Gayla's Magazine

Manifestation and Affirmation

This morning I had a visitation from the Lord that I publicly give Him honor for.

Upon awaking I opened one of my personal journals and reread some precious words that the Lord had spoken to me in my prayer time.  These are powerful documents that I have not shared with others just yet.
Just renewing and refreshing my mind in the Holy Spirit before anything else of the day began.  And I told Him again of some issues in  ministry that are concerns to me.   Moms Against Hunger, Role Models International and Community Bible Chapel Prison Bible School to name a few.

I  went to the kitchen as normal and while making coffee and singing a praise song to the Lord I looked up and  saw a flash  at the window. 

I briefly glimpsed the back of a man  dressed in bright white  and he passed the window.  Just for a single moment in time I froze still looking.....   

I thought at first someone is in my back yard.  So I went to the window and looked - could see nothing.  So I instantly went outside to check.

No one was there.

I know what I saw.

The Lord let me physically see for a flash of a second - an angel.

And He is here, and moving on the behalf of the assignments God has given to us.

Something is about to happen.... and I give Him full praise and glory for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Sunday - does your money go to church?

The practice of ‘tithing’ is the Scriptural giving of the “tithe” to the Lord and His work.  A “tithe” is 10% of a faithful “tither’s” wages and profits that are being given in faith toward God, who meets their needs and enables them to be able to give in this way.  When a member tithes to God, the financial obligations of HIs Church are met.  How else can the utilities be paid?  The insurances be paid?  The mortgage be paid?  The staff be paid?  The ongoing ministries of God's House be paid?

 Listed below are some Biblical reasons for tithing:

The Lord Jesus Christ said that tithing was something that “ought to” be done; providing that justice and mercy and faith are also being practiced by the one giving.     MATTHEW   23:23     LUKE 11:42

 Those who are faithful in tithing do experience the blessings of God as promised in MAL. 3:10-12.

Abraham our father, ROMANS 4:1-3; who was justified by faith just as we are, GALATIANS 3:6-18; and who did not live under the Law of the Old Testament; gave a tithe to a priest and king named Melchizadek, HEBREWS 7:1-4; who is said to be “like” the Son of God: being priest of the Most High God, king of righteousness and king of peace, and “having neither beginning of days nor end of life.” 

 HEBREWS 7 goes on to say that Abraham’s descendants paid tithes to Melchizadek through him, while “still in his loins”.  Therefore since Melchizadek bore close resemblance to Jesus Christ in title, position, genealogy, and blessing; one can easily see that through Abraham his descendants were tithing to one like the Son of God. HEBREWS 7:5-10                                     

 

“Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.”

HEBREWS 7:8

 

Being justified by faith like Abraham our father, and being committed to Jesus

who was strongly symbolized by Melchizadek,

who received tithes; it might properly be understood why Jesus said that tithing was something that ought to be done, providing there is also justice, mercy, and faith.

 

 

THE TEST

Why not give to God 10% of your earnings

and profits for a season?  You will be surprised at what He will do, providing that you also are practicing justice, mercy, and faith.

 

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of Hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”                                          MALACHI 3:10

*** This is written and published by my brother Pastor Alan Latta in his church - The Generations Church in Granbury Texas.

 

Newborn Puppies

Arriving home - it's been a busy week for me. I have had newborn puppies, and a sick mama dog to nurse back to health. Missy got so ill that we were worried about her staying alive!
But we gave her a Tums tablet and the calcium seemed to perk her up. So I went and got some Ensure milk and pudding and Pedialyte  and started hand feeding her with a little eye dropper.  Within a couple of days she started doing better. Thank God!

 

The puppies have been thriving perfect even with mama sick.

Today they are 11 days old and look how big they are!

Smokey Bear is the biggest puppy and very bold about getting what he wants. 

 

Baby Bear is more docile and sweet but she is learning her little puppy voice and spends time practicing her baby bark. I didn't get a picture of Yogi Bear but when their eyes open I'll take his for sure. Everyone is well and doing fine!

  

Oregon RV Service

Traveling up to Washington State to be with Bishop John Stanley we stopped in Eugene Oregon to see a company that has been a real blessing to us!  We have talked often with the owner over the phone, but never met him in person - so this is great that we can stop by on our way!

This is the company that we have our satellite system with on our motor coach.  We could not travel the entire country and Mexico and Canada without their help!  Our communications depend on the technology of our satellite to reach around the world.
They installed the updates ours needed while we were here also.

Right now this company has 25 satellite systems ready to be installed - just setting waiting on someone who is in need of this type of technology.  If you have a idea that this might be your answer to clear dependable communications - contact them! You will find they are great to work with. www.oregonrv.net 

His wife Joyce and I had a good time talking about the Lord!

See the satellite up on top of another RV - it's a powerful tool that provides solid aid for us in our ministry. We can pull over to any rest area, or shopping center and put up our satellite and our equipment starts pulling down emails, our blogs, the internet,  Skype, videos.... on and on goes the story. I can't tell you how valuable this is to us!
Anyone who lives on the road should have this - it takes all the hassle out of trying to find a strong Wifi signal somewhere, or worse trying to find the internet in a hurry in a strange city.

The Pastor's Wife

As we prepare to leave California and head onward I am thinking and praying about Pastor Susan and her work here in Los Banos as a Pastor's wife.  Most people have no idea what the life of a pastor's wife really is about.  It's about being the Pastor's Wife, his help meet, his companion in God's work.  And it's about being a role model for other women to model after.

It's about juggling healthy meals for her family when she's just come from a meeting and leaving again in 1 hour for another one.

It's about cooking special things for guest ministers - she has to be knowledgeable about their tastes and needs.  This means paying attention to conversations - and then remembering about each one!

It's about travel.  Many hours are spent in the car as a pastor's wife. Why?  Errands to run for the church, for different departments, for the office staff, for the Pastor himself.  Errands to run for the family - kids - home - pets - grocery store - cleaners - banking - pharmacy. (yes even Pastors have regular lives too)

It's about being the called one of God to be the companion for the man of God.  To stand by his side and represent him well, to encourage him and have a positive word for him in the time of need.  It's about being his girlfriend, his best friend, and his completely trustworthy confidante in this world. Hearing his sermons and praying for him constantly, and laughing and crying and going through all the hardships of ministry closely by his side. It's the alone place that God calls certain women to - for the personal lives of his shepherds who are caring for God's family.

A pastor's wife is involved in the details of his work - so he can focus on the big picture of the whole church at large. She helps him carry his burdens.

She uses her moments to think, plan and schedule the next things on her daily lists to do.  Think .... think.... think.... lists.... lists.... lists. A quiet moment in the car - becomes her office at the moment.

It's about learning to read her man, and be understanding when he is tired, or needs some special tlc. Not judging - or giving opinions unless asked - trying carefully not to get in God's way and will for the ministry of her husband.

It's finding time to work on her own interests and ideas for the future. Pastor's wives normally have messy offices - I have never met one that has enough time to keep her office tiptop - they usually too busy keeping the lives of others running smoothly!  We all love our offices - but rarely have time to just sit and enjoy them.

 

Sometimes it's being stretched into areas that she never thought she would do - simply because the need is great for workers and others don't step up - so she's got to! There will be special crowns in Heaven for pastor's wives who saw the need and simply started filling it - without the notice of others or being especially talented to do it.  Just did it when the need arose.  Amazing crowns to come on their beloved obedient heads!!!

 

It's being compassionate and praying for the needs of the congregation. Pulling out all stops of being tired, or drained or even in need herself - just reaching out for them as the Lord would have her to do. 

 

It's a loving touch here and there, an encouraging smile and a calm spirit for others to gain courage from just seeing her. Balancing her day timer, her Bible and water to reach to the need of someone else.

 

It's handling the opening of many types of doors in the lives of many people. Doors of faith, doors of hope, doors of the Word and doors of confidence.  She not only tells them of the good news of the Gospel - she shows them by her own actions.

A pastor's wife is called by God to stand beside the man of God and help him pray open doors of opportunity and doors of blessing. Whatever two agree on as touching anything... shall come to pass according to what the Bible says.

Pastor's wives need other pastor's wives for friendship - if you are one you know what I mean.  We are often unseen but important part of God's work in the earth. 

It's a critical calling - a crucial one in this day and hour - one that if God has chosen you to be a pastor's wife - then it's a place of God's will in this life for you, and a crown  in Heaven awaiting!

Proverbs 31:31

Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates

www.pastorsusan.net

One of America's National Treasures

Looking up at these enormous Sequoia trees towering above some 300 feet in the air, one can't help but admire their beauty. Yosemite National Park is one of America's National Treasures that we ALL need to go see! It's amazing.

This one is named 'The Grizzly' we could not get off the path and back far away enough for you to see how huge this tree really is! It's incredible.

Their stately grace shades everything here in Yosemite National Park - but sadly there are only a few left in the entire world.


Nestled deep in the forest, it's so quiet and peaceful we see a old log cabin that is now a museum about the trees.  It's 50 degrees here and feels very cold.


Have you ever seen such an enormous pine cone in your life?


And later riding our bikes in the Park was sheer fun!! A special  thank you to Pastor Darrell and Barbara Owens for the bikes again!!!

 

It's hard to pick out pictures to show you - I took so many beautiful shots.

The Yosemite Sequoias

These are the worlds largest living  trees - the Sequoias - I love these trees!

The giant Sequoia trees in Yosemite are enormous and inspiring to look at.

I just could not stop taking photos of these beautiful trees.

This one is called the 'close pin' tree - still living after some serious fires!

Yes that is a person standing inside.

My favorite tree of all!

Trusting....

Life's road goes along smoothly until a curve comes and the eye cannot see ahead. Eyes of worry would tug at the mind trying to bring stress to the soul, and the  'what if's' whisper fears to the mind - 'it's sure to be something bad lurking ahead, what will I do, who can help me...' the thoughts swirl through the mind like bubbling steam and  worry dredges up all the past travail  of pain each life has learned experience from.

But the Word of God says.... 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths..."

So now it's a matter of obedience when the road of life takes a turn into the unknown.

Why not just obey?

My thoughts about my Friend

This enormous space reminds me of how tiny and small I am in the whole scope of God's Mighty Plan.  He is far beyond huge - gigantic - enormous - and the universe at large!  God has such detailed plans for each life He creates!  Why on earth do we propose to think that we possibly could be in control, when we are so small and even the earth is so much bigger than us!
To those who have trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior - true peace like a river flows over the soul, heart and mind as the believer knows the Creator of the heavens and the earth is in full control - of everything.

.... for His eye is on the sparrow
and I know He watches me......

He sees my history (the past) my today (now) and my tomorrow (the future) I am so glad I have trusted in Him instead of me or any other human being, or set of circumstances to give me hope for the future. 
... I sing because I'm happy...
.... I sing because I'm free...
His eye is on the sparrow
.... and I know HE WATCHES ME!

How about you?

 

The Quiet Forest

It's called the Rim of the World - and really this reminds me that while here in California we have been working in 5 completely different worlds!  Ministries out here, charities and Foundation work, the completion of our Correspondence Prison  Bible School as well as my Mom's Against Hunger Program getting another round of supportive aid.  Our shipment of food to Ghana has arrived and arrangements are being made half way around the world  right now. We are able to be in 5 different arenas because of our satellite footprint and all the technical support we have in various locations.  But it was good to get a couple of days alone in this beautiful part of the world. This forest must be traveled through before getting into Yosemite - it's only getting better and better.

I took so many pictures but they do not even begin to show the vastness and beauty -it's still nothing like being here in Yosemite National Park. My heart is filled with praise to God in this quiet peaceful place. As far as the eye can see there are mountains and rivers.

Your walls oh God......surround me with protection and strength. Nothing, absolutely nothing can get between your love and my life.

 

You lead me beside still waters and the flow of your spirit always refreshes me in the midst of life.

 

 

Let the river of the Holy Spirit pour continually over my life.

 

And let the Holy Spirit pour through us into the lives of all those we come in contact with.

 

No matter the changing skies - your Presence is ever with me.

 

Your Awesome creation tells me You are so big - I can safely... quite safely trust that we are in the center of Your Hand.