All this week, I have awoken and gone to bed with the song, “In His Presence,” in my spirit.  The words are as follows:

In the Presence of Jehovah
God almighty, Prince of Peace,
Troubles vanish,
Hearts are mended,
In the presence of the King.

You may know this song, if so, then sing it, and listen to the words.  If you do not know it, just read the words and realize what it is saying.

When you are praising God, or even on your knees in prayer, when you are in His presence, everything will be alright. All your cares, brokenness, troubles and trials will disappear.

Why? Because when you are in the arms of God, you are not trying to deal with these circumstances yourself.  You are letting God do His job.

(Psalm 91:1) says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

This is the simple answer, God keeps ALL of His promises.  His word does not lie.  God is willing and ready to do His part.  And that is to take care of us.  Watch over us and as His children, mend our brokenness and make all of our troubles vanish.

So write now, jump into the arms of God.  Go into His presence, and let Him love and take care of you.
Love and Prayers
Pat.

Devotion Written By: Pat Aman​
September 10, 2004
Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2015 Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”
Study Notes: The New King James Bible

If You Cannot Serve, You Cannot Lead!

When two disciples of Jesus requested a place of prominence in Jesus’ kingdom, Jesus instructed the disciples on the true meaning of leadership—not “lord-leadership,” but servant leadership.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory. … ”

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

So, You May Ask, ” Why Am I Serving?”
How do my actions prevent me from servant leadership?
Often we announce a destination: “Here’s a vision; here’s what I want to do.” Then we use a delegating leadership style and don’t roll up our sleeves and get in there.

That’s what managing the journey is. Sure, it’s coming up with the vision and the direction, but then the vision must be implemented: coaching, supporting, giving directions, praising progress, and redirecting. Jesus did this well. I

Jesus wandered from one little town to another, and people would say, “How do you become first?” Jesus said, “By being last.”

People would ask him, “How do you lead?” “By following.”

Managing the journey of change is servant leadership. We must get our own personal accomplishments out of the way and praise, redirect, reprimand-anything it takes to help people win.

Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pat

Devotion Written March 30, 2011- By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2015 Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”
Study Notes: The New King James Bible

The Spiritual Gifts for Believers

Author: Pastor Pat Aman

I am reviewing and studying the Gifts of the Spirit for the thousandth time, so I thought I would share my study with you. AND, several have asked me about Cali stories. As a writer it has to hit you to write. I started another Adventures With Cali, but, right now to busy to work on it. I promise I will get back to it.  God bless each of you

I truly believe the church is in the last days. This world is worst than Sodom and Gomorrah. I have said many times, that if God does not come soon, He will need to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.

The Word of God tells us that in the last days there will be an outbreak of Revival in the world, but, there will also be a faster an stronger work of satan because he knows his time is short.

As a people of God, we must be ready and willing to grow the church. We must be about our Father’s Business.

Yes, there will be more manifestation of the Spirit in the church which are the disciples of God. Get ready! Our work has just begun.

1 Corinthians 12:7, “But, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” The Holy Spirit is namifested through a variety of spiritual gifts given to believers. These manifestations of the Spirit are intended for the upbuilding  and sanctification of the church. They are not the same as the gifts and ministries mentioned in Romans 12:6-8, whereby a believer receives the power and ability to minister in a more permanent manner in the church.

Romans 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

The manifestations of the Spirit are given according to the will of the Spirit when need arises and according to the earnest desire of the believer.

Some gifts may be manifested through an individual on a regular basis, and a believer may have more than  one gift to minister to particular needs. The believer ought to desire “gifts,” not just one gift.

1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 31

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸ To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

It is unscriptural and unwise to assume that because someone exercises a spectacular gifts, that person in more spiritual then one who has less spectacular gifts. Furthermore, possessing a gift does not mean that God approves of all a person does or teaches. Spiritual gifts must not be confused with the fruit of the spirit that relates more directly to Christian character and sanctification.

The Spirit’s manifestation through gifts may be counterfeited by Satan or false workers disgustising themselves  as servants of Christ. The believer must not believe every spiritual manifestation, but ought to “try the spirits whether thay are of God; because many false propherts are gone out into the world.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2015 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals”

Bible Verses: The New King James Bible

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I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Can a Minister have close friends?

See, as a Minister myself, there are times we need to talk to someone besides just God.

But, who can we trust with our private thoughts, emotions and personal lives?

Yes, we have our spouse, but, even our spouse needs a confident person to vent their feelings.

Still if I talk to someone in the church about things, what will happen?

I read an article and it had a startling quote in there from H.B. London, head of pastoral ministries for Focus on the Family. He disclosed that “at least 70 percent of pastors in the United States claim they have no friends.”

This is absolutely heartbreaking and unacceptable to me. No wonder most pastors don’t make it in ministry long. So why don’t they develop friends?

There’s tons of reason but here’s a few that come to my mind.

1) False Expectations: Many want their pastor to be friendly to everyone but close to no one!

2) False Assumptions: Many pastors have been told “You can’t EVER, EVER, trust people because they’ll use things you share with them against you one day.” (Side Note: Didn’t seem to stop Jesus.)

3) False Accusations: Many pastors will be criticized if they have close friends. If a normal person has close friends we call it healthy. If a pastor has close friends we call it a “clique.”

Pastors, don’t fall for it. You’ve been created for deep connectedness like everyone else. Develop and cultivate your close friendships (and encourage your spouse to do the same). You’ll need them. Every single one of them!“

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.”John 15:13-17

According to the New Testament Bible, Jesus said that His friends were those who kept His word, His sayings, and obeyed the things that He commanded (see the Gospel of John chapter 15). He also stated that His disciples, followers, were His friends. This includes the twelve disciples closest to Him, and those who were not included in that twelve such as Martha, Mary, Lazarus. Several women were also His friends in a sisterly way and they ministered to Him i.e. they would have helped Him with meals, sowing needs and such like. Their names were Susanna, Joanna, Mary (We see this in Luke 8:3). Those who follow Jesus are His friends—and the New Testament makes it clear that this includes those who follow Him today by obeying Him.

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