Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston said, "When a miracle is not declared its presence in the natural realm becomes illegal". Take a moment to ponder this! God has given man authority in the earth! We have our dominion back, but we have to take dominion in order to enjoy it. We are speaking spirits...we do have what we say. Perhaps, you don't believe this. But if we could rewind your life back a year or more, we would see that you are living out exactly what you declared. If you said, it's going to take a lifetime for me to do this, you probably have not done it yet. If you declared, I will graduate college in 2017, Congrats because you are more than likely celebrating now! If you said, I will never have enough money to this or that, you are no doubt still waiting for enough money. Mark 11:23-24 says, "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."(KJV).
Don't miss this! The word "say" or "saith" appears more times than the the word pray in this scripture. Even after you pray, you must watch what you say! Saying the wrong thing after you pray is like digging your seeds up out of the ground, but still expecting a harvest. Sounds silly, doesn't it! But people do it all the time! Don't be the person that prays for a loved one, then talks about them like a dog. Don't be that person that prays that things get better, but constantly speaks about how bad things are. Fast from negativity and allow the Word to saturate you with positive thoughts and words. The great Faith Teacher, Charles Capps talked about speaking positive words. He was speaking positive words even though things looked bad in the natural. One day the enemy said, "You're just lying!" But God ministered to him and said, "How can you lie when you say what I said?" When we speak the Word, we are saying what God says.
So if it looks like you are in the red, remember with God you are always in the black. Philippians 4:19 says, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."(KJV). Feeling like you can't go on, ready to give up? Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."(KJV). Don't know which way to go? Need wisdom for your future? James 1:5 says, "Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Romans 5:17 says, "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall REIGN in LIFE by one, Jesus Christ."(KJV). Another translation says it like this, "For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] REIGN AS KINGS in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."(Amplified). The king sits on his throne and commands or declares that others carry out necessary tasks. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places and must declare what we want to see in the earth.
Speak the Word!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Lists...
Happy Sunday!
We love lists! Every magazine cover I see has at least one list. "Ten Steps to Great Abs", "Five Ways to Know He Cares", and "Seven Steps to a Happy Life" and on and on and on! My Mother loved to leave us lists of chores that had to be done before she arrived home from work. My children can attest to the fact that I have created similar lists in my child rearing days. Even the Bible is full of lists. Psalm 1 lists the description of a Blessed Man..."Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God."(Easy-to-Read Version). Proverbs 6:16-19 lists the seven things that God hates..."These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren."(Amplified).
So often I just wonder if there is a quick one step method that will cover all the bases. Obedience is a great starting place! When King Saul sinned, God instructed the Prophet Samuel to tell him, "Behold, to OBEY is better than sacrifice..."(1 Samuel 15:22, KJV). Now before you brush me off and stop reading, even the Apostle James saw a need for simple obedience. He compared our disobedient tongues with animals in nature, but even the animals can be tamed and learn to obey! James 3:7-8 says, "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."(KJV). Now thankfully, when we submit our tongues to the Holy Spirit in obedience, they can be tamed and used to bless ourselves and others. Obedience is the key, and it's not hard to do! 1 John 5:3 says, "Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all."(Living Bible).
Dr. Bill Winston continued his series entitled, "Christ in You" with the subtitle, "Fulfilling Your Dominion Mandate". When Adam sinned against God he lost several things. He lost fellowship, he lost assignment, he lost provision, and he lost his mind. What a sad list! But Jesus came to get all of our stuff back. What Jesus did for us is not just a sweet story to recant on Resurrection Sunday. Jesus paid the price needed to get us back to Dominion! You are meant to dominate! Situations and circumstances are not supposed to dominate you! You do have the upper hand, it's the Hand of God through the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Winston said, "Don't you dare complain when you are dominated! Dominate!" 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, "Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."(KJV). Don't miss this! We are designed to WIN all the time! We have access to the Unlimited Potential of God! We can listen and obey, and win! Start where you are. Obey God when he says, "Don't lie." Get to work on time, be the best employee they've ever had! Obey God when he says, "Give!" He's responsible for the getting and he promises abundance. Luke 6:38 is true! "Give, and it will be given to you. They will [a]pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."(NASB). Obey God when he says love your enemies. Hating people is like a self-inflicted wound. They continue on their way, while you are get stuck in the mud of what they did to you.
We may always have lists, but obedience can change our lists to lists of gratitude and thankfulness...like "One Million Ways God Has Blessed Me".
Love and prayers, Cynthia
We love lists! Every magazine cover I see has at least one list. "Ten Steps to Great Abs", "Five Ways to Know He Cares", and "Seven Steps to a Happy Life" and on and on and on! My Mother loved to leave us lists of chores that had to be done before she arrived home from work. My children can attest to the fact that I have created similar lists in my child rearing days. Even the Bible is full of lists. Psalm 1 lists the description of a Blessed Man..."Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God."(Easy-to-Read Version). Proverbs 6:16-19 lists the seven things that God hates..."These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren."(Amplified).
So often I just wonder if there is a quick one step method that will cover all the bases. Obedience is a great starting place! When King Saul sinned, God instructed the Prophet Samuel to tell him, "Behold, to OBEY is better than sacrifice..."(1 Samuel 15:22, KJV). Now before you brush me off and stop reading, even the Apostle James saw a need for simple obedience. He compared our disobedient tongues with animals in nature, but even the animals can be tamed and learn to obey! James 3:7-8 says, "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."(KJV). Now thankfully, when we submit our tongues to the Holy Spirit in obedience, they can be tamed and used to bless ourselves and others. Obedience is the key, and it's not hard to do! 1 John 5:3 says, "Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all."(Living Bible).
Dr. Bill Winston continued his series entitled, "Christ in You" with the subtitle, "Fulfilling Your Dominion Mandate". When Adam sinned against God he lost several things. He lost fellowship, he lost assignment, he lost provision, and he lost his mind. What a sad list! But Jesus came to get all of our stuff back. What Jesus did for us is not just a sweet story to recant on Resurrection Sunday. Jesus paid the price needed to get us back to Dominion! You are meant to dominate! Situations and circumstances are not supposed to dominate you! You do have the upper hand, it's the Hand of God through the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Winston said, "Don't you dare complain when you are dominated! Dominate!" 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, "Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."(KJV). Don't miss this! We are designed to WIN all the time! We have access to the Unlimited Potential of God! We can listen and obey, and win! Start where you are. Obey God when he says, "Don't lie." Get to work on time, be the best employee they've ever had! Obey God when he says, "Give!" He's responsible for the getting and he promises abundance. Luke 6:38 is true! "Give, and it will be given to you. They will [a]pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."(NASB). Obey God when he says love your enemies. Hating people is like a self-inflicted wound. They continue on their way, while you are get stuck in the mud of what they did to you.
We may always have lists, but obedience can change our lists to lists of gratitude and thankfulness...like "One Million Ways God Has Blessed Me".
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Build on the Rock
Happy Sunday!
Happy Mother's Day! Praying that your day was enjoyable, and that the week ahead will be exciting, productive, and prosperous!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Christ In You", with the subtitle, "Be My Witness". To reach the world, our lives must be profoundly different from the lives of those in the world. Mathew 7:24-27 says, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."(KJV). In this parable, we must not miss the fact that the storm hit both houses! Both the wise man and the foolish man experienced rain, floods, and winds. The difference was the foundation. The wise man built his house or his life on the Rock. Jesus is the Rock. How can I build my life on the Rock? Great question! I'm so happy you asked! To build you life on the Rock and be able to withstand the storms that come against wise people and foolish people, build your life on the Word. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."(KJV).
Building your life on the Rock means you believe the Word of God. It means you trust the integrity of the Word. Proverbs 3:4-8 says, "If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality."(Living Bible).
Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."(KJV). The world needs to see the difference in you! When they see the fruit of the Spirit in your life, they will want to hear your testimony. Then you can be a witness! Galatians 5:22-23 describes the life of a believer, "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]."(Amplified).
Another point we should remember is both men built their houses before the storm began. It is futile to try to build your life after the storm begins. Everyday we have an opportunity build. Build when things are going good! Build when your family is happy and healthy. Build when you have the job you love. Build! Jude 1:20 says, "But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit."(Living Bible).
Build on the Rock! Build now!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Happy Mother's Day! Praying that your day was enjoyable, and that the week ahead will be exciting, productive, and prosperous!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Christ In You", with the subtitle, "Be My Witness". To reach the world, our lives must be profoundly different from the lives of those in the world. Mathew 7:24-27 says, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."(KJV). In this parable, we must not miss the fact that the storm hit both houses! Both the wise man and the foolish man experienced rain, floods, and winds. The difference was the foundation. The wise man built his house or his life on the Rock. Jesus is the Rock. How can I build my life on the Rock? Great question! I'm so happy you asked! To build you life on the Rock and be able to withstand the storms that come against wise people and foolish people, build your life on the Word. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."(KJV).
Building your life on the Rock means you believe the Word of God. It means you trust the integrity of the Word. Proverbs 3:4-8 says, "If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality."(Living Bible).
Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."(KJV). The world needs to see the difference in you! When they see the fruit of the Spirit in your life, they will want to hear your testimony. Then you can be a witness! Galatians 5:22-23 describes the life of a believer, "But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]."(Amplified).
Another point we should remember is both men built their houses before the storm began. It is futile to try to build your life after the storm begins. Everyday we have an opportunity build. Build when things are going good! Build when your family is happy and healthy. Build when you have the job you love. Build! Jude 1:20 says, "But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit."(Living Bible).
Build on the Rock! Build now!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Be a Blessing...
Happy Sunday!
Many years ago, I began to pray..."Lord help me to be a blessing to everyone I come in contact with!" I still pray this and I'm so grateful that as I have prospered I am able to do more. I think I've always been a giver, and giving is so much more fun when the range of gifts and blessings to others expands. Now before you send me a link to your third cousins ex-boyfriends Go Fund Me page, let me say I've learned the hard way that giving must be inspired or led by the Holy Spirit. I once had an attitude with God, after giving time and resources to a few ungrateful and seemingly heartless individuals. Yes, don't worry he can handle it! He said to me, not audibly but I really know it was the Lord..."I didn't tell you to give them anything!" Ouch! When I thought it over, the warnings were there. I bypassed the leading of the Holy Spirit and did what I thought was right. Yes, we are promised in Luke 6:38 that when we give, it will be given back to us in a corresponding manner to which we gave. We are also assured in the Word, that being wise is better than money. Proverbs 16:16 says, "Wisdom is worth much more than gold. Understanding is worth much more than silver."(Easy-to-Read Version).
People will always remind you that prosperity is much more than money. Yes, of course prosperity is physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial. Even though each of these are important, much falls on the financial. If we are honest, we probably have a list of all the things we would do if the money was right. Jesus spoke much about money and our relationship with things. His ultimate theme was "Being Blessed to Be a Blessing". We often miss this theme especially in the story of the "Rich Young Ruler". Matthew 19 tells the story. The young man comes to Jesus and asks, "Teacher, what good deed can I do to assure myself eternal life?" Jesus told him keep the commandments. The young man boasts that he'd kept them all his life. You know how we do..."Oh, I have always been saved. I've been in church all my life!" But as the old church members would say, "You ain't living a nickles worth of nothing!" Jesus could see through the facade! He knew the young man just wanted to buy his way in. His trust was in what his money, and the security, and position it could provide. Jesus had nothing against financial prosperity. He later told the disciples, “Let me assure you that no one has ever given up ANYTHING—home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or property—for love of me and to tell others the Good News, who won’t be given back, a HUNDRED times over, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—with persecutions! All these will be his HERE on earth, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life."(Mark 10:29-30, Living Bible). If the young man had stayed around long enough, he would have found that you "can't beat God giving, no matter how you try!"
I'm personally working on giving mercy and understanding. I'm trying to give the spiritual and emotional support others need. My co-workers and my children laugh at how random people just want to talk to me. Yes, even crazy people on the CTA. They don't know I can cast them demons out! LOL! People are hurting, they are often misunderstood. They are lonely! They are fearful. Psychologists and psychiatrists are being paid for what we share for free. Yes, there are times when I don't want to be bothered, and try not to make eye contact. But there are times when I allow the Holy Spirit to lead. Those times brings great joy. It's what great songs and poems are written about...that perfect moment when you are in the right place at the right time with the right information and the right understanding and you do the right thing! Colossians 3:22-25 says, "Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Many years ago, I began to pray..."Lord help me to be a blessing to everyone I come in contact with!" I still pray this and I'm so grateful that as I have prospered I am able to do more. I think I've always been a giver, and giving is so much more fun when the range of gifts and blessings to others expands. Now before you send me a link to your third cousins ex-boyfriends Go Fund Me page, let me say I've learned the hard way that giving must be inspired or led by the Holy Spirit. I once had an attitude with God, after giving time and resources to a few ungrateful and seemingly heartless individuals. Yes, don't worry he can handle it! He said to me, not audibly but I really know it was the Lord..."I didn't tell you to give them anything!" Ouch! When I thought it over, the warnings were there. I bypassed the leading of the Holy Spirit and did what I thought was right. Yes, we are promised in Luke 6:38 that when we give, it will be given back to us in a corresponding manner to which we gave. We are also assured in the Word, that being wise is better than money. Proverbs 16:16 says, "Wisdom is worth much more than gold. Understanding is worth much more than silver."(Easy-to-Read Version).
People will always remind you that prosperity is much more than money. Yes, of course prosperity is physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial. Even though each of these are important, much falls on the financial. If we are honest, we probably have a list of all the things we would do if the money was right. Jesus spoke much about money and our relationship with things. His ultimate theme was "Being Blessed to Be a Blessing". We often miss this theme especially in the story of the "Rich Young Ruler". Matthew 19 tells the story. The young man comes to Jesus and asks, "Teacher, what good deed can I do to assure myself eternal life?" Jesus told him keep the commandments. The young man boasts that he'd kept them all his life. You know how we do..."Oh, I have always been saved. I've been in church all my life!" But as the old church members would say, "You ain't living a nickles worth of nothing!" Jesus could see through the facade! He knew the young man just wanted to buy his way in. His trust was in what his money, and the security, and position it could provide. Jesus had nothing against financial prosperity. He later told the disciples, “Let me assure you that no one has ever given up ANYTHING—home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or property—for love of me and to tell others the Good News, who won’t be given back, a HUNDRED times over, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—with persecutions! All these will be his HERE on earth, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life."(Mark 10:29-30, Living Bible). If the young man had stayed around long enough, he would have found that you "can't beat God giving, no matter how you try!"
I'm personally working on giving mercy and understanding. I'm trying to give the spiritual and emotional support others need. My co-workers and my children laugh at how random people just want to talk to me. Yes, even crazy people on the CTA. They don't know I can cast them demons out! LOL! People are hurting, they are often misunderstood. They are lonely! They are fearful. Psychologists and psychiatrists are being paid for what we share for free. Yes, there are times when I don't want to be bothered, and try not to make eye contact. But there are times when I allow the Holy Spirit to lead. Those times brings great joy. It's what great songs and poems are written about...that perfect moment when you are in the right place at the right time with the right information and the right understanding and you do the right thing! Colossians 3:22-25 says, "Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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