Friends in High Places

Friends in High Places Written By: Pat Aman, Phd You know, my daddy and mama raised my brothers and sisters, and me, not to hate anything. Well, I will say then that I dislike junk e-mail very much . I am receiving everyday things like start your own business, win big money and whatever you can think of that they are trying to sale. My pointer finger stays on the delete button. I do not even give these items time to go to my spirit, because what goes into your spirit is what comes out of your spirit. Today I received a e-mail that began, Good News Pat Aman, you must have friends in high places. Well that statement caught my eye. It went on to say call today for your free reading. WOW, right fast I said Satan, you and all your demons of hell are bound by the blood of Jesus, and by the way Satan, let me introduce you to my friends in high places. They are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and yes, they do have GOOD NEWS for me. God told me that He loved me enough to let His son Jesus die for my sins. Then Jesus told me that He died on the cross for me that I may have eternal life. Then the Holy Spirit lives within me daily, every moment of my life directing me in the paths I need to walk. So yes, Satan, I do have friends in high places. Satan will come in the back door if you do not keep your armor up. Praise God I had my armor on. (II Corinthians 10: 3-4 says, " For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." Walk in the flesh: Paul admits he is a mortal, living in the realities of the present world, but he does not war (fight) with mere human weapons. Our warfare: is not against flesh and blood, therefore, carnal (weak, worldly) weapons will not do. We need weapons that are God-empowered (mighty in God). Their purpose is for pulling down (demolishing) strongholds (anything opposing God's will.) Here Paul refers specifically to warfare in the mind, against arrogant rebellious ideas and attitudes (which he terms as imaginations and arguments), and against everything (pride) opposed to the true knowledge of God. The aim is to bring every disobedient thought into obedience to Christ. We must be determined to grow spiritually. Such growth is painful because one undergoes stretching, molding, and refining by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual people deal ruthlessly with any carnal thoughts in their own minds. We must be shaped by the Holy Spirit so that people can come to know Jesus through what they see. We must spend time in "God's presence." Expect the Spirit to transform you into the image of His glorious Son. Then we must recognize the spiritual war in our mind. Take captive every thought that is hostile to God, memorize scripture and meditate as a "military discipline" You need to ask yourself the question, What am I allowing to enter my mind that is not of God? It is important to realized that if you go to ungodly places, read ungodly books, watch ungodly T.V., listen to ungodly music that soon you spirit will be not only receiving these things, but you will soon be opening your mouth and these things will flow from you. (Proverbs 13:3) says, " He who guards his mouth preserves his life. But he who opens his lips shall have destruction." In others words, there is life and death in the tongue, what you speak shall be. Father God, I praise your Holy Name. I thank you that you have covered me and my family with the blood of Jesus. I thank you that you live with me daily. And thank you for being my friend in high places. In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen and Amen Blessings, Love and Prayers, Pastor Pat Aman Also, please know that: I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with Joy. Philippians 1: 3-4 I end each message with "My Blessings, Love & Prayers," I truly mean that, and I pray for each of you every morning and evening. (Nehemiah 8:10) "The Joy Of The Lord, Is Your Strength." (Proverbs 17:22) "A Merry Heart Does Good, Like Medicine, But A Broken Spirit Dries The Bones."

Gone Fishin

(Deuteronomy 33:27)
"The Eternal God is your Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

Hi Everyone,
I have a question for you. Have you ever felt just like goin fishin? Yes, I spelled it correct. Goin Fishin not Going Fishing.

There is a different. When you Going Fishing, you are serious about what you are doing. You plan to catch a big string of fish to bring home and fry. As for myself I take this type of Fishing very seriously. When I go to fish, I plan on doing some serious fishing.

But when you are Goin Fishin, well that is just another word for saying, "hey I need a break."

A couple of years ago, my youngest daughter sent me a song called "Gone Fishin"
Written and Song By "Chairman of the Board"

It main subject is I had enough so I goin fishin.

She knows that I love to fish. She also knows when I need to be by my self, that I will grab a pole and go sit by the nearest lake. Not really to catch anything, but just relax and pray.

I am going to share a few of the words to the song with you. And when you read them, you better not say, "I have never felt that way." If you do, I will pray for you. Ha Ha Ha Ha

I cannot quote all the words at this time, but it goes something like,

"Everybody wants me to be what they want me to be,
But I can't be no body else but me.
I am sick in tired of trying to please everyone else.
I gonna take me some time and steal away and please myself.
I gonna walk away and want look back.
If anyone asked where I'm at. I'm gone fishin, wasting some time,
gone fishin, leaving my troubles behind, gone fishin, I'm resting my mind.
If I don't get away I'm goin to loss my mind.

Prices to high, my money is low,
My friend who ask me for a loan
ain't my friend no more,
What the use in worrying about the things you can't do
nothing about.
Be happy go lucky, time will work it out.
I am going to lock my door,and close my blinds,
In my window I gonna leave a sign,
Gone Fishin, wasting some time, gone fishin, leaving my troubles behind
gone fishin, resting my mind, gone fishin.

Sing a Happy Song
LA, LA, LA, LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA"



Yes, there are times that we feel we need to go fishin. That is the times we need to sit in the Presence of the Lord. That is the times we need to seek His wisdom.

You know, I am glad that the Lord, does not shut His blinds and close the door, and put a sign out that says, "Gone Fishin."

For I am sure at times He may feel like it, but He is always there for us. With arms wide open for us to run into. We can always find refuge in the Shelter of His Mighty Wings.

Oh, and if I were to talk to some of your friends and family, they might tell me, Yes, Pastor Pat, __________________,(put your name in the blank) needs to take your advise and chill, take a break and go fishin...

So, grab a pole and met me at the nearest lake. Oh, if something happens that I cannot be there, God told me to tell you that He would be there for sure. You could count on Him. He said to tell you He is excited about the fishin trip, and He has a lot in store for you. He is expecting good conversation and said to tell you that He is ready to just lay back and relax with you, down at the fishin hole.

Also, He said to tell you that you will not need to bring anything to drink, because He is the only living water that you will need. And, He will supply the fish, so don't worry about bringing anything to eat. He is going to furnish everything you will need for this fishin trip.

Oh, If I do not make it, you and God have a good time.



Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2011 "Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals"
Study Notes: The New King James Bible
Unless otherwise stated, all content in this mail is © 1996 through 2009 by Coffee With Pat, and the Respected Authors.

God and Playing Sports

Playing Sports With God
Playing Sports With God
By: Pastor Pat Aman

John 13: 14

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15:7
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Matthew 10: 28 31

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


When I lay in bed after several surgeries, I had a chance for God to speak to me, and for me to listen. One of the things that God spoke to me about was on prayer. The way He did it was funny. Why? He used sports to do it.

Maybe it was because my daughter was Volleyball Coach and Assistant Basketball Coach during this time, and I had been to several games. Even the State Play-offs where their team had won. So, sports was really on my mine, in this season of time of my life.

God though the Holy Spirit told me that He would like for us to stop playing basketball with Him. He said a lot of people will give him the ball (problem) and just as He is about to score a three pointer for us, we foul Him out. We try to take the ball (problem) back, when we think the time is running down on the scoreboard clock.

Why? We are thinking He is taking to long are maybe He is not doing it as we would want Him too. Then because we fouled Him, the ball (problem) went out of bounds. As He runs to get the ball (problem) back, it is to late so He has to go to the free throw line. He can not handle it the way He was going to, because we either added to the situation are caused more trouble for ourselves. Then just as He is about to throw the ball (problem) from the free throw line, we get in front of Him and are trying to rebound the ball (problem) into our hands. Why? Because again, we are not letting Him handle the situation for us. Then we are questioning God.

Then He told me that when we give him the ball (problem), that we need to just leave it in His hands to handle , because He promises to score a three pointer for us.

He said remember I do not play volleyball with you either. When you give me the ball (problem) I am not going to volley it back to you. I am going to do what is best for you, because I am your Father and a Father is not going to let his children be hurt, depressed, lonely and sad. He is going to take care of all of our wants and needs.

He told me just to do as a baseball player does. When Satan throws a ball (problem) at you. Just pick up the bat and hit the ball (problem) to God. In other words hit a homerun and then run around the bases praising God for the answer while the angels in heaven are cheering you on.

Now I told you this was different, but my God has a sense of humor and sometimes He use the strange things of this world.

Hope that you have enjoyed this as much as I did.
Love Pastor Pat

Don't Back Down

I was drinking my coffee, yes decaf, and thinking about a vacation the family had taken a few years ago.

Now I do not know about you, but Joe and I have two small dogs, Sara and Katy, that we take with us. They behave better than many children do.

A couple of years ago, we went to my mother's, in Louisiana. There are cows in the pasture around the house. One cow in particular liked to jump the fence. Well, the cow was out of the pasture and our dog, Sara, had never seen a cow. Boy, was she ready to find out what that funny looking thing was. We let her out of the car, and away she ran, chasing the cow until it jumped the fence and went back into the pasture. Now let me tell you, Sara thought she was the big dog. If there had been a prideful look, she had it. "Just look what I have done. I chased that thing right back where it belongs!"

Anyway, the next day, the cow was again out of the pasture, so we thought we would let Sara chase her again. And Sara was more than ready. This time we got the movie camera out. We wanted this on tape. You know, funniest home videos. Well, we let Sara out and away she ran, chasing that cow right back into the pasture. Well, that was supposed to be what happened. Instead, the cow stopped, turned around, and started back toward Sara. When this happened, she lost all her bravery. She immediately laid down on her back and put her legs up in the air. Total submission to the cow. Or maybe she thought if I act dead, that thing will just go away. We all had a good laugh and Sara did not care for chasing cows any longer.

Now you know that there is a devotion somewhere in this story. I got to thinking about the situation. When everything is going good, we are brave hearted. We laugh and tell the devil where to go. But when the devil attacks us, we, like Sara, turn and act defeated, just hoping that if we play dead, and do not do anything, he will just go away. In other words, we give total submission to the devil. He can take our lives and destroy us.

But that is not the case. (Ephesians 6:12) says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Yes, satan and his demons do try to attack us daily. This is the reason we need to read our Bibles and stay in prayer daily. Remember, Jesus defeated satan in the wilderness by saying, "It is written, satan, you shall not temp the Lord your God." See, we have to use the word of God on Satan.

(Ephesians 4:27) says, "Neither give place to the devil." If we stay in fellowship with God, then the devil does not have a place in our lives to attack us. When you are filled with the word of God, there is no room for satan or his demons. But when we get out of fellowship with God, then we open ourselves up to every attack that satan can throw at us.

See, if Sara had been raised on a farm, then she would have known what to do. She would have had control over that cow. So instead of her ruling the cow, the cow had rule over her.

Some of us have been raised in the church, and we know what is right. We know how to defeat satan, but we back down. Why? We have gotten out of fellowship with God. We are not reading out Bibles daily and praying. Right now, you need to make a decision that you are going to set things straight. Right now, put satan back where he belongs, out of your life. Then fill your spirit daily with fellowship with God. Read your bible and pray. Then, when the cow comes after you, you will be able to send him back to the pasture.

God Is Listening

"Is God Listening?"
Prayer is the means by which we take our perplexities to the Father. But do you get the feeling that some people have God's listening ear better than you do? I love the letter the little boy wrote to God in which he admitted he knew God heard prayers, but he wanted to know when God would be listening especially hard to prayers. In other words he was asking God is there a certain day that you handle prayer for different situations?
I think one of the problems we encounter in praying is that we are inclined to dictate to God what our preferences are. If we have already made up our minds, we may not hear Him when He speak!
As Mark 4: 23 -24 says, "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear...Take heed what ye hear."
"Listen to what you hear," He is saying, "You think there is a shortage of my messages, my answers to your prayers? Unplug your ears!"
Perhaps our biggest problem is not that we haven't and don't hear; if we will be honest we might have to confess that we aren't always ready to listen! We may have heard but we just do not want to obey. The think God may have made a mistake. In other words we are saying, "God are you sure?"
Catherine Marshall in her classic Adventures in Prayer speaks of "The Prayer of Relinquishment." She say, " A demanding spirit, with self-will as its rudder, blocks prayer....Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, I come to see, is the pattern for us. Christ could have avoided the cross.... Christ used His free will to turn the decision over to His Father. He said, "Dear Father...all things are possible to you. Let me not have to drink this cup! Yet it is not what I want but what you want.' She emphasizes that there is no resignation in Prayer of Relinquishment. This kind of praying doesn't slam the door on hope. It's called "the pliability of an obedient heart."
Sometimes you as I also maybe faced with the problem, Lord, I just do not know how to pray about this problem.
Praise God, that is not a problem to God. Thanks to the Holy Spirit everybody is equal before God in prayer. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, in our improper understanding, and conveys from our hearts to God's heart what is really there, that which is impossible for us to put into words anyway!"
Friends, God knows our needs before we ever bring them to Him. He is just waiting for us to see if we are ready to turn our life situations over to Him completely.
In other words, "Lord, here I am, I am yours, and I am willing to follow your ways for my life.
Sending to You and Your Family,
Blessings, Love and Prayers,
Pastor Pat Aman