Happy Sunday!
Genesis 8:22 says, "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."(KJV). This scripture follows God's declaration to Noah that the earth would never be exposed to this same type of judgement that occurred during the Great Flood. Seedtime and harvest is God's way of getting resources to mankind. Think about it this way, when Adam sinned he relinquished his dominion and control to Satan, then Satan became the "god of this world". 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(KJV). As the god of this world, Satan had every legal right to starve man to death. Our bodies are like our personal space suits. We can't live on the earth without them, and without a human body we have no rights or authority in the earth. Technically, if the enemy could motivate and entice man to kill each other then he could rule the earth unopposed. BUT he will NEVER rule unopposed because the Church of Jesus Christ is alive and well!
Why do you think the enemy fights giving? Numerous scriptures promise that when you give it will be given back to you! But if we are honest we get a tight feeling in our hearts when God encourages us to give. Critics can always find a story to try to prove that giving didn't work for a certain person. Or they can find a story of an unscrupulous pastor or minister that misused or misappropriated funds in an effort to dispute what God has promised. Where do you draw the line? Either you trust God and His Word, or you don't trust God and His Word! There is no middle ground! Revelation 3:16 warns, "But you are only warm—not hot, not cold. So I am ready to spit you out of my mouth."(Easy-to-Read Version). One version of this scripture, describes this spitting as vomit! OUCH! I don't want God to gag because of me, I don't want my life to be so unappealing, or distasteful that it causes Him to vomit!
Luke Chapter 5 is a familiar passage! We come back to it often because it is full of wonderful insight that we need for this life! People were crowding in to hear Jesus teach by the Lake of Gennesaret. Jesus "saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets."(vs 2, KJV). He got into one of the ships that belonged to Simon Peter. He didn't commandeer it like the military, but he ASKED if he could use it! Peter agreed, and at Jesus' request moved the ship out a bit on the water. This gave Jesus a perfect spot from which to continue ministering to the people! The use of the boat was a Seed. Peter sowed the seed into the ministry of Jesus! The Word of God many years before this event promised that seedtime and harvest would remain as long as the earth remained! After Jesus finished teaching, he instructed Simon Peter to launch out into deeper water and let down his nets for a great catch! The King James Version uses the word "draught" meaning "the act of pulling a heavy load".
Simon Peter was a businessman. He wasn't new to fishing, this was his livelihood! He protested. He said, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."(vs 5, KJV). You know what happened, don't you? Simon got his harvest immediately! So much harvest that the boats began to sink! Luke 5:6-7 in the Message Translation describe it wonderfully! It says, "It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch."(Luke 5:6-7, Message). God wants to get IT to you! Whatever your IT may be! Give God permission to use your life and your stuff in any way that he decides. Don't hold on to a seed or eat it and miss out on a great harvest opportunity.
Before I let you go, remember that with sowing and reaping in the natural there are seasons. I can't normally plant a vegetable seed today and dig up the produce tomorrow. One minister said it like this, there is seed...time...then harvest. Don't be tempted to give up if your harvest doesn't come in tomorrow! Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 says, "Do good wherever you go. After a while, the good you do will come back to you. Invest what you have in several different things. You don’t know what bad things might happen on earth."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Are You Offended At God?
Happy Sunday!
My Sister Emelia and I had the awesome privilege of meeting our biological brothers this weekend! What a wonderful experience! At a later date, I will write about my feelings and how God takes the things meant to destroy us and uses them to build us up even stronger. Today, I'd like to share an excerpt from Barry Bennett. It's important to study the Word of God. It's important to know it for yourself. It's important to understand that God is Good. Evil is not his mode of operation. He's not killing people, he's not putting sickness on you to teach you a lesson, and he get's no pleasure seeing you in poverty! Psalm 35:27 says, "Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."(KJV). Did you see that? Read it again! God is happy when you prosper! Getting to know God personally will help you see him in the True Light!
Are You Offended At God?
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).
By Barry Bennett
Love and prayers, Cynthia
My Sister Emelia and I had the awesome privilege of meeting our biological brothers this weekend! What a wonderful experience! At a later date, I will write about my feelings and how God takes the things meant to destroy us and uses them to build us up even stronger. Today, I'd like to share an excerpt from Barry Bennett. It's important to study the Word of God. It's important to know it for yourself. It's important to understand that God is Good. Evil is not his mode of operation. He's not killing people, he's not putting sickness on you to teach you a lesson, and he get's no pleasure seeing you in poverty! Psalm 35:27 says, "Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."(KJV). Did you see that? Read it again! God is happy when you prosper! Getting to know God personally will help you see him in the True Light!
Are You Offended At God?
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).
By Barry Bennett
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Go to Hell?
Happy Sunday!
Did you know that God does not send anyone to Hell? Really, it's true! People go to Hell because they refuse to accept Jesus as the Only way to God! I know, I know...your are thinking...what does that have to do with me? Great question! Everywhere we go these days, people are stressed! It's showing in their faces, their voices, and in their actions! Even us Christians who have been given "joy unspeakable, and full of glory" are running around like chickens with their heads cut off!(1 Peter 1:8). So what does going to Hell have to do with this? People go to Hell because they want to do things their own way, and people live in hell on earth for the same reason! Bishop Henry Phillips, Pastor of Power of Change Christian Center in Cahokia, Illinois always said, "For some people this is the only hell they will ever know. For others this is the only heaven they will ever know!" WOW! Why do people live through hell, then die and go to Hell? Romans 10:3 describes it like this, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."(KJV). Another translation says, "For they don’t understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God’s favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God’s way of salvation."(Living Bible). One more translation says, "After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it."(Message). OUCH! I'd hate to live this life, then die and enter eternity with nothing to show for it! Don't be that person!
It's REAL out here people! This is the time to "make full proof of thy ministry".(2 Timothy 4:5, KJV). As Louis Jordan sang, "Is you is, or is you ain't My Baby?" We have to decide in our hearts what we really believe. No more straddling the fence! Is Jesus your healer? OK, then if the government takes all the tests strips and buries them in the sand, you are still going to live, and thrive diabetes free!(2 Peter 2:24). Is Jesus your provider? OK, and if he has to command ravens to bring you food or money, you will always have more than enough and some to share.(2 Corinthians 9:8). Is Jesus your protector? OK, then you never have to worry about wars with Russia, Iran, Iraq, or the KKK!(Psalm 91). I know what you're thinking! Cynthia, you make it sound so simple! It is simple! So simple that many people can't accept it. 1 Corinthians 1:8 says, "For people who are stumbling toward ruin, the message of the cross is nothing but a tall tale for fools by a fool. But for those of us who are already experiencing the reality of being rescued and made right, it is nothing short of God’s power."(Voice). The Word is truth!
The Apostle Paul was not a lazy man. He wrote to the Thessalonians, "Anyone not willing to work shouldn’t get to eat!”(2 Thessalonians 3:10, Voice). He was never suggesting you put your head in the sand and ignore the world around you. What he was encouraging us to do is to see the world in the light of the Word! If the Word says, it's wrong...It's wrong! No debate, no room for your thoughts, opinions, or Facebook posts! If the Word says do something, do it! No hesitation! Remember Modecai told Esther..."If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.”(Esther 4:14, Message). Did you see that? HELP and DELIVERANCE will come...will you stand for the WORD? Will you allow God to use you? The Apostle Paul knew about hard times, bad treatment, and sadness. Read his testimony for yourself sometime. It's in 2 Corinthians 11:21-27. BUT after all he had been through he wrote, "Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."(Philippians 4:8-9, Message).
Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."(KJV). The Living Bible translation of this same scripture says, "He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn OFTEN to the Lord!"
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Did you know that God does not send anyone to Hell? Really, it's true! People go to Hell because they refuse to accept Jesus as the Only way to God! I know, I know...your are thinking...what does that have to do with me? Great question! Everywhere we go these days, people are stressed! It's showing in their faces, their voices, and in their actions! Even us Christians who have been given "joy unspeakable, and full of glory" are running around like chickens with their heads cut off!(1 Peter 1:8). So what does going to Hell have to do with this? People go to Hell because they want to do things their own way, and people live in hell on earth for the same reason! Bishop Henry Phillips, Pastor of Power of Change Christian Center in Cahokia, Illinois always said, "For some people this is the only hell they will ever know. For others this is the only heaven they will ever know!" WOW! Why do people live through hell, then die and go to Hell? Romans 10:3 describes it like this, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."(KJV). Another translation says, "For they don’t understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God’s favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God’s way of salvation."(Living Bible). One more translation says, "After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it."(Message). OUCH! I'd hate to live this life, then die and enter eternity with nothing to show for it! Don't be that person!
It's REAL out here people! This is the time to "make full proof of thy ministry".(2 Timothy 4:5, KJV). As Louis Jordan sang, "Is you is, or is you ain't My Baby?" We have to decide in our hearts what we really believe. No more straddling the fence! Is Jesus your healer? OK, then if the government takes all the tests strips and buries them in the sand, you are still going to live, and thrive diabetes free!(2 Peter 2:24). Is Jesus your provider? OK, and if he has to command ravens to bring you food or money, you will always have more than enough and some to share.(2 Corinthians 9:8). Is Jesus your protector? OK, then you never have to worry about wars with Russia, Iran, Iraq, or the KKK!(Psalm 91). I know what you're thinking! Cynthia, you make it sound so simple! It is simple! So simple that many people can't accept it. 1 Corinthians 1:8 says, "For people who are stumbling toward ruin, the message of the cross is nothing but a tall tale for fools by a fool. But for those of us who are already experiencing the reality of being rescued and made right, it is nothing short of God’s power."(Voice). The Word is truth!
The Apostle Paul was not a lazy man. He wrote to the Thessalonians, "Anyone not willing to work shouldn’t get to eat!”(2 Thessalonians 3:10, Voice). He was never suggesting you put your head in the sand and ignore the world around you. What he was encouraging us to do is to see the world in the light of the Word! If the Word says, it's wrong...It's wrong! No debate, no room for your thoughts, opinions, or Facebook posts! If the Word says do something, do it! No hesitation! Remember Modecai told Esther..."If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.”(Esther 4:14, Message). Did you see that? HELP and DELIVERANCE will come...will you stand for the WORD? Will you allow God to use you? The Apostle Paul knew about hard times, bad treatment, and sadness. Read his testimony for yourself sometime. It's in 2 Corinthians 11:21-27. BUT after all he had been through he wrote, "Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."(Philippians 4:8-9, Message).
Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."(KJV). The Living Bible translation of this same scripture says, "He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn OFTEN to the Lord!"
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Yes, You Can...
Happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday! I love you! I appreciate that you allow me to invade your Inbox every week with the latest sermon notes and the things the Lord has revealed to me about His Word! I'm praying for you always. What am I praying? So glad you asked! I'm praying that you will be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Christ. Praying that you will fulfill God's PERFECT purpose for your life. Praying that you always hear and follow the Voice of God, and never the voice of the enemy. I pray that God guides you in every meeting, activity, and conversation you have. I'm praying that you are ALWAYS in the right place, at the right time, with the right information and the right understanding. I believe God is and has Blessed you spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially, and I expect to see the manifestation in your life!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Christ in You" with the subtitle, "I can do all things through Christ!". I'd like to share a bit of the what we call the increase message. It's the Word before the offering. 1 John 5:3 says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."(KJV). The Amplified Version of this same scripture says, "For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous)." Don't miss this! What God tells you to do is NOT burdensome, or oppressive! He NEVER asks you to do anything that you cannot do! He's even nice enough to give you strength to do it! Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."(KJV).
Why should I follow the commands or Word of God? Can't I do it my way? My way seems to be working! Great questions! First, either God is Lord of All, or he's not Lord at all! You decide if he's really Lord in your life. If He is your Lord then obedience becomes easy! John 14:21 says, "Those who really love me are the ones who not only know my commands but also obey them. My Father will love such people, and I will love them. I will make myself known to them.”(Easy-to-Read Version). Dr. Winston always reminds us of the Platter's hit, "The Great Pretender". You youngsters will need to Google it! Don't be a pretender! At least be true to yourself! 1 John 2:4 says, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."(KJV). OUCH! The Living Bible version of this same scripture says, "Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." These scriptures come against the popular notion and excuse that, "God knows my heart, I'm a good person". Yes, He knows your heart alright!
Where are we going with this? So happy you asked! God has wonderful things in store for those that love and obey Him. Deuteronomy 28:11-12 says, "God will LAVISH you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that God promised your ancestors that he would give you. God will throw open the doors of his SKY VAULTS and pour rain on your land ON SCHEDULE and bless the WORK you take in hand. You will LEND to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan."(Message). Recently, my daughter, Christina asked about Exodus 4:24-26. Read it when you get a chance. You may be surprised to know that God was going to kill Moses. Kill Moses? Yes, Moses failed to do something God commanded him to do and God was going to kill him. His wife saved his life, by circumcising their son. I thought about this again today, because a friend at church mentioned it. The Word is filled with awesome stories like this. Jesus paid the price for us, and we have a much better covenant than Moses...BUT Obedience is always in order.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Happy Sunday! I love you! I appreciate that you allow me to invade your Inbox every week with the latest sermon notes and the things the Lord has revealed to me about His Word! I'm praying for you always. What am I praying? So glad you asked! I'm praying that you will be filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Christ. Praying that you will fulfill God's PERFECT purpose for your life. Praying that you always hear and follow the Voice of God, and never the voice of the enemy. I pray that God guides you in every meeting, activity, and conversation you have. I'm praying that you are ALWAYS in the right place, at the right time, with the right information and the right understanding. I believe God is and has Blessed you spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially, and I expect to see the manifestation in your life!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Christ in You" with the subtitle, "I can do all things through Christ!". I'd like to share a bit of the what we call the increase message. It's the Word before the offering. 1 John 5:3 says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."(KJV). The Amplified Version of this same scripture says, "For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous)." Don't miss this! What God tells you to do is NOT burdensome, or oppressive! He NEVER asks you to do anything that you cannot do! He's even nice enough to give you strength to do it! Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."(KJV).
Why should I follow the commands or Word of God? Can't I do it my way? My way seems to be working! Great questions! First, either God is Lord of All, or he's not Lord at all! You decide if he's really Lord in your life. If He is your Lord then obedience becomes easy! John 14:21 says, "Those who really love me are the ones who not only know my commands but also obey them. My Father will love such people, and I will love them. I will make myself known to them.”(Easy-to-Read Version). Dr. Winston always reminds us of the Platter's hit, "The Great Pretender". You youngsters will need to Google it! Don't be a pretender! At least be true to yourself! 1 John 2:4 says, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."(KJV). OUCH! The Living Bible version of this same scripture says, "Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." These scriptures come against the popular notion and excuse that, "God knows my heart, I'm a good person". Yes, He knows your heart alright!
Where are we going with this? So happy you asked! God has wonderful things in store for those that love and obey Him. Deuteronomy 28:11-12 says, "God will LAVISH you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that God promised your ancestors that he would give you. God will throw open the doors of his SKY VAULTS and pour rain on your land ON SCHEDULE and bless the WORK you take in hand. You will LEND to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan."(Message). Recently, my daughter, Christina asked about Exodus 4:24-26. Read it when you get a chance. You may be surprised to know that God was going to kill Moses. Kill Moses? Yes, Moses failed to do something God commanded him to do and God was going to kill him. His wife saved his life, by circumcising their son. I thought about this again today, because a friend at church mentioned it. The Word is filled with awesome stories like this. Jesus paid the price for us, and we have a much better covenant than Moses...BUT Obedience is always in order.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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