The Ministry of Angels

Happy Sunday!  Happy Memorial Day Weekend! 

Elder Elaine Penn preached and encouraged us today.  Her topic was "The Ministry of Angels".  

Throughout the Bible there are numerous accounts of angels.  The writer of Hebrews said, "Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" Hebrews 13:2 (Living Bible)  So what is the ministry or assignment of angels?  I'm glad you asked!

Angels are assigned to protect us. Psalm 91:11-12 says, "For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will steady you with their hands to keep you from stumbling against the rocks on the trail." (Living Bible) Do you remember the story of Daniel?  Targeted by haters, thrown in the lion's den. The next morning when the king ran out to see what had become of Daniel, Daniel replied, "My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they couldn't hurt me. He did this because he considered me innocent. Your Majesty, I haven’t committed any crime.” Daniel 6:22 (God's Word Translation)

Don't take this story for granted.  Those same lions devoured Daniel's accusers.

The King of Syria was out to get the prophet Elisha. Elisha's servant went out and discovered they were surrounded by the Syrian Army. Elisha told his servant, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." 2 Kings 6:16 (King James Version)  He prayed that the servant's eyes be opened. The servant looked again and saw, "The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!" 2 Kings 6:17 (Message)

Angels respond to the Word of God.  Pastor Casey Treat said, "Get your angels out of the unemployment line!"  Angels respond to prayers that line up with the Word!  When you speak the Word you give the angels something to work with. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Words have power in matters of life and death, and those who love them will savor their fruit." (Voice)  Angels are sent to minister to you.  Did you hear that?  These are not little fat babies with wings! The normal response to seeing an angel was fear and dread. Every time an angel appeared to a person in the Bible the angel had to say, "Fear not!"  The prophets saw angels and fainted or fell as dead men.  Angels are fully equipped, capable, and strong enough to do what must be done! Hebrews 1:14 says, "Did God ever say to any of the heavenly messengers, Sit here, at My right hand, in the seat of honor; and I’ll put all Your enemies under Your feet? No, of course not. The heavenly messengers are only spirits and servants, sent out to minister to those who will certainly inherit salvation." 

How can I put my angels to work?  Great question! Get the Word in your mouth and speak it out loud.  If you are experiencing financial difficulty, don't moan and complain about how broke you are! Speak out loud..."The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack." Psalm 23:1 (Amplified Version)  Are you having problems at work or in your business? Speak the Word...Psalm 1 says, those who follow the Lord and obey..."Everything they do is successful." Psalm 1:3 (Easy to Read Version)  Are you sick? Speak the Word to your body...“Through His wounds, you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (Voice)  

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Revived

Happy Sunday!

It's been a full week! Praying that you enjoyed it as well.  

This week our church celebrated 92 years of existence!  We enjoyed a mini revival Friday night. 

Pastor H.B. Charles, pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Church of Jacksonville, Florida preached, "A Song of Hope".  He used Lamentations 3:21-24 as his reference scriptures.  He encouraged us that "Faith looks at circumstances through the reality of God."  He gave us three reasons that we can have "Hope" even when things seem to be falling apart.  We can have hope because: The Lord is Good, The Lord is worthy of our trust, and the Lord is all you need.  In these scriptures the Prophet Jeremiah cries out to God but then remembers God's love is consistent and God is always faithful!

Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr, pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional Church also preached Friday night.  His message was entitled, "This Is Not What I Expected!" He used 1 Samuel 22:1-2 as his reference scripture.  He reminded us that our anointing does not give us immunity to problems.  David had been anointed King of Israel many years prior to this scripture, but he was still running from Saul.  He "escaped" to a cave and a unique group of people came to join him. Bishop McKissick encouraged us "Don't Miss the Miracle while looking at the Miserable", "Your Predicament Doesn't Determine Your Purpose", and never fail to do "Ministry in spite of your Misery".

To cap it all off this morning, Bishop Craig W. Johnson, pastor of Cathedral of Praise International Ministries in San Bernardino, California preached, "Escape". 

He used 1 Corinthians 10:13 as his reference scripture.  The Message Translation says, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit;he’ll always be there to help you come through it."  When things are going wrong and life is a struggle, we tend to think we are the only people suffering. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian Church by letting them know what they were experiencing was not unique or unusual! That's why it's important to share your testimony!  There will undoubtedly be someone in the crowd that is experiencing what you have already overcome.  Your testimony will strengthen and encourage them. They will see that you survived and realize they can survive as well.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

P.S. - Pastor Le'Andria Johnson was our guest Psalmist today.  If you are a Sunday's Best fan you probably already know of her.  What a wonderfully, anointed young woman!  She blessed us!

Every Vessel Filled

Happy Sunday!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, god-mothers, foster mothers, adopted mothers, surrogate mothers, step-mothers and any other selfless woman who has dedicated her life to children, youth, young adults, nieces, nephews, and baby Christians. SMILE!  Did I get everyone?

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas is comical.  He keeps us laughing and as Martha Stewart says, "It's a good thing!"  He encouraged the mothers and gave a mini lecture on true motherhood.  He encouraged parents to love their children, and discipline them as well.  He said, he is still considering contacting Child Protective Services about how his parents disciplined him.  I always laugh when he talks about being hit in the head by a Campbell's Soup can! Times have changed but even the timeless words in Proverbs say, "Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won’t kill them. A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death." Proverbs 23:13 (Message)

Then Bishop gave us a prophetic word from 2 Kings 4:6.  You remember the story of the mother whose husband died leaving her deep in debt.  She came to the prophet Elisha to plead her case.  He asked her what she had in her house. She had a container of oil.  The prophet instructed her to borrow containers, pots and pans from her neighbors, then go in the house and shut the door.  She began to pour the oil in the vessels, and the oil miraculously filled all the vessels.  She was able to sell the oil, pay her debts, and live comfortably with her children. There is so much meat in this passage!  I just can't pass it up.

She went to the prophet looking for a blessing.  The prophet changed the focus and instructed her to use what she already possessed. So many times we look outward, when the answer is inward.  You have what it takes to succeed! 1 John 4:4 says, "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

She determined the extent of her blessing!  The prophet never told her how many vessels to borrow.  She could have borrowed more or less.  Don't limit God! One of my favorite scriptures says, "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." Ephesians 3:20 (Message)

She trusted the Man of God!  She obeyed his instructions, and she benefited. Proverbs 1:33 says, "those who listen to me will live in safety and comfort. They will have nothing to fear.” (Easy-to-Read Version)

I'm planning to follow this woman's example, and as Bishop said, "Every Vessel Will Be Filled!"

Love and prayers, Cynthia

"It's My Time to Live Free!"

Happy Sunday!

Yesterday, Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "It's My Time to Live Free!"  He used Galatians 5:1-4 as his reference scriptures.

If you are "Born Again", Heaven is already yours! Our enemy knows that there is nothing he can do to change our eternal destination.  But he wants us to believe that our life on earth has to be "Hell" and he does everything he can do to make our lives miserable.  We can be encouraged in spite of this, because Jesus said, "I came to give life with joy and abundance." John 10:10 (Voice)  

Jesus said, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 8:31-32 (New Living Translation)   This verse is basically saying, the truth you know will set you free!  It becomes our responsibility to study, memorize, and meditate on God's Word. The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to be, "one who applies the true teaching in the right way." 2 Timothy 2:15 (Easy-to-Read Version) 

As we fill our lives with God's Truths we will begin to live free in every area! Jesus paid the price for our freedom, but we have to walk in that freedom! 

Would you like to live emotionally free? "Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Matthew 5:44 (The Living Bible)  

Would you like to live financially free? "Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over. You’ll receive in the same measure you give." Luke 6:38 (Voice)  

Would you like to live mentally free? "You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You." Isaiah 26:3 (Voice)  

Would you like to live physically free? "Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!" Proverbs 3:7-8 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia