When God is With You

Happy Sunday!

Our guest speaker today was Overseer Ivry Johnson from Gilead Full Gospel Baptist Church in Nassau, Bahamas.  He used Judges 6:1-40 as his scripture reference and "When God is With You" as his subject.

"Yet again the People of Israel went back to doing evil in God’s sight. God put them under the domination of Midian for seven years. Midian overpowered Israel. Because of Midian, the People of Israel made for themselves hideouts in the mountains—caves and forts. When Israel planted its crops, Midian and Amalek, the easterners, would invade them, camp in their fields, and destroy their crops all the way down to Gaza. They left nothing for them to live on, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. Bringing their cattle and tents, they came in and took over, like an invasion of locusts. And their camels—past counting! They marched in and devastated the country. The People of Israel, reduced to grinding poverty by Midian, cried out to God for help." - Judges 6:1-6 (Message Translation)

God doesn't let sins go unpunished, but he is always listening for our cry.  Psalms 86:5 says, "O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help."

"The Messenger of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord is with you, brave man."  Gideon responded, “Excuse me, sir! But if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracles our ancestors have told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and has handed us over to Midian." The Lord turned to him and said, “You will rescue Israel from Midian with the strength you have. I am sending you.” Gideon said to him, “Excuse me, sir! How can I rescue Israel? Look at my whole family. It’s the weakest one in Manasseh. And me? I’m the least important member of my family.” The Lord replied, “I will be with you. You will defeat Midian as if it were only one man.” Judges 6:11-16 (God's Word Translation)

It only takes a moment for things to turn around.  Even when your situation looks hopeless, anything is possible.  Gideon was living in fear and insecurity, but the messenger called him a "Brave Man".   God does that all the time...Romans 4:17 says, "We call Abraham “father” not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody." (Message Translation)

When God is with you, things may not always be perfect.  We all have ups and downs in life. God doesn't promise sunshine without rain.  But when you call on him, he will answer.  "Happy is the man who can endure the highest and lowest fortune.  He who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity has deprived misfortune of its power. " ~Seneca
Read the rest of the story, Gideon had some issues but God used him to bring the people out of bondage.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

P.S. -  "Like a plant that starts up in showers and sunshine and does not know which has best helped it to grow, it is difficult to say whether the hard things or the pleasant things did me the most good."  ~Lucy Larcom

Do what GOD told you!

Happy Sunday!

I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

And I don't borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to gray.
And I don't worry about my future,

For I know what Jesus said,

And today He walks beside me

For He knows what lies ahead
Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand

But I, I know, I know, I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds, who holds my hand - Ira Stanphill

I heard this song on the way to church this morning.  Of course, I was in tears.  I'm a cry baby anyway.

It's comforting and refreshing to know that God cares for us and he has our lives in his hand.  There is so much happening right now in our lives and in our world.  Uprisings, violent attacks, political campaigns, and I-Phone 5's.  If we aren't cautious we can become overwhelmed.

That's probably why the Word says, "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." - Philippians 4:6 (Message Translation)

One of our Associate Ministers preached today, she used 2 Kings 4:1-44.  This passage is full of life applications.  A certain woman comes to the prophet with a problem.  Her husband has died and left her with massive debt.  The creditors are coming to take her sons away to be slaves.  The prophet asks her, "What do you have in your house?"  What a great question to ask today?  What do you have in your house?  Do you realize God has given you everything you need to suceed?  It's in your house!  It's in the unique person he created you to be.  Acts 10:34 says, “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open." (Message Translation)

All the woman had was a container of oil, the prophet gave her these instructions.  "Here’s what you do,” said Elisha. “Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors.  And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside.  She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.  He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped. (Message Translation)  The woman was able to sell the oil, pay her debts, and live off the rest. 

What can we get from this?  Glad you asked.  Do what GOD told you!  No need to explain to your neighbors.  Keep the process secret, lock the door to naysayers, critics, and haters!  There will be plenty of time for testimonies when God brings you out!  Don't think small!  The prophet instructed her to get lots of pots or vessels.  Do you realize that she determined the size of her blessing by the number of vessels she was willing to collect?  We quote it all the time..."exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think".  Exceeding means to surpass others; excel or be superior.  Abundantly means plentiful, profuse, and numerous. 
Selah.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Ugly Favor

Happy Monday!

My apologies for missing out on Happy Sunday!  Hope this e-mail finds you well.

Bishop David C. Cooper from New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico was our guest speaker for Men's Day.
He preached, "Ugly Favor", using Genesis 29:1-35 as his scripture reference.

I'm sure you remember the story of Leah and Rachel.  The Bible says, Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well favored. (vs. 16)  Jacob loved Rachel and hated Leah.  When God saw that Leah was hated, he "opened her womb". (vs. 31)

It's important to understand the culture of the time.  Child-bearing was expected, required, and considered a womans' contribution to society.

Think about Sarah, Hannah, and The Shunammite Woman.  Even though they were loved, respected, and provided for they lacked that one thing...a child.

Leah was the older sister.  She was expected to marry first.  Her father must have felt that her disability would keep her from ever marrying, so he devised a plan to trick Jacob.  Now, don't start feeling sorry for Jacob!  Remember he and his mother plotted to get his brother's birthright.  Galatians 6:7 says, "Don't be misled; No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest". (Message Translation)  If you know anything about planting and harvesting, you know that you can plant a few seeds and get giant plant with thousands of seeds.  Let's remember to plant good seeds!

So poor Leah is unloved, and disrespected.  But GOD!  God saw that she was hated!  God sees everything.  He sees you on the job, he knows that promotion was really yours.  He sees you at home, he knows that you need more money or less month.  He sees your dreams, desires, and unspoken requests!  He sees the "Haters", plotting, and planning.  He knows, and he can be trusted!  Psalm 37:4 says, "Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart!" (God's Word Translation)  So God favored Leah and blessed her with children.  In our modern day thinking, it would be like getting your education for free, the best job you could ever imagine, and that perfect significant other all in one day!
"God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart."  (1 Samuel 16:7)

So what can we take from this? Glad you asked. "Your disadvantage never hinders your destination." - Bishop David C. Cooper.  Even if you are being mistreated, overlooked, and neglected...hang on in there!  Galatians 6:9 says, "So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit".   God is faithful.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take". Proverbs 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)

Have an awesome week!  Love and prayers, Cynthia

In This Moment

Happy Sunday!
I love Ralph Marston! This one really blessed me...hope you enjoy it!

In this moment

Do not wait to be beautiful. Be your beautiful, authentic self right now.

If the world offers up negativity and despair, surprise the world by giving back love and kindness. Send out the energy that you wish to experience, and you are certain to experience it.

Happiness and fulfillment are alive in this moment. Allow them to flow freely and creatively through your life.

Fall in love all over again with the miracle of being. Your imagination is great and magnificent, yet it cannot hold even a fraction of the possibilities.

You’ll do, say and act your best when you feel your best. Feel the limitless wonder of this very moment.

Be beautiful, alive, aware and filled with the energy of the possible. In this moment, is every dream made and fulfilled.

— Ralph Marston

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” - Matthew 5:43-48 (Message Translation)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

John 6:27-40 (New Living Translation)

Happy Sunday!
Happy Labor Day Weekend!

"But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you.

For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.

They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?”

Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

John 6:27-40 (New Living Translation)

Love and prayers, Cynthia