Born This Way

Born This Way by Barry Bennett

Sometimes a cultural catch phrase can be more accurate and more profound than was intended by the originator of the phrase. Certain lifestyles have been excused, tolerated and ultimately embraced under the pseudo scientific/philosophical declaration, ‘I was born this way.’ This is meant to disarm the critic and excuse the behavior of the one who seeks to defend his or her lifestyle.

To the shallow and uninformed, this phrase is sufficient to satisfy the conscience and pave the way for being ‘tolerant’ of whatever behavior is being discussed. Of course, even society will draw the line at certain types of behavior and not excuse the ‘born this way’ defense. That line keeps moving and as we speed toward the end of this age, it will probably disappear completely.

Right now the popular cause to support is the fight against sex trafficking. If the traffickers were to declare that they were ‘born this way,’ and thus their behavior is excusable, most would laugh. If the polygamist were to declare that he was ‘born’ to have multiple wives, some would laugh, but that line is moving. Within ten years polygamy will probably be legal. The definition of marriage has been changed for some and so it will eventually be changed for all.

Pedophiles could also declare they were born to desire sex with children. They can’t help it. It is like being born right handed or left handed. Society is encouraged to understand and be tolerant. The list could go on and on. Everyone wants to feel good about their behavior. Guilt is not politically correct. Even our modern grace movement is on a crusade against guilt which many are misinterpreting in order to indulge the flesh.

What is the truth behind the ‘born this way’ philosophy? It actually couldn’t be more accurate. All humanity is born spiritually separated from the life and nature of God. Apart from God, man has no true knowledge of himself, his Creator or his purpose on this earth. Apart from God, man has no true identity. We come into this world with no idea who we are, so we seek to create an identity or one is created for us through the molding of society, relationships, innate fears, the media and our life experiences.

The truth is, we were all ‘born this way.’ We all come into this world craving our true identity and not knowing that identity can only be found in Jesus. In order to navigate through life in a fallen world, we adopt an identity which satisfies on a carnal level our need for acceptance and purpose. Here is how Paul describes it:

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Eph. 4:17-19)

The ‘rest of the Gentiles’ can really refer to all of humanity. The problem begins with the blindness of the heart which produces futility in the mind. The result is to give ourselves to lewdness and unclean living. And then, because of guilt and a deep dissatisfaction with life, we declare, ‘I was born this way.’ Yes, we were!

That is why Jesus said, ‘you must be BORN AGAIN!’ (John 3:7)

Whatever lifestyle, behavior and purpose some have embraced is simply a manifestation of being separated from the life and knowledge of God. It is a fake identity. It can never satisfy them. Those who so aggressively demand that you accept them just the way they are, are really demonstrating that their own conscience gives them no peace. The only solution is to force others to accept them and even embrace them. Perhaps then they can find peace. But society’s embrace will never produce peace.

Rather than adjusting to a life of darkness, blindness and corruption, Jesus came that we might have true life. We can be born into a new reality with a new identity and a true purpose. His nature can transform our hearts, renew our minds and free us from the identity theft that we have accepted. The lost are crying to know this life. The counterfeit they have accepted makes them aggressive, belligerent and even hateful, but God’s love is greater than man’s darkness. They were born that way, but they can be born again.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Debts Cancelled

Happy Sunday!

WOW!  What a week! It's been full and eventful.  I pray that you enjoyed your week and pray that everything is well in your "neck of the woods"!  One consistent thread this week has been that the Word of God is truth.  Just like it says in Isaiah 55:11, the Word never misses it's intended target..."So it is when I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, But it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined."(Voice).  

This week I had the pleasure of attending the Living Victory Chicago conference with Brother Kenneth Copeland.  It was awesome.  If you know me, you know I'm a cry baby.  Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy.  I love the Word of God and enjoy hearing good, relevant, and encouraging messages. It was also a great blessing to be able to enjoy it with my daughter, Crystal.  I found myself crying and thanking God for the amazing things he's doing in my life!  He's so gracious. Even though my enemies want to see me fail, with God on my side, I always win!  I was reminded of the scriptures, Mark 10:29-30.  Jesus has just told the disciples something very shocking.  A rich, religious young man came to Jesus asking what he must do to gain life in the world to come.  He claimed to have kept all the commandments from his youth, and maybe he had.  But Jesus told him that he left off one thing.  He told the young man to sell everything he had and give it to the poor.  Verse 22 of this chapter says, "The young man went away sick at heart at these words because he was very wealthy."(Voice).  The reason the disciples were shocked at this interaction is because they were also wealthy! Read it for yourself.  Read it in your own bible.  Peter owned his own fishing business.  Jesus sat on one of Peter's ships to preach.  Get that picture of a man with a little fishing pole out of your head!  This is fishing on the scale of "The Biggest Catch"! The disciples were flabbergasted and wondered, "Who then can be saved?"(verse 26).  In verses 29 and 30, Jesus let's them know that anyone that gives up anything for the kingdom will receive more in this life, and in the life to come.  He also mentions that these blessings come with PERSECUTION.  Yes, as the old folks say..."If you don't run head first into the devil, you're going in the same direction he is!"  There's no reason to fear!  Jesus overcame for us, and he empowers us to make it through persecution unscathed. 

Brother Kenneth Copeland reminded us that nothing just happens.  There are really no coincidences in this life.  God orchestrates everything.  Jeremiah 29:11 says it, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that."(Voice).  God has a plan.  Even when we deviate from the plan, he has a plan.  Joseph's brothers thought they had a great idea to get rid of their dreaming younger brother.  But really they guaranteed their future prosperity.  In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said, "It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Then today, Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Revelation of the Blessing".  There are three ways God uses to give you supernatural debt cancellation.  He uses Miracles, Wisdom, and Overflow.  In 2 Kings 6:1-6, a young man helping with the building project, dropped a borrowed ax head in the river.  He screamed to the prophet Elisha.  The prophet cut a stick and threw the stick into the water. The stick made the iron ax head float. That's a Miracle!  In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow came to the prophet.  Her husband and provider was dead, and the creditors were coming to enslave her sons.  The prophet gave her wisdom about how to use something she already possessed to eradicate her debt.  That's Wisdom! In Philippians 4:15-19, the Apostle Paul thanks and encourages the believers that contributed to his ministry.  The Message translations says  this in verse 17, "I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.".   The King James Version  says, "but I desire fruit that may abound to your account".  That's Overflow!  God will bless you with extra: bonuses, unexpected gifts, and returns that have been fraudulently held up by the enemy.  You can use the overflow to pay down your debt!  That is not extra money to buy shoes!  You can buy more shoes after the debts are paid.  Proverbs 22:7 says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."(KJV).  There is nothing wrong with borrowing and lending, but God wants you on the lending side of the equation.  Deuteronomy 28:12(b) says, "and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow."(KJV).

Why is debt cancellation important?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked.  This world as we know it is heading for a dramatic conclusion.  Jesus said, "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).  We are responsible to get the Good News about Jesus to the world.  No, you may not be called to Africa or India as a missionary.  But you are responsible to help get the Word out.  It's much easier to give when you are out of debt! When you partner with your local church, and other ministries you are eligible for the reward and the return on the souls affected.  Proverbs 11:30(b) says, "he that winneth souls is wise."(KJV).  Proverbs 19:17 says, "Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Moving Forward

Happy Sunday!

Today would have been my mother's 71st Birthday.  Of course, it is still her birthday but she is not here in the earth realm to share it, and enjoy it with us.  She made sure we experienced music in every area of our lives.  Saturdays were cleaning days, and cleaning days included music.  One song that I was reminded of recently is entitled, "I Got To Go On Without You".  If you Google it, there are several renditions.  The one my mother liked was performed by Shirley Brown.  The song tells the story of a person who finally realizes their relationship is not working, and a change has got to come.  In another sense, many of our loved ones have had to go on without us.  The Apostle Paul wrote about the dilemma, "If I continue living here on earth, I will be able to work for the Lord. But what would I choose—to live or to die? I don’t know.  It would be a hard choice. Sometimes I want to leave this life and be with Christ. That would be much better for me; however, you people need me here alive. I am sure of this, so I know that I will stay here and be with you to help you grow and have joy in your faith."(Philippians 1:22-25, Easy-to-Read Version).  He unselfishly thought of his children in ministry and determined there was still more work to be done.

Someone is following you.  What legacy are you leaving?  If you had to go on without them today, how would they respond?  Would they have fond memories of music, fellowship, and worship?  Or would they be happy you were gone because of the lies, inconsistencies, and abuse?  Galatians 6:7 warns us, "Make no mistake: God can’t be mocked. What you give is what you get. What you sow, you harvest."(Voice).  Surprisingly, people often seem to be amazed when they and others reap exactly what they have sown.  The old folks used to say, "The apple don't fall far from the tree!"  This was just another way of saying our children will follow our example.  The harvest however, is always greater than the seed.  If we lie about being home when a bill collector calls, the harvest could be that the child lies about a felony offense.  If we hate our neighbor for throwing trash in our yard, the harvest could be that the child hates a whole race of people and seeks to destroy them.  If we speak disrespectfully of a pastor, policeman, or someone in authority, the harvest could be that the child disrespects authority and loses their life because of it.  Where am I going with this?  So happy you asked.  Make the most of the time you have on earth!  Realize that if Jesus delays his coming, we may have to go on without some people too!  How are you preparing them?  Are you setting them up for success or failure?

Jesus had three years to prepare his disciples for world changing ministry. He spent time teaching them, and showing them how to live by example. He sowed seeds of faith, and love, and reaped an enormous harvest of souls.  After spending quality time with Jesus, this is how the people described the Apostles, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,"(Acts 17:6, Amplified).  Won't it be nice to one day meet people in heaven and find that your life was a blessing to them?  Can you imagine hearing the stories of how you kindness changed lives?  Or will your legacy be one of selfishness, self-seeking, and self-serving? Jesus said, "What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?"(Matthew 16:26, Message).

In another light, I plan to go on without a few other things.  I plan to go on without unbelief!  If God said it, I will stake my life on it!  I plan to go on without envy and strife, the Word says its most deadly!  James 3:16 says, "Any place where you find jealousy and selfish ambition, you will discover chaos and evil thriving under its rule."(Voice).  I also plan to go on without regret.  I have repented, I have been forgiven, and I'm moving forward with wisdom.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Time Sensitive

Happy Sunday!

Time Sensitive.  The Word of God is time sensitive.  If you ever search your Bible App or Google for the word "now" you will be amazed at the number of scriptures that advise us and encourage us to do things now!  Hebrews 3:15 says, "But NOW is the time. Never forget the warning, “Today if you hear God’s voice speaking to you, do not harden your hearts against him, as the people of Israel did when they rebelled against him in the desert.”(Living Bible).  Even our ancestors encouraged us to "not put off for tomorrow what you can do today".   They harvested their fruits and vegetables and immediately did the work to preserve them for later use. The recycling and conservation groups would have you think that caring about the earth is something new, but our ancestors never wasted anything.  They even found a use for the scraps. What do you think chitterlings are?  LOL! It's proof that they used that pig, from the rooter to the tooter.  I remember shelling or hulling peas and butter beans with my grandmother in Macon, Mississippi.  The regular pea hulls could be given to the pigs, but the butter bean hulls would be poured in the road to disintegrate.

God is not wasteful!  When he gives us something he expects us to use it.  It's the enemy the coerces us to procrastinate.  He already knows that there are times and seasons.  He even knows that his time is running short.  Revelation 12:12(b) says, "for the devil has come down to your spheres, and he is incredibly angry because he knows his time is nearly over."(Voice).  Jesus stressed the urgency in a parable in Luke 12.  The rich man was having a conversation with himself.  Selfishly he plotted on how to build bigger barns and store up more treasure for himself.  But in verses 20 and 21,  it says, "Then God interrupted the man’s conversation with himself. “Excuse Me, Mr. Brilliant, but your time has come. Tonight you will die. Now who will enjoy everything you’ve earned and saved?”  This is how it will be for people who accumulate huge assets for themselves but have no assets in relation to God."(Voice).  In the King James Version, it calls this man a fool!  That's pretty harsh considering Jesus commanded us to never call anyone a fool.  Matthew 5:22 says, "But here is the even harder truth: anyone who is angry with his brother will be judged for his anger. Anyone who taunts his friend, speaks contemptuously toward him, or calls him “Loser” or “Fool” or “Scum,” will have to answer to the high court. And anyone who calls his brother a fool may find himself in the fires of hell."(Voice).  That's strong, but think about it from God's viewpoint...every human was created in the image and likeness of God.  So everyone, even the ones that get on your last nerve, have purpose and destiny.  Of course, some people will never live out their God given destiny, but it's not our place to judge their relevance or capabilities.  To call them a fool is to pronounce a curse on them and that is not allowed.  Now don't go too far to the left or right on this.  The Bible provides numerous examples of what fools do.  You have to be able to recognize foolishness in order to avoid it.  Psalm 14:1 says, "That man is a fool who says to himself, “There is no God!” Anyone who talks like that is warped and evil and cannot really be a good person at all."(Living Bible).

Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance", with the subtitle "Commanding the Blessing".  He encouraged us to recognize the facts, but believe the truth.  The fact may be that you have no money in your wallet, but the truth is God supplies all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:19).  The fact may be that you have been diagnosed with a life threatening disease, but the truth is you have already been healed by Jesus' stripes.(1 Peter 2:24).  The fact may be that you feel lonely and alone, but the truth is God will never leave you or forsake you, and he puts solitary people in families.(Hebrew 13:5, Psalm 68:6).

Pablo Picasso said, "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone".   It's time to get what belongs to us!  We have suffered long enough without it.
Galatians 3:13-14 describes it like this, "the Anointed One, the Liberating King, has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It was stated in the Scriptures, “Everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed by God.” This is what God had in mind all along: the BLESSING He gave to Abraham might extend to all nations through the Anointed One, Jesus; and WE are the beneficiaries of this promise of the Spirit that comes only through faith."(Voice).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Undisputed Champion

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston continued the series,  "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Commanding the Blessing".   John 8:32 says, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."(KJV).  Did you get that?  The truth you know will MAKE you free.  Many people quote this scripture incorrectly.  They say the truth will set you free.  But if the truth can set you free it gives the impression that you could go back into captivity at some point.  Think about it this way.  If I were a slave in the early days of the United States, a radical abolitionist could set me free.  He could help me escape or take me to another state where slavery was illegal.  But if my master gave me my freedom or made me free with the necessary documents, I would be free indeed!  The Word of God is Truth.  Jesus even prayed that his followers would be changed by the truth.  John 17:17 says, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."(KJV).

Joshua 5:6 says, "For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey."(KJV).  God swore two things in this scripture.  He swore that the unbelievers would not see the promised land, and he swore that  the next generation would possess the land,  Psalm 90:9-10 speaks about the group that would not go in to the Promised Land. It says, "For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."(KJV).  The lifespan of the unbelievers was 80 years.  It's simple math.  They were in the wilderness 40 years, they refused to go in and take the land.  Ten of the spies preached an "evil report" about taking the land.  All the people were doomed to wander 40 more years until the people that believed the evil report all died off!  Numbers 14:36-38 says it this way, "Then the ten spies who had incited the rebellion against Jehovah by striking fear into the hearts of the people were struck dead before the Lord. Of all the spies, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive."(Living Bible).  It is a matter of life and death who you listen to!  Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV).  Jesus warned, "Think carefully about what you are hearing. God will know how much to give you by how much you understand now. But he will give you more than you deserve."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Thank God we are not unbelievers!  We believe the Word of Truth!  The Word we know is making us more and more free everyday!  We are learning, we are growing, we are changing with every scripture lesson.  God has Blessed us!  We are Champions!  Dr. Winston used the example of a boxer fighting several rounds.  At the end, if there is no knock out the judges have to decide the winner.  This is not God's way.  He wants you to be the "Undisputed Champion".  He wants you to dominate in your area of expertise!  He doesn't want anyone to wonder if you won fair and square.  He wants the world to know you won because God blessed you, not because you knew someone at City Hall.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. KEEP your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. STUDY how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"(Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia