Monthly Archives: March 2015

Devotions

What Is On Your Bucket List?

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What is on your bucket list?

What is something that you may need to conquer, face or maybe just complete in your life?

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:6)

We must believe that we were created by God for a special assignment for him. We are not here by mistake, and we are not a mistake.

Remember, God’s Word.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

So, let’s set our eyes on the brass ring as they say, and grab it.

Because, Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Will I ride the bull. I will let you know later.

Love, Blessings and Prayers,
Pastor Pat.

All Rights Reserved
Coffee With Pat Ministries
©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

Devotions

I Thirst For You Lord

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Have a blessed week. Just as you thirst for God. He thirst for you. So, start your morning with God. He really needs to talk to you.
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat
( Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.

I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interlude

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. (Psalms 143:1, 6, 8, 12 NLT)

Written By: Pat Aman ©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015

Devotions

God Never Forsakes His Children

 

God Never Forsakes His Children

Friends,

God will never leave His children alone. Just reach out to Him.
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Amanimage

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. (Isaiah 43:1-10, 15 KJV)

All Rights Reserved
Coffee With Pat Ministries
Written By: Pat Aman 1998-2013-2015
©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible

 

Teen Devotions Achieves

Desperate to Fit In

Advice and Devotions for Teenagers

Desperate to Fit In

teens84848

I wanted to be popular so bad that I let my life get out of control.

Permission to Post by: Copyright of Ignite Your Faith

© 2015 Christianity Today

Devotions

His Amazing Love

 

His Amazing Love

Have you ever had one of those days that a certain song was on your heart when you woke up? Well, that was what happen to me this morning. I have just been overwhelmed by the words to the song You Are My King today. I have sang them over and over again. When I was in the car I would play the song, and when it finished, I would play it again, and again. My heart has just been overwhelmed with the Love, Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.

So, for today’s devotion I am going to, (no not sing to you, lol,) but give you the lyrics to the song, and at the bottom add the video so you can play it also.

When you listen to the song, let each word touch your heart. I want you to see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. See Him taking the (your) beatings, see Him walking up Calvary’s Hill, see, and dying on the cross so you could be forgiven of your sins, and have eternal life. Then see Him high and lifted up. Yes, He arose on the three day, defeating death and the gave, for you. And one day Jesus is coming back to take You and Me back to Heaven to live forever. Praise God. Them get down on your knees and thank God above for sending His son Jesus, that you could be forgiven, because He was forsaken. So you could be accepted, because He was condemned. Then get up and give Him praise, because He lives within you, because He died and rose again. Praise Him your King of Kings.

Billy James Foote Lyrics
“Billy James Foote You Are My King (amazing Love) lyrics”

I’m forgiven because You were forsake
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You

In all I do I honor You
You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
Jesus, You are my King

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You

In all I do I honor You

 

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Devotions

Get The Behind Me Satan!!!!!!

 

Get The Behind Me Satan!

satanthebloodofjesus

This week I told someone a quote I really like, which goes like this, “when satan knocks at your door, ask Jesus to answer the door  for you.”

But the quote I really like Is: , “Be the type of lady or man, that when you arise in the morning, the devil says, OH CRAP! SHE’S UP! or HE’S UP!” (smile)

We as Christians should not ever be afraid of satan, but he should be afraid of us. If we are reading God’s Word, Witnessing and Praying daily, satan does not have a leg to stand on in our lives.

John 15:7

“If you abide in Me and My Word abides in you, you may asked what you will and it shall be.”

Jesus defeated satan in the wilderness by saying, “satan it is written.” We should also be able to say, “satan it is written,” and quote the Word of God over anything that satan tries to throw at us.

We give satan to much credit. We give him to much rope in our lives and he hangs on.

It is time we cut that rope with the Word of God. It is time to remember that any and everything that has a name has to bow down in the Name and by the Name of Jesus.

It is time for a change. It is time for satan to fear us waking up each morning, because he knows we are going to read God’s Word, Pray and Witness for Christ, which he does not want us to do.

It is time to scare the mess out of satan so much that he says, “Crap they’re up.

I actually started to use another word instead of mess, ( you know the place satan is going to live for eternity,) but I figured that I had already upset the apple cart for some of you by using the word crap in this devotion. LOL

Oh, the ones of you that watch Duck Dynasty each week and hear the word, crap, know that is a Louisiana expression. And, this is a repeat devotion from 1998.

Well, I guess, I need to break myself from using it, but, hey, as long as God is happy, happy, happy, with what He has me doing for Him. What stop now!

Hey folks it’s time to get real. The world is sick and tired of Holy then Thou Christians. Let the world know we are just sinners saved by the mercy and grace of God. Remember don’t be so religious acting that you scare people away for God.!

Just another note:

A few weeks back I got a note on my door that was letting me know that a new house cleaning service was able in our area. The note laid on my kitchen bar a couple of weeks, which is unusual because I do not like things laying around.

Any way, I decided to call and get them to come by and give me an estimate for a deep cleaning. They came by we talked and I hired them.

While they were here, I asked them about where they go to church? One of them spoke us and said we are looking for a church, so I told them about Pastor Ron Barefoot new church plant in Angier, NC. I told them it was a great church and gave them the name, (Crosswalk) and gave them directions.

Well, Praise be to God, she called me tonight and said they loved the church. She said she and her family felt the love of God when they walked through the door, AND, the entire family was saved, going to be Baptized together and join the church.

PEOPLE, Praise God Almighty. See, I listen to the Holy Spirit that directed me to call them to come clean my house just so I could plant a seed in them, and then look now, they went to Crosswalk Church, and Pastor Ron and his fellowship watered that seed. God is so GOOD!

Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Aman

Also, please know that:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with Joy.
Philippians 1: 3-4

I end each message with “My Blessings, Love & Prayers,” I truly mean that, and I pray for each of you every morning and evening.

Pastor Pat

All Rights Reserved
Coffee With Pat Ministries
Written By: Pat Aman 1998- March 3, 2013-2015
©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015
Notes: The New King James Bible​

Teen Devotions Achieves

“If I Could Only be Perfect … “

Advice and Devotions for Teenagers

 

“If I Could Only be Perfect … “

Why do we feel like we have to work so hard to earn acceptance?

It happened when I was 12, but I remember the moment like it happened this morning. My older brother had gotten himself into trouble—again. My mom and I were folding laundry, talking about the situation and how worried she was about my brother’s actions. Then she said to me, “I know we’ll never have to worry about you, honey.”

Now my mom meant it as a compliment. Her intention was to tell me she knew I was well-behaved and smart enough to avoid some of the stuff that had gotten my brother in hot water. But in my mind, her words set a huge weight on my shoulders. When she said, “We’ll never have to worry about you,” I heard, “Make sure we never have to worry about you.”

That simple conversation set me on a mission—to be the perfect daughter. My goal was to make sure my parents never had a doubt about where I was, what I was doing or who I was with. So I never missed a curfew, never drank a beer, never hung out with anyone who might lead me into trouble.

Those few times I did get into trouble with my parents, I felt horrible. And even though I got off with a few stern words, I still felt like I’d let them down.

My desire to be perfect carried over to my relationship with God. I honestly thought God would love me more if I went to youth group, if I said my prayers, if I went to Bible camp. I believed I could impress God if I did all the right Christian things. I didn’t always do those things because I wanted to. I did them because I wanted God to think I was perfect.

And I know I’m not the only one who has felt like being a good person—being a perfect Christian—is the key to God’s heart.

The Problem with Perfection

Striving for excellence isn’t always a bad thing. Doing our best is part of the Christian life. Way back in the Old Testament, God’s people were told to “present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you” (Numbers 18:29). Even though God was talking about tithes and offerings, we know our whole lives are offerings to God, and that we need to give God our best.

The New Testament is just as clear. Matthew 5:48 says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We are supposed to shoot for the highest standard of goodness—God’s goodness. And Paul tells the Corinthians, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

But perfectionism is “doing our best” for all the wrong reasons. Perfectionism is about us, not about God.

I was being good because I thought it would help me earn love and acceptance. If my behavior pleased my parents, they’d love me even more. If my behavior pleased God, I’d earn his favor. I came to believe my worth was based on how good I was—and on how good other people thought I was.

Inside, I was stressed out. The pressure to be perfect was almost too much to handle. But I didn’t think I could tell anyone how I felt because that would mean admitting I wasn’t perfect. And that was the last thing I wanted to do.

God’s Perfect Plan

When it comes to God’s love, we perfectionists tend to get the order of things all mixed up. We think, If I’m good enough, if I do all the right things, God will love me. But God reached out while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). God made the first move.

Once sin entered the world, the relationship between God and humans was strained. And all through the Bible, people tried to fix that relationship with animal sacrifices, with money, even with a huge tower to heaven. But it took God’s sacrifice to bring us back to him. God’s incredible gift of salvation is ours because God loves us, not because we earned it. (Check out Romans 4:4-5.)

When Jesus tells us to “be perfect” in Matthew 5:48, he’s saying that God’s idea of perfection is radically different from the world’s idea of perfection. The world says perfection is having the best body, the most popular friends, the happiest family. But Jesus tells us God is our best example of perfection. That means perfection is only found in striving to follow God. And as the apostle Paul explains in Philippians 3:12-16, God wants us to keep our eyes on him and follow the example of Christ in all we do.

Yet even Paul, one of the greatest Christians of all time, admitted he wasn’t perfect. He knew he could only gain salvation through a relationship with Christ. But he continued to do his best as a natural response to God’s love for him. And for Paul, doing his best meant growing in his faith, seeking God in everything he did, loving God with his whole heart.

The same is true for us. Being perfect in Christ isn’t about living up to expectations—the world’s, your parents’, your own. It’s about being obedient to God, day in and day out.

But before we perfectionists get all worked up about trying to be perfectly obedient, we need to remember this: The Bible says our actions don’t have anything to do with God’s acceptance of us (Ephesians 2:8-9). They are simply a sign of God living in us, a result of the new life we have in Christ (James 2:14-26). They demonstrate our desire to make our faith stronger. They are a way for us to give glory to our loving God. And when we follow God’s commandments, we show his light to others (Matthew 5:16).

Showing others the light of God doesn’t mean you can never mess up. In fact, our efforts to be perfect can often give people the wrong idea about our faith. One of my friends once told me she didn’t think she was good enough to be a Christian. She didn’t think she could live up to the expectations everyone had of Christians—always being nice, never getting into trouble. She saw Christianity as a secret club that only the “good” kids could belong to. My efforts to be the perfect person sure didn’t help her think otherwise. But if I’d have been more honest about my own failures and shown her how God forgives, she might have felt differently.

Perfectionism is a losing game. Fortunately, it’s one we really don’t have to play. After all, God reached out to us when we were as far away from him as we could possibly be. Being a Christian isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being forgiven. So we can relax and be confident that God knows we’re not perfect and loves us just the same.

Permission to Post by: Copyright of Ignite Your Faith

© 2015 Christianity Today

Devotions

Is Your Lamp Filled With Oil

lampoil

Is Your Lamp Filled With Oil

I have been studying the Parable of The Ten Virgins. I enjoy this passage very much. What does this passage imply? The answer is the return of Jesus. The passage asks, “Are you ready?”

(Matthew 25: 1-13) says, ” Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made,” Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.” Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you, but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, verily I say unto you I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Jesus used this parable because of the Jewish Wedding Custom. Jewish weddings were generally celebrated at night, starting at the rise of the evening star, but in this case there was some extra delay and the bridegroom and his friends arrived after midnight. This was customary.

Starting from the home of the bridegroom, his friends began crying this and all along the route people would take up the joyous cry until it would get near enough to the home of the bride that it would wake up the sleeping one. This was the duty of the ones chosen by the bride to welcome the bridegroom. Then when they hard the cry, they all arose to trim their lamps and get them in order. They all had lamps burning when they went to sleep, but the lamps of the foolish needed more oil. The Greek reads, “our lamps are going out.” They asked for oil from the extra that the wise had, but were sent to buy some quickly. While they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then the doors were locked to uninvited guests and for fear of thieves who would rob the guests or carry off the bride for a ransom. When the foolish virgins returned they found the door locked and they could not get in.

Jesus is returning to earth again, to claim his bride. We need to be ready for his return. We need to make sure that we are ready. We do not want to be like the foolish virgins and not have oil in our lamps. When Jesus comes, it will be quickly. We will not have time to say, wait I want to be saved. So right now take the time to make sure you are ready.

How can you make sure that you are ready, Ask Jesus to come into your heart. How?

First, Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. You may say Pat, but you just don’t know what I have done. That does not matter. When you ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins, he cleanses you for all your past. He covers your sins with His blood to be remember no more. Second, say Jesus come into my heart now.

In (Romans 10:9) says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

It is that easy. Salvation is a gift from God. You do not have to earn it. Salvation is free. Jesus already paid the price for you when He died on the cross.

Now that you have ask Jesus to come into your heart all those past sins are gone. Now every once in a while the old devil will try to bring up your past. When he does, just say boy come with me. Then take him to the throne of God and say God show him the book where my sins use to be listed. And when God opens the book, say see they are gone. So jack get off my back for I am cover with the blood of Jesus and where the blood of Jesus is you can’t be.

You may now try to use the excuse that you have to become perfect before you ask Jesus into your heart. You do not!!! God accepts us as we are, dirty sinful people. Then after we ask Him into our heart, it becomes a daily sanctification. It is a daily process. We are not perfect and God knows it. He just wants us to give Him our heart and He will take care of the rest.
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Aman

Also, please know that:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with Joy.
Philippians 1: 3-4

I end each message with “My Blessings, Love & Prayers,” I truly mean that, and I pray for each of you every morning and evening.

Written By: Pastor Pat Aman June 4, 2008
Pastor Pat Aman/©1996/2015
CWPM1996/2015

Children's Devotions

The Lying Cereal Box

 CBN%20Kids

The Lying Cereal Box

“Can you get the prize out for me?” Greta eagerly asked her father. She pointed to

a picture on the back of her cereal box. It showed a huge pile of colorful candy

pouring out of a package.

“Well, let’s see if we can find it,” said Dad. He shook the box, tipped it this way

and that, then reached in and pulled out the prize–a small, sample-size package of

candy. He tossed it to Greta. “Save it till after breakfast,” he said.

When Greta tore open the package a little later, a few small pieces of candy fell

out. She counted them–only three. She counted the pieces in the picture on the

cereal box. There were 20. “I thought I’d get as much candy as the picture shows,” she

complained to her dad.

“The cereal company wanted you to think you’d get a lot so you’d persuade

someone to buy the cereal for you,” explained Dad. “They deceived you.”

Greta frowned. “What does deceive’ mean?”

“It means to get someone to believe something that isn’t true,” explained Dad.

That afternoon, Greta’s friend Molly came to play. Greta had recently begun taking

piano lessons, and she showed Molly what she had been learning. “That looks like

fun! Let’s pretend you’re the teacher and I’m your student,” suggested Molly.

“Greta! Telephone!” called Dad.

The caller was Kaylie, who lived a few doors away. “Play? At my house?” asked

Greta after listening a moment. “Well . . . uh . . .” Greta chose her words carefully.

“I’m in the middle of a piano lesson,” she said. “Uh . . . sure. Some other time.”

Dad frowned as Greta hung up. “Did you tell Kaylie the truth?”

Greta shrugged. “I didn’t lie.”

“What did Kaylie understand about the piano lesson?” persisted Dad. “Do you

think you deceived her?”

Greta blushed. She knew the picture she’d given was just as deceiving as the picture

on the cereal box. She’d gotten Kaylie to think her piano teacher was there. “I’m sorry,”

said Greta. “I’ll call her back and see if she wants to come and play piano lessons,’ too.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever been deceived—been given the wrong idea—by someone? Do you ever deceive other people? Deception is allowing someone to believe something that isn’t true. There are other ways to lie besides just saying something that isn’t true, and all of them are wrong. Speak honest words, but live an honest life, too.

TODAY’S KEY VERSE: Leviticus 19:11 (KJV)
You shall not . . . lie to one another.

 
Men's Devotions Achieves

Mission Impossible

Mission Impossible

Written by Allan Mitchell

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

For many Christians, the word evangelism evokes an uncomfortable image of sharing the gospel awkwardly and inadequately to a nonbeliever.

I recall my first evangelism experiences: initially, I confidently and boldly recited the right verses and the right answers. Other times, feeling totally unprepared, I fumbled and mumbled through a rehearsed clichéd script. Mostly, I thought I was on course, but perceived fruitlessness quickly quenched my passion and fire. Consequently, I lost confidence. This mission seemed impossible.

Why would God call, consecrate, and commission us to share our faith, when many believers experience perceived failure and consider it mission: impossible? Often, perception doesn’t reflect reality. Actually, God never asks us to perform a task without empowering and equipping us to accomplish His task. Acts 1:8 assures us that God empowers and equips us for an ongoing mission: sowing and cultivating His gospel in the world.

So, how do we embrace God’s mandate to share our faith authentically, purposely, and effectively with those in our sphere of influence? Although not an exhaustive list, here are a few evangelism essentials I’ve learned: prepare in prayer, rely on the Spirit, avoid Christian jargon, listen intently, exchange life stories, cultivate relationship, avoid criticism, and speak truth in love.

As laborers, believers are responsible to sow and to cultivate, but the Lord Jesus is responsible for the harvest. Now, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to intentionally and faithfully engage in sharing His gospel. Light a match…let the mission begin!

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for empowering me and equipping me with Your Holy Spirit. Prepare my heart for intentional outreach to those in my sphere of influence. Give me the courage to persevere and to share about You authentically with a lost and hurting world. Amen.

Take Action

Offer to God any concerns or feelings of inadequacy you may have about sharing your faith with others. Ask God to start building confidence in you as you depend on Him and start taking risks to share your faith.

If evangelism feels like a burden, make sure to watch Relax! Witnessing is Not All About You. We’ve also discovered a great book on how to have spiritual conversations: God Space by Doug Pollock.

What’s one thing you find hard about witnessing? Please post a comment. Then we get to encourage one another!