HeavenGates Ministries, Inc.

Wait — 7/25/24
When we pray, petitioning God, some individuals tend to expect their petitions being answered in a timely fashion. However, the one question we must ask ourselves, are we praying God’s will or our will. God’s answers to our prayers are not based on what we want or when we want it but on what He knows is best for us and in line with the plan and purpose He has for our lives. We must truly learn the art of patience, or we will become stressed out, overtaxed, irritable, depressed, oppressed, and/or nervous, all of which have the potential to bring about illness. If we don’t learn how to abide in, lean on, relax in, rest in, get comfort in, and snuggle down in the arms of God, we may find ourselves a patient in somebody’s hospital.

A delayed/postponed request does not necessarily mean no, it’s just not feasible and/or beneficial for us at that point in time. God knew before we prayed what we would ask, and He also knows what we need. He has already put things in place so that at the right time, He’ll use the appropriate scenario/avenue and/or person to manifest the answer to our expectation and/or prayer. With that being said, we can rest assure that God is working out all things to our good based on His will for our life; the answer is already in place and will be manifested when He deems it so.

Take heed…
But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure. (Romans 8:25 --- AMPC)

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Philippians 4:6 --- AMPC)

7/24/24
Thankfulness
No matter what they have, or someone does for them, some people are never satisfied. And there are some people, every now and then, who tend to look back over their life and wonder what their life would have been like if they had a different family or did things differently. However, what people fail to realize and/or take into consideration is that they wouldn’t know what to look back for because there wouldn’t be any memory of the past.

The Word tells us to forget the things of the past and move forward anticipating that which God is about to do. It also tells us to be grateful and praise Him for His mighty acts; He knew our beginning and ending and made provision for everything we would need to sustain us as we journey through this life. With that being said, the born-again believer understands that gratitude is not limited to specific circumstances and situations, but it is a way of life, and they praise God for His bountiful blessings, knowing that all things work to their good, yes, even the various tests and trials they face.

Take heed…
Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (1 Thessalonian 5:18 — AMPC)

723/24
Resistance
As a born-again believer, temptation is always knocking at our door enticing us with its dainties and vices. The adversary will send out his search team of imps dangling before us that which use to please us. Our flesh will fight us to get what it wants and whatever we were delivered from—drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity, etc.—has the tendency to literally call us. Temptation, if we allow it, has the ability to cast a spell over us and hold us captive to its desires and pleasures.

Listen, we have the power to control what we do or do not do; and at times, that is easier said than done; however, we do not have to stand alone; we can call upon the Holy Spirit who will help us, standby us, strengthen us, counsel us, intercede for us and empower us to overcome every temptation. It is imperative that we guard our mind and not entertain the thoughts that the adversary presents before us. We must withstand, refrain, abstain, and oppose every attack counteracting it with the Word of God as our arsenal. With that being said, we must acknowledge, comprehend and understand that God’s Word is true; that as His children, we are more than conquerors and have the surpassing victory in Christ Jesus; and it is because of that, that we have been endowed with the fortitude, strength, stamina, and power to preserve against any and every attack, maintaining our position of deliverance

Take heed…
Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. (Hebrews 12:3-4 — AMPC)

7/22/24
Reflection
Life can be discouraging; it is full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, joys and sorrows, births and deaths, marriages and divorces, plenty and lack, etc., etc. When we find ourselves going through tough times and periods of uncertainty, it is good to review, revisit, recollect, replay, and recall to mind, the blessings, promises, and victories that have transpired in our life; and see how God moved in specific ways and brought us up and out of the circumstances and situation that seemed as though they were swallowing us up to live in a land of oppression and depression

It is imperative that we acknowledge, comprehend and understand that we serve Jehovah Jireh, our God who is more than enough and knows exactly what we need when we need it. As long as we live in this world, there will be ups and downs, laughter and tears, and joys and sorrows. However, it is at these times that we can call upon our helper, the Holy Spirit, and He will encourage us, strengthen us, intercede for us, advocate for us, and counsel us, reminding and ensuring us that God’s blessings and promises remain the same and that if He for us, than He is more than the world against us. With that being said, we must be ever mindful that if we want the blessings and promises of God to be fulfilled in our life then we must live as His children, walking holy and upright, longing and panting as a deer searching for streams of cool water.

Take heed…
I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread. (Psalm 37:23,25 — AMPC)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23 — NKJV)

Truth — 7/19/24
We all know individuals that are so heavenly bound that they are no earthly good. Some people, born-again believers included, can be so judgmental, snubbing their noses at individuals as though they have arrived. They wrinkle up their nose when they walk by the homeless, they hold their purse/satchel tightly to their chest when they see what they consider to be a thug, a judgmental spirit is written all over their face when they see young girls wearing see through and almost no clothes and young men with pants hanging below their buttocks, they ridicule the babies having babies, and if they weren’t scared, they would sn**ch those blunts right out of the hands of the smoker.

WE need to stop acting like we never smoked a blunt/reefer/marijuana, stank from drinking all night long, stole something from someone, showed to much flesh, and wasn’t a teenage mother/father ourselves. With that being said, we need to get off our saintly horse, thinking we’ve arrived and tell individuals the pure unadulterated fact that Jesus loves them and that He died so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Once a person has the facts, they are better able to help themselves. If we don’t tell them, who will?

Take heed…
It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).
So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20 — AMPC)

Focus II— 7/18/24
Until the Day of Judgment, we will be faced with one opposition after another and it is imperative that we do not allow ourselves to become impulsive and operate based on the what ifs, could ofs, should ofs, or on our emotions. It is a given that life’s adversities and adversarial opposition will arise that have the potential to have us spiraling down the path of doubt, fear, reluctance, and uncertainties, pulling us on track and derailing us from the path that God designated for us.

When we are faced with life’s adversities and adversarial opposition, we must still our spirit, study and meditate on the Word of God and acknowledge, comprehend and understand that He has a plan and purpose for our life, and it is for good. With that being said, we must remember that we have a helper in the Holy Spirit; He will never lead us down the wrong path but will guide us in making the right decisions which will keep us on track as we journey to our eternal home in glory.

Take heed…
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, (Hebrews 12:2a — NKJV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 — NIV)

Focus — 7/17/24
As we journey through this life, we should always be critiquing ourselves to determine if we are making progress in how we operate/function and that our efforts show fruit. Life is an instructor, and we should be ever learning. As we continue along the path of righteousness, the born-again believer understands that there will always be adversarial opposition that will attempt to derail us and get us off track.

When we do err, we must immediately repent and thank God for His forgiveness. It is inevitable that we will find ourselves in compromising positions, but we must not move forth based on what we think or feel, but seek the Holy Spirit—our helper, standby, strengthener, counselor, advocate, intercessor—who is ready to aid us. With that being said, let’s make sure that we are studying and meditating on God’s Word and are applying its precepts and principles so that we remain on the designated path He has for us follow.

Listen and take heed…
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. (Hebrews 12:2a — AMPC)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 — AMPC)

Discouragement II — 7/16/24
It is time that the born-again believer stops allowing the challenges, circumstances, obstructions, situations, tests, and/or trials to keep us from moving forward and reaching our God given destiny. There are so many blessings and promises that God has for us, but we will never reach them or achieve the success that belongs to us if we allow the fears and doubts of past failures to hold us hostage in the valley of cannot, no confidence, guilt, and/or shame. If Jesus forgave Peter, His disciple who denied Him three times, will He not do the same for us. God loves us and His blessings and promises are there for us, but we must get off the merry go-around of past guilt and shame.

When we allow ourselves to be hedged in by the doubt and uncertainties of the world, we will miss so many of God’s blessings and promises. We cannot move forward if we keep looking backward; we must not be a repeat offender but allow the blood that Jesus shed and died for on our behalf to truly set us free so that we can run as an athlete striving to reach the finish line and receive the medal of victory. With that being said, we must daily meditate on the Word of God and allow His Word to heal and free us from the past and its failures. We must be assured in our sanctified souls that victory belongs to the child of God—that’s us—and defeat is not an option.

Take heed…
Therefore, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. (Romans 8:1, 28 —AMPC)

Discouragement — 7/15/24
As long as we live, we will be faced with life’s twists and turns and the more we are faced with them, the more adept we should become in navigating its roadways. No doubt, there will be some twists and turns that will aid us in reaching that which we have set out to accomplish and/or to reach our God given destiny. And then there are those twists and turns that will lead us down the highways of despair, gloom, and negativity; these are the highways that life’s adversities and/or the adversary will set before us to deprive us, deplete us and/or destroy our courage, hope and confidence. The adversary will use whatever he can to obstruct our path and dissuade us from taking the correct avenues that God has set before us to reach the blessings and promises He has for His children.

The born-again believer has come to understand that no matter what they are faced with—challenges, circumstances, obstructions, situations, tests, and/or trials—they must not give up and allow themselves to dilly dally in the alleyways of darkness, depression, despair, fear, oppression, and/or suicidal tendencies but muster up every ounce of strength they have and call on the name of Jesus. With that being said, when the twists and turns do attempt to burden us down, we can call upon our helper, the Holy Spirit who will aid us in charting the waterways of life so that we will not be prevented from reaching our God given destiny.

Take heed…
We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
(2 Corinthians 4:8-10 — AMPC)

Excited III — 7/12/24
There’s not one person who will be exempt from the trials and circumstances of life but we who are born-again can be exceedingly glad because our defender is nearby. Of course, there will be times when the last thing we want to do is rejoice but if we don’t, we’ll lose the ability to be strengthened and our spiritual stamina will be weakened. What we must always remember is that the battle is not ours but the Lord.

We must be on guard at all times so that we recognize our opponents and when we are presented with any circumstances, obstacles and/or situations we should be overjoyed knowing that our defender has the situation under control. With that being said, the next time that the adversities of everyday life or the adversary attempts to insinuate, initiate or stipulate anything that is not of God, all we need do is step aside and allow the Holy Spirit to take over as we sing songs of praise, glorifying God for all that He has done, is doing and will do.

Listen and take heed…
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 — AMPC)

Excited II — 7/11/24
We all experience days when it seems as though life has put on its boxing gloves and we are the targeted punching bag; however, the born-again believer has the promises of God and know that no weapon formed against them will prosper. It is the believers’ job to regurgitate the Word that has been deposited in their spirit. And as they allow the Word to comfort, soothe, and calm them in their time of need, the Holy Spirit, their avenger, will step in and defend them.

The next time that the circumstances, obstacles, and situations present themselves with a one, two punch, all we need do is go into our designated corner of meditation, resting on our stool of love, take a cool rag of peace and wipe the anxiety, fear, and dread from our brow. With that being said, we can be ecstatic, our emotions stirred and our bodies tingling with the anointing running through us because we know that the battle is not ours and has already been won.

Take heed…
The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. (Psalm 28:7— (AMPC)

God is my strong fortress; He has made me safe. (2 Samuel 22:33 — TLB)

Excited — 7/10/24
There will always be circumstances and situations that will arise which we have no control over and at times, they will leave us feeling helpless as a baby chicklet left in the nest until its mother return; however, we need not become fearful or afraid as though we have no help. The born-again believer has learned that God has provided various remedies/antidotes for the aliments, sorrows and woes of this world and that when they are faced with any of them, they can find the prescribed medication—love, peace, hope, joy, perseverance, in His Word, the Bible.

God’s prescribed medication—love, peace, hope, joy, perseverance—is more than capable of expelling the dark clouds that come our way. All we need do, is stir up the gifts— love, peace, hope, joy, perseverance—in us and bring to remembrance that which God has already delivered us from. With that being said, we must not be moved by circumstances, obstacles, and situation but be ecstatic in our sanctified souls knowing that Jesus, our deliverer and the Holy Spirit, our comforter, helper, strengthener, standby, counselor, intercessor, and advocate, have everything under control and that combination of love and support is more than enough and capable of quieting the feelings of fear, sorrow and/or woe that attempt to plague us.

Take heed...
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 - KJV)

Direction II— 7/9/24
Most people, when they set out on a road trip, will go to the American Automobile Association (AAA) for directions or follow their phone or car Global Positioning System (GPS) so that they have a visual and/or voice map giving them turn by turn steps to take, and when those steps are followed one will end up at their intended destination; albeit, there are times that an unbeknown detour has to be taken because of various obstacles in the path. When a wrong turn has been made and/or one has to follow a detour, the GPS will state that it is recalibrating the route and will put one back on the designated path; that is if they follow its instructions.

Just as in the physical realm, the born-again believer will experience some twists, turns, and/or detours caused by the adversities of life, and/or the tricks, tactics, traps set up by none other than old sloth foot himself, Satan. However, when the believer has detoured and allowed sin to gain a foothold in their life, they can be grateful that they have a loving God who has provided the gift of repentance and made it possible that a divine reset (recalibrating) of forgiveness has been initiated. With that being said, it is of the utmost importance that when we do run into detours and get off course, that we must attentively listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and when He states that there is a need for recalibrating we must repent—turn from that twist/turn/detour/sin—and follow the path that puts us back on course to eternal life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Take heed…
I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. (Psalm 32:8 — AMPC)

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11 — AMPC)

Direction — 7/8/24
So many wonder around aimlessly following one fad and/or person after another and find that at the end of that segment of time they’ve ended up right back where they started from, not knowing what to do or how to get there. Life is full of twists and turns and obstacles are strewn along the path, and if there is not a clearly laid out plan defining where one wants to go and how they are to get there they will always be searching.

The born-again believer no longer has to wonder around aimlessly following somebody—who is looking for the same thing they are looking for—because they have surrendered their life to the Lord Jesus Christ. God has a plan for each, and every believer and it is up to them to follow His plan. His plan as laid out in the Bible provides the instructions and guidance needed to live an abundant life, reap the blessings, and promises designated for the child of God. With that being said, regardless of the twists and turns encountered along the life’s paths, it is imperative that the instructions that God has designated be followed and adhered to; and in doing so, the destination(s) reached will be that which God planned and purposed before the foundation of the world.

Listen and take heed…
I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress. (Psalm 32:8 — TLB)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 — NLV)

Hope — 7/5/24
We all go through stages in our life where it seems as though we have lost our joy and no matter what another person may say to us in terms of encouragement, we find no comfort and/or peace. And sometimes, it appears as though the longer we’ve rested in a spirit of expectation there is that suspicion that we will not attain that which we’ve looked for and waited on. We must not trust in and/or put any confidence in ourselves but put all our expectations and desires in the true and living God, Jehovah Shalom, who provides all our needs. As long as we live, we will experience times of disbelief, our desire for the things of God waning and an apparent lack of trust for that which we’ve petitioned. But, we must be aware; this is a trick from the enemy; he will do all he can to get us off track and have us walk based on our feelings.

We must not walk based on our feelings. When we find that we are being attacked and all types of thoughts are running throughout our mind as though a big screen TV is before us, we must immediately rebuke the enemy, in the name of Jesus. It is imperative that we let the adversary know that we will not allow him to implant his thoughts of despair and negativity and that we cancel/denounce him and all his tricks, tactics and ploys. We must daily put on the armor of God, keeping the helmet of salvation securely in place which will guard the adversary’s access to our mind. With that being said, we have the power, in Jesus’ name, to take authority over any thoughts of our past and its activities being implanted in our mind. The past is the past and has no present and/or future abilities to interact with our born again mind and spirit because we now rest securely in the Word of God and its truths.

Listen and take heed…
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord! (Psalm 31:24 — AMP)

Broken II — 7/4/24
Anytime a fractured bone is not properly repaired, it will not function the way it was intended because it has not been set and/or properly aligned. So many of individuals have been reduced to rubble and have become fragmented because they have been hurt by another person or have allowed someone to infringe upon and/or violate their principles, and as a result they have become leery and weary of allowing themselves to relax and enjoy that which God has for them. Anytime a fragmented person becomes involved in a relationship and/or situation, the potential for damages remains, not only for themselves but for everyone and everything they become involved with. That which is fragmented can only provide/give that which it has, shattered/fragmented pieces.

God intended for us to be whole and complete, lacking nothing. When we feed ourselves with God’s Word, applying its precepts and principles to our life, its nutrients will heal that which is fragmented so that we become whole—physically, mentally and spiritually—and live a healthy balance life. With that being said, we must not allow ourselves to become detached and disconnected from the Word of God but allow ourselves to be healed, delivered and set free from anything that threatens to lacerate, wound, dissolve, destroy, overtake, and/or keep us from living the abundant life made possible for us by Jesus’ death on the cross.

Take heed…
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. (Jeremiah 18:2-4 — AMPC)

Broken — 7/3/24
There is not one thing that cannot be shattered, fragmented, ruptured, torn, fractured, and/or not function properly. We, as humans, get into relationships or situations and when the newness wears off, we have the tendency to discard the people and/or things and move onto the next. However, the only thing about moving on to the next is that we take our shattered/fragmented selves with us. We cannot expect perfection when we ourselves are not perfect.

When boundaries are not set at the beginning of a relationship and/or situation there is the potential for things to become fragmented. We should never rush into any relationship or situation but take the necessary time to discover, observe, and be able to comprehend the character flaws of a person or the particulars of a situation, judging and separating what we want as opposed to what actually is. With that being said, it is imperative that we do not allow ourselves to be fooled by the tricks and tactics of the adversary but allow the Word of God to heal us, mend us, mold us, and transform us into the person He intended us to be so that we are able to truly discern that which He has for us.

Take heed…
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]. (Psalm 147:3 — AMPC)

But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into. (Matthew 24:43 — AMPC)

Fear II — 7/2/24
Why are you afraid my child? There isn't one thing and/or person that can come against us without God’s permission; and if it comes to us, it is a teachable moment, and He will keep us through it. Only be strong and courageous; just as He was with Moses so He will be with us. He parted the Red Sea, provided water and manna, provided a fire by night and a cloud by day to protect and guide the people to the Promised Land, and He will do the same for us; all He asks is that we be obedient and follow His instructions.

It is imperative that we understand that God is not a respecter of person. If He enabled David to kill a bear, Samson to bring down a structure, Peter to preach to the thousands, Jesus to turn water into wine, convert Saul into Paul, and gave Timothy to pastor the people, will He not do the same for us. With that being said, it is of the utmost importance that we walk by faith, trusting God’s Word, knowing that He will provide for us, guide us, encourage us, and keep us until Jesus returns and ushers us into our eternal heavenly home where we will spend eternity with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Take heed...
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (Isaiah 41:10 — AMPC)

Fear --- 7/1/24
As a born-again believer, we should not be afraid and go into hiding when adversities and troubles find their way to our door post. God, Jehovah Shammah is always with us; He has all authority and power, and nothing can come upon us without His knowledge. When He deems it necessary, He will hide us from the adversary, and when He doesn’t, He will provide us with His peace and needed strength and strategy to go through. What God did for the children in Israel He will also do for us. We can trust Him and take Him at His Word, that He is for us.

The adversary is good at setting traps along the paths we travel and uses every trick he has in his arsenal to get us to walk in a spirit of timidness. However, valleys are a part of our everyday life, and we must not become stagnant, linger on the way or become afraid to move forward because of the oppositions we will face. With that being said, it is imperative that we saturate ourselves in God’s Word, understanding its precepts and principles, and being assured that the needed strength to walk through the everyday valleys have already been provided. And it is because of that assurance, that we can forge ahead knowing that no weapon formed against us will prosper and singing, I’ve got the victory, hallelujah, I’ve got the victory, hallelujah.

Take heed…
Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9 --- AMPC)