A Message from God As I was praying and studying the scriptures during the month of May 2020, amidst the pandemic and all of its dreadful effects, felt around the world, God led me to the book of II Chronicles: 32. It amazes me that each time I read the bible, sometimes even reading the same chapter and verse, I get a new revelation. In this chapter, King Hezekiah has been targeted by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, a powerful enemy. Sennacherib was determined to overtake Judah and the people of Jerusalem. But King Hezekiah didn’t panic. Instead, he prayed to God. God instructed him to call a meeting where he appointed what we would call “Team Leaders” and prepared them to fight against the enemy. In verses 7 &8 King Hezekiah told the city not to be afraid, but to be strong and courageous, no matter the multitude of Sennacherib’s army. He said that King Sennacherib had an “arm of flesh” but the people of Judah had the Lord on their side to fight their battle. King Hezekiah prayed to the Lord and God sent an angel which stopped the Assyrian Army & their leader, Sennacherib. (To find out how, read the entire chapter) As a result of God’s intervention, Sennacherib had to return to his own city where his own people were responsible for his demise. In verse 22, God reports that: “Thus, the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, from the hand of Sennacherib, King of Assyria. This story gives us a reminder of what to do when the enemy comes against us. We must pray and seek counsel. We must listen to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and we must be careful to do as he instructs us , if we are to be victorious. If we do this, then we may find that just like Hezekiah received assistance from the angel of God, we too can become victorious in our fight against the enemy. So, whether we are fighting a human enemy or an enemy attacking our health like COVID-19 or any other disease, God can assist us, if we have faith and believe. The Bible tells us that “Whatsoever things we pray for, we should believe that we shall receive them and we will.” In conclusion. No matter what is occurring in your life. You, as a child of God, can defeat the enemy. Who is the enemy? I’m so glad you asked that question. If you are a Christian, the enemy is Satan, and he can only be defeated with the word of God. So, anyone who is on Satan’s side is not on Jesus’ team. And as a songwriter once wrote: “Who’s on the Lord’s side?” The answer may surprise you. By Cheryl W. Glenn Rambling with Mrs. Arlene Praise the Lord everyone. Give your God the honor he deserves. God knows our every thought and knows if we really love him and care what he thinks. But, still he stands back and gives us freedom to make up our own mind if we want to live for him or dabble around out in the world and see what we can get by with. I’ve seen people go to church every time the door opens and then live like the devil the rest of the week. I would be so afraid to do that. After I was in church for about a year, we moved to another town and there was no Pentecostal church there. So I quit going for eight months. Then the company Joe worked for sent us to another state. They brought three new couples to the crew. One couple was Pentecostal and I started going to church with them and I got my life straightened out with God. I’ve been hanging in there ever since. We raised three children we had and two we adopted in church. Our oldest son, Joe Dwayne Barrett, is a Pentecostal preacher and he’s a good one. God has been so good to us. I can’t understand why people do not want to find a church of their choice and start going and be a part of it. God will lead you and guide you into all truths. The word of God promises us if we will live a life that is dedicated to God that he will work things out for us. His words say all we have to do is ask and believe and he will answer our needs. He didn’t say our wants; he said our needs and God never lies. God is like the song says, “He’s an on time God, he may not come when you want him, but he’ll be there right on time.” That’s really all we can ask. I don’t know about you but as for myself I wouldn’t trade my walk with God for anything this world has to offer. It’s not worth it. God has always come through for us in our times of need. He is no respecter of people. He loves everyone. All you need to do is go to him in prayer, turn your life over to him, be filled with the Holy Ghost, and baptized in Jesus name, then ask him to lead you in the path he wants you to go. I’ll be praying for hungry hearts. I’ve got to go and cook supper. I love and appreciate all my readers. Thank you for the calls and mail. God bless you all. Call me 662-803-4690 or write me at 40 West Alice St, Noxapater, MS 39346. I’ll do my best to be back next week. Stay safe and pray much. Arlene Barrett
