COMING BACK TO A HEART of WORSHIP

 

Subject: Coming Back to a Heart of Worship Touching Jesus will Change Your Heart!     The Heart of Worship   This message is really from my heart today and I hope it encourages you in the Lord. As I was up and praying before our Church service today, I was hearing songs that really touched my heart and spoke to me. The first one that I woke up with is called "We praise You." It's about praise being a weapon against our enemy. It helps us to overcome anxiety, it turns what seems dark into light. It breaks down what seems to be a wall in our life, and it helps us to slay the giants we face.   Praise works miracles when we think we are just singing. The Bible is full of praise and thanks verses, especially in the Psalms. Our Pastor said something pretty significant today. On Facebook, everyone looks like their lives are just wonderful with all the family and friends' pictures. But what's really going on in most people's lives is something that only we can deal with when we come before the Lord in worship and praise.   Today, as I was worshipping the Lord, Holy Spirit impressed another song on my heart, "The Heart of Worship." This touched me deeply and I began to weep. Like the picture at the top of the page showing Mary Magdalene at Jesus' feet, the Lord is looking for our heartfelt worship. It may be one song that pulls the plug on our hearts, or it may take two or three. When we come to Him sincerely seeking to encounter Him, Jesus will always meet us there.   I think this week is just meant to be a strong encourager to the body of Christ that nothing will ever touch us like Jesus does. No people, places or things can touch and comfort and encourage us like Holy Spirit when He moves in the room where we meet with Him.   As human and imperfect as we are, He always seems to help us see His love and perfection and it melts our hearts. Today, I just want to pray for you, my reader, and encourage you to keep taking that time to be with Jesus every morning, knowing He is with you and for you and ready to receive your love and adoration. He is also ready and willing to pour out His love on you and me. All we have to do is keep that first part of the day on reserve for Him.   At Fish N Loaves Ministries, Denny & I continue to see people every week and minister to them one way or another. Some are open to the gospel, others are not. Still, we pray for them. Please keep us in prayer for strength, wisdom and guidance from Holy Spirit as we lift you all in prayer. Be blessed my brothers and sister in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen   Denny & Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. Multiplying God's Word around the globe!   Website: www.Fishnloavesministries.org Blog: Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com       Don't forget to go to our website and order your copy of my new book! It is sure to touch many hearts and lead people closer to Jesus. Share a copy with a friend or relative after you have read it and keep praying that this message will have a global reach!

 

Ten Cannons in My Heart - Read About This Dynamic Book!

 

Ten Cannons in My Heart

 

 

Today I am excited to tell people that the book that God laid on my heart 12 years ago is finally available to the public! I have sent out an email blast to the people we know about this great achievement. Today I just want to give the Lord praise for what He has done!  When you get a copy of this book, you will see the testimony. When I was living in Naples in 2012, the Lord asked me to write this book about my life. When I asked Him what to name it, one day He gave me the title as clear as if there was someone externally speaking to me.  What I originally wrote was much longer than this book, but now I see that breaking it into two parts is the way to do it. This way, you can see the first and biggest part about how I came to know the Lord and surrender my life to Him through teachings on the Ten Commandments, of all things.  This was a real God moment for me back in 2005 when I realized more about Who He is and how much I needed Him. The second part of the book, yet to be released, is about the life of miracles I have led, including my call to come to Florida and follow Jesus.  I was told back in the early years of my time in Florida that He would make me a fisher of men. Since then, I have had a burning desire to tell people about Jesus. I am here to encourage everyone who reads these blogs each week and those who will read the book that whatever God has called you to do, go for it! It will not be easy. No, there will be many challenges, but the work and the rewards far outweigh the trials.  When we struggle to see the vision and dreams God has placed in us come to pass, we need to keep believing and keep moving forward in spite of obstacles. And there will be many. Our job is to overcome them, kick them out of the way, and keep on going. We need to walk holy to the Lord and obey His calling. He will reward the efforts.  There have been things that hindered this book release from coming out sooner, but the Lord is faithful. I haven't always understood the "why" of things, but I knew that I had to keep pressing forward. The Lord never leaves us or forsakes us, and He is there to help us every single step of the way. Our job is to move forward in faith, one step at a time.  Be encouraged my friend! If you have a marketplace ministry, or a call to lead a church congregation, just keep stepping forward and allow the Lord to lead you. I am a witness that as Jesus said, "With God, all things are possible." He is mighty to save in every situation.  If you're being nudged to write a book, get to it. If it is to go here or do that, whatever it is, just do it. Jesus' mother told His disciples, "Whatever He says, do it." They did, and a miracle unfolded right before their eyes. Friends, it's no different today. Take a moment and listen to the song, "Champion." Forget past failures and disappointments. Don't let them define you. Just go forward into all He has for you, one step at a time. Every victory will unveil more blessings - Hallelujah!  Thanks for reading this and the book! Please share it with others. It will be a wonderful evangelism tool that I believe will lead many to a life of full devotion to Jesus.  His mother said to the servants, "whatever He says to you, do it." John 2:5 NKJV  Thank you for reading our weekly blog and even telling others whom you feel may benefit from it. You can check out our updated website to see what we are doing in Africa in addition to our ministry duties here. Get your copy of the book today! Any donations to our ministry are completely tax deductible except for the book orders. Help us spread the Word around the globe.  Much love and many blessings to you and yours in Jesus' Name. Amen!  Denny & Hanny Stearns

 

 

 

 

Denny & Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. Multiplying God's Word around the globe!   Website: www.Fishnloavesministries.org Blog: Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com

 

Ten Cannons Book Now Available!

 

 

Hanny's New Book Is Now Available!

Great news! You may have already heard. My new book, a long time in the making, is finally out! It was a work in progress for many years. The Lord put this on my heart back in 2012. There will be a part 2, and I will be working on that next.   In the meantime, we hope you will go to our website and get a copy. Once you read it, our hope is that you will share it with others. We are so grateful to the Lord for all of you who have been supporting us in prayer and love.   May this piece be used to evangelize many and bring them into the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Love and many blessings!  Denny & Hanny Stearns  Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

 

Denny & Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. Multiplying God's Word around the globe!   www.Fishnloavesministries.org Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com

Rest and Receive

 Rest and Receive 

This Bible verse helps us to remember that when we trust in the Lord, He will keep us calm. Many of us can get ahead of the Lord or maybe even drag behind as we try to figure things out for the steps me must take in our lives. 

When we feel anxious about anything that we are facing in our lives, we miss out on the peace that Jesus came to give. Everyone has daily decisions to make in life, and all of us need the Lord every minute to guide us and give us wisdom. “Should I do this or go here or move there, work there,” or whatever the case may be, we need the Lord. 

In this passage, Jesus is inviting us to come to Him and find rest. He isn't calling us to stress ourselves out. He is so patient with us and always prefers that we would choose the peaceful act of really bringing everything to Him. When we don’t, there is an element of rest and peace that just isn’t there. 

Rest in Jesus shows that we trust Him and we are not going to allow the things in our lives cause us to be anxious. There are many things in our lives that can distract us, and I certainly understand that. But as He is calling each of us to rest in Him, we can know that He will provide - whatever it is that we need. I don't think we can hear this too much.

Today we have all got a calling to preach the gospel to a very hurting world, so we need to stay close and get closer to Jesus than ever before. We are not perfect. We are a work in progress. There’s many things we may not understand, but our God is with us to help us come up and do the works He has called us to do. 

He wants us to be willing and obedient to follow Him and trust that He will do the rest! Oh how wonderful it is to walk with such a merciful and loving Savior. We need to review our lives, rest in the finished works of Jesus, and receive it - all of it. This week, I want to encourage all of us to keep moving forward to be faithful in the little things, knowing that as we do, He will do the big part - the part we will never do. 

This is our time and season to do the greater things! This week as Denny and I traveled to an appointment, I looked ahead and I saw a big long cloud that was very tall, straight up and down. I never saw anything like it! I thought about the pillar of cloud that the Israelites had followed by day. When the cloud moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped. 

Today we are called to follow Jesus so close that when He stops, we bump right into Him! I want to encourage everyone to be loyal to His Word is the most important thing. When we don't, review it and get back into that place of rest. We must stay close to the Lord. 

The last verse here is another powerful reminder that His burden really is light…

”For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. "Matthew 11:30 NKJV 

May your week be a continuous blessing as you follow after the Lord and trust in Him and His ways, and He will give us peace! Be very blessed in Jesus Name! ✝️🙏🏻😘

Thank you for reading our weekly blog and even telling others whom you feel may benefit from it. You can check out our updated website to see what we are doing in Africa in addition to our ministry duties here. My new book will be out this week, so check out the website to get your copy. Any donations to our ministry are completely tax deductible. Help us spread the Word around the globe.

Much love and many blessings to you and yours in Jesus' Name. Amen!

Denny & Hanny Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

Multiplying God's Word around the globe!

www.fishnloavesministries.org

The Miracle of Praying for Your Family

 Have I got a testimony for you! This week I want to share with you a little story about my younger sister, now age 61. I am seven years older than she is and we have not been very close over the past many years. Actually, since 2003, things have been anything but close between us. Our communication has been off and on. When I surrendered my life to Jesus back in 2005, everything changed for me, but my family was not on board with all that "Jesus" stuff. Naturally, I have spent years praying that they would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus our Lord. Her husband, now deceased, used to persecute me for sharing Jesus with others, and he absolutely felt that "religion" was not something we should talk about. He wanted nothing to do with prayer.

When he got ill a few years ago, I was led to pray for the cancer in his throat while he lay in a hospice bed. Once I asked if he wanted prayer, and he could only shake his head no. He was unable to talk. The next time I saw him, I prayed for him by placing my hands on his neck and commanding that cancer to be healed in Jesus Name, as the Lord had given me a vision to do. My onlooking sister was infuriated!

When I went home from that trip to the hospital, the Lord showed me that that son who was dead was now alive! I rejoiced that this brother-in-law was now in heaven. It was just a few days later that he went to be with the Lord. My sister wouldn't speak to me for two years. She went home and told my precious nieces what I had done, and I won't tell you what they sent to me in texts. It was like all the devils on earth came against me. They spoke terrible things and I have not seen them since.

I continued to pray for my sister and her girls these past years. Little by little, we began to speak through text and then a phone call. I had to be very careful about what I said. I knew she still carried a lot of bad feelings toward me. Up to this point it has been a relationship of tolerating each other. I would see her when my husband & I took her out to eat on her birthday. Other than that, it was only an occasional "how are you?" or "have a great day" text as I continued to bring them before the Lord in faith that He would work it out. I never could handle too much of her at a time, but in my heart, I love her and care for her eternal life.

Yesterday, Denny and I took her out for a meal for her birthday. It had been a full year since last we saw her. She spoke a lot about what she has been doing. One thing she said early on is that she wanted us to put in a word to the Lord for her since we are praying people and "maybe He will listen to you." I was amazed that she even said that. She has been going through some trial at work and it has really rocked her.

She also said that she seems to cry a lot these days, thinking maybe it is her getting older thing. She used to emphatically say she does not cry. Yesterday, we saw a tenderness we had never seen in her. As she continued to talk, she again mentioned asking us to pray for her. We sat there amazed as we continued to just be good listeners. She was really quite kind to us and very thankful that we took her out for such a nice dinner.

My sister is pretty high strung and when she gets going, she is quite funny. She had us both laughing quite a bit. It's amazing how a person can talk about the drama going on in their life and yet do it in a way that makes you just crack up!

As we ended our meal and headed out to the car, we hugged. As she was approaching her car, she turned and said something about asking us to pray for her once again. Denny then asked her, "Is it alright if we pray for you?" She replied emphatically, "Oh yes!" Then as she went to get into the car, I looked right at her and said, "I love you." To my surprise, she looked me right in the eye and said, "I love you." It brings tears to my eyes again as I write this because she has never done that like she said it yesterday. Very direct and intentional.

I found myself so enjoying being with her yesterday that I told her we must not wait a whole year before we get together again, and she agreed. Denny and I got in the car, and we were in awe of what God is doing. We also realized that even though we have been praying for her to come to know Jesus for years, the fact that she specifically did not want us to pray was blocking our prayers, yet God was still at work.

What happened yesterday was a great big door opener for us to intercede on her behalf because now she has removed the block to our prayers. When she was a young girl, she wrote a note to our mom telling mom that she had been saved and wanted to make sure that she was too. But from that time, she never lived a life of walking with Jesus. In fact, she resisted Christianity strongly. Now we are seeing a miracle begin to unfold before our very eyes! We stand in awe believing that one day very soon, I will be able to pull out that letter that I have in one of our family photo albums and show her what she had written so long ago.

What's the bottom line if you haven't guessed it already? Do not give up praying for your family members, even if looks like they will never come around to their salvation. Our Lord is the God of the impossible.

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Thank you for reading our weekly blog and even telling others whom you feel may benefit from it. You can check out our updated website to see what we are doing in Africa in addition to our ministry duties here. My new book will be out this week, so check out the website to get your copy. Any donations to our ministry are completely tax deductible. Help us spread the Word around the globe.

Much love and many blessings to you and yours in Jesus' Name. Amen!

Denny & Hanny Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

Multiplying God's Word around the globe!

www.Fishnloavesministries.org

Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com

The "Esther Call"

 

”For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”“ Esther 4:14 NKJV 

 Most of us have read the book of Esther in the Bible. This message is for all of us, not just the ladies. I read this passage on Saturday and it came to me that we are all called for such a time as this.  

When Esther was called to fulfill her purpose, the Jews were being heavily oppressed by the wicked man Haman. He was out to destroy God’s people and he was setting his plan in motion. It sounds a lot like what is happening in Israel today.  

Ever since the beginning of time, there has been a battle waged against the souls of men and women who love and seek after God. Israel faced one battle after another, and they still do to this very day.  

As we all pray for the peace of Israel, we must remember that they are not the only ones who see attack. Christians today all over the world are experiencing spiritual warfare like we may never have seen in our history. 

What’s the Esther call then for today’s men and women of God? When we read the account of Esther being set up to be the queen, she was being placed in a position that would bring her before the only one who could make a decision that would change the destiny for the Israelites.  

The verse we read today says that the timing of her calling was exactly positioned so that she would be the one who could change the course of history for all her people. She would be used to expose the evil plans of the enemy, and his plan of destruction would be foiled. 

 It’s wonderful to know that no matter what the devil tries to set up against us that if our God is for us, who can be against us!  

The Bible tells us that God planned the exact timing of our birth and where we would live. He gave each of us a call to be His witnesses all over the world. This means wherever He placed each person, we are to go out to win the souls of people all around us. We must stand in the gap through prayer! 🙏🏻 

Listen, today there still remains a real devil seeking to destroy God’s people. You and I have a calling like Esther to go to battle for the people. It’s our job to get in the fight and pray! It’s our job to push back the powers of darkness and usher in the glorious gospel light. 

If we don’t step up and take our stand and bring our requests before God for the deliverance of the people, we will not grasp the meaning for which we were born. 

Friend, no matter where you and I live, the time is now to expose the evil works of satanic plans and let God know that we aren’t going to accept the devils evil schemes. 

On Saturday it seems like all hell was breaking loose against me, trying to bring up the same old tactics satan’s army has been doing for years now. Even though there was a great deal of pressure and distraction, I pressed through and the Lord blessed our day in many ways.  

It isn’t easy, but it’s a battle we must fight. We must stand in prayer before the King of kings. We must bring our petition for help before Him. Let Him know that we mean business and we are not going to stop until whatever enemy we are dealing with is completely defeated!  

In our services today at the church meetings, both messages resonated so much with what God had already laid on my heart. The first is a message to not give up. Like the injured runner who finished the race in spite of his injury with the help of his loving Father, I was tearfully reminded that you and I can finish our course too with the help of our Abba Father in heaven.  

The second message was about engaging in the fight. Esther got engaged in the fight. The injured runner got engaged in the fight. Now, you and I are called to take up our armor, and use the weapons God has given us to engage in and become victorious over whatever giants may be coming against us and our families.  

There are seasons of peace in our lives, but so many times, we are called to fight the good fight of faith against an evil enemy so we can enter into that season of rest and peace.  

The Bible was full of battles and God gave the victory to those who sought Him for the battle plan. Seek the Lord and ask Him to show you what your battle plan is and begin to take up your armor and become the champion you were created to be!  

Our God is for us! He is faithful and will never leave or forsake us! Be that Esther! Be that David! Be the one who gets the victory and stops what the devil is trying to do in your life and that of your family! In Jesus mighty Name! 

The Dove - Rest in Me as I Rest on You

 

Here's a subject that is quite foreign to the human heart for most people. It's about resting. I have talked about this before. Today I am sharing what the Lord has been showing me all week. Whether you have been a Christian a long time, or just a short while, there is a struggle in our flesh to receive the rest that Holy Spirit provides us on a daily basis. This doesn't mean that we lay around all the time and do nothing. Indeed, we must daily be about our Father's business. What it does mean is that we need to slow down in our hearts. We need to receive the blessings from the Lord every day when we spend time with Him. Remember, in order to have something to give to others, we must first be good receivers. Many of us are always wanting to help others and give, give, give. But when it comes to receiving, most of us have a hard time. But how can we give what we don't have. If we don't take the time to read God's Word each day and pray, and let the Lord heal and comfort what's bothering us, then we cannot truly give to others from an abundance of what we ourselves have received. I have walked with Jesus on a more surrendered basis since 2005, yet every day seems to be a new day of surrender, a new day of "rest." We need constant reassurance from Him, including His love and comfort. He must be more than enough for us. This means more than people, places, things, activities, everything. We must to fill up in His presence and then we can go forward in our day to be a blessing to others. Doing this will also take the focus off of ourselves and the concerns we are facing in our lives. We all have stuff that's concerning us and much to pray about. That's where it all begins. Knowing that we are not perfect, may we have a heart that longs for Jesus and His comfort and guidance. He is our Lord and He will supply our every need as we daily surrender to Him. He is so faithful to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Today when we went out to lunch after church, the young lady who was serving us seemed a bit heavy laden. We asked her if she would like to have one of our tracts. At first she said she knows Jesus and almost said, "I'm good" but hesitated when I showed her His picture and asked if she would like to share it with someone else. She responded saying that would be ok and took the tract. When she left the table, we prayed for her. We knew something was heavy on her and we stood in the gap. As she continued to serve us, she seemed completely different. Her countenance was lovely. I wonder if she knows Jesus and spends time with Him in the morning to start her day. Only God knows. But one thing I know is that the encounter with her was used by our loving and merciful heavenly Father to lift her up. We were so glad. So remember, no matter how long we have known Jesus, we still need to receive from Him daily. We need to rest in His sweet love. We need to allow Him to rest on us. A lot like that Mary Magdalene story from last week. Just to be with Him is a blessing we can take to others who need Him just as much as we do. Song: The Dove (Belonging Company & Kari Jobe) Thank you for reading our weekly blog and even telling others whom you feel may benefit from it. You can check out our website to see what we do in Africa in addition to our ministry duties here. Any donations to our ministry are completely tax deductible. Help us spread the Word around the globe. Much love and many blessings to you and yours in Jesus' Name. Amen! Denny & Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. Multiplying God's Word around the globe!

www.Fishnloavesministries.org Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com