Saturday, April 29, 2017


May 2017 Article published in LM Prayer International.


God's Protection
By Jane Fortaleza



"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

One thing our family would do every time we'd ride in our vehicles was to ask God to protect us as we went about in our daily business.

One day, after church, I drove all kids home and had lunch. Then Jessica, my twelve-year-old daughter, asked to pick up some things at the store for school. As usual that day, we prayed for protection as my daughter and I left home. On our way, not far from our home, I saw that prayer answered in a very real way. 
As I was about to turn right on a busy street, I pressed the brake but there was no resistance.  Our vehicle sped up and our steering wheel becomes loose. Instead of turning right, our van passed straight across two busy lanes and hit a tree. Both airbags inflated and smoke came from somewhere. God must have cleared the way for us because no cars were coming in either direction. Had I turned right on a busy street, I might have collided with other cars. We could have ended up in the hospital, seriously injured others, or even caused a death. Kindhearted bystanders rushed to help us, and my husband came. Paramedics and police came and the lane was closed momentarily. I was so thankful that God had spared my daughter and me from a serious accident.
I had no idea of the danger that would confront us that day, but prayer works. God knew well in advance and protected us in our time of need. What peace there is in knowing that God is always looking after us. If He sees the dangers we are not aware of, then surely He also sees the ones that concern us, and He will help with those too. 
Psalm 34:7 tells us that "the angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." This verse is a promise that brings rest and assurance to the hearts of God-fearing people. God notices the little sparrow's fall, and His Word assures us, "Ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:31). 
My heart is full of thanksgiving that God's protection and mercy follow us each day. What a privilege it is to serve a God who looks after us each day and delivers us from unknown dangers. He watches over us each day and delivers us from harm and danger. Trust in His promise and remember to thank Him for the protection we may not always see.

Note: Jane Fortaleza is a pastor's wife and mother of three children. Her family lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she served as a Ladies President in Central Canadian District. Her great passion is to serve and live for God. 

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Stay Warm

This week, the weather got colder again and down to -24 degrees C. This is better than the past weeks where the temp was down to -35 C. We've been here for almost 20 years and still not get used to this cold weather :) but we survived! As long as your house have centralized heating system, a car with heater and warm clothes to wear, then you're ok.

But I can't wait for the spring to come where the ice is finally melting and new life springs forth, to see my flowers bloom, trees to produce fruits, grass to grow and to walk with slippers and to enjoy rain and sunshine! This is one of my favourite season. Transition from that of frozen to which is alive! It is so exciting to see something cold and dead to comes alive and colourful!

Sometimes there are areas of our lives experience complete death in order to experience the full life God desires of us. The cold and frozen will always brings forth the promise of a beautiful life. We can finally exhale with a sigh of relief recognizing His beautiful presence within, as we gladly resign ourselves to a sweet surrender. We become aware that He is there and all will be well.  The once gray skies begin to break away as shades of a heavenly blue begin to emerge. For the dawning of a new morning has arrived and with that dawning comes the promise of those wonderful and blessed.

God's mercies is new every morning...

But whatever season we are in, we ought to be "happy" because there is a purpose for everything.
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. So therefore there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.

"Look, the winter is gone, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air. Song of Solomon 11-12

Stay warm, hope is here!