Two years ago my husband and I were trying to have a baby. I had
suffered two miscarriages. We went to the Jones Institute for
infertility. After treatments and surgeries we were told that I had
one tub that was blocked and could not be opened, the other side had a
dead ovary. So, I prayed and cried, and cried and started to pray for
healing of my soul. I tried to except that we would not have a baby.
Now during this time a very good friend of mine lost her two year old
daughter. This was devastating to many. I held this baby and watched
her grow. I took it really hard. I don’t know if I was more sad that
she had died or that I had been so selfish by being upset that I could
not have a baby! It made me shut up and be thankful for what I did
have. Now this is a testimony for two reasons. First, almost a year
later out of nowhere I became pregnant and now have a beautiful three
month old. Second, my friend who lost her baby has a beautiful nine
month old. AND two weeks ago we found out she was pregnant. Tears of
fear and joy! Last week we found out she was having twins! She will be
the first in her family to have twins. This week, we found out the
babies are due the week she lost her first baby! I can not say how her
blessings have become mine and how God’s plan has blessed many! Even
though we both had to go through lost we both now are so blessed! Now
I see we were being blessed the whole time. We were strong for each
other during our lost and now we are joyful for each other. SO, even
in your worse pain, be a blessing to someone else.

Greetings Pastor Swann,

It is truly a blessing to receive your “Moments with our Master” each day. Even though I enjoy each of them, I particularly have taken a sincere interest in Tuesday, March 2nd and Wednesday, March 3rd messages. I am also an avid writer and highly blessed with this special gift. For many years, I allowed the naysayers to discourage me from doing what God had already destined me to do; write. After my mother passed at the age of 61 years old in 2008, I found a poem that I had written to her 30 years ago and it was then that I realized my gift of writing to encourage others is my gift from God, which brings me to the “MWOM” for Wednesday, March 3rd “Taking the time to make peace before it’s too late.” My mother had a heart attack on Valentine’s day, less than two weeks before that day, my family and myself were down in Atlanta at the Honda Battle of the Bands. We had an opportunity to spend some time with my family members who live in that area. Although we talk to those family members periodically, we typically do not see them until someone passes away, which is sad. That year, I plan the trip so my mom could see and spend some time with her brother and to this day, my heart rejoices when I remember that trip because 35 days later, my mother was gone and 22 days later my aunt who had just turned 50 years old also passed away. Both of their passing were unexpected to us, but in God’s plan and even though I was sadden with grief for a while, I understood that it was God’s will to take their lives because their work was complete on this earth. As I reminisce on the anniversary day of my mother’s passing, I’m grateful that God has blessed me with a gift of writing and that my family took the time to go to Atlanta. I can attest that we don’t know the day or the hour when God will call us home; therefore, it is imperative that we do what is right all of the time and not hold grudges, always tell people we love them and most of all learn how to forgive and move on. I was blessed to have my parents teach me those things and we ( my family and I) practice those principles daily. In addition to those things, we must also use the gifts that God has give us in spite of what people say, think, or believe because in the end, we have to answer to God not those people who deterred us from doing what God created us to do.

Just really quick wanted to share a testimony of a member in my family. I talked with my sister on today and she seemed excited to share some news, more so than usual. She told me that my nephew Dominique Haynes (12 yrs old) was at church and the pastor was talking about the Holy Ghost and how he is our helper. She then told me how he went on about how we need to be filled with the Holy Ghost and just really broke it down.

So he then started with an alter call and asked that if anyone wasn’t filled with the Holy Ghost that it could happen for them tonight. She said before she realized it, Dominique had walked to the front of the church and lifted his hands and surrendered to God and ask God to fill him with the Holy Ghost. As my sister watched she said she could see his body moving side to side as his hands were stretched toward Heaven.

So Dominique got on the phone and I asked him what happened to him. He told me, that God had saved him and filled him with the Holy Ghost. He then said that he had spoken in tongues as the spirit gave utterance. I found that the most amazing thing that he said during the time we were on the phone, was he said “Uncle Rueben, it was like fire burning on the inside of me.” He went on to share that his body was tingling on the inside and it was like nothing he had every felt before. At that moment and even now, tears formed in my eyes with joy know that he had accepted Christ on his own.

I continue to thank God for my family and how he is continuing to us each one of us. I thank God for the legacy that my parents have left. They might not be able to leave us houses, land and money, but I thank God that what they have left, is a firm foundation of Christ. I pray that I can instill the same values and morales in my daughter Taylor as they have instilled in myself and siblings.

The song says “I’d rather have Jesus, than silver and gold”.

PASS THE BATON!

First I would like to thank my wonderful Pastor and 1st Lady for all that they pour into this ministry. I have grown a great deal since being under their leadership. Words can never express how much they both mean to me.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov 3: 5-6)

This scripture was one that got me through and continues to take me through a very difficult time. Today is the 2 year anniversary of the untimely death of my wife (Monica) and I son Aaron Milton White. Words can not express the void that it feel for him. During his stay the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), many days I went back to the hotel, confused. I had to hold on to I knew that God could touch Aaron’s body and completely heal him at any moment. The Lord allowed us enjoy Aaron for 24 days. He brought so many smiles to our face. I will forget the night he passed. Doctor’s had given up on him and told us that we needed to pull the plug on him. As they we standing over him, he opened his eyes. This was the first time that we saw his eyes. This is something that we had prayed for. We as parents knew how important and special it would be to see his eyes. At that moment, God honored our request and allowed us to look into Aaron’s eyes. This will be a moment that I will have for the rest of my life. I never realized the how important eyes were. At that moment, it was like he said, don’t worry, I am going to be OK. I picked him up and kissed him and felt his last breath.

I am glad that God has given us peace. We might now always understand what His plans are, but I believe God doesn’t make mistakes. It was in his plans before the foundation of the world was laid, that Aaron Milton White would come here and when his life’s mission was complete, he would go home. I just thank God for his life and how it has impacted me.

Then God has turned around and given us a beautiful daughter, Ms. Taylor Justine White. She had brighten our world more than anyone may ever know.

When things don’t turn out the way you might think they should read Phil 4:7 “And the peace of God that passeth all understanding…”

So again I thank each and everyone who prayed for our family and continues to pray for us.

I want to thank you Pastor Swann for the daily bread that you have given me through the Moments with the Master. They have truly been a blessing in my life and they have helped me in this daily walk.I commend you for such a vision and encourage you to keep doing what God has called you to do.

Pastor Swann, First, I want to thank you for the devotionals. As soon as I get to work I check my email so I can read and forward them on. I just want to share my testimony in the hope it will help to increase peoples’ faith that God is truly a God of his word. In my current job we have been hit hard with the recession. I work for a general contractor in Gloucester and a couple of months ago I did not get paid from my job for a period of 5 weeks, but everyday I would go to work, still arrive early with a positive attitude. A few weeks ago, I prayed to God to help me find another job. I was very specific on what I asked. I asked for a job that is closer to home, a financially stable company, increase in pay so I could increase my tithes, Christian co-workers and I even asked if the company only worked half a day on Friday (as in my current job I finish at 1:00 on Friday) I sat back and was still, allowing God to do his work. Two weeks ago a friend told me to send my resume to a lady who works for a contracting company. I sent it in; she had me in for an interview and offered me the position. PRAISE GOD!… here’s the best bit. he gave me EVERYTHING I asked for, they are a financially stable company; they are 5 minutes away from my home; the ladies that work there are starting up a bible study class on a Tuesday morning before we start work. Pay increase, and I even finish at noon on Fridays. At times, we have to be still to allow the Lord to do his work. We need to remove our hands from the situation, let the Lord do his work and let the seed blossom.

I am so overwhelmed by the level of “intuneness” the Moments with My Master” has with my and so many of my friends’ and families’ lives. I believe I am much like Gideon also in that I continue to question my qualifications, and this week’s ( not to mention last week’s topic about faith) has helped and continues to shape my thoughts and actions!

Good Morning Pastor Swann. Dropping a note to let you know what a pleasure it has been to receive your daily devotions. I worked with Heather Nicholson at a general contractors office. In January I was hit by the economy crunch and lost my job. Heather and I became good friends and prayer sister’s while working. We have continued our sisterhood since because we have the same faith and belief. I know that I serve a mighty God and He has been so faithful always. Since Janaury, all my bills are paid, food on the table, and dry roof. It is beyond the realm of my mind how, except by my faith in the good God I praise. Just one example of many, a friend pasted by our work (which is on a very public, busy highway) and noticed that my truck had not been there for over a week. She stopped by my house to make sure I was not sick, and found out my situation. She opened her check book, and siad how much do you need? I told her nothing at the time, all was well, she wrote a check anyway and left it on my kitchen counter ($1k). I have sent out and applied for over 60 jobs since Janaury with only ONE response. I am a female, 60 years old, no college degree, but over 40 years experience. In this economy it is difficult, but I am trusting God for the right position. Where your devotions have played a large part, is on the day to day rejections of the flesh, it can still get you down, but with the great messages you have provided, it is daily bread and mania to my soul. Thank you for the soul food you have provided as others have provided for the flesh. I pray for your ministry daily and also pass along your devotions to others I know. May God continue to bless and straighten you in your faithful walk. Thank you again, Cathy

thank the Lord allowing folks to enter my life !! who is connected to his purpose !! I met a friend in Richmond bout five years ago and we stay in contact !! Through them I’m seatin here!! able to enjoy that the food for my soul that Pastor Swann is give u everyday !! thank U Jesus !!!!!!!!!!!

GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD AND MERCYFUL TO ME AND STILL HIS ,THEIR IS NO WORDS TO TELL IT ALL, 1ST OF ALL HE SAVE ME AND FEEL ME WITH HIS PRECIOUS HOLY GHOST AND I’M GLAD ABOUT IT, HE GAVE ME A STABLE MIND WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOOSE IT WHEN I LOST MY MIDDLE CHILD, THAT WAS LEFT DEAD IN THE STREET LIKE AN ANIMAL, THAT WAS THE BIGGEST FEAR OF MY LUFE WAS LOOSING A CHILD, AND GOD BRUOGHT ME THROUGH, IT IS HARD BUT HE IS STILL BRINGING ME ,SO PLEASE BE ENCOURAGE AND REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THEN THE LOVE HE HAD FOR US,THAT HE GAVE HIS FOR OUR SALVATION AND FORGINESS OF OUR SIN….REMEMBER JESUS LOVES YOU.