Tell the Truth!

Happy Sunday!

I'm praying that you enjoyed a wonderful weekend.  Praying that the new week is full of blessings for you and your family: Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically, and Financially.

I had a great weekend myself, and today topped it off nicely.  Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "The Power of Love", with the subtitle "Possessing Your Mountain".  You know I take good notes, but the message was so powerful and timely today, I bought the CD.  There was enough revelation in the message to cover several Happy Sunday messages.  I'll share just a few of the highlights.

In order to possess our mountain, we need the truth! People go to church for many reasons. The best reason to go to church is to get the truth. But just as Jack Nicholson's character said in the movie, "A Few Good Men"..."You can't handle the truth!"  We have to "man up" as Dr. Winston said, and agree that some of the things we believe are false. This week as I was listening to preaching, Andrew Wommack describe it like this..."The slickest deception that Satan has ever put across on the world and primarily on the Body of Christ is to get us to embrace his work as the work of God."  

I know, I know you're thinking you have never been deceived.  Just humor me for a moment. This is the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  People, even Christian people called the storm an "Act of God". That, my friends is embracing the devil's work and blaming it on God.  OK, so you think I'm extreme.  Think about this.  In Mark 4, Jesus and the disciples were in a ship and being battered by a storm.  The disciples were seasoned fishermen and sailors, but they cried out to Jesus for help.  Jesus spoke to the wind and calmed the storm.  One question, if God caused the storm wouldn't Jesus be disobedient to stop the storm?  What about this, people say God put sickness on them to teach them a lesson.  So wouldn't taking medicine be working against the will of God, if he wanted you sick? I'm not telling anyone to stop taking their medicine, I just want you to rethink some of your cliches, and old wives tales. Think about this, if God is our father and he caused the car accident, the job loss, and the death of your loved one, shouldn't somebody call child protective services? That's child abuse! Rest assured my friends, God is not a child abuser! The devil is and always has been the one who, "steals, kills, and destroys". (John 10:10) Experience is NOT the best teacher, the Holy Spirit is! John 14:26 says, "The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you." (Voice)

In the old church, we sang "Do not pass me by". I really liked that song. But the Word says in Hebrew 13:5, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  So if God never leaves me, how can he pass me by? These songs breed unbelief. Unbelief kills our faith.  Without faith we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6)  Without Faith we will never be able to defeat the enemy.  That's exactly what the enemy wants! He wants you to keep going to church feeding on unbelief and allowing him to beat your brains out on Monday morning. He wants you to enjoy the music, and tip out when the Word is being preached.  He's smart enough to know that if you don't get wisdom and understanding, you will perish! Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true." (Message)

Before you delete this email, think about this...Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (KJV)  Just in case that scripture isn't easy for you to understand, try this translation..."Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose." (Message)  You Choose! Yes, your life and my life are the way they are because of our choices.  Choosing not to believe the Word, choosing to do it our way, and choosing to think we are smarter than God.

Don't be discouraged!  There is HOPE! Dr. Winston said, "You don't have to go through Hell to get to Heaven!" That's good news! God wants you to succeed in EVERY area of your life!  He wants your life to be so attractive and beautiful that people see you and ask, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30)  Remember Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Living Bible)

Searching for truth, in the Word of God.  Love and prayers, Cynthia

Don't Be Deceived!

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "The Power of Love", with the subtitle, "Possessing Your Mountain".

In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." (Living Bible)  The enemy hates us and wants to kill us, literally.  He's not playing a friendly game with you or your loved ones! He won't be satisfied until you are DEAD, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially! He aims at your faith because "without faith it is impossible to please God". (Hebrew 11:6)  He deceives us into thinking that it doesn't "take all that".  The strange thing about deception is, most people who are deceived don't even know they are deceived.  Faith is the only way to stop the devil!  Romans 10:17 says, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (KJV) and Galatians 5:6 says, "faith which worketh by love." (KJV)  

In Mark 11:22, Jesus says, "Have faith in God".  The literal translation of this scripture is "have the God kind of Faith". What is God's faith like? Glad you asked! God spoke the world into existence, that's the God kind of faith!  He didn't doubt that when he said, "let there be light" light would materialize. We have to have God's kind of faith.  It's not only his kind of faith, it is His faith. Romans 12;3 says, "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (KJV) Did you see that? If you are a believer, God has given you a measure of His faith and based on Matthew 17:20 all we need is a mustard seed sized amount to move mountains!"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 17:20 (KJV)

We are at war!  Not only against ISIS, Hezbollah, or Boko Haram! Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere." (Amplified)  But no need to fear, verse 16 says, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."  The shield of faith is a part of our spiritual armor and can defend us from all the life threatening attacks of the enemy!

Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 (Easy-to-Read Version)  Jesus commanded us to be brave.  The bravest soldiers are those that are well trained and confident in the use of their weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, "The truth is that, although of course we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds. Our battle is to bring down every deceptive fantasy and every imposing defense that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We even fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ." (Phillips)

We won't win without a fight, but if we walk in Love and Faith...the fight is fixed in our favor!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Talking Back

Happy Sunday!

Sitting here for several minutes, wondering what to write and what to share with you this week! I'm so thankful that my parents introduced me to the Word, so thankful that after all that I've been through the Word still stands first place. The Word blesses me, encourages me, and keeps me sane.  I want to share it with you and hope that you are encouraged and strengthened as well.

This week I was encouraged to speak the Word even more than I already do. God created us in his image. He spoke the worlds into existence.  We have to use our voices to proclaim the Word and stop leaving our words unassigned. Dr. Barry Bennett said it like this, "When we find His words, believe them and then speak them, we are activating the eternal power of those words. Until we speak His words, they remain alive but unassigned. They cannot accomplish their purpose without our believing hearts declaring those words."

Think of it like this, my grandson Nesta sometimes disagrees with what I say.  If he voices his disagreement we say that he is "talking back", and that's disrespectful.  He's 4 years old!  What's your excuse?  God said, "by his stripes, you WERE healed." 2 Peter 2:4 (KJV)  But you talk back, and claim sickness, disease, and illness as your very own. God said, "never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. Don’t take the law into your own hands." Romans 12:19 (Living Bible)  But we talk back, and talk about people behind their backs because it seems like God is taking to long to get them!  But God said, "Now the Lord is not slow about enacting His promise—slow is how some people want to characterize it—no, He is not slow but patient and merciful to you, not wanting anyone to be destroyed, but wanting everyone to turn away from following his own path and to turn toward God’s." 2 Peter 3:9 (Voice)   God says, "Give to others, and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands—all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” Luke 6:38 (Good News Version)  But we talk back and say, God knows I have these bills.

Let's think about not talking back as we go through the week.  Read, study, and meditate on the Word.  The more Word we know the easier it will be to say what God says.

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:8-9)

Being obedient, speaking what my father says...love and prayers, Cynthia

Wisdom...

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "The Power of Love" with the subtitle, "Climbing Without Compromise".

You cannot change a system that you must depend upon. Did you get that? If you rely on Guido and the Mafia for your daily bread, it will be impossible to encourage them to stop killing people.  You would have to decide between eating and being honest.  God doesn't want his children to have to live like this.  He wants us to learn to live in the Kingdom of God and by Kingdom rules.  Jesus said, "I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (Living Bible)

In Luke 16, Jesus told a parable about an unjust steward. Even though the steward was doing wrong, Jesus was able to use the parable to teach his disciples. Luke 16:8 says, "For the children of this world are considerably more shrewd in dealing with their contemporaries than the children of light." (Phillips)  Jesus loves us and wants us to be wise. In Matthew 10:16, Jesus said, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (King James Version) Proverbs 1 says, Wisdom is crying in the streets.  She's begging us to listen and learn.  She cries, "You simple, naive people, how long will you love your feeble ways? You simpletons, how long will you enjoy making fun of what you don’t understand? You fools, how long will you hate learning what truly matters? Turn to me and receive my gentle correction; Watch and I will pour out my spirit on you; I will share with you my wise words in order to redirect your lives." Proverbs 1:22:24 (Voice) Even the Apostle James encouraged the believers to seek wisdom, and ask God for it! "If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it." James 1:5 (Living Bible)

1 Corinthians 13:13 says, "In this life we have three great lasting qualities—faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love." (Phillips)  Love makes our faith work.  With Love in operation we can overcome, succeed, and excel. With Love we can rise to the top.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Unexpected

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "The Power of Love" with the subtitle, "Climbing without Compromise.  The Word of God is alive!  Just like the writer of Hebrews wrote, "For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are." Hebrews 4:12 (Living Bible)  Week after week, things that I have experienced, studied, and listened to are confirmed by the word preached.  It happened again this week.  Dr. Winston's title may be the same but the content was fresh and timely.

Dr. Winston said, "Problems are the avenue for promotion".  I've been listening to Pastor Duane Sheriff's series on patience all week.  We, and I mean me especially, want a life free of problems, obstacles, and difficulty.  As the old church folks would say, "we want to walk through life on flower beds of ease".  This desire is totally contrary to the word of God.  The Word says in Romans 5:3-5, "We are glad for our troubles also. We know that troubles help us learn not to give up. When we have learned not to give up, it shows we have stood the test. When we have stood the test, it gives us hope. Hope never makes us ashamed because the love of God has come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us." (New Living Translation)  Did you see that?  Patience is vital and must be added to our hope and faith.  The Apostle Peter wrote, "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." 1 Peter 4:12-13 (Message)

Dr. Winston used several bible stories as examples today, but my favorite was the story from 1 Kings 17.  The prophet Elijah has just prophesied that there would be no rain for several years.  I think we miss some of the points when we read this story.  It wasn't like Elijah was going to have miraculous rain on his property during this period.  He was going to have to experience the effects of the drought too.  BUT, he trusted God for his provision and God used some of the most unlikely people to make sure his servant, the prophet had everything he needed. Read it for yourself.  God even instructed ravens to bring the prophet food.  When that food was gone, he said, "Go to the town of Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I’ve told a widow in that town to give you food.” Verse 9 (Common English Version)  Don't miss this!  God told the prophet to go to another town because he had already instructed a widow there to give him food!  A widow!  Not the owner of a thriving business, or a farmer with grain stacked high in his barn! He used the most unlikely person to bless the man of God, but don't miss this either!  The widow, the woman whose husband had died, the woman without any means of support was blessed by being obedient to the Word of God.  Read verses 15 and 16, "The widow went home and did exactly what Elijah had told her. She and Elijah and her family had enough food for a long time. The Lord kept the promise that his prophet Elijah had made, and she did not run out of flour or oil." (Common English Version)

That's the Power of Love.  When we know how much God loves us, and we walk in love, God can use the most surprising and incredible circumstances and situations to bless us.  We don't have to worry about the evil people in this world.  We just have to respond to them with and in love. Jesus was our perfect example. 1 Peter 2:20-24 says, "Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong; but if you do right and suffer for it, and are patient beneath the blows, God is well pleased. This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps: He never sinned, never told a lie, never answered back when insulted; when he suffered he did not threaten to get even; he left his case in the hands of God who always judges fairly. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours!" (Living Bible)

Be encouraged. Everything that happens is not good, but God can work everything out for your good. 

Walking in Love, with patience...love and prayers, Cynthia