Happy Sunday!
Are you jealous? I'll give you a moment to consider this question. Merriam-Webster defines Jealousy as "an unhappy or angry feeling of wanting to have what someone else has". Solomon wrote that, "Jealousy is as cruel as the grave".(Song of Solomon 8:6, KJV). I won't rush you, I understand. I needed time for sincere introspection as well.
Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III preached about Jealousy today in the 8 am service. Not the topic you might expect to hear in church on Sunday, but totally appropriate. He wasn't pointing a finger at the world, he was begging us to look inside. Jealousy is rooted in insecurity. If we are honest, insecurity is everywhere. She's tall, I'm short...he's slim, I'm fat...they have a PhD, I have a GED. We're all too familiar with it...Mommy loved him better, Daddy calls her his favorite. It's not new, you remember the many Bible stories about jealousy, and the resulting envy, and murder they cause. The Apostle James warned us, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."(KJV). Don't miss this! This is serious. We must examine ourselves, repent, and allow the Holy Spirit to heal us.
Comparison Kills. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding."(2 Corinthians 10:10-12, ESV). Don't miss this! He called comparing yourself to others...foolish, stupid, and unwise! Don't do it!
You are Unique! No one is exactly like you, and God intended it to be this way. Romans 12:2 says, "Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Joyful, Joyful
Happy Sunday!
There is healing power in Joy!
Psalm 16:11 says, "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). The Easy-to-Read Version of this verse says it like this, "You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever". Don't miss this! Full Joy, and Complete Happiness are possible.
God wants you to have Joy. He wants you to enjoy life. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Here’s what you say to those wealthy in regard to this age: “Don’t become high and mighty or place all your hope on a gamble for riches; INSTEAD, fix your hope on God, the One who RICHLY Provides Everything for our Enjoyment.”(1 Timothy 6:17, Voice). Do you see it? God richly provides everything for our enjoyment. He's not up in Heaven looking for ways to make your life miserable. The Enemy is working hard to destroy you, BUT God loves you.(John 10:10).
Psalm 16:11 says, "You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment."(Voice). As we follow the leading and direction of the Lord, he can provide all the wonderful joy inducing experiences. It sounds super simple, and it is. Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."(KJV). The Easy-to-Read Version of this scripture says, "God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you".
Love and prayers, Cynthia
There is healing power in Joy!
Psalm 16:11 says, "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). The Easy-to-Read Version of this verse says it like this, "You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever". Don't miss this! Full Joy, and Complete Happiness are possible.
God wants you to have Joy. He wants you to enjoy life. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Here’s what you say to those wealthy in regard to this age: “Don’t become high and mighty or place all your hope on a gamble for riches; INSTEAD, fix your hope on God, the One who RICHLY Provides Everything for our Enjoyment.”(1 Timothy 6:17, Voice). Do you see it? God richly provides everything for our enjoyment. He's not up in Heaven looking for ways to make your life miserable. The Enemy is working hard to destroy you, BUT God loves you.(John 10:10).
Psalm 16:11 says, "You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment."(Voice). As we follow the leading and direction of the Lord, he can provide all the wonderful joy inducing experiences. It sounds super simple, and it is. Isaiah 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."(KJV). The Easy-to-Read Version of this scripture says, "God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you".
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Understanding
Happy Sunday!
1 Corinthians 14:6-12 says, "THINK, friends: If I come to you and all I do is pray privately to God in a way only he can understand, what are you going to get out of that? If I don’t address you plainly with some insight or truth or proclamation or teaching, what help am I to you? If musical instruments—flutes, say, or harps—aren’t played so that each note is distinct and in tune, how will anyone be able to catch the melody and enjoy the music? If the trumpet call can’t be distinguished, will anyone show up for the battle? So if you speak in a way no one can UNDERSTAND, what’s the point of opening your mouth? There are many languages in the world and they all mean something to someone. But if I don’t understand the language, it’s not going to do me much good. It’s no different with you. Since you’re so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don’t you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?"(Message).
Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III preached about Relationships today. I watched both services on Facebook, and I will definitely be watching them again. In the 11 am service he used the scripture above. He focused on "Understanding". He even broke into song, and the congregation joined in with Xscape's song entitled, "Understanding". So often in our relationships we assume the other person, or people know what we mean, and understand what we want. Most of the time they do not know what we want, or need. Dr. Stevenson said, "Language is specific to the type of person you are dealing with. There is a Life Language inside of you. If people don't love you enough to learn your language, they end up doing a bunch of stuff that doesn't register with you".
I'm sure we can all relate. Each of us thinks something different when we hear certain words. If I say "Love" you understand love from your definition of the word. Your definition is based on your life experiences. Dr. Stevenson said, "I come to the table speaking "Me". If I love you, I need to learn how to speak "You". What if I say the word "Help". In various situations, you may feel you have helped another person. But what is their definition of help? So many times we give people what we think we would want in the situation, this is not always accurate.
Relationships take time. Relationships are work. BUT the benefit of putting in the work is the Blessing of healthy, happy, flourishing relationships. In movies the main character may frequent a certain bar or restaurant. When they arrive the bartender or maître d' calls them by name, and already knows what they like, and what they generally order. Perhaps, its like this with you and your favorite place. The staff has taken time to learn more about you. They want you to know that you are valued, and your business is appreciated. Our families, friends, church members, and co-workers deserve the same understanding. I hate soggy bread! Anyone that knows me well, knows why. Its so refreshing when I'm with a person and we are discussing what to eat, and they comment, "But you don't like soggy bread". I smile, they have learned my life language.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
P.S. - Just in case you forgot why I hate soggy bread. My mother would buy the biggest turkey for Thanksgiving. I always exaggerate and say it was 50 pounds. Of course, there would be leftover turkey. She would then make turkey sandwiches with Lawry's seasoning salt and mayonnaise, and freeze them in sandwich bags. Sandwich bags have come a long way over the years. The kind we had didn't zip, they folded over. These frozen sandwiches would be put in our lunch bags. By lunch time the sandwich would have thawed and the bread would be soggy.
1 Corinthians 14:6-12 says, "THINK, friends: If I come to you and all I do is pray privately to God in a way only he can understand, what are you going to get out of that? If I don’t address you plainly with some insight or truth or proclamation or teaching, what help am I to you? If musical instruments—flutes, say, or harps—aren’t played so that each note is distinct and in tune, how will anyone be able to catch the melody and enjoy the music? If the trumpet call can’t be distinguished, will anyone show up for the battle? So if you speak in a way no one can UNDERSTAND, what’s the point of opening your mouth? There are many languages in the world and they all mean something to someone. But if I don’t understand the language, it’s not going to do me much good. It’s no different with you. Since you’re so eager to participate in what God is doing, why don’t you concentrate on doing what helps everyone in the church?"(Message).
Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III preached about Relationships today. I watched both services on Facebook, and I will definitely be watching them again. In the 11 am service he used the scripture above. He focused on "Understanding". He even broke into song, and the congregation joined in with Xscape's song entitled, "Understanding". So often in our relationships we assume the other person, or people know what we mean, and understand what we want. Most of the time they do not know what we want, or need. Dr. Stevenson said, "Language is specific to the type of person you are dealing with. There is a Life Language inside of you. If people don't love you enough to learn your language, they end up doing a bunch of stuff that doesn't register with you".
I'm sure we can all relate. Each of us thinks something different when we hear certain words. If I say "Love" you understand love from your definition of the word. Your definition is based on your life experiences. Dr. Stevenson said, "I come to the table speaking "Me". If I love you, I need to learn how to speak "You". What if I say the word "Help". In various situations, you may feel you have helped another person. But what is their definition of help? So many times we give people what we think we would want in the situation, this is not always accurate.
Relationships take time. Relationships are work. BUT the benefit of putting in the work is the Blessing of healthy, happy, flourishing relationships. In movies the main character may frequent a certain bar or restaurant. When they arrive the bartender or maître d' calls them by name, and already knows what they like, and what they generally order. Perhaps, its like this with you and your favorite place. The staff has taken time to learn more about you. They want you to know that you are valued, and your business is appreciated. Our families, friends, church members, and co-workers deserve the same understanding. I hate soggy bread! Anyone that knows me well, knows why. Its so refreshing when I'm with a person and we are discussing what to eat, and they comment, "But you don't like soggy bread". I smile, they have learned my life language.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
P.S. - Just in case you forgot why I hate soggy bread. My mother would buy the biggest turkey for Thanksgiving. I always exaggerate and say it was 50 pounds. Of course, there would be leftover turkey. She would then make turkey sandwiches with Lawry's seasoning salt and mayonnaise, and freeze them in sandwich bags. Sandwich bags have come a long way over the years. The kind we had didn't zip, they folded over. These frozen sandwiches would be put in our lunch bags. By lunch time the sandwich would have thawed and the bread would be soggy.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Disappointed?
Happy Sunday!
Disappointment is defined as "sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations". Read that definition one more time. I will wait for you.
Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."(KJV). In another translation it may be a little clearer. "Hope postponed grieves the heart; but when a dream comes true, life is full and sweet."(Voice). One more for good measure. "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around"(Message).
In life so many times, things don't turn out like we thought they would! Our family member died, we didn't get the job, or the promotion. We did the right things and now we are suffering. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks with other examples. Disappointment happens when our expectations and dreams don't materialize how, and when we want them to. Deuteronomy 28:65 even describes disappointment as a part of the curse, "Among those nations you’ll never be at rest, and you’ll never be able to settle down. He will make your hearts tremble, your eyes fail from crying, and your soul languish from despair."(Voice). Thank God we are Redeemed from the Curse of the Law!
How can we be free from the spirit of disappointment? Great question! I'm so glad you asked! Hebrews 4:2 says, "For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith."(Living Bible). Don't miss this! We can overcome disappointment by believing the Word, and mixing Faith with the Word. We must remember, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"(Numbers 23:19, KJV).
The Prophet Elijah stood for God against the wicked King Ahab, and his evil wife, Jezebel. He declared it would not rain, and for 3 years there was no rain. He challenged the prophets of Baal, God rained down fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice, and Elijah ended up killing those 500 prophets. Afterward, he received word of a threat on this life by Jezebel and fled. He got so disappointed and depressed he sat under a tree and asked God to kill him. Read it for yourself, "Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day, and sat down under a broom bush and prayed that he might die. “I’ve had enough,” he told the Lord. “Take away my life. I’ve got to die sometime, and it might as well be now.”(1 Kings 19:4, Living Bible). He'd forgotten the Word of God. He'd forgotten what God had already done for him! He'd forgotten that God is Always Faithful!
Don't let disappointment turn you against God, and against his Word. Even if things don't turn out exactly like you want, go back to the Word. Remind yourself of the wonderful promises, and trust that it is working for your good, and God's glory.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Disappointment is defined as "sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations". Read that definition one more time. I will wait for you.
Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."(KJV). In another translation it may be a little clearer. "Hope postponed grieves the heart; but when a dream comes true, life is full and sweet."(Voice). One more for good measure. "Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around"(Message).
In life so many times, things don't turn out like we thought they would! Our family member died, we didn't get the job, or the promotion. We did the right things and now we are suffering. I'm sure you can fill in the blanks with other examples. Disappointment happens when our expectations and dreams don't materialize how, and when we want them to. Deuteronomy 28:65 even describes disappointment as a part of the curse, "Among those nations you’ll never be at rest, and you’ll never be able to settle down. He will make your hearts tremble, your eyes fail from crying, and your soul languish from despair."(Voice). Thank God we are Redeemed from the Curse of the Law!
How can we be free from the spirit of disappointment? Great question! I'm so glad you asked! Hebrews 4:2 says, "For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith."(Living Bible). Don't miss this! We can overcome disappointment by believing the Word, and mixing Faith with the Word. We must remember, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"(Numbers 23:19, KJV).
The Prophet Elijah stood for God against the wicked King Ahab, and his evil wife, Jezebel. He declared it would not rain, and for 3 years there was no rain. He challenged the prophets of Baal, God rained down fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice, and Elijah ended up killing those 500 prophets. Afterward, he received word of a threat on this life by Jezebel and fled. He got so disappointed and depressed he sat under a tree and asked God to kill him. Read it for yourself, "Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day, and sat down under a broom bush and prayed that he might die. “I’ve had enough,” he told the Lord. “Take away my life. I’ve got to die sometime, and it might as well be now.”(1 Kings 19:4, Living Bible). He'd forgotten the Word of God. He'd forgotten what God had already done for him! He'd forgotten that God is Always Faithful!
Don't let disappointment turn you against God, and against his Word. Even if things don't turn out exactly like you want, go back to the Word. Remind yourself of the wonderful promises, and trust that it is working for your good, and God's glory.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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