Happy Sunday!
Acts 10:34-35 says, "It is clear to me now that God plays no favorites, that God accepts every person whatever his or her culture or ethnic background, that God welcomes all who revere Him and do right."(Voice).
I'd love to just leave that scripture there for you like we drop quotes on Facebook and Instagram, but this one is so meaty. Perhaps, your parents had a favorite child. Maybe the coach had a favorite team member, or your teacher may have had a "pet" or your boss shows extra courtesy to that one employee. You know how the enemy loves to point out inconsistencies. BUT isn't it awesome to be reminded that God is not like that? Another version of this same scripture says, "Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open."(Message). Don't miss this! If you WANT God, and are READY to do as he says, the DOOR is open! No one, NO ONE can keep you from getting God's Best, but you. You decide. Even if the whole world is against you, you can still overcome.
Dr. Bill Winston is preaching a series entitled, "Possessing Your Inheritance", with the subtitle today, "Entering Into Canaan". Canaan represented the best. It was the next level in the journey. They left slavery in Egypt and murmured about what they ate back there. They said, "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:"(Numbers 11:5, KJV). Then they complained about the Manna in the wilderness, and the leaders came back with an evil report about the Promised Land while carrying a bunch of grapes so big it took two men to carry it. Dr. Winston said, "If you want to live on another level, you have to eat on another level". Your mind has to change. You have to feed your spirit, soul and body good things.
Poverty is a mindset. Poverty is a lack of hope, a lack of creativity, a lack of knowledge, and a scarcity mentality. Hosea 4:6 is often quoted, but mainly the first part. The entire scripture is worth reading in several translations. It says, "My people are destroyed because they don’t know me, and it is all your fault, you priests, for you yourselves refuse to know me; therefore, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten my laws, I will ‘forget’ to bless your children."(Living Bible). OUCH! Romans 10:13-14 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"(KJV). Somebody has to preach and teach it. Jesus even gave us a hint that we need more, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."(Matthew 4:4, KJV).
The BEST is available to you. Will you accept it? Will you receive it?
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Sword Drill
Happy Sunday!
James chapter 1 is amazing! Well you know I love the Word, and it's all beautiful to me, so I'm bias. Today in Children's Church we were learning about the magnetic pull of the Holy Spirit, and James 1:14 was one of the scriptures for our Sword Drill. What's a Sword Drill? So glad you asked. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(KJV). As a Christian, the Word is like a sword. Not to cut other people with, but to cut the enemy to pieces. Remember the whole armor of God described in Ephesians 6? Verse 17 of Ephesians 6 says, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"(KJV). We are supposed to be as familiar with the Word as a soldier is with his weapon. I show the children a scripture on the screen, and they race to be the first to find it in their bibles. Then I have them read it in front of the class. Of course, there are prizes...right now it's Rice Krispies Treats and Pringles packed in those handy small individual packs.
So, back to James 1:14. It says, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."(KJV). The Holy Spirit draws us to God, and the things of God. But their are other forces at work to draw us away from God, and the things of God. The Apostle James is writing to Believers. He had probably heard people say that God tempted them to do something, and he wants to clarify. In the previous verse he assures them that God cannot be tempted, and doesn't tempt anyone. When we are tempted it is our own lust or desire that draws us away from God. The Apostle John echoed this sentiment, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."(1 John 2:15-16, KJV). The Living Bible translation of this scripture is straight and to the point, "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things, these evil desires—the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance—these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever."(also included vs 17).
God is not against us having things, He's opposed to the things having us. There is a big difference. A few verses later, it's proven right here in this chapter. Verse 17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."(KJV). Don't miss this! God wants you to have the BEST! He loves you and wants to show you off to the world! 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).
I will leave you with the Voice translation of James 1:17, "Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows".
Love and prayers, Cynthia
James chapter 1 is amazing! Well you know I love the Word, and it's all beautiful to me, so I'm bias. Today in Children's Church we were learning about the magnetic pull of the Holy Spirit, and James 1:14 was one of the scriptures for our Sword Drill. What's a Sword Drill? So glad you asked. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(KJV). As a Christian, the Word is like a sword. Not to cut other people with, but to cut the enemy to pieces. Remember the whole armor of God described in Ephesians 6? Verse 17 of Ephesians 6 says, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"(KJV). We are supposed to be as familiar with the Word as a soldier is with his weapon. I show the children a scripture on the screen, and they race to be the first to find it in their bibles. Then I have them read it in front of the class. Of course, there are prizes...right now it's Rice Krispies Treats and Pringles packed in those handy small individual packs.
So, back to James 1:14. It says, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."(KJV). The Holy Spirit draws us to God, and the things of God. But their are other forces at work to draw us away from God, and the things of God. The Apostle James is writing to Believers. He had probably heard people say that God tempted them to do something, and he wants to clarify. In the previous verse he assures them that God cannot be tempted, and doesn't tempt anyone. When we are tempted it is our own lust or desire that draws us away from God. The Apostle John echoed this sentiment, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."(1 John 2:15-16, KJV). The Living Bible translation of this scripture is straight and to the point, "Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things, these evil desires—the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance—these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever."(also included vs 17).
God is not against us having things, He's opposed to the things having us. There is a big difference. A few verses later, it's proven right here in this chapter. Verse 17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."(KJV). Don't miss this! God wants you to have the BEST! He loves you and wants to show you off to the world! 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).
I will leave you with the Voice translation of James 1:17, "Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows".
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Maturity
Happy Sunday!
John Maxwell said, "Maturity doesn’t always come with age, sometimes age comes alone". I love this quote, and of course it reminded me of the Word of God. Remember when young Elihu spoke up to Job and his friends? Read it for yourself in Job 32. He hesitated to speak because he assumed that they were older and wiser. BUT he saw that, "...it is not mere age that makes men wise. Rather, it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that makes him intelligent."(Job 32:9, Living Bible).
John Maxwell also said, "It’s what you learn after you know it all that makes the difference". Don't miss this! There is always more to learn. No matter our age, status, or our accomplishments there is something else we do not know. Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III is preaching a series entitled, "Me versus Me". Hearing him this morning brought back memories of being in church, and having the Pastor tell you to turn to your neighbor and tell them something. That made me chuckle because my Great Aunt Elizzie had a strong opinion about this practice. Though I can't repeat everything she said, in essence she felt the Pastor could tell them himself, and she didn't consider that person her neighbor.
Dr. Stevenson entitled this lesson, "I'm Talking To Me!" In Matthew 3, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Verse 17 says, "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(KJV). In Chapter 4, Jesus is driven into the wilderness, and tempted by the Devil. We always assume that when Jesus is responding he must only be responding to Satan. But as our perfect example, Jesus is demonstrating what we must do when we are tempted. Jesus is the Word, and he spoke the Word of God that applied to every temptation. He talked to himself! He reminded himself of the Word. When the enemy questioned his identity, he didn't debate. He reminded himself of the Truth.
Luke 4:13 says, "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."(KJV). Don't miss this! The enemy was planning to come back again with more temptations. It's the same in our lives as well. He will come after you again. No need to fear, but there is a necessity to prepare.
The writer of Hebrews said, "You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to the place where you need someone to teach you all over again the very first principles in God’s Word. You are like babies who can drink only milk, not old enough for solid food. And when a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life, and doesn’t know much about the difference between right and wrong. He is still a baby Christian! You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong by PRACTICING doing right."(Hebrews 5:12-14, Living Bible).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
John Maxwell said, "Maturity doesn’t always come with age, sometimes age comes alone". I love this quote, and of course it reminded me of the Word of God. Remember when young Elihu spoke up to Job and his friends? Read it for yourself in Job 32. He hesitated to speak because he assumed that they were older and wiser. BUT he saw that, "...it is not mere age that makes men wise. Rather, it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that makes him intelligent."(Job 32:9, Living Bible).
John Maxwell also said, "It’s what you learn after you know it all that makes the difference". Don't miss this! There is always more to learn. No matter our age, status, or our accomplishments there is something else we do not know. Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III is preaching a series entitled, "Me versus Me". Hearing him this morning brought back memories of being in church, and having the Pastor tell you to turn to your neighbor and tell them something. That made me chuckle because my Great Aunt Elizzie had a strong opinion about this practice. Though I can't repeat everything she said, in essence she felt the Pastor could tell them himself, and she didn't consider that person her neighbor.
Dr. Stevenson entitled this lesson, "I'm Talking To Me!" In Matthew 3, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Verse 17 says, "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(KJV). In Chapter 4, Jesus is driven into the wilderness, and tempted by the Devil. We always assume that when Jesus is responding he must only be responding to Satan. But as our perfect example, Jesus is demonstrating what we must do when we are tempted. Jesus is the Word, and he spoke the Word of God that applied to every temptation. He talked to himself! He reminded himself of the Word. When the enemy questioned his identity, he didn't debate. He reminded himself of the Truth.
Luke 4:13 says, "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."(KJV). Don't miss this! The enemy was planning to come back again with more temptations. It's the same in our lives as well. He will come after you again. No need to fear, but there is a necessity to prepare.
The writer of Hebrews said, "You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to the place where you need someone to teach you all over again the very first principles in God’s Word. You are like babies who can drink only milk, not old enough for solid food. And when a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life, and doesn’t know much about the difference between right and wrong. He is still a baby Christian! You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong by PRACTICING doing right."(Hebrews 5:12-14, Living Bible).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Thou shalt not...covet
Happy Sunday!
Exodus 20:17 says, "You are not to covet what your neighbor has or set your heart on getting his house, his wife, his male or female servants, his ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor."(Voice).
Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III, began a new series entitled, "Me vs. Me". In this age of technology, social media, and reality television shows we are able to take a peek into the lives of others. Do you remember when "The Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous was on television? We rushed home or set our VCR's to record the incredible luxury that famous people enjoyed. The host, Robin Leach lured us in with tidbits about the featured guests. We curiously awaited the details and dreamed of having some or all of these things ourselves. Perhaps, you are a bit younger, and remember MTV Cribs. The point was the same. Rather than provide the information to the viewer in a positive light, for instance..."Look at what is possible for God to bless you with, or what is possible for you to have. These shows encouraged envy, and covetousness. Oh, you may not think it affected you, but it did.
Covetousness is not one of the sins we generally focus on. If I asked you to recite the 10 Commandments, you may even forget this one. But Covetousness is behind most murders, lies, thefts, and idolatry. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."(KJV). Don't miss this! Please don't miss this! God is not against you having things. 3 John 2 says he wants you to prosper above all else, but coveting is not the way. The previous scripture says, "be content" and it goes on to say why and how you can be content. It says, "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee".
God will not forsake you. When you truly understand how much he loves you, and that he wants the Best for you, there is no need to covet. If you really want a Rolls-Royce Phantom do what God says to get it. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."(KJV). Get so busy pleasing God and walking in Faith and nothing will be impossible. Hebrews 11:6 says, "It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he CARES enough to respond to those who seek him."(Message). Another translation of this same scripture says, "But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is REAL and that he rewards everyone who searches for him."(CEV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Exodus 20:17 says, "You are not to covet what your neighbor has or set your heart on getting his house, his wife, his male or female servants, his ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor."(Voice).
Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III, began a new series entitled, "Me vs. Me". In this age of technology, social media, and reality television shows we are able to take a peek into the lives of others. Do you remember when "The Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous was on television? We rushed home or set our VCR's to record the incredible luxury that famous people enjoyed. The host, Robin Leach lured us in with tidbits about the featured guests. We curiously awaited the details and dreamed of having some or all of these things ourselves. Perhaps, you are a bit younger, and remember MTV Cribs. The point was the same. Rather than provide the information to the viewer in a positive light, for instance..."Look at what is possible for God to bless you with, or what is possible for you to have. These shows encouraged envy, and covetousness. Oh, you may not think it affected you, but it did.
Covetousness is not one of the sins we generally focus on. If I asked you to recite the 10 Commandments, you may even forget this one. But Covetousness is behind most murders, lies, thefts, and idolatry. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."(KJV). Don't miss this! Please don't miss this! God is not against you having things. 3 John 2 says he wants you to prosper above all else, but coveting is not the way. The previous scripture says, "be content" and it goes on to say why and how you can be content. It says, "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee".
God will not forsake you. When you truly understand how much he loves you, and that he wants the Best for you, there is no need to covet. If you really want a Rolls-Royce Phantom do what God says to get it. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."(KJV). Get so busy pleasing God and walking in Faith and nothing will be impossible. Hebrews 11:6 says, "It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he CARES enough to respond to those who seek him."(Message). Another translation of this same scripture says, "But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is REAL and that he rewards everyone who searches for him."(CEV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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