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Heart Ministries

Heart Ministries is a print and audio ministry of Faith Ellisor. All content is copyright protected and may not be duplicated, in any form, without the expressed written permission of Faith Ellisor.

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The Day God Pressed Pause

3/29/2020

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​In the days leading up to March 15, 2020, most Americans were going about their daily routines of life. January had brought little news of an illness that had begun in Wuhan, China as it barely received a ticker byline on any news station. 
 
In February, this mysterious illness remained at a distance, only catching most ears when news of stranded cruise ship occupants being quarantined headlined. But in late February, it becomes more of an interest when President Trump restricts travel into the US from China. We began to take a closer notice; we began to do internet searches on the phenomena and educate ourselves on just what was going on. We started looking into what this could possibly mean for us. What effect would this begin to have on our lives and those for whom we care.
 
By March, the news, roaring in as a lion, consumes every moment with updates, travel restrictions, and states of emergency. Store shelves are immediately vacant of basic essentials and toilet paper is the new gold. As schools, businesses and life came to a screeching halt, citizens everywhere began to ask “What is happening?” “Why is this happening?” and “What are we going to do?”. Churches became the next venues to be required to close their doors to help prevent the spread of a virus that was sweeping the globe. We become a nation changed in an instant.
 
As life became radically different, I started praying and listening to the Holy Spirit speak to me more than asking Him to listen to me. I began to feel a stirring in my spirit; “This is only a taste of what ‘in a twinkling of an eye’ will be.”  I began to search through Scripture for the exact reading of this Word. “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 
 
I began to ponder the idea of ‘instant’. I began to look at how profoundly our world had, and continues to, changed. How suddenly we were forced to change our focus. We were cutoff from the lure of shopping for amusement; we were plunged into the surroundings of our homes; we had to refocus.
 
I began rereading the entire chapter of I and II Corinthians. WOW! There are so many lessons that we can remind ourselves of in these chapters and, perhaps, see some that we have missed. We can see the mighty power of the One true God and how much He wants us to set our lives upon the paths He has dreamed for us.
 
As these realities set in, it was as if God had pushed a pause button in the middle of the ongoing saga of our lives. He was allowing us the privilege and opportunity to reboot; to see again what is really important. He was giving us time to reignite our familial relationships and to reconnect with each other. He was showing us that purchasing “things” and trinkets is not the key to success or happiness. 
 
He was showing us just how quickly “instant” truly is. And, in doing so, He was also saying that we have been given this opportunity to change the pattern that our lives may have been taking. You see, we have the chance to change some things in this time of reflection. We have the opportunity to make our life-paths lead to a different destination.
 
What if we put as much research into God’s Word and plan for us? We if we took, with the sincerest of interest, what those plans meant for us and for those whom we love? What if we were as fervent about educating ourselves on the things of God as we have been on learning of this virus?
 
There WILL come a day when, in a twinkling of an eye, things will be instantaneously changed forever. We will not get a reboot or another chance to change things; it will be eternal.
 
There is no mistaking that the COVID-19 Pandemic has forever made a mark for the history books. Many families have been changed because of this crisis; dare I say, that we all have. My prayer is that we take advantage of this opportunity that we have been given as God will never waste time; nor should we.
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Cracked Pots

1/23/2019

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"For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. " 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

I have heard this verse so many times throughout my life. This morning, however, as I reread it, as so many times the Scriptures do, this verse just leapt off the page; well, two words in particular - "earthen vessels".

In some translations these words are replaced with "jars of clay". So, I began researching this concept....why these words? Why not just say something along the lines as 'these earthly bodies' or 'you're only human ya know'?  God is SO smart (as if you needed to be reminded of that!) and He knew exactly what He was saying through Paul. Allow me to share with you my discovery.

Have you ever played with clay? Of course, as a child, we like to mold play-doh and clay into all types of shapes and figures and mothers just loooove when they have to remove our sculptures and pieces from carpets. But this is not the clay of which I speak. "Real" clay work is done with painstakingly and time consuming steps. It can get beautifully messy and the spectacular part is that ANYTHING can be remolded by the creator's hands with some water. It is a fantastically creative process that brings life into a lump of specially formulated dirt; a design that was formerly only known to the creator himself.

The most common use we see today for clay pots is flower or plant containers. But even this information, which I found written by Timber Press, is so incredibly transferable to our lesson...."
Just remember that no plant can stay in one pot indefinitely and live. Unless it is repotted into a larger pot or has some if its roots removed and the soil replenished, it will choke itself to death. This may take anywhere from one to ten years, but you will notice when it happens as the leaves and stems begin to die off in great numbers and it is difficult to even water the plant."

In the time period in which we find today's scripture, clay was most used to fashion pots or jars, plates, and even cups. Clay pots, jars as they were referred, were used to store items, especially important items such as scrolls, etc because they could be buried without causing much damage to what was inside. However, due to an array of different atmospheric, organic and other factors, these jars would sometimes be damaged and the contents would need to removed so that restoration could take place to it's container.

WOW! So much to uncover here! Looking at what we discover from how the potter begins its process and what Timber Press says regarding plants and seeing ourselves as the "earthen vessel", or clay pot, how long can we expect to live within the same life practices, habits, lifestyles, etc before we "choke" on the circumstances that life brings? Have you begun to see the effects of that old life causing the happiness you seek to whither or "die off in great numbers"? Is it difficult for living water to even get in? Perhaps it is time to place ourselves into THE Potter's Hands so that He can wash us with His Living Water to make us soft and pliable once again and form us into the design He saw from the beginning. I cannot help but see how even the lesson of baptism fits here as water symbolizes the washing away of the old as we rise anew in Christ!

Once we have become a new vessel, God can entrust us with so many wonderful treasures of His Kingdom! We hold "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus"; we become the container in which He imparts His spiritual gifts to use for His glory. And, just as clay jars, we, too, can become cracked and damaged by our surroundings as they choke the roots of our faith. It is in these circumstances that God can trim away the withering leaves of our lives, wash us with His Living Water and replant us so that we, once again, can grow in His purpose.

How grateful I am to serve The God Who reminds us of our dependence on Him and His love and pride of us. So if you feel at times like a cracked pot as I do, take heart!  Those are the ones in which God can do His best work and He isn't finished with us yet!



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Periphery

8/24/2017

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Hosea 4:6 says, "My people perish for lack of knowledge." Oh what a Word from The Lord this morning in studying His Word!

Firstly, this is NOT a political post in any matter;this is a personal, life introspect post. Ephesians, Chapter 1, is so powerful. I encourage you to read it for yourself. I read from The Message translation this morning. Read this....”The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church.” (Ephesians 1:23)

Do you know that the term amnesia is derived from the Greek meaning, “they have forgotten”? Church- we have amnesia.

We have forgotten who we are and Whose we are. We are perishing due to our lack of knowledge. Let me explain. The church universal, the entire group of people claiming Christ regardless of denominational boundaries, has forgotten our call. We have lost our goal as a people and we have turned a deaf ear to the insturction of The Word of The Lord by negating the discipline of studying His Word and truly gleaning from it.

In Chapter 1 of Ephesians, we are given a breakdown of what it means to believe the Message of our salvation. We are further taught that to believe, or accept, this reality means we embrace the reason on earth for it; “—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers” (Ephesians 1:17-19). How can we become “intelligent and discerning” if we do not heed His Word or recognize our own personal need for it?

The chapter goes on to tell us that church is not to be on the periphery of the world, BUT the world should be on the periphery of the church. Can you just let your mind wrap around that for a moment and pull that in? Isn't that exactly what is happening? Church! We have made ourselves look so much like the world, that, indeed, now the world is a mirror reflection of the church! We've watered down, entertained, side stepped, “graced” ourselves into a place where the world and the church no longer have clear instructional lines. The lines have become water colored and blurred to the point where there is no longer a difference. We have dividing churches, agenda-driven clergy and laity; we have politically-correct mindsets while spiritually we suffer amnesia.
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We MUST get back to what we were called to be - children of the Mighty God! We were made in His image, to “go into all the world and make disciples of Christ”. We were made to show His love, spread His Word, teach HIS agenda and dust off our feet from those who do not listen and accept. It's God’s job to clean them, change them, touch them; it's our job to introduce Him, nurture them, and show them His love and help them “be transformed” by it. It is NOT our job to conform to the world’s likeness!
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Yes, we have amnesia as a Christian people. Let us be so bold as to look in the mirror and start there. We need God’s instruction; we need His Word to seer into our hearts a fire so bright that it draws those around us out of the dark. We need to remember Whose we are and why. We need to realize that our salvation is to be lived out and that it was not a “get out of hell” card. We need to remember that we are not on the periphery, wringing our hands at the events of the world; we are to BE the event of the world! Let's get busy about THAT agenda, Who's with me?
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Do We REALLY Remember?

9/11/2016

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"I'm not praying for the God-rejecting world But for those you gave me, For they are yours by right.Everything mine is yours, and yours mine,I’m praying not only for themBut also for those who will believe in meBecause of them and their witness about me.The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.The same glory you gave me, I gave them,So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me.Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,And give the godless world evidenceThat you’ve sent me and loved themIn the same way you’ve loved me." John 17:9-10, 20-23 The Message

My heart is so heavy this evening. I, like most Americans, have spent time today reflecting on this day 15 years ago when America as we knew it, changed forever. I have watched so many recounts of this horrific tragedy that changed everything we would ever consider in the term “safe”. As the images scrolled across my television screen, interrupted only by newscasters relaying the details as they came in, tears rolled down my cheeks as I am immediately transported back to that very moment. It was one of those, “I remember exactly where I was” moments for us all.
But as the heartbreaking emotions well up inside of me, another emotion comes alongside. It is the pride that we felt as Americans helping one another, embracing our fellow man, holding each other's hands, and wiping each other’s tears. We indeed became ONE nation, indivisible. So what has happened to us now?

The Scripture set above calls us to be One. Jesus, Himself, prayed this for us...He PRAYED IT FOR US! The terror attacks of 15 years ago shook us to our core. We did not stop to question the police, firefighters, or other first responders; we did what we could to help them. All over America, church doors flew open to welcome the masses than ran back to the foot of the cross. No one cared what color your skin was, what political affiliation you held; we were brothers and sisters united in our efforts to help anyone, in anyway, in any town. Why have we turned into our own terrorists?!

My beautiful brothers and sisters, are we willing to truly remember what happened on September 11, 2001? Are we willing to stand up and say “No More! No More hate, No More rioting, No More baiting!” Are we willing to meet the needs of those who are hurting, sick, in despair? Are we willing to come together, again, and be One Nation, Under God?
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Fifteen years ago, America did indeed change forever. In the aftermath of the attacks, however, the unity and resolve of the American citizens was strong and unrelenting. Let us return to that memory, unite as brothers and sisters, and truly honor those nearly 3000 men,women and children who will be in our hearts forever. Let us truly remember them and how great we became when we became One.
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BE OF GOOD CHEER!

7/6/2015

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Are you finding yourself hopelessly troubled by the circumstances surrounding our culture today? Do you feel as if God has abandoned you? Listen as Faith gives a timely message for God's children today.
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HAPPY VALENTINE'S MONTH!

1/31/2015

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Are you married, engaged, blissfully head over heels for that special someone? What made you fall in love with that wonderful person? Listen to this funny insight on marriage and love from Faith!
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YOU ARE LOVED!

1/31/2015

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Is it hard to hear that you are loved? Have you ever believed that you truly are? Listen as Faith delves into God's definition of what Love really is.
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Football Season!

10/5/2013

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It's Fall Ya'll and that can only mean one thing in the Ellisor Home,,,,,It's Football Season!  If you're a rabid fan for your favorite team, you will enjoy this great message!

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From A Mother's Heart Audio Devotionals

6/26/2013

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Have you ever been told you were a mistake; a misfit, undesirable? God says that is absolutely NOT so! Listen as Faith tells us what God sees when HE looks at you!
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What language do you speak? What language does your ACTION speak? If you never spoke a word, would your life speak the same language as your words? Listen as Faith encourages us in walking out our speech.
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Are you a recent graduate? Are you the parent of a recent graduate? Listen as Faith encourages us in this most important time of life - regardless of the side we find ourselves on!
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Did you know that the weeks between Mother's Day and Father's Day in the period known as National Family Month?! Listen as Faith encourages us in celebrating this wonderful time of the year!
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Facing Giants

6/26/2013

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“Now what have I done?” said David.  “Can’t I even speak?”  “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”  1 Samuel 17:29, 37 NIV

Passage Reading – 1 Samuel 17:26-37

Have you ever been to a Little League baseball game?  What about a Pee Wee football game?  Don’t you just love them?!  I have three sons.  I remember going through what seemed endless weeks of practices and then two games a piece during the week and one game each on the weekends.  Oh, those were the days.  Our youngest is six years old so we know that this lull will pass.

My favorite part of the games was watching the smallest player on the team.  He was the most determined, the most dedicated player because, you see, everyone knew his size, but he knew his determination.  He knew the power that he possessed in that miniature frame.  Others might tell him he couldn’t make that tackle, or hit a homerun, but his daddy had said that he was the mighty mite; the “David” on a “Goliath” field.

Has anyone ever told you that you did not measure up?  Have you ever been made to feel less than adequate?  Have you ever faced a giant situation that seemed insurmountable? No doubt these are the thoughts that ran rapid through the minds of David’s brothers when he stepped up to fight Goliath.  “You’re just a kid!  Go back home and take care of the flock!”

David knew the power that he possessed in Jesus.  He knew that on his own and in his own power, this situation could not turn out favorably for him.  But David did not rest in his own strength.  He relied on the authoritative power of God; and so should we.

When others scoffed at him for taking a stand, David did not let that deter him; neither should we.  When David’s shortcomings were pointed out to him he did not let that discourage him; neither should we.  When a giant was in David’s path, he did not abandon and run; neither should we.

Our God is so good.  He is so able.  Our God is so prevailing and He is always on the side of good.  Paul wrote in Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 54:17 that “no weapon formed against us shall prosper.”  These are the promises of our God to us.  When we are facing battles and giants in our life, isn’t it good to know who is on our side?!

I want to encourage you to stand up to whatever may be coming at you in your life.  Perhaps you are facing a nine foot giant of your own and cannot even find a slingshot!  Take heart, my dear friend and claim Philippians 4:13 for yourself, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
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    From A Mother's Heart, the audio portion of Heart Ministries, can be heard on radio stations throughout the Southeast and Florida. If you are a radio station and would like more information on From A Mother's Heart or Faith Ellisor, please Contact Us and we will get right back with you!

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