Pam Hammerquist

About Pam Hammerquist

How Do Conflicts Originate?

Pam HammerquistHammerTime12/16/2015 Leave a comment0

Who would have guessed that questions like this exist in the Bible… James 4:1 (AMP version) “What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflict (quarrels and fightings) originate among you?” Oh those conflicts that we have…

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And you know what? It also gives the answer… “Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?”

It is only God that can help us fight against our flesh and desire to sin. He knows and understands the things we go through. That’s why He confronts these issues and gives us the answers in His Word.

I would encourage you to read His Word everyday. 🙂

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#RecognizeWeAreSinners

#ComeCloseToGodAndHeWillComeCloseToYou

Come back home

Pam HammerquistHammerTime06/25/2015 Leave a comment0

I’m thinking of you and miss that you are so far away. Do you remember when I was apart from God and family and how you wished I would return home? We talked about that the other day. I need you to know that now I want YOU to return home. Nothing else matters except that you too to be restored to God. I believe God will heal our family. Wouldn’t you agree that would be a good thing?

God knows all my mistakes and sin, and how I’ve hurt people, His people, along the way. Even though He had completely forgiven me, I wish I made better choices along the way. I am so blessed in how much my family forgave me and took me back graciously into their arms. That was a bonus, but not the reason why I sought out God to forgive me. I was born for reason. He created me with a purpose. I am seeking him, believing in Him, relying and trusting in Him, He is preparing me for His purpose.

The focus is not about our failures but rather what we do with them and how we move forward. God, who created us, longs to be with us forever. I encourage you to seek Him with all your heart and rest in His arms today.

I love you everyday.

Is There Meaning In My Labor?

Pam HammerquistHammerTime03/28/2015 Leave a comment0

The other day I asked God, “Why am I here? Am I just waiting around until I die to go to Heaven? What am I supposed to be doing? What is meaningful? I really was asking what meaning is there in what I do each day.

God led me to read Ecclesiastes. My goodness! The King Solomon, who was the wisest and richest man who lived, asked the same question! Ecc. 1:3 “What profit does man have left from all his toil at which he toils under the sun? [Is life worth living?] Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all that my hands had done and the labor I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecc 2:15 “Then said I in my heart, As it happens even to me. And of what use is it then for me to be more wise? Then I said in my heart, This also is vanity”.

This man sought after meaning and purpose in labor. He gained wealth beyond any man, he obtained any pleasure he wished for, he gathered silver and gold, he planted orchards and gardens, and many other things, but he claimed it “But this also was vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!” Ecc 2:11 “Then I looked on all that my hands had done and the labor I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it, and there was no profit under the sun.”

So, again I asked God, “So then, what is the purpose of labor if all is futility?” and I read on.

Solomon talked about how there is not much difference between a foolish man and a wise man if you look at the outside or the appearance. A foolish man can be rich also, but both must die. What he did say is God wants us to enjoy life and our labor but with Him. Rather he asks, Ecc 2:25 “For who can eat or who can have enjoyment any more than I can – apart from Him?”. Ecc 3:18 “I said in my heart regarding the subject of the sons of men, God is trying (separating and sifting) them, that they may see that by themselves [under the sun, without God] they are but like beasts.”

Solomon reminds us to draw near to hear and obey God. He makes comparison to the wise and fool and how the days are evil. He also shares that our human wisdom is limited for a reason and he reminds us that we all have sinned, even Solomon, who sought God and knew Him intimately. Ecc 7:29 “Behold, this is the only [reason for it that] I have found: God made man upright, but they [men and women] have sought out many devices [for evil]”. Ecc 8:12 “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days [seemingly] are prolonged [in his wickedness], yet surely I know that it will be well with those who [reverently] fear God, who revere and worship Him, realizing His continual presence.”

Solomon reminds us that what we do here, on earth, while we still have God’s breath in us, will all come before God for judgement. Ecc 12:6-8 [Remember your Creator earnestly now] before the silver cord [of life] is snapped apart, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern [and the whole circulatory system of the blood ceases to function]; Then shall the dust [out of which God made man’s body] return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God Who gave it.” Ecc 12:14 “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.”

There is meaning to my labor, and I have freedom to enjoy life. Ecc 9:7-9 “Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart [if you are righteous, wise, and in the hands of God], for God has already accepted your works. Let your garments be always white [with purity], and let your head not lack [the] oil [of gladness]. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun – all the days of futility. For that is your portion in this life and in your work at which you toil under the sun.”

“Don’t Judge Me!”

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems08/08/2014 Leave a comment0

Do you know someone who screams “judgment!!” every time you or someone else tries to correct them and lead them back to the truth? This is a common occurrence in today’s world, sadly; but it’s just an excuse to not to have to change their sinful behavior. If we are truly wise people who want to please God, we will welcome loving reproof and correction. The book of Proverbs speaks a lot about this very subject Proverbs 8:32-33 “Now therefore listen to me, O you sons; for blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse or neglect it.” The Bible says that if we are a “scorner” or “wicked” then when we are rebuked or corrected we will bite back and bruise the person trying to help us. OUCH! But, rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. God is using godly people He has placed in our life to help mold our character according to His will. Will you please stop screaming “Don’t judge me!”- when someone who loves you is only trying to help you see something in your life that you are blind to? If we are not allowing others to teach us- then I doubt we are listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit. There is no wisdom in being a foolish woman.

God Takes Our Words VERY SERIOUSLY

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems08/06/2014 Leave a comment0

Ever noticed how much the Bible talks about sinning with our mouth? Our words are powerful- for good or for evil. God takes what we speak very seriously and so should we. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37 “But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.” Words are powerful containers. We can speak life and we can speak death. We have the power to lift up and encourage and the power to tear down and destroy. We repent with our words and bring new life and salvation, or we curse and bring damnation. In Proverbs 6, God proclaims 7 things that are an abomination and 3 of those things have to do with our mouth: 2 speak of lying and 1 of sowing discord among the body of Christ. It’s interesting to me that lying and speaking evil of your brothers and sisters in Christ is ranked right up there with murder. Yes, God takes our words VERY SERIOUSLY. Could it be because what comes out of our mouth is what’s brewing in our heart? Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Examine yourself. Let God cleanse, renew and change your heart THEN speak life!

Ask God to Give You Strength and Encouragement

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems08/05/2014 Leave a comment0

God dealt with the discouraged Elijah in an understanding and compassionate way. 1 Kings 19:4-8 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a lone broom or juniper tree and asked that he might die. He said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers. As he lay asleep under the broom or juniper tree, behold, an angel touched him and said to him, Arise and eat. The angel of the Lord came the second time and touched him and said, Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you. So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and nights to Horeb, the mount of God.” Elijah was overcome by exhaustion, discouragement, and grief- but he called out to God- God allowed Elijah to sleep. He nourished him with food. He visited him with an awe-inspiring revelation of His power and direction. He provided additional revelation and direction. He gave him a faithful companion with a kindred spirit. In other words, when we are discouraged in the place God has put us, we can ask Him to give strength, grace and encouragement, and make us adequate for any situation! He is our PROVIDER of ALL things!

God is good ALL the time

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems08/01/2014 Leave a comment0

God is good ALL the time. You need to settle this fact in your spirit once and for all. I watch Facebook and I see people getting the things they want and post “God is good.” But never once have I seen a post from someone who didn’t get what they wanted and still proclaim “God is good.” Why is this? God is not only just good when things go your way- He’s good ALL THE TIME. David said this Psalm 31:19 “Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear, revere, and worship You, goodness which You have wrought for those who trust and take refuge in You before the sons of men!” Throughout the Psalms we see David go through healing and sickness, pain and pleasure, prosperity and lack, victory and loss; but he never loses sight of the fact that GOD IS GOOD. On the day of the greatest calamity that could happen to one person, Job exclaimed,” the LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job continued to BLESS GOD in the midst of extreme adversity because he knew and understood that no matter what happened to him- GOD IS GOOD. Are you guilty of only giving praise to God when you get what you want? Whether you’re rich or poor, healthy or sick- GOD IS GOOD.

Your prayers, in FAITH, release God to CHANGE THINGS

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems06/22/2014 4 Comments0

The prayer of the righteous has GREAT POWER! James 5:16 “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” Here are a few things that the prayer of the righteous woman can accomplish: Draw you near to God. Open the way to a Spirit-filled life. Bring you power for ministry and Christian devotion. Builds you up spiritually. Give insight into Christ’s provision for you. Help you overcome Satan. Clarify the will of God. Enable you to receive spiritual gifts. Bring you into fellowship with God. Bring you grace, mercy and peace. Bring the lost to Christ. Bring you the wisdom, revelation and knowledge of Christ. Bring you healing. Bring you deliverance from trouble. Glorify God with praise and thanksgiving. Makes the presence of Christ real to you. Ensure you of your final salvation and of Christ’s intercession for you. Get the picture?

Do You Seek and Desire Him Only?

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems06/22/2014 Leave a comment0

Zephaniah offered hope to those who had already turned to the Lord. He exhorted them to deepen their commitment to God and His ways; perhaps God would protect them when He came to punish His people.

Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek the Lord [inquire for Him, inquire of Him, and require Him as the foremost necessity of your life], all you humble of the land who have acted in compliance with His revealed will and have kept His commandments; seek righteousness, seek humility [inquire for them, require them as vital]. It may be you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” They had to seek 3 things if they hoped to experience revival and renewed blessing from the Lord- these are equally essential for us today. First, they had to seek God Himself. Their hearts were to be turned toward Him with a deep desire to know and love Him as their covenant Lord and Protector. They had to seek righteousness according to God’s Word as their way of life. They had to seek humility; laying down their pride and self centered agenda in humble submission to God and His righteous ways. Do you SEEK and DESIRE Him ONLY? Are you seeking HIS RIGHTEOUS WAYS? Have you HUMBLED YOURSELF to the point of only wanting HIS WILL?

For Whatever a Man Sows, That Shall He Reap

Pam HammerquistCrystal's Gems06/21/2014 Leave a comment0

If we have been born again, God gives us the power and strength through the Holy Spirit to live righteously- to live according to the Spirit, but we must crucify our flesh. Proverbs 11:18-19 “The wicked man earns deceitful wages, but he who sows righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) shall have a sure reward [permanent and satisfying]. He who is steadfast in righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) attains to life, but he who pursues evil does it to his own death.” James says it like this “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he reap. For he that sows to the flesh reap corruption, but he that sows to the Spirit shall reap life everlasting.” If we claim to be born again and be a Spirit-filled follower of Christ, while at the same time consciously sowing to please the sinful nature, we are guilty of mocking and despising God. Let there be no deception: such a person will reap corruption and spiritual death- not life everlasting. God HAD GIVEN US THE POWER- thru the HOLY SPIRIT to OVERCOME ALL SIN but we MUST YIELD to the Spirit’s commands. Sow to the SPIRIT and walk in fellowship with the Lord and you will have PEACE!

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