Happy Sunday!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
I am so grateful to live in the United States of America. We have so many privileges and opportunities! God has allowed us to benefit from the sacrifices of brave men and women who fought and died for our freedom. We remember and celebrate them!
Nothing happens by chance. God has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives. In Jeremiah Chapter 1, God told Jeremiah, "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that’s what I had in mind for you.” (Message Translation). Romans 2:11 says, "There is no favoritism with God." (Message Translation). That means he knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb too. He knew you and he has a plan for your life and well-being. Jeremiah 29:11 echoes this sentiment, "I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (Message Translation).
Since God has an ultimate plan for our lives, he connects us with individuals that can sow into or invest in our lives. Think about it! Perhaps it was your kindergarten teacher, that loved you and made you feel special. Maybe it was a coach, a Sunday School Teacher, or the lady next door. God allowed your paths to cross at the right time.
God knows what we need in order to fulfill our purpose. He blesses us to be in proximity to great men and women who can share their testimonies and wisdom with us. Bishop Alexis A. Thomas once said, "Lessons are better borrowed than bought". We don't have to make all the mistakes, we can learn from the mistakes of others.
I'm grateful. Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Dead Men Walking
Happy Sunday!
One of my favorite scriptures is Galatians 2:20. I'll pause for a moment. Those of us that grew up in, and around the church should know this one by heart. I love it because it's poetic. It has rhythm and movement. It says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."(KJV). Because He loved me, the old me died on the cross with Christ, but by faith the new me gets a chance to live through Christ.
Pastor Carlos T. Brown, Sr. of Word of Life Ministries in Collinsville, Illinois preached, "The Power of Pentecost". Act 2:1-4 says, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."(KJV).
Hopefully, you are familiar with this passage. But have you ever wondered why Jesus commanded them to wait for the Promise of the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:7 tells us why, "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."(KJV). Jesus knew that we would need supernatural power to complete the task. Our purpose on earth is to be witnesses. I know that the word "witnesses" can easily be misconstrued. It may bring to mind old episodes of Perry Mason, grilling a witness on the stand in the courtroom. Or a witness to an accident volunteering their contact information for the police. Or perhaps, it brings to mind Jehovah's Witnesses on the local streets, or knocking on your door early on a lazy Saturday morning. But Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says this word witnesses really means "martyr". Don't miss this! Jesus was saying this mission would lead to death. For the Apostles, it was literal...for most of us it is figurative. This wasn't new for them. Jesus had been telling them this for three years. In Matthew 16;25, Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."(KJV).
Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALL things, and bring ALL things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."(John 14:26, KJV). Don't miss this! Jesus is the Word. The Holy Spirit has come to comfort us, teach us, and remind us of the Word. John 14:27 gives even more comfort, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(KJV). Jesus brought peace into an atmosphere of fear. He's still speaking peace to us now. Our society is filled with fear. Watch 30 minutes of television and 15 minutes of it will be ads for the latest and greatest medicines with deadly side effects, financial planning commercials to convince you to fear not having enough money for retirement, and breaking news about death and destruction. It's enough to create fear in even the strongest heart. But dead mean don't worry, they don't fret, and they don't hold grudges. Nothing bothers them. This brings us back to Galatians 2:20..."I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."(Amplified).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
One of my favorite scriptures is Galatians 2:20. I'll pause for a moment. Those of us that grew up in, and around the church should know this one by heart. I love it because it's poetic. It has rhythm and movement. It says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."(KJV). Because He loved me, the old me died on the cross with Christ, but by faith the new me gets a chance to live through Christ.
Pastor Carlos T. Brown, Sr. of Word of Life Ministries in Collinsville, Illinois preached, "The Power of Pentecost". Act 2:1-4 says, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."(KJV).
Hopefully, you are familiar with this passage. But have you ever wondered why Jesus commanded them to wait for the Promise of the Holy Spirit? Acts 1:7 tells us why, "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."(KJV). Jesus knew that we would need supernatural power to complete the task. Our purpose on earth is to be witnesses. I know that the word "witnesses" can easily be misconstrued. It may bring to mind old episodes of Perry Mason, grilling a witness on the stand in the courtroom. Or a witness to an accident volunteering their contact information for the police. Or perhaps, it brings to mind Jehovah's Witnesses on the local streets, or knocking on your door early on a lazy Saturday morning. But Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says this word witnesses really means "martyr". Don't miss this! Jesus was saying this mission would lead to death. For the Apostles, it was literal...for most of us it is figurative. This wasn't new for them. Jesus had been telling them this for three years. In Matthew 16;25, Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."(KJV).
Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you ALL things, and bring ALL things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."(John 14:26, KJV). Don't miss this! Jesus is the Word. The Holy Spirit has come to comfort us, teach us, and remind us of the Word. John 14:27 gives even more comfort, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(KJV). Jesus brought peace into an atmosphere of fear. He's still speaking peace to us now. Our society is filled with fear. Watch 30 minutes of television and 15 minutes of it will be ads for the latest and greatest medicines with deadly side effects, financial planning commercials to convince you to fear not having enough money for retirement, and breaking news about death and destruction. It's enough to create fear in even the strongest heart. But dead mean don't worry, they don't fret, and they don't hold grudges. Nothing bothers them. This brings us back to Galatians 2:20..."I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."(Amplified).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 13, 2018
No Little Plans
Happy Sunday!
Happy Mother's Day! One of my desires for Mother's day was to go out on Lake Michigan. My first preference was the Water Taxi, but the waves were too high and boisterous. So instead we took the Chicago River Architectural Tour. I'm always interested in learning new things, and nosy about the reasons why things are the way they are. I'd like to share my observations.
The docent for our tour was Jim! He was very personable and knowledgeable. It was like a good sermon. You know how much I love a good sermon! He mentioned Daniel Burnham. Burnham was an architect and urban designer. He was instrumental in planning the City of Chicago, and The World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Jim mentioned Daniel Burnham's quote, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized". Burnham died in 1912 but we are still talking about him and the impact he had on this city, and other's in the world. It's Mother's Day. Trace your family tree back and you will find mothers whose legacies live on. They wanted better for their children and they worked, sacrificed, and prayed for big things. They may not have planned the third largest city in the United States, but they planned meals, education, trips, and spiritual enlightenment that is still blessing our lives everyday. The Apostle Paul recognized the impact of mothers when he wrote to his son in the ministry, Timothy. He wrote, "I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith."(2 Timothy 1:5, Easy-to-Read Version).
Jim mentioned Contextualism. Contextual Architecture is defined as architecture that responds to its surroundings by respecting what is already there. We saw newer buildings that complimented the buildings around them. Some even included decorative embellishments that mirrored the style of the older buildings. Some had balconies and levels that matched the height of others nearby. They were not carbon copies, but they acknowledged and honored the structures that pre-dated them. Ephesians 6:2 says, "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;"(KJV). We love to recall that promise, don't we? It promises that it will be well with us, and that we will live a long life on the earth. But it's conditional. We have to do our part. Like the contextual buildings, we must respect what and who has gone before us. Our lives and relationships may not have been perfect, but the foundation that was set has allowed us to get to where we are now.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Happy Mother's Day! One of my desires for Mother's day was to go out on Lake Michigan. My first preference was the Water Taxi, but the waves were too high and boisterous. So instead we took the Chicago River Architectural Tour. I'm always interested in learning new things, and nosy about the reasons why things are the way they are. I'd like to share my observations.
The docent for our tour was Jim! He was very personable and knowledgeable. It was like a good sermon. You know how much I love a good sermon! He mentioned Daniel Burnham. Burnham was an architect and urban designer. He was instrumental in planning the City of Chicago, and The World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Jim mentioned Daniel Burnham's quote, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized". Burnham died in 1912 but we are still talking about him and the impact he had on this city, and other's in the world. It's Mother's Day. Trace your family tree back and you will find mothers whose legacies live on. They wanted better for their children and they worked, sacrificed, and prayed for big things. They may not have planned the third largest city in the United States, but they planned meals, education, trips, and spiritual enlightenment that is still blessing our lives everyday. The Apostle Paul recognized the impact of mothers when he wrote to his son in the ministry, Timothy. He wrote, "I remember your true faith. That kind of faith first belonged to your grandmother Lois and to your mother Eunice. I know you now have that same faith."(2 Timothy 1:5, Easy-to-Read Version).
Jim mentioned Contextualism. Contextual Architecture is defined as architecture that responds to its surroundings by respecting what is already there. We saw newer buildings that complimented the buildings around them. Some even included decorative embellishments that mirrored the style of the older buildings. Some had balconies and levels that matched the height of others nearby. They were not carbon copies, but they acknowledged and honored the structures that pre-dated them. Ephesians 6:2 says, "Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;"(KJV). We love to recall that promise, don't we? It promises that it will be well with us, and that we will live a long life on the earth. But it's conditional. We have to do our part. Like the contextual buildings, we must respect what and who has gone before us. Our lives and relationships may not have been perfect, but the foundation that was set has allowed us to get to where we are now.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Be Not Deceived
Happy Sunday!
Satan’s favorite place to take you is not Hell! His favorite place to take you is Deception. - Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III
The Word is full of admonishment to not be deceived. So it must be possible for us to be deceived. Jesus even said, "for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will provide signs and wonders in order to deceive, if [such a thing were] possible, even the elect [those God has chosen for Himself]."(Mark 13:22, Amplified).
Look at the following scriptures...
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; - Deuteronomy 11:16 (KJV)
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. - Luke 21:8 (KJV)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind... - 1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. - 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. - Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
How can we keep from being deceived? Great question! So glad you asked. The Psalmist gave us a hint, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(Psalm 119:11, KJV). When I know the Word on a subject or an idea, I can compare the two and reject anything that contradicts the Word of God. The Apostle John wrote, "Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around, and the way to find out if their message is from the Holy Spirit is to ask: Does it really agree that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, actually became man with a human body? If so, then the message is from God."(1 John 4:1-2, Living Bible).
Jesus spoke of an even greater deception. Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."(KJV). Don't miss this! These people were prophesying, casting out devils, and doing miracles in the Name of Jesus. BUT they were not doing or obeying the will of the Father. The Will of the Father is the Word of God. What great deception to spend your life doing the works, and missing the will. Selah.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Satan’s favorite place to take you is not Hell! His favorite place to take you is Deception. - Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III
The Word is full of admonishment to not be deceived. So it must be possible for us to be deceived. Jesus even said, "for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will provide signs and wonders in order to deceive, if [such a thing were] possible, even the elect [those God has chosen for Himself]."(Mark 13:22, Amplified).
Look at the following scriptures...
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; - Deuteronomy 11:16 (KJV)
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. - Luke 21:8 (KJV)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind... - 1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. - 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. - Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
How can we keep from being deceived? Great question! So glad you asked. The Psalmist gave us a hint, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(Psalm 119:11, KJV). When I know the Word on a subject or an idea, I can compare the two and reject anything that contradicts the Word of God. The Apostle John wrote, "Dearly loved friends, don’t always believe everything you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is. For there are many false teachers around, and the way to find out if their message is from the Holy Spirit is to ask: Does it really agree that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, actually became man with a human body? If so, then the message is from God."(1 John 4:1-2, Living Bible).
Jesus spoke of an even greater deception. Matthew 7:21-23 says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."(KJV). Don't miss this! These people were prophesying, casting out devils, and doing miracles in the Name of Jesus. BUT they were not doing or obeying the will of the Father. The Will of the Father is the Word of God. What great deception to spend your life doing the works, and missing the will. Selah.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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