Happy Sunday!
Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."(KJV). Another translations says, "You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You."(Amplified). There are so many things that are designed to disturb our peace. A few minutes watching the local or national news is enough to raise your blood pressure, and add frown lines to your forehead. But just like there's an app for almost anything your want to do on a smart phone, there is a Word from the Lord to help with everything we experience in this life. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what."(Message).
Whatever situation or circumstance you face, there is a Word from the Lord to perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.(1 Peter 5:10). God wants you to win! He has a good plan for your life, but you have to agree to believe and follow His plan. Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are Ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."(KJV). Think about it like this...a dear relative remembers you in their Last Will & Testament. The stipulations of the will are explicit! You are required to do several steps in order, or you will not receive the impressive financial inheritance. I'm sure you would not hesitate to complete the steps as prescribed. The Bible is God's promise to you and when you follow the steps you are guaranteed increase: Spiritually, Physically, Financially, and Emotionally.
It's not rocket science, but our enemy has deceived us into thinking that it's impossible. Even Jesus ran into this fatal deception, and had to encourage his disciples..."With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."(Mark 10:27, KJV). Don't miss this! With God there are possibilities! Keeping our minds stayed or focused on the Word of God will allow us to stay positive, hopeful, and in faith. How can I keep my mind stayed on the Word of God? I have to work! I have to go to school! I have my own business! Great question! I'm so glad you asked! Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(KJV). Hiding the Word in your heart involves memorization. When you know the Word it's easy to pull it up quickly when needed. With the Word in your heart, you can see world events and remember, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."(1 Timothy 1:7, KJV). With the Word in your heart when sickness comes you will know, "Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,"(Psalm 103:3, Amplified). It's not always necessary to remember the scripture number and verse, it's just good to know the Word and use it.
Enjoying perfect peace.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Sunday, August 20, 2017
How to be a Hero
Happy Sunday!
I hope you are doing well today, and I pray that last week was fabulous! We are back home and back in the swing of things! We worked in Children's Church today, and I watched the streaming of the 8 a.m. service of another local church in our area before I left home this morning. All Nations Worship Assembly Chicago is a dynamic church lead by Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III. I encourage you to Google them, or follow All Nations Worship Assembly on Facebook, and enjoy some of the many sermons and teachings. Before many messages, Dr. Stevenson has the congregation repeat this confession..."Neighbor, Great men and women are only born for the time that they are needed the most! And the only reason you're still here is because God is not finished! If this were everything life had to offer, then you'd have a reason to quit. Because He's not finished, you've got to press harder and see what tomorrow holds!"
Dr. Stevenson is continuing a series entitled, "How to be A Hero: A Revelation of Biblical Heroism. In the 1980's Bonnie Tyler sang, "Holding Out for a Hero". The lyrics are..."Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed? Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need, I need a HERO!" Jesus is our ultimate Hero! He came to do what no one else could do! Acts 10:37-38 says, "That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."(KJV).
Do you realize you are also a Hero? Someone needs what only you can provide! Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and Greater Works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."(John 14:12, KJV). Let's read that in another translation, just in case you missed the point! The Message Version says it this way, "The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it."(John 14:12). You have been chosen for such a time as this to be a Hero! Perhaps, you have a favorite Superhero. Superman, Batman, or the Black Panther are a few names that come to mind. Many times these Superheros are just like you, seemingly ordinary human beings until a special ability is revealed in them. You were designed by God to create solutions and solve problems. Your purpose, prosperity, and success will be found in the problems you can solve.
Every Super Hero has a weapon or weapons. You have weapons as well! 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, "The weapons we use are NOT human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ."(Easy-to-Read Version). Our greatest weapon is the Word of God! We have to practice using our weapons. I'm told soldiers are trained to know their weapons so well that they can take them apart and put them back together in minutes. A good soldier will never go to war with weapons that are not tested and tried. Even David would not go to fight Goliath with King Saul's weapons and armor. He chose to use a weapon he was familiar with and skilled in using...a slingshot. James 1:22 says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."(KJV). When we DO what the Word tells us to do we are empowered to be a Hero. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to be the kind of person God will accept, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Learning to be one who applies the true teaching in the right way.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
I hope you are doing well today, and I pray that last week was fabulous! We are back home and back in the swing of things! We worked in Children's Church today, and I watched the streaming of the 8 a.m. service of another local church in our area before I left home this morning. All Nations Worship Assembly Chicago is a dynamic church lead by Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III. I encourage you to Google them, or follow All Nations Worship Assembly on Facebook, and enjoy some of the many sermons and teachings. Before many messages, Dr. Stevenson has the congregation repeat this confession..."Neighbor, Great men and women are only born for the time that they are needed the most! And the only reason you're still here is because God is not finished! If this were everything life had to offer, then you'd have a reason to quit. Because He's not finished, you've got to press harder and see what tomorrow holds!"
Dr. Stevenson is continuing a series entitled, "How to be A Hero: A Revelation of Biblical Heroism. In the 1980's Bonnie Tyler sang, "Holding Out for a Hero". The lyrics are..."Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed? Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need, I need a HERO!" Jesus is our ultimate Hero! He came to do what no one else could do! Acts 10:37-38 says, "That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."(KJV).
Do you realize you are also a Hero? Someone needs what only you can provide! Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and Greater Works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."(John 14:12, KJV). Let's read that in another translation, just in case you missed the point! The Message Version says it this way, "The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it."(John 14:12). You have been chosen for such a time as this to be a Hero! Perhaps, you have a favorite Superhero. Superman, Batman, or the Black Panther are a few names that come to mind. Many times these Superheros are just like you, seemingly ordinary human beings until a special ability is revealed in them. You were designed by God to create solutions and solve problems. Your purpose, prosperity, and success will be found in the problems you can solve.
Every Super Hero has a weapon or weapons. You have weapons as well! 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, "The weapons we use are NOT human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ."(Easy-to-Read Version). Our greatest weapon is the Word of God! We have to practice using our weapons. I'm told soldiers are trained to know their weapons so well that they can take them apart and put them back together in minutes. A good soldier will never go to war with weapons that are not tested and tried. Even David would not go to fight Goliath with King Saul's weapons and armor. He chose to use a weapon he was familiar with and skilled in using...a slingshot. James 1:22 says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."(KJV). When we DO what the Word tells us to do we are empowered to be a Hero. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to be the kind of person God will accept, and give yourself to him. Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Learning to be one who applies the true teaching in the right way.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Drop it, and Let it go...
Happy Sunday!
I had a wonderful time spending the weekend with my family! We celebrated the Moore Family Reunion in Memphis, TN. We topped it off with a short worship service this morning. It was easy to do since we have been blessed with many of our own ministers and pastors in the family. Pastor Joseph Stallings from Mississippi, and Pastor Nathaniel Malone, from Missouri spoke and encouraged us to love and forgive. For 30 years our family has held our reunions every two years. We reminisced about our loved ones that have gone on, and are looking forward to the new generations of family members and the vast possibilities that lie ahead.
Relationships take work. Some times the people you love the most are the ones the devil uses to hurt you. The Psalmist said, "Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted (relied on and was confident), who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."(Psalm 41:9, Amplified). I'm always reminded that Jesus said, "You can’t stop temptations to do wrong from coming. But how tragic it will be for the person who becomes the source of the temptation!"(Luke 17:1, Voice). The King James Version of this scripture says, "It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"(Luke 17:1, KJV). As long as the devil can find a human being to do his dirty work, there will be the option of being offended.
But when we have the Agape Love that comes from God through the Holy Spirit, we can see the attacks for what they really are. These attacks are meant to get your eyes off God and His promises. They are an attempt to steal your hope, and replace it with doubt. But Romans 5:5 says, "And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."(KJV). Don't miss this! God has given us His Love by the Holy Spirit! With this perfect love we have been given we can love others just like the Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians 13. It says, "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him."(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Living Bible).
Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. When we love like God instructs us we will have to forgive regularly. We all want to be blessed, but were you aware your blessing can be hindered by unforgiveness? Mark 11:24-25 says, "For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. AND whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop."(Amplified).
Release forgiveness, drop the hurt, and let it go!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
I had a wonderful time spending the weekend with my family! We celebrated the Moore Family Reunion in Memphis, TN. We topped it off with a short worship service this morning. It was easy to do since we have been blessed with many of our own ministers and pastors in the family. Pastor Joseph Stallings from Mississippi, and Pastor Nathaniel Malone, from Missouri spoke and encouraged us to love and forgive. For 30 years our family has held our reunions every two years. We reminisced about our loved ones that have gone on, and are looking forward to the new generations of family members and the vast possibilities that lie ahead.
Relationships take work. Some times the people you love the most are the ones the devil uses to hurt you. The Psalmist said, "Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted (relied on and was confident), who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."(Psalm 41:9, Amplified). I'm always reminded that Jesus said, "You can’t stop temptations to do wrong from coming. But how tragic it will be for the person who becomes the source of the temptation!"(Luke 17:1, Voice). The King James Version of this scripture says, "It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"(Luke 17:1, KJV). As long as the devil can find a human being to do his dirty work, there will be the option of being offended.
But when we have the Agape Love that comes from God through the Holy Spirit, we can see the attacks for what they really are. These attacks are meant to get your eyes off God and His promises. They are an attempt to steal your hope, and replace it with doubt. But Romans 5:5 says, "And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."(KJV). Don't miss this! God has given us His Love by the Holy Spirit! With this perfect love we have been given we can love others just like the Apostle Paul described it in 1 Corinthians 13. It says, "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him."(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Living Bible).
Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. When we love like God instructs us we will have to forgive regularly. We all want to be blessed, but were you aware your blessing can be hindered by unforgiveness? Mark 11:24-25 says, "For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. AND whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop."(Amplified).
Release forgiveness, drop the hurt, and let it go!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Continue
Happy Sunday!
Thomas Edison said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up". Maybe you've never felt like quitting, but I fight the urge to quit almost everyday! I fight the urge to quit exercising, I fight the urge to quit being friendly and speaking to people on the CTA, I fight the urge to quit working in positions that are managed by leaders that don't have a clue, and I fight the urge to not continue living in righteousness and excellence. Thankfully, after a good nap, and some encouragement from the Word of God, I'm ready to continue!
Brother Jerry Savelle preached "Conquering the Temptation to Quit" this week during the Southwest Believer's Convention. This message really blessed me, and I hope it blesses you also. Micah 7:8 says, "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me."(English Standard Version). Don't miss this! Our enemy the devil, and those that are working for him want us to quit! They want us to fail. But with God's help we can rise up and fight again. Proverbs 24:16 says, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."(KJV). Even if we fall seven times, we can get up again and have good success. But wicked people don't have that benefit.
Why do people quit? Great question...
People quit because they are not convinced that God will keep His Word! Hebrews 6:18 says, "These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours."(Easy-to-Read Version). When we understand the love God has for us, and that he is a Good Father, we can trust that no matter how long it takes his promises will become our reality. When we get to the place that we believe the Word of God as quickly as we believe the word of our doctor, lawyer, accountant, or best friend we will conquer the temptation to quit. Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the WORD of our God shall stand for ever."(KJV).
People quit because they are unwilling to wait. It's easy to become weary. The Apostle Paul knew this and wrote to the Galatians, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."(Galatians 6:9, KJV). The Word of God is always relevant. I hope you saw the reference in that scripture to sowing and reaping. If you've ever planted a garden, you don't go out the next day expecting a harvest. You understand that time and patience are required. After weeks, and months you can enjoy the fruit of your labor. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."(Message).
People quit because they don't spend enough time in fellowship with God and His Word. Acts 20:32 says, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the WORD of his grace, which is able to BUILD you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."(KJV). We are spirits, we have souls, and we live in physical bodies. Our spirit man gains strength from the Word of God. Hebrews 11 recounts the stories of the faithful. Then Hebrews 12:1-3 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).
Brother Savelle said, "When you are experiencing the greatest desire to quit, Satan has fired his best shot!" You can strengthen your resolve to continue by keeping the Word before you, read the Word often, confess it daily, thank God continually before your promise even manifests, and sow seed (finances) toward the fulfillment of it.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Thomas Edison said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up". Maybe you've never felt like quitting, but I fight the urge to quit almost everyday! I fight the urge to quit exercising, I fight the urge to quit being friendly and speaking to people on the CTA, I fight the urge to quit working in positions that are managed by leaders that don't have a clue, and I fight the urge to not continue living in righteousness and excellence. Thankfully, after a good nap, and some encouragement from the Word of God, I'm ready to continue!
Brother Jerry Savelle preached "Conquering the Temptation to Quit" this week during the Southwest Believer's Convention. This message really blessed me, and I hope it blesses you also. Micah 7:8 says, "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me."(English Standard Version). Don't miss this! Our enemy the devil, and those that are working for him want us to quit! They want us to fail. But with God's help we can rise up and fight again. Proverbs 24:16 says, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."(KJV). Even if we fall seven times, we can get up again and have good success. But wicked people don't have that benefit.
Why do people quit? Great question...
People quit because they are not convinced that God will keep His Word! Hebrews 6:18 says, "These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours."(Easy-to-Read Version). When we understand the love God has for us, and that he is a Good Father, we can trust that no matter how long it takes his promises will become our reality. When we get to the place that we believe the Word of God as quickly as we believe the word of our doctor, lawyer, accountant, or best friend we will conquer the temptation to quit. Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the WORD of our God shall stand for ever."(KJV).
People quit because they are unwilling to wait. It's easy to become weary. The Apostle Paul knew this and wrote to the Galatians, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."(Galatians 6:9, KJV). The Word of God is always relevant. I hope you saw the reference in that scripture to sowing and reaping. If you've ever planted a garden, you don't go out the next day expecting a harvest. You understand that time and patience are required. After weeks, and months you can enjoy the fruit of your labor. James 1:2-4 says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."(Message).
People quit because they don't spend enough time in fellowship with God and His Word. Acts 20:32 says, "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the WORD of his grace, which is able to BUILD you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."(KJV). We are spirits, we have souls, and we live in physical bodies. Our spirit man gains strength from the Word of God. Hebrews 11 recounts the stories of the faithful. Then Hebrews 12:1-3 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).
Brother Savelle said, "When you are experiencing the greatest desire to quit, Satan has fired his best shot!" You can strengthen your resolve to continue by keeping the Word before you, read the Word often, confess it daily, thank God continually before your promise even manifests, and sow seed (finances) toward the fulfillment of it.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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