RECOVER YOUR FIRST LOVE

Jesus said to the church of Ephesus that they had left their first love. They had somehow lost their zeal for the Lord. Sometimes the cares of this world, disappointments, life’s pressures, and attractions can lure our attention away from Him. Distractions and conflicts can rob us of time to dive deeper into the word of God and grow from it.

Jesus said to the believers in the Ephesus church, that they were to remember when God first awakened their souls, and where they had lost that connection with the Lord, and return to Him. Re-ignite that fresh fire and walk in His love and anointing once again.

The prodigal son’s father watched and waited patiently for his son to come home. Our heavenly Father’s love is constant, patient, and welcoming. When the prodigal son was still a great way off, his father saw him and had great compassion for him. He ran down the road to meet him and fell on his neck and hugged and kissed his beloved son. He threw a welcome home party and they celebrated the homecoming.

Luke 10:27 (NKJV) You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Don’t let that flame go out!

Don’t let your love grow cold.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

COUNT IT ALL JOY

I’ve always hated that “count it all joy” Scripture, because who can be broken and joyful at the same time?

James 1:2 (NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

The Lord saw my struggle and changed me. Long story short, my perspective has changed for why the Lord permits and orchestrates various trials. RESILIENCE! He’s building resilience! He’s downloading what’s needed to sustain us in what He’s calling us to do ultimately. You can’t use an app, unless you first download the app and configure the settings. Soldiers never go to battle until they have first gone through the basic training of Boot Camp.

“Count it all joy” means to develop a perspective that weighs why God might be permitting the trial in the first place. Try looking at it from His perspective. It doesn’t mean He expects us to go skipping down the road while we’re suffering.

Jesus endured the cross. It was no skipping down the road experience. As they led Him up to Golgotha, a Cyrenian named Simon had to help Jesus bear His cross. Jesus wasn’t skipping down the road, but Scripture says that for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2). He endured as He held tight to the outcome of His suffering.

There’s a line out of the movie Shawshank Redemption where Red says, “Andy Dufresne… crawled through a river of dung and came out clean on the other side.” Count it all joy.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

SIR CROWS A LOT

Sir Crows A Lot

Our neighbors that live across the alley behind us has a rooster whom I call, Sir Crows A Lot. He doesn’t just give the early morning cock-a-doodle-doo, he goes at it all day long.  Just now, I was in the kitchen preparing to boil an egg for breakfast. Ironically, I heard the rooster but at the same time I seem to pay him no mind at all. It was like I heard him, but I didn’t hear him. All of a sudden it dawned on me that the Lord has delivered me from being irritated by Sir Crows A Lot. Even though he’s still there, I was paying him no mind at all.

I wished I had learned this 40 years ago when I was letting crows-a-lot co-workers get on my very last nerve. Paying them no mind would’ve gotten me through a lot of tough days.

Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Bible) Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do super-abundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest thoughts, desires, prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.

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

"What rooster?" 🐓

"What irritating co-worker?" 😖

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

DRAW NEAR TO GOD

I used to have a Rottweiler named Freddie. He loved playing Fetch Football. Whenever I neglected playing with him, he would pace back and forth in front of the sliding glass door with his football in his mouth. He needed me, and I could not resist. I always went out and gave him the attention he craved for… and a hunk of cheese afterward.

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Trust me, He can’t resist either. Show Him you need Him, and He will surely come.

Luke 11:13 (NKJV) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Pastor Dharius Morshun Daniels

I kept seeing this video of a preacher scrolling through my feed saying, “Rent’s due!!!” I thought he was asking us to send him an offering because the rent was due. After seeing this for several days, the light bulb finally went on. He’s in the gym working out because he is trying to be a good steward of the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul said in 1Cor. 6:19-20, “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? For you were bought at a price therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Scripture said that we are not our own, but bought with a price. If you’re renting a building that’s owned by someone else, you should try not to violate the standards, but be a good steward and custodian of the property. As keepers of our temples, let’s make sure we’re not letting it deteriorate and wear down. Take good care of your body. Jesus showed His love for us by enduring the crucifixion and paying a heavy price to redeem us.

It is required in stewards, that one be found faithful. (1Cor. 4:2)

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

FAITH IS NOT WISHING BUT KNOWING

I spent years offended with God because my prayers were not being answered, until I finally got the revelation that my faith was questionable. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” So if you don’t think God will answer your prayer, it won’t get answered. If you’re praying for deliverance, but your faith is unsure you'll be delivered, deliverance won't come. Believe it before you see it and it will come to pass. Jesus said, "Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

If you're praying for healing, start confessing that you're healed even if the symptoms are still there. If doubt makes a call, hit decline.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

THAT WOMAN IN THE MIRROR

I must confess that I did not vote for president-elect Donald Trump, and I have had many negative thoughts and conversations about him. The morning after New Year’s, I was standing in the bathroom getting cleaned up when Michael Jackson’s song fell into my spirit, as I stared at myself in the mirror.

Man In The Mirror (Lyrics):

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, then make a change

The apostle Paul told Timothy to pray, and make intercessions for all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life (1Tim. 2:1-2). Talking negatively about him behind his back was not God’s will and He got me straight on that. But what I need to do, is hit the decline button when negative thoughts pop up, then whisper a prayer for the power of God to control those functioning in government. Forgive me Lord!

Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV) The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MY SHIELD AND BUCKLER

My husband and I often talk about what our future lifestyle will look like if we ever hit the lottery. One of the things he longs for is to buy a very large piece of land and build a house on it, some where out in the boonies where close neighbors are at least 10 acres away from us.

Every time it comes up I tend to dispute, because I am afraid that it will be unsafe for me to be home alone, way away from the neighbors who would not be able to hear me screaming for help.

I was reading through Psalm 91 this morning and something caught my attention. The last part of verse 4 says, “His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

God is my protection… my shield that cannot be defeated. The psalmist goes on to say:

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. (Psalm 91:5-7 NKJV)

“You shall not be afraid…” that said it all!

Psalm 56:11 (NKJV) In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Romans 8:31 (NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Suddenly, my outlook has changed and I want that beautiful house my husband described, far away from the loud city noises… that house with the big kitchen and plenty of storage… and my She Shed writing studio out in back.

Thank You heavenly Father for this miraculous breakthrough that has broken down the wall of fear that had me trapped. Thank You for renewing my mind that I may be about Your good, acceptable and perfect will. Let it be established, and come to pass for us.

My She Shed

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL?

Being Christmas season and all, we are very likely to run across a lot of Scripture concerning the birth of Christ. I ran across Isaiah 7:14 and began wondering why we call the Lord Jesus instead of Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Out of curiosity, I typed “His name” in the search box of my digital Bible app and came up with a lot of verses referring to the Lord’s name. There were four in particular that said the Messiah’s name would be called something other than Jesus.

• Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) which means God with us — 2^nd Person of the Trinity
• Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6)
• Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
• Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
• Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
• Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
• The Lord of hosts (Isaiah 47:4)
• The Word of God (Revelation 19:13)

These were not meant to be proper names, but actually descriptive titles of who the Lord was (and is).

Yeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus, and its English spelling is Joshua. This is what the angel told Mary and Joseph to call Him.

Matthew 1:21 (Hebrew Text) “She shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Yeshua, for it is He who shall save His people from their sins.”

Luke 1:31 (Hebrew Text) “Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call His name Yeshua.”

Lesous is the Ancient Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name Yeshua, and its English spelling is Jesus. The New Testament was originally written in Greek so we see Jesus written in almost all English Bibles, because that’s the correct way to say the Lord’s name in English.

So, the names Joshua and Jesus are essentially the same. Joshua is from the Hebrew translation, and Jesus is from the Greek transliteration.

Whether you say His name in English, Spanish, Greek, Hebrew, German, French… or any other language it still means “the Lord saves” and it’s still the name which is above every name.

Matthew 28:18 (NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. We fall down before the Lord’s throne and worship Him, in whose name we believe and through Him have received salvation and eternal life.

1 John 3:23 (NKJV) And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

TRAPPED IN THE OUTHOUSE

I was standing in the bathroom this morning, letting hot water run over my toothbrush when I remembered my mother telling me about a time when she was in the outhouse (they didn’t have an in-house restroom when she was a little girl)… but she was in the outhouse relieving herself when a cow came and laid down in front of the door and locked her in there. I don’t know how long she was trapped, but I can imagine that it was not pleasant.

Remembering that story made me very thankful that I was born in a time when indoor plumbing is a common feature in every home. Sometimes we take the blessings of God for granted because we just don’t know to thank Him for it. For the next hour, I kept thanking Him again and again… for the coffee I drank, and the oatmeal cream pie that I had with it. Thanked Him for my husband. Thanked Him for my health. Thanked Him for the heat that popped on. And on and on it went.

Often I am so busy praying for needs, that I simply neglect to thank Him for the blessings I am so privileged to enjoy.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (The Message) Take a good look at God’s work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation’s curves and angles to a plain straight line? On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we won’t take anything for granted.

Blessings everyone! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

WHAT MAKES THE ELEPHANT DANCE?

Circus Elephants

Back in May 2015, I had finished preparing for a teaching that I would upload to YouTube, but there was one snafu making me very uncomfortable. I asked the Lord, “How do I encourage someone that is about to be evicted from their home, and have no where to go, that they can lay down and go to sleep with no worries?” His response to my question was, “What makes the elephant dance?”

After scratching my head to His question for 9 years, I think I’ve finally got it. They were taught ever since they were baby elephants to perform. They do what they’ve been trained to do since they were babies. An elephant weighing up to 15,000 pounds will do what the circus trainer directs them to do. They have the power to resist, but they don’t.

That’s how we are as babes in Christ, we perform as we’re trained to perform without resisting, until our inner selves are renewed and transformed by Holy Spirit who dwells in us. The apostle Paul said that we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).

Our inner person is being renewed day by day. This changes how we think and how we perform as a result. To be sure, He who has begun a good work in us will complete it. He will continue to work on us till the day Jesus returns to take us to heaven (Phil. 1:6).

I came to Christ 25 years ago. Since that time, He has allowed many things to devastate me, only to reveal that He was with me every single time. Those dilemmas has also revealed His power in me, and the authority we possess as heirs and joint heirs with Christ.

Luke 10:19 (NKJV) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Question: What makes the elephant dance?

Answer: They were taught to perform, and not resist.

But for us, Holy Spirit has come to renew us and reveal to us a more excellent way. Jesus said He came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Let’s walk in this newness of life and accept the power and authority available to us to live life more abundantly.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

ONLY WHAT'S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST

I saw a TV commercial about a guy that had built a wax figure of himself. He said, “It’s good to know, that years after I’m gone this wax figure will still be standing the test of time.” At that moment, the figure then melted to the ground in the hot sun.

That commercial reminded me of myself… before I came to Christ I completed 20 years of work as a secretary/administrative assistant. All I have left of those years is a resume and experience. But when I’m gone, that will be gone too. But the structure I’ve built in the kingdom of heaven… that will stand and live on.

The apostle Paul said to take heed how we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We can build with gold, silver, and precious stones. Or… we can build with wood, hay, and straw. If our intention is to honor God that’s gold, silver and precious stones. But if the tenor of our building is selfish ambition, that is the same as wood, hay and straw, which will be tested at the judgment seat of Christ. If our structures endure the testing, we shall receive a reward. If anyone's work does not endure His judgment, they will suffer a loss of reward; but still be saved.

I don’t want my structure to melt to the ground like the guy in the commercial, I want to hear my Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” 

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past;

only what’s done for Christ will last. 
Charles T. Studd (1860 – 1931)

This video is a biblical breakdown

of The Judgment Seat of Christ.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

I FORGAVE THEM AND LET IT GO

My Story of Letting Go

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

When I came to Christ in the Spring of 1999, He immediately began to deal with me about the unforgiveness weighing heavily in my heart.

I wrote down the names of all the people I could think of that I needed to forgive. I went to the party store and bought a bunch of helium balloons, and I attached that list of names to the string and released them into the sky. I stood there and watched that list of names float up, and up, and up into the sky until the balloons were completely out of sight.

After that, anytime I recalled someone that had grieved me in the past, I would remind myself that it had floated up to Heaven on helium balloons, and I no longer had it. It became my visual reminder that all my grievances was with God in Heaven, and it no longer existed in my heart on earth.

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

PROSPERITY DECLARATION

In the mighty name of Jesus, and by His authority, we uproot every work of the enemy against our finances. We pray our financial prosperity will come under the protective covering of God. We pray for a hedge of protection to surround us, our households, our property, our finances, and our health.

We pray the Lord will bless our work to be rewarded with His favor, supernatural provision, and the Holy Spirit’s influence, so that it may be well pleasing to the Lord, and done according to His will. We pray the Lord will make all grace abound toward us that we will always have sufficiency in all things, and may have more than enough to complete every good work.

It is written, “Be ye strong and let not your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded a hundredfold.”

In the name of Jesus, we rebuke every form of anxiety, worry, and confusion that may try to take hold of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We give all our uncertainties and doubts to the Lord, knowing He is in control of all things. We command strongholds of poverty to be pulled down, and mountains of debt be removed and cast into the sea.

Dear God, our Abba Father, open wide the doors of peace and prosperity in which no one can shut. Provide for our needs, as You have said. Solidify Your strategies on our behalf. Go before us to make a way out of no way, providing all that is needed to continue building Your kingdom. Supply and meet all our needs that we may be able to share with others. Let us be Your channel through which others are blessed. Rebuke the enemy on every hand and bless us with Your unlimited favor.

We pray the church will increase more and more, and that we will have no lack in anything, for there remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Let the oppressed go free, and break every enslaving yoke holding the righteous captive.

In the mighty name of Jesus, we ask and pray. Amen

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

Three years before I came to Christ, I hired a locksmith out of the yellow pages to do a job on my car. He just happened to be a preacher and when he was finished with his work, he struck up a conversation with me. He said that God had told him that I was going to help a lot of people. I shook my head in doubt because: (1) I was no where near God at the time, and (2) I didn’t care very much for people back then.

Since I came to Christ, the Lord has given me a love for writing and teaching. It hasn’t always been an easy road to travel but I am learning to keep my focus on those whom He has called me to help, and when it gets hard, the Holy Spirit will give me strength. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."  (Matt. 16:24)

There was a time when Jesus’ cross got heavy and the Father sent a man named Simon to carry it for a while. He knows what we can bear and His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

1. Deny self.
2. Keep your focus on your calling.
3. When your cross gets heavy, the Lord will send someone to help you.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove