Obedience Brings Blessings

 Obedience Brings Blessings 

Song: I’ll Praise You Anywhere 

This week the Lord asked me to share my foot surgery testimony. Many of you know I had surgery this past Thursday and were praying. I want to thank you all again for praying because it has really helped! It’s such a blessing to have so many loving caring people in my life who really care enough to take the time to pray 🙏🏻 

The week before the surgery, I was not feeling well. In fact, the closer it was getting, the worse I was feeling. It felt like a flu without the fever, coughing, etc. I did not want to postpone the procedure because we have many things we want to do as the year progresses.

When they called to go over pre op things, I did not tell them how I was feeling. I told Denny I didn’t want to say anything. Then the Lord spoke to my heart and showed me that I needed to let them know. I called the doctor’s office and told them, and that I was managing it with Tylenol. They said ok. 

After that, the Lord said, “Now I can heal you.” I just kept thanking Jesus for healing me and I believed Him to do the miraculous in the surgery and afterwards. And He sure did! When I had a similar experience 28 years prior, I remember waking up in nothing less than excruciating pain! 

As I approached this procedure, I worked at trusting this one wouldn’t be a repeat. When I woke up, there was zero pain! It took me a few moments to realize there really was no pain. My foot was completely numb. 

I went home and rested. As instructed, I began taking a fairly strong pain medicine that was non codeine to “stay ahead of the pain.” Well, I went all through the night, and no pain even began until after about 9:00 Friday morning. 

The worst thing was the pain medicine. I don’t take any types of drugs and that stuff was hitting me hard. Then I had some foot pain and tried to manage it with Acetaminophen. 

I heard from the Lord again. Now, you must first understand that all those bad flu like feelings were completely gone! But the soreness from the surgery was uncomfortable but manageable. The worst thing was those strong pills! 

The Lord said not to use them. He told me to trust Him and take the Tylenol. I said, “ok Lord!” By the end of Friday, my husband and I thought maybe I better keep taking the pills just till we get past all this. You can see how human reasoning can try to move in and take us off course. 

By Friday morning, the foot pain was under control but the nausea and upset from those pills was no less than disturbing. I could hear the Lord reminding that I didn’t need anything but the acetaminophen. I asked Him to forgive me and stopped the other pills immediately. I disposed of them also immediately. 

Saturday I was able to go see the movie “The Chosen”, a three and a half hour movie with no pain! All day I felt fine! Today, we were scheduled to be greeters at church and even though it was raining super hard when we left to go, we got there and were at the door greeting every lovely person who came through the door. 

I even went up to the altar twice for altar calls, hobbling on my “robo boot.” Friends, by the nature of what the Dr. did for me, this should have been more, not less painful. But God did a miracle. I was able to hand out tracts to the people who attended to me that day, and everyone in the surgical suite paused to let me pray over the procedure and those who would be helping me! 

This was an amazing testimony of God’s love, His mercy for sure, His grace, and His desire to heal His people! Hallelujah! 

Here’s the main thing in all this. This is what He put on my heart to tell all of us. It’s our obedience to what He tells us that will bring about the greatest blessings in our life’s experiences. When we include Him in what we are doing, He is a loving, healing Father right here to help us. He wants to bless us so much! 

Look at this, 

”And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:“

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There are 14 verses in the book of Deuteronomy that describe the blessings for God’s people when we obey. May we never have to experience the next several verses about disobedience. Let’s walk in the blessings and allow Him to lead and guide our every step! 

28 years ago when I had the similar procedure done on both feet, the pain was unbearable for days! But back then, I didn’t understand how to pray and ask Jesus to help and heal me. My church at the time never taught anything about Jesus healing us in these days. And nothing about depending on Him to guide and direct our steps. 

That’s a great big praise and hallelujah for Jesus my friends! And when we miss it, all we have to do is ask for forgiveness because His mercy endures forever. Then we get back on track and move forward in all the good that He has for us. 

Please feel free to share this blog with as many as you like and give them my number. This is a private text so you may respond if you like. We love to hear from you. This is reaching so many people and the list just keeps growing - Praise Jesus! 

Love to you all in Jesus! 

Denny and Hanny Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc.

Multiplying God’s Word around the globe 🌍 

Fishnloavesministries.org

Fishnloavesministries.blogspot.com

How Do You See Yourself

January 28, 2024

How Do You See Yourself?

”And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Imagine God is saying that to you my friend. 

This week I was reminded that we must see ourselves the way God sees us. As Christians, born again, children of the Most High God, how do you see yourself? 

I realized that the battles in the mind from the enemy will always be to bring us to a place where we don’t see how very precious we are to God, or how pleased He is with us. 

That’s sad because when God looks at us, He sees Jesus in all His perfection! That may be hard to digest, but it’s the truth! God doesn’t look at our sins and failures, or all of what we see as our shortcomings. 

No! He sees a beautiful creation breathed from his very mouth. He sees someone very special whom He knit together in our mother’s womb; someone that He gifted with something very special to be used in this life to bless everyone around us. 

Here is how special you and I are to God. 

”Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; 

That’s from Genesis 1. So let’s stop and think about that and how very powerful it is. You were made to look like God (Jesus’, the physical representation of God) and you were made to act like Him! 

How awesome is that my friend! So if He made us in His image, then sent Jesus to be our Savior and give us His Spirit to live in us, why would we ever see ourselves as anything less than His beloved royal children? 

 

He made us and created us to do the special things He designed us to do. Here is what Ephesians says, ”For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Here’s more that He says about us, ”and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

And how about this? 

”But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.“

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As I pondered this stuff about being His accepted in the Beloved child, why would we ever allow the devil to put negative thoughts about who we are to our Lord in our minds???? 

The big thing satan wants to do is to convince us that we are failures and will never measure up. He doesn’t want us to know how much God wants to do for us to bless others. He doesn’t want us to feel the love in the spirit and to know that God’s love far exceeds any human love we could ever know. 

Why? Because if we knew that deep down in our hearts, we wouldn’t let the devil slow us down for a second! Church, it’s time to wake up to what God has already assured us in His Word about who we really are in Him and how precious we are to Him! 

Then we can walk confidently in our calling as we love Him with all our hearts and take that love to the world around us. He is a good Father, Savior, Lord, Helper and Comforter! He will take us deeper than we ever thought possible to achieve more than we could ever ask or imagine. 

Let’s renew our minds starting right now and say, “enough devil!” Tell him who you really are in Christ and let him go tell his cohorts all that bad stuff! We are not going to circumvent the beauty of what God created because we listen the biggest loser and look at ourselves as anything less than royalty! 

We have a purpose and destiny to fulfill and we can approach every giant that we face from a place of victory! After all, God is for us and He will never leave us or forsake us! He loves us with an everlasting love! 

Believe it and go forward! I’m speaking to us all when I say, look in the mirror and tell yourself how loved and forgiven and special you are! Begin to love yourself the way God loves you (and me!) and watch how free you will feel. 

It’s about breaking negative thought patterns and renewing our mind and soul that our circumstances do NOT dictate who we are in Christ! Our born again spirit does! 

And if anyone who reads this is not born again, it’s time you get born again so you will see the beautiful you God made you to be. 

I needed this during this week. I’m taking it seriously and refuse to let the devil tell me I’m not good or I’m not going to fulfill my call! Let’s join together and tell the devil that he is the loser! 

We have the victory and all the love of God Almighty behind us to walk in the divine and everlasting love we were made to. 

God loves me and sees Jesus when He looks at me. And friend, that’s what He sees when He sees you! 

God bless you this week as you walk in the knowledge of His perfect love and forgiveness. 

Please feel free to contact me directly as this is a private text to each of you. Share my number with anyone you like so they can be added to our list! 

Share the blessing and be blessed! If you feel so led, you can donate to our ministry by going to our website and click on the donate button. We are a 501c3 non profit organization. 

Fishnloavesministries.org

Denny and Hanny Stearns 

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. 

Multiplying God’s Word around the globe 🌍

Go the Extra Mile

 

This week I was led to share with you about going the extra mile. In today’s world, many times we stop short when it comes to helping others. Jesus made it clear that we are to love Him first with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as we love ourselves.  

We know for certain that neither of those commands comes easy to our flesh! When it comes down to it, our lives have become so busy with whatever we have chosen to fill up our days that many times we fail to stop and look around us at who may need help. It isn’t just a “spare time” thing we might consider doing.  

In fact, as Christians, it should be an integral part of our daily lives - both in our work and our personal lives. In our marketplace work in the insurance business, we encounter people who need help regularly. We can offer to pray for them, and at other times, we can step it up and go further to offer assistance in many other ways.  

Maybe it’s taking someone to the doctor or to get a pet scan when they don’t have a ride for something. Other times, it’s being willing to answer the phone when it’s inconvenient because someone needs help. For us, we are on call 7 days a week. We never know when a person will call for help, advice or prayer.  

The point is, this is a call for every Christian to step it up a notch. Today, the world is broken and hurting. For those that have experienced the awesome love of God in times of trial and need, it should be a pleasure and considered an honor to reach out to others and say, “I can help you!” It takes us out of the comfort zone and puts us smack dab in the middle of God’s grace to do more than what is expected for another human being.  

After all, didn’t He Himself set the example for us when He went further than His human flesh wanted to take Him as he went to the cross for each and every person!  

Here is Jesus’ command to us;” And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. “ Matthew 5:41 NKJV  

There is much in this same chapter about going beyond what seems natural to do when it comes to how we treat others, even those who are not easy to deal with.  

In our insurance business we have had our share of those who challenge us, and we show them Jesus’ love when we don’t let our flesh rule and our patience run out! After all, they will know us by our love, amen! 

 ”For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?“ Matthew 5:46-47 NKJV  

 Remember my friend that they will know us by our love. ❤️ Our whole life is ministry unto the Lord our God. Our prayer is that we will all remember this in the days to come! The world needs Jesus, and you may be the only way someone can see Him work!  

 May you have a very blessed day, week, month and year as you love! ❤️ Please feel free to share this with anyone and give them my number. This is a private text to you and you may respond if you like! I love to hear from you!  

 Loving God, loving people, what life is all about! Denny and Hanny Stearns  

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. 

Multiplying God’s Word around the globe 🌍 

Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known

 Knowing Jesus and Making Him known. 

 ”He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”“ ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ”

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”“ ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

With all the excitement of the holidays now behind us, how are we doing in our relationship with our risen Lord and Savior? It’s a great question to ask ourselves after all the hustle, bustle and wonder of Christmas. 

First came Jesus, then the salvation He bought and paid for, and then the calling to go make disciples of every nation. It starts with our relationship with Him and continues to flow out of us into every place we go. 

Where do we get the power to do that? As most of us know, it’s by the power of Holy Spirit. After Jesus left the earth to return to the Father, He asked the disciples to wait until they received the promise. Before He left, He told them that He was going away but that they would receive the Helper - Holy Spirit. 

As we continue from the Advent, the witness, and the command to go, as born again children of God, we now go out to all the world, not in our own strength, but by the power of His Spirit at work through us. 

This week we went to visit a client to help her with some insurance needs. She is a very sweet lady and battling cancer concerns. After discussing the business at hand, we moved to the more important matter of praying for her. She was so grateful for the prayers. 

She also had questions about why things are going on in the world like they are. We were able to explain things from the Bible to help her see things from God’s perspective. Every encounter we have in our ministry is so different, yet all of them wonderful in their own special ways. 

We are purposed to know Jesus personally and make Him known to as many as possible. It’s a new year, and He has made us new - in Him. Then He commissioned us to go and tell the world the good news! The Helper - God’s Holy Spirit has come! 

Now that we are past the excitement and wonder of Christmas, I pray that all of us will purpose to go out there this year with more zeal and passion for the Lord and share Him with as many as possible! He made us new, brand new - and He filled us with His power, so let’s make it a better year than last year and step up our efforts to know Jesus intimately and make Him known around the world! 🌎 

Please feel free to share this message with anyone and give them this number to reach us directly. It is private to you and no one sees your responses. 

Loving God, loving people- what life is all about! ✝️♥️🙏🏻 

Denny and Hanny Stearns Fish n Loaves Ministries, Inc. 

Multiplying God’s Word around the globe 🌍

The Events Following Advent

 The Events following Advent 

What happens now? Christmas came with all its excitement as we were once again filled with wonder and awe that God would come to earth in the form of His Son as a tiny babe born to live and die for the sins of the world so we could one day live with Him in heaven! 

 Now the year is coming to an end and we are commissioned to go out and lay hold of a new season, a new calendar year, reminded of what our purpose really is. 

 Last week we discussed the Announcement, the Birth and the Witness. This week we reflect on what Jesus called us to do after He completed His purpose here on earth just before ascending to heaven. Let’s look at each account of this at the end of each gospel account. 

 In Matthew 28, Jesus said to His disciples to go… ”Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.“ ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

 In Mark… ”And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.“ ‭‭Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

In Luke…

 ”Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

 And John… 

 ”So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

 After each declaration of love in response to Jesus’ questions, the Lord was giving Peter an assignment - to feed His sheep. In every gospel account, these faithful witnesses heard Jesus give a command to go out and preach the Gospel to the world. And go they did! 

 Today, you and I are born again witnesses of what Jesus did in our lives. We are called to do exactly what was written in His Word and go and tell others! 

 Just yesterday morning, I went to the lad to have some blood drawn. It was quiet and I was the only one there. The young lady who helped me was so nice. When we got all done, I asked her if she would like a sticker. I told her she could even pick the one she wanted. She got excited and the door was open to talk about Jesus! 

 It was another amazing experience of explaining the gospel. She was all ears and as she mentioned things she was concerned about, I was able to ask questions to keep the conversation going. She knows of God and prays but had never asked Him to be her Lord and Savior. 

Step by step, I explained what the Bible says about each of her concerns, and about the specific things she needed to know. Holy Spirit had led me to be a witness to her yesterday and I was so blessed to be used to lead a lost soul to Jesus! 

 I want to encourage you as our Lord did long ago to go and be a witness! Use whatever it takes to turn the conversation from the natural to the spiritual. For me it was Christian stickers I picked up from the Christian bookstore. You can use all kinds of things as I have over the years. Just get something that works for you or helps you to tell your story. People are dying to hear it. 

 Thank you for listening! Now go in Jesus Name! You’ll be blessed if you do! Denny and I are praying for you every day. 🙏🏻 Much love and blessings be unto you in your coming and going in Jesus Name for the New Year! Much more in 24! 

 Feel free to share this message with anyone. You may give them my number so they can receive these messages too. It is sent out individually, so you can respond if you like. 

 Denny and Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. EST. 2016 “Multiplying God’s Word around the world. 🌍

The Announcement The Birth The Witness

 Christmas Eve Message 

The Announcement, The Birth, The Witness

The announcement…

”“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”“

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭76‬-‭79‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

John the Baptist was the chosen man of God to appear just before Jesus our Savior would arrive on the world scene. God our Father had a wonderful plan of redemption that had been prophesied for hundreds of years. 

While God’s people were crying out for their Deliverer, the Lord was setting in motion His grand plan of redemption. He chose Elizabeth to bring forth the one who would announce the arrival of our long awaited Savior. 

Then the arrival of Jesus…..

"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”“

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jesus came at the appointed time to save all mankind from their sins! Hallelujah! Born of a virgin and He came as the Son of God to become like us so we could grow to be like Him. 

The witness……

”And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”“

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭25‬-‭29‬, ‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jesus’ coming was told to us long before He was ever born, and then He appeared to the world in a stable where sheep are born because He would be the Lamb Who would be slain for the sins of the world. 

Then God confirmed His Word to all mankind, allowing the devout man of God, Simeon, to not only see and hold Jesus, but to confirm what His purpose would be. 

God always confirms His Word! How wonderful it is each year and in fact, each day to celebrate the coming of Jesus the first time, and to anticipate and prepare for His promised second coming. 

Church get ready! Go and tell it in all your world that Jesus Christ has come and is coming back! 

You are now the witness! Tell people how God saved you out of a life of sin and darkness and how He came to set them free! Be bold! Be gentle, just be faithful to tell the people who God sends into your life! 

A lot of people have gotten mad at me in my family and some friends for telling them about Jesus, but I don’t let that stop me! Go out there and tell them! This world needs their Savior! 

Merry Christmas to you and may your families be blessed this Christmas with restoration and health and joy in Jesus Name! Amen 🙏🏻 

Please share this blog with anyone and give them my number so they can be added to our ever growing list. It’s private so you can respond to us if you like. 

Love and many blessings ✝️🎄

Denny and Hanny Stearns

Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. 

Multiplying God’s Word around the globe 🌍 

Come Celebrate Jesus

 Sunday Mesage Dec 17

Come Celebrate Jesus with Us! 

 ”For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”“ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

Read all of Luke 2 for the whole story! 

 And celebrate we did! Wow! If ever we have had a party during our marriage, this one was the absolute over the top best of the best! The weather forecast didn’t look good, so we prayed and took authority over the rain. It was an all day open house Christmas party to celebrate the goodness of God!  

Slowly at first, then the momentum picked up and people came and stayed and went and more kept coming. Some stayed awhile while others stayed the whole day! It was awesome as we talked about the Lord and the great things He has done in our lives! 

Like our pastor said today, we need to have crazy faith because with God all things are possible! We don’t care if they call us nuts because the glory and blessings of God will be seen in our lives and then others will want some too! As the day progressed, I was so blessed to look around our home and see all of our dear friends and brothers and sisters in Christ having such a great time.

 The weather looked like an old fashioned winter day - which we appreciated after a long hot summer, with a pretty steady drizzle. It only rained a little harder when we were all snuggly tucked inside! It pays to know our authority over things as followers of Jesus! 

 There was plenty of food and it seemed we had ordered just the right amount of stuff. There was joy and Holy Spirit laughter that had one gal on the floor of our tiny kitchen just overwhelmed by God’s goodness. We closed the day with praying for each other and then turned up the music as we listened to Brandon Lake sing, “Tear off the Roof.” 

 God had set the whole thing up in a way no human could have. We were so touched by His Spirit we felt like our legs would come out from under us. It seemed to start at our service on Friday night, and it flowed through the day yesterday throughout the entire gathering, and continued into today! 

 So what do we do when we have times like this? We cherish the One True God Who came to earth to die for our sins and give us a new life, a life free from bondage so we can tell others about His goodness as we daily rejoice in his presence! I was going to fast today, but didn’t quite hit the mark with the party leftovers, but, everyday is a fast of one sort or another as we follow Jesus and lead others there too! 

 This Christmas season, if you are invited somewhere to attend a party, just bring His presence into the room and watch expecantly to see what the King of kings will do! It’s all about Him, for Him and by Him!  

Make it a time to celebrate the people in your life, both the ones who know Jesus and the ones you are praying will get there! Praise Him for loving us that much that He sent us Himself in the form of a humble baby! And praise Him for helping others see Who He really is while they are on their journey! 

 Let’s celebrate Jesus together, shall we! 

 Song 🎶 “Praise” by Chris Brown and Chandler Moore 

 Much love and Christmas blessings to you all in Jesus beautiful Name! 

 Denny and Hanny Stearns Fish N Loaves Ministries, Inc. Multiplying God’s Word around the world 🌎