Inspirations & Photography

Due to our nations economy I have recently come across posts on Facebook  regarding the care of others especially in our own country:  Some have come across quite adamant especially when they hear of people like myself  a pastor, evangelist and missionary and our call to bring aid and help families in need specifically in other nations. What many of them do not know is that as pastors  we have over the years organized outreaches with our church in efforts to help many families and individuals in need right here in our own community. The Lord has led us to provide vehicles and housing for single mothers and their families along with reaching out to the poor and needy in our surrounding communities by providing groceries and other necessary needs. One reason for writing this post is to communicate one very important point, and that is  the Lord has not put limits or stipulations on our acts of love and compassion: In fact when there is a need (here in America and other nations)  we are instructed by God to meet those needs.

In Mathew 25 Jesus instructs his followers (Christians) to feed, clothe, give drink and house those who are in need.  He does not give us limits as to who and where…he simply says “If you’ve done it to the least of these my brethren, you’ve done it to me.” 1John 3:16-19 says this, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If  someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need, but shows no compassion–how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth so we will be confident when we stand before God.”

With the state of our economy the needs of individuals and families are on the rise, the GOOD NEWS is as God’s people we can restore our nation by doing our part. The scriptures say that it is the responsibility of God’s people to bring about God’s blessings on our nation and in the earth.  According to God’s word the only way we will see these blessings restored upon our nation  is for the people of God including his leaders to get back to following his instructions specifically in one very important area and that is: To bring the first 10% to God’s storehouse. Now this is where the leaders come in to do their part. God is very specific as to “how”  this 10% is to be used. In Malachi 3 there is a responsibility not only on the people but also on the ministers, let’s take a close look here starting in verse 10 “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.” Let’s stop here for a moment…in verse 5 the Lord is speaking of how the widows, orphans and strangers have been neglected…so when he says in verse 10 “…that there will be enough food in my house…” he is saying that the food or resources is to be used to not only take care of the priest (Gods ministers) BUT for the priests to ALSO make sure that the widows, the orphans and the strangers are cared for as well (those in need). Then the Lord goes on to say, “IF you do (this) says the Lord, I will open the windows of heaven for you, I will pour out a blessing (I will RESTORE your nation!) so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!” Then the Lord says, “TRY IT! Put me to the test!” Your crops will be abundant…and nothing will destroy them…for I will guard them…v12 Then ALL nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies”

This my friend is NOT a nation in debt!! This is a nation that is BLESSED BY GOD! And it only comes when the people of God and his ministers do the right thing with the resources. Abraham and his nation were blessed by God because they obeyed the Lord in this area as well, “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised” Genesis 18:17-19. Abraham obeyed the Lord and gave Melchizedek a “tenth” of all he had… and because of his faithfulness to God, he and his nation were blessed just as the Lord promised!

If you would like to learn more…listen to “Restoring Our Nation” by Pastor Rick Tidwell…you can also access these messages free on iTunes.

Have you ever met someone that left a lasting imprint on your life? I have met many people in my lifetime but I’ve never encountered someone so full of love and compassion as my best Friend. He has never left my side. He’s been with me through the happiest and even the most trying times of my life and because of his amazing love, has helped me through them all!  His name is Jesus.

It was over 30 years ago and although I could not see him in this natural realm he showed himself so real that it was almost as if I could.
As time went on I began reading about His life and character.  I read in the scriptures how he interacted with people during his lifetime on this earth.  Real life stories of how he treated others. One of my favorites is Jesus encounter with the woman who was caught in adultery and how unconditional his love was toward this young woman. He was on his way back from the Mount of Olives and a crowd gathered and he sat down to teach them, “As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of a crowd. “Teacher” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:1-11 NLT.

This is the Jesus I met one evening 30 years ago. His love and grace left such an imprint on my life that I have been spending each and every waking moment with him ever since, learning from him and doing my best to follow his example. Giving and showing the same love and mercy that was extended to me many years ago. Loving my enemies as he did when he said to God while hanging on the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” after they beat him and hung him on the cross to die.  Luke 23:34 KJ

If you have not met him yet, I encourage you to  open up your heart and mind. In fact he is standing at the door of your heart  right now, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT.  When you make what I believe to be the most important decisions of your life,  you will not only meet  the Savior of the World, the Prince of Peace, you’ll meet the only Friend that will forever stay by your side. Your new relationship with Jesus will allow you to  get to know him and experience his amazing love on a daily basis. You will also be able to have one on one conversations with him (this is a form of prayer, just talking to the Lord) and he promises that he will “hear” and “answer” you.  He will then begin to show you His purpose for your life…all the good that He has planned for you.  All you have to do is talk to him.  Tell Jesus that you believe in him, that you believe that he is the Son of the living God, and that you believe that he died and that God raised him from the dead. Ask him to forgive you of all your mistakes and ask him to help you love others and forgive them as he forgives you. My personal prayer many years ago went something like this: “Jesus, I believe in you. I believe that you died for me and that God raised you from the dead. I believe that you love me and forgive me of all my mistakes. I believe you have a purpose for me, I want to follow you, I want everything you have planned for my life. I receive your love right now, be my Lord and Savior, thank you Jesus.”  Now that you’ve made this decision find a church that teaches that Jesus is the Son of God and that teaches that believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven.  A church that also teaches his commandment to “Love your neighbor” by helping others as He taught in the Gospel of John chapter 15, Mathew 25 along with  James chapter 2, and 1John 3.

May the Lord Bless you, protect you and give you His Peace.
Pastor Nina Tidwell

Visit our website at poncechurch.com or Facebook

What would you do if there was a man, woman or even a child on the side of the road hurt? Many of us would do something to help? Some may call 911 while others would pull over to see what is wrong and believe it or not, there are those who would just pass by, intentionally or even unintentionally (too busy or have “other” important things to do). Then you have the very few who would actually stop, get out of their vehicles and take the injured to a nearby hospital.

In this next story you will be amazed at “who” actually took the time while using their own resources to help another, a stranger in fact. Jesus shared a story with a man who was inquiring about how he could obtain eternal life. Jesus asked the man “what does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” And, “Love your neighbor as yourself” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ” And WHO is my neighbor?” “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion . Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, “Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.” Now which of these would say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same“ Luke 10:25-37

When I was growing up as a young Christian woman I heard many messages about “Faith” but yet very little, if any about “loving your neighbor” and what it “really” meant. It wasn’t until years later as a grown woman did I actually learn what Jesus said about the subject. I even found that showing mercy toward those in need and helping others was also a very big part in the lives of God’s people even in the old testament. Before I go any further let me settle one important truth according to the scriptures. We are not saved by works! BUT, and this is a big BUT, showing mercy and performing acts of mercy are the “fruit” of a TRUE believer, this fruit “proves” our faith in Jesus Christ and that we are his followers. Let’s take a look at what the word of God says, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves (your own works): it is the Gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (be a part of our Christian lifestyle) Ephesians 2:8-10 kjv OK, so we become Christians by believing in Jesus Christ, but then once we accept him as our Lord and Savior, now we are required and expected to show our faith (fruit) by doing good, loving and showing mercy on our neighbor. James says it quite clearly in the book of James chapter 2 beginning in verse 1, “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgements are guided by evil motives?” Now let’s look at verse 14-17 “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” but then you DON’T give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds (fruit), it is dead and useless.” Continue reading