Sunday, April 26, 2020

Acknowledge

Happy Sunday!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, "So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever."(Message).  Don't miss this!  The Word says the things we see today will be gone tomorrow!  I believe this wholeheartedly and anticipate the day when things will be different, and better.

But what can I do in the meantime? Great question! I'm so glad you asked.  Hosea 4:6 in the Good News Translation says, "My people are doomed because they do not acknowledge me".  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."(KJV).  We are only doomed to fail when we refuse to acknowledge God.  Acknowledge is defined as "to accept or admit the existence or truth of".  Psalm 14:1 says, "That man is a fool who says to himself, “There is no God!” Anyone who talks like that is warped and evil and cannot really be a good person at all."(Living Bible). 

Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he IS, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  We have to believe that God "IS".  That means we acknowledge him.  Then he rewards us when we diligently seek him.  Have you ever lost anything?  A ring?  A debit card?  The key to your safe deposit box?  Well, if you are anything like me Spring Cleaning cannot compare to the cleaning that occurs when a prized item is lost in the house.  We sweep, we move furniture, we retrace our steps, and we shine the light in dark places.  That's diligence.  We must seek God that way.  Now don't get me wrong, he's not lost.  But the secrets we need to make our lives better are hidden in the Word of God.  The disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you use these stories to teach the people?”(Matthew 13:10, Easy-to-Read Version).  Jesus responded, “Knowledge about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you. But it has not been given to the crowd. Those who understand these mysteries will be given more knowledge, and they will excel in understanding them. However, some people don’t understand these mysteries. Even what they understand will be taken away from them."(Matthew 13:11-12, God's Word Translation).  It's like a secure password or login.  You have to have the right credentials, and information to get in. 

Proverbs 4:7 says, "Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment."(Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Don't Believe the Lies

Happy Sunday!

This week I heard a quote and had to share it on Social Media.  It says, "God meets us where we are at, not where we pretend to be".  Not sure of the true author, but this is so good.  Made me think of Genesis 3:9, "And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?"(KJV). 

God knows exactly where we are.  He never has to wonder.  But what he does is encourage us to be truthful about where we are, who we are, and what we really believe.  Satan is described as the "Father of Lies".(John 8:44).  He was foolish enough to believe the lies he told himself, and was so convincing he tricked other angels into rebelling with him.  He's still out trying to steal, kill, and destroy, and he lies to us as often as possible.(John 10:10).

Are you falling for his lies?  Are you believing his press releases?  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).  Don't miss this!  The enemy works on our minds, and we have to refute all of his suggestions. 

He says you won't survive this pandemic physically, emotionally, or financially.  But the Word says, "I will not die. I will live.  I will live to tell about all the Eternal has done."(Psalm 118:17, Voice).  He says you won't have enough.  But the Word says, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."(Psalm 37:25, KJV).  He says you won't see the promises of God.  But the Word says, "The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning."(2 Peter 3:9, Easy-to-Read Version).  And the Word also says, "I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see his goodness to me here in the land of the living."(Psalm 27:13, Living Bible).

If you read the end of the story, WE WIN!  Don't forget that while you are in the heat of the battle.  Jesus triumphed over Satan, and one day he will pay for his lies.  In the meantime, "Fight the good fight of Faith;"(1 Timothy 6:12, KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Sunday, April 12, 2020

New Life

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"(John 11:25, KJV).

I love this scripture!  Well, you know I love lots of scriptures.  Anyway, the story around this scripture is amazing.  Jesus had friends, and he enjoyed spending time with them.  His good friend Lazarus had just died.  When Jesus arrived the man's sister Martha came out to speak with him.  She spoke in faith.  She knew that if Jesus had been there her brother would not have died.  She also said, "But I know that even now God will give you ANYTHING you ask."(John 11:22, Easy-to-Read Version).  Don't miss this!  Even though her brother was graveyard dead, and probably decomposing as she spoke...she believed that "with God all things are possible."(Matthew 19:26, KJV).

I had the pleasure of speaking to my Auntee, Sophia Brooks this week.  So good to hear her voice.  She always encourages me.  She mentioned grief.  I hadn't considered that we are grieving the loss of our routine, our patterns, and our way of life.  My company says, "Change Energizes Us".  But really change frightens us, stretches us, and challenges us.  But we can't give up, and we can't give in to fear.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Life is what you make it".  During this time we are forced to look for new ways to thrive and make life good.  My sister, Jacque Woods has been using the time to complete home improvement and creative projects.  My daughter, Crystal has been sewing her Summer fashions.  My Best Friend, Gina Ferrell worked with her Pastors, Carlos Brown Sr, and Zorina Brown to sew face masks and make care packages for the disadvantaged in their community.  What are you doing?  Can't think of anything?  Pray.  Read. Encourage others.

Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave.  He was alive again!  He had another chance at this thing we call life.  Each day we have another chance at life.  Being resurrected from our sleep is nothing less than miraculous!  What will you do today to change your tomorrow? Breathe new life into your business, breathe new life into your talents, breathe new life into your family.

Love and prayers,  Cynthia

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Pass Me Over

Happy Sunday!

Even the most mundane task can be an occasion for joy. Because every moment of life provides you with the opportunity to express your own joy. - Ralph Marston

Praying that you and yours are safe and well!  I saw a meme today that said, "I feel like I'm 16 again.  Gas is cheap, and I'm on punishment."  I had to laugh out loud.  I had just talked to my daughter Christina about feeling like we used to feel before we got a lump sum of money.  You know what I mean.  You mapped out all the things you plan to do as soon as the money comes in.  Well, I'm making a list of all the places I want to go when this quarantine is over.

Psalm 105:36-37 says, "He killed the first-born sons of all the families of Egypt. Then he led the Israelites out; they carried silver and gold, and all of them were HEALTHY and STRONG."(Good News Translation).  We are in the Passover season.  A time when we remember that our God is a deliverer!  You remember the story.  Moses told Pharoah that God said it was time to let the people go.  Pharoah was hardhearted and hardheaded.  Plague after plague was visited upon Egypt.  Finally, the Children of Israel were instructed to differentiate themselves by openly placing the blood of a lamb on the door posts.  The blood was the only sign to the death angel to pass over that house and not kill the firstborn.

Obedience, submission, and humility were just a few of the necessary characteristics to avoid destruction.  Jesus became our Passover Lamb.  Today the Blood of Jesus covers us and our families.  It keeps the death angel and every plague from touching us.

The King James Version of Psalm 105:37 says, "and there was not one feeble person among their tribes",  Don't miss this!  The people covered by the blood were healthy and strong when freedom finally came.  God intends for us to be healthy and strong when he delivers us.  And he also wants us to be prosperous.  Exodus 11:2 says, "Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver and jewels of gold."(KJV).  The Children of Israel left Egypt with BANK!  Talk about Holy Reparations, Batman!

What does this mean for me today?  So glad you asked!  God wants you well!  God wants you strong!  God wants you prosperous!  All of these are part of Salvation through Jesus Christ.  When you accept Jesus you get all the benefits too!  2 Peter 1:3 says, "For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!"(Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia