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