 

The amazing grace of God can fall on you.

   I believe a great work is coming to you, just as the Spirit of God said.  Receive it.  Allow the grace of God to fall on you and give you the faith you need to receive.  Go away from this prayer time full of encouragement and believing in your spirit you will see something amazing happen.

   John and I are here to stand with you in expectation of what God will do.  We want to pray with you just as we did for our friend and Partner.  So share with us what prayer request you have.  We believe God can make you well in every way, no matter what the need is.  Then after we pray, you will receive a letter from us, and it will be filled with the Word of God for your life.  So contact us soon by clicking here.

SPECIAL NOTE: Accept this blessing!

     Now please accept a blessing from John and me for your giving into this ministry.  Whenever we receive a gift, we pray over it and ask God to bless it, multiply it, and do a great work in the lives of thousands of people and also in your life.

     We take your giving in a very serious way, because we know God does.  Any time a believer obeys His Word and gives, His power and compassion go to work.

      If it seems hard to give at times, know that grace is there to help you do it.  In II Corinthians chapter 8 it says that by the grace of God, the Christians were able to give to help others.  They were able to do it even though they felt they didn’t have much.  Because you see, the grace of God doesn’t just help you give; it causes you to receive also.

      So as you do it, allow joy to bubble up within you, because you’re expecting great things to happen for you and many others.  Join John and me as we give and see God do a great work.

DONATE NOW.

All scriptures are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition unless otherwise indicated.

         Believe

        for a Big

        Answer!

         

     Jeanne Alcott

   Don’t be satisfied with a tiny answer or settle for somewhat of an answer.  God wants you to challenge Him with your faith.  Go after the big one.

   That’s what my dad and I used to do when he would take me fishing.  Go after the big fish.  When I was with Dad fishing, I knew there were no time constraints.  We were going for black bass so sometimes we had to be very patient.  I always used to envision myself making a big catch.  A couple of times I didn’t do so badly.  And whenever I would catch something, there was nothing like it.  Pulling in that fighting fish.  It was mine.

   You can pull in the big answer you need.  The help or provision or restoration or assistance.  You can make the big catch.  God wants you to believe for a big catch.

I’m going fishing.

   The Bible talks about how after Jesus had been crucified, the disciples were still smarting over that, and I’m sure they were dealing with some fear.  They didn’t have direction.  So Peter said, "I'm going to go fishing."  The other disciples said, “And we’re going to go with you."  So they went out and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing.  (Ref. John 21:3.)

   They had experienced that before.  Peter and his partners were fishing and catching nothing.  But Jesus had come along and helped them get a big catch when He told them where to cast their nets.  They began to follow Him after that and now here they were again.  Going back to what they were doing when they were without Jesus, because by then they feel they are without Him.

   So the very same thing happened.  They weren’t catching anything.  But just as He did before, Jesus appeared to them.  They didn’t recognize Him, but He called out to them from shore, Boys, you don’t have any meat, do you?  They answered Him, No.  (Ref. John 21:5.)  So He told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and they would find some.  They did.  As a result, they were not able to haul the net in for such a big catch of fish was in it. (Ref. John 21:6.)

   Now, had they not been willing to cast that net out again after they hadn’t caught anything for a while, they would have missed the blessing.  They also might have missed the fact that it was Jesus who caused the miracle.  After they caught those fish, that big catch clued them in that it was the Lord on the shore.  That’s when they ran to see their risen Lord.

Don’t settle for a small God!

   Do you want to see the Lord in your life more?  Do you want to see His miracle power and a greater manifestation of His presence?  Then believe for a big catch.  He wants to reveal Himself to you through His blessings and love.  Yes, He longs to give you a big haul.  That’s His desire for you.

   What kind of fish do you need?  You can haul in more time if that’s what you need, or more funds.  You can make a big catch in that relationship, or if you need a mate, don’t be content with someone who will make you halfway happy or not be all you want.  Believe for a big catch!  When you believe for finances or love or promotion, get a big haul.

   Let the Lord reveal Himself to you through this! When God says that He wants you to believe big from Him, that’s what He desires to do—reveal Himself to you.  Show you what kind of God you really serve.  Don’t settle for a small God!  Let’s not make Him small.  Let God be as big as He is!  Oh wow.  Imagine that.  Through your faith you can let God show Himself to be as big as He really is.

   Go for the big catch so that He not only can do more for you but more through you for His kingdom and glory.  Haul in all the health that He has for you.  Throw that net of faith out there and pull in the answer to that frustrating situation.  Catch those friends and loved ones who need to know God in their life.  Believe that the fulfillment of your desire is going to be so big you’re going to have to tow it in.  That’s your God!  Believe big from Him!

Mama said, “I’ll be praying for you.”

   That’s what a woman decided to do with a boy she raised.  The boy’s own mother had five children and didn’t have enough food to go around, especially since it was during the Depression, so she sent her four-year-old named Ed to live with a friend in a small country town.  The town was called Sweet Home.  Since Ed grew up with this woman, he just called her Mama.

   Mama had tremendous faith.  She made big plans for this boy.  Even with the obstacles, she determined that he was going to graduate from high school, which he did.  He was the only student to graduate that year from the country school.  Then she insisted that he go to college.  Prairie View College.

   So one day Mama took Ed to the bus station, handed him a ticket and five dollars.  As he left, she told him that she was going to be praying.  He finally arrived at college with $1.90 in his pocket.  As he got in line to register, they told him he would need $80 in cash.

   He describes later how as he stood in the row waiting to register, the devil tried to tell him to get out of there.  But he kept hearing Mama say in his ear, “I’ll be praying for you.”  She was believing big.  She had faith for the big catch.  But now it was getting down to the wire.  There was only one student in front of him and he did not have the money to register.  Ed was very nervous.

   Just about the time the other student turned to walk away, a man named Dr. Drew touched him on the shoulder and said, “Are you Ed Hill from Sweet Home?”  He said, “Yes.”  Then he asked, “Have you paid yet?”  And of course Ed said no.  Then here came the news.  Dr. Drew said, “We’ve been looking for you all morning.  We have a four-year scholarship that will pay your room and board, your tuition, and give you $35 a month to spend.”

   Let me tell you, when you believe big from God, you can make a big catch.  Mama got the answer to her prayer.  And it doesn’t stop there.  Ed went on to become the great minister E. V. Hill who pastored in Los Angeles.

God gives much more.

   You keep on asking, it will be given to you.  You keep on seeking, and you shall find.  I’m telling you, you keep on knocking, and that door is going to open.  (Ref. Matthew 7.)  And if you keep on fishing, you can make a big catch!  That scripture in Matthew 7 goes on to say that if a child asks their parent for a loaf of bread, are they going to you them a stone?  If they ask for a fish, will the parent give them a snake?  Of course not.

   So if human parents know how to give good and advantageous gifts to their children, How much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!  How much more!

   God is making a point in that scripture that as your Father, He knows how to give to you beyond what you would call good.  He calls it much more!  Think how much more healing He will give you.  Whatever blessing you can imagine, how much more does the Father have for you!  Have faith for a big catch.  Have faith that your worship will increase.  Your understanding of the Scriptures will grow.  Your energy, your joy; peace will rule and reign.  The threat will be stopped.

   So, can you feel God reaching out to you today to inspire your faith in Him?  There is so much He wants to do for you if you will believe big from Him.  That habit can be overcome.  The emotional withdrawal can be healed.  The affection restored.  Oh my, there is so much that is good and advantageous for you that God wants to give to you.  James 1:17 says every good and free, large, and full gift is from where?  The Father.  So look to Him.  Go after the big one.  He has it ready for you.  Believe that today.  As you believe big, it will result in something big!

A PRAYER FOR YOU.

     Father, I can sense Your Spirit speaking to this dear friend.  You want to get a message across to them of what You have for them.  It’s been hard for them not to be nervous about the situation but today You have good words to speak.

    Here is a word the Lord has given.  He is saying…

“The time of ‘want’ is over.  You will no longer want but you will receive!  I am taking it from a desire to a fulfillment.  Oh yes.  The day has come!

    Don’t find it hard to believe; just rest in what I am saying to you.  You have knocked and I have heard your knock on the door.  You have asked Me and I have heard your words crying out to Me.  You have sought and sought for this answer and I have seen you walking the path, seeking for it.  Seek no more.  It has come.

     You are going to open the door one day and it will be there.  It’s already been manifested in My heaven, and now it will be manifested on earth before your very eyes.  Receive the gift with eyes of faith.  Know that it will be large, fulfilling, and a free gift to you.  There’s nothing you can do at this time to produce it.  I simply have favored you with what you have asked of Me.

      Because you chose to believe and come after Me with your faith, I have responded.  Yes, you pursued Me with your faith and you have caught Me.  What a big catch!  I am yours and you are Mine.  Now enjoy what your Father is sending into your life.”

     Oh Lord, this is almost more than we can take in.  It’s so tremendous.  So marvelous, just as You are marvelous.  Beyond what our words can describe.  That’s what You mean to us.  We thank You for Your Word and Your promise in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Take Him at His Word.

     Do you see how God thinks of you and feels toward you?  His words to you were so beautiful and powerful and satisfying.

     Now, let’s take Him at His Word and believe that what you have been seeking is coming.  He wants us to believe big!  That’s what He has sent us here to do with you.  We’ll put our faith with yours as you share with us what you’ve been asking for.  God wants to fulfill His Word to you.

     So let me hear from you soon.  After we pray, we always send a letter that ministers God’s Word to your life.  We can’t wait to hear from you and let God speak to your heart.

SPECIAL NOTE: As you give to God believe for something big to happen!

As you give your gifts into God’s work, believe for something big to happen.  He can do mighty things in people’s lives and meet their needs.  You can see others grow in God and His Word go forth.  All because of your gift.  Then believe for big things to happen in your own life as He blesses your gifts according to His promise.  John and I have seen Him move in our own lives as we give to His work.  We know He stands by His Word.  And we thank you for giving into Alcott Ministries.  You are an important part of what God is doing.

DONATE NOW.

All scriptures are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition unless otherwise indicated.

         Receive

          a New

        Direction!

         

     Jeanne Alcott

   Something new is coming to you.  God has new answers, different things you are to experience.  In His hand are new things for you to receive and to do.  In order to receive those, He has a new direction for you to take.  Something may need to be done in a different way.

   He may be speaking to you to go to another place or seek out advice from a special person or organization.  Perhaps you have felt something has been stalemated and God’s way of getting victory over that is to take you the direction that bypasses the stalemate.

   God knows the best way for everything.  He knows what will cause us true happiness and fulfillment.  Sometimes this means there’s a new direction we must take in order to reach it.  As we are seeking God’s way, it will be revealed to us.  Not only that, He will also give us the strength and will to follow the new road.  This is really a good time for us to get before God in prayer and ask Him to show us the best course to take toward the answer we’re seeking or the desire we have.

Twins plus one more!

   This is what Elliott and his wife Angie did concerning the desire they had for children.  They were going through the pain of infertility having discovered that they would not be able to have children according to the doctors.  Elliott said they felt they were trying to balance grief and hope.  Grief that they had been told they could not have children but hope for God to make it possible.

   I was reading an article about infertility at the same time I heard this story and it talks about how painful it is for couples who are experiencing this.  That’s where Elliott and Angie were.  So they did what every believer should do.  They went to God’s Word about it.  That’s when God gave them new direction.  They began to see that their deepest desire was not to have biological children as much as it was to have the opportunity to parent.  They wanted to raise up a child in the ways of God and share who they are and their and dreams with the children.

   So God put it in their hearts to adopt.  They saw in the Word how we are all adopted in Christ.  So instead of going through doubt or despair because of infertility, they went a new direction and ended up adopting twin boys!  They felt so fulfilled and happy.  They had their family!  Then!  After they had adopted the twins, Angie became pregnant.  Now they’re being taken a direction they didn’t anticipate.

   That’s how God does sometimes.  We think we know where we’re headed and all of a sudden…swoosh, we’re going a different direction.  Of course they were thrilled and even though it was a very tough time in Angie’s health to go through this, they finally had their daughter, Alivia.  They were thankful to God for what He had taught them through this whole process about His direction for their lives.

   When we’re going through a painful process of any kind, we can’t allow the pain of it to prevent us from seeing God’s new direction.  That’s really an important word for us to hear.  When something hasn’t turned out right or you’re so eager to see new things come about, whatever phase you’re in, when the process of getting to where you want to go isn’t happening and is painful, don’t allow that pain to prevent you from seeing where God is pointing.

   Imagine Him always pointing toward the right way.  He knows how you need to do something or where you need to go or what needs to happen.  He’s always pointing you that direction.  As you allow Him to heal you of pain or despair, then you will be able to see where He’s pointing.  It’s when you are meditating on what is not happening or the bad that has happened that you can’t see the new direction God has for you.

God is doing a new thing.

   That’s why in Isaiah 43 the Lord says, Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  He’s making a way!  He says, “Behold!  Watch, take a look at this…because I’m doing a new thing.  This is a new direction and I want you to see where I’m pointing.  Quit thinking about the old things.  Concentrate on the new thing I am doing in your life.”

   As you do that, that’s when you walk right into the answer you’ve been seeking.  When you have been wondering which way to take, it becomes evident.  Oh hallelujah.  There is no second-guessing or being disturbed because things are not going right.  You don’t have to be afraid of not getting an answer or taking the wrong way.  As you seek God, you will see this new direction He’s pointing out to you.

Are we taking the best route?

   I don’t mean to paint a picture that everything will always be perfect, that we won’t ever wonder if we’re taking the right path.  Sure, there may be times we wonder if we really are going the best route.  We feel that maybe we didn’t hear God right.  That’s what a man and his wife felt when they took a new direction in their lives.  They felt God had showed them that they were to move to Uganda.  In that country they were to set up a ministry for the Navigators.  The Navigators is a Christian organization which disciples Christians in many different countries.  So this couple felt that Uganda was to have this type of ministry come to their country.  You can imagine how it was for them to uproot their family and take them to that country and try to build a new life.  This was quite a new direction for them.  The first thing they did was stop in Kenya and then the husband went across the border and on to Uganda to get things set up for the rest of the family.  Sounds like a good plan.

   But one of the first events that happened was when he was driving through the streets he saw a group of kids in the street playing with automatic weapons.  Real ones.  They would shoot them straight up in the air and that was their play time.  As he drove by, they thought it was fun to stare and point their guns at him.  That was his introduction to Uganda.

   He spent all day trying to find the place for his family and ended up at a small hotel which was dirty and very uninviting.  The only room he could get was one that had two beds in it and this meant he had to share the room with someone else.  He had no idea who that other person was but he could tell they had already been there.  So, while he is in the room alone, he got serious with God.

   You know how that is…when you’re facing a situation, you can’t wait to get by yourself with God and ask Him what in the world is going on!  That’s what this man did.  He dropped to his knees and said, “Lord, show me that You are in this move!”  About that time, someone threw open the door to the hotel room.  It was his roommate.  A six-foot-five-inch man frowning at him.  Then he asked in English, “What are you doing in my room?”  The minister replied, “They gave me this bed, but I am only going to be here one night.”  Then the big guy said, “What are you doing in my country?”  That’s when he revealed that he was with the Navigators and he was setting up a Christian organization in Uganda.

   All of a sudden, the stranger threw his arms around his roommate, lifted him off the floor and danced around the room with him laughing and grinning from ear to ear.  While this minister was in shock, he explained.  For two years he had prayed for God to send someone from that organization to his country because he had been reading the Scripture memory book that was printed by the Navigators.  Now, here he was with the very one God had sent in answer to prayer.  God answered the minister’s prayer for direction.

   I tell you, when you need to know God’s direction, He’ll make sure that you do know it.  You may not have a six-foot-five-inch Ugandan person pick you up and dance around the room with you, but you could have something just as big and obvious happen so that you know God’s new direction for you.

   He has something new for you, and He wants to make sure that you don’t miss what He can do.  So ask Him, “Lord, what is the new direction You have for this desire of my life, for this need, for the answer I must have?  What is the direction You have in order for me to fulfill You’re will?”  As His Word promises, when you seek, you will find…the new direction.  (Ref. Luke 11:10.)

A PRAYER FOR YOU.

     Father, I come to You today with my dear friend.  We are seeking You for the new direction You have for their life.  You know the answer they must have.  The need they’re facing.  Every desire and goal in their heart is before You.  You promised that if we keep on seeking, we will find.  So that’s what we’re doing right now.

    We believe You will show them the way to take.  They will see victory.  The answers will flow and come to them.  What has been hard to see, the way that has been foggy, it WILL NOW BE PLAIN.  They will be able to see Your finger pointing out the route that they are to take to receive.

     Oh yes, it’s a direction in which they will experience the new and wonderful blessing You have for them.  They’ll see the course they are to stay on to accomplish what You put in their heart.  As they do this, they will experience not only accomplishment, but healing, provision, and restoration.  Yes, this is the way of deliverance and You are taking them through it.  How we praise You for it in the name of Jesus.  Amen.
 

   This is the way for you.

   Isaiah 30 says, “This is the way, walk in it.”  I really believe God has a new direction for you to take!  As we continue to pray together and seek Him, I believe you will find it.  So share with us what you’re facing right now.  We will join my faith with yours and then send you a letter that’s filled with God’s Word for your life.   We can’t wait to hear from you.  Just click here now and it will come directly to us.

SPECIAL NOTE: Tremendous joy and blessing!

     John and I want you to see all the new things God has for you.  And we know one of the ways that is possible is through your giving.  The Lord is very strong in His Word about our giving to Him so that His work can be done on this earth.

     The joy and blessing that will result from that is tremendous.  Not only for the people you help through your prayers and finances, but He gives tremendous joy and blessing into your own life because you are faithful to Him.  So we encourage you to give to Alcott Ministries so this ministry can continue and God can do a work in your life.  John and I give of our personal finances also in a big way, because this ministry is solely supported by you and us.  So we thank you for your giving today.

DONATE NOW.

All scriptures are taken from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition unless otherwise indicated.