Happy Sunday! Merry Christmas!
Great Red Dragon & The Birth of Christ, written by the BENHAM Brothers
Several years ago, our dad explained to us a different way to look at the Nativity scene in a Christmas sermon he preached, titled, “Do you see what I see?”
At first we thought he was going to sing – which would’ve been a disaster – but as he preached, many pieces of the Christmas story came together in our minds.
In a typical nativity scene, you see Baby Jesus sleeping in a manger with Mary, Joseph and some shepherds and farm animals close by. It’s usually warm and cozy, and maybe it even has three kings if the owner had some extra cash to buy the mac daddy set.
But what you don’t see – and what isn’t so warm and cozy, and might even scare the kids – is the epic spiritual battle that raged in the heavens over this very moment in history.
In Chapter 12 of John’s account of the Revelation of Christ, he chronicles the great battle surrounding Christ’s birth:
“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head … she was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth” (1-2).
“Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads … the dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born” (3-4).
“She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter’” (5).
Can you imagine a nativity set with a huge red dragon trying to chew up baby Jesus?! Nah, it wouldn’t sell. But before we go any further, let’s consider the scene:
The woman represents Israel (and the Israelite mother, Mary). The stars are the 12 tribes. And the baby is Jesus. The dragon represents Satan – as we later learn in Verse 9 – and his desire is to destroy the Christ child. The reason is because he knows baby Jesus will bring eternal salvation to mankind and provide “peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). This will eliminate Satan’s power to damn the souls of men to hell forever. So he wants that baby!
Now back to the story …
“And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne … then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” (5b-9).
OK, let’s pause again to consider something very important here. We have this battle in heaven where Michael and the angels drop the hammer on Satan and his demons – and yet the battle plan for victory then is the exact same battle plan for victory now:
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (11).
Faith in Christ
Faith in Christ lived out
Faithful to Christ whatever the cost
Jesus was born to die – to shed His blood as a lamb for our sins. By placing our faith in Him, we become His disciples and are called to live out our faith in every area of life. But it won’t come easy, so we must fully surrender to Him – even in the face of death.
This is the true, biblical Christianity that fully defeats Satan’s power over any and every life he tries to destroy. No wonder he’s so ticked off about baby Jesus.
“But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (12b).
The birth of Christ numbered Satan’s days.
Let’s finish the story …
“When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child … then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring – those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus” (13,17).
The battle that raged in the heavens around the nativity now rages here on earth. It’s no coincidence that Christianity is the only target of attack – not other religions. Satan is warring against the only One with the power to defeat Him. He hates Jesus, and any who would confess His name.
So when you see groups targeting the Nativity scene this year you’ll know exactly what’s happening behind the scenes. The simple question is, “Do you see what I see?”
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Friday, December 23, 2016
Where is your Sickle? - By Barry Bennett
Where is your Sickle? - By Barry Bennett
But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. (Mk. 4:29)
Could it be that many of us aren’t enjoying the harvests of our giving and serving because we don’t know what it means to ‘put in the sickle?’ From my observation, harvests don’t jump in the truck or into the barn. There is labor involved in harvesting and the greater the harvest, the greater the labor.
God’s blessings take many forms. Some are visible and some are invisible. Many of His blessings are opportunities that must be seized. We may not even be aware of all of the harvests of opportunity that have found their way to us because of our generosity and service because they look like work!
Other harvests might be lost due to our untamed tongue. “A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.” (Prov. 18:20)
Did you know that your tongue is not only a source of sowing, but also of reaping? Recently as I was driving and praying I was asking the Lord about a perceived lack of harvests in my life in some areas. I guess I was complaining. The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘that is not my job.’ ‘Harvesting is your job.’ All of a sudden the light turned on in my spirit! The harvests are all around us if we would but lift up our eyes, open our ears, bless the seed we have sown and then call in the harvests.
Those harvests may take various forms but if we are willing to put in the sickle of our words, time and effort, abundance will find us.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph. 3:20)
But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. (Mk. 4:29)
Could it be that many of us aren’t enjoying the harvests of our giving and serving because we don’t know what it means to ‘put in the sickle?’ From my observation, harvests don’t jump in the truck or into the barn. There is labor involved in harvesting and the greater the harvest, the greater the labor.
God’s blessings take many forms. Some are visible and some are invisible. Many of His blessings are opportunities that must be seized. We may not even be aware of all of the harvests of opportunity that have found their way to us because of our generosity and service because they look like work!
Other harvests might be lost due to our untamed tongue. “A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.” (Prov. 18:20)
Did you know that your tongue is not only a source of sowing, but also of reaping? Recently as I was driving and praying I was asking the Lord about a perceived lack of harvests in my life in some areas. I guess I was complaining. The Lord spoke to me and said, ‘that is not my job.’ ‘Harvesting is your job.’ All of a sudden the light turned on in my spirit! The harvests are all around us if we would but lift up our eyes, open our ears, bless the seed we have sown and then call in the harvests.
Those harvests may take various forms but if we are willing to put in the sickle of our words, time and effort, abundance will find us.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph. 3:20)
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Don't Take the Bait!
Happy Sunday!
Pastor David Winston preached, "Don't Take the Bait! Overcoming Offense with Forgiveness!" His father, Dr. Bill Winston has been preaching on receiving our inheritance and enjoying the Blessing of Abraham. Do you know when Matthew 5:11 says you are truly blessed? Just in case you missed it, here it is! "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."(KJV). What? Doesn't being blessed mean no more hard times? Doesn't blessed mean everything is perfect? No, when Abraham was blessed it caused others to envy him and want to destroy him! It won't be any different with you! When you are blessed spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially their will be enemies sent to take you out! God is your protector, you never have to fear externally...BUT you must be cautious internally! Makes sense that Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."(Amplified). Just as Love keeps the Blessing active in our lives, offense can lead to unforgiveness that can stall, delay, or stop our breakthrough.
Pastor David said, "Offense is an event, but being offended is a position!" Let that sink in for a moment! Even Jesus said, it is impossible to get through this life without something or someone giving us the opportunity to be offended!(Luke 17:1). But you don't have to take the BAIT! You can repel offense with Love! Quickly forgive those that offend you because it is the strategy of the enemy to keep you from progressing. John 10:10 says, "The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."(Living Bible).
There are three steps to forgiveness...
1) Repentance - The word repent means to turn away from. When we repent we stop doing what we are doing and return to God's way of doing and being right. God's way is always love! 1 John 4:8 says, "But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love."(Living Bible). We are not discounting the fact that you have been wronged, but we are identifying the source and strategy of the enemy. We are short-circuiting his ability to block our blessings by choosing to forgive. Unforgiveness is sin! 1 John 1:9 was written to Christians, it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(KJV).
2) Decide to Forgive and Release It - Colossians 3:12-13 says, "Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind."(Voice). Matthew 18:21-22 says, "At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven."(Message). Jesus said we must forgive the same person for doing the same thing 490 times! It's a decision...a life or death decision...choose life!
3) Receive Healing for any Pain Suffered - There is a reason we should forgive and forget! I know what you are thinking, I've thought it myself! You say, "I can forgive them, but I will never forget!" That's the trap the enemy wants to get you tangled up in! Our minds are the battleground! If you think you have forgiven, you may have said you have forgiven, but the moment the enemy can get you THINKING about the event again...he's got you! If you don't believe me, do me a favor...tell me what emotions you feel when you think about that event, hurt, or offense? Does remembering how they treated you bring you joy? Does remembering what they did to you cause you to love them more? Does recounting the event and the hurtful words make you want to pray for their well-being? Be honest! Pastor David used the example of a woman that has been hurt in a relationship. That hurt colors the interactions she has with others. Even though she is happy for a friend that is getting married, she still inserts bits of her offense in the conversation. She may say, "Girl, all men are dogs! You can't trust anybody! You better protect yourself!" NO, ALL men are not dogs! If you don't like dogs, don't be a dog catcher! Stop looking for a man where dogs live and play! NO, you can trust godly people and you can definitely trust God! NO, you cannot protect yourself! The Word says, "Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders’ work is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, sentries do no good."(Living Bible).
When will you know you have truly forgiven? Great question, so glad you asked! Pastor David said, "Your Love Assignment is not fulfilled until you can pray for your enemy!" Not a quick, God bless them prayer...but a prayer you would pray for your closest friend! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must develop and maintain the capacity to FORGIVE. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Pastor David Winston preached, "Don't Take the Bait! Overcoming Offense with Forgiveness!" His father, Dr. Bill Winston has been preaching on receiving our inheritance and enjoying the Blessing of Abraham. Do you know when Matthew 5:11 says you are truly blessed? Just in case you missed it, here it is! "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."(KJV). What? Doesn't being blessed mean no more hard times? Doesn't blessed mean everything is perfect? No, when Abraham was blessed it caused others to envy him and want to destroy him! It won't be any different with you! When you are blessed spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially their will be enemies sent to take you out! God is your protector, you never have to fear externally...BUT you must be cautious internally! Makes sense that Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."(Amplified). Just as Love keeps the Blessing active in our lives, offense can lead to unforgiveness that can stall, delay, or stop our breakthrough.
Pastor David said, "Offense is an event, but being offended is a position!" Let that sink in for a moment! Even Jesus said, it is impossible to get through this life without something or someone giving us the opportunity to be offended!(Luke 17:1). But you don't have to take the BAIT! You can repel offense with Love! Quickly forgive those that offend you because it is the strategy of the enemy to keep you from progressing. John 10:10 says, "The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."(Living Bible).
There are three steps to forgiveness...
1) Repentance - The word repent means to turn away from. When we repent we stop doing what we are doing and return to God's way of doing and being right. God's way is always love! 1 John 4:8 says, "But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love."(Living Bible). We are not discounting the fact that you have been wronged, but we are identifying the source and strategy of the enemy. We are short-circuiting his ability to block our blessings by choosing to forgive. Unforgiveness is sin! 1 John 1:9 was written to Christians, it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(KJV).
2) Decide to Forgive and Release It - Colossians 3:12-13 says, "Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Put up with one another. Forgive. Pardon any offenses against one another, as the Lord has pardoned you, because you should act in kind."(Voice). Matthew 18:21-22 says, "At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven."(Message). Jesus said we must forgive the same person for doing the same thing 490 times! It's a decision...a life or death decision...choose life!
3) Receive Healing for any Pain Suffered - There is a reason we should forgive and forget! I know what you are thinking, I've thought it myself! You say, "I can forgive them, but I will never forget!" That's the trap the enemy wants to get you tangled up in! Our minds are the battleground! If you think you have forgiven, you may have said you have forgiven, but the moment the enemy can get you THINKING about the event again...he's got you! If you don't believe me, do me a favor...tell me what emotions you feel when you think about that event, hurt, or offense? Does remembering how they treated you bring you joy? Does remembering what they did to you cause you to love them more? Does recounting the event and the hurtful words make you want to pray for their well-being? Be honest! Pastor David used the example of a woman that has been hurt in a relationship. That hurt colors the interactions she has with others. Even though she is happy for a friend that is getting married, she still inserts bits of her offense in the conversation. She may say, "Girl, all men are dogs! You can't trust anybody! You better protect yourself!" NO, ALL men are not dogs! If you don't like dogs, don't be a dog catcher! Stop looking for a man where dogs live and play! NO, you can trust godly people and you can definitely trust God! NO, you cannot protect yourself! The Word says, "Unless the Lord builds a house, the builders’ work is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, sentries do no good."(Living Bible).
When will you know you have truly forgiven? Great question, so glad you asked! Pastor David said, "Your Love Assignment is not fulfilled until you can pray for your enemy!" Not a quick, God bless them prayer...but a prayer you would pray for your closest friend! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We must develop and maintain the capacity to FORGIVE. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, December 11, 2016
In Earth, as it is in Heaven...
Happy Sunday!
When did God create you? When did God create everything you would need for life and godliness? I know what you are thinking! Cynthia, why are you asking these silly questions? But are they really that silly? Do you realize that some people are approaching God as if he created them and failed to consider that they would need food, clothing, shelter, college tuition, and transportation! People are praying and asking God to do things for them that he has already done since the foundation of the world! The great evangelist, T.L. Osborn once said, "Much prayer time is wasted by people asking God for two things that He will NEVER do: 1) To do what He has already done. 2) To do what He has told them to do." Don't be that person! Work through these questions for yourself. Get your personal theology straight!
God created us to dominate in the earth realm! Our ancestor, Adam messed up, but God always had a plan! He is never reactive, but always proactive. He's even called Jehovah Jireh, which means God sees ahead of time and provides! Even in Genesis, there are prophetic promises of the good ending he planned for mankind. God created everything you will ever need long, long ago. Hebrews 4:3 says, "For only we who believe God can enter into his place of REST. He has said, “I have sworn in my anger that those who don’t believe me will never get in,” even though he has been ready and waiting for them since the world began."(Living Bible). Did you see that? Faith is necessary to see the resources and provision of God! Dr. Bill Winston said, "Faith for the Promise, is in the Promise. Faith goes into the Eternal realm and gets what we need!" It's like a heavenly bank account. Everything you will ever need is there. But just like an earthly bank account, there are procedures and guidelines in place in order to make a withdrawal. Don't get mad at God because your transaction was denied due to insufficient Faith.
God wants you to do exploits! Daniel 11:32(b) says, "but the people that do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits."(KJV). He gets no Glory when we do small things that require no Faith. He created you to reign as a king and a priest on earth. Revelation 5:10 says, "You made them to be a kingdom and to be priests for our God. And they will rule on the earth.”(Easy-to-Read Version). I know the old church focused on Heaven. Heaven is great, I've got lots of loved ones there. But heaven is not the ultimate goal. God wants us to bring heaven to earth. OK, so you think I made that up? Read it for yourself. You can probably quote it from memory. Matthew 6:9-13 says, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in EARTH, AS IT IS in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."(KJV). Don't miss this! God wants the earth to look like heaven! It might be helpful if we knew what heaven really looked like, right? Revelation 21 says, there's no death, no crying, no darkness, no fear, no poverty, no sickness, no hunger, and no thirst. Makes perfect sense that Jesus would say, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."(Luke 4:18-19, KJV). He came to set things right. We are his ambassadors and agents in the earth, sent to continue the work he began!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
When did God create you? When did God create everything you would need for life and godliness? I know what you are thinking! Cynthia, why are you asking these silly questions? But are they really that silly? Do you realize that some people are approaching God as if he created them and failed to consider that they would need food, clothing, shelter, college tuition, and transportation! People are praying and asking God to do things for them that he has already done since the foundation of the world! The great evangelist, T.L. Osborn once said, "Much prayer time is wasted by people asking God for two things that He will NEVER do: 1) To do what He has already done. 2) To do what He has told them to do." Don't be that person! Work through these questions for yourself. Get your personal theology straight!
God created us to dominate in the earth realm! Our ancestor, Adam messed up, but God always had a plan! He is never reactive, but always proactive. He's even called Jehovah Jireh, which means God sees ahead of time and provides! Even in Genesis, there are prophetic promises of the good ending he planned for mankind. God created everything you will ever need long, long ago. Hebrews 4:3 says, "For only we who believe God can enter into his place of REST. He has said, “I have sworn in my anger that those who don’t believe me will never get in,” even though he has been ready and waiting for them since the world began."(Living Bible). Did you see that? Faith is necessary to see the resources and provision of God! Dr. Bill Winston said, "Faith for the Promise, is in the Promise. Faith goes into the Eternal realm and gets what we need!" It's like a heavenly bank account. Everything you will ever need is there. But just like an earthly bank account, there are procedures and guidelines in place in order to make a withdrawal. Don't get mad at God because your transaction was denied due to insufficient Faith.
God wants you to do exploits! Daniel 11:32(b) says, "but the people that do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits."(KJV). He gets no Glory when we do small things that require no Faith. He created you to reign as a king and a priest on earth. Revelation 5:10 says, "You made them to be a kingdom and to be priests for our God. And they will rule on the earth.”(Easy-to-Read Version). I know the old church focused on Heaven. Heaven is great, I've got lots of loved ones there. But heaven is not the ultimate goal. God wants us to bring heaven to earth. OK, so you think I made that up? Read it for yourself. You can probably quote it from memory. Matthew 6:9-13 says, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in EARTH, AS IT IS in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."(KJV). Don't miss this! God wants the earth to look like heaven! It might be helpful if we knew what heaven really looked like, right? Revelation 21 says, there's no death, no crying, no darkness, no fear, no poverty, no sickness, no hunger, and no thirst. Makes perfect sense that Jesus would say, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."(Luke 4:18-19, KJV). He came to set things right. We are his ambassadors and agents in the earth, sent to continue the work he began!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Understanding
Happy Sunday!
I hope you are ready to embark on the new work week! You are always in my prayers! What am I praying for you or about you? Great question! I'm praying that you will fulfill God's perfect purpose and plan for your life, that you have the spirit of wisdom, knowledge, counsel, might, and understanding, and that you will always be at the right place, at the right time, with the right information, and the right understanding! (Ephesians 1). I love you, and appreciate your time and your listening ear, each week.
How much can God use you? In the words of the great prophetess, Janet Jackson..."What have you done for me (God) lately?" It's the Christmas Holiday Season. Here in the USA, the build up has begun! The Christmas Holiday hours have been announced, the first shoppers have been trampled, and the 66" television they advertised for only $99.00, was snapped up by the one shopper in line in front of you. Yes, I'm being facetious! But you know there is an element of truth. There is enough selfishness going around for everyone. Before you label me a scrooge, let me say something. My children and I celebrated Christmas in February for many years. Why? That's when I would get my income tax refund, and have enough extra money to afford gifts. You do realize Christmas comes a few days before rent is due, right? I always tried to be open and honest with them. I gave them as much as their little minds could process, but I wanted them to understand. I believe they have good Christmas memories, because we have a great extended family.
Jesus said he came to destroy the works of the enemy! Understanding the Word is a major part of destroying the works of the enemy! When we really understand the Word of God, we will know that I could have celebrated Christmas with the rest of the world all those years ago. If I had known, and believed that tithing and offerings set a spiritual law in motion, and allowed God to protect and bless my finances, I would have had a "Surplus of Prosperity"(Deuteronomy 28:11, Amplified). Don't get me wrong, I've been tithing and giving for decades, but I was inconsistent at times. Pastor Henry Phillips of Power of Change Christian Center, in Cahokia, Illinois once said, "If you are an inconsistent giver, you will experience inconsistent returns." Boy, was he ever right! Seed, Time, and Harvest are real! That's why the preacher wrote, "Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night."(Ecclesiastes 11:1-2, Message). If I had known not to confuse my job with my purpose, I could have stayed on any of my previous jobs, worked through the issues, and used the money they paid me as seed, to further the Kingdom of God! If I had known that laws are predictable and you don't have to learn by experience, you can learn by listening to godly wisdom, I could have avoided the debt traps. Even in relationships, if I had known you can never change another person...only God can do that! If they don't love God, they don't have the slightest idea of how to love you! Jesus rebuked the people and verified there are only two families in the earth...The Family of God and the Family of the Devil! He said, "Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you are prevented from doing so! For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth—there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars."(John 8:43-44, Living Bible).
God wants us to understand that we are Heirs of God, and Joint Heirs with Christ. We are supposed to stand in the position of Owners and Stewards of this earth, and our main focus is to point others to God! Our lives should be so peaceful, so Blessed, and so full that others wonder about us! Matthew 5:16 says, "You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."(Voice).
Look for opportunities to shine this week! Be extraordinary! Get the Word on any situation you are experiencing! Trust God!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
I hope you are ready to embark on the new work week! You are always in my prayers! What am I praying for you or about you? Great question! I'm praying that you will fulfill God's perfect purpose and plan for your life, that you have the spirit of wisdom, knowledge, counsel, might, and understanding, and that you will always be at the right place, at the right time, with the right information, and the right understanding! (Ephesians 1). I love you, and appreciate your time and your listening ear, each week.
How much can God use you? In the words of the great prophetess, Janet Jackson..."What have you done for me (God) lately?" It's the Christmas Holiday Season. Here in the USA, the build up has begun! The Christmas Holiday hours have been announced, the first shoppers have been trampled, and the 66" television they advertised for only $99.00, was snapped up by the one shopper in line in front of you. Yes, I'm being facetious! But you know there is an element of truth. There is enough selfishness going around for everyone. Before you label me a scrooge, let me say something. My children and I celebrated Christmas in February for many years. Why? That's when I would get my income tax refund, and have enough extra money to afford gifts. You do realize Christmas comes a few days before rent is due, right? I always tried to be open and honest with them. I gave them as much as their little minds could process, but I wanted them to understand. I believe they have good Christmas memories, because we have a great extended family.
Jesus said he came to destroy the works of the enemy! Understanding the Word is a major part of destroying the works of the enemy! When we really understand the Word of God, we will know that I could have celebrated Christmas with the rest of the world all those years ago. If I had known, and believed that tithing and offerings set a spiritual law in motion, and allowed God to protect and bless my finances, I would have had a "Surplus of Prosperity"(Deuteronomy 28:11, Amplified). Don't get me wrong, I've been tithing and giving for decades, but I was inconsistent at times. Pastor Henry Phillips of Power of Change Christian Center, in Cahokia, Illinois once said, "If you are an inconsistent giver, you will experience inconsistent returns." Boy, was he ever right! Seed, Time, and Harvest are real! That's why the preacher wrote, "Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night."(Ecclesiastes 11:1-2, Message). If I had known not to confuse my job with my purpose, I could have stayed on any of my previous jobs, worked through the issues, and used the money they paid me as seed, to further the Kingdom of God! If I had known that laws are predictable and you don't have to learn by experience, you can learn by listening to godly wisdom, I could have avoided the debt traps. Even in relationships, if I had known you can never change another person...only God can do that! If they don't love God, they don't have the slightest idea of how to love you! Jesus rebuked the people and verified there are only two families in the earth...The Family of God and the Family of the Devil! He said, "Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It is because you are prevented from doing so! For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth—there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars."(John 8:43-44, Living Bible).
God wants us to understand that we are Heirs of God, and Joint Heirs with Christ. We are supposed to stand in the position of Owners and Stewards of this earth, and our main focus is to point others to God! Our lives should be so peaceful, so Blessed, and so full that others wonder about us! Matthew 5:16 says, "You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."(Voice).
Look for opportunities to shine this week! Be extraordinary! Get the Word on any situation you are experiencing! Trust God!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Debt Release
Happy Sunday!
Hope your Thanksgiving Holiday was Grand! Just thinking about Black Friday, and the unofficial beginning of the Christmas Holiday Shopping Season. Supposedly, Black Friday marks the time when retailers financial books go from red to black, and they make a profit! What? You mean to tell me you haven't made a profit all year? That's horrible! It made me think of how many times the Word of God mentions the word, "reconcile". It's one of many financial terms used in the Bible. Bet you missed that in Sunday School! The Bible speaks of finances more times than it speaks of love! Research it for yourself! Why are finances important to God? Great question! Because debt enslaves us and finances the war against us. You did realize we are at war, didn't you? Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy! We are the Body of Christ! We are here to take back everything the enemy has stolen.
No need to fear! I have good news for you! When you are born again into the Family of God, you stepped into a new economy! The Economy of the Kingdom of Heaven has no shortages. The Law of Sowing and Reaping guarantees that when you sow a seed it will always multiply. Once you sow a seed in the kingdom it is registered in Heaven. Proverbs 19:17 says, "When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!"(Living Bible).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Debt Release". The Blessing is designed to remove and reverse the Curse. Debt is a curse! I know, I know...some well meaning relative told you there is good debt and bad debt! Don't believe the hype! When has your debt ever been a blessing to you? When has not having enough been the thing that made you happy? There are proven ways to experience debt freedom. First, you must understand that the Bible is God speaking to you. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. BUT God hath REVEALED them unto US by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."(KJV). Don't miss this! People say you never know what God is going to do. They say that God works in mysterious ways, as if to say we are wandering around in life without direction. God did not put you on this planet without instructions for life! If you have a question, see what the Word has to say about it!
Second, revelation gives restoration. When you see the Word as a guide book, and not just a good book you will see things you never saw before. The carnal believer only has faith in this world's reality. Do you realize that most of what you see is not always as it seems? In the Word, to be Blind means to have no revelation. In 2 Kings 6:17, the prophet prayed that the young man's eyes would be opened. His physical eyes were already open, weren't they? There is another realm, the spirit realm. When his eyes were open he saw that there were more with them than were with the entire Syrian Army! Third, be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only! James 1:22-25 says, "Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. ACT on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action."(Message). In Another scripture it says, "Brothers and sisters, it doesn’t make any sense to say you have faith and act in a way that denies that faith. Mere talk never gets you very far, and a commitment to Jesus only in words will not save you."(James 2:14, Voice).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Hope your Thanksgiving Holiday was Grand! Just thinking about Black Friday, and the unofficial beginning of the Christmas Holiday Shopping Season. Supposedly, Black Friday marks the time when retailers financial books go from red to black, and they make a profit! What? You mean to tell me you haven't made a profit all year? That's horrible! It made me think of how many times the Word of God mentions the word, "reconcile". It's one of many financial terms used in the Bible. Bet you missed that in Sunday School! The Bible speaks of finances more times than it speaks of love! Research it for yourself! Why are finances important to God? Great question! Because debt enslaves us and finances the war against us. You did realize we are at war, didn't you? Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy! We are the Body of Christ! We are here to take back everything the enemy has stolen.
No need to fear! I have good news for you! When you are born again into the Family of God, you stepped into a new economy! The Economy of the Kingdom of Heaven has no shortages. The Law of Sowing and Reaping guarantees that when you sow a seed it will always multiply. Once you sow a seed in the kingdom it is registered in Heaven. Proverbs 19:17 says, "When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!"(Living Bible).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Debt Release". The Blessing is designed to remove and reverse the Curse. Debt is a curse! I know, I know...some well meaning relative told you there is good debt and bad debt! Don't believe the hype! When has your debt ever been a blessing to you? When has not having enough been the thing that made you happy? There are proven ways to experience debt freedom. First, you must understand that the Bible is God speaking to you. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. BUT God hath REVEALED them unto US by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."(KJV). Don't miss this! People say you never know what God is going to do. They say that God works in mysterious ways, as if to say we are wandering around in life without direction. God did not put you on this planet without instructions for life! If you have a question, see what the Word has to say about it!
Second, revelation gives restoration. When you see the Word as a guide book, and not just a good book you will see things you never saw before. The carnal believer only has faith in this world's reality. Do you realize that most of what you see is not always as it seems? In the Word, to be Blind means to have no revelation. In 2 Kings 6:17, the prophet prayed that the young man's eyes would be opened. His physical eyes were already open, weren't they? There is another realm, the spirit realm. When his eyes were open he saw that there were more with them than were with the entire Syrian Army! Third, be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only! James 1:22-25 says, "Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. ACT on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action."(Message). In Another scripture it says, "Brothers and sisters, it doesn’t make any sense to say you have faith and act in a way that denies that faith. Mere talk never gets you very far, and a commitment to Jesus only in words will not save you."(James 2:14, Voice).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, November 20, 2016
The Best for NOW
Happy Sunday!
It's been a great week! Excited to start a new week of Thanksgiving! So thankful for this beautiful life in Christ. I was talking to my daughter, Crystal. We were talking about how our lives have changed in so many ways. On the outside, others may not see the changes but they are, as she said, "small but epic"! Simple things, like how we handle stress, offenses, and trials. Being able to walk in love in the mean world is a must! Being able to identify the enemy at work through people to get you off track, and winning battles by not falling for the "okie doke". The Word says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8:36, KJV). The Message Translation is always so poignant! It says, "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"(Mark 8:36, Message).
During the Increase Message, Dr. Bill Winston reminded us of the Wedding at Cana! Do you realize the first miracle Jesus performed was a to multiply wine? Not feed the hungry children on TV late at night, but multiply something that was not a necessity! God is the God of overflow! He wants us to have more than enough of everything. The Scripture proves it! 1 Timothy 6:17(b) says, "fix your hope on God, the One who richly provides everything for our Enjoyment.”(Voice). Don't over spiritualize this! Even Proverbs 5:18 says, "BE HAPPY, yes, rejoice in the wife of your youth." God is not mad! He loves you and he pours out his love and mercy on us daily! Ok, back to the wedding! We love weddings! Crystal and I watched, "Say Yes to the Dress" Saturday! Too much drama, but we enjoy the preparation for the big day! Weddings in Bible times could go on for weeks! Yes, this American one day tradition falls short! LOL!
So after days of celebrating, Jesus and the disciples arrive on the scene. It may have been a relatives wedding, because his mother came to him about the lack of wine! Some of my African friends have explained that in their culture the family is responsible to provide almost everything for the invited guests. I even have a Native American friend, when his family member passed away he had to kill one of his cows to ensure there was enough meat for the repass. It's the opposite of our African American culture during the death of a loved one, the family is not required to do the work. The community, the church, the friends, and even the motorcycle club come together to show their love and support. But let's get back to the wedding! John Chapter 2 tells the story. Mary tells Jesus they have run out of wine, which would be very embarrassing for the family. Jesus says, "Mom, why are bothering me with this? It's not my time for miracles." Mary, like any good mother, ignores his statement and turns to the servants and says, "Whatever he tells you to do, do it!" The Easy-to-Read Version says, "There were six large stone waterpots there that were used by the Jews in their washing ceremonies. Each one held about 20 or 30 gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them to the top. Then he said to them, “Now dip out some water and take it to the man in charge of the feast.”(John 2:6-8). WOW, what faith on the part of the servants! Just do what Jesus tells you! Of course, you know the rest of the story. The Master of Ceremonies was so amazed by the quality and taste of this wine that he said, "“Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”(John 2:9-10, Message).
What does this have to do with you? So glad you asked! God is the God of Abundance! Stop limiting God to your small thinking, and your paycheck! The pots each held 20 to 30 gallons of water. There are 4 quarts in a gallon. So each pot contained at least 120 quarts of wine. A bottle of wine contains a little less than a quart. One bottle of Chateau Margaux from 1875 costs $225,000, we can rest assured the Jesus brand was more valuable. Let's do the math: 120 quarts times 6 waterpots equals 720 quarts. 720 quarts times $225,000 equals $162,000,000. Even if my math is off, you should get the point. God is not against enjoyment, and prosperity...he's against selfishness and greed. When your heart is toward God, he never has to worry about you heaping it up for yourself. He wants to use you to bless others! He wants to get it through you, more than just getting it to you!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
It's been a great week! Excited to start a new week of Thanksgiving! So thankful for this beautiful life in Christ. I was talking to my daughter, Crystal. We were talking about how our lives have changed in so many ways. On the outside, others may not see the changes but they are, as she said, "small but epic"! Simple things, like how we handle stress, offenses, and trials. Being able to walk in love in the mean world is a must! Being able to identify the enemy at work through people to get you off track, and winning battles by not falling for the "okie doke". The Word says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8:36, KJV). The Message Translation is always so poignant! It says, "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"(Mark 8:36, Message).
During the Increase Message, Dr. Bill Winston reminded us of the Wedding at Cana! Do you realize the first miracle Jesus performed was a to multiply wine? Not feed the hungry children on TV late at night, but multiply something that was not a necessity! God is the God of overflow! He wants us to have more than enough of everything. The Scripture proves it! 1 Timothy 6:17(b) says, "fix your hope on God, the One who richly provides everything for our Enjoyment.”(Voice). Don't over spiritualize this! Even Proverbs 5:18 says, "BE HAPPY, yes, rejoice in the wife of your youth." God is not mad! He loves you and he pours out his love and mercy on us daily! Ok, back to the wedding! We love weddings! Crystal and I watched, "Say Yes to the Dress" Saturday! Too much drama, but we enjoy the preparation for the big day! Weddings in Bible times could go on for weeks! Yes, this American one day tradition falls short! LOL!
So after days of celebrating, Jesus and the disciples arrive on the scene. It may have been a relatives wedding, because his mother came to him about the lack of wine! Some of my African friends have explained that in their culture the family is responsible to provide almost everything for the invited guests. I even have a Native American friend, when his family member passed away he had to kill one of his cows to ensure there was enough meat for the repass. It's the opposite of our African American culture during the death of a loved one, the family is not required to do the work. The community, the church, the friends, and even the motorcycle club come together to show their love and support. But let's get back to the wedding! John Chapter 2 tells the story. Mary tells Jesus they have run out of wine, which would be very embarrassing for the family. Jesus says, "Mom, why are bothering me with this? It's not my time for miracles." Mary, like any good mother, ignores his statement and turns to the servants and says, "Whatever he tells you to do, do it!" The Easy-to-Read Version says, "There were six large stone waterpots there that were used by the Jews in their washing ceremonies. Each one held about 20 or 30 gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them to the top. Then he said to them, “Now dip out some water and take it to the man in charge of the feast.”(John 2:6-8). WOW, what faith on the part of the servants! Just do what Jesus tells you! Of course, you know the rest of the story. The Master of Ceremonies was so amazed by the quality and taste of this wine that he said, "“Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the best till now!”(John 2:9-10, Message).
What does this have to do with you? So glad you asked! God is the God of Abundance! Stop limiting God to your small thinking, and your paycheck! The pots each held 20 to 30 gallons of water. There are 4 quarts in a gallon. So each pot contained at least 120 quarts of wine. A bottle of wine contains a little less than a quart. One bottle of Chateau Margaux from 1875 costs $225,000, we can rest assured the Jesus brand was more valuable. Let's do the math: 120 quarts times 6 waterpots equals 720 quarts. 720 quarts times $225,000 equals $162,000,000. Even if my math is off, you should get the point. God is not against enjoyment, and prosperity...he's against selfishness and greed. When your heart is toward God, he never has to worry about you heaping it up for yourself. He wants to use you to bless others! He wants to get it through you, more than just getting it to you!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, November 13, 2016
No Blurred Lines
Happy Sunday!
We made it! We made it through the week! And here we are on our way into a fresh new week, full of God's Mercy! Lamentations 3:23 says, "Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day."(Living Bible). Not long ago, a judge ruled that Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. were guilty of using some of the Late Marvin Gaye's intellectual property without permission. Now, I admit I don't know enough about the case to speak intelligently, or to debate the validity of the claims, or the affect this case will have on the music industry. But what I do see is a lot of "Blurred Lines" in our society. Is everything really black and white? How can we know who's wrong and who's right? I trust we can find the answer in the Word of God!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance", with the subtitle, "Back to the Garden". God gave man dominion and planned for him to take the Garden of Eden throughout the whole earth. You know the story, the first Adam messed things up, and the second Adam came to set things in order! 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 says, "We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. Physical life comes first, then spiritual—a firm base shaped from the earth, a final completion coming out of heaven. The First Man was made out of earth, and people since then are earthy; the Second Man was made out of heaven, and people now can be heavenly. In the same way that we’ve worked from our earthy origins, let’s embrace our heavenly ends."(Message). For thousands of years, and even today man has tried to fix the worlds ills by his own strength and intelligence. But the Word tells us, "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."(Jeremiah 17:5, KJV). Did you get that? Cursed is the man that trusts a man to solve all his problems! Another translation of this same scripture says, "The Lord says: Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mortal man and turns his heart away from God."(Living Bible). OUCH! Here we are trying to learn all we can about the Blessing and something as simple as this could be causing the Blessing to short-circuit.
My Aunt Theaha always says, "You have to know that you know that you know!" You have to be confident that what you believe, what you stand for, and what you live by are solid Biblical Truths! 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Everyone will get what they should. They will be paid for whatever they did—good or bad—when they lived in this earthly body."(Easy-to-Read Version). We've got this wonderful life and an opportunity to spend eternity with God, let's live it with purpose! If we have a question, the answer can be found in the Word! God hasn't changed, and he doesn't lie. He can be trusted with the most difficult situations and circumstances. Dr. Bill Winston said, "You must be satisfied that God cannot mismanage your life!" When you trust him, it won't be hard to make good decisions! Never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions. Even if it doesn't feel good, doing things God's way will pay off! Galatians 6:7 says, "Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will ALWAYS reap just the kind of crop he sows!"(Living Bible).
The Word of God is not "Blurred" or hard to understand! There will be no excuse for us in this age of technology! We have numerous translations, and Bibles at a our finger tips. There is no reason, or excuse except laziness, and complacency for not knowing the Word for yourself. Dr. Myles Munroe said, "The law itself judges the law-breaker." If you violate the law of gravity and step off the top of the Sears(Willis) Tower, God did not kill you! Your ignorance of the law of gravity or your blatant disregard for the law judged you, and sentenced you to death. If you choose to be selfish, the law of sowing and reaping cannot operate in your life. By refusing to obey the law, you have inadvertently chosen poverty over wealth! Proverbs 22:9 says, "Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor."(Message). If you choose to speak negatively over your life and your situation, you are putting a law into motion! Mark 11:23(b) says, "If you don’t doubt, but trust that what you SAY will take place, then it will happen."(Voice). Bet you didn't know that that scripture worked in the reverse! Watch your mouth!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
We made it! We made it through the week! And here we are on our way into a fresh new week, full of God's Mercy! Lamentations 3:23 says, "Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day."(Living Bible). Not long ago, a judge ruled that Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. were guilty of using some of the Late Marvin Gaye's intellectual property without permission. Now, I admit I don't know enough about the case to speak intelligently, or to debate the validity of the claims, or the affect this case will have on the music industry. But what I do see is a lot of "Blurred Lines" in our society. Is everything really black and white? How can we know who's wrong and who's right? I trust we can find the answer in the Word of God!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance", with the subtitle, "Back to the Garden". God gave man dominion and planned for him to take the Garden of Eden throughout the whole earth. You know the story, the first Adam messed things up, and the second Adam came to set things in order! 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 says, "We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. Physical life comes first, then spiritual—a firm base shaped from the earth, a final completion coming out of heaven. The First Man was made out of earth, and people since then are earthy; the Second Man was made out of heaven, and people now can be heavenly. In the same way that we’ve worked from our earthy origins, let’s embrace our heavenly ends."(Message). For thousands of years, and even today man has tried to fix the worlds ills by his own strength and intelligence. But the Word tells us, "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."(Jeremiah 17:5, KJV). Did you get that? Cursed is the man that trusts a man to solve all his problems! Another translation of this same scripture says, "The Lord says: Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mortal man and turns his heart away from God."(Living Bible). OUCH! Here we are trying to learn all we can about the Blessing and something as simple as this could be causing the Blessing to short-circuit.
My Aunt Theaha always says, "You have to know that you know that you know!" You have to be confident that what you believe, what you stand for, and what you live by are solid Biblical Truths! 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Everyone will get what they should. They will be paid for whatever they did—good or bad—when they lived in this earthly body."(Easy-to-Read Version). We've got this wonderful life and an opportunity to spend eternity with God, let's live it with purpose! If we have a question, the answer can be found in the Word! God hasn't changed, and he doesn't lie. He can be trusted with the most difficult situations and circumstances. Dr. Bill Winston said, "You must be satisfied that God cannot mismanage your life!" When you trust him, it won't be hard to make good decisions! Never make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions. Even if it doesn't feel good, doing things God's way will pay off! Galatians 6:7 says, "Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will ALWAYS reap just the kind of crop he sows!"(Living Bible).
The Word of God is not "Blurred" or hard to understand! There will be no excuse for us in this age of technology! We have numerous translations, and Bibles at a our finger tips. There is no reason, or excuse except laziness, and complacency for not knowing the Word for yourself. Dr. Myles Munroe said, "The law itself judges the law-breaker." If you violate the law of gravity and step off the top of the Sears(Willis) Tower, God did not kill you! Your ignorance of the law of gravity or your blatant disregard for the law judged you, and sentenced you to death. If you choose to be selfish, the law of sowing and reaping cannot operate in your life. By refusing to obey the law, you have inadvertently chosen poverty over wealth! Proverbs 22:9 says, "Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor."(Message). If you choose to speak negatively over your life and your situation, you are putting a law into motion! Mark 11:23(b) says, "If you don’t doubt, but trust that what you SAY will take place, then it will happen."(Voice). Bet you didn't know that that scripture worked in the reverse! Watch your mouth!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Focus...
Happy Sunday!
I love you and I'm praying for you! Encouraging you to vote if you are a United States citizen this week, if you haven't already! I voted early. Whatever the outcome, as citizens of the Kingdom of God we are Blessed, Protected, and Healed. Based on the Word of God, we will have everything we need according to God's riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. Focusing on the many, many benefits we can and do enjoy will comfort us in good times and bad times. Have a wonderful week! Remember, Romans 8:28 says, "That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."(Message).
The Power of Focus by Barry Bennett
Anything you focus on gains influence in your life. If your focus is a hobby and you spend great amounts of time on that hobby, the hobby will determine how much time you give to other things around you. If your focus is on a person, that person can become an obsession. Focusing on a fear can paralyze you. The same could be said for focusing on sickness, money or entertainment.
FAILURE is a result of broken focus. When we fail to give enough time and attention to certain aspects of our lives, those areas begin to suffer. Marriages have suffered due to a lack of focus. We are all focused on different things, but are we focused on the right things? Can you pull yourself away from the TV long enough to play with your children or take a walk with your spouse?
Anything that consumes our time consumes our focus. Perhaps that is why Jesus admonished us to “seek first His kingdom and righteousness.” Rather than focusing on the things we need for life, focusing on Life Himself will open the doors of His provision. The right focus is a source of peace.
Anything that keeps your attention has mastered you. “For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” (2 Pet. 2:19) It could just as easily say, “by what a person is overcome….”
Energy is generated by focus. We make time for that which we consider important. A scattered focus will determine your destiny just as much as a singular focus. “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14) Paul understood the need to leave the past in the past and focus on his purpose in God.
Determine in your heart to whom or what you will give your time and attention. Do those people, pursuits and things give life or steal it? Are you managing your focus or are you being driven? If peace and joy in your marriage, family and surroundings doesn’t describe your life, you are probably focused on the wrong things.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
I love you and I'm praying for you! Encouraging you to vote if you are a United States citizen this week, if you haven't already! I voted early. Whatever the outcome, as citizens of the Kingdom of God we are Blessed, Protected, and Healed. Based on the Word of God, we will have everything we need according to God's riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. Focusing on the many, many benefits we can and do enjoy will comfort us in good times and bad times. Have a wonderful week! Remember, Romans 8:28 says, "That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."(Message).
The Power of Focus by Barry Bennett
Anything you focus on gains influence in your life. If your focus is a hobby and you spend great amounts of time on that hobby, the hobby will determine how much time you give to other things around you. If your focus is on a person, that person can become an obsession. Focusing on a fear can paralyze you. The same could be said for focusing on sickness, money or entertainment.
FAILURE is a result of broken focus. When we fail to give enough time and attention to certain aspects of our lives, those areas begin to suffer. Marriages have suffered due to a lack of focus. We are all focused on different things, but are we focused on the right things? Can you pull yourself away from the TV long enough to play with your children or take a walk with your spouse?
Anything that consumes our time consumes our focus. Perhaps that is why Jesus admonished us to “seek first His kingdom and righteousness.” Rather than focusing on the things we need for life, focusing on Life Himself will open the doors of His provision. The right focus is a source of peace.
Anything that keeps your attention has mastered you. “For by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” (2 Pet. 2:19) It could just as easily say, “by what a person is overcome….”
Energy is generated by focus. We make time for that which we consider important. A scattered focus will determine your destiny just as much as a singular focus. “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14) Paul understood the need to leave the past in the past and focus on his purpose in God.
Determine in your heart to whom or what you will give your time and attention. Do those people, pursuits and things give life or steal it? Are you managing your focus or are you being driven? If peace and joy in your marriage, family and surroundings doesn’t describe your life, you are probably focused on the wrong things.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Dream Team
Happy Sunday!
Dr, Veronica Winston preached, "You've Been Selected for the Dream Team". In the USA, we are in the heat of the World Series, and there are football, basketball, and hockey games to enjoy as well! Fantasy Football coaches are reeling from injuries, and are now considering sidelining other players. Did you know that you are also a part of a special hand-picked Dream Team? 1 Peter 2:9-10 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."(Message). God has chosen us for his team. He only chooses the best and the brightest!
Being on God's team is not always easy! The world hates God's team. Jesus said, "Everyone will hate you because you follow me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved."(Easy-to-Read Version). Now, there's no reason to fear! We overcome! But as the Apostle Paul wrote, "It never seems easy while you are going through it". He also encouraged us with these words, "These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever!"(2 Corinthians 4:17, Living Bible). Did you see that? God's Blessing is on us forever.
What things should we avoid in order to stay fit and in shape for the team? Great question! Stay away from fleshly desires! 1 Peter 2:11 says, "Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to keep your lives free from the evil things you want to do, those desires that fight against your true selves."(Easy-to-Read Version). It seems so simple, but it tends to trip us up. Stay away from fleshly or carnal desires. The Apostle John described it like this, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."(1 John 2:16, KJV). Another translation describes it like this, "Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity."(Message).
Stay away from false prophets! 2 Peter 2:1-2 says, "But there were false prophets, too, in those days, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at."(Living Bible). The best way to know that you are hearing the truth is to study your own bible! Know the Word when you hear it and know when it is being taken out of context. Case in point: People say money is evil. That's often the way the scripture was interpreted. But money is amoral, it's neither good or evil. It is the person using it that determines whether it will be used for good or for evil. The scripture actually says, "For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil:"(1 Timothy 6:10(a), KJV). Did you get that? Now it makes more sense that God would inspire the King to write, "Laughter and bread go together, and wine gives sparkle to life—But it’s money that makes the world go around."(Ecclesiastes 10:19, Message). Get the Word on any subject, then get understanding!
Stay Focused! Stay focused on the things of God. Don't be so distracted by the world that you get lost in their doctrine. Jude described these types of people like this, "These men are constant gripers, never satisfied, doing whatever evil they feel like; they are loudmouthed “show-offs,” and when they show respect for others, it is only to get something from them in return. Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, that in the last times there would come these scoffers whose whole purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable."(Jude 1;16-18, Living Bible). Make time for Bible reading, meditation, and prayer just as you would make time for baseball, softball, or tennis practice! In his book the Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell said it takes approximately ten thousand hours of practice to achieve mastery in any field. Do you want to win in this life? Do you want to overcome? Do you want to "prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers"? Do you want your prayers answered? You have to put in the work! Reverend Kenneth E. Hagin used to say, "Blessings are not just going to fall off the trees like ripe cherries!" You've got to do your part!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Dr, Veronica Winston preached, "You've Been Selected for the Dream Team". In the USA, we are in the heat of the World Series, and there are football, basketball, and hockey games to enjoy as well! Fantasy Football coaches are reeling from injuries, and are now considering sidelining other players. Did you know that you are also a part of a special hand-picked Dream Team? 1 Peter 2:9-10 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."(Message). God has chosen us for his team. He only chooses the best and the brightest!
Being on God's team is not always easy! The world hates God's team. Jesus said, "Everyone will hate you because you follow me. But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved."(Easy-to-Read Version). Now, there's no reason to fear! We overcome! But as the Apostle Paul wrote, "It never seems easy while you are going through it". He also encouraged us with these words, "These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever!"(2 Corinthians 4:17, Living Bible). Did you see that? God's Blessing is on us forever.
What things should we avoid in order to stay fit and in shape for the team? Great question! Stay away from fleshly desires! 1 Peter 2:11 says, "Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to keep your lives free from the evil things you want to do, those desires that fight against your true selves."(Easy-to-Read Version). It seems so simple, but it tends to trip us up. Stay away from fleshly or carnal desires. The Apostle John described it like this, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."(1 John 2:16, KJV). Another translation describes it like this, "Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity."(Message).
Stay away from false prophets! 2 Peter 2:1-2 says, "But there were false prophets, too, in those days, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at."(Living Bible). The best way to know that you are hearing the truth is to study your own bible! Know the Word when you hear it and know when it is being taken out of context. Case in point: People say money is evil. That's often the way the scripture was interpreted. But money is amoral, it's neither good or evil. It is the person using it that determines whether it will be used for good or for evil. The scripture actually says, "For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil:"(1 Timothy 6:10(a), KJV). Did you get that? Now it makes more sense that God would inspire the King to write, "Laughter and bread go together, and wine gives sparkle to life—But it’s money that makes the world go around."(Ecclesiastes 10:19, Message). Get the Word on any subject, then get understanding!
Stay Focused! Stay focused on the things of God. Don't be so distracted by the world that you get lost in their doctrine. Jude described these types of people like this, "These men are constant gripers, never satisfied, doing whatever evil they feel like; they are loudmouthed “show-offs,” and when they show respect for others, it is only to get something from them in return. Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, that in the last times there would come these scoffers whose whole purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable."(Jude 1;16-18, Living Bible). Make time for Bible reading, meditation, and prayer just as you would make time for baseball, softball, or tennis practice! In his book the Outliers, author Malcolm Gladwell said it takes approximately ten thousand hours of practice to achieve mastery in any field. Do you want to win in this life? Do you want to overcome? Do you want to "prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers"? Do you want your prayers answered? You have to put in the work! Reverend Kenneth E. Hagin used to say, "Blessings are not just going to fall off the trees like ripe cherries!" You've got to do your part!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, October 23, 2016
A Heart to Serve
Happy Sunday!
Pastor David Winston preached today since Dr. Bill Winston and the ministry team are in India. His message was entitled, "A Heart to Serve".
The Presidential Election in the United States of America has caused many to create memes about Jesus returning. They say among other things, "Come Lord Jesus", But the Word of God tells us specifically what will usher in the return of our Lord. Matthew 24:14 says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(KJV). Did you get that? It's the Gospel of the Kingdom being preached in all the world that will signal the return of Jesus! Even Matthew 6:33 encourages us, "But seek ye first the KINGDOM of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."(Amplified). So the Gospel of the Kingdom involves God's way of doing right and being right!
The Business of the Kingdom is SERVICE. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus consistently taught about service. During that time the nation of Israel was under Roman rule. Romans were known for their great political and social structure, their military accomplishments, and their brutality. They could see a person along the road, and command that person to stop what they were doing, and carry their bags. The law stated the person only had to carry the bags for one mile. Jesus gave a Kingdom guideline in response to this situation. Matthew 5:41 says, "If the military demand that you carry their gear for a mile, carry it two."(Living Bible). OUCH! Two miles, Jesus? I don't even want to go around the copy machine for this person! Service is not convenient! Look at Jesus as our example. When his cousin, John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus said, "“Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.”(Mark 6:31, Living Bible). But the multitude followed them. Jesus didn't turn around to the people and say, "Don't you know my cousin was just killed! I'm grieving! Can't I just get a moment to myself?" NO, NO, NO! Jesus looked at them and saw them with compassion. He loved them and he chose to serve them and not be Self-Serving. Read it for yourself, it's in Mark 6:34.
What are the benefits of serving others? Great question! So glad you asked! Pastor David Winston taught us that serving; Purifies our motives, Keeps us submitted to God, and Expands the Kingdom of God. When we decide to serve, God's Love and Power flow through us to the world around us! Jesus encouraged us to make disciples, not collect church members! Don't get me wrong, we need the local church and the Word commands us to come together! Hebrews 10:25 says, "We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer."(Easy-to-Read Version). But Jesus wanted us to make disciples by, "Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."(Matthew 28:20, KJV). Are you familiar with McDonald's? Their signs say that they have served billions of hamburgers to their customers. The way we serve others tells a story about us! How many have you served? The Apostle Paul said, "Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the LORD and not merely for your masters,"(Living Bible). Do you realize that no paycheck can ever equal your true value? They really can't afford to pay you what you are worth! But God can! He will repay you for your service to others! He even says in Proverbs 19:17, "When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!"(Living Bible).
How can you serve others this week? Glad you asked! You always ask the best questions! We can serve others by doing "Random Acts of Kindness", by doing something good for God, by doing something nice for someone in your household or immediate family, and by praying about how you can serve your local church. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."(KJV). We love this verse, we probably learned it in Sunday School. But did you know the word "wait" doesn't mean sitting on your gluteus maximus doing nothing! It means waiting on God as a good server would do in a fine restaurant. It means being prepared for the next request. It means listening for God's instructions for you. It may be simple. He may say, "Treat that obnoxious co-worker to coffee today." He may say, "Wash the dishes." He may say, "Get to work on time." The sky may not open up like the red sea, and you may not see a burning bush but serving opportunities are all around us!
Living a life of Service, looking for more opportunities to serve. Love and prayers, Cynthia
Pastor David Winston preached today since Dr. Bill Winston and the ministry team are in India. His message was entitled, "A Heart to Serve".
The Presidential Election in the United States of America has caused many to create memes about Jesus returning. They say among other things, "Come Lord Jesus", But the Word of God tells us specifically what will usher in the return of our Lord. Matthew 24:14 says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(KJV). Did you get that? It's the Gospel of the Kingdom being preached in all the world that will signal the return of Jesus! Even Matthew 6:33 encourages us, "But seek ye first the KINGDOM of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."(Amplified). So the Gospel of the Kingdom involves God's way of doing right and being right!
The Business of the Kingdom is SERVICE. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus consistently taught about service. During that time the nation of Israel was under Roman rule. Romans were known for their great political and social structure, their military accomplishments, and their brutality. They could see a person along the road, and command that person to stop what they were doing, and carry their bags. The law stated the person only had to carry the bags for one mile. Jesus gave a Kingdom guideline in response to this situation. Matthew 5:41 says, "If the military demand that you carry their gear for a mile, carry it two."(Living Bible). OUCH! Two miles, Jesus? I don't even want to go around the copy machine for this person! Service is not convenient! Look at Jesus as our example. When his cousin, John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus said, "“Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.”(Mark 6:31, Living Bible). But the multitude followed them. Jesus didn't turn around to the people and say, "Don't you know my cousin was just killed! I'm grieving! Can't I just get a moment to myself?" NO, NO, NO! Jesus looked at them and saw them with compassion. He loved them and he chose to serve them and not be Self-Serving. Read it for yourself, it's in Mark 6:34.
What are the benefits of serving others? Great question! So glad you asked! Pastor David Winston taught us that serving; Purifies our motives, Keeps us submitted to God, and Expands the Kingdom of God. When we decide to serve, God's Love and Power flow through us to the world around us! Jesus encouraged us to make disciples, not collect church members! Don't get me wrong, we need the local church and the Word commands us to come together! Hebrews 10:25 says, "We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer."(Easy-to-Read Version). But Jesus wanted us to make disciples by, "Teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."(Matthew 28:20, KJV). Are you familiar with McDonald's? Their signs say that they have served billions of hamburgers to their customers. The way we serve others tells a story about us! How many have you served? The Apostle Paul said, "Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the LORD and not merely for your masters,"(Living Bible). Do you realize that no paycheck can ever equal your true value? They really can't afford to pay you what you are worth! But God can! He will repay you for your service to others! He even says in Proverbs 19:17, "When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord—and he pays wonderful interest on your loan!"(Living Bible).
How can you serve others this week? Glad you asked! You always ask the best questions! We can serve others by doing "Random Acts of Kindness", by doing something good for God, by doing something nice for someone in your household or immediate family, and by praying about how you can serve your local church. Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."(KJV). We love this verse, we probably learned it in Sunday School. But did you know the word "wait" doesn't mean sitting on your gluteus maximus doing nothing! It means waiting on God as a good server would do in a fine restaurant. It means being prepared for the next request. It means listening for God's instructions for you. It may be simple. He may say, "Treat that obnoxious co-worker to coffee today." He may say, "Wash the dishes." He may say, "Get to work on time." The sky may not open up like the red sea, and you may not see a burning bush but serving opportunities are all around us!
Living a life of Service, looking for more opportunities to serve. Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, October 16, 2016
God is waiting on you...
Happy Sunday!
Trust in God totally or God takes his hands off! - Dr. Bill Winston
When Dr. Winston said this I thought about a person trying to save a person that is drowning. Perhaps, you have already been warned about trying to rescue a drowning person. In panic, the drowning person will instinctively grab onto, and push up on anything they can. Sadly, many times, the one trying to rescue another ends up drowning! God is trying to save us from poverty, sickness, and death! But if we insist on doing it your way, God will allow us to drown in our mess. Oh, I know what you are thinking..."God is merciful, He's sovereign, He's in control." Yes, you are correct! But most importantly, God is true to His Word! He will never contradict His Word. He gave man dominion in this earth, after losing that dominion to Satan, Jesus came and restored our Dominion and Authority. Now we are responsible to receive what has already been provided. God isn't waiting to do anything. He's waiting on us to do what we have been commanded, and receive the Blessing. But many of us would rather blame God, the government, or our families for where we are, and what we have. This thinking is nothing new, Isaiah 45:9-10 says, "Woe to the man who fights with his Creator. Does the pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with him who forms it, saying, “Stop, you’re doing it wrong!” or the pot exclaim, “How clumsy can you be!”? Woe to the baby just being born who squalls to his father and mother, “Why have you produced me? Can’t you do anything right at all?” (Living Bible). Sounds foolish, doesn't it?
God will not do anything that he has told you to do! Stop praying and telling God to go to the hospital! He told you to, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure the lepers, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!"(Matthew 10:8, KJV). Stop telling God to go to the prisons, and help the homeless! Jesus said a certain group of people would be recognized one day. They will be the people that did the following things, "For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me."(Matthew 25:35-36, Living Bible). God is a spirit. He determined that to do business legally in the earth you must have a physical body! That's why Jesus had to come in the flesh! You have a physical body, and you have work to do! He has given us the tools to change our lives and our world. I know, i know...it's daunting...but God did not give us a spirit of fear! Fear short-circuits your Faith! Faith is the only thing that will defeat the enemy.
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Living on Top of the World'. To live on top of the world, we must not be ignorant or carnal. Romans 8:5-8 says, "Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to LIFE and PEACE, but following after the old nature leads to death because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God."(Living Bible). The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, "My brothers and sisters, I cannot address you as people who walk by the Spirit; I have to speak to you as people who tend to think in merely human terms, as spiritual infants in the Anointed One. I nursed you with milk, as a mother would feed her baby, because you were not, and still are not, developed enough to digest complex spiritual food. And here’s why: you are still living in the flesh, not in the Spirit. How do I know? Are you fighting with one another? Are you comparing yourselves to others and becoming consumed with jealousy? Then it sounds like you are living in the flesh, no different from the rest who live by the standards of this rebellious and broken world."(1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Voice).
You are capable of a life far greater than what you are currently experiencing! You are in the God Class! You have excellence in your DNA! When you were Born-Again your spirit reconnected to Almighty God! You can live life on a higher level, by Faith!
Living on Top of the World! Love and prayers, Cynthia
Trust in God totally or God takes his hands off! - Dr. Bill Winston
When Dr. Winston said this I thought about a person trying to save a person that is drowning. Perhaps, you have already been warned about trying to rescue a drowning person. In panic, the drowning person will instinctively grab onto, and push up on anything they can. Sadly, many times, the one trying to rescue another ends up drowning! God is trying to save us from poverty, sickness, and death! But if we insist on doing it your way, God will allow us to drown in our mess. Oh, I know what you are thinking..."God is merciful, He's sovereign, He's in control." Yes, you are correct! But most importantly, God is true to His Word! He will never contradict His Word. He gave man dominion in this earth, after losing that dominion to Satan, Jesus came and restored our Dominion and Authority. Now we are responsible to receive what has already been provided. God isn't waiting to do anything. He's waiting on us to do what we have been commanded, and receive the Blessing. But many of us would rather blame God, the government, or our families for where we are, and what we have. This thinking is nothing new, Isaiah 45:9-10 says, "Woe to the man who fights with his Creator. Does the pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with him who forms it, saying, “Stop, you’re doing it wrong!” or the pot exclaim, “How clumsy can you be!”? Woe to the baby just being born who squalls to his father and mother, “Why have you produced me? Can’t you do anything right at all?” (Living Bible). Sounds foolish, doesn't it?
God will not do anything that he has told you to do! Stop praying and telling God to go to the hospital! He told you to, "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure the lepers, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!"(Matthew 10:8, KJV). Stop telling God to go to the prisons, and help the homeless! Jesus said a certain group of people would be recognized one day. They will be the people that did the following things, "For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me."(Matthew 25:35-36, Living Bible). God is a spirit. He determined that to do business legally in the earth you must have a physical body! That's why Jesus had to come in the flesh! You have a physical body, and you have work to do! He has given us the tools to change our lives and our world. I know, i know...it's daunting...but God did not give us a spirit of fear! Fear short-circuits your Faith! Faith is the only thing that will defeat the enemy.
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Living on Top of the World'. To live on top of the world, we must not be ignorant or carnal. Romans 8:5-8 says, "Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God. Following after the Holy Spirit leads to LIFE and PEACE, but following after the old nature leads to death because the old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God."(Living Bible). The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, "My brothers and sisters, I cannot address you as people who walk by the Spirit; I have to speak to you as people who tend to think in merely human terms, as spiritual infants in the Anointed One. I nursed you with milk, as a mother would feed her baby, because you were not, and still are not, developed enough to digest complex spiritual food. And here’s why: you are still living in the flesh, not in the Spirit. How do I know? Are you fighting with one another? Are you comparing yourselves to others and becoming consumed with jealousy? Then it sounds like you are living in the flesh, no different from the rest who live by the standards of this rebellious and broken world."(1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Voice).
You are capable of a life far greater than what you are currently experiencing! You are in the God Class! You have excellence in your DNA! When you were Born-Again your spirit reconnected to Almighty God! You can live life on a higher level, by Faith!
Living on Top of the World! Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, October 9, 2016
From a Distance?
Happy Sunday!
Religion puts you in a place of non-resistance, and always paints a picture of God way off in space somewhere. - Dr. Bill Winston
Immediately when Dr. Winston made this statement, I thought of Bette Midler. I know right, so super spiritual! LOL! No, I thought of the song she sang, "From A Distance". The song paints a picture of a peaceful, hopeful place, viewed from a distance. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the song. But so many times, the songs we love support and increase unbelief! That's just what the devil wants! He wants us to think that God is off just watching us from a distance, when in all actuality...God is within us! That peaceful, hopeful world can be created when we "destroy the works of the devil!"(1 John 3:8).
We are the legal agents in this earth. Our birth certificates and physical bodies give us dominion, and authority in the world. As Charles Capps used to say, "This earth suit is required, when you lose this earth suit...you must leave the earth!". While we live in this earth we are encouraged to have influence, and use that influence to make the world better. What will you be remembered for? Who will remember you? Will any one miss you when you are gone from this earth? Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."(Easy-to-Read Version).
In order to make an impact in the earth, we must understand who we really are! Where can you find out who you really are? Great question! So glad you asked! The Bible is the best place to find yourself! Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."(KJV). Psalm 139;14 says, "I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul."(Voice). Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(KJV). From these three passages, we have learned that we are the workmanship of God, we are each a unique creation of God, and we were made an exact duplicate of God! The word image in the original means, "exact duplicate". WOW! This means you are not "no good", even though your grandmother said so! You are valuable, even though that really good looking person rejected you! You are loved and cared for even though you were an orphan!
That's Good News! That's the good news that will stop us from hurting, killing, and mistreating others! That's the Blessing at work! Dr. Myles Munroe preached about "Loving the Other Image". The sermons are available on YouTube. Fall in love with yourself, and you will be able to love others. There is only one condition...you must love God first in order to love yourself. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says “I love God,” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen?"(Living Bible). Jesus said, "This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself."(Living Bible). When we understand our personal value, and love ourselves...we will never SETTLE for less! God created you to be Blessed to be a Blessing!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Religion puts you in a place of non-resistance, and always paints a picture of God way off in space somewhere. - Dr. Bill Winston
Immediately when Dr. Winston made this statement, I thought of Bette Midler. I know right, so super spiritual! LOL! No, I thought of the song she sang, "From A Distance". The song paints a picture of a peaceful, hopeful place, viewed from a distance. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the song. But so many times, the songs we love support and increase unbelief! That's just what the devil wants! He wants us to think that God is off just watching us from a distance, when in all actuality...God is within us! That peaceful, hopeful world can be created when we "destroy the works of the devil!"(1 John 3:8).
We are the legal agents in this earth. Our birth certificates and physical bodies give us dominion, and authority in the world. As Charles Capps used to say, "This earth suit is required, when you lose this earth suit...you must leave the earth!". While we live in this earth we are encouraged to have influence, and use that influence to make the world better. What will you be remembered for? Who will remember you? Will any one miss you when you are gone from this earth? Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."(Easy-to-Read Version).
In order to make an impact in the earth, we must understand who we really are! Where can you find out who you really are? Great question! So glad you asked! The Bible is the best place to find yourself! Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."(KJV). Psalm 139;14 says, "I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul."(Voice). Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(KJV). From these three passages, we have learned that we are the workmanship of God, we are each a unique creation of God, and we were made an exact duplicate of God! The word image in the original means, "exact duplicate". WOW! This means you are not "no good", even though your grandmother said so! You are valuable, even though that really good looking person rejected you! You are loved and cared for even though you were an orphan!
That's Good News! That's the good news that will stop us from hurting, killing, and mistreating others! That's the Blessing at work! Dr. Myles Munroe preached about "Loving the Other Image". The sermons are available on YouTube. Fall in love with yourself, and you will be able to love others. There is only one condition...you must love God first in order to love yourself. 1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says “I love God,” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen?"(Living Bible). Jesus said, "This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself."(Living Bible). When we understand our personal value, and love ourselves...we will never SETTLE for less! God created you to be Blessed to be a Blessing!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, October 2, 2016
SEE and SAY...
Happy Sunday!
Nothing on Earth can stop you from having what you are Seeing and what you are Saying! - Dr. Bill Winston
Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(KJV). We were created in the image and likeness of God! We could see by Faith. Faith was like a 6th sense. After the fall, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened. They had been walking by Faith seeing with their spiritual eyes. Now their physical eyes were open and it says, "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."(Genesis 3:7, KJV). We see a similar occurrence in 2 Kings 6:15-23. The servant to the prophet went out and realized they were surrounded by the enemy army. In verse 17, it says, "And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."(KJV). The servant's physical eyes were certainly open! What eyes needed to be open for him to see the Angel Armies? His spiritual eyes, the eyes of Faith, the eyes of his heart had to be open to see that the spiritual world is more real than the physical world.
When we are saved and reconciled to God we return to his original design. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says it like this, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person INSIDE. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!"(Living Bible). That's why it is so important to study the Word of God. It's our User Guide. It helps us get the outside lined up with the inside. This is vitally important when it comes to what we say! Because we are created in the image and likeness of God, our words, like His Words have power! If we are honest, what we see in our lives is the end result of what we have been Seeing and Saying. Seeing in the sense of what you can envision. If you can see yourself healed, and you say the Truth...that is the Word of God...you are healed. Dr. Winston said, "The Word of God has the power to fulfill itself!" The Word says in Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."(Amplified).
When in doubt, speak the Word! When in debt, speak the Word! Dr. Winston said, "Lack of money is not your problem! Lack of knowledge of the Anointing is the problem." Don't Apply logic to Faith! Faith involves God's Ability. Do you remember the Publisher's Clearing House? Perhaps, you are too young to remember, but they sold magazine subscriptions and once every so often, they would arrive at the home of the lucky winner with a super-sized check! The representative was informing the person of their eligibility and their right to thousands of dollars. There were tears of joy, and happy family members gathered at the door. It reminds me of the commercials they used to run after the Super Bowl. They would ask the winning quarterback, "Now that you've won the Super Bowl, what do you plan to do?" If I remember correctly, they were Disney commercials and the player would smile and say, "I'm going to Disney World!" Let me ask you something. Now that you know that everything God promised to Abraham is promised to you, what are you going to do? Galatians 3:29 says, "And now that we are Christ’s we are the true descendants of Abraham, and all of God’s promises to him belong to us."(Living Bible). Do you want to know what I'm going to do? I'm going to get in the Word and find every promise that belongs to me! I'm going to watch the words that are coming out of my mouth! I'm going to renew my mind with the Word! And as the great prophetess once said, "Free your mind, and the rest will follow!" LOL!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Nothing on Earth can stop you from having what you are Seeing and what you are Saying! - Dr. Bill Winston
Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."(KJV). We were created in the image and likeness of God! We could see by Faith. Faith was like a 6th sense. After the fall, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened. They had been walking by Faith seeing with their spiritual eyes. Now their physical eyes were open and it says, "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."(Genesis 3:7, KJV). We see a similar occurrence in 2 Kings 6:15-23. The servant to the prophet went out and realized they were surrounded by the enemy army. In verse 17, it says, "And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."(KJV). The servant's physical eyes were certainly open! What eyes needed to be open for him to see the Angel Armies? His spiritual eyes, the eyes of Faith, the eyes of his heart had to be open to see that the spiritual world is more real than the physical world.
When we are saved and reconciled to God we return to his original design. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says it like this, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person INSIDE. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!"(Living Bible). That's why it is so important to study the Word of God. It's our User Guide. It helps us get the outside lined up with the inside. This is vitally important when it comes to what we say! Because we are created in the image and likeness of God, our words, like His Words have power! If we are honest, what we see in our lives is the end result of what we have been Seeing and Saying. Seeing in the sense of what you can envision. If you can see yourself healed, and you say the Truth...that is the Word of God...you are healed. Dr. Winston said, "The Word of God has the power to fulfill itself!" The Word says in Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."(Amplified).
When in doubt, speak the Word! When in debt, speak the Word! Dr. Winston said, "Lack of money is not your problem! Lack of knowledge of the Anointing is the problem." Don't Apply logic to Faith! Faith involves God's Ability. Do you remember the Publisher's Clearing House? Perhaps, you are too young to remember, but they sold magazine subscriptions and once every so often, they would arrive at the home of the lucky winner with a super-sized check! The representative was informing the person of their eligibility and their right to thousands of dollars. There were tears of joy, and happy family members gathered at the door. It reminds me of the commercials they used to run after the Super Bowl. They would ask the winning quarterback, "Now that you've won the Super Bowl, what do you plan to do?" If I remember correctly, they were Disney commercials and the player would smile and say, "I'm going to Disney World!" Let me ask you something. Now that you know that everything God promised to Abraham is promised to you, what are you going to do? Galatians 3:29 says, "And now that we are Christ’s we are the true descendants of Abraham, and all of God’s promises to him belong to us."(Living Bible). Do you want to know what I'm going to do? I'm going to get in the Word and find every promise that belongs to me! I'm going to watch the words that are coming out of my mouth! I'm going to renew my mind with the Word! And as the great prophetess once said, "Free your mind, and the rest will follow!" LOL!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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