Posts written by Jennifer Gillikin

A Message from Anne…

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

— Philippians 2:9-11

Since January 1st, our family has been caught up in a whirlpool of suffering on many levels. Our beloved pastor and dear friend, Ray Bentley, suddenly and unexpectedly went to be with Jesus on the 4th. The shock and suddenness seemed to make our grief more intense. Four days later Rachel-Ruth was admitted to the hospital with her first of two SCAD heart attacks. On Easter Sunday she was back in ICU where she was additionally diagnosed with pericarditis. My son has been told his lungs may never improve beyond the 64% capacity they now have. And while arthritis is progressing in my hips and back, I had a bad fall when walking the dog that resulted in a cracked rib and other injuries.

All of this makes me wonder two things: Is my family…and am I…under an assigned assault from our spiritual enemy? And are you also under attack? Disease, death, danger, disasters and the darkness of corruption and chaos, disruption and division, stress and suicide, wars and rumors of wars, are all markers, I believe, to indicate we are living at the end of human history as we know it. The enemy knows his time is running out, and he is waging all-out war on God’s people. The battles are intense, frequent, and to be honest, they can be discouraging. They seem to drain our reserves of strength and energy.

So…what would the Lord say to you and me at such a time as this? 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 has come to mind. King Jehoshaphat faced a vast enemy army that was poised to attack. God instructed him: Do not be afraid or discouraged…for the battle is not yours, but God’s…Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. Early the next morning Jehoshaphat challenged the people to stay focused in their faith on God. He then appointed a choir to sing and praise the Lord as they went out before the army to confront the enemy. The result? The enemy was defeated!

As I go out to battle against the unseen enemy, I am learning the power of praise. Because the name of Jesus is one of our most effective spiritual weapons,¹ I have alphabetized a list of His names that I say out loud when I can’t fall asleep, when I awake during the night, or when I am aware again that I am under specific attack. I can testify that although my circumstances may not change, my attitude and perspective do. I am strengthened in my spirit and receive peace that quiets my heart. I would like to share my list with you.² Keep in mind, of course, there can be more names for each letter than just the ones I have listed, but this should help you start your own list:

Next time you feel you can’t take one more sleepless night, one more disappointment, one more painful procedure, one more slanderous lie, one more hurtful rejection, one more_________ (you fill in the blank), lift high the banner of His name. There is power in praise!

For His Glory,

¹ Psalm 60:4; Isaiah 11:10; Proverbs 18:10
²When I couldn’t think of a specific name for a certain letter, I have used an adjective. Which is another suggestion for you. Make an alphabetical list of adjectives for Jesus.

Bible Study:  Breakthrough

Read 2 Chronicles 19:1-2, 4 and 20:1-30

I. THE BLESSING

• What was the blessing in 2 Chronicles 19:4 that preceded the battle in 20:1?
• What was the blessing in Matthew 3:13-17 that preceded the attack on Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11?
• Skim through John 9. What was the blessing that preceded the attack on the man who had been born blind?
• What was the blessing that preceded the attack on the leaders of the early church?
  Acts 3:1-26 with Acts 4:1-3
• Looking back on the recent past, what blessing have you experienced that preceded an attack?

Click here for the Bible Study especially developed for this newsletter.

It was a privilege for me to share a message of encouragement to several hundred pastors and church leaders who gathered for a Refuel Conference, then engage in a Q & A with Jonathan Falwell. I continue to pray they will rely on the Holy Spirit as they present the truth of God’s Word with boldness.

I have been honored to be with North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson, on two different occasions in the past few months. Each time, his remarks were riveting. He unashamedly identifies himself as a Jesus follower. His opening remarks each time were the same: I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In light of the recent SCOTUS decision overturning Roe vs. Wade, his personal testimony concerning abortion is powerful. Click here to watch.

Messages of Hope

Getting up early in the morning to fix your eyes on Jesus through prayer and reading His Word is like setting your spiritual compass. Because no matter what faces you during the day, or how “lost” and confused you can become…He invariably leads you on the right path. Our prayer is that the devotions in this updated deluxe edition will help you fix your eyes on Jesus every day, so that you, too, can set your spiritual compass.  Click here to learn more about Fixing My Eyes of Jesus.

Each dated devotional in The Joy of My Heart includes a Scripture verse and reflections from Anne on topics such as eternity, grief, and faith. With a gift presentation page and a ribbon marker, The Joy of My Heart is a beautiful gift for anyone looking for a concise collection of daily devotions. You will enjoy this newest release, as will those looking for a way to add variety and consistency to their daily devotional time. Anne’s depth of thought makes this a welcomed gift for pastors and church leaders, while her accessible tone makes The Joy of My Heart appropriate for any layperson seeking scriptural truth.  Click here to order The Joy of My Heart.

In this volume, Anne shares her heart and God’s teachings on the universal problem of suffering, using the familiar story of Lazarus. This small book presents a simple, powerful message that is sure to bring comfort and new meaning to all who are suffering themselves or know others who need a special touch from God. It will help you understand and deal with suffering by leading you to the One Who knows your needs, shares your grief, sheds your tears and promises glory to come! Based on John 11. Foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Click here to order Why? Trusting God When You Don’t Understand.

If you would like to receive AnGeL Ministries’ full newsletter by email or postal delivery, click here to sign up for our free resources!

Read 2 Chronicles 19:1-2, 4 and 20:1-30

I.  THE BLESSING

• What was the blessing in 2 Chronicles 19:4 that preceded the battle in 20:1?
• What was the blessing in Matthew 3:13-17 that preceded the attack on Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11?
• Skim through John 9. What was the blessing that preceded the attack on the man who had been born blind?
• What was the blessing that preceded the attack on the leaders of the early church? Acts 3:1-26 with Acts 4:1-3
• Looking back on the recent past, what blessing have you experienced that preceded an attack?
• What can we learn from this pattern? Ephesians 6:18

II.  THE BATTLE

• Describe the attack in 2 Chronicles 20:1-2.
• How did Jehoshaphat react?
• On what promise of God did Jehoshaphat base his prayer? Compare 2 Chronicles 20:6-9 with 2 Chronicles 7:13-15
• When have you been attacked physically? Emotionally? Relationally? Spiritually? Mentally?
• How have you reacted?
• Which of the following promises will you claim as the basis for your prayer of faith? Psalm 27:5, 46:1-11, 100:5; Isaiah 40:29-31; Hebrews 13:5-6; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 8:28, 8:31-39; Hebrews 10:35-39

III.  THE BANNER

• What challenge did Jehoshaphat give to his people? Put 2 Chronicles 20:20 into your own words.
• What unique instructions did Jehoshaphat give and what was the result? 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
• Relate Psalm 60:4 to Jehoshaphat’s strategy against the enemy.
• Who is our Banner? Isaiah 11:10
• When you are under attack, how can you raise the Banner? What will you do to incorporate praise in your strategy to overcome the enemy?
• Fill in the blanks:

I praise the Lord for who He is_________

I praise the Lord for what He has done__________

I praise the Lord for what He will do__________

• Is it possible God is wanting to give you a breakthrough, but is waiting for you to lift up the Banner? Start praising Him now. And keep on praising Him until you have victory.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Summer 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

—Matthew 24:14

Our beloved nation is melting down. The jettisoning of traditional Judeo-Christian values has seemed to erupt at warp speed. Lying, corruption, deception, betrayal, and greed are becoming the norm. Fear, rage, lawlessness, murder, suicides, drug and alcohol abuse seem out of control. The signs the Bible gives which characterize the last generation of human history are warning indicators. Could it be our world is coming under God’s final judgment? If so, then the time before Jesus returns for His followers is running out.

How, then, should we live? It’s critical that we be about His business.¹ First and foremost, you and I, as followers of Jesus, need to know what we believe. Then we need to be willing to stand up for it and speak out about it. The apostle Paul wrote the Roman believers with deep conviction: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.² What is the gospel? The following is a summary of the gospel from God’s Word…

Everyone born into the human race is born with a sin nature, so that all are sinners.³

The consequence of sin is not only physical death, but spiritual death—separation from God now and in eternity.⁴

But God so loved the entire world of humanity that He sent His own Son, Jesus, into the world to die as an atoning sacrifice for our sin, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish separated from God, but will have eternal life.⁵

When we confess that we are sinners, ask God to apply the death of Jesus to our sin and forgive us, He will.⁶

Following the crucifixion of Jesus, God raised Him from the dead to give us new life here and life in Heaven when we die.⁷

When we respond and receive Jesus by faith into our hearts, He comes into us in the person of His Spirit, so that we are born again as children of God, forgiven of our sins, and receive eternal life.⁸

When we claim Jesus Christ by faith as our Savior and Lord, we pass from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, from death to life.⁹

And the gospel is this…

Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ ¹⁰

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Just the name of Jesus.¹¹

If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.¹²

There is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all…¹³

Click here for printable PDF

So…do Jews need to be saved? Do Muslims also need to be saved? Do Russians, Iranians, Chinese and Hispanics need to be saved? Yes, they do. According to God’s Word, whatever their religion is, or is not, no one is exempt from being a sinner. Each one of us needs a Savior. Which is why God has given Jesus to be the Savior of the world.¹⁴

Yet how can they believe unless they hear? And how will they hear unless you and I tell them the Good News that God loves them?¹⁵ That regardless of what happens, they can have peace in their hearts at present and hope for the future?

That’s the gospel that Paul was talking about. And that’s the gospel we are to proclaim.

For His Glory,

¹ Matthew 24:46
² Romans 1:16
³ Romans 3:23
⁴ Romans 6:23
⁵ John 3:16
⁶ 1 John 1:9; Ephesians 1:7
⁷ Romans 8:11
⁸ John 1:12; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 John 5:11-13
⁹ Acts 26:18; 1 John 3:14; Romans 8:10
¹⁰ John 14:6
¹¹ Acts 4:12
¹² Romans 10:9-10
¹³ Romans 10:12-13
¹⁴ 1 John 4:14
¹⁵ Romans 10:14

Bible Study:  The Good News of the Gospel

• Using one or more phrases from each of the following verses, define the gospel: Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, I John 1:9, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• Read Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-36; at the temple in Acts 3:12-26; to the religious leaders in Acts 4:8-12.
  • Give the main points, with verses, that are the same in each sermon.
  • How do these main points define the gospel?

Click here for the Bible Study especially developed for this newsletter.

The five sessions for our new Bible study, Jesus Followers, were filmed in my father’s house in Montreat, NC. It is now empty, emphasizing that what he left behind was a legacy, not of possessions, but of the gospel. The above session is on worship and was filmed in the front yard that, even on a cloudy day, gives a spectacular view from the top!

My dear friends, JoAnn and Tom Doyle, flew to our AnGeL Ministries office to film two installments for JoAnn’s TV program, Flourish, that is viewed by tens of thousands of women in Iran. Rachel-Ruth, along with her youngest daughter and my granddaughter, Riggin, and I were blessed to engage in conversation that emphasized the legacy of faith through the generations.

What a blessing I was able to share with my youngest granddaughter, Riggin, as we enjoyed the Museum of the Bible together! Then I was given the privilege of speaking to several hundred people who gathered in the theater as part of the Museum’s Sunday Sermon Series. I praise God for the light of His unchanging Word that is displayed at the Museum with such excellence, as it shines in a world that is increasingly dark. John 1:5

Anne led thousands of women to study their Bibles and raise white flags of surrender to Jesus in Kyiv, Ukraine, 2005. Where are they now?

JESUS FOLLOWERS
Real-Life Lessons for Igniting Faith in the Next Generation

New Bible Study Coming in October 2022

This Spring/Summer share Anne and Rachel-Ruth’s book with your family and friends as you prepare for the new study…

In the book, Anne and Rachel-Ruth offer a warm and inspiring glimpse into their family life, sharing stories that reveal spiritual wisdom and practical insight for raising the next generation of Jesus Followers.

If you would like to receive AnGeL Ministries’ full newsletter by email or postal delivery, click here to sign up for our free resources!

I.  DEFINING IT

• Using one or more phrases from each of the following verses, define the gospel: Romans 3:23, Romans 3:10, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:23, John 3:16, I John 1:9, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• Read Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-36; at the temple in Acts 3:12-26; to the religious leaders in Acts 4:8-12.
  • Give the main points, with verses, that are the same in each sermon.
  • How do these main points define the gospel?
• Give the phrases from Luke 24:1-7 that give these same points.
• In your own words, define the gospel as though telling it to someone who has never heard it.

II.  DECLARING IT

• Why was Paul obligated to declare the Good News of the gospel? Compare Romans 1:14 with I Timothy 1:12-16.
  • To whom did he declare it? Romans 1:16
  • Is anyone excluded from it? John 3:16, Acts 4:12
• What was Paul’s attitude about declaring the gospel? Romans 1:15-16, II Timothy 1:8-12
• What was Peter’s attitude about declaring the gospel? Acts 4:20
• What was the attitude of the early Christians towards declaring the gospel? Give phrases from Acts 4:18-31, 5:40-42.
• How does Paul describe you and me in II Corinthians 5:20?
• What is your attitude towards declaring the gospel? When was the last time you told someone about Jesus? Pray now and ask God to give you the opportunity this week to share the gospel with someone who doesn’t know it – it’s your obligation and privilege!
• As you look for opportunities to share the gospel, what encouragement do you receive from the promises in Luke 21:15? II Thessalonians 2:16-17?

III.  DEFENDING IT

• How does Jude challenge you and me to defend the gospel? Jude 3
• Why does Jude say this defense is necessary? Jude 4, 18
• How does Paul challenge us to defend the gospel in II Timothy 1:13-14?
• What warning do we need to heed in Galatians 1:3-9? What are some “other gospels” being preached today?
• What do we need to do personally in order to be strong defensively as we share the gospel according to Ephesians 6:10-18? Who is our adversary? See Ephesians 6:12.

In a pluralistic, politically correct, inclusive, tolerant society, what will you do to define, declare, and defend the Good News of the gospel?

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Spring 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.

• In Mark 10:14, how did Jesus react to those who kept children from Him? What was His command?
• What was His warning?
• Why do you think Jesus reacted as He did?
• What had He just made clear about His care for children? Mark 9:36-37; Matthew 18:14
• What clear warning to adults did Jesus give regarding children in Matthew 18:6?
• What indication did Jesus give that He places a high value on children? Psalm 127:3; Matthew 18:1-4, 10, 14
• What promises did He give to those who care for children? Matthew 10:42, 18:5
• List at least three things you can do for children to let them know that God loves and cares for them. Would you do those things? Remember, He said if you do this for them, you are doing it for Him.

Please. Tell children that Jesus loves them! Then invite them to trust Him so Heaven can be their Home, too.

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Winter 2022 Newsletter.

 Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.