Unleashed Promises of Merciful Love

By Joyce A. Leonard

This book is a compilation of many stories that involve modern time events and is correlated with Biblical events. They are all entwined to show how God's merciful love is still as alive in modern times as it has been throughout history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Jul 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781684861996

Joyce A. Leonard

Joyce A. Leonard, 74 of Mechanic Falls, Maine began with her life story revealing the first 32 years of her life. Since her book, "A Journey of Trials Strengthened Through Faith" she continues her journey writing these true-life stories, some are her own experiences, and some are of others showing how God's intervention is as active today and all throughout history as it was in Biblical times. She truly believes in the power of God's promises as being Unleashed Promises of His Merciful Love. She plans to write her third book concentrating on prison ministry that she had been actively involved in for five years and then continued with letter writing to inmates after her health brought the ministry to a halt. that she was involved in. She will be working toward the completion of this book for 2023.

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TITLE

Unleashed Promises of Merciful Love

Copyright © 2022 by Joyce A. Leonard. All rights reserved.

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The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of URLink Print and Media.

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Published in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022910555

ISBN 978-1-68486-206-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68486-199-6 (Digital)

27.05.22

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1: Malicious Accusations

Chapter 2: Flirting with Sin

Chapter 3: You Shall Not Surely Die

Chapter 4: Blind Faith or Delusional Sacrifice

Chapter 5: Friendly Fire Within the Church

Chapter 6: Blessing or a Curse?

Chapter 7: The Choices in a Decision

Chapter 8: Preparing to Meet God at the Mountain

Chapter 9: The Silence of the Ticking Clock

Chapter 10: Search for Me with all Your Heart

Chapter 11: A House of Tears

Chapter 12: Whistling Girls and Crowing Hens

Chapter 13: A Bittersweet Love Story

Chapter 14: What Can A Dream Mean?

Chapter 15: Love Him Now, Love Him Again

Chapter 16: The Lamb Was Slain

Chapter 17: We All Loved Lucy

Chapter 18: Condemn One, Condemn All

Chapter 19: Where is the Healing Balm of Gilead?

Chapter 20: The Legend of a Name

Chapter 21: Cast the First Stone

Chapter 22: Tongues of Men and Angels

Chapter 23: It’s Time to Fly

Chapter 24: Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

Chapter 25: His Hand was on Me

Chapter 26: Profession or a Calling

Chapter 27: Mothers, Mothers and Mothers

Chapter 28: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Chapter 29: The Christmas Dream

Most Scripture is NKJV unless otherwise labeled

Scriptures & Quotes used

Introduction—Philippians 3:17-21 Amplified—Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV—Revelation12:4,7-9,12—Ephesians 6:10-12

I Samuel 17:47 b, II Chronicles 20:15, Eccl 12:9

Chapter 1—Quote by Walter Scott/ quote COL (Christ’s Object Lessons) by EG White pg. 172—Romans 8:28

Chapter 2 DA (Desire of Ages) by EG White pg. 148

Chapter 3 Genesis 3:1—Genesis 3:3—Genesis 3:6 (NKJV)

Chapter 4 Leviticus 18:5—Genesis 16:2—Genesis Chap. 17—Genesis 22:2—Proverbs 3:7 Romans 4:3, 8:31—James 2:23—Genesis 22:7 & 8 John 3:16—Genesis 22:12 & 13

Chapter 5 Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 2:13-16

Chapter 6 Proverbs 1:1-3 EW (Early Writings by EG White pg. 17—Numbers 22:9,12,18,20,21, II Samuel 17:23—I Kings 2:40—SDA Commentary Vol. 1, pg. 902 Numbers 22:25, 28,31—James 3:8-11 Numbers 24:2-9

Chapter 7 Isaiah 30:21, Matthew 25:43 SM (Selected Messages Book 1) by EG White pg. 123, Psalms 103:20, Psalms 103:2-4

Chapter 8 Psalms 8 Isaiah 42:8, Exodus 19: 10-15,16-19 P & P (Patriarchs and Prophets) by EG White pg.305, 306, Exodus 20:3, I Samuel 15:22, Exodus 20:19-21

Chapter 9 Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7b-8, Proverbs 7:6-27 (paraphrased), Matthew 16-26 last part, Psalms 42:5

Chapter 10 Quote Brenda Walsh, Numbers 10:33, Psalms 44:21, Psalms 76:6, Psalms 139:23, Psalms 46:10, Eccl. 7:25, Jeremiah 17:10, 29:11-14

Chapter 11 Romans 8:28, Psalms 56:8, I Samuel Chapter 25, Isaiah 65:17, 19

Chapter 12 James 3:13 II Samuel Chap. 1, Romans 3:23, Revelation 3:19, II Samuel 14:25, Isaiah 14:13-14, Romans 8:31, I Timothy 4:7

Chapter 13 Song of Solomon 2:4

Chapter 14 Proverbs 3:6, Genesis 37:3, 7, 9 Joel 2:28-29

Chapter 15 Ezekiel 33:31, I Corinthians 12:28, Daniel 10:16-17, Revelation 3:16-17 (paraphrased), Ezekiel 24:16, Jeremiah 23:29, II Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 3:11, James 5:16, Matthew 6:33

Chapter 16 Revelation 5:12, Matthew 26:50, Joshua 24:15, Matthew 27:46 (The account written was all paraphrased)—the actual account can be found in Matthew 27, Mark 15 & 16, Luke 23, and John 18 & 19

Chapter 17 Proverbs 31:26-27

Chapter 18 Luke 6:37, Job 9:20, 34:21, 34:31-33 NIV, Matthew Chap. 7, Luke 6:37-38, Titus 2:8, Matthew 12:37, I John 2:1, Romans 6:23

Chapter 19 Jeremiah 8:22 Mark 5:7, 1-17, Hosea 6:8, Jeremiah 46:11, Jeremiah 30:17 (Message)

Chapter 20 Quote Harry Truman March 1946, Judges 11:2, Matthew 1:5,6, & 16, Joshua 2:1-24, SDA Commentary pg. 184, Joshua 1:9, 14, 20; 6:4, SDA Bible Commentary pg. 199, Joshua 24:15

Chapter 21 Proverbs 24:1, John Chap. 8:7 (KJV), Numbers 32:23,

Chapter 22 Quote Mother Theresa, Ephesians 4:26-27, Romans 14:12-13, Psalms 32:9

Chapter 23 Luke 12:6, 9

Chapter 24 Isaiah 1:16, Psalms 34:7, I Corinthians 2:9

Chapter 25 Psalms 103:2-3,

Chapter 26

Chapter 27 Quote Dewitt Talmage, Matthew 14

Chapter 28 I Peter 5:7, Genesis 3:8-10, Genesis 22, Genesis 37, Matthew 6:27,32 Psalms 37:1-7

Chapter 29 Psalms 37:4

INTRODUCTION

"F or there are many, of whom I have often told you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is in their stomach (their appetites , their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their p arty.

"But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await (the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) as Savior, Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting the power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself" Philippians 3:17-21 (Amplified).

With all the many trials I have encountered and been in throughout my life and having already written a third of my life, A Journey of Trials Strengthened Through Faith for the world to read and examine; the next part of my life is far too complex to share on the pages of a book. It would involve lives that have hopefully changed and are preparing for the citizenship of heaven. It is my conviction that the very issues I have experienced and gone through, can only be expressed in bits and pieces, while leaving out names and places to protect those who had taken part in some of the unrighteous paths that have been walked as well as in lives that I have been privileged to acquire information. I want this book to begin with stories that show how Satan starts with subtle remarks, coy sayings that infiltrate the mind and sets the attack with the ultimate goal to destroy.

The stories within the pages ahead may make some gasp or become angry while some may laugh, but as the stories unfold, you must remember it all began with a war in heaven. That was where the lie originated within the perfect angel, Lucifer. He began rumors and gossiped while using his freedom of choice to have a desire to become like the Most High and overthrow the throne of the Living God. Lucifer boasted that he was going to exalt his throne above God. Then God speaks to His fallen angel in Isaiah 14:12-14 (NKJV).

"‘How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!

For you said in your heart; I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north;

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High.’"

And the earth has trembled since that day when Lucifer with one third of the angels were cast out of heaven in a war that far surpasses any war fought on planet earth. It was not a war of guns and combat but a war of truth. A war that held unacceptable ideas that Lucifer started with a lie among angels who listened as he conveyed his own thoughts and ideas. A war against the Creator God and His authority.

In Revelation 12:7 (NKJV) it states, Michael fought with the dragon. Michael is Jesus Christ, Himself and Lucifer became the dragon. It continues (verse 8), they (the dragon and his angels did not prevail, nor was there a place found for them in heaven any longer. (V. 9), So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:4 (NKJV) points out He drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. This represents Satan’s angels. One third of the angels of heaven who had been in the occupancy of heaven believed the lies of Lucifer, who now became the devil, Satan, the Dragon. So, these demons are on this earth raging the battle that still infiltrates the mind, in an intense conflict to take control of humans and their frailty Do we believe the lie, or do we trust God? For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows he has a short time (Revelation 12:12 NKJV).

In the following pages I want to show you in terms of human interest that Satan can deceive even the very elect of God, if they should for a moment let go of His truth and take on another manifestation of a lie, just as it began in heaven and cause friends, loved ones, and even you, yourself to believe the lie and act on it. Once the action has been taken then it becomes a sin.

But we are not in this battle alone. This battle is far beyond what we can comprehend for in Ephesians 6:10-12 (NKJV) counsels …be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.

Our enemies are God’s enemies. Yet, He shed His blood for each one and that is how the Christian must view the atrocities of each of the stories before us. I am hopefully intermingling Bible stories and corresponding them with stories of today that will awaken your imagination and inspire you to stand fast because this battle does not belong to you but to the Lord and He will go before you (I Samuel 17:47 b, II Chronicles 20:15 last part NKJV) if you listen to hear His still small voice and trust Him with all your heart. That which has been what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun Eccl 1:9 (NKJV).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My brother, Stanley M. Wetmore is an artist. He was given a talent by God that he uses with his tremendous imagination and creates artistry in many forms. He is the designer of the cover of this book, and he also drew the picture of Christ and the many forms of evil that are portrayed within the chapters. I am thankful for the talent he has and grateful to him for allowing me to use them in my book.

I am also grateful to Hillary Cuffori for her talent in making sure corrections were done and worked tirelessly in helping me to get this ready for publishing. She is a nurse who specializes in working with those suffering their last days in hospice. She is a talented, special woman God put in my path. Thank you, Hillary, for all you have done to help make this book a reality.

CHAPTER ONE

Malicious Accusations

Oh, the tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive!

(Walter Scott)

The sun was beautifully shining this particular day in May and spring was in the air. There had been three consecutive chilly days, which was unusual for mid -M ay . Roberta was putting all her burdens behind her today and planned on a good day because each day is the beginning of forever. She started out on her school bus run and one of her eighth -g rade boys wanted to know if he could come over to her house and spend the day with her brother, who was close to his age, as they were having a field trip this day and he didn’t want to go. Roberta asked, Is this okay with your folks? This boy was under his sister’s guardianship, just like her brother was with her, and he answered, My sister doesn’t mind, if it is alright with you. Roberta replied, If you come to my house, you have to work. He retorted in astonishment, Work? She responded back at him. That’s the deal, I have a bus that needs cleaning, and it would be helpful if you and my brother could clean it for me, as I have a kindergarten field trip tomorrow. He whined again, Aw, come on, work? That’s the deal, she repeated. If you don’t work you don’t stay, the requirement was reinfo rced.

It was several stops later and one of the pick-ups was a friend of this particular boy. When he hopped on the bus, he looked at his friend and asked, grinning ear to ear, Is it all set? Jimmy affirmed, Yeh, but we have to work. Paul. Retorted, I don’t care, I will do anything as long as I don’t have to go to that boring field trip. Roberta’s first run was finished except for the few stragglers that were going to her house to work, and she continued for the second run as she didn’t have time to argue with these boys who were determined to get out of the boring field trip! The second run was finished, and she was heading home with the bus as her son was home from school with a bellyache. She needed to see how he was doing.

On her way home, the bus started acting up, and she thought it might be the power steering as it was getting difficult to turn the steering wheel and it took all she had to maneuver it. Once she was home and inside, she called the bus garage and relayed the message to the mechanic on duty. He relayed the message to her boss, who was on his way in town to the inner cities. She heard his voice boom back over the two-way radio to the mechanic, Tell her to get the bus back to the garage! She timidly asked if the bus would be ready for the kindergarten run and again heard the grumpy answer, I don’t know, she will have to wait until I get back. Roberta called out to her school skippers, Come on boys, I must take the bus over to the bus garage. If they get it fixed in time, you can clean it for me when, we get back. The boys got in the bus quite disappointed. Her brother stayed home with her son. When she arrived at the bus garage, the mechanic said the school called and wanted her to call back. Which one? she questioned since her son was home sick. Local, he answered. She called and asked for the principal. Roberta affirmed who she was, and the principal asked, Did Paul and Jimmy take your bus today? A lump formed in her throat, and she thought, Oh no, the boys are in trouble. She did not think ahead to the consequences for herself. She was thinking of the boys, and she heard herself say, No, they didn’t. The principal echoed back her answer, They didn’t? He continued, Then I will have to notify their parents, as they are missing."

She walked over to her van where the boys were happily waiting and tore down their sunshine. She let them know of the conversation she had with the principal. Paul turned white and said frantically, I have to get back to the school now. Roberta agreed and took him back and dropped him off.

She looked at Jimmy and asked, How about you? He answered, No, my sister knows where I am, and I am staying. Roberta was now leery of their answers, and questioned again, Are you sure? He answered quite assuredly, Yeh, I told her I was coming over and spend the day with your brother, my buddy. She felt at ease and answered with a sigh of relief, Okay. She dropped Jimmy off with her brother and went back to the local restaurant to have coffee with a friend. It was 10 a.m. and she knew she would have to start the bus run in an hour. That didn’t leave her much time to get anything done at home. Roberta had her brother and his buddy busy grinding laundry and straightened up the living room, while listening to her son complain about his belly, however he was able to devour a bowl of cereal in a single bound. That was most likely how he acquired his bellyache.

The phone rang, she answered and the voice on the other end, asked, Is Jimmy there? Roberta answered, "Yes, he is and handed the phone to him. Listening to his end of the conversation, she could tell that his sister did not know he was at her house. The principal had called her, and it wasn’t long before his sister, tore into Roberta’s yard. She went to speak with her. Their conversation was not an unpleasant one, in fact they discovered that Jimmy had only told a half truth, which is a lie no matter how you look at it. The devil always tells half-truths and makes it sound like it is okay when it really isn’t.

Before Roberta made it back to the bus garage, her boss called her and asked some pointed questions. She could tell by the tone of his voice he was ready to read her the riot act. They got through round one, and then he switched gears on her and told her to take Bus # 9, and then went back to what they had been discussing. He asked, what is going on anyway? Their conversation ended abruptly as Roberta had to go on her bus run. During her route she heard her boss’ voice crackle over the two-way radio, Bus 9, your bus is finished, stop in here before you leave.

When she returned to the bus garage, she parked the bus and walked apprehensively to his house. As she reached the door, he called from inside for her to come in. He seemed to have a different demeanor about him. He had a softness in his voice and gently asked her to sit down. As she sat down, she said, That bad huh? He nodded his head in affirmation. He began to unfold the charges from Paul’s mother, such as kidnapping, abducting, seducing, and molesting her son. He was serious as he spoke, and Roberta sat with mouth agape in stunned shock.

Kidnapping, abducting and what? she blurted. It seems the principal was adding insult to injury with innuendos of smearing her character that since she was a divorced woman and may be involved with lurking after innocent boys’ bodies that have hardly been weaned from their mother’s breast. Roberta could feel the heat on her face flush from anger, hurt and absolute horror as her boss placed the facts before her with gentleness. He counseled that she couldn’t fight city hall and rather than to be raked over the coals, and stripped of all self-respect, she should quietly bow out of the situation, and he would cover her tracks until the dust settled.

She was still in a state of disbelief and bewilderment as she left that afternoon for her last bus run. She watched each child as they got off the bus and it took all the stamina within her to hold back the tears as she bid each child goodbye. They didn’t know it was good-bye. A lump had formed in her throat, while her heart was shattered. She loved those noisy, troublesome kids that were so full of life. School bus driving was her life, waving to different people and exchanging familiarities with parents she saw each day, came to a screeching halt and a bitter end.

This was a silent verdict within an empty courtroom that had no trial. Not once was she faced with her accuser. Not since that day has any kind of repercussions ever taken place pertaining to that day, and no word since then to confirm or deny that it ever took place. She was asked why didn’t she fight this?