God Wants You to Grow!

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "God Wants You To Grow!" He used John 15:1-2 as his reference scripture.

It is so sad and tragic for an individual to look back over their life and see no progress. God wants us to move forward, expand our horizons, and enlarge our territories. God wants us to progress in every area of our lives. We should be better spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially.

The enemy wants us to "Normalize Abnormality".

But we must move out of our comfort zones and agree with what God says is possible in our lives. LESS is NOT the BEST! One of the names of God is, "El Shaddai". This name describes God as the Sustainer, or All Sufficient One. God is more than enough and he wants us to have more than enough. Oh, so you don't believe me? Let me prove it. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God." (Message Translation)

So how does God help us grow? So glad you asked.

1) God helps us grow by "PRIORITZING" us - John 15:1 says, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard." (Voice Translation) If we are going to grow we must realize that JESUS is the true source. Every opportunity, every blessing, every miracle, every accomplishment is because of the mercy and love of God.

2) God helps us grow by "PLANTING" us - Psalm 1 says, "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) God plants us in families, in communities, and in work places. In John 15, God is described as the husbandman or the gardener. Sometimes plants need fertilizer. Don't be discouraged if you have to deal with a little manure or fertilizer in this life. Remember, "All things (good and bad) are working together for your good and God's Glory". Bloom where you are planted and bring forth good fruit.

3) God helps us grow by "PRUNING" us -John 15:2 says, "He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." Wikipedia decribes pruning like this, "Pruning includes deadwood removal, shaping (by controlling or directing growth), improving or maintaining health, reducing risk from falling branches, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and both harvesting and increasing the yield or quality of flowers and fruits. The practice entails targeted removal of diseased, damaged, dead, non-productive, structurally unsound, or otherwise unwanted tissue from crop and landscape plants." Did you get that? God wants to remove diseased, damaged, dead, non-productive, structurally unsound and otherwise unwanted things from our lives! He wants us to bring forth high quality fruit or results in our lives. Matthew 7:16-19 says, "But you will recognize them by their fruits. You don’t find sweet, delicious grapes growing on thorny bushes, do you? You don’t find delectable figs growing in the midst of prickly thistles. People and their lives are like trees. Good trees bear beautiful, tasty fruit, but bad trees bear ugly, bitter fruit. A good tree cannot bear ugly, bitter fruit; nor can a bad tree bear fruit that is beautiful and tasty. And what happens to the rotten trees? They are cut down. They are used for firewood." (Voice Translation)

GOD wants YOU to grow!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Walk into Your Turnaround

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached "How to Walk Into Your Turnaround". He used John 2:17-22 has his reference scripture.

The enemy uses fear to paralyze us. The news reports are full of terrorizing events, and cataclysmic accidents. How can we survive, thrive, and remain sane? Glad you asked. The prophet said, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3 (New Living Translation) Later in the New Testament, the Apostle wrote, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 (King James Version)

If you want to walk into your turnaround you must take the following steps:

1) Keep in Touch with God - The Disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. You know the prayer he modeled for them..."Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:9-13 (King James Version) If we are going to see positive change in our lives we must keep in touch with God. Prayer, Meditation, and Bible Study are good places to start. Think about this, Noah was in touch with God. The world as he knew it was desperately wicked. God instructed him to build and ark, and to put the window near the top of the ark. Why? Because, Noah was only to look to God. The world had nothing to offer him, nothing to give him, and nothing to help him in his journey. Keep in touch with God!

2) Stay In Position - The enemy is after your Praise, and Worship. He really doesn't want your money, your car, or your job. He just wants to get you so depressed, discouraged, and down that you won't want to praise God. He has always wanted to be exalted above God, and he uses every opportunity to get our minds off the things that really matter. We have to understand that we are "God's Property" and our lives are in his hands. We have to know who we are and where we belong. Many sports have rules about being off sides or out of position. In football, your team can lose yards if you are off sides. It's important to know where you belong and to maintain your position.

3) Don't Be Moved - It has been said, "This Too Shall Pass". Even the Psalmist said, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5 (King James Version) Situations and circumstances may seem impossible or insurmountable, but remember, "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (Message Translation)

Praying that you have a positively, prosperous week! Love and prayers, Cynthia

I Forgot to Cry

Happy Wednesday!

So today I was  in a meeting with my department Director.  We were discussing some changes and improvements that need to be made.  All of the suggestions are good and logical and will make our office a more pleasant and productive place to work.

We have similar work styles and work ethics. In the discussion, she mentioned a funny story from years ago about getting a speeding ticket.  She was devastated, but her husband was totally calm.  It was so funny, and I could see myself in her story.  I immediately began to cry.

I know, I know...you're wondering how a funny story could make you cry. 

Well thank God for the Holy Spirit, my personal therapist. Just as quickly as the tears started falling, I remembered I forgot to cry about the recent death of a loved one.  I forgot to cry about some financial difficulties.  I forgot to cry about struggling with my homework.  In the process of dealing with life, I forgot to live it.  Life is not always easy.  Yes, we have to be strong and we are expected to keep it all together.
They tell us to "Man Up" and "Suck It Up" but what's wrong with having a good cleansing cry?

I'm crying as I write this!  Psalm 56:8 says, "You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book." (Message Translation)

Have a wonderful day, don't forget to cry!

Cynthia

Psalm 27

Happy Sunday!

Light, space, zest—that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.

When besieged, I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.

I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.

That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, the perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.

Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs: “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,” my whole being replied, “I’m seeking him!”
Don’t hide from me now!

You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.

Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street; show my enemies whose side you’re on. Don’t throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.

I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth.

Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit.

I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.

Psalm 27 (Message Translation)

Love and prayers for a wonderful week, Cynthia