Author: Pastor Curt

Bible Verse of The Day – 12-23-23

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What “all” things can we do? The things that God asks us to do.

This is how we show God that we are sincere in our commitment to Him. Our hearts obey His word.

John 14:15 (NKJV) 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

We get rid of those nasty habits, and we begin to live, walk and breathe in making righteous decisions. It is when we walk by faith in obedience to His word that we will become strong.

Yes, there will be sacrifices to be made. Yes, there will be new things to learn. Yes, there will be a feeling of discomfort at times.

But, in and through it all, there will be His peace, His presence and His rewards. It will be worth every bit of effort we put forth.

Can we do this on our own?

Honestly, fighting our own desires can be the hardest thing to accomplish. But, we are not alone in this fight.

God has sent us a Helper. This Helper knows all about the fleshly battle that we war against as a believer. He knows how to defeat it. He knows what we need to do. And yes, He will willingly abide with us forever!

John 14:16 (NKJV) 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

Have a blessed day. And remember, it’s through Christ we are made strong. WE need Him!

Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-22-23

James 5:16 (NKJV) 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

This verse is well known, as it speaks to prayers availing much!

One of the key words in this verse is the word, fervent. That word is critical for us to understand regarding prayer, but also in our walk with God as a whole.

Let’s look at what fervent means, so we can be sure to understand it properly in its context here.

At first glance, many mistakenly believe that praying fervently means to pray repeatedly. But this is not the true definition.

Fervent: Exhibiting passion, zeal, conviction, enthusiasm, intensity of spirit, burning, very hot.

Some similar words might be ardent, earnest, intense, devout, heartfelt, impassioned, or fiery.

Nowhere can it be found that fervent means repetition.

A search of the entire Bible finds ten uses of the word, fervent.

Only one of them is in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 26:23, which speaks of fervent lips spreading evil talk.

Every other use of the word in the New Testament speaks directly of our walk with God, prayer, our love for others, and the fervent heat with which God will melt everything away on “the day of the Lord”.

And so should we pursue God fervently, pray fervently, and love fervently.

Let us do these things with such passion that there is no room for anything else in us but a burning desire to know God and please Him as we walk out this life here on earth, ultimately looking to our final, eternal destiny, living forever in His incredible, holy presence.

Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-21-23

Psalm 34:18 (NKJV) 18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit

I don’t claim to understand death.

But what I have experienced is that death is just as much a part of life as living. We are all going to face it one day, in one way or another.

I just want to share my heart today with you, in hopes that it might help someone who is going through a hard time due to losing a loved one, or maybe we are facing a terminally ill situation ourself.

Just the word, death, is hard to hear. It’s not pleasant to talk about.

When it hits, it leaves behind emptiness, pain, and sorrow, often causing us not to know what to do or how to move forward.

When death comes, everything changes for a season.

Our confidence, comfort, and the joy we once walked in seem to have left. It can be hard to even smile or laugh.

The truth is, it’s hard no matter who we are.

When we lose a dear one, someone who has been there, someone we had a relationship with, someone we loved, cared for and looked forward to seeing, it’s shocking to our system. We suddenly cannot find them.

It is overwhelming to our minds that they are gone; no longer to be found or heard in the other room, or seen where they enjoyed being everyday.

Just like that, their life as a human being on this earth has ended.

Yes, we will mourn.

We will go through a season of adjusting to life without them.

We will feel many emotions. And some days we will wonder if we will make it without them.

We will even ache deep within, as we adjust to the change.

If I can help just one person today. I want to say to you, “take it one day at a time”. Don’t go any further than that.

No one expects you to be someone one you’re not.

Some days will be so hard to keep going. But if we put one foot in front of the other, over time, we will adjust to the loss, and better days will come.

After a while, that ache will turn into joy from the beautiful memories we had with them. And we will thank God for those treasured times we spent together!

He knows what we will go through. He is near and will save us. He will help restore our broken heart and bring peace to us once again.

Go now, and rejoice today, for the Lord has conquered death. And those who believe in Him will not die, but live forever.

As for those who we have lost? Their story is just continuing in paradise, and we will meet up again!

Amen. Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-20-23

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Many Christians will often quote this verse.

It is a piece of Biblical wisdom that has withstood the test of time and has held true down through the centuries.

Sometimes this verse may seem inappropriately overquoted, to the point where it seems to lose some of its meaning.

And rightly so, since people do sometimes tend to use certain phrases loosely.

But that doesn’t mean that it has lost its meaning. God is faithful. He never changes, and His word never loses its truth.

If many of us were to look at our own lives, we would see that this verse speaks truth, and many of us can testify to that truth.

On a personal level, I can look back at many situations in my own life that looked very bleak on the surface, especially to my human eyes.

But as each one played out, God showed me how He works, and how He can take bad and turn it into good.

Does this mean that nothing bad will happen to us?

No. Bad things happen. And they even happen to good people, including God’s children.

Jesus told us this. He said trials and tribulations will come. But He also told us to be of good cheer, and to find our peace in Him, because He has overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NKJV) 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

So, it’s important that we trust God even during storms and hard times. And especially during times when we feel like we don’t understand what is happening.

It is these kinds of situations that can be used to strengthen our faith and trust in God if we allow Him to use them as such.

It is seldom easy, but each hard thing that we face holds the opportunity to bring us closer to God and grow as a believer. We just need to make the choice to let God guide our every step, our every thought and our every word.

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-19-23

Psalm 64:1 (NKJV) 1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

David is fearful because he knows he has an enemy.

Out of desperation, he asks God to preserve his life. David is scared.

We will all be afraid at times, even as children of God.

When we are fearful, we need to get God’s help to defeat our enemy.

Wisdom is what gets us through everything we face.

God’s word says to get wisdom and understanding.

If we are facing a life-threatening situation, we need to face it through prayer. Go into battle on our knees.

Get His wisdom. Get His answers. Get His understanding.

He has all the wisdom and understanding we need to win!

Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV) 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-18-23

Matthew 11:6 (NKJV) 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

This very short verse is one that’s easy to read and keep going, not paying much attention to it.

Upon closer inspection, though, it warrants spending some time on, being sure to get its full meaning and implications for followers of Christ.

Jesus starts off with the word, “blessed”.

Many tend to use this word, pronouncing it as two syllables, bless-ed. This usage infers some kind of special status for the person it is referring to; holy or worthy of reverence.

This use, however, is not what was intended, especially in the New Testament.

Let’s look at that word in the context it was used in.

Blessed: given or shown favor by God, happy because of God’s favor, fortunate, enlarged.

So, in this context, the person is happy/joyful because of God’s favor upon their lives.

What is it in this instance that causes them to be blessed/favored?

Not being offended because of Him.

This is where it get’s interesting.

What does the phrase, “not offended because of Me” mean?

Offended in this example refers to stumbling or falling away.

Jesus, and faith in Him, are referred to as a “stumbling block” or “stumbling stone” in many places throughout scripture.

He was a stumbling block to the Jews of His day, causing many of them to stray from God’s intended path for them to find salvation through the long-awaited Messiah, whom they flat-out rejected when He arrived.

He may also be a stumbling block to many who choose to follow Him, due to the persecution we may have to endure as believers.

That same persecution may just cause some to turn away, ultimately denying their faith in Him.

Jesus states plainly that those who endure and (deliberately, purposely) choose not to stumble or turn away are blessed, receiving God’s favor.

Let us stay the course, enduring till the end, holding fast to our faith in Him no matter the cost.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-17-23 – When The Flesh Rises Up

Please click to watch the video now.Greetings in the name of our wonderful Redeemer, Jesus Christ! 

We hope you are being blessed and walking close to God. 

We have a new video for you today that we hope everyone will benefit from. 

The video is called “When the Flesh Rises up”, and in this video we teach about allowing God to show us how to react in situations that may be intense or heated. 

This will help us be a light in a dark world, and not following the ways of the world. 

We hope you enjoy it. 

Please click here to watch the video now.

We love you all. 

Enjoy your day. 

Sincerely, 

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie 

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443  

401-439-3780 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-16-23

John 18:26-27 (NKJV) 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

I would not want to have been Peter when he heard that rooster crow.

I can’t even imagine what he must have felt in that moment.

Peter denied Jesus three times.

Three times he was asked if He was with Jesus. And each time, he denied knowing Him; the same disciple who told Jesus he would lay down his life for Him.

John 13:37 (NKJV) 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

In his heart, he really meant what he had said to Jesus. But when push came to shove, he didn’t have what it took to do what he said he would.

I believe Peter’s eyes were opened, allowing him to see himself when he was faced with such situations as this one.

Maybe some of us have made sincere statements, and then we failed to keep them. It’s human frailty.

Our intentions are good. But to keep them or follow through with them it is a whole other story.

It shows us all that we need the help of the Holy Spirit. He will give us the strength and discipline we need to stay true to our word and our convictions when we are faced with difficult circumstances.

John 20:22 (NKJV) 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Peter is an example for us, not so that we look down on him for his denial, but to learn and see that it can happen to any one of us. We can truly mean what we say, but our actions will show us what we are really made of.

The Holy Spirit will give us the power we need to overcome our own weaknesses and prevail in those circumstances when we would otherwise give in and deny the truth and all that we know to be right.

Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-15-23

Acts 16:29-31 (NKJV) 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

What must I do to be saved?

This is the question asked of Paul and Silas by a prison guard.

It’s important to note what they didn’t say would save the guard in their reply to him.

They didn’t say churches will save us.

They didn’t say church attendance will save us.

They didn’t say pastors will save us

They didn’t say reading our Bible will save us.

They didn’t say doing good deeds will save us.

They didn’t say fasting will save us.

They didn’t say giving to the poor will save us.

They didn’t say living a right life will save us.

They didn’t say helping the elderly or those who are incapacitated in some way will save us.

They didn’t say being kind will save us.

They didn’t say being charitable with our finances will save us.

They didn’t say doing our best to refrain from sin will save us.

They didn’t even say believing that God exists will save us.

So, with that lengthy list of things that won’t save us, what exactly will save us?

There is only one way to be saved; by putting our faith in Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life.

He is the only Way to be saved.

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

In that list above, it is important to note that we should be doing all those things. They are the traits of a follower of Christ.

But none of those things will give us eternal life or redeem us, offering us forgiveness for our sin.

Not even believing that God exists will save us. How can that be?

Take note that even the demons believe He exists, and they tremble.

James 2:19 (NKJV) 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

So, let us be sure that we are not trusting in our good works to save us. They will not.

Only the blood of Christ can save us. And then only if we apply His blood personally, turning from our sins and putting our faith and trust in Him.

There is one Way; faith in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-14-23

Psalm 9:9-10 (NKJV) 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

As we seek Him and put our trust in Him, He is there with us through thick and thin.

So many times, I’ve been in predicaments in my life that were very difficult, like most of you. When that has happened, He was there!

He was there when I was lost, coaxing me and drawing me by the Holy Spirit.

As I sat listening to the preacher telling me all about Him, the moment came when I knew I had to get up out of my seat and walk down that aisle and repent, putting my faith in Him, trusting Him as my Savior.

He was there when I was going to get blamed for something I didn’t do but had been tagging along with others who were trouble.

He was there when I was testing the boundaries, feeling conviction, but trying to ignore it.

He was there when I almost lost everything I owned.

He was there when my loved ones passed away.

He was there when I was broken, when I cried so hard my eyes ached from the tears.

He is always there, and has always protected, shielded, comforted and brought me through it all.

You see if we do not break, He can never fix us.

He waits for us to stop trying to hold it all together by our own strength. We can break. We can let go. We can admit that we cannot bear any more of what we are dealing with.

He is there. He is our refuge. He will mend us if we let Him.

God bless you and keep you safe, today and forever. Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 12-13-23

John 8:44 (NKJV) 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

As Jesus rebuked the religious leadership of His day, He made a comment that we all need to pay attention to.

He spoke of satan, stating, “for he is a liar and the father of it”.

We need to always remember that he is “the father of lies”.

There is no truth in him. And there is no light in him. He wills only to do what is evil. Never is there any good or truth in anything he does.

His goal is to destroy every one of us; you and me.

We need to remember this as we face trials in our lives. Especially those trials where the enemy attacks our minds.

Satan uses our minds as a playground where he works to defeat us in our thoughts, causing us to doubt God and His faithfulness.

The very first example of this was in Genesis 3:1, when he caused Eve to doubt what God had told her; “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”.

That one lie led to Eve doubting God’s truth. And that doubt was enough to get her to give in to temptation, opening the door to sin and death for all of humanity.

Many times, the enemy will do similar things to you and me. This can cause us to make poor choices by causing us to feel defeated. And if we feel defeated, we’ve already given up on God and lost hope.

Let us not fall to this tactic. We need to stay strong in our faith, trusting God even when what we see in front of us may seem insurmountable.

Formidable foes require strength, perseverance and great trust in our Redeemer to lead us through the battles and on to victory.

This is not hype or emotional motivation. This is truth that we all need to grasp and hold tightly to, so we recognize it when it hits us and know how to handle it.

The things we face won’t always be easy to defeat, or to overcome. But if we hold fast to God, He will lead our every step.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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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