Pat's View: Inspirational Stories

Are you living like your strength is enough? Are you at the end of your strength?   Have you ever craned your neck back, then even further back in order to size up the situation you were facing much like David did when he faced Goliath?   Maybe you are standing there right now. As you sized up the situation, you realized that your muscles, your strength and your ability were absolutely inadequate for the fight you were facing? Standing there, facing your giant, you KNOW, absolutely know that you ain't got it in you, if you are there, then you are in a great place! Cause you have reached the end of your strength and you're finally willing to reach for God's strength.   I am a visual thinker.  That means I almost always want to know what something looks like. Most of the time I picture strength as bold and showy like the bulging muscles that drive a bully’s drawn fist. And I forget that it can be seen even more  accurately in the tenacity of a skinny-armed kid defending his brother.   I forget strength can be a

When we were preparing to go to Alaska I did more than pack my suitcase, I got ready physically. I wanted to see some sights. Some of those sites meant I would have to do some climbing and that requires using some muscles that I don’t regularly use. I started working out…twice a day. I exercised because I didn’t want to miss anything. I wanted to have more energy, more stamina so I could hike further and see more while I was there. I am convinced we need to do that spiritually as well. We’ve all said, I need your strength, God!” We feel our need, but how do we receive God’s strength? It is so important that we do more than talk about God’s strength, if we want to see and experience the victories God has for us! We need God’s strength because the enemy is real and the battle is fierce. God’s strength is critical for us to win over sin, discouragement and the lies of hell. We need strength because our enemy wants to wear out the saints. The enemy wants us to give up and give in. But I believe God is raising up

  Did you listen to my podcast “A Choice to Rejoice?” I hardly got that post up before my joy was tested! So, I dug deeper. When I did, I was reminded that processes can help us get keep us on track or sometimes help us get back on track. In this teaching I want to share a process, maybe more like a recipe that will help you have more joy. I want to challenge you to go beyond being happier; to go all the way to joy. I want to define rejoice from the lens of Scripture, because it is a key to access God’s joy. I’m going to do more than give you a recipe; I’m going to give you a challenge. I want you to rejoice with me every day for one week. I’ve made a free checklist that you can download to help you develop the “Rejoice in the LORD always” mindset. If you are a subscriber, I sent you the download link for the PDF. It has 8 scripture cards that I use. Sometimes I pray them, sometimes I declare them over my heart and sometimes use to correct and renew my thinking. If you're not, you can join my tr

Making a good decision is the first step toward success. This year I've made a choice to rejoice in the Lord. I'm not waiting until everything is perfect. Habakkuk made that choice, he said I will rejoice in the LORD. In this post I share how this one decision impacted Habakkuk's life and what it can do for you. That decision is especially important this year. This is my first post this year, so I really want to say...but maybe I'm too late to say it now? There's no doubt that I am late, but is it too late to say it? Please say, "Go ahead, say it."  So here goes "Happy New Year" There are a lot of folks that are skeptical about how happy this year is going to be especially since the last two have been one disaster after another. And here I am starting a conversation about rejoicing. Is there a reason to rejoice? You better believe there is and that's why I am sharing Habakkuk's story with you. Honestly, I understand their skepticism. It’s been rough, rough, rough for so many people! I can’t tell you that this

What do you do when it looks like nothing is happening? You keep believing. But what about, when you have prayed really hard and nothing has changed? You keep praying. You keep believing.   But what do you do when things get worse instead of better? You trust God. You keep believing!   If you’re like me, then you’re struggling with all you see going on around you? It’s discouraging, but we put our trust in God and keep believing! I preached this sermon a few years ago, but it is still just as real as it was then.

Devotion Outline Where the river goes…life grows.   The account of the Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus at the well is an amazing story of transformation. I am so thankful that Jesus still transforms people today.   Yet, I am convinced there is a powerful encouragement in this account that ever believer needs to be reminded of today.  Too much is going on around us, for you to miss the whisper of Jesus to come drink.   Devotion Outline I am a Southern girl through and through.   One of the bonuses of living in the South is the abundance of streams and rivers   I deliberately  and unconsciously drink in the beauty that surrounds me. That’s a bad thing and a good thing. It’s a bad thing when I travel through the desert, because I strain my eyes looking for life.   But but even in  the desert,  every once in a while I spot something way off in the distance.   Why the sudden change in the landscape?   A river   I know it’s there because I see signs of life.   It’s a fact; where water goes, life grows.   Wat

We were blessed to be able to take an Alaska Prayer & Preaching Adventure. God knew it was a desire of my heart and He opened the door. I want to share with my adventure with you- not to brag on me, but to brag on Jesus. God was so good to us. Nahum 1:7 NIV The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, Places we went Girdwood Forest Ranger, not Park Ranger Walked along a waterfall. Saw a bear rambling and ambling through unlocked out buildings looking for food. Blue Ice Trail Hiked and drove to each of the spots of the Blue Ice Trail...unforgetable! I learned that it might not be wise to take the advice of hikers encouraging you to keep going when they are 40 years younger than you are! Note to self. It was worth the hike and thank you young folks for your your encouragement. Hiked up to Bryan Glacier and touched the blue glacier ice. Flat Top Mountain Looking out over the city praying for the people of Anchorage to know Jesus. Just an echo of what churches all over

Who is Jesus in your life? Who is He to you? Can you say "And this I know!" The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem wanted to know…so they sent priests and Levites to ask John himself. Who are you, John? There must have been a hint that they thought he might be the promised one from God. The crowds that came…the baptisms? Could John be the Messiah. John, came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” Then who are you? Are you Elijah? No. I can see him shaking his head firmly. Are you the Prophet?’ they continued? No,” John answered. Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one w

It’s risky work! It’s expensive to plant a crop. The machinery. The fertilizer. The time. And there’s no guarantee that he will have a good harvest. It’s risky…but a farmer plants because he has hope. Hope is powerful.   It motivates. It inspires. It changes the monotonous into meaningful. So even though it is risky, he plants because he has hope. His hopes are not based on fantasy! That hope is bolstered by educated practices and past harvests- his harvest and those of others. He doesn’t have a promise…just hope and a need to make a living. A need to feed his family. A need to pay the bills. A need to turn barren soil into lush green vegetation. The winter seasons   of pain, heartache, heart break; long, dark days of loneliness can drain our reservoirs of hope. Paul understood that; so he prayed… “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13 NIV The beginning point in this ve

“Well, I hope so,” doesn’t sound like hope at all. It’s flimsy, wimpy and empty. We speak of hope more often than we believe in it. Hope in the Bible isn’t the weak word we use in our culture. Instead, it is a living hope, throbbing and powerful. It produces action, steadfastness and stability. 1 Peter 1:3 ESV “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”   Let’s look at the first time the word for hope is used in the Bible. Joshua 2:21 NIV “Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.” The lady speaking here is Rahab…and where’s the hope in this story? Or better yet, where do we find hope that makes us stable in unstable times? I’m so glad you asked. I want to tell you about it.

Why you shouldn’t opt-out of the Spiritual War that is going on right now! 1. You have an enemy that wants to kill, steal and destroy you! 2. There are people depending on you, family, friends and neighbors. 3. You were made to win this war! The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4 As believers, we need to understand the war that is raging. The Senators and citizens of Washington DC on July 21, 1861 had no idea what war meant. Have you noticed how some people • are failing to respond to the spiritual war that is going on around us right now? • think they can opt out of Spiritual warfare, because its HARD and costly? • don’t see the destruction that is going on around them? • are just hoping everything will be alright. • don’t realize there is a war? You have been given authority… not just hope… authority. Stop believing the enemies lies. We’ve heard the enemy’s lies so many times, from so many different places, that

God is watching over His Word! Why is that truth important to you? Does that truth change what you do and how you react to delayed victories? It was a revelation that God gave to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, to help him fulfil his assignment. Without the confidence in that revelation. You need to grip this reality to help you fulfill your assignment too! Do you have some prayers that have not seen answered? Do you have a prodigal that you are desperate to see their life turned around? Searching for answers that you just can’t turn loose of because your heart just won’t let you? Do you have verses that you’ve clung to, but the enemy has whispered in your ear, “What’s the use?” Me too! I've had some things on my heart that I am absolutely desperate to see happen. But I’m telling you, I have some things that are just too precious to abandon. Do you have some things like that on your heart? Sometimes there's just no words that describe how desperately you want to see God intervene in the situation you are facin

  I’ve gone to church all my life, but when I was twelve years old I heard something that forever changed my life. Actually, it was more than just hearing that changed me…it was believing that changed me! This may need some explaining, because it wasn’t just hearing or believing…it was receiving that changed me forever! I’ve never looked at God’s Word the same. I’ve never been the same…let me do that explaining with an illustration!    There's a reason they call it a Smart phone Several years ago, I needed a new phone. I looked at lots of options.  Then I-heard I could process credit cards at conferences instead of renting a point of sale machine. That move would save me a ton of money. The salesman handed us the phone and began to explain that we could download applications. I had never heard of an app. (yes I know… I know! But you’re forgetting this was a long time ago!) So he took his phone and began to show us some of his favorite apps. I was totally amazed to learn that the applications provided addition

I was twelve years old when I receiving the Holy Spirit. My friendship with Him has been priceless...He has walked with me all these years as comforter, guide, power source and help. I am so thankful for The Father's Promise fulfilled at Pentecost. I want to share with you how you can be filled with Holy Spirit. Maybe you already have been filled with Holy Spirit. Then this teaching will help you share with a friend or loved one how they can be filled with Holy Spirit. I'd love to give you the .pdf that goes with this teaching. Here's the link to get the .pdf and future encouraging chats that will help you connect God's Word to your everyday life.  How to Receive the Holy Spirit PDF Download - Patricia Holland

www.patriciaholland.org/blog I love transparency When it’s coming from someone else. I don’t like to be vunerable but here goes.   I judge people way more often than I want to admit. I don’t even want to admit it to God. I know judging people is wrong.   It’s especially hard when they ask for my advice and then totally disregard it. Then they want me to bail them out when they get in a pinch! AHHHHH! So hard NOT to judge the heart behind the action.   But if I require, or want to require that people do as I say I have stepped into arrogance and that is a dangerous place to be.   1 Samuel 15:23a New International Version   For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry…        I know! I can’t see their heart, but I can sure see the stupid.  Sometimes I have to agree with the wisdom of Forest Gump, “Stupid is as stupid does!”   Our world is so upside down! Isaiah 5:20 New International Version   Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and l

www.patriciaholland.org Are you sensing the need to hear God’s voice? I have walked through some things recently where I have felt like I was walking through a minefield and every step was a matter of life and death. I’ve been desperately aware that Precious Holy Spirit knows where the enemy has hidden the landmines (sometimes land MINDS) and wants to show me where they are hidden.   I am so thankful that He doesn’t send me off with a condescending pat on the back and a trite, “Be careful out there!”   No way! NO WAY! In the Old Testament, Precious Holy Spirit came as a visitor empowering people for specific jobs. In the New Testament He came to take up residence within us and to guide us into ALL truth.   I understand I have a responsibility to do my part if I want to hear His voice.   Each of the writers of the gospels tell a different story following the story of “The Triumphant Entry of Jesus”. But the story in John’s Gospel resonates as I search God’s Word to learn to hear God better. It is a powerful tr

There are things in God’s Word that are absolutely amazing!   Jesus became a man. Born to a virgin woman. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!   Because of that… Philippians 2:9 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,   10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,   11and every tongue acknowledge  that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Then the prophet Isaiah gives us names that describe Jesus. Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   I’ve shared with you many times how precious the redemptive names are to me in my worship time.   There are 7 Redemptive names that open and disclose the benefit package that Jesus purchased for everyone of us at the cross. Let me briefly review them with you

Jason Brown was facing a crossroad. I had never heard of Jason Brown and never dreamed when I turned on the TV in the middle of the night that I was about to hear a story that would build my faith. It would encourage me to seek God not only for provision, but for wisdom!   Not just knowledge, but wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to put knowledge in practice. That's totally different! Growing a Greener World-From Cleats to Beets was the episode name. A gardening show is a unique place to meet the highest paid Center in the NFL? Cleats to beets? I was wide awake. When facing a decision Jeremiah 6:16 NIV This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Seek His will Proverbs 3:6 NLT Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Need Wisdom? James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will

Most mornings I try to either walk on the treadmill or hop on the bike to start my day with some exercise. But a few days ago, the weather was perfect so we My husband and I decided to take our walk outside. I didn’t know how perfect the day was until I got outside. There’s this beautiful park near us with gravel trails that wind past and under beautiful live oaks along the river, but there are also dirt paths cut through the woods that zig zag along the St. John’s River. https://youtu.be/qbOswxui4m0 This post is better when you see and hear than just read it. The gravel paths are wide enough for two people to walk side by side Beyond the gravel paths are the dirt paths are only wide enough for a single person to walk with shrubs and bushes on both sides of the trail. Since it was such a gorgeous day, I wanted to take the longer dirt path. The massive roots of huge Bay Trees  and Live Oaks crisscrossed the dirt path where we walked, providing an obstacle course that made paying attention to where

I was picking up the speaker for an event, Ms. Thelma Wells, at the airport. I positioned myself at the bottom of the escalator, so I wouldn't miss her. As I scanned each person to find Ms. Wells, I noticed a young woman. I knew immediately she was a Christian. There was something about her that made her stand out in the crowd of people hurrying to get their luggage. She was much younger than our speaker, so I kept looking.    When she got off the escalator she approached me and asked if I was looking for Thelma Wells. I told her I was. She introduced herself and explained, "She's my mom. She came down the elevator instead of the escalator."    I didn't know her daughter was traveling with her, but I knew this lady knew Jesus.   During that weekend, I had the privilege of spending some special time with this young woman and what I saw what exactly right. She was a woman of God!   There are some people that almost seem to shine, but Moses really shined... I mean literally shined...so bright that he put a veil