Tag Archives: Life

Life is a teacher!



1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Life is a teacher ALL BY ITSELF!

Life has taught us so many things in general and in depth after the passing of our Father in 2013, way before COVID-19 that made getting through this pandemic a breeze.

I was already use to being in the Valley isolated all by myself, keeping to myself and pushing through big situations dang near alone!

Where I reside, it’s pretty much every man for themselves! Not much kindness here, but every now and then you run across a God given soul or organization that changes your mind/life and way of thinking and makes you believe again that kindness does exist and despite the fact of your strong beliefs knowing that our God is real and he walks with you every step of the way no matter how the situation may look or feel!

Sometimes, the trials of life will make you change your perspective on life and how you use to operate! The things you use to do, you don’t do no more! It’s like repentance. You’ve turned away from things that are not good for you and use to matter, that doesn’t matter now!! What we use to deem important, are no longer important anymore and we found out we can live without a whole lot of things and individuals, including a lot less DRAMA!

In actuality, minus the sickness and death, this past year we’ve seen, it’s actually been a blessing in disguise if you’ve managed to have survived and made it to this new season. I’m not changing nothing! I feel so much better! I feel healthier and happier than I have in a while and it’s truly a blessing in spite of everything that’s going on around me! Nope, life is far from perfect, but I’ve learned to find the GOOD and God in every situation no matter what! I’ve learned to manage my time better. Spend quality time with the ones I’ve identified are here for me and are in my corner. I’ve actually learned to manage money much better and LOVE in general on a whole new level and many new skills and professions acquired in ONE YEAR during a Pandemic in the 21st Century!

Be blessed and know that your change will come!! 

Praise The Lord!

Repentance

The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.”each person who turns to God in genuine repentance and faith will be saved”

Acts 3:19

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out..

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Acts 2:38

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 17:30

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent..

Attachment.png

Romans 2:4

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.

EDT/3/15/2021

Daddy’s Final Words!

“I DON’T KNOW’

Not in a million years would I ever dream that my father’s final and farewell words to me would be: “I don’t know”.  I found out later on in life as we grew together as Father and Daughter, that Dad didn’t know a lot of everyday intellectual things; but, one thing I was certain of is that he knew and loved our  Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Daddy LOVED JESUS with EVERYTHING THAT WAS WITHIN HIM!  Dad loved his Mother to the moon and back and some.  His mother was his pride and joy, and the feeling was mutual  between them and it was evident to anyone that knew my Dad.  He honored his mother! I pause right here to give a shout out to my grandmother, the late 🌹 Louise Thomas 🌹 who passed away at the age of 93-years-young. #restinlovegrandmalou ❤

Dad had several friends that he would  introduce me to over the years.  This one friend, and Pastor stood out amongst most.  I encountered this particular Pastor and friend on the KTYM radio station, where his church in Lynwood would broadcast to the world their worship experience every Sunday evening at  8:30 p.m.  I’m estimating this had to be around 1968  through 1976 which was the year that I finally got the opportunity to lay my eyes on the man that was my Father, whom his Pastor at the time, Pastor Willie T. Snead, allowed my Father the opportunity to pray and preach on the radio.

As a young girl,  I was very smart. I had question-after-question-after-question every Sunday evening. WHY is that I can hear my father’s voice Lord, but I can’t NEVER see his face? I began talking to the Lord at the age of 6-years-old, and I remember telling God that he needed to make my father come through that radio. Every little girl and boy loves their parents, regardless. Yes, it was good hearing him, but I had question about what he looked like.  Did he look like me? In my head, after hearing his voice over that radio broadcast when it was his turn to pray or preach, I got excited.  There were many of broadcasts that he was not heard, but the fine Pastor would sing, pray and preach. I often wondered how the Pastor looked as well.  I painted this picture in my head describing my relationship with my father with  this particular friend / Pastor first because his radio show was the only real connection I had to my father growing up fatherless from the age of 0-10-years-old.  It’s bizarre to me that this Pastor and friend would not only be instrumental to me as a young lad, but who would have ever thought he would be apart of the dyeing process as well.

As my Father laid on the seventh floor of Memorial Hospital, and of note, throughout the process after the initial biopsy at Los Alamitos Medical Center, our journey would begin and we would then journey to several hospitals and doctors offices along the way.  After the surgery at Torrance Memorial initially, where he stayed forever so long, after being released downstairs to their rehab center for physical therapy and so forth. I watched everything from his Pastor coming at the the time, Pastor Thomas who would again tie in to Pastor Willie T. Snead again, years later. Dad explained to me that his current Pastor was one of his many of Sunday School students when he was on staff preaching and teaching at Pastor Snead’s church that broadcasted on the radio, that again was instrumental incognito  me allowing me the opportunity to hear my father’s voice.  He often told me stories about how proud he was that four of the young men that he taught Sunday School to in that ministry ALL became Pastor’s. He said he even had the opportunity to teach his nephews as well, who resided at the church with him. Let me paint this picture, because I’m going somewhere with this.

In 1976, I  would lay eyes on my father for the very first time, and later on, after getting  past all the accolades, and emotions of this ten year mission of my life without my Dad, he would take me to church for the very first time!  Never in a million years, would I have thought I would meet these voices I had only heard over the radio, but I did!

You see, God had a plan, and what I thought was an excursion I had sent my mom on to find me this one pair of  Mary Jane shoes would turn out to be the day God arrested my father and placed him on the scene at the cleaners that was next door to the shoe store that was the last resort to get a pair of Mary  Jane shoes.  Nope, I never to this day,  got those Mary Jane shoes, but what I did get was the opportunity to meet my Father for the very first time in a parking lot of a cleaners in North Long Beach. Oh my God!! I’m going to say it again: He had been put under divine duress and I would finally put a face to the man I had heard pray and preach over the radio broadcast.  My very first visit to my Dad’s home, I was 10-years-old, and during my stay, he took me to his church one Sunday evening, and that night, was the first time, I ever got the opportunity to meet Pastor Willie T. Snead  live and in person.  Before service, they had it going on.  What stuck out in my head were them chili cheese fritos I got at the church before the worship began.  I was finally there!!!   God had answered this little girl and her mother’s prayer!!!   Look at God.!  This was the great, outstanding Pastor that gave my father, the late Rev. J.E. Thomas his first real break in ministry.  Come to find out, he was the one who demanded my father to go back to school and get his G.E.D. in Lynwood, California.  He then encouraged my father to go to seminary school to learn more about our God. He not only watched for my father’s soul, but he watched out for my father’s future. Dad,  knowing one day that  he would Pastor his own church which came to pass in 1996,  where Dad would become the founding Pastor of the 2nd Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, of Long  Beach, and I would become his right hand, reader and writer, President and CEO of 2nd Corinthian Missionary to this present day!

Now to fast forward to 2013 where I sat and stayed in my Dad’s hospital room on countless occasions. On this particular morning, bright and early,  Pastor English came by to pray with our Dad and always left him with some encouraging words. Then, two friend’s he worked with at the  City of Long Beach. I enjoyed  all of his Friend’s and Family that came by to pay respect to him. On this morning, Pastor Willie T. Snead would walk through the door of my Dad’s hospital room, with myself and my sibling present.  Dad lit up like a christmas tree at the glimpse of Pastor Snead’s face. In his final days, Dad didn’t have much to say, but this morning he blurted out:
“How are you Doctor?” Doctor Snead had entered the building.

Dr. Snead was a good looking cat. My God today. I promise you, I had not seen him going on 30-years, and let me tell you, he looked rich as cream, and his appearance alone commanded the room. I was excited to know, Pastor Snead was in the house, and we all prayed together as he prayed so passionately over my father’s life, and not only did he pray for Dad, but he prayed for my sister and I because he detected there was some issues about to transpire because she was mad that morning at me that I wouldn’t allow them to transfer him to a skilled nursing when Dad was clearly to me in an acute state after undergoing another surgery, taking the risk of if they couldn’t get to what that needed to to do in his neobladder, he was warned that he would end up with a colostomy bag, and sure enough that was the case.   So, some tension was building and Pastor detected a little bickering between her and I, and this would be the first time she would utter out of her mouth: YOU take care of the MEDICAL and I’m taking care of the MONEY.

It didn’t dawn on me, but Pastor Snead felt lead to give us both, every  phone number he could be reached at if we needed to talk to him and if any significant changes took place with Dad.  When it was all said and done, Pastor Snead extended an invitation to  my sister and I to his church, and he proceeded to give us a sample of how he took it home when he delivered the word of the Lord.  I was too through, and dismayed at this man who would be around my Dad’s age preaching like he was still a seasoned middle age preacher.  As I observed Pastor Snead, there was nothing old about him, and he possessed a vibrant, joyful personality. He gave us a sample of his preaching and told us he did his best preaching at his 9:30 a.m. worship.  To this day, I wish I had taken him up on his offer, only to find out he transitioned  suddenly and unexpected and took his flight home to be with the  Lord recently.  Although, I didn’t redeem the offer just yet to visit his church, I did call him when the road got really rough after I discuss further incidents that transpired that lead up to my Dad’s last and final words to me.  I want you to know that Pastor Snead was a man of his word.  When I called him, he answered, and not only did he answer, he gave me good spiritual sound council, and always ended our conversations in prayer. When my father actually passed away, Pastor Snead was my Dad’s ONLY preacher friend to call me and extend his condolences, prayers and deepest sympathy and gave sound advice to me, and that meant the world to me to this very minute.

Dr. Snead played a role in my first young years of my life as stated above, and who would have dreamed he would be the ONLY Pastor / Preacher friend of my Father to extend comfort to me. (tears). Out of all of Daddy’s Friend’s, Daddy thought his best friend whom he put his trust in would be there for his children and family. Not so for me.  Only Pastor Snead.  As I was in distress, I contacted Daddy’s best friend recently and shared with him with what my Father told his baby girl, and his best friend who Daddy spent countless years helping him at his church, and he was at my Dad’s bedside with me and our family up until Dad expired told me that he had nothing to do with Rev. Thomas’s family and I don’t’ get involved in family affairs. I was hurt and appalled at the same time, because my father put my trust in this other Pastor friend who he called his actual best friend. and at this point to me he’s not even name worthy. At least as a Bishop, you would think with all the drama between my sister and the other heirs, he would at least try to mediate for us or at least pray.  All I can say is:  “I wish Pastor Snead had survived, but heaven had a plan for him.”

He was a true friend and a gift to the body of Christ, his family and friend’s. What a legacy he leaves behind, and I’m so happy to know that only God can tie a story together like this from birth to death!!!


I said all that above to say this:  A real friend wants to see better for you, and a real friend will tell you what’s right. I’m going to reiterate again and say:  Pastor Snead had a radio broadcast back in the 70’s on a A.M. radio station called KTYM. It was the ONLY connection I had to my father from the age of 0-10-years-old. My mom made sure we tuned in every Sunday evening because there was either a possibility he would pray on the radio or Pastor Snead would let him preach on air. Later on, at the age of 10-years-old, while sending my mom around the world to find that one pair of shiny black Mary Jane shoes I had to have. My mom searched high, and she searched low until she started asking people in Bullock’s department store, where could we find these shoes? Our last resort: Payless shoe store in North Long, Beach, CA. Really Mom? Now, I’m reconsidering not wanting them shoes because back in the day, Payless shoes didn’t last and you were made fun of as a kid if you came to school with some Payless shoes on. So my mom goes into the store while I sat in the car exhausted. I noticed my mom came out of Payless, but she was not holding a bag with my Mary Jane shoes, but she was happily holding a conversation with this man that was all smiles grinning from ear-to-ear. As she proceeded to the car with this happy, handsome young gentleman, and I looked at him really good, and I knew immediately even before she proceeded to the car to confirm he was my Dad  that had  just exited from the cleaners next to the shoe store. Holding in his hand were his work uniforms that were crisply cleaned, starched, creased and pressed. At the time, he was wearing a Orange shirt with a City of Long Beach logo on it! I thought to myself, could it really be him? Yes, it was and we remained Father-and-Daughter until 30-days before he died, December 30, 2013.

Of note, I was forced from my Dad’s bedside as respiratory unhooked him in my face as the Dr. Dermillo of Health Care Partners looked at me with 6 security hospital police surrounding my father’s bed because Dr. Dermillo said:  “we no longer need you, and your father can now make his own decisions and verbally took it upon himself to change my father’s advance directives so I could no longer execute for my Dad.”  After, he was disconnected, they waited until the discussion between Dr. Dermillo was finished. I asked Dr. Dermillo in strong tone of voice: “WHAT PART OF MY FATHER’S ADVANCE DIRECTIVES YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND? He never answered because this Registered Nurse took it upon herself to say: You can’t talk to the doctor like that and then she called their hospital security team to throw me out of the hospital after unhooking my Dad from the ventilator in my face, hoping he would expire (die) right before my very eyes. Then the hospital director, of Little Company of Mary named Sister Mary Ann Patton calls me on the phone to let me know that she advised her staff to hang the phone up in my face and she advised the staff who was caring for my father not to give me any information or update report whether my Dad was dead or alive. After all of that, her humanity kicked in and she was so kind to go to my father’s bedside and let me have one final conversation with my Dad via telephone with her monitoring the conversation, and my final words to my Dad was:  “Why didn’t you protect me, and why didn’t you defend your Advance Directives choice you made to be comfortable and that’s what  you wanted! You wanted your doctors to do everything within their power to keep you alive so you could exercise your FAITH, believing that God was going to heal you from bladder cancer. I began to yell. “why Daddy?”  Daddy, why didn’t you protect your baby girl that did exactly what you asked her to do in writing witnessed by two separate people, their signatures and a notary.

Dad’s final words to me would be: “I DON’T KNOW” – I was livid!! I said to him: “If you wanted to change your advance directives, I would have gladly help you check off that “DO NOT RESUSCITATE” (DNR) box and it could have been done that easy. So, after I hang up the phone with Dad and Sister Mary Ann Patton, the director of Little Company of Mary in Torrance, CA, they contacted the Torrance police and the Torrance police contacted our local Irvine Police where I resided at the time to send send the police to my home for a well visit check. So, I hear a forceful knock on my door, and I answered the door with the phone in my hand barely hanging up the phone with my Dad and the director, of Little Company of Mary. I’m now looking at two cops who are questioning me about my well being, and of course I’m dressed to the 9’s because I was just about to walk out of the door to go to Lindora. I explained to the police, I was fine!!! I just needed to go get my vitamin B shot, and I told him I felt much better than the night before because I now knew my father was still alive. I noticed every time I tried to end the conversation with the Irvine police, they kept talking about anything, including my neighbor Tyrone who was my close friend and neighbor that Irvine police law were no stranger to Tyrone. I said to myself, something is wrong. So the Torrance police had our local Irvine police to “ENTERTAIN” me while they knew the Torrance police was on their way to “DETAIN” me because that same nurse who jumped in my face defending the doctor who verbally took it upon himself to change my father’s advance directives lied and told the Torrance police that I threatened her over the phone when I was calling the night I was thrown out of the hospital, to see if my Dad was still alive after after observing a respiratory technician pulling my father from the ventilator. She filed a complaint and said, I said over the telephone 50 miles away that I was going to to “GET HER”.  Really? Get her what, a hamburger?  So after Irvine police entertained me for 2-hours, here comes the Torrance police driving 50 miles to my home and get out of their police car and rush me and throw me to the ground forcefully and began to pouncing and beating on me in front of my 10-year-old son with autism, and the two Irvine police as they stood back and watched this one bad black Torrance cop brutally abuse me with excessive force. Then, I was thrown to the ground and handcuffed in front my baby, Irvine police and the other Torrance police by the name of officer Bessie who stood back and watched his partner beat on a woman. After the 50-mile drive to the Torrance police station, I was manhandled and rushed by 10 Torrance Police in riot / hazmat gear and masks in the holding cell. After which, the black cop who came to my home and beat me is now punching me in the head, and the other 9 officers back off as he continued punching me in the face. All they wanted to do was put me in a electrocution style chair with wheels so they could wheel me over to do fingerprints. Did it really take 10 officers to do that? Surely, I could have gotten in that chair free willingly. Now, another officer came in and said he just talked to a family member and they had the unmitigated gall to advise the Torrance police that I was mentally ill, and I was bipolar and I suffered from schizophrenia. So, after all was said and done, I was released from the jail, placed in an ambulance and admitted to the UCLA Harbor General Hospital psychiatric ward where my Dad’s ex-fiancé was the psychiatric charge nurse on the night shift. She would later on care for me after I was treated horrible by the staff.  Her name was Della, and she was there for my Dad from day one, until the last time I laid eyes on my father which was 30-days before he expired.

To fast forward to today, I have not gotten a shoe or a penny from my Father’s estate, but on the other hand my sister walked away with all of his liquid cash, bank accounts, life insurances, retirement and all of his possessions and it hurts.  We’ve been going back and forth to probate court for 3-years and only verifiable assets that are left is the proceeds from the sale of his property, and I’m ready to take what I can  get, NOT what I actually deserve and end this situation all so my Dad’s name can rest in peace. I lost my whole paternal side of the family.  but I have new relationships with my brothers and his conservator, which she is a beautiful woman who has become like a second mother to me.  If nothing else transpired good, the people I have now that I didn’t know before is the blessing to me at the end of the rainbow.

I’m sure,  this too shall pass,  because truly I realized the other day that all the things that happened in between is no more than a distraction to kill,  and steal my joy!   Daddy taught us too hard about Jesus and Faith that will move mountains to live my life these past three years in distress.   I gave it to God, and now I’m able to close this out hoping I never have to encounter anything EVER of this nature!

The moral of this story is to KNOW who your real Family and Friend’s are!!!   Those three final words Daddy uttered to me: I DON’T KNOW haunts me to this day.  All I know is he may have not known, but we serve a God that is  ALL KNOWING and he has never lost a case.  We call on his name today, and his name is JESUS, my alpha and omega, our  beginning and our end.  I’ve learned to trust and rely on him more than ever these past three years, and I want you to know the minute I casted my cares upon him and acknowledge that I can’t do NOTHING without God.  Without God,  we would be nothing, we would be like an old rugged ship without a sail!!!

I have one request: Pray for me, my sister, and my entire paternal family that we can at least be peaceful like it was before Daddy died.  My Dad loved each and every one of his children whether he did something for them or not.  In his heart in the end by his which to have his sons come forth is enough for me to know there was good in him and I acknowledge that it may have took him a long time, but he DID whatever it took to make everything right,  including calling in that notary and saying I WANT BOTH OF MY GIRLS TO HAVE MY MONEY! His final sober words in person versus the final words over the phone!

I pray someone was blessed by this true bitter-sweet story, and know if you are going through something similar, give it over to Jesus and let him work it out for you!!

Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas

November 2, 2016

“Room At The Cross”  Rev. Clay Evans 

p.s.  – To this day, those three words are very sensitive to me: I DON’T know!! I do know that our savior, Jesus Christ hung, bled, and he died for our sins, rose again and he yet lives! I do know that!! #praiseourGod! Also, I do know that the grievance process is taking place in my head and my heart. This is a journey I would not wish on my worst enemy..

#God, please help us to be better Christians and learn how to love one another unconditionally! I had to forgive them all, and  forgive myself for being distraught and angry for quite some time. Worry is like poison, it will kill you! It’s amazes me to this day that I was wearing the potent perfume poison during this process in 2013. As I was in Nordstrom on yesterday, I had to smell it to remind me of how far I’ve come!  I didn’t buy it, but I was tempted. lol

Rev. J.E. Thomas Preaching (My Dad)

My Dad’s  Granddaughter, Erica Thomas singing:  The Blood at her Grandpa’s Funeral.. 

Sing: Erica!

No CROSS, No CROWN!

Ephesians 3:20-21  (NKJV) ” Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”

 

23rd psalms

 

To all of our WIFI family, Friends, and  subscribers,  we would personally like to take the time  to simply say “Thank You” for being a valued  individual of ” World In Focus International Ministries“.  I just wanted  you all to know that this past 18 month journey  I’ve been on with the passing of my Father, and all of the residual drama left behind caused a temporary distraction to my personal and spiritual life,  not allowing me to focus on the things of God, and resulting in some of our modalities of our online ministry to be neglected.  There were times that we were not  able to  answer your calls,  prayer requests, emails, etc.  I make no excuses and want to let you all know that life will throw you some curve balls that you had absolutely nothing to do with or asked for.

The  bible only instructed us  to honor our  PARENTS and love them as instructed in the book of Exodus 20:12,  which reads as follow: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Nevertheless,  all I went through and is still going through,  I do  believe that it’s a part of  the plan God has for my life!!!  This bible  didn’t say to honor our parents  if they did everything right or wrong.  It just instructs us to honor them.  That is why I accepted the assignment, dropped everything in my life to help take  care  of and see after my Father.    I did exactly  what my father asked me to do from the goodness of my heart.  When you love someone,  there is nothing too much you could give to them.. You will drop everything,  no matter what inconvenience it could cost you.  I want to remind someone that in this life, we get one shot, and one shot only!  We get  one set of biological parents to love, so I have no regrets. The good part is, through it all, I survived, and I’m much stronger in my faith and my walk with God!!

When trying times come in our lives, lean on God’s word that is being released into the atmosphere.  I just thank God for various online ministries that imparted into my life when I was so low until all I could get was an online word.  I was and still is today, being fed by some of the finest Pastors on this land.   When you are in a very dry place, you need others to pray for you, stand with you, and to love  on you until your personal and spiritual health has been restored (restoration).    Nevertheless,  I stood on the word of God, and believed him for the things I did not understand. The guidance that was being deposited into my life was priceless..

Nevertheless,  my Father preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ and carried the great message of FAITH and GRACE everywhere he went. I  want everyone to know that he fought a good fight, and he kept the faith and he  finished his course on December 22, 2013.  Although, he is gone, what he deposited spiritually into my spirit can’t be bought..  I’m  honored that my Father chose and trusted me enough to be his Power Attorney over his life to make many vital medical  decisions when he got to the point where he was unable to do for himself,  or make his own medical decisions.  He knew that we were on the same spiritual FAITH wave link, and I would stand and believe with him for his healing, and  carry out the final wishes he wanted to take place in the final chapter of his life.  All five wishes were granted. I even managed to make contact with his son that he had not seen since he  was 33-years-old.   My brother and I both alike are the same age with him being one month older than I, and he has a different mother.   It happened in God’s timing.  I remember laying in the hospital, and something told me to check my messages,  and low and behold when I did there was a message from my brother’s caretaker saying that  she would love for my Dad to see his son.  The connection was made, and I gave her the information from a hospital where I was being held against my will.

At this time, I was no longer allowed at bedside with my Dad because there was a big confrontation that broke out between the new attending physician and myself who took it upon himself to verbally change my father’s final five wishes, which my Father chose to exercise his faith and do everything possible to keep him alive until the Lord called him home… See, man wanted to plant in his head to go ahead and be a (DNR) do not resuscitate in the case he stopped breathing as they removed him from the ventilator before my very eyes with security standing around me and an irate nurse who had a problem with me asking  this physician: “WHAT PART OF MY DAD’S ADVANCE  DIRECTIVES  DIDN’T HE UNDERSTAND?” From there, everything went downhill after the nurse jumped in my face and their hospital security forcefully threw me out of the hospital after they let me watch respiratory therapy unhook him from the ventilator and all the machines that he did not need anyways because he was already in the palm of the hands of the Lord. It was just a matter of it being his appointed time.   So they said I could not return to the hospital because I disrespected the physician.  Not in all of my years in the medical field,  had I ever heard of anything so assigning.  I was the one being disrespected and my Dad’s written advance directives were not being honored and I was livid.  They knew that I would enforce my Dad’s last testaments which is called “Advance Directives” that the patient choose how they want to be treated in their final days and all of their wishes are carried out, and my job as a daughter first, and then his appointed  Power of Attorney was to give my DAD what he wanted, and that was to exercise his faith down to his last breath.  He just asked to be made comfortable with meds.  It was a real nightmare, unheard of that a doctor would step in and try and change someone’s advance directives.  It was my Dad’s choice to believe that God was going to heal him.  Even after they took him off of the ventilator he lived another 30 days, and long enough to receive one final visit from his son, and even so, my brother was given the opportunity  to attend his Father’s  funeral.  I did not attend the funeral because I just was not strong enough at the time; I was broken!!

Nevertheless, all I went through was worth it, because my Dad was not going to leave this land until what he asked for  was fulfilled,  and  God’s will was done in his life.

I want to encourage someone and let them know that God has the final say over our lives,  not man!  The bible says we shall live out until our appointed time, and he did that with or without me being at his bedside.  After which, I called to the hospital throughout the the night to see how my father was doing, only to be treated nasty by various nurses and staff that answered the phones.  The next day, the director of the hospital (Mary Ann Patton) told me the next day that she instructed the staff to hang up in my face, which was wrong on all levels even to treat a dog in that manner that was losing their parent. I was grieving.  Then the next day, I received a call from that same director of the hospital who stood at my Father’s bedside , and put him on the phone for me to talk to him, and all I could ask my Dad was: “why didn’t you protect your advance directives or me?  His final words: “I DON’T KNOW!”  I began to weep uncontrollably, because  I did  what my Dad  had asked me to do before he became unable to care for himself.  He signed the notarized document which was witnessed by two other people, and his  advance directives should have been honored.  I told my Dad, if he ever want to check that (DNR)  box, that was his right too, and I would have supported him in anyway he wanted the final chapter of his life to end..

So now, in the next hour, I get a knock upon my door, and it was our local  Irvine  police, saying they were called by the Hospital in Torrance where my Dad  was slowly transitioning, asked them to come out and check on me… #really???  I open the door and said: good afternoon officers, may I help you?  Then they began to say how the hospital director was worried about me, but they saw I was at ease because I had heard my Father’s voice, which would be the final time ever that I would hear or see him again.  I never had a problem with him dyeing, because my bible tells me that when we get to heaven we all will get a new glorified body, and if we live right down here on this earth, we will see our loved one’s again.  That is my Dad’s teachings, straight from the bible which often rolled off the fruit of his lips.  Daddy was a real praiser by the way!!!

The police went away for two hours, and then returned to my house again, and said they were just checking on me.  I noticed this time,  every time I tried to go inside my home, one officer just kept talking to me, and again,  I was ok, because I had heard my Dad’s voice and I was so happy that he did not expire that night even after being induced into  a comma prior to, which I signed the papers authorizing them to induce him into a comma at certain hours of the day so his body could rest.  My Dad was very feeble as they removed him from the ventilator,  but I was at ease because I knew God was in control of his life… It was never I, but God working all the time.  I am certain that Dr. was so wrong on  so many levels, but was so right that “your” services,  (meaning me) were no longer needed and said that my Dad was capable of making his own decisions.  At this point  it was evident that none of our services were needed, he was slowly transitioning.  It would have been in their best interest to just leave good enough alone since he was going to die anyways, but  just not when  they wanted him too.  He was very adamant about exercising his faith.  His faith in God brought him his last final wish, and that was to see his child.. It happened!!

After the Irvine police tricked me and entertained me for over two hours,  there drives up the Torrance Police cop car to my house with Irvine police standing back watching as the officer from Torrance jumps out of his cop car, threw me down on the ground in a short dress and no shoes on and began pouncing on me in front of my child who was 10-year-old at the time.  He claimed, I resisted arrest, when all I was doing was trying to get my shoes which were at the door as I was being rushed with excessive force which equates to police brutality that I did not deserve.  He never read me my rights or said what I did wrong.  Later on I was told that the nurse told a lie, and said the night before, I called the hospital floor and talked to her and said I was going to get her.  I never said anything of that nature, and to this day, no phone records were produced by this hospital with me saying such, but the Torrance police drove 50 miles to Irvine, CA on a lie, and hearsay with no proof.  All hell broke loose from there after I was arrested for only carrying out my Father’s Advance Directives. Of note, someone cut my car tires with a blade that I took over to the Torrance police department a few days before the main incident, and filed a report with them to pull the surveillance video to see who had vandalize my car at that same hospital.  To this date,  no surveillance camera video from the valet services were produced to address my complaint, but the nurse who I don’t have a clue what she looked like would get prompt services from that same officer that took my police report and said he would help me find out who vandalized my car at the hospital.  He was the same officer who took my report , but brought with him the baddest corrupt cop he could find to beat the living daylights out of me for nothing.  Once at the station, the same police officer who came to my home with about 10 more officers dressed in hazmat suits came into my cell,  put a bag over my head backwards,  and rushed me, and I was already on the ground, which I had been there sitting over 2 hours.  In my mind, I was thinking, what chance did I have against 10 police officer and one was videotaping the whole ordeal as that same cop who brutally attacked me in front of the Irvine police at my home, took the lead again and it was all she wrote.  I could have been killed.  The cop thought he would try and finish me off.  What he did not know was I have had to fight the enemy all of my life for no reason at all.  The other nine officers backed off, and it was just he and I, and I gave it all I had if I was going to die and I did not care. They did all of that, just to put me in a chair that looked like an electrocuting type chair on wheels, only to wheel me over to the fingerprinting station.  Surely, I could have peacefully walked over there without being rushed by 10 officers.  Then after which, the ambulance team shows up and they transferred me to Harbor General hospital where my Dad’s ex fiance who stuck by his side every step of the way, and she knew my story, would later on be my nurse at the hospital where I found favor.  What were my odds of being taken to a random hospital and be cared for by my Dad’s fiance.  She literally fed me, bathed me, and called my oldest son to let him know that I was ok and I was in her care.  Then later, I would be transferred back to an Orange County Hospital where I was there for almost 2 1/2 weeks,  after I had been assaulted and punched in the face by the light skin african american cop who violated me at my home and the police station.  The hospital took pictures of all of my scars, wounds and bruises, which I have the pictures in my possession.  Only God can make a person like me look so good  after being so brutally abused for no reason at all.

After I got home, I found out that the nurse had the audacity to file a restraining order on me that I could not answer because I was in the hospital, and to top it off,  the Torrance police sends me a letter after I was released from the hospital, saying there is a warrant for my arrest.  Of note, I did not ask to leave the jail to go to the hospital.  They took it upon themselves to let me go, and the doctor released me to home.  After which, I was not going to the Torrance police station ever for no peaceful surrender.  I later would have to contact an attorney, and I did not stop until I got the answers I needed to be free.  They instructed me that I could surrender to any city police station, and I did, and it was about a 30 minute process, posted bail and I was on my way, and have been on my way every since, free!  One attorney told me that I was facing 14 years in prison for what I did.  What did I do?  I cared for my Father.  To this date all charges were dropped but I’m not satisfied because no justice was served to the hospital, the wicked doctor or the cop who brutally beat me.  I want justice but I could not live out a trial, for what they said.  So I took the lil deal and that was 150 hours of community service, and 52 counseling sessions.  For what?  Should I have been treated like a dog for doing good, and what I was asked to do.  I want to sue these organizations so bad, but it was so painful and I could not find a good attorney to help me, and to this date, it puzzles me, why did I have to go through all of this?  Never had a prior record, and had never been in trouble with the law ever, and all of a sudden I’m  a criminal for carrying out my Father’s final 5 wishes.  To this date, I do not know what this nurse looks like or would I be able to identify her even the next day.. The nurse was not my concern or my business.  I was only concerned about my Dad and his well being.

So, even when we do a good deed for others, you never know what lessons you may have to learn or what God may want to teach you in the process. I learned “LOVE” on a new level.  Lets just say, I got the unexpected, and today, I’m still  standing  tall with a smile on my face as I blog this inspiration to the world.  There is a message above in the scripture: Exodus 20:12,  and I did my part.  See,  I hear God speaking loudly saying to someone today other than myself: NO CROSS, NO CROWN!!!!

There is a cross for all of us, no one is exempt.  Most of us think we should always be up  and no trials will ever come.  Wrong, they will come, but the good thing is knowing how to deal with them when they do.  That is why it is so important to build our lives on a solid foundation so when the wind blows, your house may crack, and things may shut down but know it’s still nothing besides what Jesus went through.  They made him carry his own cross.  They beat him; they talked about him; they nailed him to that old rugged cross so you can I can know that we too can take it, and just like Jesus, after he carried his cross, they pierced him in the side and the precious blood came streaming down, but he never said a mumbling word.  Sometimes we just have learn how to be quiet and let Jesus fight our battles.  What they did not know is that Jesus had all power in his hands to do exceedingly, and abundantly to come up off of  his cross if he wanted too, but he said in John 2:19 “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Jesus, he did just what he said he would do from the 6th to the 9th hour and he got up one Sunday morning with all power in his hands.

It took me longer to get back to you all, because after being  misused, lied on, talked about, literally beat down , then could not see my Father the last 30 days of his life was painful, but I kept the faith, and I carried my cross.  No it did not feel good, but in the end God fixed it all.  God is just sitting back waiting on us to believe that he can do anything but fail.  He is able to turn your life around and fix everything that seem so impossible.  We will encounter situations that will  break in our earthly house and vessels, but if we learn to lean on our eternal father, Jesus who is able to do anything but fail.  I’m going to say it again: “Things will break”.  Just like a good looking car with a perfect outer body,  breaks down too, and when it does, you may find yourself stopped in your tracks, distracted and even frustrated.  Just relax, it’s a normal reaction.  The good part is, there’s  an expert mechanic waiting somewhere to fix your internal problems that you had nothing do with it.  I can hear someone saying, well I followed the  recommended manual that came with the car, and you did everything  you were required  to do to keep it running right, but it still did not stop it from breaking down.  You changed the oil, you took the car in for a major servicing,  and sometimes I even gave it a tune up and put new spark plugs in it,  just so it could be dependable on the road.  No matter what situation you find yourself in, God is still there.   I’ve been in church all my life, I love the Lord with all my heart, I have professed Jesus Christ to be center of my life, but I heard God say:  I want to give you some fresh oil, a new burning desire to serve and love me even the more.. I tell you, I thought I had a relationship with God before this ordeal…  If I didn’t, I promise you,  I do now!  I’ve never felt so close to God, because he is close to the person that is broken hearted.  All he want us to do is surrender everything for him, and let his will be done in our lives.  Sometimes he just wants see if we will remain faithful, and still serve and praise his Holy Name when the road gets rough… You can rest assure he will NEVER leave you alone!!!

I want you to know,  just like the Lord did it for me these past 18 months, he can do it for you too!  I want to encourage someone and let them know that there is nothing to hard for our God to solve.  Our God is faithful, and he waits on us until we are ready.  He is able to do  exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ever ask or think.. Stop right here, take a deep breath, and just shout out his precious name: “JESUS!”

Remember this when you’re going through: “NO CROSS, NO CROWN!!”  I know someone is wondering why must we bear our cross alone?  See, there is a cross for everyone and I know there is a cross for me; however, after you have bared your cross, and you stood the test of time, God has a crown waiting on you and I!!!

Love you all so much!! Please continue to keep me and my family in prayer as we resolve unfinished business left behind from my Father’s estate.  God is able to fix that situation too!!!

I believe!!!!

gold cross and crown

Oh yeah, p.s.: Just wanted to share with you all that the precious Lord Jesus allowed me to see another year..  Yes,  “APRIL”  is my birthday month, and the Lord allowed me to see another year on April 11..  I tell you, I am so grateful and thankful for my life!!!  I’ve been celebrating all month long, with family and friends..  I feel like  I should celebrate for the rest of my life,  after all the hell I’ve been through..  But I am a realist, and until the end of the month, I’m going out of my way to do great things  that would  deem sufficient this entire  month.  I just want the world to know that it is ok to celebrate your life, your accomplishments, and celebrate the things you have overcome!!!   I’m out family, and I just wanted to let somebody know that with God, all things are possible if we just believe!!! The most important part is that my FAITH is strong, and the  sun is shining again in my life because we serve a God of light!!! “Happy Birthday” is in order!! #life #celebrate

Here is an inspirational song that blessed my soul when I was going through… I hope you listen up and be blessed… #sang #vickie

Vickie Winans-No Cross, No Crown

Where can you turn for Encouragement?

WIFI LOGO1

Have you ever felt like you had no where to turn for encouragement? I want you to know that the Bible is one of the  greatest sources we have available  for encouragement. Please take the time to meditate over the enclosed scriptures… They will surely bless your life!

Comfort And Encouragement Bible Verses

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 23:4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  your rod and your staff,  they comfort me.

Psalm 55:22  Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

Strength Quotes For Encouragement

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

 

Peace Scripture Quotes For Encouragement

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

 

Bishop Paul S. Morton – “Your Best Days Yet”

Posted by: Minister Evelyn Diane
D&T:  07/27/2013

 

Life Detours

John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. 

I’ve found in life that things rarely go the way we want them to according to our plans…  It’s often that we forget to seek God first for the real plans he has for our lives.    A lot of times we tend to put the cart before the horse and jump the gun and find ourselves feeling run over, run down and and for some of us just beat down and used.

Nevertheless, I’ve come to let you know that as long as you continue to seek God and keep him first in your life, no matter what life in general throws at you, you will be able to stand, stay with God and know the “PURPOSE” for your life.

See,  I found out just the other day that life will hand you some things so bitter and so hard to swallow that some circumstances of life can make you become bitter if you let them.   Ahhhhh… I said, “If you let them.”    Now, what do you mean by that?  Well, I’m certain that we do have a right to get angry when men and women trespass against us..  Naturally, the human mind  is designed to do one or two things or more when under pressure…  Number one….  Most of us instantaneously become angry…  Number two… Some of us just shut down, and number three… Some of us become combative  and want to fight…   I heard Donnie McClurkin say, “The last thing you want to do is get a Christian mad, because they will come out fighting…”Wow.. I’ve been in a number of fights myself….     Nevertheless, when we seek God first, he detours us from certain situations that most of us find ourselves in because we tried to do things on our own… 

In all things seek God first… Simply said:   “Put God First….”    Know the purpose for your life… What I’m really trying to say is,  when you know your purpose in life, life can hand you whatever it will or may, and you can still stand and weather the storm. and you can live and stand your ground according the scriptures and the script and plan that God  has for your life…..

See, it’s the devil’s / advisory’s  job to throw us off track… Yes, I said the adversary’s  job to get you off track, and off focus  so he can come in for the kill and try to steal, kill and destroy your joy….  See, even the enemy knows that if  they can steal your joy, they can try and steal your testimony…. .  But I come to tell you today that  Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world…   Serving bold notice that  the Devil does not have the victory over any of our lives….   Only if you give it to him…. “Stay with God!!”

I decree and declare on today that the Joy of  the Lord is my strength, and I shall have the victory and walk in the purpose driven life that God said I shall have….  Just stop and reach up and take what’s yours….   We have power, we just have to stop and call on the name of “JESUS” when we feel like all hope is gone, and we feel like  life detours are too much for us….   Just remember that we have a God that standing by with his arms opened wide waiting on us to come his way and  ask him for guidance, and help…. I tell you, if you seek God in everything you do, you can’t go wrong….

Now, the trials of life will come without notice, but stand strong, and know that the glory of the Lord will reveal itself to you by leading and guiding your footsteps in the right directions…  Please know that God has your back in all situations….

 Glory… I feel your anointing and power of God on today as I was detoured on last night..  Taken way out of my way as I drove home, delaying me about 1-2 hours…  Oh, but somebody say I began to plead the blood of Jesus, and say God as long as you guide me home safely, I know everything is going to be alright…   See, I had on my traveling shoes!!!   We have to learn to put our trust in him!!!!      Trust God, he will always steer you in the right direction….

Just tell the Lord:  “When the storms of life are raging… Stand by me Dear Jesus!!!”   Don’t you dare give up, hold on and be strong, because God will step in and it won’t be long…. Just don’t give in… Hold on!!!!

 

Bible Verses about Detour:

 

Ephesians 2:5 ESV / 4 helpful votesEven when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Ephesians 2:1 ESV / 4 helpful votesAnd you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votesI have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 14:6 ESV / 4 helpful votesJesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Hebrews 9:22 ESV / 3 helpful votesIndeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votesAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 3 helpful votesDo your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Galatians 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votesNow the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 3 helpful votesTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 8:1-39 ESV / 3 helpful votesThere is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. …

Romans 6:8 ESV / 3 helpful votesNow if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votesWhat shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. …

Romans 3:23 ESV / 3 helpful votesFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 1:1-51 ESV / 3 helpful votesIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. …

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votesIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 7:14 ESV / 2 helpful votesI said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:13 ESV / 2 helpful votesThen one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”

Revelation 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votesThose whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Revelation 3:10 ESV / 2 helpful votesBecause you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

1 John 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votesBeloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votesIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Peter 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

2 Peter 1:20 ESV / 2 helpful votesKnowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 2 helpful votesObey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 12:3 ESV / 2 helpful votesConsider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votesLooking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 9:12 ESV / 2 helpful votesHe entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votesThat the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votesNow the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votesSee to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV / 2 helpful votesTo put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votesIn which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Ephesians 1:4 ESV / 2 helpful votesEven as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 2 helpful votesNow the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 1:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:54 ESV / 2 helpful votesWhen the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:53 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:45 ESV / 2 helpful votesThus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:26 ESV / 2 helpful votesThe last enemy to be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Romans 9:1-33 ESV / 2 helpful votesI am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. …

Romans 8:38-39 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:20-22 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Romans 8:2 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Romans 7:25 ESV / 2 helpful votesThanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:15 ESV / 2 helpful votesWhat then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Romans 6:7 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor one who has died has been set free from sin.

Romans 6:4 ESV / 2 helpful votesWe were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votesSo that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:12 ESV / 2 helpful votesTherefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Romans 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votesTherefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:22 ESV / 2 helpful votesThe righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Romans 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

Romans 3:20 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votesBy no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Romans 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votesOn that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Romans 2:6 ESV / 2 helpful votesHe will render to each one according to his works:

Romans 1:20 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

John 20:17 ESV / 2 helpful votesJesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

John 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votesSanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 15:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. …

John 14:26 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” …

John 12:1-50 ESV / 2 helpful votesSix days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” …

John 10:35 ESV / 2 helpful votesIf he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

John 9:1-41 ESV / 2 helpful votesAs he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” …

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votesYou are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 5:29 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:28 ESV / 2 helpful votesDo not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice

John 1:3 ESV / 2 helpful votesAll things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votesIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Luke 23:46 ESV / 2 helpful votesThen Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.

Luke 3:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votesIn the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, …

Luke 2:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Matthew 28:20 ESV / 2 helpful votesTeaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 2 helpful votes“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, …

Matthew 24:37-39 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. …

Matthew 12:24 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

Matthew 10:28 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 9:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? …

Matthew 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Isaiah 61:10 ESV / 2 helpful votesI will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 42:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votesBehold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: …

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. …

Ecclesiastes 12:7 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 2 helpful votesYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 16:10 ESV / 2 helpful votesFor you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Genesis 50:20 ESV / 2 helpful votesAs for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.

Genesis 6:4 ESV / 2 helpful votesThe Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

Genesis 6:2 ESV / 2 helpful votesThe sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose.

Genesis 5:5 ESV / 2 helpful votesThus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.

Genesis 4:17 ESV / 2 helpful votesCain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch.

Genesis 4:16 ESV / 2 helpful votesThen Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Genesis 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votesIf you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 3:22-24 ESV / 2 helpful votesThen the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votesBy the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:17-19 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votesI will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Genesis 3:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votesNow the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” …

Genesis 2:17 ESV / 2 helpful votesBut of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votesThen the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Genesis 1:30 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Genesis 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votesSo God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:26 ESV / 2 helpful votesThen God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votesAnd God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.

Genesis 1:1-2:25 ESV / 2 helpful votesIn the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …

God is able to carry you through….

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas

Cited that the scriptures came from:  www.openbible.com/detours

Life – April 11…..

John 16:20 (NIV)  Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Hello to my subscribers, family and friends  all over the world…. I bring you greetings today and hope this note finds  you well and doing fine… Today is a very special day for me as I celebrate my 46 years of  life on this earth…   No, it has not been easy but it has been rewarding but not without many challenges…  Nevertheless, I give God all the praise and all the glory  for keeping me safe from all hurt, harm or danger… I thank him that he saw fit to allow me to come into world with all the odds stacked  up against me…  I’m certain that I was predestined to get here and leave a mark and impact on various lives that I have encountered….

I tell people all the time that when God made me, he only made ONE me and I do believe that he knew what he was doing and made no mistake in doing so….  I’m grateful on today, and just wanted to take my time to show gratitude to you all for being so supportive of everything that I do… It is so greatly appreciated and I do not take it lightly that you take the time to leave comments, sends emails and phone messages….  That lets me know that God is in control and there is a need for the good news of Jesus Christ to be shared around this world….   I say thank you… I say I love each of just because of Who’s you are…

As I posted above, I dare you to just Live life, Laugh lots, and Love Forever…  It will change your atmosphere….  I’m still working on myself and trying to improve everyday, and I need your prayers that God’s will be fulfilled in my life… I can’t stop now, and I won’t give up until this mission is completed….  I press on knowing that I don’t believe he brought me this far to leave me now!!!!!

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas…. #life!