Sunday, October 29, 2017

Right place, right time...

Happy Sunday!  

One of my prayers for you and myself, is that we are always in the right place at the right time with the right information and the right understanding.  Not only is being in the right place important for us, but it could be a matter of life and death for another person.   God created each of us to be a blessing.  Even the smallest kind gesture may be enough to change someone's life.  I'm reminded of the period of time my uncle, Staff Sergeant Wallace Williams Jr. served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  When he returned home we asked about the events.  He informed us that every big news worthy event happened before or after his team left those locations.  I believe the angels of God made sure he was always in the right place at the right time.   It doesn't have to be war, simply  leaving your home each morning requires inside information.

Where can we get this inside information?  I'm so glad you asked!  Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."(John 16:13, KJV).  Another translation of this scripture says, "The Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth. He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me. The Spirit has unlimited access to Me, to all that I possess and know, just as everything the Father has is Mine. That is the reason I am confident He will care for My own and reveal the path to you."(vs 13-15, Voice).  Don't miss this!  The Holy Spirit is available to show us the right path.  One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 16:11..."Thou wilt shew me the PATH of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."(KJV).  

How does the Holy Spirit show us the right path?  Great question!  In 1 Kings 19:10-12, the Prophet Elijah complained that he was the only person left truly serving God.  God told him to go to a certain place and wait there.  A great wind passed by, and earthquake rumbled, and a fire blaze up, but God was not in those events.  Then he realized that God was in the "still small voice".   It makes me think of our ancestors saying, "I should have listened to my first mind!"   What they were saying was the first thought that was drowned out by the noise of other thoughts, was the right thought.  Have you ever noticed how loud the world is?  Why do we want to vacation in peaceful places with the beauty of nature?  Everyone has an opinion.  In the past, we may never have known about their opinions.  Now with media and Social Media, we are bombarded everyday with opinions.  Do you realize that your opinion really doesn't matter?  Take a moment to think it through, and put that stone down.  LOL!   Jesus said, "Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are NOT my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does HIS work through me."(John 14:10, Living Bible).  What we believe, and what we say should line up with the Word of God.  What we live should not contradict what we see in the Word of God.  God will not ask us about our political affiliations.  But he will ask us about what we did with the life he gave us and how we treated others.  Jesus said, “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?" Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me."(Matthew 25:37-40, Message).

Our recent lessons in Children's Church are geared toward teaching the children to recognize the Voice of the Lord.  In one lesson example the teachers used a traffic signal to demonstrate how to hear God's voice.   The Green light is that soft peaceful feeling that it's Ok to go ahead.  My Aunt, Pastor Theaha McClendon always says, "The Peace of God, is the Yes of God".   The Yellow light represents that iffy feeling we sometimes have.  The thing we want to do may not be bad, but the timing may be bad.  I recently saw a quote that said, "Some people are good people, but they are not good for you". The Red light means stop!  Stop and pray about it!  Stop and get wisdom about it!  Stop and wait.   If we are truthful with ourselves, we can retrace our steps and see when and where we missed a Yellow or Red signal.   Thank God for forgiveness, and mercy.  

The Bible is our handbook, our guidebook, and our Love Letter from our loving father.  Have you ever had a letter or card you read over and over again?  After a while you learn the writing style of the sender.  If you ever get a letter and the style changes, you are likely to say, "He or she couldn't have written this!  They would never say this!"   That's how familiar we need to be with the Word of God.  When we know Him, we will know his voice and that voice will lead us to success,

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Enjoy Life

Happy Sunday!

It's been a full week, and a busy Sunday!  I had the opportunity to attend my youngest grandson's basketball game today.  He's 6 years old and watching "little people" play basketball is exciting and encouraging.  You are probably wondering, why?  Let me tell you.  They are still learning the game and they are having fun.  At one point, he even stopped to look over at us to smile.  Of course, the game was moving quickly and we motioned for him to pay attention.  We laughed, but he was just overjoyed to have his parents, his brother, three grandparents, an uncle, and a cousin all present to see him play.   His parents celebrated the fact that he listened and remembered where to go and what to do during the game, and that he played his defensive position as practiced.  Everything in life, brings me to the Word.  The Apostle John wrote, "It always gives me the greatest joy when I hear that my children are following the way of truth"(3 John 4, Voice).   We will never be God's adults.  We are forever the Children of God.  He is a loving and compassionate parent.  He wants us to have the best life.  John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may HAVE and ENJOY life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."(Amplified).

Like any good parent, God wants us to WIN!  He's given us everything it takes to succeed.  2 Peter 1:3-4 says, "Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust."(Message).   We have a part to play!  We must listen.  We must recognize the voice of God and follow it Only!   Proverbs 3:5-7 says, "Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.  Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil."(Easy-to-Read Version).  Don't miss this!  Just as the players have to trust their coaches and parents, we have to trust God.  God has been God forever.  He knows a lot more about this life than we do!  He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

God wants us to have fun!  When was the last time you had fun?  Oh, I know there are some stressful and scary things happening in our world but don't dwell on that and miss life.  The Apostle Paul had been beaten, left for dead, shipwrecked, and much more, but he wrote, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;"(2 Corinthians 4:17, KJV).  He considered everything he endured to be "light", small in comparison to what God has in store for us.  The psalmist also wrote, "The good man does not escape all troubles—he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one."(Psalm 34:19, Living Bible).   The Voice translation of this scripture says it this way, "Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them".

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Sunday, October 15, 2017

How to be Happy...

Happy Sunday!

How happy is the one whose wrongs are forgiven,
    whose sin is hidden from sight.
How happy is the person whose sin the Eternal will not take into account.
    How happy are those who no longer lie, to themselves or others.

When I refused to admit my wrongs, I was miserable,
    moaning and complaining all day long
    so that even my bones felt brittle.
Day and night, Your hand kept pressing on me.
    My strength dried up like water in the summer heat;
    You wore me down.

When I finally saw my own lies,
    I owned up to my sins before You,
    and I did not try to hide my evil deeds from You.
I said to myself, “I’ll admit all my sins to the Eternal,”
    and You lifted and carried away the guilt of my sin.

So let all who are devoted to You
    speak honestly to You now, while You are still listening.
For then when the floods come, surely the rushing water
    will not even reach them.

You are my hiding place.
    You will keep me out of trouble
    and envelop me with songs that remind me I am free.
I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there;
    I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you.

But don’t be stubborn and stupid like horses and mules
    who, if not reined by leather and metal,
    will run wild, ignoring their masters.

Tormented and empty are wicked and destructive people,
    but the one who trusts in the Eternal is wrapped tightly in His gracious love.

Express your joy; be happy in Him, you who are good and true.
    Go ahead, shout and rejoice aloud, you whose hearts are honest and straightforward.

Psalm 32 (Voice)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Happiness is a Choice

Happy Sunday!

I hope your week was prosperous and enjoyable!  My week was full as usual and I noticed a few things that I want to share with you!

Happiness is a choice, and joy is a gift!  Take a moment to think about that!  This week as I was walking by the lake, I passed a group of runners.  Or should I say they passed me, since they were moving faster.  The first thing I noticed is that they were running on the wrong side of the trail.  As they got closer I could hear their accents.  I believe they were from an African country, probably in Chicago for the Chicago Marathon.  The man running in front proclaimed, "This is the happiest day of my life!"  Another man in the group was stunned, and said, "Really, how?"   They passed me before I could hear the first man's reply, but I was immediately encouraged.  Who knows what the man had to go through to get to this day, but he decided to be happy!  The Bible says, "Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."(Psalm 144:15, KJV).  Don't miss this!  Happy are those whose God is the Lord!  It didn't say that happy are those who have everything they want!  It didn't say happy are those who never have trials and tribulation!  But it says, there are other reasons to be happy and basically following God,  getting His wisdom and obeying His commandments produces happiness.  I continued my walk and had a flashback to Sunday School as a child.  My favorite Sunday School Teacher, other than my mother was Mother Gertie Moore at First  Baptist Church of Chesterfield, in Chesterfield, Missouri.

My father may correct me, but I believe Mother Moore taught us the song, "Happiness is the Lord".  
The lyrics are...

Happiness is to know the Saviour,
Living a life within His favour,
Having a change in my behaviour,
Happiness is the Lord.
Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation,
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord.

Real joy is mine,
No matter if the teardrops start,
I've found a secret,
It's Jesus in my heart.
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the livin',
Taking a trip that leads to Heaven,
Happiness is the Lord.

Remember I said, Happiness is a choice, and joy is a gift?    We choose happiness when we obey God, but Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-25 says, "The Spirit however, produces in human life fruits such as these: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, fidelity, tolerance and self-control—and no law exists against any of them. Those who Belong to Christ have crucified their old nature with all that it loved and lusted for. If our lives are centered in the Spirit, let us be guided by the Spirit."(Phillips Translation).  The Spirit of God produces Joy in our lives.  The Apostle James encouraged believers to, "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."(James 1:2-4, Message).  The King James Version of these same scriptures says, "My brethren, count it all JOY when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing".

This passage brings me to another thought...Patience is required when walking by Faith!  We live in a microwave generation!  As the JG Wentworth commercial says, "It's my money, and I want it now!"  I am employed by a major technology company.  I serve customers that many times are unreasonable. They refuse to follow instructions, ignore sound advice, and expect resolutions in micro and nanoseconds!  I was worn out by several customers on a certain day, and went on break.  In the restroom, the place for deep thought, I said to the Lord, "I don't think I'm cut out for Customer Service! These people are crazy!  They don't want listen, but expect to get everything they ask for!"   In my spirit, I heard the Lord say, "I know what you mean!  How do you think I feel?"   My jaw dropped! Whoa!  Everybody wants to sing about the Blessing, but no one wants to obey!  Everyone wants the Best from God, but no one wants to wait.  We want magic, but God requires patience.

Last but not least, my Pastor, Dr. Bill Winston said today, "Your problems are gift-wrapped promotions!"   I'll just leave that there for you!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Sunday, October 1, 2017

More Than Enough in Tough Times

Happy Sunday!

WOW!  It's October 1, 2017!  Where has the year gone?  If you made any New Year's Resolutions time is ticking...get busy!  

Last week, I was blessed by several sermons by Brother Jerry Savelle.

One sermon I listened to, was entitled, "More Than Enough in Tough Times".   Psalm 37:18-19 says, "The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied."(KJV).   The Message translation of this scripture says, "God keeps track of the decent folk; what they do won’t soon be forgotten.  In hard times, they’ll hold their heads high; when the shelves are bare, they’ll be full".  What a wonderful promise!   

If we are doing what God has instructed us to do, we can expect his provision, and protection!   The Apostle Paul wrote, "And I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns."(Philippians 1:6, Living Bible).   God is concerned about you!  He has not forgotten you, even though things may look bad.   Daily we need to remind ourselves of what being Blessed really means!   Psalm 34:10 says, "The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing."(Amplified).  Don't miss this!  We will not lack any beneficial thing!

Genesis 22 recounts the story of Abraham when God commanded him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice.  After three days, they arrived at the place.  Abraham told his servants to wait while he and Isaac went to worship.  He also said in faith, "I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you."(vs 5, KJV).  Abraham believed the promise of God that his descendants would be as many as the stars in the sky, and the grains of sand.  He trusted that even if Isaac died, God would raise him from the dead to keep His promise.  Abraham was teaching Isaac the ways of worship.  In verse 7, Isaac says, "My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"(KJV).  Isaac knew that something was missing.  Abraham again speaks in faith..."My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering"(KJV).  Abraham called God, Jehovah Jireh.  Jehovah Jireh means God sees beforehand and provides.  When Abraham raised the knife to slay Isaac, he was commanded to stop and behind him there was a ram caught in the thicket.  How long was the ram caught in the thicket?  We may never know, but God always provides.

Romans 4:18-21 speaks about Abraham, "So, when God told Abraham that he would give him a son who would have many descendants and become a great nation, Abraham believed God even though such a promise just couldn’t come to pass! And because his faith was strong, he didn’t worry about the fact that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred, and that Sarah his wife, at ninety,  was also much too old to have a baby.  But Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened. He was completely sure that God was well able to do anything he promised."(Living Bible).  

Walking by Faith, not by sight.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

https://youtu.be/dxvfk5oif5Q