God’s Chariots
Author: Pat Aman
June 8, 2008rev2023

Hannah Whitehall Smith, quotes someone as stating:”Earthly cares are a heavenly discipline.’ but they are even something better than discipline–they are God’s chariots, sent to take the soul to its high
places of triumph.”

Hummmm? What a thought to think about. Sometimes I can tell you they do not look like chariots to me. Sometimes to me they look like enemies, sufferings, trials, defeats, misunderstandings, disappointments,
unkindness.

But if we would realize and see them as they really are, we should recognize them as chariots of triumph in which we may ride to those very heights of victory for which our souls have been longing and praying.

Looking at a couple of Biblical examples: Mary and Martha could not understand Jesus’ delay. Why did He not come? Why did their beloved brother Lazarus have to die?

And Abraham could not understand why God should ask that he sacrifice his
son Isaac.

Moses could not understand why God kept him 40 years in the wilderness.

Joseph could not understand his brother’ cruelty.

I have learned through the years that it is not always given to us to understand while we are in the middle of our particular situation.

I know that at very turbulent times in my life, Psalm 43:5, sprang into meaning for me. “Midnight hours” as we have heard the old folks say, yes that midnight hour I have experienced it. It appeared that every door had closed tightly in my face, that God was silent, and that He would keep me
waiting forever for the answers I do desperately needed to hear.

Psalm 43:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

But, I soon learned that in that Midnight hour when things seemed impossible that help would come, guess what? It did come. It came from God’s own resources. See, God is not confined.

Whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and though to all appearances help is impossible, I promise you that God will show up.

Our hope should stand in God and on His Word. And yes, in the (midnight hour,) the right time, God’s time, help will come.

So, whatever you maybe facing, stand, just stand, and believe and wait on your Heavenly Father to come and step in, and lift you up and take care of you.

I promise you the wait will be worth it all.

Love, Blessings, and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Aman

(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

Wisdom, Knowledge and Commonsense
Walk In Your Gifting
Author: Pat Aman
June 6, 2008rev.2023

Joe and I have two daughters. They both are very intelligent. They both have degrees in Chemistry and Biology.

Now as for myself, I do not have that much of knowledge about Science.

I love Bible Theology, History and Literature. And I can teach on these subjects, they are my gifting.

But because I have listen to them talk Science with their Dad who is also
acknowledgeable about Science, I can relate to some of the things they talk about. And I have learned a lot by helping them study for tests. And helping them prepare for their Boards, in their careers. But, still these subjects are not my gifting.

But, I will let you know that I would never try to put myself on the same level with them, because that is not my gift, an I do not have the knowledge that they have, because that is their gift.

My Wisdom on this tells me that if I worked in a Science Laboratory, I would probably do something wrong, mix the wrong chemicals and blow the Lab up. You would be reading in the Newspaper, “Pastor, destroys Chemistry Lab. Not sure what she was doing there, but under Investigation. More news to come, when pieces put back together.”

Even though they are younger than I am, I still would not try to use my
age to make myself knowledgeable enough to fill their shoes, because
Science is not my gift. See, I am using Wisdom here.

If I have a Science or Math question, I will call my daughter Tara, she
has taught Math and Science. She now has her Doctorate in Education and in the Administration Field of Education. And yes, when I taught the GED for Central Carolina Community College, I did call her about a Geometry problem. And she walked me through it as I wrote her explanation on the graph board for the students.

And if I need Medical advice about our animals, I will call my daughter Anna, because she is a Surgical Veterinarian.

But, I have had both my daughters tell me that mama we appreciate you, because even though you may not be knowledgeable on a certain subject, you never try to act like you do. Also, we love you because you do have the Wisdom to not try to be something you are not, and your wisdom Mama is greater than our knowledge most of the time.

So, Wisdom verses Knowledge. Yes! I believe with all my heart that wisdom
comes with age. Knowledge comes from learning. But without Wisdom, knowledge fails.

Joe and I will be 70 years young on our next birthdays. So, we are already both over a half of century old. We have gain a great bit of knowledge, but we both will tell you that we wish that we had the Wisdom back then that we do now.

Col 1:9-10 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

In the Bible the word most used for wisdom is “hokmah,” which refers to
skill. Hokmah is used to describe the skill of craftsmen, sailors, and other workers. These workers, having the knowledge of their trade, also had the skill or wisdom to perform their trades.

My Ministry Gift, (Job,) is Pastor/Evangelism, Teaching Bible and starting/organizing the work area of church the local church. I possess the knowledge of all the components required in filling this positions.

Obviously from being a Pastor/Evangelist, I possess the knowledge of all the components required Pastoring and building a church and helping a church to grow. I know where thing needs to fit together to make a church run as it should, and also, God gives me the Discerning Spirit to know what positions that people need to be placed in, within the church, and what position they need to be removed from, if they are trying to do something that is not their gift.

Some may say or even think about themselves that they have the knowledge to Pastor/Evangelize a church, but they lack the skill or wisdom to apply this knowledge to the actual task of doing it. Their lack of wisdom prevents them from successfully doing the job correct.

Just like when I taught in the public school system, but had retired, I had a Principal come to me and told me that they were having a Math teacher to leave just a few weeks before school was to let out, and he wanted to know if I would come back and teach her class. I told him no, because I was not comfortable with Math.

See, it was Algebra, and I am sorry, but Math is not my gift. Now I could
have said yes, and went in and tried to teach the class, but it would have
been very boring to them, and they would not have learned, because I did not have the capable knowledge of teaching them, so I use Wisdom to say NO! Now again, who would have suffered because of me not wanting my pride bruised, and I had taken the position? The students. The Principal said he really respected me for not taking the class, and being honest with him.

Now, yes, in my years, in the school system, I did fill in a time or two
in a Science, Math, and even a Spanish Class, but I had to go straight by the book, and notes that the teacher left for me to follow. Why? I did not have the capable knowledge to teach these subjects. Did the students learn, yes, only because I had the Wisdom to know I needed to follow the teacher’s notes and also, I was not embarrassed to call on the students in the class whom understood the subject and helped the others?

You may say didn’t that make you feel foolish? No! I would really have made myself look foolish for trying to teach someone, something, that I did not understand myself.

Similarly, we can read the Bible everyday and we can even memorize passages in the Bible. We can know all about the Bible. We can memorize how many books are in each Testament. We can memorize where each book is placed in the Bible. We can even read devotionals everyday. We know where to find what; we can tell people what passages to read for different situations. But, do we have the skill, the wisdom to apply this knowledge to everyday life? Do we have the wisdom to put all the pieces together?

Proverbs 2:10-12, When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man.

In the spiritual realm a person who possesses hokmah in reference to God is one who is both knowledgeable and experienced in following God’s way.

So in the Bible’s Wisdom literature being wise means being skilled in godly living. Having God’s wisdom means having the ability to cope with life in a God-honoring way.

Crawford H. Toy wrote, “wisdom is the knowledge of right living in the highest sense.”

My prayer is that everyday you will gain both knowledge and wisdom. I pray that you will practice living in a God-honoring and Christ-Centered manner. Have a great day and may God bless each of you.

Blessings, Love and Prayers,

Pastor Pat

(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

The Calling of the First Disciples
Author: Pat Aman
Apri 12, 2008/rev2023

Matthew 4: 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20. At once they left their nets and followed him.

People come in and out of our lives. Sometimes we feel with all our heart
that these people love and support us. They will even give you advice saying things like, “I know you are suppose to do this and that.”

But when you step out to do it, they may turn against you. Maybe because they are facing hardships, and you are they dart board, (Praise God, if I can or have been someone’s dart board, I am glad I was there for them to have someone that they can let steam off, or even maybe blame for their hurt,) or maybe because they cannot understand you taking a step of faith, really there is not a good answer to this question. I have found out that is just life.

I can tell you that people will come in and out of your lives. Maybe they are there for just a Season. Some will understand your new step of Faith, others will not. This is because they may not be strong enough in their walk to understand your new walk.

Life doesn’t always go exactly as we expect it to. Sometimes we find out that there is something or someone in our life that isn’t the best for us.

Why am I telling you this, because I want you to know that when you step out to follow Jesus, not everyone will be with you. Even those whom have said they are for you, but they are really not. And this can cause hurt if you let it. Which can lead to unforgiveness on your part, which can hinder your new walk, your new journey.

I know it is hard, but, embracing change and making difficult decisions to walk away in love from a situation and people that is no longer serving you can be the first step towards success in your personal journey. Get it, your personal journey, not theirs.

“Remember, not everyone is ready for your new journey. So, to not try to take them with you. ‘Pat Aman’”

The disciples, they left they’re businesses, families, and friends to follow Jesus. They probably had friends and family who thought they had lost their minds. People who even laughed at them, and said they would never make it.

I know it was hard for them, but they knew that Jesus had a task, a ministry for them. They knew that they were men with an assignment straight from the heart of God. They knew they would get talked about,
lied on, and even face death for Christ sake, but they still followed their Master.

The same is for us as well today. When you make a commitment to do God’s Work, remember that you will face challenges. And one of the hardest challenge is to forgive them that hurt you, during your new transition. But once you jump that
obstacle, you will make it. For forgiveness is the key to love, and love is the key to success.

Blessings, Love, and Prayers,
Pastor Pat

(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

“GuiDANCE”
Just Dance
Author: Pat Aman…
June 2005rev2023

I was asked to repost an older devotional, so please enjoy it again. Thanks Jenn for asking, I hope it gives you a new light and direction. Just Dance.

When I meditated on the word
‘GuiDANCE, ‘ I kept seeing”dance” at the end of the word. I remember thinking years back that doing God’s Will is a lot like dancing. I do not even know how to dance so this was enlighting to me.

But, I do remember that when Joe and I owned our own business, we use to go to
alot of conventions. There was a older couple, in their 80’s who went to the conventions every year also. They did Ball Room dancing. I remember loving to watch them dance because as they held each other it was like a glove on a hand. It fit perfectly. They flowed like two doves soaring in the sky. Each one seem to know what the
other wanted. The woman seem to float as her partner lead the way. It was beautiful.

Thinking about this once again makes me think again about the word “Gui-dance.”

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn’t
flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person comfortably lets the other person lead, both bodies begin to
flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word GuiDANCE. When I saw “G,” I thought of
God, followed by “u” and “i.” “God, ‘u” and “i” dance.” ! ! God, you, and I dance.

This statement is what guidance means to me.

Surrendering to God’s will is not easy. It means we have to relinquish control and trust that He is working all things good for His glory.

Surrendering to God’s will means letting go of whatever is holding us back from seeing His faithfulness. God’s perspective and plan are far greater than anything we can imagine. He knows more than we do and has every detail of our life under control. He has not left us alone. When we surrender to His will, He gives us the peace that settles our hearts and gives our minds rest.

So, I lowered my head, I become willing to trust that I would get guidance about all the plans Father God has for my life. And once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that Father God’s blessings and mercies be upon
you and your family on this day and everyday. May you abide in Him as He
abides in you.

John 15:7 says, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you may ask
what you will and it will be.”

Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.

My prayer for you today is that I you asked Father God to dance with you.

So, I Hope You Dance!!
Love and Prayers
Pastor Pat

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

The Prays Of A Praying Woman?
Author: Pat Aman
2002REVJanuary 26, 2023

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “PRAY CONTINUALLY”

I was blessed with one of these women who prayed, as my Mama. I’m not talking about simple prayers at the end of the day and before meals; I’m talking straight forward to the point prayers.

My mama was a warrior armed with the Sword of the Word, a passionate heart, and a determined spirit.

There were two worn spots in the floor on the side of her bed, left there by her knees from years of kneeling before her Father God even when it hard for her. Her Bible had tear stains, where she cried out of her children, family and friends.

I cherish the memory of hearing her pray in her last days each night over a monitor we had in her bedroom. Praying till her last breath for her children.

Yes, we had a monitor in her bedroom so if she needed us after we helped her in bed we would hear her calling us. We were there at her beckon call, just as she did for us while children under her love and care.

She was truly a woman who prayed and she charged me to become one. Here is what I learned sitting at her knee…

Prayer was a part of her identity, not just a part of her routine.That dedication is what called her out of bed with the earliest rays of the sun to pray for her family and had her praying for anyone Father God bought before her, in her heart and mind. She prayed immediately in her kitchen, garden and wherever she was called to pray.

Mama knew prayer was powerful, not because of the one praying or the words of the prayer itself…it is powerful because Father God who heard her prayers was all powerful and He answers powerfully. The power of a praying woman isn’t in her own strength, but the result of her relationship with the Lord God Almighty.

Just as women in the Bible like Hannah, The priest Eli saw Hannah praying intensely but silently and, thinking she was drunk, rebuked her. Once Hannah explained that she was praying, the priest blessed her and asked God to grant her request. She returned home and was able to conceive. Hannah bore a son and named him “Samuel,” which means “I have asked for him from the LORD” 1 Samuel 2:20.

And let’s look at The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18: 1-8 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought ralways to pray and not slose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who tneither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them aspeedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

I learned from my Mama prayer is literally talking to the Father God with freedom and confidence…it’s not something to be taken lightly.

The power of a praying woman isn’t in her own strength, but her relationship with her Father God.

Women who prays continually, with focus, dedication, and intimacy are women with strength because of God’s ability to work through them.

Thank you Mama, for teaching me to pray.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

What is Character?
1998/2009/rev2016rev2023

Proverbs 22: 1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

God has made us to have external characteristic and internal characteristics. The external things are those part of us that everyone can see.

They are the outside part of us, how tall we are, what we look like, how good we are at music or sports or art, how well we do in our schoolwork and many other areas that others see about us. Most people place the most importance on these external things. They are very concerned about what they wear and if they have “name brand” clothing or not. They are concerned about the style and cut of their hair, about the style and cut of their hair. Many times even the brand of tennis shoes that they wear is of great importance.

It is not wrong to look sharp and wear stylish things. It is not wrong to do well in school. It is not wrong to want to do our best in football or basketball or make the cheerleading squad. These are good things to desire. But they are not the most important things about us. Part of growing up and becoming a mature man or woman is really knowing what is important and what is not important.

The really important part of you is the internal part called your character. The reason this is important is that sooner or later, what you are really like on the inside will show on the outside. If you are a liar and think you can get away with it, soon you will lie often; and you will be found out, and your character will show you for what you are. If you have much pride in some ability, soon others will notice your pride and will not want to acknowledge the ability God’s has given you.

They will not care how good you are at something, for they will not want to be around you. But if you work on your character, it will show through your life and make those external things even better.

For example, if you are a giving and caring person from your heart, others around will be happy for you when something good happens to you. If you are self-centered and only think of yourself, others will not be happy and glad for you when something good happens.

The reason that people sometimes do not have friends is because their inner character is not pretty or smart. What we are on the inside will sooner or later always show to others.

Just remind yourself of what is really important. Stop and think of ten bad attitudes, and then think of ten good attitudes. After you think about these attitudes it will be obvious which attitudes are of God and which are of the flesh. If we are to grown in our character and “Be conformed to the image of Jesus” by the Holy Spirit working in us, we must remember some very important things.

We must desire to be like Jesus and consciously choose to “walk in the spirit”.
We must recognize that from time to time we will “fall back” and choose to give in to the desires of the flesh. We must not be discouraged by this but use those times to determine that we have an even greater desire to be like Jesus.

When we do give in to the desires of the flesh, we must realize that we have sinned and confess our sin to God. He promises in I John 1: 9 that if we confess our sins to Him, He will “forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
After we have received forgiveness, we need to ask God to fill us with His Spirit and Guide us in the way we should go.
If we are conscious of these things, we can be sure that God will be at work making us more and more like Jesus. We will want of live a life that we will be filled with love for others, and with peace and joy in our hearts, longsuffering and patience when things do not go our way, gentleness and goodness in our attitudes toward others and faithfulness when God wants to use us to do something good. When we have these things, we will not have to suffer guilt, anger, rebellion and all those other attitudes and feelings that continually hurt us and others. We will be free to be all God wants us to be.

When we read the story of Noah, we read that the people in Noah’s time were living in the flesh and did not desire to seek after God. It was not long before God destroyed them all, for their hearts were sinful and wicked. Noah and his family were not perfect, but God say in Genesis 6:8 that “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”

Noah is a good example for all of us. God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does want us to learn to walk in the Spirit and to desire to become like Jesus. When this is our desire, He promises to bless us in many ways. One of God’s promises to Noah was that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood.

But God does tell us many times that if we continue to walk in the flesh which is sin, and have no desire to learn to walk like Jesus, there will be consequences in our lives that are not good. Just as your parents might give you consequences of punishment for misbehavior, so does God warn us of consequences of allowing ungodly character to be a part of our lives.

Think now about your character. What is there about your character do you need to change?

What are the good things about your character?

Read the verses below and they will help you answer the two questions above.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

Proverbs 12:A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

Proverbs 15:29The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

Proverbs 28:13-14 13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 14 Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….
Pat Aman article was Published in Virtue Magazine 1998

Take Father God’s Hand
Author: Pat AH Aman

(Isaiah 41:10) says, “Fear thou not; For I am with thee…. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee…”

Give Me My Doll Back NOW!!!!!

I recall reading a story, about a little girl whose older brother, was teasing her and took her doll. She screamed give me my doll back. But to no avail, the older brother ran with her doll. She continue running after him and screaming, give me my doll. The all of a sudden her daddy drove up in the yard. She ran to her dad, took him by the hand and went to
where her brother was. Then holding her dad’s hand, she looked at her brother and said, ” GIVE ME MY DOLL!” Her brother thrust the doll into her hands instantly.

This story made me think, if we are facing something that requires more strength and courage and coping ability than we feel we have, take heart.

Even in the most turbulent storms of our lives, we can run to our Father God, take Him by the hand, and He will lift us up. He will give us the strength to face the most difficult times in our lives.

I know that there are times when satan tries to steal our joy, peace, contentment and love, but when these times come, just grab Father God by the hand and take Him with you to face satan. Then in the strength of your Father God, just tell satan he must give back to you in Jesus Name what he has tried to steal from you. Remember, our, Father God, is right beside us, holding our hand. So, satan has to let go of our life.

Again, remember, we just need to scream at satan and tell him to give us
GIVE US OUR DOLL BACK RIGHT NOW, IN JESUS NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“When satan comes knocking at your door, just ask Jesus to answer the door
for you.”

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

For Such a Time as This 

Author: Pat Aman

February 2009rev2023

It is often easy for us to read too much into a situation. It is equally

easy to miss God’s hand right in front of your face working in your, or

my, life.  Being at peace with God, not struggling or chaffing against the yoke He has made for you will help make you more aware of the still small voice of the Spirit speaking to you, or me. 

Esther 4:13-17, Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai,  “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him. 

Esther is Queen of the Empire.  She had been taken from the home of her Uncle Modecai as a young lady to the court of the King.  She had cried and lamented, and wondered why God had abandoned her. Slowly, God must have shown her that she was not alone.  She found favor with the man in charge of preparing the ladies to meet the King. He orchestrated things for her,

with God holding the strings to be sure. And then she finally met this

heathen King, and found him to be interesting, if not charming. She was

invited back, and ‘found favor with the King’. In other words, he fell in

love with her, and she with him. It was probably the last thing that she

expected. Then Haman’s wretched plan to destroy the nation of Israel was put into action, and Esther found herself paralyzed with confusion and fear. It was then that her Uncle once again came with a dose of reality to shake her from her inaction. We need friends like this, who are willing to get in our faces and rattle us when it needs to be done. Modecai saw the hand of God in the life of Esther when he uttered, “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” God holds individuals and nations in His hands. He moves them carefully so that those who are watching can see His hand at work. 

Esther 5:1-3 Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her

royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace in front of

the king’s rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the

throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. And it happened when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.  Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it will be given to you.” 

It is not unthinkable that Esther had not seen the King for some time.

She may have even wondered if she had fallen out of favor with him. To

enter the Throne Room unbidden was to literally invite death. Esther had asked for prayer and fasting to prepare for the moment when the doors to the Throne Room opened and she walked through the door. She knelt as soon as she was clear of the doorway and waited for the response from the King. When the King extended the scepter, he had spared her life.  His response was very tender. He may have felt badly that he had not shown her enough

attention lately with all the duties of running the kingdom. He was

willing to grant her request up to half of his kingdom. This would have

literally made this woman his equal. To say that she had found favor with

the king would be to say that the Atlantic Ocean is a lot of water. 

The rest of the story is a set of twisting ironies that end up with Haman hung on the gallows he had built for Mordecai. Mordecai was remembered by the King who was trying to be bored to sleep by having the King’s Chronicles read to him. Esther’s nationality had remained unknown to both the King and Haman, until the telling moment when Haman was undone in his

own jealousy while expecting to be promoted in political power. But the

hand of God is seen over and over again as the exiled nation of Israel is

saved when there was no human recourse. I have seen in Biblical stories, my own life and even the news, how God allows all other resources to be exhausted, that then He quietly steps in to direct the course of a individual or a nation. In those times, only He can lay claim to the honor and glory of the moment. 

Are you struggling today? Caught in between a rock and a hard place? Stop, take a breath and look around.  Look for the hand of God leading you and orchestrating the events around you.  Who knows, but that you have been lead to right where you are, for such a time as this. 

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2023 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life”  and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

Jesus Gave Us His Heart
Author: Pat Aman

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

I love reading, and I love history. I try to study the religious views of other denominations. The more I study, I receive more knowledge of the Holy Scriptures.

But, the one thing I know with all my heart is just as we sing in the song I learned as a child.

“Jesus Loves Me This I Know,
For The Bible Tells Me So…….”

You may asked. “What does it mean to give Jesus my Heart?”

Accepting Jesus into your heart is simply accepting his way of living, loving, and leading our lives. When Jesus came to earth we believe that he was God in the flesh. And so when we talk about accepting Jesus, that means that we are being saved from being trapped in sin, which results in eternal punishment. And it’s that faith in Jesus that saves us by his grace. He died and rose again just to pay the price for our sins. Salvation doesn’t come from our good deeds or by doing anything special, it’s a free gift from God just because He loves us so much. We need to turn away from our sins, believe that Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior, and submit to Him as Lord of our lives. By doing so, we receive salvation and eternal life.

If you want to give Jesus your heart today, it is a simple, but everlasting gift. Just asked Him for this gift by praying, “Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and Savior of the world. I believe that you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I believe that through your sacrifice, I am a new person. Forgive me for my sin and fill me with your Spirit. Today, I choose to follow you for the rest of my life as Lord of my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

How awesome is that! Now what are the next steps?

First, tell another Christian that you accepted Jesus in your life. It’s something to celebrate!

Second, find a local church community to get plugged into. Doing life together is what will help you grow.

Third, try to read the Bible and spend time in prayer every day. If you don’t have a Bible, let us know, we can buy you one.

And finally, get baptized. Check out the next time your church is offering baptisms. It’s a biblical thing to do. Basically an it is outward expression of an inward decision. So that’s what it means to accept Jesus into your heart and the next steps to take once you do.

Enjoy the story and poem below-

A few years ago I read this story is St. Margaret.

While St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (the 17th century Visitation nun) did much to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in its modern form, a number of medieval saints nurtured devotion to the love of Christ and his Blessed Heart.

St. Catherine of Siena (the fiery 14th-was one—particularly notable—such saint.

In 1370, when Catherine was 23 years old, Jesus answered one of her most fervent prayers. Catherine had been asking that the Lord would take her heart, that is, her very will, and replace it with His own. One day, while she was praying, “Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew in me a steadfast spirit” (Psalm 51), it is said, “Jesus appeared to Catherine.”

It seemed to her that her Jesus presented himself to her, opened her left side, took out her heart and carried it with him, so that in reality she no longer perceived it in her chest. Some days later, Jesus returned to Catherine, again in a vision.

Suddenly she saw herself surrounded by a light from heaven, and amid this light, the Savior appeared to her, bearing in his sacred hands a heart of vermilion hue and radiating fire. Deeply affected with this presence and this splendor, she prostrated herself on the ground. Our Lord approached, opened anew her left side, and placed in it the heart which he bore. Jesus gave to Catherine his own heart. So intimate was Catherine’s union with Christ that she shared his heart. A scar on her side, where Jesus had withdrawn her heart, was subsequently visible and attested to by Catherine’s closest companions.

From thence on, Catherine repeatedly speaks of being on fire with his love. Catherine would say, “So intense is the fire that burns within me, that mere material flame seems a cold, dead thing by comparison, fit to freeze rather than to warm a person.” It was said, “Catherine was so close to Christ and she anticipated receiving holy Communion with such joy that people could hear her new heart beating.”

For Catherine, the heart of Christ is ablaze. His fire is consuming and total. Christ’s supernatural strength and consolation is stronger than anything that can be felt on this side of eternity. The fire of love, given to Catherine through her sharing of Christ’s heart, prompted Catherine’s extraordinary service to her neighbor. Her love for others would be so conformed to the love of Christ that she notices in herself a desire to even die for her neighbor.

ONE HEART
Author: William G. Carrington
7/26/1996

Among your small possessions
In a place all by itself
There’s a gift I one time gave you
One heart upon your shelf

This gift takes little space up
And it’s never in the way
I’d guess you never notice it
As you go about your day

You never have to move it
It goes every where you are
Just hovers in the background
But always not too far

And if you need some comfort
When things are not quite right
Take out the heart I gave you
It’ll get you through the night

No matter where life’s road leads
If fortune’s promise proves untrue
One thing you’ll take beyond this life is, The heart I gave to you.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2022 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……..

Being An Imitator
Author: Pat AH Aman

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2.

I pray each of you will have a wonderful weekend.

What does imitators of God mean?

To be Imitators of God requires one to show evidence that demonstrates God-like characteristics in one’s daily life: “Imitators of God” display the characteristic of universal treatment:

Matthew 5:45 says that: That God makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

First we are His children. We have His DNA. His blood runs through our veins. This Means that we should look, act and love the way God loves.

Second, we are the Aroma of Christ. We should smell like Him. We should be able to walk in a room and the room light up with the fragrance of God Himself.

So, if we are not showing love and stinking up every thing we touch or every room we enter, maybe just maybe we need to get re-washed in the blood of Jesus.

Maybe we need to asked ourselves, ” are we washed in the Blood, in the soul cleansing Blood of the Lamb.

Just as children imitate their natural parents, Believers are called to imitate God. We are to follow Christ’s example. As we imitate Christ, we grow in our love and surrender to God our Father just as natural children grow in their ability to imitate, love, and follow their earthly parents.

We want to live in such a way that people are brought closer to Jesus Christ because of how we live our lives demonstrating His love.

Are our garments spotless are they white as snow?

Are we washed in the Blood of the Lamb?

Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Aman

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Refrain:
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Bible Verse: NJJB
Song written by: Elisha A Hoffman 1876

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2022 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….