I’m Tired and Weak Lord!
Author: Pat Aman
5/20/2019/rev2024

This devotion is long. But, the best is yet to come at the end of the devotion. This devotion only tells about one-fourth of the circumstances of my journey, but I hope it helps you to hang on…

God’s got this……..

Have you ever felt this way?

I have felt this way many times. And it was not because I did not have faith in God, but my body had been ravaged with sickness and pain.

Judges 6:14-16 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”

I had been extremely active in my younger days. I played on our church softball team, Antioch Baptist Church for many years. I was the catcher, and this is hard. You are constantly up and down. You legs and knees are working overtime. As well as your arms, catching and throwing the ball.

I was also very active in my church, teaching Sunday School, youth ministries, Lay Ministries and Girls Auxiliary. And had a full time job.

In 1976, I met my husband and we then worked together in our own business, and were involved in our community, church and even sponsored a local baseball team. They were called Aman’s Auto Parts.

I also became the women’s coach for a local community team called Archie’s Angels. Named after Mr. Archie Parrish who owned the first Drug Store in Newton Grove, NC. The drug store is now under ownership of dear friends, Thomas and Son, Joey Williford.

I also was a full-mother, as well as working alongside beside husband.

We were active in our local church and active 4-H leaders. We were awarded Leaders of the year, by Governor James Hunt for our work with youth in the state of North Carolina.

I myself, also went to seminary studies through the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and received my Mission License, Minister License, Christian Education Credentials, and Ordination Credentials. And now my Doctorate in Theology and Biblical Counseling.

In others words many long years of studies and going through the Local Conference of the North Carolina IPHC, to take my tests. As well as going before the conference board to be accepted.

And back then you did not have computers to read and do testing on. You studies and read the books required and went personally to the conference office classroom and took your test in person.

I am not telling you this to brag, but to show you how active we were.

But, life started changing. We sold our business and my husband went to work with Best Access Systems, and now going on 36 years, he still works for the same company. I started teaching in the local county school systems.

God allowed me to also start a pre-school, school, After School Care, and Summer Camp for a local church.

But in 2002 my life started changing. I started teaching GED for a Community College. Everything was great, but then my health started changing. My colon rupture, In 2002 they removed 15 inches of my colon, an I wore a colostomy bag for a while, but praise God, I was able to have it reversed.
But because of this surgery, I with through several more surgeries and infectious diseases.

I no longer was able to work full time, due to my body slowing down because of my chronic illnesses with my intestinal issues.

From 2004-2006, I suffer through surgeries again. I ended up living over two years with surgical MRSA, then surgical E-coli. I had open wounds that had to be packed and dressed daily. I had drain tubes from several places in my abdomen.

But, again, the grace of God bought to through.

God allowed me to physically be able to travel back and forth to Louisiana to help my sister with my mama and her declining health. And the last six months stay a majority of that time with my sister and mama. Then our precious mama made her Heavenly Journey home in October 2008.

After then my health did pretty good. I was still able to visit my sweet sister in Louisiana and help her when needed.

In 2012 my body came to a screeching halt! Life as I knew it had ceased to exist, again. I was forcing myself to go and be active, but I felt like crap… There is no other word for it…

By this point I have had a total of over 12 surgeries. Hoping that there would be no more.

But, I started seeking a doctor to see why, I had gain up to 321 pounds.

Every doctor I went too, said they would not you touch me with a ten foot pole. That there was no help for me.

But, the last doctor finally said, “I know a doctor who I think can help you. He gave me his name, I made an appointment and when I entered his office, he looked and me, and said I was walking death.

He sent me straight to the hospital for tests. And the very next morning, I went into surgery.

The surgery lasted about 10 hours. . In this surgery the doctor had to repair my small intestines from letting food go back into my stomach. He had to bypass a large amount of my small intestines, and while the exploratory surgery was taking place, he found my liver had adhered to my stomach. He also was looking at the dead stomach, and staples from previous surgery in 1982. So, he repaired what he could to save my life. I died on the operating table, but, Father God said, no not today. So He gave my life back to me. But, I came out of surgery a very sick women.

They told my family my stomach had adhered to my liver. And everything I ate was going out of my stomach, into my small intestines, and then returning back into my stomach a fistula. I was literally being poisoned by my own body.

I stayed in the hospital over three weeks. They did not expect me to ever leave.

And on top of this, they were giving me a medicine that was making me have hallucinations.

My daughter keep telling then, that is not my mama in that bed.

They realized it finally. Narrowed down the cause, and I was able to think once again.

When the doctor came by one morning I told him I wanted to go home. They did not want me to go, but I was determined.

Now folks, God was still on His throne. He was working in the background.

My family was tired. My family was upset. They needed help. And God knew it.

We had good friends who were in the ministry. They were the Evangelist Singing Group, “Still Amazed.”

They called Joe and said that they had a couple weeks open in their schedule and they wanted to help. So, our precious friend took her time of rest, by flying up and taking care of me. And it was not an easy task.

I was not walking steady, not eating, and I was very depressed.

I felt defeat. I thought my life and ministry was over because of my chronic illness.

I was weary and tired. I was too weak and no longer as “stable are clear” minded as I used to be.

I had trouble remembering scriptures. I gave up.

But Praise God, he had other plans. He let me know that he was not finished with me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

God has allowed me to continue to do His work.

Coffee With Pat, is a glory to God. And writing books. Who would have ever thought I would write children’s books, and devotional books.

So, as I read in Judges tonight. I realize, when I am at my weakest, is when God is at his strongest. He is working overtime for me, and YOU!

Judges 6:14-16 we read that Gideon could only see his limitations and weaknesses in spite of God’s clear promise for strength, in so doing he failed to see how God could work through him..

Even though God promises us the tools and strength we need to serve Him, like Gideon, we often make excuses. When we remind God of our limitations we are implying that He does not know all our circumstances and challenges.

When life slaps us in the face due to health or other difficult situations in our lives, God will always open another path for us to continue to serve Him.

They say, I have one more surgery to go through. Well, maybe not. I know Father God will continue to heal my body.

I am so glad the Lord opens doors for me to serve Him in my life’s journey.

It does not matter how depressed, oppressed, weak, poor, sick, or whatever the challenge we may have, God will give us the ability we need right now to help us, build others up, and share to them, His saving grace and mercy.

But, now as on 1/1/2024, I am going strong. Now at 70 years young, I may not be in full speed, but, I am moving along.

With the help of Father God and trying to eat healthy I have lost over 140 pounds. I have been able to keep the weight off for the last 5 years. Some may look at me and say, “Pat you need to lose a few more pounds.” But, see Father God knows what my body needs and He gives me the ability to continue His Work.

And through Fathers God’s mercy and grace, I still travel and do Ministry.

We go to Restoration Church where I am blessed to be the Senior Citizens Pastor. S.W.A.T. Team (Servants With A Testimony,) and we are constantly going places and enjoying being a testimony for the younger generation.

In the last 3 years we have taken from 15-50 individuals on trips. We have gone on day trips enjoying the Beauty of North Carolina’s History. And we have gone on 5 days adventures to Pennsylvania and Kentucky to see the Amish Country and to the Creation Museum and Noah’s Ark.

And this year going back to Pennsylvania for a new adventure of the county side we did not see. And experience more old traditions of the Amish Order. And of course my favorite will be seeing the Live production of Daniel at the Site and Sound Theater.

I am honored our church supports us as we gather monthly with of Senior Adults from several churches in our area to feed the community Senior Adults and Fellowship together.

My children tell me, “mama, we love that you are in a church that is helping you to continue to minister and is keeping you young.

Oh, an as you all know, we have a new grandson who just turned 9 months old, so we need to be healthy and live a long time. I tell everyone when I turn 100, I am going to sky dive. Of course piggy back. LOL

BUT, again, this devotion is to let you know to keep going. Don’t Stop!

As I mentioned above, I realize, when I am at my weakest, is when God is at his strongest. He is working overtime for me, and YOU!

Father God has work for us to do.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2024 “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…

“Faith As The Grain Of The Mustard Seed”
June 24, 2015/rev2019/rev2023
Author: Pat Aman

I have learn that when you step out on faith, God can do great and mighty things.

(Matthew 17: 14-20 NIV), says, ” And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, knelling down to Him and saying, “Lord have mercy on my son for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples but they could not cure him.”Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, why could we not cast it out? So Jesus said to them, “because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

God has a way for getting your need met. Your problem solved. That way is rooted in your faith’s becoming a seed.

Seed Faith. When you plant a seed of faith, God changes the nature of that seed so that it becomes a plant, and the power of life surges in that tender young plant to such a great extent that even a mountain of earth cannot stop it from pushing upward.

Jesus says our faith in God is like a seed. When we put our faith into action, that is, when we release it to God, it takes on a totally new nature. It takes on the nature of a miracle in the making.

What is the mountain in your life?

Loneliness, loss of a job, sickness, disease, a wounded relationship, trouble in your home?

Something else?

Be encouraged!

Jesus shows the way to see that mountain removed.

First, Father God says that you have a measure of faith.

(Romans 12:3 NIV) says, “For I say through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” It is resident with you.

Second, Father God says that this faith comes alive by hearing the word of God.

(Romans 10:17 NIV) “So then faith comes by hearing, and haring by the Word of God.”

Third, God says that you can apply your faith to see your daily needs met.

How?

You do something as an act of your faith. You sow the mustard seed smallness of your faith into an action of love. . .

(Matthew 17:20 ) So Jesus said to them, “because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Then, when your faith has been planted and is growing, speak to your mountain and watch God set about its removal.
Father God hears the prayers of His children.

This is a true story that I read in Readers Digest a few years ago. There was an elderly woman who had to cross a mountain to go to church. Each Sunday and Wednesday she would walk over the mountain until she soon with age was not able to attend to the hard task. She begin to pray and ask God to remove the mountain so she could go to church. Every morning for one year she would get out of bed, go to her door and say “thank you God that you have move the mountain.” The one morning a year later she was awaken by aloud noises out side her door. She jump up, went to the door and saw a line of bull dozers and trucks. She got dress and went out side to see what was taking place. The contractor told her that they were taking the mountain down to build a mall.

Hey guess what?

God not only removed the mountain, but he gave her cement to walk on all the way to the church. Oh yea, and a place close to her house to go shopping.

Father God does not do it half way. He is a loving God. We may not understand why things happen, but God knows the whole picture.

Blessings, Pastor Pat
“Let all that you do be done with love.” I Corinthians‬ ‭16:14‬ ‭

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 Alabaster Box
Author: Pastor Pat Aman
5/14/1999rev2023

Have you ever just felt like throwing your hands up and screaming? If you say NO, I will pray for you because we all have felt this way at sometimes in our lives.

When building Coffee With Pat website, It seemed that there was one problem after another. Learning HTML coding was a job. I, at times become very irate over this situation. But, as I prayed and turned it over to Father God. the Holy Spirit gave me the knowledge and wisdom to finally figured it out. I finally learned the new program to work on the CWP site.

I know that some of you maybe thinking, Pat, there are people who are sick, depressed, angry, and have so many more problems and issues then you not being able to deal with a website on the computer.

Well, my answer to this is, “that is the exact reason I need to be able to post devotions and maybe say something that may help those persons in their time of despair.

Since 1996 Coffee With Pat has touched so thousands of lives for the glory of God. People have been saved, healed and even stopped from taking their lives because they came across Coffee With Pat while searching the web for an answer to their hopelessness.

So, now you may understand while I have was in despair myself, when I was not able to post on the daily devotion site. I was not able to share Father God’s Word, as He had been letting me to do in the past. But, He was actually trying to show me a more accurate and easier way to reach more people, but I was making it hard. I was being stubborn. I did not want change. I wanted it to stay the old way……

See, there may have been someone out there who needs a touch from Father God’s hands and heart, and just possibly, the Word the Lord gave me to share on a certain day, or even today, touched them and turned their lives around. But, it took me (Pat) finally giving Father God permission to take me in a different direction. Father God is a gentleman and will not force us to do things, but gently guides us to realize what is best for us.

And, yes, just like you, I myself, may have needed that Word, touch, nudge from Father God, to step out of my comfort zone.

I as you, also have other things that come up in my life. I as you, have life daily situations to handle and take care of in my life.

I am one person, just human with daily things to take care of just like you do… And time seems to fly faster as I grow older. But, I just step forward, knowing Father God knows what is best for me.

I can hardly believe it is almost Christmas. I should be thinking of Mary, the mother of Jesus, but, my heart is thinking of Mary of Bethany (Mary Magdalene) annointing Jesus feet. She once was a broken person, but, Jesus touched her. Because Jesus had touched her and gave her a new life, the Holy Spirit spoke her to anoint Jesus, preparing Him for the steps He would soon take to walk the Road to Calvary.

I love the story of Jesus, Mary and the Alabaster Box.

I often tell people, “do not judge others by what you see, because you do not know what is in their Alabaster Box!”© PAA

She broke a box of ointment and poured it on Jesus. This ointment was valued at 300 pence. A pence was the daily wage of the average worker. Therefore, in modern terms, it was worth about $15,000.00. This spikenard was produced from a rare plant that grew in India. It was very expensive and many people saved for years to be able to provide this for their own funeral preparations. However, this woman, poured it out on the Lord Jesus.

A lot of preachers teach on the subject of how expenses the oil/perfume cost. Others teach that it meant Mary was giving her best, her all.

But, I think of it this way. ‘What was really in Mary’s Alabaster Box?

I like to imagine that as she broke the vessel so that she might extract every drop of ointment for use on the Lord Jesus, she was also showing Jesus every broken part of herself.

The vessel was her broken life, filled with the oil of all the hurts, sorrow, jealousy, hatred, disappointments and even happiness that she had experienced.
Yes, she had paid a great price in her life, the way she had lived, but, Jesus only saw the broken vessel as clay that He could mold into a beautiful vase. And he did not judge or smell the unpleasant odor of her sins, but the sweet smelling aroma of her love and her willingness to scarified everything to follow her Lord and Savior.

Whatever you may think about when reading this story, Mary gave all she had to Jesus for His glory! She totally opened herself up to Him. She did not try to hide one part of herself.

I wonder have we broken the Alabaster Box of our lives and poured out ourselves, every drop for Him? All the brokeness of our sinful lives.

God is seeking people who have surrendered everything they have, everything they are and everything they hope to be. He is looking for people who will assume the place of servants before Him. He is looking for those who will merely respond when He speaks to them. He is looking for those about whom He can say, “They have done what they could.”

I think of Apostle Paul also when I read this story. In 2 Timothy 4, he says,
“6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

I feel that after Mary anointed Jesus, she also, felt the very same way that Paul did.

Are you now ready to break the Alabaster Box of your life?

Please right now, open your Alabaster Box to Jesus. He is waiting to heal you.

“And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭6‬-‭13‬

Please, today, open the Alabaster Box of your life and pour it out to Father God. Let the blood of His Son, Jesus, bury the sinfulness of your past under His blood.

Start a new journey today.

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: 2018910976a

A Fortune In Friendships
Author: Pat Aman
April 22, 2014/rev2023

A true friend looks at a chipped or broken vessel, as perfect and beautiful Vase, molded into a Master Piece of Art. Quote: © Pastor Pat Aman

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times—–

“Just A Bag Of Clay Balls”

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found
a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.

They didn’t look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It’s like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. It isn’t always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.

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……….

During the Christmas Season, I will be sharing poems I have written through the years. I also like to share special Christmas stories, and I hope you enjoy each of them.

Each poem is © of “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976

Merry Christmas
Pastor Pat AH Aman

Merry Christmas To You
Written By: Patricia Aman December 7, 2013

Luke 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Written By: Patricia Aman December 7, 2013 © 2013 by Coffee With Pat

Christmas shopping is big business, it seems,
Filling little children with visions and dreams.
There are Christmas decorations inside and out,
But that is not what Christmas is really all about.

Things have changed from a bright star in the Heavens above
To bright shining lights of red and green bulbs,
And from Angels proclaiming the news of a birth,
To say “Merry Christmas” must be not even be heard.

But, I have decided to declare the Good News,
And tell everyone my Christmas views.
I will say “Merry Christmas” to each and all,
With a smile on my face and love in my heart,
I’m going to tell each and every part.

I, like the Angels, will sing and proclaim His birth,
Like the wise men, who bought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
And, just like the shepherds who followed the star that night,
Because they were amazed at how it shone so bright!

And I will tell how they found Him,
In a little town of Bethlehem.
And that He was lying in a feeding trough on hay,
Because Joseph and Mary could find no place to stay.

Then I will share an important part,
That we must understand with all our hearts,
That Jesus was born on earth, just to die on a cross,
So our souls would not be lost.

So, if you happen to see me on the street,
Or in the mall, on a shopping spree.
Yes, I will smile and share the excitement of the year with you,
For I enjoy the lights and trees, and sitting on Santa’s knee, too.

And as we wave and say our goodbyes,
You will see a childlike glow in my eyes,
For I will say with all the love in my heart,
“Jesus loves you, and I do too.”
So, “Merry Christmas”, I will say to you.

Devotion and Poem Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “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…

Christmas Faith, Hope and Love
Author: Pat Aman…

Faith, Hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13:1-8, 13‬

As I walk through the stores either shopping for gifts or groceries, I hummm along with the music playing on the store intercoms.

I smile and say Merry Christmas, and some people smile and greet me back, while others look at me like I must be crazy.

But, if I am crazy, that means I am crazy 365 days a year.

Whether it is Christmas or just a regular day, I try to keep the Spirit of Jesus shining through me every day, all year long.

What is the Christmas spirit?

The Christmas Spirit, if you ask 10 people what the Christmas spirit is, you’ll probably get 7 to 8 different answers.

1. Decorating
2. Buying gifts
3. Church Programs
4. The Birth of Jesus
5. Family and Friends
6. Stress
7. Shopping
8. Vacation

Going beyond those different answers, there is something, the Christmas spirit, that makes people more selfless, more friendly, more kind, and generally much nicer people at Christmas.

Unfortunately, due to commercialism and other factors, it seems like the transformation the Christmas spirit brought about in years passed has lessened more and more.

What is the definition of Christmas spirit?

The “Christmas spirit” is not found in gifts, trees, and lights?

No!

It’s found in the joy of knowing that the history-changing story of Christ’s birth is true! The Christmas spirit is sharing the Joy and Love of Jesus Christ to everyone, everywhere!

Fifty years ago when Christmas was still seen as more of a Christian Celebration and a family time of faith, love and charity, Christmas had an element in it where people felt it was a good thing to do to be a little more tolerant of the misdeeds of others, to be a little more charitable. People showed a little extra tolerance and love for each other and even the animals around them.

Today you see very little of that.

Today we treat such sentiments with suspicion and take the inspiration out of it by referring to it as holiday instead. The Christmas spirit was a thing of extra tolerance and love based on the teachings of Jesus Holiday.

This Christmas we need to remember there is a God who loves us, and on Christmas He gave us the ultimate gift. He sent His only son, Jesus, and we celebrate his birth this time of year.

Both during Christmas time and throughout the rest of the year, we deal with stress, like family and relationship problems, health struggles, finanical issues, and more. However, Christmas is a reminder that God cares for us and loves us.

So grab a cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or tea. Sit back, take a deep breathe and inhale the Spirit of God, which is the Spirit of Christmas.

Merry CHRISTmas,
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……

Chasing Cows
Author: Pat Aman
1996rev2023

I was drinking my coffee today, and thinking about a vacation the family had taken a few years ago.

Now I do not know about you, but Joe and I had two small dogs, Sara and Katy, that we take with us. They behave better than many children do.

A couple of few ago, we went to my mother’s, in Louisiana. There are cows in the pasture around the house. One cow in particular liked to jump the fence. Well, the cow was out of the pasture and our dog, Sara, had never seen a cow. Boy, was she ready to find out what that funny looking thing was. We let her out of the car, and away she ran, chasing the cow until it jumped the fence and went back into the pasture. Now let me tell you, Sara thought she was the big dog. If there had been a prideful look, she had it. “Just look what I have done. I chased that thing right back where it belongs!”

Anyway, the next day, the cow was again out of the pasture, so we thought we would let Sara chase her again. And Sara was more than ready. This time we got the movie camera out. We wanted this on tape. You know, funniest home videos. We let Sara out and away she ran, chasing that cow right back into the pasture. Well, that was supposed to be what happened. Instead, the cow stopped, turned around, and started back toward Sara. When this happened, she lost all her bravery. She immediately laid down on her back and put her legs up in the air. Total submission to the cow. Or maybe she thought if I act dead, that thing will just go away. We all had a good laugh and Sara did not care for chasing cows any longer.

Now you know that there is a devotion somewhere in this story. I got to thinking about the situation. When everything is going good, we are brave hearted. We laugh and tell the devil where to go. But when the devil attacks us, we, like Sara, turn and act defeated, just hoping that if we play dead, and do not do anything, he will just go away. In other words, we give total submission to the devil. He can take our lives and destroy us.

But that is not the case. (Ephesians 6:12) says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Yes, satan and his demons do try to attack us daily. This is the reason we need to read our Bibles and stay in prayer daily. Remember, Jesus defeated satan in the wilderness by saying, “It is written, satan, you shall not temp the Lord your God.” See, we have to use the word of God on Satan.

(Ephesians 4:27) says, “Neither give place to the devil.” If we stay in fellowship with God, then the devil does not have a place in our lives to attack us. When you are filled with the word of God, there is no room for satan or his demons. But when we get out of fellowship with God, then we open ourselves up to every attack that satan can throw at us.

See, if Sara had been raised on a farm, then she would have known what to do. She would have had control over that cow. So instead of her ruling the cow, the cow had rule over her.

Some of us have been raised in the church, we have been taught the Word of God and we know what is right. We know how to defeat satan, but we back down. Why? We have gotten out of fellowship with God. We are not reading out Bibles daily and praying. Right now, you need to make a decision that you are going to set things straight. Right now, put satan back where he belongs, out of your life. Then fill your spirit daily with fellowship with God. Read your bible and pray. Then, when the cow comes after you, you will be able to send him back to the pasture.

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

An Ordinary Woman
Author: Pat Aman
November 14, 2001

‪Here is my Heart’s view.❤️❤️‬

Yes, I like so many use to wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas. But, the older in age I get, I seem to long for the days of long ago. A quieter time. A slower pace.

So, yes, I may put up my Nativity Scene first, and than my tree. I will decorate the mantel with Christmas garland of ribbons red and green.

I will start preparing Thanksgiving and Christmas candies. I will play Christmas music, which sometimes I do all during the year.

I will start my Christmas celebration with a Heart of Thanksgiving.

But, I will be like Elizabeth as she prepared for the birth of her son John the Baptist. I will prepare my home and heart as Elizabeth did, because she knew her son was the forerunner of our Lord and Messiah. I will make sure I am ready not only during Christmas, but all year long proclaiming the return of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth-could not put off her time by wasting away with non-essential things of life. She had to get things in order.

She knew she would be raising the child who would have the crucial role of preparing the way for Christ.

So, I like Elizabeth, may prepare a little earlier. I may share the good news before Thanksgiving and all year long. But, I will alway set at our dining room table on Thanksgiving Day, and we each will go around the table and share how God has blessed us this year.

Yes, we will crave the turkey, eat the dressing and giblet gravy. With the sides of delicious angel eggs, sweet potatoes, collard, peas, cakes, pies and goodies. But, we will also remember the season ahead. The celebration of Jesus. Something we should celebrate all year long…

So, if though my window you see a lighted Nativity Scene, and Christmas tree with red poinsettias and garland of green. Just know that deep within my heart, I am just feeling a little sentimental with Joy in my Heart.

We must as Elizabeth did, not wait to let the light of Jesus shine though the eyes of our soul.

Let us constantly be prepared and ready to share the Gospel of Jesus to the World.

Elizabeth, she was a preacher’s wife, a quiet, behind-the-scenes woman. She was just a simple wife and mother. But about her son, Jesus said:

Matthew ‪11:11‬ Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.

She didn’t seek out attention or fame. Yet her son was the forerunner of our Lord and Messiah. She raised the child who would have the crucial role of preparing the way for Christ. Who was that woman of whom he was born?

Her name was Elizabeth. There is not a lot in the Scriptures about her. But we can glean some inspiration from what is there.

Luke 1:6 They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

Elizabeth was righteous. She was obedient to God. She was a dedicated servant of her God. We are told to live blameless lives (1 Corinthians 1:6-8), but few people are described in the Bible as achieving that standard; Elizabeth is among them – living blamelessly, “without fault.” (Strong’s). She was the Proverbs 31 woman come-to-life.

Elizabeth gave credit where credit was due. She praised God for His provision:

Luke 1:25 How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my
disgrace of having no children!”

She was humble:

Luke 1:43 What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me!

We see obedience again when it comes time to name her child. Cultural expectations led people to assume she would name the child after a relative. But the Lord had directed her to name him John, and she obeyed. She was intent on pleasing God rather than people.

Luke 1:59 When the baby was eight days old, all the relatives and friends came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.”

Humility, a thankful, praising attitude, obedience — such “ordinary traits.” And yet God used them mightily, to raise up a child who would become one of the most instrumental figures in Christian history – one who was foretold for centuries ( Isaiah 40:3-5) — John the Baptist. If God can use an ordinary woman such as Elizabeth, He can also use us. Sometimes we think God can only use a Billy Graham or a [fill in the name of a dynamic personality at your church or in your community]. God can also use us, in our “ordinary” lives, in our “ordinary” homes, workplaces, schools, lives. As parents, spouses, friends, teachers etc., we can touch individual lives, and those individual lives are precious to God. He will then use them to touch others, and them to touch others….Think about
your circle. Is there an individual you can pray for, reach out to, disciple if you are a mature Christian? With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can all be Elizabeth’s.

Devotion and Poem Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “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……

My Mama, What a Lady!
Author: Pat Aman

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Mama
Fannie Mae Wade Hunter
12/26/1914-October 22, 2008

Proverbs 31:10 says, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

My mama’s birthday was December 26th. Her wedding anniversary is December 24th. And of course Christmas is December 25th.

That is three special days in a row for her. She has always like to be remember on each of these days separately. Not one big gift or card.

But she has always just wanted us to call her, go see her are just tell her that we love her. If you would ask her what she wanted, she would just say good health and her family. She has always been the giver. She always made sure that her family came, before she did.

In fact, for as long as I can remember she has not commented about her needs. She simply lived from day to day, thanking God for the blessings He had given to her. She always told how good God had been to her. And she told us that God gave her a good husband and wonderful children.

True, my mama has her ups and downs just like we all do. She has walked through many a valley. But I have seen contentment shining through my mama’s eyes, more than anything I have ever seen. I know that was Mama content with what she has in the way of material possessions. But there is something even deeper. I sense she is content with who she is and what she does and has done.

When I was with my mama, I think of the things in my childhood. There was always a loving, warm, caring and clamming effect that she showed to our family and friends.

But I am now praying that I will find the contentment that was in my mama. I pray this for myself, my daughters, friends and other special women in my life. Ones that I have met and will meet are maybe never come in contact with. In other words all of us who at times seem restless, and so filled with longing.

Sometimes I wonder about this old-fashioned brand of serenity I saw in my mama. I cannot say for sure exactly what it was. Certainly, it had to do with her walk with God. With her strength of character. But I suspect it also had something to do with her belief that everyone was special, and had a purpose for their lives.

Maybe it is time that we all realize, that we also are special people and that God bought us to this earth on a special assignment. And assignment to do His work and to let other people see Him through our eyes.

My Mama’s Bible
Author: Pat Aman
© 1996/2023 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976

Mama’s Bible, so ragged and worn,
Its pages are scribbled, ripped and torn.
Its been around for ages, she’s had it for years,
Some pages smudged by rain and some by her tears

The name on the cover is faded, it’s true.
There might be a page missing, or two.
To look at that book one might scoff and frown
They may say, “Why, there’s no use in keeping it around.
“A new Bible, I’m certain, is what you must need,
With pages so perfect, and pictures indeed.”
But friends, I know better and I’m here to persuade’
There’s more in that ol’ book, more than I can say.

For she read it and held it so close to her heart,
Its Knowledge and Wisdom and Love to impart.
She held it so tightly, through storm and through chill,
But ever much closer when her children were ill.

Her faith can be seen on each page and each line,
Her writings of love time after time.
She carried it high through thick and through thin,
So proud of the holy scriptures contained within.

Of all of the treasures in this world we can hold,
This Bible of mama’s so ragged and old.
Is far more precious than silver and gold.
.
No memory is more precious, none that I hold so dear,
When the storms of my life bring me much fear
The vision of mother, the love on her face . . .
As she read that old bible and told me of Jesus saving grace.

Poem and Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman August 26, 2008

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2020 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” and WestBow Press a Division of Thomas Nelson
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976

Fannie Mae Wade Hunter
12/26/1914 – 10/22/2008

From: Pat Aman
Sent: Wednesday, 2009/16rev23
Return to the Table
Author: Pastor Pat Aman

Sometimes in our lives we wonder why things just do not seem to go right. We try and try, but always come to a road block. You may even know that God has something special for you but you just seem to never be able to grab the brass ring.

Well, today let me tell you in eight words what you need to do.

“You need to go back to the Table.”

You have been feasting on yesterdays bread too long, and because of this you have become stagnant. You need to return to God’s table and feast on some new Manna from Heaven.

Nutritionists will tell you that when you are trying to lose weight that you must lower you calorie intake. When you do this you will lose weight. But then there may come a time that you stop losing weight. You hit a plateau. You may still be exercising and doing the same thing that made you lose the weight before, but you seem to not be losing anymore weight.

They then tell you when this happens you need to increase you calorie intake up from 400-600 calories a day to trick your body into change. In other words you body has gotten use to the old routine and it is just satisfied at where it is, and does not want to change. As you increase your calorie intake you body thinks wow, what is going on, more food, so it will start to burn calories again. Your metabolism will kick back into high gear to start burning the extra calories that you are eating.

It is the same way with your spiritual body. When you first get saved you pray and read your Bible. You want to learn everything you can about your new life in Jesus. You are running at full speed. You are filling your spiritual tank each day with new Manna from above.

Then all of a sudden life happens and you start to fill yourself with the complication of the world. You run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. Soon the garbage piles up.

Why? Because you are feeding less at the table of God. You become stagnant. You seem to be at a stand still, and going no where. You have used all of your spiritual calorie intake, and you just feel awful, depressed, and do not have the energy to do what God has called you to do anymore.

Well friends, Go back to the table. You have feasted on yesterday bread too long, and it has run out, so now it time to learn some new things. It is time to seek God for your family and yourselves. It is time to increase your calorie intake on manna from God’s table.

As you feast at the table of God, you will soon realize that, hey, I am now going in the right direction. I know what God has called me to do. Hey, life if getting better daily.

See, you are adding some new calories to you spiritual diet. Calories of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, common sense, and now you are able to comprehend exactly what God is saying to you.

So, friends go back to the table, read your Bible. Pray and Spend time with you Heavenly Father and see your life change and grow in the Lord.

John 6:22-35
The Bread from Heaven
22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—
23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks—
24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”
26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.
27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
30 Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do?
31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”
35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

Jesus said to us, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life.”

What is the prime goal of our lives?
For what are we working?

Just as bread supplies our bodies with strength and nourishment, Jesus, the true bread from heaven, came to strengthen and nourish his people—to change their lives, to bring spiritual and eternal life to all who would believe in him! Jesus offers the ultimate spiritual satisfaction: if we believe in him, we will never hunger or thirst.

What are you working for?
Even though you live in a big house, wear designer clothing, own property, and eat expensive meals, you will still be hungry if you do not have Jesus in your life.
Are you still hungry for something? What bread do you need?
Do not work for the bread that is perishable. Do not waste your life for the bread that makes you hungry again. Work for the bread that you can share with the unfortunate, and have the bread of faith from heaven, that eternally satisfies your hunger.

Law of the Garbage Truck
Author Unknown
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were
driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his
brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’ This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of
disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life’s too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so….Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

So friends, go back to the table and give God your garbage. He knows what to do with it. Then start feasting on His Word.
Blessing, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat

If you would like to ask Jesus to come into your heart today, please contact me and I will personally send you some scriptures and prayer to help you, to ask, Jesus, to come into your heart

Just reply or message me.
(Nehemiah 8:10)
“The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength.”

(Proverbs 17:22)
“A Merry Heart Does Good, Like Medicine, But A Broken Spirit Dries The Bones.”

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