One Voice Makes A Difference with Janet Swanson

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick (weak), but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Hope deferred refers to hope that is delayed! Have you ever felt like your hope is delayed or that the promise is delayed?

Hope in Hebrew means to wait it out, staying the course as long as it takes. You are waiting for God's outcome with faith-hoping and triumphant endurance, looking to the end.

I love what David said about hope

Psalm 27:13-14 New King James Version

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Wait in Hebrew: ) tied to its expectation

Say this with me, "I am tied to my hope and my hope is tied to me!

We all know what Jeremiah 29:11 says, but it is so powerful. God wants to give us a future full of HOPE!

Have you ever prayed this prayer before?

Psalm 42:11

Why, my soul, are you downcast (despair)? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

GOD KNOWS I HAVE!!

Despair in Hebrew: shāḥaḥ – bowed down, crouched in submission,

Disturb in Hebrew: hāmâ –, growl, roar; (figuratively) be in commotion ("deeply stirred"), implying boisterous, turbulent behavior like howling, mourning, tumultuous wailing ("roaring"); the rush and roar of a throng.

BUT DAVID HAD A "YET PRAISE"

Yet Praise

Yet: ʽôd̠ –continuance ("still persisting") referring to "continuance and persistence. . . for still expressing addition or repetition

It's translated as moreover, besides, still, yet, again. In each case the core-idea is continuance (persistence). It literally means do again – "keep something going in a cycle" which persists or still happens ("yet," "more").

Praise: yād̠â – to cast, throw on-target (hit the "bull's-eye") – acknowledge as "spot on"; grateful recognition which includes thanksgiving, confession, or praise –

Yodah

To lift or throw arms upward in praise and surrender.

The word yodah is a gesture of throwing out one's arms in celebration or confession. You may already pray this way at your church. People raise their hands, but they are as if they are tossing something. With yodah, the picture of arms extended also connotes the idea of confession in the word. Does praise include confession? Indeed, to praise in this manner is to extend our arms as an expression of our need for God.

What an encouragement to know that the presence of God is help to us!

Here are a few more passages in Psalms for further devotion and study. When you read the following passages, extend your arms toward God. It may even be your palms raised. The important part is to admit your need for God and his presences.

Psalm 43:4 – Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre, I shall praise You, O God, my God.

Psalm 71:22 – I will also praise You with a harp, even Your truth, O my God, to You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 89:5 – The heavens will praise Your wonders, O lord, Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

I encourage to hang this scriptures in your home or put them in your car!

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Romans 5:1-5 (read in your Bible)

Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!!!

Don't waste time, but look for opportunities to buy up the time! This "time" that you have is given by God. The Bible says that we should not be drunk with wine (alcohol) but instead, be wise, knowing that the days are evil….REDEEM THE TIME!

Ephesians 5:15-16 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

You guys! I have an "end of the year" word for you! It's all about REDEMPTION!

The Bible says that we should pay close attention to the way we walk and live our lives. We only have a little time here on the earth and it's important HOW you live it as a Christian.

In this podcast you will learn what the "cure" is for "evil days", how do redeem the time, and how to appoint your days in the midst of discouragement, and how to "understand" what the will of the Lord is.

Eph. 5:18 says And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

It is going to take the Holy Spirit to HELP you discern the times and seasons in your life.

Even APPOINTED TIMES!

The intention of Satan is to change the appointed times that God has appointed over your life by wearing you out with your circumstances.

Esther was in the palace for "such a time as this" this was an appointed time. Esther understood what she was suppose to do, even tho she did not know how it would turn out, she knew what the will of the Lord was.

Sometimes the "will of the Lord" will include a huge sacrifice and it will require you to TRUST HIM!

John 17:4 New American Bible (Revised Edition)

I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.

My prayer is that your life will bring glory to God by DOING ALL that He has purposed in your heart while you are here on earth!

Happy New Year!!

God is saying there is glory just around the corner! God will get the glory out of your story and your life! Keep a pure heart, keep a good attitude and find meaning in Jesus. Then you will see HIM at work!

FINISHING WELL TO BRING GLORY TO GOD

Time of Reflecting

When you look back on 2022….what do you see? What have you experienced? Good times? Bad times? Roller Coaster? That's been me! I feel like we have been on a roller coaster ride! Times got really difficult for us.

Here we are and it's Christmas time. This is the week of Christmas and my middle son is scheduled to have surgery on the 22nd of Dec. So, more than likely we will spend Christmas in the hospital.

Insurance is pending!

I got worried…I panicked…..then I decided to TRUST THE LORD and not let my mind jump to conclusions!

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

1 Peter 4:12-13 The Message

I feel the Lord wants to tell you that it's important how you end this year, 2022! As you approach 2023, don't look for meaning in the number itself, or even meaning in the pain and the storm. Instead, look for Jesus, for He is our meaning!

WE STARTED 2022 OFF WITH SURGERY AND WE ARE ENDING IT WITH SURGERY AND THE WHOLE YEAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PAIN AND RECOVERY, MERCY AND COMPASSION

• Believe that God is at work in your circumstances and your life

To see His glory is when He reveals Himself to you and you feel His weighty presence when He walks in the room.

The Glory of God is a combination of His mercy, kindness, grace, compassion, forgiveness, love and power….all in a moment!

The enemy has come to weary you. There is a battle right now over your faith, your destiny, your family and the church. The devil wants to plant seeds of doubt in your soul and that's why you have to be convinced in your soul as well as your spirit that you will see the Glory of God.

Dr. Fondrea tells her story how God showed up on the scenes of her life after her two year old was crushed between two cars.

Last week you all heard the story of an amazing woman who was crushed between two cars at the tender age of two. But today, you are going to hear from her mother.

I know by hand on experience what it feels like to sit back and watch your child suffer and just ask God for His mercy. It is NOT an easy place to be!

You will be so inspired and touched deeply by Fondrea's story and how God has carried her all these years when she watched her child suffer from one surgery to the other.

The Lord Jesus has been everything to her. You are going to hear her speak by faith, you will hear her cry a little, you will hear her sing, you will hear her rejoice, but most of all, you are going to hear her praise.

This lady has extravagant worship because of an extravagant God who held her through it all. Now she just wants to give back to Him all that is due.

Today I pray that your faith will rise up and you will choose to bow down before the Lord and just worship Him, no matter what the circumstances of life have been.

If you'd like to have Dr. Fondrea Lewis at your church, you can contact her on:

Fb: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3432990783387499&set=a.485497171470223

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@DrFondreaLewis/videos

Dr. Fondrea Lewis is an anointed woman of God who ministers nationwide to many of communities within the body of Christ.

She has one purpose in mind: to engraft souls into the Kingdom.

Dr. Lewis received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the early age of 14, acknowledged the call to preach God's Word at 17, and finally answered the call of the Lord at age 23. She was ordained as a licensed Elder with the New Dimensions Worldwide Churches in February of 2001 while she served as the Youth Pastor for seven years under the dynamic leadership of her aunt, Bishop Carolyn A. Webb, at the Greater Emanuel Temple Pentecostal Church in Neptune, New Jersey. She serves as an Elder at the Bethel Church of Love and Praise in Bloomfield, New Jersey, under the loving leadership of Pastors Janet and Bishop Charles W. Harris, the Presiding Prelate of Covenant Kingdom Ministries International. She recalls service in the house of God as a cleaner, usher, soloist, choir directress as well as a church administrator.

She is a gifted and anointed psalmist who has sung with various gospel recording artists and has completed her first musical solo project entitled, "I Believe God". She is also an author of several published writings and the visionary and hostess of her own television show Outpour, as well as the editor and chief of her own magazine Fondreas World.

Elder Lewis has recognized her assignment and is commissioned to lead people to a greater encounter with God! A place she simply calls Outpour.

Two year old becomes crushed between two cars after church one day and she almost died! But God had another plan! Twenty-eight years later, after 30 months, and approximately 45 surgeries, Kayla stands to tell of God's faithfulness and how His grace and mercy is enough. She is now 30 years old telling her story of pain, distress, weakness, insults, hardships and infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[a]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 This is the scripture that patterns Kayla's life and walk with Christ.

You are going to be so inspired by this young, mature lady. She has overcome so much and now, her chief goal is to inspire people to change their perspectives of negative situations, and to teach them how to turn their pain into purpose by trusting God!

At the tender age of 2, Kayla was crushed between two cars which resulted in partial paralysis in one leg and complete paralysis in the other, a severely broken pelvis, and multiple ruptured organs. Despite a combined 30 months of hospital stays and 25 surgeries over the past 28 years she continues to build.

She uses 2 Corinthians 12:10 as her life verse because it has given her the lens of heaven that has enabled her to have a different perspective when life has now called her disabled! In 2022, God led her to start a motivational movement "Well Able" where she promotes faith by sharing testimonies of differently abled individuals.

She's learned to find the purpose in her pain which led her to motivational speaking for entrepreneurs, young women, and individuals with special needs and "different" abilities. Beyond her motivational pursuits, Kayla is a professional musician, graphic designer, and brand designer. She has produced three albums and has worked with some of gospel's most popular artists.

Proudly being a conqueror, Kayla crowns finding the purpose in her pain as her greatest achievement. As a result, she became a motivational and educational speaker for entrepreneurs, young women, and individuals with special needs and "different" abilities.

If you'd like to have Kayla at your church or some public event, you can contact her here:

www.OfficialkaylaEvans.com

www.instagram.com/OfficialKaylaEvans

https://www.youtube.com/@kaylaevans6143

• There are three kinds of doors, a Manual Door that requires work and effort, a Revolving Door that requires timing, and an Automatic Door that requires you to SHOW UP!

Pastor Alzhire is my guest today. He is our youth pastor at our Church in Statesboro, Ga, CrossRoads Community Church. Today, you are going to hear a very powerful and prophetic word that will encourage you and change your life. Did you know that God puts before you open doors? Rev. 3:8 Jesus says, "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name."

In the little strength you have, Jesus is saying, "look…I see you and I am setting before you an open door and all you have to do is walk through it!"

But before you walk through the door that Jesus has set before you, it's important to know what kind of door is before you. Pastor Alzhire talks about three different kind of doors that are set before you. He explains about a Manual Door that requires work and effort, a Revolving Door that requires timing, and an Automatic Door that requires you to SHOW UP!

Also, Alzhire shares with us the Door of Salvation and Deliverance that was set before him. And right now, we are believing for a massive salvation and deliverance in this generation by a personal revival. God is shaking us, and awakening us for a personal, intimate revival.

Listen to this encouraging word and don't forget to like and share!

If you'd like to get in touch with Alzhire, you can follow him on all social media platforms:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWg05JZwxqEXC7aWtha_oeQ

Fb:https://www.facebook.com/alzhire.mcleod

IG: https://www.instagram.com/alzhirem/

Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alzhire?_t=8XXpFAT2jqV&_r=1

God is speaking directly to our hearts to never give up and to HOPE again. You have to listen to the very end, because a wave of the Holy Spirit came upon me as I was speaking and HE spoke to my heart about you!!!

Today, I want you to know, that Jesus laid his life down for you, and he had YOU in mind when he did it. He laid it down and died so that you could have freedom, HOPE, peace, comfort, healing, salvation, deliverance, and eternal life. And what God has planned for you life shall come to pass in His perfect timing! Tho it tarries, wait for it, for it shall come to pass!

Jeremiah 29:11 The Message

…….I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Let's put it in the words of TODAY….with this pandemic and the after effects of it…..

God is saying, "look, I know what I am doing, I am allowing you to go through all of this, but there is an expiration date for this trial and revival and healing is coming your way! I will show up and take care of you and DO WHAT I PROMISED!"

So……God wants you to HOPE AGAIN!!

There are just three things I want to share in the podcast!

1. GET YOUR MIND BACK IN THE GAME….. gather all at the thoughts and warfare in the mind, and start HOPING AGAIN! YOU HAVE A FUTURE IN JESUS!

2. OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE JESUS AT WORK AND LOOK FOR THE GIFT OF HOPE ……..It is important how you SEE things in order to have HOPE!

GOD IS READY TO PERFORM HIS WORD…IN HIS TIMING….BUT YOU NEED TO SEE HIM!

3. HOLD FAST TO THE PROMISE, DON'T EVER LOSE HOPE! DON'T EVER GIVE UP! GOD IS FAITHFUL TO PERFORM it!

(God will give you the strength to endure!)

1 Thessalonians 5:24, BSB The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it!

I want to tell you that Jesus has the gift of HOPE and right now HE is giving it to YOU! This message is for YOU!! Specifically! This is a prophetic word from the Throne Room of God. He is speaking HIs words over you!

Your disappointments will lead to "Divine God Appointments" so you must hang on to Jesus in adversity and actively expect His best.

God wants to BUILD your life. He wants to give you a HOPE, and expectation that something Good is in your future.

Learn how peace is a weapon that we use against the enemy.

In this podcast we are going to talk about the four principles to build your life, faith, prayer, God's Word, Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.

First of all I want to say that God is faithful! He wants to build you up and not tear you down. When you really get this in your heart it will change your life.

This is the week of Thanksgiving and I want to share with you a word of encouragement over anxiety by showing you how peace and gratitude will conquer anxiety, fear, worry and depression.

When you get a chance, read all of Galatians 5 in The Message Bible. It's so powerful! Jesus has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

Don't let fear, worry and anxiety rule in your hearts! Instead, let peace rule in your hearts. Don't be misled or confused by the way the world is acting right now and the spirit of chaos that you feel all around you, instead FOCUS ON JESUS, YOUR PEACE. Let HIM rule in your heart.

Philippians 4:5-9 says clearly to:

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

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

9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Facts about anxiety:

When you are anxious, it creates stress in your body. If you lead a life of anxiety, it will create an over-arousal of the adrenal system that will release a prolonged excess of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

Cortisol fights inflammation, increases blood sugar, increases muscle tension. The adrenaline activates heart muscles, raises blood pressure and increases heart rate. The fight, flight, or fright response causes increased wear and tear on the body when it is prolonged. So, then in effect, stress is at work, anxiety is at work and the Bible says so then death is at work in us. (2 Cor. 4:12) This will speed up the dying the process of relationships, dreams, hopes, expectations, positivity, love, peace, joy, kindness, and eventually, it will effect the body and it accelerates dying.

Remember the words of JESUS:

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

Panic anxiety is the number one mental health problem for women in the United States.

There is a CURE for anxiety……It is GOD'S PEACE.

So, now we are going to practice the scripture and implement these 10 things that will conquer, fear, worry, and anxiety.

• Taking thoughts captive
• Relax Training
• Get adequate sleep
• Physical exercise
• Digital discipline
• Be strategic by choosing your battles
• Plan for periods of high demand and prepare your body accordingly.
• Plan times of recovery for your adrenaline system following high demand. This may include increased rest, hobbies, recreation, times with friends etc.
• Pray instead of worry, trust instead of fear, choose God's peace over the world's anxiety.
• Be thankful and grateful…..make a habit of thinking of all the things you are grateful for and speaking it out loud.

Colossians 3:15 New American Standard Bible

Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.

Finally, let your faith, your belief system be rooted in peace, the fruit of the Spirit!

Bo talks about how hurt and sexual assault opened doors for demonic activity in his life that led to addiction, alcoholism and divorce.

You are going to be so blessed by this week's podcast. A small town boy who was brought up in a little country church was faced with a paralyzing traumatic experience at 16 years. Bo was an all around athlete and football player, a manly kind of man. He loved the outdoors and sports. He had a distorted view of who God was by some of the things he had experienced as a child in church. Things like: "God must be angry with me" , and "He's always waiting for me to make a mistake", "God is always judging me and will probably kick me out of church".

Bo had a lot of confusion in his life. The real trauma started when Bo had his first break up with the girl he admired who was a good christian girl. As he grieved the break-up, he went out and got drunk. He got so drunk that he passed out. He woke up to his friend sodomizing him. He was devastated, angry, embarrassed and hurt. He carried so much guilt and shame. He thought God was punishing him for getting drunk. This experience confirmed that God was angry with him. Until one night he was at the end of his rope, after a failed marriage, he cried out to God as a full blown alcoholic, and immediately he had a powerful encounter with God that supernaturally took the desire away for alcohol. However, his soul healing would come in stages as God unraveled him and put him back together again, piece by piece.

This man is so inspiring and now he is living his life to help as many people as he can. Statistics say that 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18. However, boys don't talk about it like girls do. But Bo found his freedom when he broke the silence and brought the deep dark secrets to the light of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately male survivors of rape have often struggle alone trying to deal with their trauma in isolation. More often than not, they are silenced by shame, guilt, and the fear that loved ones, police and service providers will fail to support them in their time of crisis.

The Word says in James 5:16 to confess your sins to one another so that you may be healed.

Bo is impacting this world through his powerful story of healing. You've got to hear it and even have him at your church!

If you would like to get in touch with Bo or have him come speak at your church or men's group, you can reach him here:

Bo Fordham on Facebook or email him at [email protected]

Or call CrossRoads Community Church at 912-764-4539

Wendell is from a little town called Nevils, Georgia.

I was first acquainted with him through our church for many years, but never knew he was in the Coast Guard, under special ops. In 1973, Wendell was in the Vietnam War. Twice he was sent for a special op in Vietnam. He was on Seal Team 4 in Little Creek Va, where he received special training as a Sniper.

Wendell was good friends and was trained by Harry Beal who was a part of the specialized underwater demolition team. On January 1, 1962, the Navy established the SEAL (Sea, Air & Land) Program. Harry was the first to volunteer for the SEALs. Later, Harry became a SEAL instructor, serving until his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1968 and that is when Wendell met him. But little did he know that when he saw Wendell, he saw a young man full of fear, but yet full of potential.

Wendell was so timid and fear-filled, that he couldn't even walk up to the counter at Hardee's to order his food.

You will see in the podcast how the Coast Guard and special ops forced him to face his fears. However, it was the power of the Holy Spirit that helped him each step of the way.

Listen to this incredible man talk about his story of rejection from his mom, to a loving Father who redeemed him.

I want to leave you with these powerful scripture that will conqueror fear and replace the lies with Truth!

Deuteronomy 31:6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Psalm 34:4–5

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed."

Psalm 27:3

"Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident."

Isaiah 35:4

"Say to those who have an anxious heart, 'Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.' "