Pat's View: Inspirational stories

Isaiah 61:3 shows us a dynamic picture of Jesus the Joy Bringer comforting the mourer. 

to console the mourners in Zion—

to give them a crown of beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair.

So they will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

There are many reasons people grieve, but Jesus brings beauty out of ashes!

https://www.patriciaholland.org/home/gods-love-letter/

Have you ever received a love letter that was so precious to you that you had to save it…tuck it away in a safe place. So amazing that through the years you retrieved it again and again to savor the sweet words?

It’s only a jumble of words, written on plain piece of paper, stuffed inside an envelope, but if you’re the recipient then you know the power of a love letter. Every word, every single word is pure gold. Every word is read and reread with pure delight. While the words may be simple, they are electrifying. While they may be scrawled and hard to read, the words are priceless.

Every “I love you” and every tender expression communicates that the reader is recognized, chosen, and valuable.

Oh, I know about love letters because when I was dating my sweetheart, he was in the Air Force and he had to go to Vietnam. And while he was there, he had to work 12 to 14 hours every day, seven days a week. And then in the evening, he would have to do courses. He didn't have a lot of time.

I don't know how he did it, but somehow, he found a way to write to me every single day. I could hardly wait until time for the mail to arrive each day. I developed an ear for the mail truck. Whenever I would hear that familiar sound grow louder, I'd run out to the end of my driveway and stand by the mailbox until it arrived.

I didn't wait till I got inside to open it. I stood at the mailbox to go through the mail as soon as it arrived. If I got a letter (even though he wrote me every day, the mail system may not deliver one every day), I would tear it open, then proceed to read every single word. Once inside, I would read it again. I was so happy to have a letter. Every word was important, because I loved him and he loved me.

I want to tell you something that you already know; God has written you a love letter.

I am so sorry if you came to this to .pdf to listen to this podcast. I made a mistake. I just changed the challenge.

Here's the link for the postcast download link for audio.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/patriciaholland/choice_to_rejoice.mp3

I'd love to hear from you if you want to join the 7 Day A Choice to Rejoice Challenge. Here's the sign up for the challenge. https://forms.aweber.com/form/34/293103234.htm

Hey! You can learn more about me at https://www.patriciaholland.org

Have you ever opened your Bible and a promise seemed to jump off the page? I mean it came so alive to you that if felt like it was written just for you? So of course, you reread the verse. It felt like God was talking to you personally and that this promise was for you. And because you understand the power of stewarding the Word of God, you probably opened your Prayer Journal and wrote it out long hand. Whether you typed it or wrote it isn’t the point, but you just knew this verse was so good that you just had to remember it.

Don't you just love it when that happens?

Oh, wow, I sure do. I mean, I do and I don't.

Let me explain. Any time you get a promise from God, a promise means that God's going to do it. But between the promise and the fulfillment of their promise, there's this gap. It's the waiting time.

Do you like to wait? Not me!

But then I think about Abraham. Abraham wanted a son really, really bad. When Abraham was 75 years old, that’s a long time to want something, God gave Abraham a promise that he was going to give him a son.

There was a span of 25 years between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise.

How do you wait 25 years?

I mean, I can't imagine. You know, I'm one of those people that I used to stand in front of my microwave and tap my foot wanting to hurry it up impatiently, saying, come on, come on. When I was just simply trying to eat a cup of coffee.

But I learned something. I learned that instead of standing there watching the microwave, I could go clean out the dishwasher or I could clean out the counters. Or sometimes I would even play a game with myself and running around a room, put on a load of clothes and try to beat that time on the on my microwave. You see, that's what God did for Abraham.

God knew that there would be a time between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise.

 And so… He gave Abraham some reminders. Well, at that time, his name was Abram, but he gave him some reminders that would help him along the way. How did they keep his eyes off the clock, no, the calendar? Because the span was 25 years, not 25 minutes.

Even though Abraham had to wait, his faith didn’t waver.

Romans 4:20-21 ESV No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 

I want to have a story like that. I want God to say, “Pat’s faith didn’t waver.” How ‘bout you?

Abraham did something very important while he waited, something that we can do too.

I want to tell you about it in this podcast teaching. Be sure to pray with me at the end of the video. I love praying with you!

https://www.patriciaholland.org/

A dad was desperate to find help for his son. When he finally got to Jesus, he questioned him, "If you can? Please help us." He wasn't even certain that Jesus could help his son.

People still wonder about Jesus.

Some even come to Him with that question.

And Jesus' answer hasn't changed.

He still answers..."All things are possible to him who believes!" I love the dad's answer. I think Jesus did too.

https://www.patriciaholland.org

Paul's warning is concise and direct in Hebrews 2:1 "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

He warns believers that we must be careful to keep the main thing the main thing, so we don't drift from our priority of putting Jesus first.

The trends and currents of responsibilities, desires and cravings can distract us and cause us to drift from the Truth. That drift can be disastrous. So practice the spiritual disciplines that keep you focused on

#revpatholland #spiritualdisciplines #lovinggod

Man, I know I've been there! And it’s not that you’re goofing around. Maybe you're giving it all you got, it’s just you ain’t got any more to give it? 

Or maybe you're rested and full of vim and zest, ready for anything! But I would guess that you can still identify with that feeling of total exhaustion.

If exhausted describes you, now or at some point in your life, then I have to tell you about a special invitation I found for you and (me too)!

If you’re tired of the struggle, tired of the pressure, this invite has your name all over it.

Matthew 11:28-30 BSB

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

The rest He promises you isn't an empty promise. I know the power of responding to His invitation. I've experienced it so many times.

Sometimes, we want to rush into His Presence like we run through the drive through at our least favorite fast food. Expecting little and receiving little. We must learn to quiet our spirit and receive His peace.

I know those words are wrapped in plain brown grocery paper. Simple words, there’s nothing there to dazzle your eyes. The words are so simple they don't entice your taste buds. But if you respond to His invitation, it can transform you. The rest He promises you isn't an empty promise. I know the power of responding to His invitation. I've experienced His promise, “I will give you rest.” so many times. I am so thankful that He wants to give His children rest, peace and strength. I'd love to hear your story of how He did that for you.

But still, I have to ask the question, "Is there a way that we can live different? Is there a way that we don’t have to get to the end of our rope before we experience His rest, His peace? Is our exhaustion the only door that rest can come through? I am convinced that answer is found in the next two verses. What does that kind of life look like? How do we get there? ...stay there? ...live there?

As I was studying and praying over this teaching my thoughts visited my daughter’s desire for a laundry room make over. It was a huge project. She would have to construct enough cabinets from 4’ X 8’ sheets of plywood to fill a 10’ X 10’ wall. And then the cabinets would need doors. An electrical outlet and plumbing would have to be moved. It was a crazy big project that would have been harrowing for lots of folks! But she did something that lots of people never do. Let me tell you about it and how it relates to living different.

Just like your body and mind needs rest, so does your soul. But how do we experience soul rest? I am convinced that Isaiah 28: 14 and 1 Corinthians 14:21 shows us that speaking or praying in tongues is a key to experiencing rest for our soul.

When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It changed the trajectory of my life.

I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time you can get FREE SHIPPING when you purchase Precious Holy Spirit Book with the coupon code 236HHR9R Coupon Code for Precious Holy Spirit Book

Here's the link: https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/

#patholland #holyspirit #spiritfilledliving #preciousholyspirit

The followers of Jesus were commanded to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with power. Even though they had been taught by Jesus Himself. They still needed God's power- Holy Spirit to impact their world.

You need Holy Spirit power to impact your world too.

When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It launched me into a life long journey of discovering the Word and the Spirit.

I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time, you can get FREE SHIPPING when you purchase Precious Holy Spirit Book with the coupon code 236HHR9R Coupon Code for Precious Holy Spirit Book

Here's the link: https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/

https://www.patriciaholland.org

#patholland #holyspirit #powerofgod #spiritfilledliving #preciousholyspirit

In John 14:16 Jesus promised His disciples…” And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—

The words “Another Advocate” are very insightful words so let’s unpack them.

When I was 12 years old I was filled with Precious Holy Spirit. It launched me into a life long journey of discovering the Word and the Spirit.

I've written a book about Holy Spirit. It will help you know Him so you can enjoy the benefits of Spirit filled living. For a limited time, you can get FREE SHIPPING when you purchase Precious Holy Spirit Book with the coupon code 236HHR9R Coupon Code for Precious Holy Spirit Book

Here's the link: https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/

#patholland #holyspirit #spiritfilledliving #preciousholyspirit

Tags: paraklēton, John 2:1, John 14:16, John 14:17, John 16:7, paraklét, send you another advocate, Holy Spirit, advocate, another advocate,

In this video I give you another bite sized teaching on Precious Holy Spirit. I dig deeper into 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Is Holy Spirit your friend? Is He? Can Holy Spirit be your friend?

https: www.patriciaholland.org

I mean, according to the Bible, can Holy Spirit be your friend? And, does it even matter?

I am convinced it does.

I believe with all my heart that God wants to use you. I believe God wants to increase your influence. I believe God wants to pour His love, power, healing and life through you to hurting people. Do you believe that?

But I believe something else just as much as I believe what I told you in the paragraph above. I am convinced it won’t happen unless you believe it enough to get full of the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

Many believers see His name, Holy Spirit, in the Bible and don't have any idea Who He is. We need to know Him. He is important enough to take the time to learn about Him.

Many churches celebrate Pentecost Sunday without really understanding what it is.

It's an important day, when we celebrate both the Word and the Holy Spirit. (If you don’t know why I say that, then you need to get my book Precious Holy Spirit. This book will answer your questions and help you experience more of what God has for you. https://www.patriciaholland.org/product/precious-holy-spirit-book/)

Just like the disciples and followers of Jesus needed and were commanded by Jesus to stay until they were endued with power, WE NEED THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

So, for the next few weeks I’m going to be talking about my precious friend, Holy Spirit. I’ve been working on some new stuff that I am super excited to share with you!

This week’s teaching is brand new. There are treasures, wonderful treasures in the Old Testament that you will never see without the light of the New Testament.

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of those things. When you use the light of the Gospel of John, it is almost glaringly obvious! I am so excited to share this teaching with you. “Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God.”

It’s short, even with my prayer.

Just a side thought.

When I pray in the video, do you pray with me and mix your faith with mine that God will answer our prayer? I hope you do, because I don’t pray in the video to look spiritual.

I pray because I want you to be blessed, so I’m asking God to do that. So please pray and believe with me.

An event happened at the Gate Beautiful that was even more beautiful than its setting.

A 40-year-old crippled man was healed. The religious leaders overlooked the miracle because Peter and John's message of Jesus and His resurrection didn't fit in their neat little religious box. They were distraught!

7They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!

9If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed,

10then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

11This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

12Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Peter and John knew the inherent power that is in the name of Jesus! They had seen Jesus' miracles!

They understood that while they had no power to heal, Jesus does. They understood that they had been delegated authority as children of God, to use the name of Jesus. And when they used the name of Jesus a man that had never walked was healed.

The 7 sons of Sceva tried to use the name, but they were not believers, so it back-fired on them.

Jesus still heals. There is power in His name. Jesus still saves and delivers.  Everything Jesus was His name still is. David Hughart

As believers, when we grasp the reality of the power in the name of Jesus, we will see the miracles we were meant to see!

Have you ever felt so disgusted with someone that you didn’t even want to look at them? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.)

Or maybe you’ve felt that you were so disgusting that you didn’t want anyone to see you? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.)

An even more important question is does God ever get so disgusted with us that He looks away? (I 'll talk about that in this podcast.)

Did Jesus close his eyes when He was hanging on the cross…I mean, after all the miracles, all the fish and bread He gave them, this is how they treat Him?

Did Jesus look away from the people that hated Him? I want to share my friend’s story with you and what God whispered to her when she was going through a difficult situation.

Let me give you a hint of what I believe.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 KJV

How do we feel God's love? We receive it, believe it by faith.

How do we love like God? We allow God's love to flow through us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Hebrews 12:2 NLT

Go get ‘em!

Are you God’s child? Do you realize what that means? Do you realize that God wants you to walk in victory? Yet, it’s not automatic. We have a role to play. We see that clearly in David’s life when he faced a hopeless situation at Ziklag. Instead, of accepting defeat, he asked God what to do. God said, Pursue Them You Will Recover All! It’s never as easy as it sounds…but David would tell you it’s worth it.

It could be a line from a bank robbery scene in an old western or a mama’s frustrated command when she hears the neighbor kid took her son’s skates, but actually it’s what I hear when I read 1 Samuel 30:8.

Let me set up the verse before I read it with you. God is talking to David, not the king David yet. He’s still the vagabond David, hiding from King Saul, living in enemy territory. He is sitting crumbled in the dirt, holding his face in his hands. He though he was coming home to his family after an embarrassing, did I say embarrassing, I should have said humiliating, confrontation with the Philistine commanders.

https://youtu.be/e9vXQ0Q6BQI

Lost everything!

 Instead of being welcomed by family, he and his men were assaulted with the sights and stench of what remained of their homes. Everything was gone; their home, their belongings, their kids and their wives. At first the men cried, yes, they did. Strong, brave men need to cry sometimes too. This was long before  anyone taught their boys such foolishness, they cried hot tears and sobbed the loud painful cries of brokenness. But those broken cries quickly turned angry and vengeful. Angry voices through clinched teeth debated and plotted of stoning David.

It looked hopeless.

No. I’m serious, it looked hopeless.

Ever felt like the enemy is trying to bring division in your marriage? Or that he has enslaved your kids with drugs, alcohol or rebellion? Somebody you love reeling under the weight of depression, unworthiness or shame? Sometimes it feels impossible for them to just be “normal” again.

There are no impossible situations for God.

I believe God is bringing home prodigals. I believe God is breaking lies, deception and bondages off our friends and family. He’s delivering the broken and healing mental illnesses.

Then David asked God.

Should I chase them?

Will I catch them?

Have you asked God or have you searched Scripture to find what God says about the situation you are facing?

God answered David.

Here it is. Here’s God’s “Go get’em!” Well, God doesn’t say it quite like that more like…

Pursue them. You will recover all.

Have you ever hung around a salty Christian and left wanting to have a deeper relationship with Jesus? That’s what happened to my friend Rhonda. After watching the War Room, she said, “I want to pray like Clara.”  

Rhonda did something that most people don’t do. Rhonda took action on her desire to have a closer relationship with God. One of the first things that changes when we want more of God is how we pray. Our prayer takes on a new sense of hunger and seriousness. It becomes more than words or a religious obligation. It becomes precious with God.

She prayed different.

Rhonda had a doctor’s appointment the next morning so she prayed on the way there.

She prayed

• aloud,
• verses from the Bible.
• in her prayer language.

And she felt it.

I am so thankful that we can experience the manifest presence of God!!!!

She didn’t say this part, but from the results she testified about, I know, I KNOW, she mixed her prayer with faith.

It is time to pray big bold prayers.

I get it. There are some things that I am tired of praying about. I am so ready to see the breakthrough, to see my prodigals come home. To see the manifestations of healings that I am believing God to do in our midst, so He will be glorified. But as long as I have breath I am going to keep praying and believing God’s Word.

Big Challenges

I know that we are facing big situations in the world around us, but we serve a BIGGER God. Don’t back down because the enemy of your soul is trying to intimidate you.

4 Ways to Keep Your Relationship with God a Priority!

Hang out with Bible loving people.

Value the Word.

Mix it with faith.

Act on what it says.

Say it with flowers is more than a clever florist mantra. From the lowly dandelion all the way to the brightest red rose they say "I love you", when they are given to us by someone special. My camera is always full of flower pictures, but the fireweed, yes, it is a weed, is one of my favorites. Maybe, it is my favorite because it has a secret that is important to you. Why is the fireweed’s secret important to you?

Is the fireweed’s secret really important to you?

If you’ve ever felt ordinary, unseen or unloved then it’s secret is important to you.

Or maybe you struggled with feeling forgotten or misunderstood, then this secret is for you.

This secret is for you, if you’ve ever felt broken, alone or not good enough.

It’s not a secret because it should be hidden or never spoken aloud. It’s a secret because so few people see it.

I want to remind you that you are loved, loved, loved! Yet sometimes we don't feel very loved. I want to give you a checklist of things that will help you feel more loved. Here's a link that will get you that link and more inspiration. https://forms.aweber.com/form/56/897608456.htm

It is so easy to get anxious or become fearful when things are happening around you, or maybe even in your body.

It's easy to become anxious, but you don't have to give in to the pressure of life. You don't have to live under the circumstances. You can be strong in the Lord. I want to help you face and fight anxiety with God's Word. In today's teaching, I'm going to give you 2 ways that will help you know how to fight anxiety.

And so, you don’t miss them,

I’m going to give you the 2 ways to fight anxiety right up front.

1. Hear the Word of God
2. Pray the Word of God.

Not only do I want you to give anxiety the one two punch of hearing and praying the Word. I want to give you 5 verses that have helped me fight anxiety and fear so many times.

God's Word is powerful

I fight anxiety with Philippians 4:6,7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I can't tell you how many times I have prayed

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Proverbs 16:3 BSB

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

Psalm 55:22 BSB

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 34:15 BSB

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

It changes things, we get a grip on the reality that God sees and listens when we cry out to Him!!!

Two ways to use these verses to fight anxiety.

And, I am going to give you two resources

that will build your faith muscles and help you pray more effectively. Listen, I want you to win over anxiety, but you got to get up and fight the good fight of faith. So here’s two resources that will encourage you.

The first resource is the video on this page.

1. Listen to these verses, but more importantly let them soak into your spirit. Say them with me again and again. Jot down anything Holy Spirit whispers as you listen to these verses.

2. Read the verses aloud yourself. I put the verses in a .pdf so you can upload them into your Kindle or whatever reader you may use.

If you have joined my tribe of hungry believers, then you will have the link in an email from me.

If you haven't joined me yet, let me encourage you to join us right now. Here's where you need to go to get that link for your free Bible Verses on Anxiety .pdf. https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1295189607.htm

Do you realize how you think affects your moods and how you feel?

When you change how you think it can make you feel better and live happier!

Ready to feel better? https://forms.aweber.com/form/48/354268048.htm

For more inspiration go to https://www.patriciaholland.org/blog/