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
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