Wednesday, December 17, 2008

How's About A Smile


I received a phone call from my daughter yesterday and she asked me an exciting question. She said have you ever just picked your bible up and been excited and overjoyed that you had it. And then I received a sweet email from my sister this morning and it was about Natural Highs (things that make you happy or make you smile.) In this world filled with so much ungodliness sometimes you find so little to smile about and I am so grateful for people such as my daughter and my sister who have the ability to make me smile with such beautiful thoughts. I was especially overjoyed by my daughter who at twenty-two years of age has a love for the Word of GOD! I knew exactly what she meant because there have been times when I have picked up my bible embraced it and realized I was actually holding the WORDS of GOD! What a powerful thought and most importantly you have to know what is in the bible in order to be excited about it and by GOD’s grace my daughter knows what’s inside it and appreciates it and so do I. I pray that you all have people in your lives that make you smile and even laugh. Yesterday I went to pick up one of my wee little Sisters-in-Christ to take her and my son to a book club party and when I drove up she had on reindeer antlers and a reindeer nose that lit up! I laughed so hard I was revived. Earlier that morning I was feeling rather out of sorts and a tad bit tired and just plain Blah! But my little friend gave me the boost I needed to get revived and I must say it was much healthier than caffeine.

Let us rejoice in the LORD always, Let us be glad that this is the day that the LORD has made. Let us be satisfied with all the goodness of GOD and all the blessings that the righteous receive of HIM.

“O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
Psalms 90:14

Be Blessed and Always Trusting,
Tammy Martinez

Monday, December 8, 2008

When Our Faith Fails


I was put in remembrance this morning of GOD’s unwavering faithfulness and our frailties as I read in GOD’s word. David says in Psalms 31:22:

“For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.”

I believe that many of us have had points in our lives that in our haste we felt as though the LORD had not heard our cry or our supplications. We may have even felt that the LORD was not concerned about our tumultuous situations. David says that in his haste, he felt that the LORD did not see him in his troubles; he said that he felt as though he was cut off before the eyes of GOD, that HE did not see him. In all of this I stand amazed at the Great Mercies of GOD. We serve such an Awesome savior who does not always take offence at our distrusting nature and he blesses us any way. David says, “nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.” I am so happy that we serve a GOD that will look beyond our faults and take care of our needs. I don’t believe that Bro. David condoned having a fretful spirit but sometimes in our deep distresses we can waiver in our faith towards GOD. Fear can be a very captivating thing and sometimes we forget what type of GOD we serve, but nevertheless HE is the GREAT and MIGHTY GOD, the KING of GLORY. David finishing off the psalms by stating in verses 23and 24:

“O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

I just want to encourage you this morning to remember that GOD has not forgotten His children and he hears EVERY cry. We serve a GOD that preserves the faithful, who rewards the proud doer and strengthens the heart of all those who hope in HIM!

PRAISE GOD and have a Blessed Week!

Simply Trusting in Hope,
Tammy Martinez

Thursday, November 27, 2008

50/20 Vision

It has been very busy around my camp, but rest assured the LORD has been foremost on my mind. I do apologize for the delay in my writing and it is amazing just when you think no one cares the LORD always sends that special “one” to sAdd Imageay, “hey, I haven’t heard from you lately and I’m hungry,” and with that loving word, I am humbled.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I must stop and reflect on all the wonderful icings on the many cakes that the LORD blesses me with on a daily basis. We should never take for granted the Family, Friends and even Foes that the LORD puts in our paths of life. The LORD has diligently placed them in our lives for a reason and for a purpose. Our family and friends keep us grounded and our enemies keep us on our knees. I am so thankful for everyone that has entered into my life whether they be a rose or a thorn, I have been continually blessed. Thank You LORD for all of your blessings and for EVERYTHING that you have allowed to enter into my life. I pray that as we press forward to the upcoming year that we may all grab a strong hold of the vision that the LORD has set before us. HE is a GOD of wonder and miracles, HE is a GOD of Might and Power, HE is a GOD that gives good gifts to His children when they ask, and HE is a GOD who hears our prayers. WE serve a GOD that transcends the wisdom and knowledge of this world and with this knowledge, we have been blessed beyond belief.

I love the Character of Joseph of the Old Testament; I believe that he had such an understanding heart towards GOD, that as you notice in scripture, he never complained during His captivity after being betrayed by his jealous brothers. Knowing all the while that he was an innocent man endured with patients the trials that were set before him. There is one thing that I took away from this whole account and I will share it with you. It is the ability to have 50/20 vision, that is Deuteronomy 50:20, which reads:

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

What a vision of the future, and a vision of hope and most importantly that GOD has EVERYTHING under control. The world and even misguided friends may desire harmful things to happen to you because of jealousy, likes Josephs older brothers. But that is perfectly okay, because GOD will bring to pass good things, not only to you but possibly to many more people than yourself.

I challenge you to read the account of Joseph beginning in Genesis 37 when we enter his life at tender young age of 17. I caution you this, that as you read, put on the mind of Christ and lean not unto your own understanding. I have heard many a preacher say terrible things against this blessed man of GOD. They used terms such as spoiled, tattle-tail and I digress to say more as it is vexing to my spirit that we would dare to judge such a righteous young man according to our own understanding. That is why Proverbs 3:5 clearly says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” I’m sure that as you read this account in the Spirit of GOD, you will be encouraged to stay in the battle and to let HIM take care of the foes and trials in your life and like Joseph you will be able to continually say that, “GOD meant it unto me for GOOD!!“ GOD Bless you and may you continue to grow in the wisdom of the LORD.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

It's All About The Position Of The Sun


I was thinking about the position of the sun today and that sometimes we may not always see the sun on a cloudy day but we can rest assure that it is there. This is the way our Christian walk is sometimes, there is so much gloom and cloudiness that we can't see the SON, but we can rest assure that He is there. I read a lovely poem today by Helen Steiner Rice and it goes like this:


Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain,
Laughter and pleasure, teardrops and pain,
All days can't be bright but it's certainly true,
There was never a cloud the sun didn't shine through
So just keep on smiling, whatever betide you,
Secure in the knowledge that GOD is always beside you,
And you'll find when you smile, your day will be brighter
And all of your burdens will seem so much lighter
For each time you smile, you will find it is true
Somebody, somewhere, will smile back at you,
And nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile
Than the sunshine and warmth of a beautiful smile.

So where is the position of the Son in your life, please don't allow the clouds to block out the majestic rays of GOD's love and hope in your life. Smile because you'll never know what a blessing that will be to someone. I am so thankful for all of the smiles that I receive from my dear family and friends, whether it be through the phone, in person or by letter, they always make my day. So as Paul said in Philippians 4:4, " Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

I pray the GOD of peace upon you all and may He reign in you all!!

All To the Glory of GOD and as always,
Simply Trusting,
Tammy Martinez

Saturday, November 15, 2008

It’s Time To Get Up!



Well, I have had a roller coaster week of emotional highs and then an anticlimactic fall for (I felt) absolutely know reason at all and through this the LORD showed me some wonderful truths in His WORD.

So many times I believe we take our walk in Christ for granted and we walk about on spiritual highs with great spiritual prowess and prideful-ness; with our heads held high and our arms bristly swinging from side to side with great confidence (“ for we are the children of the king, the most high GOD, you know!”) and then without warning, we fail to see the deep pit in the road and of course with unbelief and dismay we plummet to the ground in utter disbelief, “how in the world could this have happened to me, I am so spiritually filled” we say to ourselves with an inkling of self-righteous indignation. 'Au contraire mon frair', we must suffer and glory in the lows as well as the highs.

Although I jest a little (which is not really convenient) I want to share some scriptural nuggets and thoughts with you today from GOD’s Word. Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” This is the principle thing, we are to put our trust in GOD and him alone. We can be deceived by our feelings and the passions of our heart can sometimes be fleeting, being tossed to and fro. One moment your gliding on the wings of an eagle and the next thing your groveling in the dirt, but that should NEVER affect the awesome work that is continually being done in you through our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. I love it when David said, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” The LORD will perfect the work that he has begun in us. I take that scripture very personal during my low periods and I will trust in His Word. As I have struggled with a few low periods this week I have also heard from some of my Sisters-In-Christ who have had low and even desperate periods in their lives this week too, but they have purposed to stay in the fight. I tell people all the time even if you do give up who are you giving up to? And even if you do give up who is there to care? I believe it is even appropriate to say that in giving up on the LORD it is a terrible sin, because in essence we are saying that His word is not true, Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Our LORD is so compassionate and loves His children in their lowly states and he desires to lift us up by His right hand. I am encouraged today to write of His goodness and desire to lend a word of encouragement. I want to encourage you to have a merry heart today and every day for Proverbs 15:13 says, “ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” I also want to give you a good word today and ask you to stand upright in the LORD for Proverb 12:25 says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” So be glad in the LORD today and do rejoice in that you are a child of the King, The Most High GOD! Amen.

Be Blessed and Triumphantly
Simply Trusting,
Tammy Martinez

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Things To Be Thankful For

The good, green earth beneath our feet,
The air we breathe, the food we eat,
Some work to do, a goal to win,
A hidden longing deep within
That spurs us on to bigger things,
And helps us meet what each day brings,
All these things and many more
Are things we should be thankful for...
And most of all our thankful prayers
Should rise to GOD because He cares!

by Helen Steiner Rice


" And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3:15

I pray that as we focus on Thanksgiving in the weeks to come that we not forget about the peace of GOD. We are commanded to let His peace rule in our hearts. We are also charged to remember that we are one body in Christ and in all of that we need to be thankful. I praise GOD for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who walk with me as I journey through this life. I thank the LORD for each and everyone. Let us all be mindful that we are called the body of CHRIST and His death on the cross was to bring us all together in the unity of the faith.

May GOD richly bless us all and keep us bound together in love. AMEN

Simply Trusting,
Tammy Martinez

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Please Join Me for Breakfast

Psalms 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

Let us taste of the LORD this morning and see that HE is Good. Our desire every day should be to feast on the word of GOD. For Proverbs 3:6 says that we should acknowledge the LORD in all of our ways, because Proverb 3:8 says, “It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. What a blessing it is to eat of the everlasting Word of GOD. Jesus said that He is the bread of life and that if we come to Him we shall never be hungry or thirsty (John 6:35.) Finally Psalms 36:7 says,

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Wow!! You can’t have a better meal than that. I pray that as you partake of your daily meals that you join the LORD for breakfast and start your day being filled abundantly with the fatness of HIS House.

Praise GOD and have a bountiful Day!!!

As always,
Simply Trusting,
Tammy Martinez

Friday, November 7, 2008

An Invitation To Rest


When is the last time you have experienced a true Sabbath? A time of just you and the LORD? Does this sound strange or archaic to you? To make sure that I am not being too presumptuous I would like to extended a "Praise the LORD" to those of you who actually do practice a Sabbath. I can’t remember the last time that I have practiced a Sabbath, I hope I have and maybe it just slipped my memory, but I doubt it. I will just say that as of last Sunday, November 2nd I actually rested in the LORD, all day long! It was an exciting time, one of the best days I have had with the LORD. I did'nt even plan on it in advance, I wanted the opportunity to take myself by surprise. You know how you can make big plans and then what happens? Well, they go awry of course! Well, as I said ,I hadn't planned on it, I just did it. I started early in the morning before anyone woke up and I had a beautiful time of prayer with the LORD. I sort of felt separated from everyone, it was a strange feeling, but I later I realized it was a type of sanctification. I didn’t quarantine myself from everyone or anything like that, I just had the mind of keeping my heart turned towards the LORD. We had services at the nursing home that Sunday and it was wonderful time of singing, preaching, praising and worshipping the LORD. When we got home, I continued my Sabbath by reading the WORD of GOD and I read and studied all day long. It was amazing, I was resting in the LORD and resting in HIS WORD.

You have know idea ( if you haven’t done it ) what the LORD will do when you yield yourself totally to HIM. I am currently writing a message that the LORD has laid on my heart and as I was continuing to write, the LORD gave me clarity of thought, he opened my understanding and my fingers could hardly keep up with my thoughts.

Here is the Challenge, as we are beginning to start our weekend ask the LORD to give you the desire to consecrate a day to Him this coming week and see if you will not be blessed beyond measure. WARNING!!!! The Flesh and the Devil DO NOT want this happened and will do anything within their power to stop it. The flesh just wants to have fun and seek after pleasures and desire for itself and Satan, well he just plain hates our Father and detests anything associated with HIM, therefore he knows the closer we get to the LORD, the stronger our armor will be and the hold he continually tries to have on the saints will grow weaker. Remember Ephesians 6:12,13 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

You know what? I enjoyed my Sabbath so much I think I'll do it again. Join me and be blessed!

As Always,
Simply Trusting
Tammy Martinez

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN

I Samuel 8:4-9


4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.


From time past GOD has always hearkened to the voice of His people and this election is no different. I chose the scripture text in I Samuel as a prime example of the LORD listening to the voice of His people. Whether the king would be just or unjust GOD knew, yet he hearkened to the voice of His people. I guess I could have titled this subject GOD’s people have spoken, because as I searched briefly to try and find a census concerning the number of Christians in America versus Non-Christians I could not get a very consistent total but I did find that in each case whether it be a Census or Gallup poll the evidence was still clear that in America the percentage of Christians where higher than Non-Christians. The people have spoken and now we have our president. For Black Americans this is a monumental mild stone and that fact cannot be denied whether you voted for Obama or not. Whether you were for Obama or McCain, the people have spoken and GOD has allowed his people to have what they want, again I state whether just or unjust GOD knows and HE is still on the throne. My plea to you today (as some of you may be very fretful) God has a plan for HIS Kingdom and it will prevail regardless of who is or who is not president. Our continued concern needs to be the commission that the LORD gave to us in Matthew 28:19,20, Mark 16:15 and Luke 24:47, He said to go out and preach the Gospel in His name.

I am writing to encourage all of my friends and one thing I dare not to be is wishy-washy for I have friends and love ones who voted for either candidate and I will not have a debate on that issue. My issue is that we have peace in knowing that the LORD’s will be done and that We as a Christian people are allowed by GOD as we can see in I King to (sometimes) have what we want, but the important issue is, what are we going to do about the GOSPEL. While we rejoice or grumble about the presidency there are people, even loved ones we know dying and going to Hell and we have a responsibility to rescue as many of them from the pits of Hell as possible. I pray that you will take this word of exhortation as just that and please don’t make it a controversial issue. And if you’re curious as to whom I voted for give me a call if you have my number and most of my readers do or email me.

Blessings to All and as always,
Simply Trusting,
Tammy Martinez

PRAISE be to GOD for His Mercy Endureth FOREVER!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Words of Encouragment For a New Week


On The Wings of Prayer

by Helen Steiner Rice

Just close your eyes and open your heart
And feel your worries and cares depart,
Just yield yourself to the Father above
And let Him hold you secure in His love-
For life on earth grows more involved
With endless problems that can't be solved-
But GOD only asks us to do our best,
Then He will take over and finish the rest-
So when you are tired, discouraged, and blue,
There's always one door that is open to you
And that is the door to the house of prayer
And you'll find GOD waiting to meet you there,
And the house of prayer is no farther away
than the quiet spot where you kneel and pray-
For the heart is a temple when GOD is there
As we place ourselves in HIS loving care,
And HE hears every prayer and answers each one
When we pray in His name "Thy will be done"-
And the burdens that seemed to heavy to bear
Are lifted away on the wings of prayer.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29,30

Saturday, November 1, 2008

New Month New Beginning



One of the most common challenges I hear from many of my Sister's - In - Christ is that they don't have time to study and then when they do have time they don't know what to study. My recommendations has frequently been to read a Proverbs a day and I have most recently added, reading 5 Psalms a day (1 Proverb & 5 Psalms.) Now if you really want to be challenged in a positive way add journaling to you daily reading. You can journal about each daily Proverb that you read and write down what that Proverbs means to you. One thing that I have done is to pick out a theme such as: find certain verses in each Proverbs that talks about Love, Child rearing, Wives, Enemies, A Foolish person, there are so many subjects that you could focus and write about. Psalms and Proverbs are such blessings but your study time should be considered more of a blessing and devotion time with the LORD than work. So today is still young and it won't even be late tomorrow, the key is to just get started. Once you commit yourself to doing this, you may find that continuing each month will yield a great amount of wisdom to your mind and growth to your spirit.


" Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.


Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."


Psalms 37:4,5



Blessings,

Simply Trusting
Tammy Martinez

Friday, October 31, 2008

Women's Gathering 2008 "Let this mind be in you..."


Greetings in the name of the LORD !!

Just wanted to keep in touch with the ladies who attended our 6th annual Women's Gathering. I believe we all had a time of refreshing and renewing of hearts unto the LORD. For those of you who were not able to attend this year, the theme was based on Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (KJV1611) This was a wonderful 3 day event, one of our speakers is a missionary to the Ivory Coast, Michelle Geiger. Please keep her prayer has she continues her deputation. The other two speakers were myself, Tammy Martinez, and Sister Gloria Garces of March Avenue Baptist Church

It was wonderful how the LORD intertwined our messages and thoughts together. Each message was different but they all were based on the same premise that in order to have the mind of Christ we need to know Christ. In order know Christ we must study His Word. Each day was filled with scripture and testimonies. Testimonies of a life time of heartaches, abuse and loneliness. The testimonies were given all to the glory of GOD. What a blessing to be able to praise GOD through your trials.

The LORD taught us many things in the 3 days that there is truly a unity in the body of Christ. There were women their from different areas of San Antonio, different churches and all age groups. We were truly a diverse crowd, but in all I must say that we gathered in the name of the LORD.

I was so fired up and revived from the Women's Gathering and I actually felt a since of mourning when it was all over. I still have the fire and I am going forward to do whatever the LORD has purposed for me to do. Please keep checking back on this site for more information about upcoming events.

There will be a quarterly breakfast to continue our fellowship and we look forward to seeing many of you there, so keep checking back for the upcoming dates. Our first breakfast will be in November and we will be announcing that date soon. If you signed our address book at the church you will receive an invitation in the mail.

We welcome any and all testimonies are comments concerning the '08 Women's Gathering. Please leave a comment and let us know how this event blessed you.