God has the most amazing ways to touch the heart of just one person. And He goes to extreme measures to do so. I don’t know what you are walking through right now, but God does. Be assured that He is at work behind the scenes to make all things right. He loves you with an everlasting love and has greater things than you can imagine for Him to do through you as you cooperate with Him.  

“Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it”  (Hebrews 12:15 Amplified). 

The person who is bitter over something from the past can get mad at the slightest little thing—like something springs up out of their heart. It can be a wrong glance, a misread text, a bad report, or something they even assume to be factual that is not so. People can become crippled emotionally and defeated—spending all their time battling emotional problems. 

No matter what the circumstance, you must choose to forgive all who have trespassed against you. This frees you and opens the door for God to vindicate you. You can hear the Voice of God when you walk in freedom as well. He can use you to encourage others, while all along it is great encouragement to see the Lord at work in your own life. 

Let your first thought be, “Lives are at stake” and reach out to touch someone. God has the most amazing and unique ways to reveal what is going on behind the scenes to encourage one person. Always listen to the Holy Spirit and follow Him as He leads.

This past week we had to have a cedar tree cut down—as it was growing strong and roots could damage the underneath of structures. I won’t share all the details…but God went to extreme measures for one man that needed encouragement. Later in the day, as I was taking my dog (Beau) for a walk, there was a large truck in the middle of the street grinding up the pine tree that we had taken down—with dust flying all over the place. I thought to myself, “Oh my goodness—that looks like lung cancer”…..as the workers’ trucks were covered and appeared brown at this point. I didn’t understand why the truck didn’t move forward away from cars, but perhaps they didn’t see them. Who knows. 

At the time, I didn’t realize what the Lord was doing—but He did. The last storm that came through this area took one of our shudders off our home from the strong winds and we had asked J.R. to put it back up. He has a great lawn and maintenance service and we’ve known him for many years. When J.R. went to secure the shudder, he realized his ladder wasn’t long enough and walked across the street to ask workers at another home if they could help him or let him borrow their ladder for about ten minutes. 

The next day, one of the workers came over to ask about my husband’s request of putting up new shudders and doing some extra work. As we were talking, the owner walked over and said he would talk with me. He began coughing and I knew in my spirit (by the Holy Spirit) that he had lung cancer and the Spirit showed me why He allowed me to see the dust. I began to share the story of the tree and the dust and then Fred opened up and told me he was just diagnosed with lung cancer. He shared his heart about how his parents died with lung cancer and how he had lost his wife several years ago (also to cancer) when his two boys were younger. He had prayed and asked the Lord to please allow him to live till the boys were grown. 

I asked Fred if I could pray with him and asked if he was saved. God opened the door to allow me the opportunity to pray for this precious man. I prayed with him on the spot and we connected on facebook. I told him he would enjoy reading the encouraging posts. God did all of that to show Fred that HE saw and knew he had lung cancer—and GOD showed a total stranger. It was all the work of the precious Holy Spirit. He is amazing.

Fred told J.R. about how God moved the next day. He told him that God told the lady across the street about his cancer. J.R. called me today to share this with me. I stand in awe of how our loving Heavenly Father works. 

Now, take a minute and think about this—if the storm had not blown up, the shudder would not have fallen off the house. If the cedar tree had not kept growing through the seasons of wind, rain, and sun, with potential of causing a problem, we would not have had to take it down. The dust would not have blown all over the place from the truck that ground it up and made it go all over the vehicles in the street. The wind was blowing in every situation—and what appeared as problems were actually a setup to connect people and bring encouragement.

Choose to view problems as opportunities to connect with new people. It is the way God works. He loves all people. He loves you. Look for and expect opportunities to encourage people. You may be the very one God uses to silence the critic in someone’s life and to inspire them to keep moving forward. You never know what people are walking though until you get close enough to care. Be an extension of the heart of God today. 

God has greater things planned for His Sons and Daughters than any of us can imagine. He promises to vindicate and protect us in His Word. There is healing in the name of Jesus. Sickness and disease have to bow at the Name of Jesus. 

Thank God the HOLY SPIRIT guides us—and He always does it according to the Scriptures. He reveals ALL hidden truth and shows us things to come…what an amazing LOVE HE has for us and HE sings over us…. be a blessing to all you meet. 

I have permission from Fred Gilfillan to share this story—and it will be in my new book as well. Please join me in praying for Fred for healing from cancer—in Jesus’ name. Pray for your family, friends, and enemies. Pray for the President of the United States- President Donald Trump and his family, staff, and all those connected to him in every capacity. Pray for the military and all other organizations from police to firemen and women. We are instructed by God to pray for those in authority over us—and to obey, as long as it does not go against God’s Word, or they command us to do things that God forbids. Never give up, lives are a stake. Keep your heart clear and free so you can hear the Father’s Voice at the slightest whisper at the door of your heart—and obey! 

Remember, there is always room for one more at the Cross of Jesus Christ. He is our healer and Redeemer!

Love,

Deborah

BOOKS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI:

 Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors.

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed And Know Your Purpose)….learn how to move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, a mess to a message. There is life after separation, divorce, cancer, abuse, abandonment—there is life in turning to Jesus. 

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…..the full account of God raising my husband from death, two open-heart surgeries….this book will teach you to overcome in any area.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?) …a must read for every leader. 

If you will choose to love people right where they are—love will light the way. Everyone is on their own journey in life. How does God see a young mother who is struggling with rage, or a young father who is struggling with his temper? How does God view a child who is crying out for help with pain from being bullied at school? 

Jesus paid the price in full for sin—and it is nailed to the cross. God has rescued us from any possibility of a curse. The Bible says so and that settles it. Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrong-doing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”’ (Galatians 3:13). 

That is great news my friends. The powerful truths found in God’s Word are life sustaining and enable us to extend the same life to people who are distraught and caught in the tangled web of sin—no matter if it is their own doing, or someone else’s. None of us have arrived–we have all fallen short of the glory of God. 

When a person knows that someone cares about them, no matter the distance, it’s like a breath of fresh air and rest for the soul. Confession is good for the soul and brings healing. Choose to be a safe place for others to share their hurts so they can move forward to healing. A safe place is where the intent of the heart is for healing and restoration. 

Many Christians wonder will God ever answer their prayers–to heal a relationship, repair a marriage, to bring back a prodigal child, to heal a sibling, to save a lost parent. Many times after we pray, things seem to get worse rather than improve. I’ve got great news– be reassured in the fact that your heavenly Father is at work behind the scenes on your behalf and in the lives for whom you are praying. 

It is time to plant hope in others through Jesus Christ—the Blessed Hope. Learn to love people right where they are in life. If you don’t know how to help them, ask God. He will lead you in the right direction. 

You can’t clean a fish till you catch it ….and God doesn’t expect us to get cleaned up before we come to Him. (That is the beauty of God’s grace and mercy). Choose to intentionally extend grace and mercy to those in need of help. 

God extends open arms to all. Don’t live another day thinking, that just maybe, because one trial hits right after the next, that your life is off course. Take time to turn to God’s Word and read about the trials and tribulations of those who submitted their lives fully to Jesus and followed Him. It wasn’t a rose garden with sweet smelling flowers perfectly lining a yellow brick road. 

God uses our trials and tribulations to prepare us to receive the blessings of His divine favor. He uses trials to position us in new platforms to touch the masses in need of a Savior—His name is JESUS!

Let me tell you one more thing—one of my favorite verses. I remember over twenty years ago how the Holy Spirit led me to a special service at a specific church and I heard a speaker share this verse: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). I will never forget that day—hearing that man say, “God changed the entire order of this service for someone to hear this word tonight.”  That is the amazing love of our heavenly Father. Don’t you dare give up. Don’t you dare stop short of all God has for you—keep moving forward IN CHRIST! 

Don’t fall for the trap of Satan and don’t believe his lies. Don’t listen to religious spirits or those who point fingers—turn to our loving Heavenly Father that has open arms for you. Turn to God and His Word—our map for success in life. 

You can become a world changer. God has removed every barrier and limitation to reveal the fullness of His glory in Jesus. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Everything we need comes from God’s presence, and He does not withhold it from us. Choose to renew your mind in the Word of God–read and pray God’s Word.  It’s the only way to experience the transformation God promised in Christ. The River of Life–only found in God–is at work in us to draw the world to JESUS. 

Jesus Christ blesses all who believe in Him with rivers of living water so that we are satisfied in Him and can be a source of blessing and refreshing to others. 

Choose to be fully committed to Jesus. He has great things for you to do WITH HIM. You may be the very one that delivers the greatest love letter ever written–the Bible–to someone in need this upcoming week. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be more sensitive to His guidance. He will answer that prayer!

HIS love and mine, 

Deborah

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)….. how to move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, and a mess to a message.

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the full account of God’s divine intervention, resurrection power, and miracles on a daily basis….you will be changed forever. 

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)… a must read for every leader.

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors

SHIFT HAPPENS (Anthology – with other authors – available on Amazon—-click on Dr. Deborah Starczewski

Godly fear equips us to handle life God’s way—and everything that comes with it. From abundance, resources, to betrayal. Godly fear moves a person to immediate obedience…even when everyone else is doing something that the world calls okay—but God calls sin. 

Abraham obeyed God instantly, even when it didn’t make sense to him, when it was extremely painful, and with no promised benefits—but Abraham still went the distance. He obeyed God. 

Obeying God is one of the necessary steps in receiving God’s greatest blessings—and the most critical in the Christian life. It always blesses others, and we will never be disappointed in God. 

Abraham’s focus was not on abundance—but on the fear of the Lord. Focusing on the wrong thing can also open doors and even success—but may very well silence what God is saying to your heart, and even desensitize you to His voice, warnings, and last instruction. 

Immediate obedience is the outward evidence of a heart that loves and fears the Lord. When we fear God, we will obey Him instantly, when it doesn’t make sense to our natural minds, when we don’t see benefits, even if it hurts, and to the finish line. 

God asked Abraham to do what most people might say is unthinkable. God instructs Abraham to sacrifice the greatest promise of his life; the one he had waited on for many years. And guess what? God didn’t explain it to him either. 

We must learn to see the beauty and benefit of obeying God. Abraham went the distance through three days of travel. Abraham didn’t have the written Word—the Bible—like we have today to give him encouragement. 

Abraham obeyed God—climbs the mountain, builds the altar, ties Isaac (his promised son) up, and is about to thrust the knife into his son’s heart. Suddenly, an angel appears and cries out: “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God” (Genesis 22:12).

The angel knew Abraham feared God because he obeyed immediately. Godly fear moves us to obedience and equips us to handle God’s blessings here on earth. “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).

Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, was very different from Abraham. His heart was out of sync with God’s heart. On one particular day, a wealthy woman chose to pour an entire bottle of expensive perfume on Jesus. Judas was outspoken and indignant in his approach to her—and called her behavior “foolish.” 

“That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor,” he said (John 12:5 NLT). His worldly thinking, reasoning, and logical comment was persuasive to the other disciples—as they too went along with the crowd to condemn her actions. 

It’s never wisdom to go along with the crowd. We must learn to hear the voice of God and obey Him. 

Jesus corrected Judas by saying, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing a good thing to me?…This woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed” (Mark 14:6, 9 NLT). We can see that Jesus identified her action as good and lasting, while Judas judged her behavior as bad and fleeting. Judas was not thinking correctly and his discernment was way off. 

Judas went on to betray the Son of God—Jesus. However, once Jesus was condemned to die, Judas realized he was wrong and hung himself. His worldly, warped thinking and his plan of action did not accomplish what he thought it would. 

Abraham and Judas clearly demonstrate the difference between a person who fears God and one who does not. Abraham operated in discernment—while Judas operated in deception. 

The outcomes of these two mens lives were drastically different. We each need a pure heart that is quick to obey God. Without a pure heart, the enemy can cloud the mind through the world system, what everyone is doing, and improper heart motives. 

When we cry out to God and love the Lord, we want to hear what He has to say. He reveals all hidden truth and shows us things to come. While we may experience betrayal in this life, we will surely know we have been warned by God. Never ignore the warnings and nudges from the Holy Spirit (or checks in your spirit). 

Your obedience to God—from small to big things—will reveal where you are presently. Don’t cruise along in life—until one day it is too late. God sends small checks in our spirits to warn us of impending danger. Don’t allow your conscience to be seared through desensitization by the things of the world. “Things nor abundance” are wrong in themselves, it is when they turn into greed and selfishness that it is sin. 

This world is not our home—we are passing through. Choose to know God and make Him known. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The fear of the Lord is respect, awe, and submission to God. 

There is nothing more important in life than maintaining godly fear. Pray and ask God to open your eyes to see yourself the way He sees you—and to see others the way God sees them. Every person is highly valuable to God. Everyone is level at the cross of Jesus Christ. 

So, how will you be remembered? As one who would sell others out for worldly comfort, convenience, pleasures, and gain—or one who obeys God at all costs and immediately. 

Choose to seek Godly wisdom and the fear of the Lord. You will never regret that choice. 

Oh…how God loves you!

HIS love and mine, 

Deborah 

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed and Know Your Purpose)….. how to move from drama to destiny, pain to purpose, and a mess to a message.

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)…the full account of God’s divine intervention, resurrection power, and miracles on a daily basis….you will be changed forever.

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)… a must read for every leader.

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, www.starministriesinc.com and other distributors

SHIFT HAPPENS (Anthology – with other authors – available on Amazon—-click on Dr. Deborah Starczewski