Month: September 2024

Bible Verse of The Day – 9-20-24

2 Samuel 22:26-28 (NKJV) 26 “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 27 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 28 You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.

What an incredible synopsis offered by the prophet Samuel on the righteousness of God and the ways He handles human beings.

These verses show us that we will reap from what we have sown; both good and evil.

There is an abundance of truth and no-nonsense instruction found here.

There are some translation variations here that make these verses even more interesting, so let us look at them for further insights.

In verse 26, the word “merciful” is translated as kind, loyal, or faithful, depending on the Bible version you choose.

The literal translation is “holy” in the original manuscripts.

This does not infer a pure holiness such as what is encompassed in God Himself, but a holiness shown by a righteous lifestyle and a heart that desires and wholeheartedly endeavors to please God.

Also in verse 26, the word “blameless” infers having integrity. Its literal meaning is the word, mighty.

Mighty does not always refer to physical strength. A person can be mighty in many ways, including courage, fearlessness, dedication, perseverance, etc.

The word “pure” indicates a pureness of heart on the human end, not perfection or literal purity. For we know that perfection is unattainable for human beings.

In verse 27, the word devious could also be replaced with crooked.

And, finally, in verse 28, the word “humble” could be replaced with the word, afflicted, as we see that God’s eyes are on the haughty (proud), that He may bring them down (in His perfect timing).

Take heart, children of God! His eye is on the righteous, holding them up. And it is also on the wicked, bringing them down and judging them for their wicked deeds.

May our hearts be found clean in His eyes, washed by the blood of Christ, and our lives be found pleasing as we draw nearer to Him each day.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-19-24

Psalm 119:147 (NKJV) 147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.

Last night as I tossed and turned in the early morning hours, getting frustrated by the inability to fall back to sleep, I finally thought, “hmmm maybe God wants me to get up and pray. Maybe someone somewhere needs intercession.”

I so wanted to go back to sleep. However, I got up and went into the other room. I prayed for a while and then went back to bed. Of course, I went right into a sound sleep!

No one likes to get up in the middle of the night or very early morning when our sleep is interrupted. But what if in that very hour it is God moving on us to get up and pray? To pray, not even for ourselves, but for someone else in desperate need.

Prayer, and the time we give to it, is important.

He wants to hear from us. And the timing may not always be what we would prefer, but what matters is that we push ourselves to obey Him and His timing.

The next time we are awakened and find it difficult to get back to sleep, instead of wrestling with it, sometimes for hours, let’s take that opportunity to seek God and pray. Make being up at that hour worth it!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 (NKJV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing…

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-18-24

1 Kings 4:31 (NKJV) 31 For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.

Solomon was shown tremendous favor by God in many ways.

One of the most well-known is the wisdom that God imparted into him.

It is important to remember that Solomon was young when he became king over Israel, taking over for his father, David.

Historical accounts estimate he was 20 years old when he assumed the throne.

Despite being an adult, Solomon knew he lacked the proper experience needed to rule over God’s people wisely.

And he had the humility to admit this when God came to him in a dream.

1 Kings 3:9 (NKJV) 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

This request from Solomon pleased God. And He granted Solomon’s request, making him wiser than any man who had ever lived.

The wisdom given to Solomon was not conventional intellect. It was heavenly wisdom imparted to him solely by way of God’s spirit.

God will work in our lives in ways like this. He is still the same God!

We may not be ruling over kingdoms. We may not be seated on a throne or in high positions of earthly power, but we each have a path God has appointed us to walk. And that walk may sometimes require that we have understanding well beyond our natural abilities.

God gives us wisdom for our daily lives through the Holy Spirit. It is there for the asking.

All we are required to do is take the time and make the effort to seek Him, listen to Him and follow what he shows us to do.

He is as faithful now as He was in the days of Solomon.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-17-24

Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

What are you going through today that has made you weary and heavy-laden?

Heavy laden means to be weighed down by a great burden or load, or to be oppressed or crushed.

It means to carry a very heavy load, possibly for some time. It causes people to feel worn down or drained. It can cause anxiety and hopelessness.

Rest is what weary people seek. Rest restores the vigor and strength necessary to carry on and enjoy life.

May you come to the Lord today and find your rest in Him. Do not sorrow any longer, for His joy is your strength!

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Amen!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-16-24

Luke 9:23 (NKJV) 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

We often hear this verse quoted as a way of teaching us that following Jesus requires a sacrifice on our part.

It is true. There is a sacrifice required.

And sometimes that sacrifice is great.

But we must also look at another aspect of this!

As we take up that cross and follow Him daily, it moves us closer to Him.

We begin to better understand the sacrifice He made for us on that cross.

We get to feel the discomfort of persecution and making tough choices when we take a stand for His truth.

Our discomfort from carrying that cross puts us in fellowship with Him.

What happens when we move closer to Him and dwell in His presence?

He teaches us the meaning of joy!

Walking closely to our Savior helps us better understand what true joy is.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

No longer do we fret and worry about pleasing people.

Instead, our focus is on pleasing Him.

And knowing that we are living to please Him is the most satisfying thing we can do with our lives.

We cannot let the enemy fool us into believing that carrying our cross daily brings nothing but pain and misery.

Once we understand this, we will begin walking in fullness of His joy and pleasures that we never previously recognized.

Amen

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-15-24 – Father, Forgive Them

Please click to watch the video now.Greetings in the wonderful name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ! 

We trust that you are growing in your walk with God and drawing nearer to Him as each day goes by. 

There are two Biblical events that we would like to expound on today in our new video, Father, Forgive Them. 

Both events lasted only seconds. But we can learn so much from them. 

We hope you find the video informative and thought-provoking, and that it will help you see something you may not have seen before. 

Please click here to watch the video now.

We love you all very much. 

Enjoy the rest of your day. 

Sincerely, 

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie 

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443  

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-14-24

Isaiah 41:13 (NKJV) 13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

We want to speak to you today from our hearts.

God has been very faithful to us.

When we started Seven Seas Ministries, that name came to us through a dream.

In the dream, a young woman was out walking in the evening. A van pulled up next to her and men came out to grab her, kidnap her, and hurt her.

As they approached her, she heard the words, “seven C”.

Nearby was a hotel. So, she ran as fast as she could to that hotel. And on the door, she saw 7-C.

She knocked on it and someone opened it and let her in. She knew it was a safe place for her to be.

Seven Seas Ministries got its name from this dream. It is a place for people to come and find refuge; God’s love, hope, mercy, redemption, and encouragement.

One night in 2001, as we were in a sound sleep, God woke us both up at the exact same second.

As we sat up in bed, we looked over at each other and one said to the other, “I just felt something, like a touch on my lips.” And the other of us said, “me too!”.

As we went on to describe it, we realized that we’d both received the same touch, at the exact same moment, waking us both up!

God touched our lips. And from that day, we began to speak what He puts in our hearts to say.

We stepped out by faith to do His work. And He showed us people from all around the world helping us to get the job done.

Those people are you!

He has touched your heart and has brought you here. You help us accomplish what He has put in our hearts to do.

You are a big part of this work. Without you we literally cannot do what we do.

Through your financial gifts, we have been able to get much work done. We have seen many miracles and heard testimonies of many people’s lives being changed by the word of God.

God bless you and may you reap from your sowing.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-13-24

2 Samuel 11:26-27 (LSB) 26 Then the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband had died, so she lamented over her husband. 27 Then the time of mourning passed by, and David sent and gathered her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of Yahweh.

The events surrounding David’s initial interactions with Bathsheba are the most shameful of his life.

David was a man after God’s own heart. His life overall was pleasing to God.

But what David did when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then had her husband killed in battle, was evil in the eyes of God.

As punishment for his sin, God told David through the prophet Nathan that He would require the life of the son whom Bathsheba would bore.

2 Samuel 12:13-14 (NKJV) 13 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”

And as foretold by Nathan, the child was born and was struck with sickness.

2 Samuel 12:15 (NKJV) 15 Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill.

David fasted, wept, and laid on the ground day and night for seven days, hoping God would spare his son. But on the seventh day, the child died.

Upon learning of the child’s death, David immediately arose, washed, and ate.

His servants were astonished that he immediately arose and ate after fasting for so long, showing no signs of mourning for the death of his son.

They questioned him, asking him how he could have fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but upon hearing of his death he immediately arose and ate.

David explained that once the child was gone, it was clear that God had spoken, and mourning would change nothing.

2 Samuel 12:22-23 (NKJV) 22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

Let us learn from David’s example.

There is a time to fast and pray for a situation. But when God’s will has been made clear, there comes the time to arise, wash, eat, and accept what has taken place, recognizing His sovereignty in all things, and giving Him the glory and honor He is due.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-12-24

1 Corinthians 3:1 (NKJV) 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

God wants to speak to us as spiritual people. But we may still be walking as a carnal person even after calling ourself a child of God for a very long time.

Are we still babes who can have only milk, when God wants to feed us solid food?

How do we know if we fall into this “milk babes” category?”

If we are still envious of others, fighting and causing division, we are acting as what Paul would call, “mere men”, and we need to recognize it as sinful behavior.

1 Corinthians 3:2 (NKJV) 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Here, Paul is saying we must get past this if we want to be able to go deeper with God.

Paul wanted to teach them much more, but because of where they were in their hearts, they couldn’t receive more.

We determine how much we want to learn individually; how close we want to get to God by our willingness to change in our heart.

We decide how disciplined we want to become in our walk. We determine if we are milk babies or solid food eaters.

You see, if we continue to walk in carnal ways, and not allow our heart to be taught, we will remain as babes in Christ, knowing just the basics; just getting by, and never growing.

We will continue to only be able to have “milk”, or light and easy basic teachings, just coasting as a believer.

But if we step it up in our walk and focus on trying to honor God with everything in us, pushing harder to go the extra mile, well then, we are on another level of growth.

For instance, if there is an argument, and you are the one willing to humble your heart, turn your cheek and walk away in love, putting aside all you emotions, you truly want God’s best for that situation.

God will guide us and give us the strength and discipline if we are set on seeking unity, working things out and leaving peace where we have walked.

The most important thing to remember when faced with controversy is that kindness and respect will be your best friend. Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-11-24

2 Samuel 6:12 (NKJV) 12 Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.

In the days of the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelt wherever the Ark of the Covenant was kept.

It was encouraging for the Israelites but terrifying for Israel’s enemies.

In these days of God’s grace, His presence is still a blessing for His children.

Let us look more closely at this.

Today we no longer have the Ark that gets moved from place to place.

Instead, we have His Spirit.

We each have the choice as to whether to make our homes conducive and welcoming to God’s presence.

Consider this. God is holy. He cannot allow sin in His presence. Only the blood of Christ over us allows us to approach Him without fear and stand in His presence.

Our homes are different. They are not living and breathing as we are. They are simply a place where we dwell.

But we have the authority over our homes to decide what we allow to enter. And this matters more than most of us realize.

We are the gatekeepers. We say yes or no to everything that comes in.

We can allow things in that greatly displease God. Or we can keep them out.

This happens in more ways than we realize on a daily basis.

What we choose for entertainment is a major part of this. TV shows. Movies. Music. Social media posts, etc.

Their content either pleases God and brings honor to Him, or it displeases Him and pushes Him away.

It is up to us to carefully moderate what we choose to expose ourselves and the spirit of God to.

Does our home have an atmosphere that invites God’s presence? Is the Holy Spirit welcome?

Or is the atmosphere soiled by what we allow to come in, grieving the Holy Spirit and keeping Him at a distance?

God blesses us when we make Him welcome by putting forth the effort necessary to keep our home’s atmosphere clean. But He cannot bless us when we are willingly co-mingling with darkness daily.

Let us choose wisely, led by the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page. 

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Bible Verse of The Day – 9-10-24

James 4:10 (NKJV) 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Have you been through something that you are ashamed of, but God brought you through it?

Years ago, I was ministering to a person, and they were going through a situation similar to something that I had previously faced.

As they shared their pain, I too could relate to how they were feeling. The pain they were expressing brought back the memories of what I had gone through many years prior.

It came up in me just like it was yesterday, and as I humbled my heart before the Lord I began to share with them my testimony of the things I had faced.

It touched them where their pain was. They began to cry angry, hurtful tears of bitterness. And yelled out, “why! Why do bad things have to happen to good people?”

I told them, I don’t have all the answers, but the one answer that helped me was forgiveness.

Matthew 6:15 (NKJV) 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

They yelled out, “how can you forgive someone like that?!” And I said, “because Jesus forgives us after everything we have done.”

They said, “no, no, no, I can’t !” and continued to cry angrily.

I sat with them for a long time and let them talk it through and cry it out.

After they settled down, we prayed and asked God to help them to forgive. And then I said, there is one more step; not only do you forgive them, but you must also forgive yourself.

Again, anger arose, and bitterness was heard in their cry. But they did it! Praise the Lord, they did it!

It was through forgiveness that they received their healing and deliverance. They could laugh again, and the joy of the Lord was upon them that day!

Sometimes our story that brought us shame at one time will be the very story that will bring healing to someone else!

Don’t be afraid to share it when God opens that door. Let us humble our heart and bring our testimony of deliverance to the table!

Amen.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries 
49 N Lamplighters Walk 
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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