The Song of the Waiter

Happy New Year!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached "The Song of the Waiter".  He used Luke 2:25-35 as his reference scripture.

On September 28, 1976, Stevie Wonder released his album entitled, Songs in the Key of Life.  It proved to be an exciting, memorable, and enjoyable collection.  The songs reminded us of our own lives.  The Bible is also a book of songs.  There are songs for all occasions.  The "psalm" means song.  That's why we don't say the first chapter of Psalms.  We say the first number of Psalms, because they are songs.  The angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus with singing, "At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him." Luke 2:14(Message)   Deuteronomy 31:19-22 says that God gave the Children of Israel a song, “Now write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel as my warning to them...So, on that very day, Moses wrote down the words of the song and taught it to the Israelites." (Living Bible)   King David wrote and sang songs, Paul and Silas sang songs and praised God while in prison, and the Apostle John saw a great choir in heaven, "I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing, Hallelujah! The salvation and glory and power are God’s—his judgments true, his judgments just." Revelation 19:1 (Message) 

Luke 2:25-35 introduces us to Simeon.  The scriptures tell us that he was "righteous and devout".  He was familiar with the promises of God and he knew that the Messiah was coming.  God promised him that he would not die until he saw the baby.  So he waited, and waited, and waited.  Bishop Thomas said, "He worshiped, he waited, and he checked bassinets. LOL. He obeyed God, and waited for the promise.  He had "Faith"!  He knew that God could be trusted.  When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus in to be circumcised, the Holy Spirit revealed to him, that this one was the one.  Simeon rejoiced!

This is the song of the waiter..."God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes, I've seen your salvation; it’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel." (Message)

If you are waiting for that blessing, that healing, or that deliverance...BE ENCOURAGED! God always keeps his promises.  Study your bible and remind yourself often of his "great and precious promises".  Like Simeon, be confident that God will do what he says he will do!

Love and prayers, patiently waiting...Cynthia

Scandal

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "There's Scandal in Bethlehem!" He used Matthew 1:18-26 as his reference scriptures.

If you haven't heard of the television show "Scandal", I have one question for you...where have you been? I have never watched it but I have heard all the buzz about it. Thursday nights it's hard to navigate through all the postings about it on Facebook. Bishop David G. Evans even conducts up to the minute tweets and posts about the show. Bishop Thomas reported that he had never watched Scandal until this week. He watched the season finale. He is hooked and he will be anxiously awaiting further episodes. He said it brought back fond memories of his time watching or following, "24".

The Bible is full of real life stories of scandalous behavior. Every possible story of triumph, tragedy, or condition is played out on the pages of the Word. You should read it some time!

Matthew 1:18-26 says, "So here, finally, is the story of the birth of Jesus the Anointed (it is quite a remarkable story): Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, son of David. They hadn’t married. And yet, some time well before their wedding date, Mary learned that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, because he was kind and upstanding and honorable, wanted to spare Mary shame. He did not wish to cause her more embarrassment than necessary. This is remarkable, because Mary has never had sex. She and Joseph have not even spent very much time alone, but they are pledged to each other and their wedding feast has been planned. She has never even kissed a man. She is a virgin, yet she is pregnant. Miraculous! On the other hand, Joseph suspects that Mary has cheated on him and had sex with another man. He knows he will have to break their engagement, but he decides to do this quietly. Mary understands that it is God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, who has made her pregnant. Now when Joseph had decided to act on his instincts, a messenger of the Lord came to him in a dream. The Messenger of the Lord said: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to wed Mary and bring her into your home and family as your wife. She did not sneak off and sleep with someone else—rather, she conceived the baby she now carries through the miraculous wonderworking of the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you will name Him Jesus, which means “the Lord saves,” because this Jesus is the person who will save all of His people from sin. Joseph woke up from his dream and did exactly what the messenger had told him to do: he married Mary and brought her into his home as his wife (though he did not consummate their marriage until after her son was born). And when the baby was born, Joseph named Him Jesus, Savior. Years and years ago, Isaiah, a prophet of Israel, foretold the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus: A virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and His name will be Immanuel (which is a Hebrew name that means “God with us”). (Voice)
Now that's real drama! What can we take away from this message? I'm glad you asked! This message reminds us that even if we are experiencing unusual circumstances God has a plan! Even if things aren't going as we wished and dreamed, hang in there...God is able! Philippians 1:6 says, "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." (Message) Even if you weren't born in a mansion with a silver spoon in your mouth, just trust..."We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan." Romans 8:28 (Voice)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

You Gotta Feel It In Your Bones!

Happy Sunday!

 

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "You Gotta Feel It In Your Bones!"  He used Exodus 13:19 and 2 Kings 13:20-21 as his reference scriptures.

 

In order to achieve our goals and rise to the highest level of our purpose in life, Christ must be a necessity.  The Word says, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Version)   Our relationship with Jesus Christ cannot be tertiary, ancillary, or secondary!  Our relationship with the Lord must be primary!

When Bishop made the previous comment, I immediately thought of Military Basic Training.  Now, I have never served my country in that capacity, but I have many, many family members and friends that have served, and are serving in the military.  From firsthand accounts and various depictions in the movies, I have come to the realization that Basic Training is an opportunity for the Military Leadership to instill discipline in the soldiers.  Even the Apostle Paul used military service as an example.  In 2 Timothy 2:3 he wrote, "A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders." (Message Translation)

We are Soldiers in the Army of the Lord!  It's real!  It's not just a catchy song we learned in church!  Everyday we have to battle.  We battle negativity on the job.  We battle health issues and crisis.  We battle depression, oppression, and recession.  We battle just to trust that God's Word and Promises are true and will come to pass.  We can not live this life without some type of struggle.  The Psalmist said, "Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them." Psalm 34:19 (Voice Translation)  and "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19 (King James Version) 

In the first reference scripture Bishop used it says, "Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly swear to do it, saying, “God will surely hold you accountable, so make sure you bring my bones from here with you.”  Joseph remembered the promised that God made to Abraham.  He knew that one day they would be delivered and return to the land that God promised Abraham.  He made them promise to take his bones with them when they left Egypt.  Bishop Tudor Bismark says that "bones" represent structure.  Joseph trusted that God's Word was true.  He wanted his bones to be there when the Promise came to pass.

In the second reference scripture Bishop used it says, "Elisha then died and was laid to rest. The Moabite bandits used to storm the land every spring. It was expected by the people. During the springtime, while a group of men were out burying a man, they spied a gang of bandits approaching them. They became afraid, so they threw the dead man’s body into Elisha’s grave. As soon as the dead man’s body touched the bones of Elisha, the dead man miraculously came back to life and stood up." 2 Kings 13:20-21(Voice)   The anointing on the prophets bones was so strong it brought a dead man back to life!

YOU GOTTA FEEL IT IN YOUR BONES!  You have to know that you know that you know!  You have to be convinced deep down inside!  You have to have FAITH that God loves you!  You have to know that he is faithful to his WORD!  You have to trust that he will bring you out!  No matter what it looks like! No matter what "they" say! 

Like a good soldier put on all your equipment, learn to use your weapon.  Learn to break it down like a soldier breaks his rifle apart to clean it! Ephesians 6:11-17 says, "Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground. Yes, stand—truth banded around your waist, righteousness as your chest plate, and feet protected in preparation to proclaim the good news of peace. Don’t forget to raise the shield of faith above all else, so you will be able to extinguish flaming spears hurled at you from the wicked one. Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Voice)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

You Got A Reason To Be Thankful

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "You Got A Reason To Be Thankful!" He used Psalm 100 as his reference scripture.

If you are like me, you memorized this Scripture in Sunday School as a child. However, I always enjoy reading scriptures in other translations.

The Easy-To-Read Version says, "Earth, sing to the Lord! Be happy as you serve the Lord! Come before him with happy songs! Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he takes care of. Come through the gates to his Temple giving thanks to him. Enter his courtyards with songs of praise.
Honor him and bless his name. The Lord is good! There is no end to his faithful love. We can trust him forever and ever!"
The Message Translation says, "On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever."

The Voice Translations says, "Raise your voices; make a beautiful noise to the Eternal, all the earth. Serve the Eternal gladly; enter into His presence singing songs of joy! Know this: the Eternal One Himself is the True God. He is the One who made us; we have not made ourselves; we are His people, like sheep grazing in His fields. Go through His gates, giving thanks; walk through His courts, giving praise. Offer Him your gratitude and praise His holy name. Because the Eternal is good, His loyal love and mercy will never end, and His truth will last throughout all generations."

We are not asked to make a joyful noise, we are commanded to do it! We are commanded to come before God with joy. Joy differs from happiness, in that happiness depends on what is happening. We can have joy in the midst of trying circumstances. The scripture doesn't say come with a joyful noise when everything is going well, it just says come. Come to God acknowledging that he is God! He is worthy of our praise because he is good! He made us, he keeps us, he protects us, and we should be thankful!

Bishop said, "There is nothing worse than an ungrateful child." As soon as he said it I thought of the movie, "Imitation of Life". If you haven't seen it put it on your bucket list. It gives an example of an ungrateful child and the sad consequences. God is our heavenly father. He loves and cares for us dearly. We must take time to say, "Thank You!" Not just once a year, but every day! Just watch the news and you will see how much we have to be grateful for. Earthquakes, tsunamis, super storms, tornados, fires, floods, murders, thefts, accidents, and illnesses are just a few of the headlines. If you are able to read this e-mail, you are blessed more than so many in the world.

You Got A Reason To Be Thankful!

Love and Prayers, Cynthia

P.S. - Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the days ahead and remember to be thankful, grateful, and appreciative every day!

He Saw the Best in Me

Happy Sunday!
Today Bishop Alexis A. Thomas had two friends visiting from California. Pastor Victor Brice from Solomon Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Pittsburg, California sang at the 11a.m. service, and his brother Pastor Larry Brice from People's Baptist Church in Oakland, California preached. Pastor Larry Brice preached, "He Saw The Best In Me!" He used St. John 8:3-10 as his reference scriptures.

Many of the problems we face today are the result of mental and emotional baggage laid on us by others. In life we experience leeches, loaders, and liars. Leeches want to suck all the good out of us. They never give, only take. The loaders want to burden us with their negativity or their cares and woes. The liars want us to believe that life is hopeless, that God is angry with us, and that our dreams will never come true. These are the people we should avoid! The Apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17 (Message)

The Scribes and the Pharisees were the religious leaders. They were constantly looking for a way to bring Jesus down and stop his ministry. On this particular day, they brought a woman to Jesus while he was teaching. They probably interrupted his sermon, most haters do like to make a scene. I imagine they brought this woman without allowing her to get dressed, adding to her embarrassment. The woman had been caught in the act of adultery, but it is very suspicious that they only brought the woman. Adultery is a two person affair. The Law said that both of the perpetrators were to be stoned to death. The Scribes and Pharisees thought that they could find fault with Jesus in front of the multitude. If Jesus were to say, "Don't stone her", they could accuse him of going against the Law of Moses. And if he were to say "stone her", he would appear cruel and merciless. Pastor Brice compared this event to a game of chess. The Scribes and Pharisees thought the had Jesus cornered. Checkmate! They failed to realize they were dealing with God in human flesh.

"Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. John 8:6-9 (Message)

We don't know what Jesus wrote on the ground, but I can imagine it was dates and times. He was God. He knew all about their hidden sins. They were true hypocrites! Whatever he wrote caused them to leave speechless! "Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?” “No one, Master.” “Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” John 8:10-11 (Message)

God sees the best in us! He loves us unconditionally. Of course, he wants us to obey and live right but he loves us in spite of our sin. Think of it this way, the woman was caught in the very act of adultery...we have been caught in the very act of worrying(Yes, it's a sin), lying (white lies and black lies, too), selfishness, pride, haughtiness, unforgiveness, and rebellion. Did you know that rebellion is as bad as witchcraft? 1 Samuel 15:23 says, "Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors." (Message)

God sees the Best in YOU! He wants the Best for YOU! This week, let's GO, and sin no more!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Giving Your Best

Happy Sunday!

Today we celebrated our Bishop's 29th year in ministry and his 46th Birthday! Our guest speaker was Pastor Kerwin B. Lee from Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His message was entitled, "What Happens When You Give God Your Best". He used St. Mark 14:3-9 as his reference scriptures.

There are three levels that we humans beings can occupy. We are either below average, average, or above average. If you occupy two of these levels you will undoubtedly experience persecution. If you are below average, people will say..."What a waste, they should be doing more with the gifts God gave them". If you are above average, people will say..."Who does he/she think they are? It doesn't take all that!" The only level you can occupy safely without any persecution in the "average" level. My mother wouldn't allow us to be average. We had to bring our books home from school whether we had homework or not. She believed that no self-respecting educator would send a child home without homework. See required excellence even in our house work. If you didn't do a task properly you could expect to have to do it again. God is our heavenly father. He says we are special, unique, and precious. He will not accept average. He calls us out to be extraordinary. "But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9 (Easy-to-Read Version)

In the text, a woman gave an extraordinary gift to Jesus. When she gave her gift three things happened. First those around her got an attitude. Verse 4 says, "Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume?" They didn't buy the perfume! They didn't have any business commenting about it, but they did what others will do when you give God your best. People will judge and criticize you. Secondly, they made an assumption. Verse 5 says, "It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” Those around her assumed that they knew better how her gift could be used. Third, they attacked her. Verse 5 also says, "And they rebuked her harshly." At that point Jesus spoke up.

Verses 6 through 9 say, “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (New International Version)

How can we give God our best? Good question! In order to give our best we must give like the woman in these scriptures; Personally, Publicly, Intentionally, Sacrificially, and Liberally.

Personally - The gift belonged to the woman. It was hers to give. Pastor Robert Morrison uses this example...imagine you drive a friend to the airport because they have to take a flight and you need to use their vehicle. When they return you tell them that the Lord has spoken to you and told you to give them the vehicle. They look puzzled. It was their vehicle in the first place. You can't give them something they already own. In the same way, the "tithe" belongs to God. When you give it it's more like returning it to it's rightful owner. The gift the woman gave was her own, it was not the tithe. It was above and beyond the tithe. Selah.

Publicly - She was not ashamed to give her gift in front of the others. Now don't get this point twisted, she didn't give it publicly to be seen or noticed. But she wasn't afraid to worship Jesus in front of others. There's a big difference. Jesus said, “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." Matthew 6:2-4 (Message Translation)

Intentionally - The scripture says she broke the jar of perfume. She didn't make a small opening so a little bit could leak out. She broke it with the intention that it was all to be used on Jesus. There was no turning back after it was broken.

Sacrificially - The spectators remarked that the perfume was very costly, one writer even says it was worth a years wages. But the woman decided that Jesus was worth the cost. The Apostle John identified the woman as Mary, the sister of Lazarus. She had seen her brother raised from the dead. I imagined Mary had a new perspective about the value of "Things".

Liberally - She gave liberally. She followed the example of our Awesome God. She poured that gift out for Jesus. Malachi 3:10b says, "if you do(give tithes and offerings), I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in!" (Living Bible)

Give God your best this week! I salute all our nation's Veteran's this week! I appreciate that you have given your best for our country!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Time to Celebrate

Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached "It's Time To Celebrate!" He used Isaiah 54:1-4 as his reference scripture.

The Eternal One says, "Sing, childless woman, you who have never given birth. Raise a joyful shout, you who have never gone through labor. You, whose husband is dead, will bring forth much more than the fertile one who has a husband. Enlarge your house. You are going to need a bigger place; don’t underestimate the amount of room that you’ll need. So build, build, build. You will increase in every direction to fill the world. Your offspring will take over the nations; Your people will revitalize long-abandoned towns. Don’t be afraid, for there is no one to shame you. Don’t fear humiliation, for there is no one to disgrace you. The shame of your younger years and the sorrow of your widowhood are over. You’ll forget those days as if they never happened". Isaiah 54:1-4 (Voice Translation)

Isaiah 55:9 says, "I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.” God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think". (Message Translation) Did you get that? God doesn't think like we think. His thoughts and plans are far, far above our limited imaginations. He says so in the Word, "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Ephesians 3:20 (Message Translation)

Through the prophet Isaiah, God commands the strangest people to rejoice. He commands a barren woman and a widowed woman to "Sing". Think about this. Women in that biblical culture were considered second class citizens, if not less. There was no feminism. Women were at the mercy of their husbands and they were judged by their ability to bear children. Do you remember Hannah? She was taunted by her husbands' other wife Peninnah because she couldn't have children. Do you remember Rachel the beloved wife of Jacob? Because she was barren, she was willing to give her handmaiden to her husband just to give him a child. What problems that caused! What about widows? Widows were also in a precarious state. Without their husbands to provide for them, they would have to rely on their sons. If they had no sons it could be even more disastrous. But God tells these two groups of women to "Sing".

Our enemy wants to silence us! He wants to stop our celebration. But God wants us to "Shout First!" What do I mean by that? I'm so glad you asked. When the Children of Israel went into the Promised Land they had to conquer the city of Jericho. Jericho's walls were high and wide. God didn't tell them to go in and try to tear the walls down. He told them to march around the walls silently one time a day for 6 days. On the seventh day they were commanded to march around the city seven times. On the seventh time on the seventh day, the Priests were to blow the trumpets and the people were to shout. They had to obey and shout before they saw the outcome! They had to trust God that something great was going to happen even though it looked impossible. Just like the scripture text used today...people with little hope for a full, and prosperous future have to trust God and "Sing".

Do you remember Paul and Silas? They cast a demon out of a young woman. She had been bringing in a lot of money for her masters by fortune telling. Acts 16:23-26 says, "And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed". (New King James Version) Paul and Silas hadn't done anything wrong! They were beaten and imprisoned unfairly. They could have easily begun to cry, "Nobody knows, the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows my sorrow!" But they didn't! They prayed and sang and God miraculously brought them out!

What does this have to do with you? So glad you asked! No matter what you are facing right now, God wants you to sing and rejoice because he is going to bring you out! God can be trusted! He keeps his promises!

Love and prayers,

Cynthia

The Leper

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas was traveling this week. Minister Darrell Phoenix preached, "Breaking Out The Box", but used Mark 1:40-41 as his reference scripture.

Mark 1:40-45 says, "A leper came to him, begging on his knees, “If you want to, you can cleanse me. Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there the leprosy was gone, his skin smooth and healthy. Jesus dismissed him with strict orders: “Say nothing to anyone. Take the offering for cleansing that Moses prescribed and present yourself to the priest. This will validate your healing to the people.” But as soon as the man was out of earshot, he told everyone he met what had happened, spreading the news all over town. So Jesus kept to out-of-the-way places, no longer able to move freely in and out of the city. But people found him, and came from all over". (Message Translation)

There is so much action in this one passage of scripture! First is says, "a leper" came to Jesus. If you know anything about the Bible you remember that there were specific rules about leprosy written in Leviticus. Leviticus 13:1-3 says, "God spoke to Moses and Aaron: “When someone has a swelling or a blister or a shiny spot on the skin that might signal a serious skin disease on the body, bring him to Aaron the priest or to one of his priest sons. The priest will examine the sore on the skin. If the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears more than skin deep, it is a serious skin disease and infectious. After the priest has examined it, he will pronounce the person unclean". This may sound simple but think about it. The person could not return to his home, his job, or his family. “Any person with a serious skin disease must wear torn clothes, leave his hair loose and unbrushed, cover his upper lip, and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as anyone has the sores, that one continues to be ritually unclean. That person must live alone; he or she must live outside the camp". Leviticus 13:45-46 (Message Translation)

So the leper gets all the way up to Jesus. Where were the disciples? Where were his armor bearers? Where was his security detail? Minister Phoenix used his sanctified imagination and suggested that they were taking up rocks to stone the man. But the writer doesn't tell us! Perhaps, they were just stunned by his "Boldness". He decided that he would rather die than stay in the box! He was willing to risk his old life to find a new life. Mark 8:35 says, "The man who tries to save his life will lose it; it is the man who loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s who will save it". (Phillips Translation)
The leper got up close to Jesus, and says...“If you want to, you can cleanse me". Why wouldn't Jesus want to heal the man? Why would he have to say, if you want to do it I know you can? I'm so glad you asked! The man probably thought that he wasn't worthy. He'd been banished for being sick. He'd been forced to tell everyone his dirty little secret. He'd been reminded of his condition daily. The enemy probably played the same tricks on him that he uses on us. The enemy tells us we deserve to be sick, we deserve to be poor, that bad thing that happened to you, it's your fault. DON'T LISTEN TO THE LIES OF THE ENEMY! Pastor Jimmy Evans said, "God is the Best Daddy in the Universe! WELL FATHERED CHILDREN ARE FEARLESS! The root of all fear, worry, and anxiety is an "Orphan Spirit" because orphans are on their own and they have to take care of their own problems. The enemy wants you to feel that you are on your own and you have to solve your own problems". God wants to heal you! God wants to bless you! God wants to give you everything Jesus died to pay for.

One last point, leprosy can also represent sin. Sin is deadly and contagious! A man doesn't just wake up in the morning and decide to kill another man. Years of wrong thinking, bad company, and bad judgement lead to a life of sin. Just like leprosy, it may start with one sore, but eventually it will spread to the whole body. The Apostles urged the early Christians to flee sin at all costs. James 1:15 says, "Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer". (Message Translation)

God loves you!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

I Been Thinking

Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued preaching from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. He encouraged us again to "Break Out of the Box", but entitled this message, "I Been Thinking".

Brian Tracy said, "You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you." That's exactly what Jabez did. He did not allow his negative experience to control his destiny. He determined in his heart and mind that things could and would be better. He realized that, "People cannot save themselves. But with God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 (Voice)

If we did a survey of everyone we know, we would find that we are all "Survivors". Each person has gone through their own type of hurt, disappointment, and loss. We are living our lives successfully in spite of the difficulties. We "put on a happy face" for those around us, especially in church. But we have to admit our lives changed as our minds changed. Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he". (Amplified Version)

Think about the man at the Pool of Bethesda. He'd been thinking incorrectly for 38 years. He had a "welfare" mentality. He thought he could never make it because the system, The Man, or a man was never there when he needed it. Jesus asked him a question. Remember, Jesus is God in the flesh. He never asks a question because he doesn't know the answer. He asked the question in order for the man to realize he wasn't thinking right. We do it too.

What about the Prodigal Son? He thought he knew it all. He thought the inheritance would make him happy and bring fulfillment. Luke 15:12-16 says, “So the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any". (Message Translation)

Bishop said, "You don't have to be in prison to do time". The enemy wants to keep you trapped in the box. He wants you to believe his lies. He wants you to think this is how it has always been and will always be. But you can "THINK" your way out! Start thinking of all that God has done for you, start thanking him for all he can do for you! Renew your mind with the WORD of God. Meditate on the Word and memorize it too. When the enemy starts trying to depress you, Speak the Word. Think on the Word. Isaiah 43:19 says, “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new". (Message Translation)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

There's Gotta Be More Than This!

Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "There's Gotta Be More Than This!" He used 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 again today.

I enjoy Country Music! I know that's hard to believe, but it's true. One of my favorite groups is Sugarland. They sing a song entitled, "There's Gotta Be More Than This". The lyrics tell of a woman probably similar to many of us, dealing with traffic, hard times, and problems on the job. She says, "There's gotta be more".

The Good News is that there is more! 2 Corinthians 4:17:20 says, "So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever." (Message Translation)

In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Jabez gives us an example of how to experience more. First, the scripture says, "Jabez was a better man than his brothers, a man of honor." Even though he was given a negative name, he made a decision to be a man of honor. What is honor? I'm so glad you asked. Honorable is defined as; honest, moral, ethical, principled, righteous, and right-minded. Even if you come from a family of train robbers, you don't have to be a train robber.

Second, Jabez did not let his environment or his past stop him from from being all he could be. Bishop encouraged us and told us, "People really don't know who you are! God is your Creator, he alone knows all that he has purposed you to do and to be". I had the opportunity to attend an Art Fair this weekend. One artists was explaining her painting to us. It was extremely beautiful, but to the naked eye much of the the true meaning was hidden. Because she created it, she was able to give us insight into it's true purpose. We are God's Masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago." (Voice Translation) Bishop said, "He packaged us with purpose!" He has instilled power, purpose, potential and promise within us! When we listen to His voice and obey his Word, we will experience more.

The last scripture in the text today says, that Jabez recieved what he asked for from God. There is more! Let's follow the example of Jabez...“Please bless me and give me more territory. May your power be with me and free me from evil so that I will not be in pain.”

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Break Out

Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued to preach about CHANGE today, and he used another powerful reference scripture. He used 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 and entitled the message, "Breaking Out The Box!"

A chronicle is a historical account of facts and events. First and Second Chronicles in the Bible are just that. They chronicle the genealogy and the history of the descendents of Adam, the first man. If you ever have insomnia, perhaps these are the books to read. But in the fourth chapter of 1 Chronicles the writer stops to make note of an extraordinary man. The writer tells us that this man was "more honorable than his brothers". His name was Jabez. His name in Hebrew literally means, "He makes sorrowful". What would cause his mother to name him "pain or sorrow" is not noted in the text. Typically in that culture fathers named the children. Perhaps, his father died, or abandoned the family. Whatever the cause, this mother was distressed enough to name her child "pain or sorrow". In that culture names were prophetic. Your name spoke to what you would be and what you could accomplish. Jabez experienced what many of us have also experienced. Someone spoke negatively about him. Bishop Thomas said, "Sometimes the way people treat you has nothing to do with you". It has been said "hurting people, hurt people". Parents, relatives, teachers, and even so -called friends may have said you were, "No good", "Not worth the salt in your bread", "Never gonna be anything", "Just like your no good Daddy", or "Just like your crazy Mama". Maybe a colleague or classmate has said, "you will never get that position", "you can't travel the world", "they would never hire you", or "you can't succeed in this business". But no matter what others have said you must rely on what God says. How can you know what God says? I'm glad you asked.

Jesus said, "Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making". You can learn what God say through his Word. The more you study, meditate on, and hear the Word the more you will know what God says about you. Thankfully at some point in Jabez' life he was exposed to the things of God. He knew enough to ask the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to help him.

This is what he prayed, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” 1 Chronicles 4:10 (New Living Translation)

What happened to Jabez? "God granted him that which he requested". What can we learn from this scripture? God wants to bless you! Yes, he wants to bless you! He doesn't care what anyone has said about you. He doesn't care what anyone thinks about you. He created you in his image. You are a miracle! Millions of babies don't make it to full term. You made it! You were born, and you are alive now reading this e-mail. You are designed by God and you are special. The world is waiting for you to be all that God created you to be.

Walt Disney, Michael Jordan, and Lucille Ball were all told that they could not succeed. The evidence that they did succeed is the very fact that you know their names. God told Abraham, "I am going to put a special blessing on you and cause your reputation to grow so that you will become a blessing and example to others". Genesis 12:2 (Voice Translation) "This is what God had in mind all along: the blessing He gave to Abraham might extend to all nations through the Anointed One, Jesus; and we are the beneficiaries of this promise of the Spirit that comes only through faith." Galatians 3:14 (Voice Translation)

Did you get that? When we accepted Jesus as our personal savior we became the beneficiaries to the promise made to Abraham! Through faith we have access to the blessing that can dramatically change our spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial lives!

Break out of the box!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

The Best Daddy

God is the Best Daddy in the Universe!  

WELL FATHERED CHILDREN ARE FEARLESS!

The root of all fear, worry, and anxiety is an "Orphan Spirit" because orphans are on their own and they have to take care of their own problems.  The enemy wants you to feel that you are on your own and you have to solve your own problems.  

Stop grieving over the father you didn't have and start thanking God that you have the Best Father in the Universe. - Jimmy Evans

 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Forced Change

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached "Forced Change". He used several reference scriptures; Isaiah 6:1, Luke 22:41-42, and 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.

Bishop always mixes a bit of humor in his sermons. I appreciate that. He recounted the story of his flip phone. He loved that flip phone, and even in the age of smart phones he was hesitant to let it go. One day it finally died. He went to his service provider, assuming they would simply fix his phone and he would be on his way. But they couldn't fix it or replace it. He was forced to get a new phone.

He had his wisdom teeth removed last week. He admitted that he has been suffering with pain from his wisdom teeth for over a year! Now, before we start judging him...how many times have we been so comfortable in an area, or situation that we didn't want to move or change?

God's Best for us usually means we must leave the comfort of our current level and move forward into the unknown. The Word says, "We walk by Faith, not by sight". 2 Corinthians 5:7 (King James Version) God's Best requires that we leave the past behind. Everyday God invites us to the next level, "To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; to knowledge, add discipline; to discipline, add endurance; to endurance, add godliness; to godliness, add affection for others as sisters and brothers; and to affection, at last, add love." 2 Peter 1:5-7 (Voice Translation) The writer of Hebrews wrote, "let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (Voice Translation)

Bishop used Isaiah 6:1 as one of his reference scriptures. My daughters and I chuckled. I think that scripture is probably one of the most preached and used scriptures in the church world. Isaiah lets the readers know when he saw the vision. He saw it the year that something changed in his life. A great man, King Uzziah died. CHANGE. Perhaps you have experienced the death of a loved one, the death of a relationship, or the death of a dream. God wants to take you to the next level. 1Thessalonians 4:13 says, "First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus." (Message Translation) We have hope! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." (Message Translation)

Now don't beat yourself up about not wanting to change. The Disciples wanted things to stay the same as well. They asked Jesus, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” Acts 1:6-8 (Message Translation)

Let's embrace change this week, and not wait to be forced to change!

Love and prayers, Cynthia


*** Change is inevitable. Change is constant. - Benjamin Disraeli
*** All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. - Anatole France

I'm Not Dead

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas was out of town this week. Minister Vernita Polite preached, "I'm Not Dead, I'm Just Waiting on My Destiny!" She used the familiar story from John Chapter 11.
 

It's amazing how the Holy Spirit will minister to you, and then verify it out of the mouth of other witnesses!
 

We Christians have already been given everything that pertains to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) We have been given power to do great works. (John 14;12) But even with all that we have been given, we sometimes live powerless and unfruitful lives. Our enemy is allowed to run over us because we don't know what power we have, and we don't know how to use it! The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version) 
 

If you have a child, and that child remains in first grade for ten years, you would be alarmed, concerned, and embarassed. Think of how our Father God must feel. We've been living for the Lord for 10, 20, 30, even 50 years, but our lives remain the same in so many areas. The Word says we should, "Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 (Message Translation) Faith comes by hearing, hearing, and hearing the Word again and again. Romans 10:14-17 says, "But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. (Message Translation)
 

Our enemy doesn't care how much we go to church. He wouldn't care if we went everyday! What he doesn't want is for us to open our Bibles and begin to learn how to defeat him! He doesn't want us to learn about Faith! He doesn't want us to find out that we win in the end! He doesn't want us to know that God wants us healed! He doesn't want us to know that God wants us to prosper and to succeed in everything we do! He doesn't want us to pray and to speak the Word!

 

The word Salvation means more than just being saved from going to Hell. It means salvation and deliverance in every area of our lives. Jesus said, "I came to give life with joy and abundance." John 10:10 (Voice) Ephesians 2:9 says, "Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving." (Message Translation)

In John 11:25, "Jesus said to her, “I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in me will live even if they die."

Let's commit to growth this week. Let's get the truth...“If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” John 8:32 (Message Translation)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Go For Broke

Happy Sunday!
Pastor La'tresa Jester from Gideon Baptist Church in Tucson, Arizona was our guest speaker today as we celebrated our Annual Women's Day. She preached "Going For Broke". She used St. John 12:1-8 as her reference scriptures.

It's amazing how eight scriptures can be so full of activity and revelation. The Apostle John is writing. He let's us know that this all happened six days before the Passover. You remember that the Passover is the Jewish celebration commemorating the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt. It's all in Exodus 12, Pharaoh refused to let the slaves go. Because of the hardness of his heart, the final plague would be the death of the firstborn. The Jews were instructed to kill a healthy male lamb, smear the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel of their houses. When the Death Angel came by that night to kill the first born, he would "Passover" the homes that were marked by the blood. Jewish people still pause to celebrate and remember that night. We Christians believe that Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb. He shed his blood, and that blood covers and protects us. Even John the Baptist recognized that Jesus was the Lamb. John 1:29 says, "Look! This man is more than He seems! He is the Lamb sent from God, the sacrifice to erase the sins of the world!" (Voice Translation)

John also lets us know that this all happened in Bethany at the home of Lazarus and his two sisters. Lazarus was a good friend of Jesus. In John chapter 11, we read the story of how Lazarus died. When he was sick, Jesus waited several days before he came to see about him. When he arrived Lazarus was dead, but Jesus went to the tomb and called him forth.

John continues to write. Lazarus is at the table with Jesus, Martha is serving the meal, and "Mary came in with a jar of very expensive aromatic oils, anointed and massaged Jesus’ feet, and then wiped them with her hair. The fragrance of the oils filled the house." WOW! Six days before Passover, in the home of a man who had been resurrected, a woman anointed the feet of Jesus with a very expensive jar of ointment. Think about this. Feet in the Bible represent foundations, and assignments. In this story, it's six days before Jesus is to fulfill his ultimate assignment on earth. His death on the cross became the foundation for our lives and our salvation. Mary worshipped Jesus with all she had, and even Judas recognized it was an extravagant gift, he remarked, "How could she pour out this vast amount of fine oil? Why didn’t she sell it? It is worth nearly a year’s wages; the money could have been given to the poor." (Voice Translation) Judas wasn't concerned about the poor! He wanted more money to steal! Read it for yourself. Verse 6 says, "This had nothing to do with Judas’s desire to help the poor. The truth is he served as the treasurer, and he helped himself to the money from the common pot at every opportunity." Judas was a thief and his only desire was to get more money. He had been stealing from the "bag" all along.
What does this have to do with me? So glad you asked. Everyone of us has an assignment. We have all been created for a purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that." (Voice Translation) I know, I know...at times it can be hard to believe that there is any rhyme or reason to life. But there is a plan. Ask God what his plan is for your life. Surrender to his plan for your life and give it your all. Go for broke!

Do you remember the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart? The main character George Bailey was struggling financially and emotionally. He wishes he had never been born and decides to end his life. His guardian angel appears and shows him what his family and community would be without him. Just like George, you may not see the impact your life is having on the world. You may think no one cares, and no one knows. Snap out of it! This world needs you! Ray Boltz sang a song called "Thank You". You should Google it and listen. He talks about how ordinary people and ordinary everyday things that we do impact the lives and destinies of others. Like the song infers, we may never know until we get to Heaven what a great blessing we have been in the lives of others. But how wonderful it will be to know that we obeyed God and lives were changed.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.

Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

Let's Go for Broke this week! Give it our all!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Come Up Higher!

Happy Sunday!
 

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Come Up Higher!"  Yes, he has preached using that topic for several weeks now.  But, you know repetition is a powerful technique used in learning.  Deuteronomy 6:7-10 says of the commandments of God, "Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re sitting together in your home and when you’re walking together down the road. Make them the last thing you talk about before you go to bed and the first thing you talk about the next morning. Do whatever it takes to remember them: tie a reminder on your hand and bind a reminder on your forehead where you’ll see it all the time, such as on the doorpost where you cross the threshold or on the city gate." (Voice Translation)

Revelation can change your life and your level! Think about it! Walt Disney had been betrayed by some of his team members. With a few dedicated team members remaining, they came up with the idea of Mickey Mouse and created a kingdom around him. Walt Disney later said, "I only hope we never lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse".  Bill Gates didn't have a definite plan for his life, but spending time around computers at Harvard he got an idea to start a computer company. You and I both know, he has been tremendously successful. The Wright Brothers dreamed of flying and worked to bring that dream to reality. If you have ever driven cross-country I know you will agree, "Thank God for the Wright Brothers!" Flying is so much easier!

As Bishop was preaching, I thought..."Revelation is the Insider Trading for the Kingdom of God".  God reveals secret things to us during prayer, meditation, and study. That information allows us to excel and to overcome our enemy.  Now, don't get me wrong there is nothing illegal or ungodly about us getting revelation. We won't be going to prison like Martha Stewart because of the insight God gives us. But we will be able to prosper and succeed in every area of our lives.

Jesus ministered what is called the Parable of the Sower.  Luke 8:8-14 says, "His disciples heard the words, but the deeper meaning eluded them. Disciples: What were you trying to say? Jesus: The kingdom of God contains many secrets. They keep listening, but do not comprehend; keep observing, but do not understand. I want you to understand, so here’s the interpretation: The voice of God falls on human hearts like seeds scattered across a field. Some people hear that message, but the devil opposes the liberation that would come to them by believing. So he swoops in and steals the message from their hard hearts like birds stealing the seeds from the footpath. Others receive the message enthusiastically, but their vitality is short-lived because the message cannot be deeply rooted in their shallow hearts. In the heat of temptation, their faith withers, like the seeds that sprouted in gravelly soil. A third group hears the message, but as time passes, the daily anxieties, the pursuit of wealth, and life’s addicting delights outpace the growth of the message in their hearts. Even if the message blossoms and fruit begins to form, the fruit never fully matures because the thorns choke out the plants’ vitality. But some people hear the message and let it take root deeply in receptive hearts made fertile by honesty and goodness. With patient dependability, they bear good fruit." (Voice Translation)

 
Bishop encouraged us with these four points;

Separation - Before we can receive revelation we need a time of separation. God told Abram, "Abram, get up and go! Leave your country. Leave your relatives and your father’s home, and travel to the land I will show you. Don’t worry—I will guide you there." Genesis 12:1 (Voice Translation)

Revelation - Matthew 11:25 says, "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.” (Message Translation)  God provides the revelation, the insight, the ideas, and the inventions. We have to be willing to move forward with what he has given us. We have to trust and obey.

Continuation - We live in a Microwave Society. We're accustomed to getting things immediately.  But in the Kingdom we have to be patient. After God gives us the revelation it may take time for our vision to become a reality. James 1:2-8 says, "Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing." (Voice Translation)  Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (King James Version)

Elevation - God told Abram, "I have plans to make a great people from your descendants. And I am going to put a special blessing on you and cause your reputation to grow so that you will become a blessing and example to others. I will also bless those who bless you and further you in your journey, and I’ll trip up those who try to trip you along the way. Through your descendants, all of the families of the earth will find their blessing in you." Genesis 12:2-3 (Voice Translation) God wants to bless you as well. He blesses us in order for us to be a blessing to others. He wants us to prosper so that we can cause others to prosper.

COME UP HIGHER!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Promises

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas encouraged the congregation today. He didn't take a text or give a reference scripture, but he did remind us of our need to "Come Up Higher!"

So many times we are blinded by our personal needs, our personal problems, and the trials of life. We don't realize that there are others in the world who would love to have the blessings and opportunities that we enjoy. There are others that could use what we have been given to excel and succeed. Luke 12:48 says, "The servant who knows what his master wants and ignores it, or insolently does whatever he pleases, will be thoroughly thrashed. But if he does a poor job through ignorance, he’ll get off with a slap on the hand. Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities!" (Message Translation)

The Apostle Peter wrote, "His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue. Through these things, we have received God’s great and valuable promises, so we might escape the corruption of worldly desires and share in the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:3-4 (Voice Translation) God has given us GREAT and VALUABLE PROMISES! Bishop reminded us of some of those promises today. It is so beneficial to rehearse, repeat, and memorize the Promises of God. The psalmist wrote, "I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt." Psalm 119:11 (Message Translation)

Here are just a few of the Promises Bishop used to encourage us today!

Psalm 23:1 - "The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. (Voice Translation)

Psalm 27:1 - "The Eternal is my light amidst my darkness and my rescue in times of trouble. So whom shall I fear? He surrounds me with a fortress of protection. So nothing should cause me alarm." (Voice Translation)

Psalm 1:1-3 -"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." (New Living Translation)

Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint." (Voice Translation)

Romans 8:16-17 says, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (King James Version) When we accepted Jesus as our Personal Savior we became the children of God, and joint heirs with Christ. All of the promises and blessings given to Christ are now available to us. We accept all of this by Faith. Search the Word for yourself, find those promises and stand on them by Faith. Remember, "God is not a man—He doesn’t lie. God isn’t the son of a man to want to take back what He’s said, or say something and not follow through, or speak and not act on it." Numbers 23:19 (Voice Translation)

Have a wonderful week!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Higher

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "It's Time to Go Up Higher!" He used Revelation 4:1 as his reference scripture.

 

It's definitely a testament to how the Word of God is alive. Each time you read a scripture it blossoms and there is more beauty to be found.

 

It may be hard to believe, but some people don’t want to do better.  No matter what you say or do with them or for them, they choose not to change. You know that old saying, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”  There are those in the world who choose to live with “less” than God’s Best.  There are times in our lives when we also, “Normalize Abnormality”.  We would rather settle for comfort and convenience, than to face the unknown of moving up higher. 

 

Bishop mentioned the television show, “Hoarders”.  If you’ve ever seen even a short clip, you know how overwhelmed, debilitated, and trapped the subjects are.  Each slip of paper, each article of clothing, or each memento holds some significance.  The hoarder looks to those “things” for security and self-worth.  Now, I’m no psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor, but I believe if we ignore our hurts and pains the residue of those issues eventually surfaces.  I know it well.  My office was being painted.  My supervisor came in and said, “Don’t you just love to see them painting?  I even like the smell of the paint.”  Without thinking, I was taken back to childhood.  I remembered painting the exterior of our two story house with my younger brother James.  I remembered being so afraid of being up on the ladder.  I remembered the bees swarming around the paint can. I’m allergic to bees.  I remembered my mother yelling at us, “Smooth even strokes, smooth even strokes!”  I answered my boss, by telling him how much I hated painting and about my mother’s comments.  He said quickly and without emotion, “Get over it, Cynthia!”  It was just what I needed.  I had been internalizing that junk for years. 

 

God wants us to go up higher!  But just like climbing a ladder or running a race, we have to strip off the weights.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (Message Translation)

 

In John 5:6, Jesus asked the lame man if he wanted to be made whole.  We have to ask ourselves.  Do we want to be made whole? Do we want to do better? Do we want our lives to change?  If we really want to be made whole we will have to face the truth.  If I want to be better financially, I will have to change the way I spend, invest, and even make my money.  If I want to be better physically, I will have to fight laziness and complacency and get moving.  If I want to be better spiritually, I will have to submit to the Spirit of God and devote more time to study and prayer.  If I want better relationships, I will have to move away from selfishness and self-centeredness.  That lame man had been in that condition for 38 years!  He spent 38 valuable years feeling sorry for himself, making excuses and blaming others for making it to the water before him.  Let’s not waste another minute!  It’s Time to Go Up Higher!

 

Alicia Keys sang, “It’s called the PAST ‘cause I’m getting PAST”.  God wants to take us higher!  Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically, and Financially!  It’s Time!  Are you ready?

 

You are not ordinary, you are extraordinary!  The Psalmist sang, “I will give thanks to you
because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.  Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.” Psalm 139:14 (God’s Word Translation)

 

It’s Time to Go Up Higher!

 

Love and prayers, Cynthia