RUSSELL SANDERS

8-4-2025

DAVID – LESSON 1

David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons. His seven older brothers looked down upon him with disdain. He had the unenviable task of staying day and night out in the field. He took care of the flocks and protected them from wild beasts.

It was a lonely job, but it gave David times of solitude where he could get alone with God. I suspect that many of his psalms were written and sung during these times as he grew close to God. He was strengthened to the point that by his hands he killed a lion, a bear, and later Goliath the giant. This all prepared him to serve as the great King of Israel.

When we spend time alone with God like David did, we also become a tower of strength and inspiration to our family and to others around us. Satan’s minions [demons] will fall before us at the spoken Name of Jesus. Just as men were drawn to David, so they will also be drawn to us by the light of Jesus that shines from within us.

In Acts 13:22, David was called a man after God’s own heart. So, we also should seek to be after Father God’s own heart; [although imperfect] trying to please Him. 

Although we are flawed, God recognizes the hearts of those whose desire is unto Him, and He rewards them. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” [NKJV]

If you have a desire to please the Lord like David did, you shall receive the desires of your heart.

HELEN SANDERS

8-4-2025

NEW WINESKINS

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In the bible days they did not have refrigeration like we have now. They grew their own food or bought it daily in the marketplace. They kept their wine (fruit of the vine) in animal skins. When wine was first made, it needed to be put into a new wineskin because it would expand. A new wineskin would expand with the wine and would not break. If they put the new wine into the old wineskin, it would not expand, and this would cause the old wineskin to burst and become useless.

Jesus talks about this in Matthew 9:17, where it says, “Neither do men put new wine into old bottles (wineskins) else the bottles (wineskins) break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles (wineskins) perish (are ruined): but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”

He is speaking a parable about the new life found in Christ. You cannot put the new things of God into our old nature. We must be born again and then be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the only way to keep yourselves from being destroyed.

Just like salvation that comes to a person and makes them new, letting go of our victories and our failures will allow us to grow. Let’s not dwell upon “what was” but rather be ready for the new things that God is going to do in our lives.

Isaiah 54:2-3 says, “2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.” This word came to Israel letting them know that restoration and something new was coming. Perhaps this is a word for you too that God is going to do something new in your life. Seek the Lord and see what He has to say about expanding your “wineskin” and tent.

God is doing a shaking in this season like no other season I have seen. We must be willing to let go of everything old to allow room for the new. There may be some relationships that are pulling you back into your “old” wineskin. Perhaps now is the time to let go of that unwholesome relationship. It does not mean you never speak to that person, but it does mean that you do not let them influence your life anymore. God has something better for you.

As a final word, we are always going to have to shed the old to make room for the new. Do not find yourself stuck in the “same old, same old” rut. Make room for the new so God can expand things in your life.

HELEN SANDERS

8-4-2025

PROPHETIC EXHORTATION

Are you making excuses to not do what God has asked you to do? Do you say, I am too old. "I am too young. I am retired. I am sick. I have no money, I am a woman, etc. Many of the people God used were over 80 before they had success. Some failed terribly in their younger days. Some were murderers. Some were peasants, yet God used them. Perhaps you need to think about your answer again when God bids you to do something. Always be glad you did, and never say "I wish I had."

DEBRA TOPE

SEER/INTERCESSOR

Monday Morning Prayer

Do you feel battle weary? and torn? Do your days go by in a blur and you wonder what happened to your day? God is faithful. He is there, even when He seems far from you. Here is a prayer I wrote and maybe it is for you today!

Thank You Lord for the time You have spent with me. You brought change into my life when there was no hope. You created a new heart within me when mine was black and cold, riddled from all my tears from past battles. You have given so much for me. Now I come in complete surrender to You. I know I can trust You to stay with me when I feel lost and afraid. You have never left me and You still love me. Thank you Jesus! Amen

“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

APOSTLE PAT MURRAY

PROPHETIC EXHORTATION

Have you ever noticed how at times God will call His children to moments of STILLNESS and QUIETNESS? Well, He DOES this so we can experience the CALMNESS and SERENITY that HE knows we need in order to; COPE with day to day situations that WILL arise in all our lives. We read how it starts off in Psalms 46 by saying..."God is our refuge, a very present help in times of our trouble". Then down in verse 10 it tells us…”Be STILL and KNOW that I am GOD". So today try and take yourself a good, old fashioned...”POWER BREAK". It's right then and there you can better ALLOW GOD to QUIETEN the turbulences that we FACE at times on this our journey of life. Now you GET UP and LOOK UP; For THIS is the DAY the LORD has MADE for you...So it's time for YOU to start REJOICING AND TO BE REALLY GLAD IN IT.

 Kiss his Face! HCC

Kiss the face of Jesus, by how you live each day.

Try to always do your best in your actions,

And words you say. Be kind and good and love

The many, for their hope has gone away.

Tell them of the Savior, the faithful friend

Who lights their way. Maybe read the Bible,

To those who sit alone. Hold their hands,

Tell them that you care, tell them of God

And his home. And as you kiss this face of Jesus,

Your heart will grow inside. For all you’ve done

For others, Jesus smiles and says,

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

To see more of HCC's beautiful poems on YouTube click here