During his work for God, Paul had his share of enemies; many of them among his "brethren". He openly spoke about it, and it can help those of us who have fallen into the similar situations he found himself in.

2Ti 4:14-18 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:  Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Alexander the coppersmith. An Alexander is named in Act 19:33 and in 1Ti 1:20 as belonging to Ephesus. This may have been the same man. We cannot be sure whether the evil was done in Ephesus, or Rome. 

Did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works-The Christian, when wronged, is to turn over to the Lord the recompense for the wrong. 

Of whom be thou ware. This seems to indicate that Alexander was at Ephesus still.

At my first answer. This seems to point to a first hearing of the case, which had then been adjourned, perhaps to wait for witnesses. Then, as now, cases were often postponed, or there were second trials. 

No man stood with me. None of his brethren dared to appear in his support. It was the last year of the reign of Nero, and times were terrible. 

The Lord stood with me. He had a better helper than man. He had an assurance that the Lord was with him. 

That by me. The Lord strengthened him, so that in his defense he could proclaim to the Gentiles boldly the principles of the gospel. See in Acts his famous speeches before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. 

And the Lord shall deliver me. In the future as in the past. He could look back over his life and remember the many times the Lord stood by him, when in great persecution. His spirit was enamored with the strength of experience; knowing the Lord’s deliverance in past troubles and afflictions. 

From every evil work: I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion — namely, Satan, the roaring, devouring lion (Luk 22:31; 1Pe 5:8). I was prevented falling into his snare (2Ti 2:26; Psa 22:21; 2Pe 2:9); 2Te 4:18 agrees with this interpretation, “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work,” namely, both from evil and the evil one, as the Greek of the Lord’s Prayer expresses it. It was not deliverance from Nero (who was called the lion) that he rejoiced in, for he did not fear death (2 Ti 4:6-8), but deliverance from the temptation, through fear, to deny His Lord. (notes from the Peoples New Testament Comm.)

Summary:
 If a servant of God has been exploited, falsely accused, wrongfully treated; they can be sure that God sees, and will take every action into account. If we do not see the recompense in this life; we will in the next.  

This is my response to those who come here to this site, snoop, and spy, then go back to their own sites or places of ministry, and run it into the ground. If what I’m doing is “dead works”, as I’ve heard, why worry about it? Just pay attention to your own ministry, your own works. Another thing you could do is take your opinion to God, and talk to Him about it. If what I’m doing is dead works, I’m sure He will tell me what He called me to do in 2010 was all a mistake, and give this up, and forget it. God will judge us both someday, that should be sufficient. 

I’ve been admonished by some to study the book of Romans, to persuade me of my mistake and see that what I’m doing is dead works. I’ve studied Romans for over 30 years, I understand the principle of dead works according to Paul. I’ve gone through some experiences in life to help learn what those principles mean. But, I also know the call of God in my life, and the details of that call that are between God and I, no one else. It is the full assurance of that call that keeps me going in this; in my own flesh, I’ve wanted to quit many times. 

For those who feel I’m lacking in faith, and do not believe in healing; I’ve posted over and over again here that I certainly do believe in healing and have been physically healed numerous times over the years as a direct result of the power of prayer, and have prayed for and seen other’s healed, and delivered. But, I have questions for those who accuse me of this, that I never get answers to:

1. Do you ever go to the doctor? Do you take any kind of medications?
2. Have you been healed every time you’ve prayed for it, and has everyone you’ve prayed for been healed?
3. Do you always know why God chooses to heal some, and not other’s?
4. Does it concern you in the least whether those who are not healed, receive compassionate, and loving care by those who are willing to do what they can, and allow God to be God, and not pretend to have all the answers?
5. When was the last time you sat at the bedside of someone who was dying, and simply listened, and waited for an opportunity to share the love of Christ with them, or asked them if they had a favorite scripture you could read to them, simply to be a servant of God, and get no attention or money for it?

I've watched carefully groomed testimonies on Christian programs, with the smiling faces of people giving glowing accounts of the wonderful life they have achieved through faith, and claiming the promises of God over their lives, and I rejoice for them. However, God has not forgotten those who are frail, or terminally ill in nursing homes, or hospice. Real life does not come carefully groomed for many.

6. What do you say concerning the verse in James which specifically tells us that in God’s eyes, pure religion and undefiled are those who visit the widows, the orphans, and keep themselves unspotted from the world: NOT THOSE WHO PREACH THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL.

Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

7. Have you been given a mandate by God to judge and condemn another minister, who you simply disagree with, but have no real scriptural foundation to stand on? I already know the answer to that, and can rest in that knowledge.

Whenever I’ve asked those who’ve opposed this ministry these questions; I get the same response, either silence, or duck and dodge the question, and come back with more worthless attacks, they’ve learned their tactics from the politicians and Pharisee’s.

For all the money and time they may spend to present themselves to you in wonderful health, prosperity, and achievement; it will not last forever. At some point reality will take over. If you live long enough, you will grow old, and the tummy tucks, face lifts, and strict diets will not bring any remedy for what the mirror shows you. I diet, I exercise, and am in great health, but I am not living in fantasy land.

Lastly, if you reading this and are one who has stood by and watched another pastor or leader take your teachings, or inspiration God has given you; and steal it for his own use, and seen him run with it and gain success, and leaving you in the dust; do not be discouraged. On the day you stand before God in heaven, you will receive the reward for the work that was stolen from you; not them. The Lord has stood by me; even as he did Paul, and has assured me of this, it brings me great comfort. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Lorna Couillard

If we take care of our parents, one of the things we find ourselves in at times is the anxiety of guilt.

They may not do it intentionally, but there are times when they will do things and say things to try to get their way; (it seems to be a return to their childhood in some ways).

We can end up reacting to the buttons they learn to push to get us to do what they want. It often causes hardship to our personal life, yet we may refuse to see it for what it is.

Worse, we may refuse to take appropriate action to ensure that it doesn’t keep happening, and we find ourselves in a tunnel of guilt we have allowed. 

Others in our family or our friends can also heap guilt on us, with judgments and criticism. They may mean well, but the truth is; they are looking at the situation from the outside in; they aren’t dealing with your situation every day as you may be.

During the years I took care of my mother, I found myself in this cycle of guilt, and it took some time and being honest with myself to find some solutions. There were days that I would rather not live through again, and there is still a little part of me that still feels a twinge every now and then. But I survived the journey, and I am here to tell you that there is help for you.

Once I was able to recognize that guilt existed within me, I had to also realize that no one gave it to me. Guilt is a self-made emotion. We do it to ourselves. We take those words, or actions of others and internalize them. Whatever the reason is that causes the guilt to develop, it is wasted energy. It is energy that we could be using for good, healthy, and, productive outlets. These are the tips I’ve found work, I’m sure they can for you also:

1. Do not go to bed feeling guilty. Every day I asked God to help me for the strength and wisdom to care for my mother the best I could and get thru the day. Whatever mistakes happened, I cannot change them; if I know I tried my best, don’t allow guilt to fester.

2. Never mind what other’s may have to say about what your doing, or how your doing it. YOU are the one living in the situation every day, and only you knows what it takes to get thru the events of each day, and what your loved one’s needs are.

3. What you know about your actions is all that matters. If you know you have done your best in the situations you’ve faced today, don’t allow judgment of other’s to torment your mind. Be at peace with yourself.

4. If you know you have perhaps lost your patience with your parent or loved one your caring for, or you’ve made a mistake; take it to God, and ask Him for His forgiveness, and for His strength and wisdom to do better, and then leave it with Him. Trust Him to give the help you need. His shoulders are big enough to carry your burden.

So the next time guilt comes knocking at your door, don't answer it. Leave it outside where it belongs. And when you put your head down on that pillow tonight, rest easy knowing that you are doing the very best that you can with what you have been given.

Lorna Couillard

​Words, there is no shortage of them today. Long important sounding phrases, detailed descriptions, with elaborate discourses. 

Jesus spoke about words, this was his advice:

Mat 5:37  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 

This cuts right to the quick, and exposes motives for the abundance of words.

He made many points with this one statement:

A simple yes or no affirms the truth, or untruth of any matter; which is enough.

It reaffirms the verses before it, to not speak any oaths, because it brings the one who does so into condemnation, which James also tell us in the book of James ch 5.

Jas 5:12  But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Lengthy discourses are seed for exaggeration and untruthfulness, the breeding ground for lying.

The abundance of words can reveal pride.

There can be great beauty and richness in words used in poetry, lyrics of music, teachings, books, exhortations, and when used with skill can benefit mans spirit and soul in many ways, when God is guiding the use of them.

People want to sound intelligent, important, make sure the explanation has been thoroughly enhanced. But, many times the same description could be given very effectively with three words rather than ten.
​Lorna Couillard

As we travel through this life; we, as those before us, find the longer we are here, the more we must learn to “let go of what lies behind”. That all we accumulate, all we strive to achieve for, and the recognition of man, will be left behind us; no matter how much we try to cling to it, or how much value we place on it.

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 
Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 
Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 
Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

The patriarch’s of faith spoken of in Hebrews exemplifies this for us. In the passages above, we can observe some important truth’s.

These all died in faith. All the patriarchs named. They died without the fulfillment of the promises, either those of a temporal possession or of an innumerable seed.  They died as believers, waiting for, but not actually seeing as yet their good things promised to them. They were true to this principle of faith even unto, and especially in, their dying hour.

Having seen them afar off. They beheld them in the future by faith. 

Now as these did not receive the promise of entering literal Canaan, some other promise made in the first ages, and often repeated, must be that meant, namely, the promise of a coming Redeemer made to Adam, “the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.” 

This promise of eternal redemption is the inner essence of the promises made to Abraham. Gal. 3:16

Christ, as the Word, was preached to the Old Testament believers, and so became the seed of life to their souls, as He is to ours. John 8:56

Confessed. By their whole lives that they were pilgrims. They had no fixed home and were waiting for a country. Worldly men hold fast the world; believers sit loose to it. Citizens of the world do not confess themselves “strangers on the earth.”

They that say such things. Who confess that they are pilgrims. 

Seek a country. This confession shows that they are seeking a country somewhere other than this world, but have not yet found it.  We have a heavenly citizenship ,Heb 11:16: “our citizenship is in heaven” (Greek: Heb 10:34; Psa 119:54; Phi 3:20). “Whosoever professes that he has a Father in heaven, confesses himself a stranger on earth; hence there is in the heart an ardent longing, like that of a child living among strangers, in want and grief, far from his fatherland” (Luther). “Like ships in seas while in, above the world.”

If they had been mindful, etc. They could have returned to their old home in Ur of the Chaldees, if they had chosen, but though homeless in a strange land they had faith in a future home. 

As Abraham, had he desired to leave his pilgrim life in Canaan, and resume his former fixed habitation in Ur, among the carnal and worldly, had in his long life ample opportunities to have done so; and so spiritually, as to all believers who came out from the world to become God’s people, they might, if they had been so minded, have easily gone back.

But, we can move forward to the gospel of John, when Jesus asked Peter if he also would leave him; Peter’s answer is the same as it was for them, and is the same for us:

Joh 6:65  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 
Joh 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 
Joh 6:67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

If we should turn from Christ, to whom should we go? Peter's confession here is of the same purport as that at Cæsarea Philippi.

 “We, in this day and hour cannot deny that we have been staggered as well as they, and seeing so many go away who, as we thought, might have been retained by teaching a little less hard to take in. Our own endurance has been severely tried, we also have been sorely tried, and just stopping short of the question, Shall we follow the rest, and give it up? But when it comes right down to it, as soon as we think of going away, there arises  upon us that awful question, ‘TO WHOM shall we go?’ To the lifeless formalism and wretched traditions of dead religion? to the gods many and lords many of the heathen around us? or to blank unbelief? No, we are shut up. They have none of that ‘ETERNAL LIFE’ to offer us; only Christ. He, and He alone burns in our hearts, pierces our souls. Only His words have the power and authority to change every circumstance; and us. We must stay with Him, there is no other Savior.

Desire a better country. They desired a country better than Chaldea, better even than Canaan. They had a faith which looked for a heavenly country.

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Rev 21:9-14  
There came unto me one, etc. This is one of the angels of the vials of the wrath of God. See chap. 16. They did their work as wrath angels before the judgment, and are now seen engaged in other work. 

I will shew thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife. The glorified church henceforth to be united with her Lord. 

He carried me away in the spirit. He seemed to be stationed on a high mountain and there to see a mighty city descending out of heaven. The angel said, "I will show thee the Bride," and he showed him a beautiful city. The harlot of chapter 17 was a great, wicked city, "Mystery, Babylon the Great," while the Bride is a great city also, the "holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven." 

Having the glory of God. Lighted by the divine presence and glory. We cannot follow all the details of its splendor, but they are designed to show that it exhibited a splendor such as mortal eye has never seen. The walls are of jasper, the gates of pearl, the foundations of precious stones and the streets paved with gold. The dimensions are immense, beyond even human conception, and its gates stand open night and day. The names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are written upon its foundations, and of the tribes of Israel upon its gates. 

Twelve gates. As many as there were tribes and apostles. 

Twelve angels. As gate-keepers to prevent the unclean from entrance. 

Names written thereon. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel. These were typical of the true Israel, the saints, and shows that all who belong to the true Israel will enter. 

The wall of the city had twelve foundations. The twelve apostles of the Lamb are foundations of the Church, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone.

Summation:

The greatness of Christian exiles is not success but service. Whether we win or lose, we witness to the way of truth, beauty, and joy. We don’t own culture, and we don’t rule it. We serve it with brokenhearted joy and longsuffering mercy, for the good of man and the glory of Jesus Christ.

So, in light of this; let us carry on in faith, to glory; following the sojourner’s that have gone on before us.

Php 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Lorna Couillard

​I started planting my vegetable garden yesterday. The early things, peas, lettuce, swiss chard, starting them early gives them a head start. As I worked memories of my mother’s gardens went through my mind. She loved gardening of every kind, and always had many around her homes. As a kid growing up, we could always find her in one of them, even on her busiest days, it was one of her escapes from the tasks of keeping a large home, with seven kids. She would encourage us to join her, and we’d find ourselves talking, laughing, and pulling weeds. The huge tomatoes, from her vegetable garden would be on our supper table that night.

Her gardens had variety, and she never held to any set rules. There would be varieties of flowers in among the vegetables, and they grew in a crazy profusion, that was unique and beautiful. I have cherished memories of spending quiet moments of reflection in those gardens, and realize the wisdom my mother had in her approach to her gardens, raising us kids, and her life.

In her senior years, when her health suffered, and became wheelchair bound, gardening on my deck was something that helped her to recapture some of the pleasures of gardening she enjoyed, and joy we shared together in planning them, and working in them together. She spent many hours on my deck digging in the containers, planting, harvesting the tomatoes, peppers, etc., and we would enjoy them in our meals together that night. My little dog would be there surveying what we did, just happy to be there. There were always birds at the feeders, and butterflies lighting on the flowers in the planters mingled with the vegetables. These activities kept her mind alert, and her mind off of the disabilities that she had to deal with; she focused more on what she could do, and what was possible, than on what had been stolen from her. There was usually a lot of reminiscing, and laughter during those days.

If you have a loved one with disabilities, learning challenges, or someone who suffers from  depression, this may be something to bring them a lot of enjoyment, and accomplishment.