THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (2)

Some years ago, the Lord showed me a vision of the judgment seat of Christ. The rapture had taken place and the raptured church was lined up by congregations all around Christ’s throne room. I was third in line with my church. In front of me was Sister Ferguson, and in front of her was Sister McGarry. She was having a conversation with Jesus that no one could hear but the two of them. It lasted a long time.

Meanwhile, I was standing there trembling with nervousness and saying to myself, “Oh, please let me hear Him say well done.” Over and over, I kept repeating this to myself with my hands clutched in front of my face. Finally, Sister McGarry let out a great big shout of rejoicing and two angels led her away.

It was Sister Ferguson’s turn. She stepped up and began speaking with Jesus, but no one could hear their conversation but the two of them. They spoke a long time, while I stood behind her still praying, “Please let me hear Him say well done.” I knew the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25 about the talents. The two servants who had doubled what their master entrusted to them, were commended and rewarded… “Well done good and faithful servants. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you rulers over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Finally, Sister Ferguson also let out a great big shout of rejoicing and two angels led her away.

Now it was my turn. I stepped up before Jesus’ throne still praying silently, “Please let me hear Him say well done.” When Jesus and I locked eyeballs, He smiled at me and nodded His head up and down. He knew my thoughts and responded affirmatively. I let out a great big shout of rejoicing and two angels led me away.

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When the church is raptured out of this world, we will have a Day when we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive the rewards for our works which we have done in our walk with the Lord. There will be an assessment of the quality of our work (did we build with gold, silver, and precious stones, or did we build with wood, hay, and straw?). We will be rewarded based on that assessment. Good work will be rewarded with a crown of rejoicing. In that parable about the talents, Jesus said to the good and faithful servants, “Well done, you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many."

Those who are ineffective in their work for Christ will still be saved but there will be few, if any, eternal rewards waiting for them in heaven (1Cor. 3:15). Jesus said in the Matthew 25 parable that the faithful servants would be rulers over many things. I'm looking forward to eternal life with Christ.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

LEARNING TO BECOME

When I was in the 10^th grade I worked in the school library during gym class because I hated Physical Ed. I flunked Physical Ed, but I learned a lot about books and working in the library during that semester. The librarian had me aligning all the books to the edge of the bookshelf so they were neatly arranged. That’s been about 45 years ago and I still align my books to the edge of the bookshelves in my home.

I have forgotten the librarian’s name. I could not identify her in a line-up. I’ve forgotten how to use the card catalog system, however I still line all my books neatly along the edge of the shelf; I also love the books on the shelves.

I think that was the catch, the whole time. God knew that I would come to love books, even before I knew it.

This reminds me of Joseph’s story. At the age of 17, God gave him a dream. But it did not come to pass till he was 30 years old. During those 13 years, Joseph endured a lot of turmoil but it was preparing him for his purpose, and he pulled it off very well, because he was appropriately trained for it. Joseph testified that God meant the turmoil for good to save the lives of many people through him.

In the 10^th grade, I had no idea that I would become a writer, but there I was, in a library full of books learning to appreciate them.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

A FISH OUT OF WATER

When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I had a dream that a fish out of water was chasing me down the beach and I was running for my life, full speed ahead in a panic.

A fish out of water is one that is away from their element and usual environment. It is a person who feels awkward because they’re different from most others. This element of feeling awkward has chased me down for most of my life, because I am a fish out of water. Now, at the age of 60, I have come to fully accept me, and love me, for who I am and I’m totally okay with being different. The only problem I have with this revelation is that it took 54 years to figure it out.

God knew when I was 6, that He would bless me with the gift of writing. An important trait of writers is that we thrive on solitude, because how can you complete writing projects if you don’t have quiet time?

My husband says, “I don’t see how you can do it.” The pandemic nearly drove him crazy because everyone was required to practice social distancing, but he just desperately needed to get out of the house. But social distancing didn’t affect me at all. In fact, I loved it. It was the positive aspect of COVID for me.

When I was in elementary school, I hated recess! All the kids were playing on the slides, and swings, and jungle gyms, but I just stood on the grass and watched them. When it was time to go back to class, I ran to the building.

You have to be okay with you, not being okay with you… and don’t let 54 years go by before you figure that out!

I’m no longer in a panic running from that fish. I stopped… turned around… and gave it a great big ole’ bear hug.

Go in peace. ✌

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MONEY ADVICE IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Be generous in giving

• Proverbs 11:24-25 (NKJV) There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

• Proverbs 22:9 (NKJV) He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

Place people’s needs ahead of profit

• Proverbs 11:26 (NKJV) The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Be cautious of co-signing for someone

• Proverbs 11:15 (NKJV) He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure.

• Proverbs 17:18 (NKJV) A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend.

• Proverbs 22:26-27 (NKJV) Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?

Don’t accept bribes

• Proverbs 17:23 (NKJV) A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice.

Help the poor

• Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV) He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.

• Proverbs 21:13 (NKJV) Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard.

Store up for the future

• Proverbs 21:20 (NKJV) There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.

Be careful about borrowing

• Proverbs 22:7 (NKJV) The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Be honest in obtaining wealth

• Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV) Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.

Be cautious of get rich quick schemes

• Proverbs 20:21 (NKJV) An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end.

Give an offering to God

• Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV) Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

MONEY COME TO ME

My former pastor, whose gone to heaven now, once told us about a vision the Lord showed him a long time ago. He was standing in a vault, and every wall had stacks and stacks of money jam packed on shelves from the floor to the ceiling. He was trying to remove some of the money but it was so packed that he could not pull any money from the shelves. It got very frustrating because there he was, with access to as much money as he could carry but was unable to access any of it.

Finally, the Lord instructed him to speak to the money and say, “Money, come to me.” When he did, money began to fall off the shelves at his feet and pile up. As he stood there in the vault, money continued to pile up. All his efforts to collect it was fruitless, but when he spoke to it, the money fell at his feet.

God says, "Will you please stop striving for what I will give to you? Just claim it."

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

LET JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

Heavenly Father,

For some time, You have been dealing with me about my independent spirit; trying to get me to let go of self-sufficiency. The greatest problem I’ve had with this transition is being dissatisfied with how others do things, so I feel compelled to just do it myself, like the lady in the Kayak commercial who takes down her scarecrow and climbs up on the bar and scare away the birds herself. That’s been me for a long time but we are now at the threshold of a new mindset and a new way of living and thinking about life. The other day I said to myself that my husband does not wash dishes like me and that is okay. No criticism. Just acceptance. I'm entering a new way of thinking.

I read in the Bible dictionary that true faith is confidence in God, not confidence in one’s self.

The apostle Paul said in 2Cor. 3:5 that we don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own, but rather it is God who gives us what it takes to succeed. Jesus said that without Him we can do nothing. I’m happy that we have come to this transition, and new way of thinking.

I rearranged my office, and got rid of my To Do Lists so that I can be led by the Holy Spirit and follow His lead from day to day.

Last Friday Sheilenna sent me that Carrie Underwood song Jesus Take The Wheel. It was so on time. The lyrics say:  Jesus take the wheel, take it from my hands, cause I can’t do this on my own, I’m letting go, so give me one more chance, and save me from this road I’m on.

That is my prayer today Lord Jesus. You take the wheel. You be in charge. Without You I can do nothing, but with You I’m more than a conqueror, and nothing can separate me from Your love. That brings great consolation to my heart. Thank You my Lord. In Jesus’s name I humbly ask and pray. Amen.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

WHEN LIFE IS A BEAT DOWN

Heavenly Father,

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus taught so profoundly about the futility of worrying. But sometimes life can get so oppressive that it just gets hard to stay hopeful. Many have committed suicide because trying to hang on gets worn out. When endurance has depleted, they feel it's their only option.

Jesus said in His sermon, “Do not worry about your life, because your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But sometimes it takes so long for our prayers to be answered that we are long past worry, and are drenched in hopelessness.

However, I recall the prophet Isaiah’s encouragement that says, "Those who wait on the LORD shall have their strength renewed; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Father, when we’re feeling that low, and hopelessness is trying to set in, I pray that You will renew and restore hope and faith and endurance. Lord, let us never give up or lose assurance in Your faithfulness. Let us mount up with wings like an eagle. Let us run and never get tired. Let us walk and never grow weak.

I recall the passage of Scripture where Jesus was on His knees in agony there on the Mount of Olives. Praying earnestly and sweating profusely He prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then a heavenly angel appeared to Him, and strengthened Him. Jesus went on to bear the cross and said before He died, “It is finished.”

It is written in Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to Your throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need.”

O Father, when life if giving us a beat down and our strength and endurance is decreasing, please remember that day on the Mount of Olives, and renew our endurance. Help us bear our cross to the finish and not forget that You will never leave, nor forsake us. In Jesus’s name we humbly ask and pray. Amen.

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PETITION

May 2, 2024

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

(Psalm 33:12)

INTRODUCTION

Heavenly Father, we come to Your throne of grace on this National Day of Prayer to pray for America whose Pledge of Allegiance declares that we are one nation under God, and on whose currency is printed In God We Trust. We pray that You will rule over this country. Lead us forward to dispel darkness and bring light throughout this country and around the world. Forgive us Lord for our sinful ways, as we stand in the gap for our fellow Americans pleading the blood of Jesus over our country. If we walk in the light, as You are the light, then surely darkness will dispel and we will have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us of all our sin.

You said in Your word, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Forgive us O God, and heal our nation.

FAMILY

Bless us to love one another as Jesus taught. Restore our commitment to holiness, and to the sanctity of marriage, family relations, and human life. Let us live and walk in the Spirit everyday so that He may teach us how to walk honorably in Your presence.

GOVERNMENT

Lord, we pray for our government to include all the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Federal, State, and Local offices around the country. We pray for all who are in authority and elected to office that You will rule over them, that us citizens may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Father, we are six months away from a very important election. We pray for discernment so that we may vote for candidates who hear Your voice and keep the ways of truth as they follow in lock step with the Lord Jesus guiding us to justice, prosperity, and peace. Awaken us that the same hands lifted to You in prayer are the same hands that will be in the voting booth… and let the best candidates win this election.

NEWS MEDIA

From national networks to print mediums, we pray for personnel, editors, reporters, and commentators that are committed to accuracy, integrity, truth, and morality. And we pray that You will dismiss biased and immoral news media who are reporting anything less than the truth. We pray that journalists all across America will do their best to bring truth and light where there is darkness and deceit. We ask You to promote those who will use the power of their words and platform for good and who brings the highest regard and integrity to the news media industry.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERNET PLATFORMS

Thank You Lord for the good gift of the internet and social media platforms through which we can create, communicate, learn, and glorify You. Help us not to twist the tools of technology with methods such as artificial intelligence (AI) that only serve to increase the darkness. Help us to discern our thoughts, words, and actions with all wisdom so that we may not be hypnotized by ungodliness on the internet and social media. Let our speech and our postings build one another up, and point them to Your amazing grace and undeniable mercy, and glorify Your name forevermore. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil of this world as we utilize these good and useful gifts. May our stewardship of these great resources show that we honor You in every scroll, post, message, tweet, pin, and blogpost. And may the time we spend on social media cause us to have a deeper communion with the Holy Spirit as we edify ourselves and others in the process.

BUSINESS

We pray this day that You will provide corporate America with business leaders who are committed to conducting themselves honorably with loyalty to their employees, clients, and the business world. We also pray for physicians that they will care for their patients with tender hearts and always look out for their patient’s best interests. We pray that entrepreneurs and corporate employees of every industry will conduct themselves with integrity and tenacity while they fulfill their responsibilities to meet their goals. Let the workplace become a pleasant place to be 40 hours a week.

EDUCATION AND THE NEXT GENERATION

We pray for every student that’s attending scholastic academies and public schools all across America. Let all those in authority instill curriculums that adequately educates, and not radicalize our young people who are becoming the future leaders of this country. We pray You will prepare the hearts and minds of high school and college students to lead our country into the future.

We pray that the college and university protests that are being carried out all across the country will be done peacefully and with a heart for decency, integrity, and a sense of respect for all mankind regardless of race or religion. We pray You will dispel darkness and increase truth and upstanding citizenship on every campus and in every classroom and dormitory across the United States of America.

We pray that You will stop the mass killing of children while they attend school and keep them safe from all harm. Please let Your angels guard these children and let no harm come to them.

MILITARY AND ARMED SERVICES

We pray for America’s military soldiers and all the armed services serving on American soil and around the world. Please keep them safe from hurt, harm, and danger. Please keep our police officers and armed agents operating with a high degree of integrity while they protect our communities against illegal acts and violence.

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

We pray for celebrities, producers, directors, writers, and executives of TV shows and movies, that You will work in miraculous ways to win their hearts and minds to the gospel message. We ask that You raise up extraordinarily gifted men and women to bring change and goodness to the entertainment industry. Give them creative ideas and the wisdom that will propel them to the front of their fields where they may be salt and light in an industry that has darkened the entertainment arena with evil entertainment.

AMERICA’S EVOLVING POSITION IN THE WORLD

Let America’s presence around the world be a blessing, and let other countries see Almighty God in and through us. Let our lives and our aid to other countries be a testimony that we are one nation under God, and that You are our God. Please remember our fellow countrymen and women that are being held prisoner around the globe. Bring them back home safe and sound.

THE CHURCH

Lord, embolden us Christians to take up our shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God and run boldly into the darkness and light up this world with the gospel message. Help us to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. Lead us into all the world to preach the gospel that will change the hearts of mankind from evil to good, as Jesus commanded us to do, because we know that You desire for all of us to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

These and all blessings we humbly ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove