Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston and the Ministry Team were in South Africa today. Dr. Veronica Winston preached, "Undercover Leadership". Exodus 18:1-24 was her reference scripture.
When Moses ran from Pharaoh after killing the Egyptian he went to live in Midian. He Worked for Jethro, the Priest of Midian and eventually married his daughter, Zipporah. When God sent Moses back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites, Zipporah did not go with him. In Exodus 18, Jethroe brought this daughter and grandsons to Moses. Jethro heard about the great things God had done for the Israelites. He watched Moses on a regular work day. He saw that the people had to wait all day just to get an appointment with Moses. "Jethro saw Moses judging the people. He asked, “Why are you doing this? Why are you the only judge? And why do people come to you all day?” Then Moses said to his father-in-law, “The people come to me and ask me to ask for God’s decision for their problem. If people have an argument, they come to me, and I decide which person is right. In this way I teach the people God’s laws and teachings.” But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “This isn’t the right way to do this. It is too much work for you to do alone. You cannot do this job by yourself. It wears you out. And it makes the people tired too. Now, listen to me. Let me give you some advice. And I pray God will be with you. You should continue listening to the problems of the people. And you should continue to speak to God about these things. You should explain God’s laws and teachings to the people. Warn them not to break the laws. Tell them the right way to live and what they should do. But you should also choose some of the people to be judges and leaders."(Easy-to-Read Version).
We are ALL called to lead! No, we are not all called to be pastors, presidents, or Fortune 500 Business owners. But if you are any of these, keep up the good work! Even when you don't think anyone is following you, someone definitely is following you! Children follow the lead of their parents. The old folks used to say, "Do as I say, not as I do!" This is not how it works. Even the Bible says, "The right-living act with integrity; the children who follow their example are happy."(Voice). Co-workers follow the lead of other workers. Dr. Veronica Winston said, "To have influence you don't have to be in charge!" Have you ever notice how a negative co-worker can rub off on you? Watch out! Don't get pulled in to their negativity. Ecclesiastes 10:20 says, "Don’t bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath, And don’t abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home. Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around. Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide."(Message). There are times at work when I just have to say, "No comment!"
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said, "GO ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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."(KJV). We have been commanded to go out and teach the nations about Jesus. Even if you never get to Africa or India, you are responsible to tell others about the Love of God displayed in Jesus. Some of the best sermons are preached without words. You can be a leader by being excellent and living with integrity. God wants to use you to reach others. Dr. Veronica Winston used the example of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of rape by his employer's wife, and thrown in prison. In prison, he could have been sullen, and withdrawn. But he had been given a dream by God. He held on to that vision of a better day. Eventually, the tables turned and he was promoted to the highest authority under the Pharaoh.
Remember you are leading someone! Lead with excellence, lead with integrity, and lead with love.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
IF
Happy Wednesday!
I really enjoy courtroom dramas! I have to admit that I had a crush on Perry Mason! He always saw what others missed. I have noticed many legal examples in the Bible as well. God is the Supreme Judge. Revelation 20:12 says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before GOD; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were JUDGED out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."(KJV). God has shared his legal duties with Jesus. 2 Timothy 4:1 says, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall JUDGE the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;"(KJV). And Jesus has shared some of the responsibility with the us. 1 Corinthians 6:2 says, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"(KJV). Jesus is our advocate or our attorney. The Apostle John encouraged the believers not to sin, but if they did sin he reminded them that they have someone representing them in the court of God. 1 John 2:1 says, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"(KJV).
Where am I going with this? So glad you asked! Many of the promises of God are conditional. The word "IF" is used over 1500 times in the bible. In the dictionary "IF" is defined as, and used to say that something must happen before another thing can happen. We have to read the small print. We frustrate ourselves and breed unbelief, when we don't consider that some of the things we want, desire, and expect, require our obedience.
Let's look at a few scriptures...
1 John 1:9 - "IF we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]."(Amplified)
John 15:7 - "IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."(KJV)
Romans 8:13 - "For IF ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but IF ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."(KJV)
1 Timothy 3:5 - "For IF a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?"(KJV)
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore IF any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(KJV)
Mark 9:23 - "What do you mean, “If there’s anything?” All things are possible, IF you only believe."(Voice)
2 Timothy 2:11-13 - "This is a sure thing: IF we die with him, we’ll live with him; IF we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him; IF we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us; IF we give up on him, he does not give up—for there’s no way he can be false to himself."(Message)
Isaiah 1:19 - "IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:"(KJV)
Malachi 3:10 - "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; IF you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!"(Living Bible)
Deuteronomy 28:1-8 - IF you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you IF you heed the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading trough. Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you."(Amplified)
I could go on and on, but I think you understand. We have a part to play in receiving from the Lord. We can do it! We can obey and keep our part of the bargain. Romans 8:34 says we have an important person pleading our case..."Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven."(Living Bible).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
I really enjoy courtroom dramas! I have to admit that I had a crush on Perry Mason! He always saw what others missed. I have noticed many legal examples in the Bible as well. God is the Supreme Judge. Revelation 20:12 says, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before GOD; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were JUDGED out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."(KJV). God has shared his legal duties with Jesus. 2 Timothy 4:1 says, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall JUDGE the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;"(KJV). And Jesus has shared some of the responsibility with the us. 1 Corinthians 6:2 says, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"(KJV). Jesus is our advocate or our attorney. The Apostle John encouraged the believers not to sin, but if they did sin he reminded them that they have someone representing them in the court of God. 1 John 2:1 says, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"(KJV).
Where am I going with this? So glad you asked! Many of the promises of God are conditional. The word "IF" is used over 1500 times in the bible. In the dictionary "IF" is defined as, and used to say that something must happen before another thing can happen. We have to read the small print. We frustrate ourselves and breed unbelief, when we don't consider that some of the things we want, desire, and expect, require our obedience.
Let's look at a few scriptures...
1 John 1:9 - "IF we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]."(Amplified)
John 15:7 - "IF ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."(KJV)
Romans 8:13 - "For IF ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but IF ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."(KJV)
1 Timothy 3:5 - "For IF a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?"(KJV)
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore IF any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(KJV)
Mark 9:23 - "What do you mean, “If there’s anything?” All things are possible, IF you only believe."(Voice)
2 Timothy 2:11-13 - "This is a sure thing: IF we die with him, we’ll live with him; IF we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him; IF we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us; IF we give up on him, he does not give up—for there’s no way he can be false to himself."(Message)
Isaiah 1:19 - "IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:"(KJV)
Malachi 3:10 - "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; IF you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!"(Living Bible)
Deuteronomy 28:1-8 - IF you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you IF you heed the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading trough. Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out. The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon you in your storehouse and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God gives you."(Amplified)
I could go on and on, but I think you understand. We have a part to play in receiving from the Lord. We can do it! We can obey and keep our part of the bargain. Romans 8:34 says we have an important person pleading our case..."Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven."(Living Bible).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Grow Up
Happy Sunday!
God will not do what he has given us the power and authority to do! It's time for us, the Body of Christ to move forward and take jurisdiction over the earth. How can we do it? Great question! I'm so glad you asked. In order to take our rightful place in the earth, we have to know what we have been given, and know who we really are. Mark Twain wrote the novel entitled, "The Prince and The Pauper". Perhaps, you've read it. The prince and the pauper switch places, and experience life from different vantage points. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"(KJV). We are chosen, we are royalty, we are holy, and we are unusual! But for some reason, we are wandering around in this world like paupers. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "My people are destroyed because they don’t know me"(Living Bible).
Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here."(Message). If we know Jesus, then Jesus will know us when it really matters. Jesus is the Word. When we get to know the Word, we are really getting more of Jesus. The psalmist said, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(KJV).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Believing In The Blessing". God has reserved the inheritance for us. He wants us to have everything that Jesus paid for us to have. In order for us to receive the inheritance, we must believe the Blessing exists. When we believe the Blessing exists, we must mature. Galatians 4:1 says, "But remember this, that if a father dies and leaves great wealth for his little son, that CHILD is not much better off than a slave until he grows up, even though he actually owns everything his father had."(Living Bible). Childishness will prevent us from receiving our inheritance. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."(KJV). Did you see that? The Word says the Word of God will make us perfect! I know what you are thinking. Nobody is perfect! WRONG! There is no one that is Flawless, but over and over again the Bible tells us to be perfect! God would never tell you to be something that you couldn't be. The issue is the word perfect has been understood incorrectly. Perfect means mature! God wants us to grow up! Just in case you think I'm confused, here are a few examples from the Word...
Matthew 5:48 - "Be ye therefore PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
2 Corinthians 13:11 - "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be PERFECT, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
Ephesians 4:11-12 - "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the PERFECTING of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
As we mature in Christ, we will understand what belongs to us. When we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that healing, prosperity, and peace are our inheritance, we will confidently receive them. We will humble ourselves to God, boldly resist the enemy, and he will flee! (James 4:7)
Growing up, love and prayers, Cynthia
God will not do what he has given us the power and authority to do! It's time for us, the Body of Christ to move forward and take jurisdiction over the earth. How can we do it? Great question! I'm so glad you asked. In order to take our rightful place in the earth, we have to know what we have been given, and know who we really are. Mark Twain wrote the novel entitled, "The Prince and The Pauper". Perhaps, you've read it. The prince and the pauper switch places, and experience life from different vantage points. 1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"(KJV). We are chosen, we are royalty, we are holy, and we are unusual! But for some reason, we are wandering around in this world like paupers. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "My people are destroyed because they don’t know me"(Living Bible).
Jesus said, “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here."(Message). If we know Jesus, then Jesus will know us when it really matters. Jesus is the Word. When we get to know the Word, we are really getting more of Jesus. The psalmist said, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(KJV).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Believing In The Blessing". God has reserved the inheritance for us. He wants us to have everything that Jesus paid for us to have. In order for us to receive the inheritance, we must believe the Blessing exists. When we believe the Blessing exists, we must mature. Galatians 4:1 says, "But remember this, that if a father dies and leaves great wealth for his little son, that CHILD is not much better off than a slave until he grows up, even though he actually owns everything his father had."(Living Bible). Childishness will prevent us from receiving our inheritance. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."(KJV). Did you see that? The Word says the Word of God will make us perfect! I know what you are thinking. Nobody is perfect! WRONG! There is no one that is Flawless, but over and over again the Bible tells us to be perfect! God would never tell you to be something that you couldn't be. The issue is the word perfect has been understood incorrectly. Perfect means mature! God wants us to grow up! Just in case you think I'm confused, here are a few examples from the Word...
Matthew 5:48 - "Be ye therefore PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
2 Corinthians 13:11 - "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be PERFECT, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
Ephesians 4:11-12 - "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the PERFECTING of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
As we mature in Christ, we will understand what belongs to us. When we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that healing, prosperity, and peace are our inheritance, we will confidently receive them. We will humble ourselves to God, boldly resist the enemy, and he will flee! (James 4:7)
Growing up, love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 14, 2016
True Love
Happy Sunday!
Since today is a day that is focused on Love, I would just like to encourage you about how much you are loved!
John 3:16 says, "For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life."(Voice). Did you get that? Love is expressed. I once had a bracelet that said, "The love in your heart wasn't put there to stay. Love isn't love until you give it away." Love is a verb, an action word. Don't tell me that you love me, and then leave me guessing because of the way you treat me. God demonstrated his love. Romans 5:6-7 says, "Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him."(Message).
There are scriptures that say, God did things before the foundation of the world. He is never caught off guard! He knows what you will need, long before you need it! When Abraham called God, Jehovah Jireh, he was saying God is the God that sees and provides even before there is a need. In Mark 4:35, Jesus boarded a ship headed for the other side of the lake. We know the story very well. A storm arose. The disciples were fearful and accused Jesus of not caring about them, not loving them enough to save them. Jesus rebuked the wind, and commanded the water to be peaceful. Did you know that Jesus was on a mission? He wasn't just crossing the lake because he loved to sail on moonlit evenings! His entire life was focused on doing what his Father told him to do. In John 5:30, he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."(KJV). Jesus was sent by God across the lake. What was he going to the other side to do? So glad you asked! In Genesis 49 Jacob called his son's together to bless them before he died. In verse 19, he blessed his son Gad, "Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last."(KJV). When Jesus got to the other side of the lake, the Bible says, he landed in the country of the Gadarenes. The Gadarenes were the descendants of Gad. Immediately, one person in particular ran out to meet Jesus.
Mark 5:1-9 says, "Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”(KJV). Jesus crossed the lake to fulfill a prophecy, a blessing spoken by God through Jacob hundreds of years earlier. A legion is 2000 soldiers or more. This man was overcome by a "troop" of demons, but Jesus came to rescue him. You know the rest of the story, and if you don't, read it for yourself. Jesus cast the demons out. Later that day, the man was clothed, and in his right mind. The man wanted to follow Jesus. Mark 5:19-20 says, "However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled."(KJV).
God loved this man so much that he instructed Jesus to make a special trip to his home town. He loved Jacob enough that after hundreds of years, he made sure the prophecy was fulfilled. God loves you as well! He has great plans for your life! He has an inheritance and a Blessing that can change your life! His Blessing empowers you to succeed. With His Blessing there is nothing you will ever face that you cannot overcome! The demon possessed man was delivered and went out preaching in the ten cities in the region. No doubt the stories about his past were well known. The people had a living, breathing example of what the power of God could do in the life of a believer. That's what God wants to do in your life! He wants the world to know that NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE! He loves you with an everlasting love. Whether you have a valentine or not, nothing can compare to the love God has demonstrated to you. Believe it. Receive it.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Wounded Soul
Happy Sunday!
Have you ever heard this scripture? "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand."(Mark 3:25 NASB). Sure, you have! Businesses even use this biblical principle in team building. But have you ever associated this scripture with the following scripture? "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself."(1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT). Our physical body is a house for our spirit and the Holy Spirit. We are tripartite beings. We are spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a physical body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."(KJV). OK, I know what you are thinking. Where are you going with this? So glad you asked.
For years now, I have been examining my life in the light of the Word of God. The Word says in 3 John 2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."(KJV). Then I look at my life and see areas that are not prospering. I want to know what's wrong. I want to know what's missing. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life."(ERV). The word "thoughts" in this translation is "heart" in other translations. In this context it is speaking of the soul. So my soul which is made up of my mind, my will, and my emotions can control my life. If my soul doesn't prosper, then my life will not prosper. I don't know about you, but I don't believe I was born to just struggle, and die. I want everything that God prepared, and Jesus paid for me to have.
What can keep my soul from prospering? Great question! One of the biggest things that can keep our soul from prospering is unforgiveness! Mark 11:26 says, "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."(KJV). I know what you are thinking. Cynthia, you don't know what they did to me! You don't know how they treated me! You don't know how bad they hurt me! You are right! I don't know everything that happened. But I know based on the Word, a wounded soul can hinder your prosperity. Proverbs 18:14 says, "The human spirit can endure a long illness, but who can survive a crushed spirit?"(Voice). Unforgiveness is SIN, and sin can cause your soul to be wounded. Forgiving is so important, Jesus said, "“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar and go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come and offer your sacrifice to God."(Living Bible). We all love Mark 11:24, but have you ever read the next scripture? Mark 11:24 and 25 say, "Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it’s yours! BUT when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too."(Living Bible). Did you see that? Blessings and forgiveness go hand in hand!
Alright, so you say you have forgiven everyone that hurt you! So why do you feel "some type of way" when you see them or hear their name? Could it be a wounded soul? God can heal you and fix that! Psalm 23:3 says, "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."(KJV). You know I enjoy renovation shows. The word restore means to bring back, or return to it's original condition. Why would the psalmist need his soul restored? He later speaks of enemies, undoubtedly his soul had been wounded and it needed to be restored.
Don't let the devil trick you out of the Blessing! Examine yourself. Repent for any unforgiveness. Apologize, and reconcile. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 says, "The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you."(Message).
Love, prayers, and forgiveness...Cynthia
Have you ever heard this scripture? "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand."(Mark 3:25 NASB). Sure, you have! Businesses even use this biblical principle in team building. But have you ever associated this scripture with the following scripture? "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself."(1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT). Our physical body is a house for our spirit and the Holy Spirit. We are tripartite beings. We are spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a physical body. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."(KJV). OK, I know what you are thinking. Where are you going with this? So glad you asked.
For years now, I have been examining my life in the light of the Word of God. The Word says in 3 John 2, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."(KJV). Then I look at my life and see areas that are not prospering. I want to know what's wrong. I want to know what's missing. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life."(ERV). The word "thoughts" in this translation is "heart" in other translations. In this context it is speaking of the soul. So my soul which is made up of my mind, my will, and my emotions can control my life. If my soul doesn't prosper, then my life will not prosper. I don't know about you, but I don't believe I was born to just struggle, and die. I want everything that God prepared, and Jesus paid for me to have.
What can keep my soul from prospering? Great question! One of the biggest things that can keep our soul from prospering is unforgiveness! Mark 11:26 says, "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."(KJV). I know what you are thinking. Cynthia, you don't know what they did to me! You don't know how they treated me! You don't know how bad they hurt me! You are right! I don't know everything that happened. But I know based on the Word, a wounded soul can hinder your prosperity. Proverbs 18:14 says, "The human spirit can endure a long illness, but who can survive a crushed spirit?"(Voice). Unforgiveness is SIN, and sin can cause your soul to be wounded. Forgiving is so important, Jesus said, "“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar and go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come and offer your sacrifice to God."(Living Bible). We all love Mark 11:24, but have you ever read the next scripture? Mark 11:24 and 25 say, "Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it’s yours! BUT when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too."(Living Bible). Did you see that? Blessings and forgiveness go hand in hand!
Alright, so you say you have forgiven everyone that hurt you! So why do you feel "some type of way" when you see them or hear their name? Could it be a wounded soul? God can heal you and fix that! Psalm 23:3 says, "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."(KJV). You know I enjoy renovation shows. The word restore means to bring back, or return to it's original condition. Why would the psalmist need his soul restored? He later speaks of enemies, undoubtedly his soul had been wounded and it needed to be restored.
Don't let the devil trick you out of the Blessing! Examine yourself. Repent for any unforgiveness. Apologize, and reconcile. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 says, "The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you."(Message).
Love, prayers, and forgiveness...Cynthia
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Has God Offended You?
Has God Offended You? - by Barry Bennett
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. (Luke 7:21)
As we preach and teach the wonderful truths of God’s grace and love, there are those whose current circumstances do not reflect the message that is being shared. For some, the blessings of the gospel seem far away and out of reach. As they compare their lives to the truths being taught frustration and bitterness can take root. “If God loves me, why won’t He….fill in the blank.”
The disciples experienced such a moment on their journey with Jesus across a lake. Where could there be a safer place on the face of the earth than sitting in a boat with Jesus? And yet, the storm threatened the boat and their very lives while Jesus slept. “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38) Though this took place over the course of minutes, it can be reflective of the lives of some believers. “God, don’t you care that I’m sick?” “Don’t you care that I can’t pay my bills?” “Don’t you care that my marriage is falling apart?”
This kind of thinking reflects a serious misunderstanding. Because of wrong thinking, the believer becomes offended at God. “If you are love, you shouldn’t let this happen.” That offense turns to complaining, a critical spirit, cynicism and finally, unbelief.
Wrong thinking leads to wrong believing. Jesus made this clear when after having rebuked the wind and the waves, said: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” The problem was in the hearts of the disciples, not in the character of God.
Paul and Silas found themselves in prison for preaching the gospel. They could have been bitter, blaming each other for this indignity and suffering. They could have been complaining. They could have been offended at God for permitting their arrest. They could have said, “God, don’t you care that we are perishing?” But what they did was praise Him. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.” Rather than be offended, they chose to praise in the midst of the storm. Their faith rose above their feelings. “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.” Praise God! Their attitude of faith and praise released God’s provision.
If God delivered you instantly from whatever thing you are suffering right now, would you then sing His praises? Would offense and cynicism turn to thanksgiving? Well, what if you tried praise and thanksgiving in the midst of the storm? Rather than being offended, exercise your faith! God is not the problem. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. God has given you the authority and the grace to change your circumstances. Even if you are in ‘prison,’ choose to praise Him. Praise will release the power of God. Offense never will.
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. (1 John 3:21).
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