How to Bless My Family

Happy Sunday! Hope you had a wonderful week!  Last Sunday was Men’s Day at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.  The guest speaker was Bishop David Cooper from New Hope Baptist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico.   His topic was, “How to Bless My Family”.  From the very beginning, God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.”  Genesis 1:28 (New Living Translation)  God intended for man and woman to be a blessing.  He still expects us to be a blessing, especially to our families. HOW TO BLESS MY FAMILY... KISS – Affection - Bishop Cooper used Genesis 27:26-29 as his text,  these excerpts are from the Message Translation.  Then Isaac said, "Come close, son, and kiss me."   We need to show our children appropriate physical affection.  Sadly, whippings do not count as affection even if it does hurt you more than it hurts your child. LOL!  Studies have shown that children raised in orphanages who were not regularly touched as infants or who suffered prolonged periods of time without any human contact failed to thrive. Infants who were not soothed and nurtured by touch did not physically grow and developed severe social problems. (http://www.suite101.com/content/newborns-need-touch-a70941) SMELL – Destiny -  "He came close and kissed him and Isaac smelled the smell of his clothes."  Isaac recognize who Esau was, he didn't ask him to stay inside.  He allowed Esau to enjoy his vocation.  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  The literal translation means train the child in the way he or she is "bent".  Watch the child, acknowledge their likes and dislikes, recognize what they are capable of doing, encourage them to be what God designed them to be.  Every child will not be a doctor or a lawyer, but motivate your child to be the best that they can be!  INTERCEDE – Pray - "May God give you of Heaven's dew and Earth's bounty of grain and wine. May peoples serve you and nations honor you."  NO PRAYER, NO POWER!  Prayer is essential for our daily lives and especially the lives of our children and family.  It has been said, if you believe prayer works you will pray.  Matthew 21:22, "You will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, if you believe." PROPHESY -  Speak positive words - "You will master your brothers, and your mother's sons will honor you.  Those who curse you will be cursed, those who bless you will be blessed."   Romans 4:17 (King James Version) says that God calleth those things which be not as though they were.  We have to follow God's example.  Even if Pookey and Ray Ray are living in sin, doing everything but the right thing, we still have to speak what can be.  In the Jewish tradition blessing your children is very important.  One of the most moving Shabbat traditions is the blessing over the children given on Friday night. This tradition gently reminds parents to express their love for their children out loud and gives children a feeling of warmth that they can carry with them throughout their lives.  (http://judaism.about.com)     We all laughed when the Bishop Cooper talked about how we sometimes are willing to help other people before we help our own family members.  He used the example of us rushing down the street to help the neighborhood drug addicts, while tripping over the drug addicts in our own family.  He reminded us that this is not the way it should be.  We are responsible to bless our family.  Bless your family this week.  Kiss them, smell them, pray for them, and prophesy over them!  Love Cynthia

Let God Out of the Church!

Happy Sunday! I hope you had a wonderful week.  My week was full.  So full that I forgot what Bishop Thomas preached about last Sunday.  That's so sad.  I'm one the most animated members.  I'm screaming, "Amen!" and standing up in response to the good Word being preached.  But within the week I forgot what I heard!
 The Apostle James wrote about that problem, "Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like"  James 1:22-24(Message Translation).   Maybe I'm the only one.  But I doubt it.  There is a good reason athletes and entertainers practice.  They practice to keep the plays, the moves, the music, and their lines fresh and in their minds.  Don't worry, I took good notes, so I can tell you what Bishop preached.  How I long for the day when I can remember it without looking at my notes.
 The subject of last week's sermon was, "Let God Out of the Church!"  Yes, in Sunday School as children, we learned that God has the whole world in his hands.  But for some reason we seem to treat God as if he only belongs in the church.  We get dressed up, drive to church, enjoy the service, then leave God in the church building.  Bishop encouraged us to let God out of the church.  How do we let God out of the church?
 Make sure you are in the right church!  Do you feel the presence of God in your church?  The deacons in the old church sang a song that said, "I wouldn't have a religion, that I couldn't feel sometimes".  No, it's not ALL about feelings, but you should at least feel that the three hours you spent in church was beneficial and edifying! Not to mention the two hours it took to get all dolled up to go.  Is the unadulterated WORD being preached?  Do you understand the WORD that is being preached?  One of my favorite preachers likes to use big words.  Sometimes I have get the dictionary and look those words up.  That's ok for me.  But if that's not your thing, make sure you find a preacher that you can understand.  Are you growing and changing?  Are you?  Churches are like soil.  Put a little dry shriveled up Christian in some good soil and you should see some growth.
 Worship God daily!  Bishop said and I quote..."The YOU you see in worship should be the YOU you see everywhere!"  We have confused the world with our lifestyles.  People are looking for "REAL" worshipers.  Why do you think our nation and the world is so addicted to reality television shows?  People want to see the real person.  We are nosy by nature!  LOL!  We want to know what makes you tick. 

Matthew 5:16 (New Living Translation)

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
 Let God out of the church this week, OK?  Have a wonderful week!  Love Cynthia
 

The Right Perspective On Work

Happy Sunday! Last Sunday, Bishop preached about work.  His subject was "The Right Perspective On Work" and he used Colossians 3:22-24 as his scripture reference. 
 Colossians 3:22-24 (The Message)  Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

 If you are blessed to be employed during this current economic season, you are truly fortunate!  If you are retired, self-employed, or independently wealthy rejoice!  If you are unemployed, don't worry God has not forgotten you!  Even before Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, Adam was commanded to work.  For thousands of years, men and women have worked.  Not being able to find work caused thousands of people to brave the unknown and travel North from the deep south, and West from the East Coast.  There is dignity in work.  There is Worship in good work!
 The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Colossae.  He took time to encourage them to be good workers.  He wanted them to know that freedom in Christ was not a license to sin or be a slacker.  He encouraged them and it should encourage us to be the best employees.
 We are being watched!  maybe not by the FBI or the CIA, but people are watching you!  And if you have revealed that you are a Believer, they are probably watching your every move.  They want to see if there is anything special about you.  They want to know if this JESUS stuff is really real?  Even if you dislike you current position you still must glorify God in your work.  Be the best worker as you search for other employment.  Be the best worker as you further your education.  Be the best worker as you represent Christ.

 Have a great work week!  Love, Cynthia
 

Sermons We See

Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear;

And the best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness,
I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles
and a strong man stays behind

Just to see if he can help him,
then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful
as I know that friend to be.

And all travelers can witness
that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them,
but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many,
men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed
is worth forty that are told.

Who stands with men of honor
learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language
which to every one is clear.

Though an able speaker charms me
with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon
than to hear one, any day.

Focus on the Finish!

Happy Sunday!  Happy Labor Day Weekend!  Hope you are enjoying yourself! Last week Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Focus on the Finish!"  It was a word in due season.  I've been feasting on it all week.
 He wanted to dispell some misconceptions and misinformation we may have received during this journey.  Do you remember that song, "Every Day With Jesus"?  The song says, every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.  Yes, there is some awesome truth in the song.  But we may have believed that in order for every day to be sweeter things had to be getting better.  NOT!  This life is full of contradicitons.  Even popular culture picked up on it.  Smokey Robinson sang a song, "I Don't Like You, But I Love You".  Is it possible to love someone or something and dislike that person or thing at the same time?  Yes, it is!
 Bishop wanted us to realize that life is hard, but God is good.  We must FACE, CONFRONT, and CONQUER!  Bishop used Hebrews 12:1-2.
  ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
 The writer of Hebrews uses an example from track and field.  He wanted us to invision all the heros of faith in the stands watching us compete.  Think about it!  When you face the loss of a job, the loss of a home, the loss of a loved one JOB is in the stands, cheering you on!  He's yelling at the top of his lungs hoping you will hear him.  He wants you to know that God brought him through it all and he came out with more than he had before. Job 42:12, God blessed Job's later life even more than his earlier life.
 When your family mistreats you and doesn't understand what you've been called to do, JOSEPH is in the stands cheering you on.  He wants you to know that even though his brothers sold him into slavery, Potifer's wife lied on him, and he went to prison, God brought him out on top.  Genesis 50:20 (New Century Version) You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done. 
 When you feel like you've been thrown in a lion's den.  Remember that Daniel is there cheering you on.  He wants you to know that you can rest and trust God to protect you in any situation.  Isaiah 54:17 (Message Translation) No weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God's servants can expect.  I'll see to it that everything works out for the best."
 In my sanctified imagination, I invision some other people in the stands cheering us on!  There are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, god-parents, husbands and wives, soldiers and teachers.  Millions of people who have experienced life, lived it with Faith and were successful in this race.
 They know that you can make it!  So do I!

 Focus on the Finish!  Have a wonderful week!  Love, Cynthia