Ask God...

You've probably seen it in your own city or town, two, three, maybe even four churches in a block. Yesterday, I even saw two separate store front churches next door to each other. I wondered, "Did God really tell them to start this church? Did God really call this person into ministry?" Well, it is very possible that he did! Think about Moses, God called him and used him but he disobeyed and failed to speak to the rock and in anger hit the rock. (Numbers 20:8-12) You know the story, he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of this error. Hearing God, obeying God, and discerning if what your heard was really God can be the difference between life and death: the death of your dream, the death of your ministry, and the death of your physical being. Think about it!

Inquire of God...

Above Average

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Norman Thomas, Jr. was our guest speaker today.  He is the pastor of New Life Church International in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  He reminded us that we didn't get Born Again just to go to Heaven, but we are to experience and spread heaven here on earth.  He gave us easy steps to fulfill our true purpose.

Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]." (Amplified)  God wants us to be practitioners, actively engaged in the Word. Until we leave this earth, or until Jesus returns we are responsible to complete the assignment he has given us.  You may think that you have been disqualified by past mistakes, procrastination, or sin, but Romans 11:29 says, "God never changes his mind about the people he calls. He never decides to take back the blessings he has given them."(Easy-to-Read Version)

Matthew 13:12 may seem a little mysterious and confusing.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit to teach us and various translations to make it easier to understand.  The scripture says, "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."(KJV)  At first glance, this scripture sounds a little unfair, but read the same scripture in the Amplified Version.  "For whoever has [spiritual wisdom because he is receptive to God’s word], to him more will be given, and he will be richly and abundantly supplied; but whoever does not have [spiritual wisdom because he has devalued God’s word], even what he has will be taken away from him."  Did you get that?  If you value and are receptive to the Word of God you will be given more. More what? Glad you asked! More of everything! Isaiah 1:19 says, "If you’ll willingly obey, you’ll feast like kings. But if you’re willful and stubborn, you’ll die like dogs.”(Message)  

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Here’s what you say to those wealthy in regard to this age: “Don’t become high and mighty or place all your hope on a gamble for riches; instead, fix your hope on God, the One who richly provides everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17 (Voice)  Did you see that?  God provides everything for your enjoyment!  He's not angry or bitter.  He's not waiting to knock you in the head!  He's waiting for an opportunity to bless you and show you off to the world! He wants your capacity to receive to be enlarged.  Dr. Thomas called it the Standard of Redemption. Jesus paid the price for us to be whole!  Even the word, "Salvation" or "saved" means complete, nothing missing and nothing broken.  We have to get in the Word and raise our lives up to the Standard.  I thought about my mother when Dr. Thomas said God did not create us to be average.  We were created to be above average.  My mother would not accept a "C" on our report cards!  "C" was an average grade and she instilled in us that we are not average.  God says, "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." 1 Peter 2:9 (Message)

We must speak, think, and act like God.  The only way we can do this is to meditate on the Word.  The Word of God is not just a book.  The Word of God is supernatural and it's alive.  Hebrews 4:12 says, "God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what."(Message)  Not only is the Word alive, the Word is Jesus!  John 1:1 says, "In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself." (Amplified)  Don't tell me you know Jesus and you don't know the Word, because the Word is Jesus!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Believe it, Receive it!

Happy Sunday!

Praying that you had a happy and productive week!  If not, you can do it this week.  Life is so very precious and you should enjoy every minute.

The Bible says, "Every charge must be confirmed by two or three witnesses.” 2 Corinthians 13:1 (Voice)  Meaning that we should get confirmations from more than one source.  It has been so refreshing to get responses to my Happy Sunday emails.  Many times, what I share is similar to what friends and family heard in their own churches.  This week and many weeks, the messages I listened to during the week are right on track with what Dr. Winston ministers.

Dr. Bill Winston continued his series entitled, "The Power of Love", with the subtitle, "Possessing Your Mountain". God has placed you in the world with a special mission and purpose.  Nobody can do exactly what you were designed to do. You've probably heard the expression, "Easily imitated, never duplicated".  You are unique.  You are special. God loves you so much.  Part of possessing your mountain is understanding how much you are loved. The Apostle Paul wrote, "And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of." Ephesians 3:18-20 (Easy-to-Read Version)

After we understand the Love of God, we have to be willing to receive that love. That's where we run into trouble. We've been taught and listened to songs that say we are nothing but lowly worms.  We've been trained to see ourselves as old sinners saved by grace.  Yes, we were retched, ruthless, and reckless sinners before we were saved by the finished work of Christ.  But now we are new creations, we are the righteousness of God, and we are holy!  Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."(KJV) 

Part of knowing and receiving the Love of God is trusting God. Exodus 16 tells the story of the Children of Israel in the wilderness.  They blamed Moses for bringing them out into the desert to die.  They remembered the food in Egypt as if it was fine dining.  God told Moses he would rain down bread from heaven each morning.  They were commanded to only collect what they needed for that day.  Some of the people did not trust God and collected more than a days supply and it rotted and stank. Verse 20 says, "But some people ignored Moses and tried to keep some of it until the next morning. Overnight it became wormy and started to have a dreadful smell. Moses became furious with them because they had disobeyed God’s instructions." (Voice)  What can we learn from this?  Good question. God's Word is true.  He can be trusted.  Give him the opportunity to bless you.  The model prayer in Matthew 6:11 says, "Give us this day our daily bread." (KJV)  Later in that same chapter, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?  You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves.  But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.  If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small!" Matthew 6:25-30 (Easy-to-Read Version)

Believing the Love, Receiving the Love, Sharing the Love...love and prayers, Cynthia

No Compromise...

Happy Sunday!

I'm praying for you!  Just wanted you to know.  I'm praying that everything you need(spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially) will be manifested immediately. Praying that you understand how much you are loved and cared for. The Bible says,"I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (Common English Version)  God started the work in you and he will complete it. Every promise in the Word can be yours, if you believe it and receive it.

Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "The Power of Love" with the subtitle, "Possessing Your Mountain".  He made us laugh when he expressed that even the word "Love" sounds wonderful when spoken aloud.  It made me think about the old television show, "Love Boat".  The theme song said, "Love, exciting and new.  Come aboard, we're expecting you". Later it describes Love as "life's sweetest reward".  Love is wonderful, God's love is perfect.  As we are possessing our mountain of influence, God's perfect love will cause us to rise above the rest.

Our nation's culture has changed.  Dr. Winston reminisced about how so many things weren't portrayed on early television shows.  Lucy and Ricky didn't even sleep in the same bed, and they were married.  Now our favorite shows depict characters that hop in and out of other people's beds each week.  We have been desensitized to sin. Some of our heroes are portrayed robbing the rich to give to the poor. Stealing is a sin, even if the we hate the bad guy. Sure, I know what you are thinking...It's just a movie!  But is it?  Are we slowly being brainwashed to believe it's OK to sin in certain cases?  The Word says, "The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity." 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (Message)

We have been saved and sent back into the world to change the culture.  If the culture in your place of employment is laziness...you are there to be the most conscientious worker they have ever seen.  If the culture in your school is procrastination and cheating...you are there to show your fellow students that excellence is possible with Christ who strengthens you.  If the culture in your circle is unfaithfulness and adultery...you are there to reveal that God's design for marriage is good and right.  Daniel changed the culture in Babylon.  Daniel 6:3 says, "But Daniel, brimming with spirit and intelligence, so completely outclassed the other vice-regents and governors that the king decided to put him in charge of the whole kingdom." (Message)  He was a slave and yet he rose to the top positions.  He did not compromise.  When his enemies looked for something to accuse him of, they found nothing!  No outside children, no embezzled funds, and no indecent pictures posted on Facebook.  The only thing he did that they could use against him was his faithfulness in prayer.  They encouraged the king to enact a law that for 30 days no one could pray to any god except the king.  The king fell for the okie-doke.  What did Daniel do?  Glad you asked.  Daniel 6:10 says, "When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done. His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God." (Message)

You know the rest of the story.  Daniel was thrown in the lion's den.  The angel closed the mouth of the lions and he survived untouched.  What happened to his haters?  Verse 24 says, "Then the king commanded that the conspirators who had informed on Daniel be thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. Before they hit the floor, the lions had them in their jaws, tearing them to pieces."  Ouch!

Dr. Winston reminded us of Psalm 91.  It's one of my favorites.  It's a good one to commit to memory.  God will protect you as you possess your mountain of influence.  No need to worry, no need to fear!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Laws...

Happy Sunday!

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

Every kingdom has laws.  Chaos, destruction, and death occur when laws are violated.  The lawyer in Matthew 22:34-40 was attempting to trip Jesus up.  "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, a group of Pharisees met to consider new questions that might trip up Jesus.  A legal expert thought of one that would certainly stump Him. "Teacher, of all the laws, which commandment is the greatest?" (Voice)  Of course, Jesus knew exactly what they were trying to do. He confirmed that the greatest commandment is to love God with everything, and love those around you the way you love yourself.

Dr. Winston has been a pilot for many years.  He talked about the "flight book" they were given in flight training.  If the flight book said you need 3200 feet for take off.  You better make sure you have 3200 feet or more, or your airplane will crash. It's the same in our Christian lives.  The greatest law is Love, but there are others we must be aware of in order to succeed.

There is the Law of Sowing and Reaping...Galatians 6:7 says, "Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life." (Message)  And 2 Corinthians 9:6 says, "But remember this—if you give little, you will get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will get only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much."(Living Bible)

There is the Law of Sin and Death, that has been canceled out in our lives by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1-2 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."(KJV)

You're probably thinking, "What does this have to do with me? Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" Galatians 3:13 (KJV)  I'm so glad you asked! Yes, when we accepted Jesus' finished work on the cross, we were set free from the curse of the law. Under the law, we were always trying to be good enough. James 2:10 says, "And the person who keeps every law of God but makes one little slip is just as guilty as the person who has broken every law there is." (Living Bible) But now that we have agreed with God, and acknowledged that we can never be good enough on our own...he gives us His Righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sake, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God." (Phillips)

Since we're talking about laws, let me put my two cents in.  There are natural laws at work in the universe as well. Just because you know the Lord and memorized a thousand scriptures doesn't cancel out natural laws.  If you ignore the laws governing electricity and stick your wet finger into a light socket, you will be electrocuted!  It wasn't because God didn't love you, it was because you were ignorant of, or ignored the laws governing electricity. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (KJV)  If you go up to the top of a tall building and decide to jump, you will be dead when you hit the pavement. I know you think, "God will save me. A loving God wouldn't let me die."  No, that's not how it works! God loves you so much he let's you choose.  If you choose to disobey the law of gravity, the law of gravity will bring you down to the ground with a quickness. God is orderly. He's not fickle, schizophrenic, or paranoid. He has given us his Word, a guidebook for everyday living.  We can be wise and listen, or foolish and die(spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially).

The Law of Love is the greatest and the other laws will work along with love.

Love and prayers, Cynthia