Where Is God Now Ministries

When we are committed to God we will not always fit in with the traditions, customs, and culture of the world. Daniel was living in a foreign land.  He was determined to do things God’s way. Everyone knew that Daniel was different. I suspect he knew he was different, too. However, honoring God was paramount in Daniel’s life.

King Darius believed Daniel’s God given gifts and talents an asset to his kingdom. Undoubtedly, the king wanted Daniel and others who had theses extraordinary gifts and talents to be close in his court. Consequently, this led to special privileges and promotions for Daniel. Yet, with these privileges and promotions Daniel did not take on the traditions, customs, and culture of where he was. He knew who the Most High God was. Committing himself through what he ate, how he prayed and through his character was his way of continuing to honor and serve God.

Sometimes we stand out for doing things God’s way. Strangely enough, it may draw jealousy from others. This happened to Daniel. Staunchly, his refusal to do things the world’s way brought favor to him from God. This caused his colleagues to cook up a scheme to put Daniel in a fix. Satan will use others to cook up schemes against us, too, when we stand for God. Remember, God’s plan is always bigger than the enemy’s plan. Love & Blessings!

I believe the Bible to be in some instances literal and symbolic. Certainly, there lies the importance of reading and developing an intimate relationship with God and having him reveal some of His mysteries to us.  Undoubtedly, we serve a God who can do the impossible for there is NOTHING that is too hard for our God. The three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were literally facing death if they did not bow to the king’s idols. Likewise, we have many idols placed before us in work, family, community, relationships; I could go on and on. Without fail, anything that is placing things before our God is an idol. When we are starting to do things that are contrary to what God is asking us to do, is becoming an idol.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were so committed to God. They believed wholeheartedly in our God. As a result, bowing was not an option for them. Knowing they were facing certain death, they did this disregarding their own lives. Similarly, people in our world today are confronting like dilemmas. Courageously, they were standing. On the other hand, bending and bowing to the world is becoming habit for some. They sometimes unknowingly are taking on its customs and culture.

Persecutions and ridicule are persisting today for Christ’s sake. Jesus was the ultimate example of this. He willingly faces death on the cross for not bowing and submitting to the world’s customs and culture. Regrettably, in some parts of the world people are risking their lives for the love of our God. Maybe not as dramatic, but losing job promotions, being uninvited to social events and being seen as weird are befalling to some. I can go on and on about these uncomfortable and awkward situations. It is the testing of our faith. 

The three Hebrew boys are one of many examples the Bible gives us in standing against all odds. The Bible says our faith pleases the Lord. I have no doubt these men knew this. This was their BEST way in honoring God in this foreign land they were forced into; yet, not succumbing to the evilness of the land. We, too, will be called into such tough situations. What will you do to honor our God? Love & Blessing! 

God has called us to do many unusual and uncomfortable things in life. It is the testing of our faith and it chisels out our character. It helps us to become more and more like Christ.

When unusual and uncomfortable situations and circumstances cross our paths what is the first thing we should do? We should be looking to our God asking for His strength to do the right thing. The more we do the right things in life the easier it becomes. That is not to say we will not struggle. As long as we are in the flesh there will be the struggle of doing the right thing. But hopefully they will become momentarily flashes of struggling and then we will step into being who God has called us to be.

When you think of the life of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego they were young men who were taken from their Jewish home into a foreign land of different customs and beliefs. Yet, in Daniel: 3 we see how they stood their ground and held on to their faith and belief in the face of death! May we have the faith to stand in the face of death like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Love & Blessings!

We have all seen those people who talk a good game. Usually, they are pumping themselves up in front of other people. They talk about all they are doing for others. Some of them practice the fake it until you make it way of living all the while not acknowledging our God.

I know God set me on this journey to know more about Him. The many things that have been revealed to me has been jaw dropping, amazing, thought provoking, and humbling. It has also allowed me to see the repetitiveness of things that are happening.

Sometimes we approach God in what is happening in our day is so different in what was going on in ancient and biblical times. That is a lie from Satan. He wants us to think that God does not understand how we feel and what we are going through when in fact He does… HE IS GOD!

Ezekiel 33:31 describes the people of that day. The latter part of this verse sounded so familiar as I have read it before in Isaiah 29:13, and in the New Testament when Jesus spoke similar words, “…for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart is far from me.” (Matthew 15:7-9).

God is the same God past, present, and future. There is nothing new to Him and NOTHING catches Him off guard. So, in Ezekiel’s day the people are playing the same game of serving God with the lips but their hearts are far from Him. This is our God who is seeing this and making this observation, even today. God searches the HEART not the MOUTH. Love & Blessings!

Where Is God Now Ministries is officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are considered a public charity with a 509(a)(2) status. Donors can deduct contributions made to the ministry on their yearly taxes. We now have a “Donate” button on our website at www.whereisgodnow,org. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts. We are immensely thankful and grateful for all donations! You may also subscribe to the website for weekly inspiration and encouragement.

We started this ministry with charitable drives. We will continue to conduct charitable drives and more. Where Is God Now Ministries is God’s hands, mouth, and feet and the Earth. That means wherever God leads us we will go and reach out. Under God’s leadership we will know no boundaries and rely on Him to provide and lead the way to get His work done on the Earth.

The Jail Ministry will continue to be an outreach of this ministry. This is truly a need that is BIGGER than me. It is overwhelming; however, with God we know ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! The ladies continue to tell me their needs from obtaining their driver’s license and IDs to financial education, employment, housing, and everything in between. It is truly MASSIVE. The ladies seem willing to donate their time, talent, and treasure to a facility specifically to help them gain some traction once they are released from jail/prison to reenter into society.

God has provided Where Is God Now Ministries a concoction for a deer, rabbit and squirrel repellent we and Harris Manufacturing are working to finalize the registration/label to help fund the ministry. The ministry will be seeking other avenues for funding. Any suggestions you have we will be open to hearing them. We are excited and enthusiastic about SEEING God MOVE in His ministry. We are just the vessels He will use. God uses people, places, and things to propel His people forward in everything in life.

If you would like me to come and talk to you, your group or organization about Where Is God Now Ministries, I would love to come. We thank you for your continued love and support.

Love & Blessings!

Gwen

In reading the Old Testament I sometimes get the impression that God is begging and pleading with us to do the right thing. Consistently, He repeats himself over and over and over again, that He is God. Further, He reminds the children over and over and over again what He has done for them especially removing them out of bondage from the Egyptians. Yet, they continue turning their backs on God.

Ezekiel 20 is the story of Israel’s rebellion. Idol worshipers are described. Moreover, it talks about their abominations. Undoubtedly, it makes the case of why it appears the Lord is begging and trying to reason with the Israelites. Resolutely, in verse 19 God clearly states He is God, walk in my statues, keep my judgement and do them. Without question, that sounds simple, right?

Our love for God is a heart issue. If we find it difficult to walk in God’s statues, keep His judgement, and do them, and we say we love God, we have to ask ourselves why this is difficult for me to do. Truly, if someone has our heart, we want to do anything for them. Powerfully, God demonstrated this by giving us His son, Jesus.

It is clear God has a yearning love for us. Given his steadfast nature toward us of continuing to give us warning and warning, after warning and telling us of the abundant, victorious blessings that awaits us when we take heed, why would we not want that for ourselves? Furthermore, why are we not yearning for God as He yearns for us? Questionably, do we have a reckless abandonment for God? Honestly, do we believe He is who He says He is?

Jesus talks about us having child-like faith. Admittedly, we cannot do that on our own. In the natural/flesh hearing the words sound simple. Nevertheless, we complicate it because our heart for God is not quite there yet. Of course, Satan wants us to reason it out. Admittedly, sometimes what God has asked us to do does not make sense. But, some things are simple. After Jesus resurrected and came back from the dead the disciples had no problem doing what Jesus asked them to do. Clearly, it became simple for them. In like manner, will it become simple for you? Love & Blessings!     

There are some things you just cannot make-up especially when you are reading the Bible. When God gave me this assignment October 2021, I welcomed it with open heart. At this writing it is October 9, 2022. I am fast approaching a year of taking on this assignment. I knew that God wanted to show me some things. Graciously, I have also realized that God really wanted me to get to know Him more in a deeper way. He knew he had my attention. He knew he had my heart. He knew I knew He does not like sin because of what it does to us. Sin is destructive in our lives. However, I believe God wanted to impress upon me the deep, deep seriousness of sin and its impact on our lives.

I believe when God sees our hearts, he knows those hearts that are bent towards Him. Conversely, God knows those hearts that are not. It is often said when we see in the Bible repetitive words that Jesus or God repeats, it means we really need to take notice of what He is saying. It has importance and significance. It is not something to brush or pass by. We need to stop and take stock of what God is saying.

Words have meaning. In my journey of reading some of these words that we see repeated often are, “Truly, truly and Verily, verily: spoken often by Jesus. We read them often in the New Testament. However, I am reading the Old Testament. I have seen the patterns of the children of Israel constantly turning their back on God. Moreover, I am reading Ezekiel 16 and verse 23 quickly caught my attention because I had NEVER seen, “…woe, woo unto thee, saith the Lord God.” KJV.  That gave me pause and I realized I needed to write about this.

I thought about our lives. God loved Israel, but they lived defeated lives. They had blessings and times of peace. Invariably, throughout the Old Testament they called wrath into their lives because of their disobedience. They were not living an abundant, victorious life God wanted them to have. He wanted Adam and Eve to have it. Tragically, they took their eyes off God. Unfortunately, they paid attention to Satan and struggled after that. Again, there is nothing new under the sun/Son. This is relevant today. We have a choice to embrace the abundant, victorious life God has promised us through Jesus Christ. Or, we can choose to keep our eyes on Satan’s distractions in the world and culture and experience the woe, woes of life. Love & Blessings!

Recently we had another Jail Ministry Graduation from the Nurture Block Program! The graduation is such a treat for the graduates. They are sharing at the graduation their, for some of them, reconnecting to their faith. They receive brand new Bibles which excites them because for some of them it is the first Bible they have ever received and owned. It is also the first time many of them have actually spent time reading and researching things in the Bible.

Graduation for some of them signals a time of transition with their jail sentences. A couple of them are released. A few are sent back into the main population of the jail. Others are transferred to other jails in other cities to serve sentences for offenses in those cities. Finally, some are transferred to prison.  These various transfers tug at my heart, especially the ones who are transferred to prison.  As you can see many prayers are needed.  I ask that you continue to keep the jail population across the world in your prayers. Ultimately, we know that God has a plan for each of them even in their incarceration.

So, I have a new set of beautiful faces of women before me. Many of them are so eager for this opportunity the jail offers in this Nurture Program. You can see it in their faces. Humbly, this is another opportunity God entrusts me to share his love, grace, forgiveness, and His abundant, victorious life He has promised. Yes, this life is available to those who may have life sentences in prison.  It is a promise of eternal life with our Savior, Jesus, and our Father, God, and so much more!  These men and women with life sentences who come into the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ have the opportunity to evangelize others in the jails and prisons. It is a testament of how our God wastes nothing in our lives. Love & Blessings!

Ezekiel is used by God to speak to His people. They have once again turned their back on God. This has been a consistent pattern and theme of the Old Testament. I believe God sent me on this journey to read the Bible once again as a way to get to know Him. When we get to know God, we become intimate with Him. We learn somewhat how He operates, what He loves, what He hates, how He blesses His people and how He disciplines His people.

Ezekiel 6 spells out once again how God is going to discipline his people for turning their backs on Him. Verse 11 say they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence. This is so clear and repetitive throughout the Old Testament. I believe it is God’s message to His people on His discipline methods.

Fast forward to today, 2023. When we see pestilence, in the case of COVID, that affected the whole world, how can we not believe it was not God sending a message to the world? Why are we slow to acknowledge it? Why do we dismiss it? There is much idolatry that is going on in the world. Satan has successfully blinded many of us in thinking everything is alright and God does not care if we have other things before Him such as our careers, jobs, families, hobbies, and other vices. We are deceived if we think that God does not care. Just read for yourself in the Old Testament how angry God became of the idolatry the people committed against Him and how He consistently used war, famine and pestilence to discipline them. It really gives us a moment to pause in our own lives. Love & Blessings!