Wow! Moments: 366 Devotional Reflections from the Word of God

By Pastor Gerald Parker Sr.

Wow! Moments is a compilation of my quiet-time reflections from the reading of Gods Word and prayers.
This is an opportunity to share some of my wow! moments of inspiration, enlightenments, instruction, and sometimes, convictions.
It is my prayer that as you read this daily devotional of wow! moments, you will experience a wow moment that you will be able to share with others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514456675

Pastor Gerald Parker Sr.

Pastor Gerald Parker Sr. is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. He is married to the former Wanda Jean Hubbard since 1967. God has blessed them with five children, two sons and three daughters. He is the pastor of the Pilgrim Progress Missionary Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, since 1971. A graduate of Missionary Baptist Seminary –Little Rock, Arkansas. First vice president of the Regular Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Administrator of Division of Biblical Studies for the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education.

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Copyright © 2016 by Pastor Gerald Parker Sr.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2016901733

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5144-5669-9

                Softcover        978-1-5144-5668-2

                eBook             978-1-5144-5667-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by the Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 02/03/2016

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I want to thank Gary Noble for his encouragement and prayers. I am grateful for Sister Carolyn Holloway for her typing and correcting the manuscript. I want to say a special thank-you to my wife Wanda, for her support and assistance in this book.

January 1

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

Wow!

Today is a special day! Today is special not because it's January 1, 2016. What makes this day special is that it is a God-made day and God has seen fit for us to be in it. Every day is a special God-made day. So our response should be Hallelujah!" Don't wait until Sunday to praise Him or to thank Him. Every day is a day of thanksgiving and praise.

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 2

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).

Ephesians 2:4--5

Wow! I am shouting this morning as I think about the two greatest words in the Bible: But God. When I was lost---But God. When I was sick---But God. When I didn't have any money---But God. When I couldn't find my way---But God. So whenever you feel discouraged or down and out, just remember---But God. He makes the difference. Glory to the Lamb!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 3

Wow! Sometimes we can't seem to find our way in life, and we ask God to show us the way, only to find out that He is the way. As we continue to obey and follow Him, we are already in the way. When we obey God, He is responsible for the results. Praise the Lamb!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 4

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5

Wow! It is useless to try to hold on to someone who has let go of you. It is frustrating to you and stressful to them. Remember the good times and move on. Remember, you are special in the eyes of Jesus. You are loved by the Lord, and He will never leave you (Heb. 13:5). Just a thought to those who are hurting.

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 5

Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Genesis 18:14

Wow! Whatever you do, don't quit, do what you can do, be led of God, and remember that nothing is too hard for God. Genesis 18:14. God is in control and not you!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 6

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 1:22--25

Wow! There are many Christians who really believe that by reading the Word that they will get spiritual strength. I must disagree! I do admit that reading the Word of God is paramount to a child of God. However, strength only comes when we obey the Word that we have read. God gives us strength as we obey His Word! We must not only read the Word but we must heed the Word. So the next time you ask God for strength, make sure that you intend on obeying Him in His Word (James 1:22--25).

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 7

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Wow! I have come to understand that before God will work on our behalf, we must come to the point where we realize that we can do nothing on our own! Once we come to the end of ourselves, then God can work. God doesn't need our help. Isaiah 41:10 is a must read. Lord, have your way today!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 8

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Psalm 103:1-2

Wow! It is cold outside! Instead of hot chocolate, warm yourself up with thanksgiving and praise to an almighty God.

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 9

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

Colossians 3:23

Wow! It's amazing what could be done in the church if no one cared who got the credit. If we all just worked for the glory of God and not for recognition for ourselves, there would be no limit to what could be done (Col. 3:23). Just a thought!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 10

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:10

Wow! A lot of people brag about standing on the promises of Jesus but never consider obeying His commands. Just a thought. John 15:10. Jesus once said, Why call me Lord and do not what I say?

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 11

The LORD being merciful unto him.

Genesis 19:16b

Wow! It's amazing! I have read about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah all my life. I also have read about God sparing Lot and his family. But what struck me was the phrase in Genesis 19:16 that says, The Lord being merciful to him. The only reason Lot and his family were spared was because of the mercy of God. Come on and shout with me! The reason we woke up this morning was not because we deserved it. God gave us brand-new mercy! Wow!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 12

And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

1 Corinthians 3:23

Wow! It states in 1 Corinthians 3:23 that we belong to Christ! Since we belong to Christ, we must constantly remind ourselves of this blessed fact. When tempted, just remember, you belong to Christ. When faced with difficulty, just remember, you belong to Christ! When you feel like giving up, just remember that you belong to Christ! As you face this day, just remember that you belong to Christ!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 13

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Wow! After reading Philippians 3:20, I was made to shout, because I realize I am a citizen of heaven. Come on and shout with me because if you are a believer in Christ, you also are a citizen of heaven. We are not citizens of earth trying to get to heaven. We are citizens of heaven traveling here on earth. We will be home one day (2 Cor. 5:1).

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 14

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:15

Wow! We must forgive and not carry grudges. When we refuse to forgive and carry around bitterness in our hearts, it's like eating rat poison and expecting the rat to die. Just a thought to ponder.

Wow! We are saved but not perfect. We are Christians still under construction. We are not what we ought to be, but thank God we are not what we used to be. God is working on us and in us. His goal is to conform us to the image of Jesus. One day we will look like Jesus (1 John 3:1--2).

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 15

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

1 John 5:14 (NKJV)

Wow! Prayer not only changes things but prayer changes the person who is praying. The true purpose of prayer is not to get God to do something but to seek God's will. Real prayer says Not my will Lord but your will be done.

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 16

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

Wow! If you have trusted God with your eternity, then stop having a hard time trusting Him with your tomorrow. I am not just saying this to you; this is for me as well. Stop trying and start trusting in God. Allow Him to do it through you. Just a thought! God is able, and we are not!

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 17

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

2 Chronicles 20:17

Wow! We all are familiar with the suffering of Job. Job teaches us how we ought to respond. After losing his house, his children, his livestock, and his health, the Bible says, Job fell to the ground and worshipped (Job 1:20). Lesson: When we are going through our pain and sufferings and trials, instead of wallowing and wailing, let's praise the Lord! Stand still and see the salvation (deliverance) of the Lord, because trust always leads to deliverance (2 Chron. 20:17).

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 18

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Wow! The key to daily peace is daily surrender. We must surrender every day all our fears, our worries. We must surrender our doubts, our dreams, our anger. We must surrender our sins. We even must surrender our own wills to the Lord. Then and only then will we have peace (John 14:20--29).

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 19

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Wow! When it comes to great suffering, we think of Job. We find out that Job's ending was greater than his beginning. Joseph is another who suffered tremendously. However, God raised him from the pit to the palace. Lesson: No matter what we go through, we can be assured of the providential care of God. God will always provide. Be not dismayed; God will take care of you. If God be for us, who can successfully be against us? Glory to His powerful name! This is shown in Genesis 37--46 and Romans 8.

Is there anything I need to pray about?

How can I apply this to my life?

January 20

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

1 Corinthians 12:27

Wow! This is a short but meaningful statement to church folk who say that they are bench members! God did not place you in the church (which is the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:27) to just be a bench member. Benches don't do anything! Every church member is supposed to serve in the