Month: August 2014

Bible Verse of The Day – 8-18-14

Psalm 127:3 (NKJV) 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Children. That word can bring so many different thoughts to our minds.

For those of us who have them, we know that children, and the proper raising of them, can be a lot of hard work. It can be tiring, frustrating, exasperating and stressful.

But above and beyond all of that, it can be so rewarding.

Whenever someone I know has a new baby or they talk about their very young children and how fast they’re growing up, I always tell them this: “Don’t blink because they’ll be married and moved out before you know it.”

That might sound far-fetched or it might even seem like I’m being sarcastic, but it’s neither of those. It’s the truth.

I remember very clearly the day that both of my daughters were born. I know it was a long time ago, but in some ways it seems like it was just yesterday.

And then I remember the day that they both got married and I walked them down the aisle and performed their wedding ceremony. And once again it seems like it was just yesterday. But it wasn’t.

Our lives go by so very quickly. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in your 20s or in your 50s or in your 70s, or anywhere in between those ages, or even above them. If you look back at your life, you will admit that it flies by very fast.

We are only here for a season… a short season that comes and goes, seemingly in the blink of an eye.

James 4:14 (NKJV) 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Our children are a gift from God, a blessing He has entrusted us with. If we have them, it is our obligation to raise them properly and give them the love and the time they deserve.

There will always be other things that pull on our time. There will always be other things that will seem more important. And there will always be days when we just don’t feel like going that extra mile for our kids.

But we need to remember that if we don’t take the time to be there for them and shine God’s light into their lives and be a godly example for them, the enemy will gladly provide substitutes.

So let’s be sure to make the time to spend it with our children and grandchildren. When a day has passed, we will never get that day back, and we are never, ever guaranteed a tomorrow.

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible verse of The Day – 8-16-14

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

In this dark world that we live in, we may be the only light that some people ever see.

We may be the only hint of God that some people ever experience in their entire lifetime.

We may be the only example of Christ that some people ever encounter.

The things we do and the words we speak can have a lasting affect on the people around us, for good or for evil.

As followers of Christ, His ambassadors, we need to make sure that the lasting impression that we leave is one of light and love, not of darkness, hatred and judgment.

So let’s be careful with our words and our actions. We never know what people are going through and if we treat them in a Christlike way, it may just be what is needed to give them a gentle nudge into the arms of our Savior.

You are the light of the world. Shine brightly.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-15-14

Mark 9:23-24 (NKJV) 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

How many of us want to believe but are having trouble grasping everything in order to get to the point where we can fully believe God for a miracle? God does not want us to try and grasp it or understand it all. He is telling us to simply believe and trust Him.

We like to try to touch, feel, and see things before we believe it, but that would be like Thomas. And what did Jesus say to Thomas in John 20:27?

John 20:27 (NKJV) Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas didn’t believe until he touched, and saw it for himself.

If we need a miracle, we have to believe. Believe God for it! If we are struggling in believing for it,  we have to ask God to help us in our unbelief. Don’t ignore it, but be open and honest with God.

Another thing we must remember is that we have to fast and pray for certain things. In this situation, this man’s son was tormented by a deaf and dumb spirit. The disciples tried to cast it out and they couldn’t. Why? Jesus explains in Mark 9:29 (NKJV) So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

We can’t expect every situation to happen the same way. The only thing that is the same is that we must believe! As we believe, pray and even fast for certain  situations, God will lead us in what needs to take place.

Don’t just imitate what you have seen happen before. Listen for God and let Him lead.

Miracles come by believing, praying & fasting.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-14-14

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

There are many of you reading this who are going through trials and great loss.

You may have lost a loved one recently. You may be going through extremely difficult marital problems, including divorce. You may be suffering from extreme financial hardship. You may be battling cancer or know someone who is battling cancer.

These are all very difficult things. So difficult, in fact, that some may actually wish that their life was over, so they could be done with the struggles.

But let me boldly say to you today that this battle is not forever. This trial that you’re going through is not going to last forever.

You may mourn for a season. You may wrestle with your finances for a season. You may battle cancer for a season. Your marriage may struggle for a season and you may be devastated by divorce for a season.

But God is above all of those things. And although they are all very difficult things to go through and they can feel like they’re tearing us apart, we can overcome them and have the peace of God in our lives, even as we go through the storms.

So I speak peace over your mind and your soul right now, in the name of Jesus. Receive His peace and let it reign over your heart and mind.

The winds may blow and the waves may beat against you and your house, but they will not prevail if you don’t give up.

Rest in His peace and hold fast to His hand. Let Him give you strength.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-13-14

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NKJV) 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

As believers, followers of Christ, God should be at the top of our list of priorities. In everything that we do, God should come first.

It can be hard for some people, even some believers, to grasp this. Sometimes people just float through life and never realize that God is the pinnacle of everything.

But as we grow in our faith, God naturally begins to climb to the top of our lives in just about every aspect. It doesn’t happen instantly, but over time it takes place as we grow closer to Him.

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re wondering if God is really first in your life, before everything else. If that’s the case, He probably isn’t. But it doesn’t mean that you’re without hope!

Press in to God. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

You see, it requires effort on our part first. If we put forth the effort, He will give the increase, and our hearts and lives will begin to change, putting Him first more and more often, in more areas of our lives.

And when that happens, we will see remarkable changes in ourselves, as we allow Him to shape us and mold us into who He wants us to be.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-12-14

Ephesians 6: 11 (NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

It is not by our strength that we can stand against the wiles of the devil. We don’t have what it takes, and if we think we do then we will lose.

It will take having the whole whole armor of God to obtain victory to when we are battling.

A spiritual battle is draining, both emotionally and physically. From the time we wake up until the time we lay our head on our pillow, it is nonstop. It is exhausting to the human body, mind and soul!

It’s not easy and God knows this. That is why He tells us to put on the WHOLE armor, for it brings a great deal of protection!

What is God’s armor? Ephesians 6:14-18 (NKJV) 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

You may be going through a battle today and maybe you didn’t even know that’s what it was, but you’re realizing now it is an attack directly against you, your family, your job, your finances, your relationship with God, your relationship with your spouse, etc.

It’s not the time to get scared and run. Now is the time to get serious, focused and to put on the armor. It’s time to trust God’s answer for you and let Him help you through it. Have faith, pray and stay close to Him.

We are praying for you and believing you will come out victoriously! Giving God all the glory. Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-11-14

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are not our own.

We do not belong to ourselves.

If you are a believer, a follower of Christ, you do not belong to yourself. Let me say this again: We do not own ourselves.

There are a lot of implications that come from this… a lot of things that we have to take into consideration as we walk through our lives.

As we go through our daily lives, as we’re faced with decisions and choices, we should always put God first and know that whatever direction we take should line up with what God wants us to do.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s finances, job choices, relationships, where we live or anything else. We are not our own.

We were bought at a price and it was a very high price indeed. Jesus laid down His life for us, to buy us, to redeem us from our sins. We are now His.

Romans 14:7-8 (NKJV) 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

So as you face the day today, do so knowing that you belong to God and that He deserves our all. He deserves our very best. We belong to Him, body and spirit.

Give Him your best.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-9-14

Luke 18: 15 – 16 (NKJV) Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

The disciples were the ones that rebuked the children. They were the very ones that Jesus spent a lot of time with while walking this earth, teaching them and training them about the things of God.

You would think that they would have been the ones to know it would be alright to bring the children to Jesus, but they didn’t. Not until Jesus Spoke up.

Some priests, pastors, ministers, and other leaders that are supposedly close to Jesus have also rebuked things and have forbidden them from being allowed in the church. These things are scriptural; things that Jesus wants to be taught, that it may help the church, that it may help His children.

We all need to be careful to know the heart of Jesus, to know what His Word says and to feel free to walk in it, and to not rebuke something quickly because we don’t think it’s right or allowed.

If we’re not sure of some things, or we don’t understand it, we need to pray and ask God for His help and understanding.

There are many of His children being pulled away from Him because of a lack of understanding. Let Jesus speak up today. If there is learning to be done, He is the GREATEST Teacher!  Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries

P.O. Box 272

Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-8-14

Proverbs 2:3-5 (NKJV) 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

Discernment. It’s something every believer needs to have to live a godly life, but also something that so few of us really understand the importance of.

Probably the most common question people ask when it comes to discernment is “how do I get better discernment?”.

The answer is simple, but not necessarily easy. But here it is in a nutshell.

Spend time with God and in His word.

There you have it. We need to spend time in God’s word each and every day.

This doesn’t mean that we have to spend 2 or 3 hours studying every day, learning Greek and Hebrew and understanding every single thing there is to understand in His word. But we need to spend at least some time in it each day, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes, taking it in and letting it become a part of who we are.

As we do this, we will naturally spend more time communicating with God because we will hear Him more clearly. And we will get a clearer understanding of who He is and who He wants us to be.

And in this, we will develop razor-sharp discernment. Why? Because we will no longer be guessing about things. We will know what’s right for us in God’s eyes.

So take the time and make the effort, and reap the benefits of having sharper discernment.

It’s right there for us. We just have to want it badly enough to reach out and grab hold of it.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-7-14

Ephesians 5:33 (NKJV) 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Love and respect are the two things we need to focus on in our marriage. We have to stay balanced in this, being reminded that these are the secrets to a strong marriage.
If the husband is slipping up in loving his wife as himself, then the wife is going to struggle in having respect for him.  We are not giving any excuses for either one to not do their part, but it will make it complicated if these two things are not at work in a marriage.

There are days when we need to give our spouse some slack if they are having a bad day, etc. Everyone has a bad day now and then.

As the husband works at loving his wife in such a way, it will bring great pleasure to the wife to have love and respect for him.

No one marriage is perfect and we will have our bumps in the road, but if we remember and hold fast to this scripture, through the good and the bad times, we will make it through, causing our love for each other to grow even deeper.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-6-14

Luke 12:24-25 (NKJV) 24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Are you worried about anything?

Are you facing a big decision or some kind of major change in your life, and you’re feeling uncertain about how it might turn out?

I think we can safely say that most of us are in this boat, to one degree or another. And some of us may be at a very major crossroads in our lives, not knowing which way to turn. And the thought of making the wrong choice gives us a sinking feeling.

Well, at the risk of sounding cliché, stop worrying about it.

We know that might not be very comforting, but trust us when we tell you that worrying about it will only make things worse for you.

Now, this doesn’t mean that we should be nonchalant about everything, not caring whether we do the right thing or not. But this is where our faith comes in and we learn to pull on God and lean on Him, listening ever so intently for the voice of the Holy Spirit… that “still small voice”.

As we wrestle with these kinds of decisions, it is God’s leading that will give us peace in the midst of our storm and show us which way to go when it seems oh so dark ahead of us.

We can say this with absolute confidence, because God has led us through some very trying times these past two years, and on to victory. It wasn’t always easy to hear Him, but we did our best to be diligent and heed His voice.

And in the end, we truly saw that worrying never helped us one little bit.

Trust Him.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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