Happy Sunday!
“Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world.
If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood!
Not loving me means not keeping my words.
The message you are hearing isn’t mine.
It’s the message of the Father who sent me."(John 14:23-24, Message)
I read this passage in several translations and they are all Good! You should check them out. I use the BibleGateway App because of the numerous translations to compare and enjoy. These scriptures make the point that when you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ, you will do what he says. You will obey. It immediately made me think of the movie, B*A*P*S. In the scene where James is expressing his love for Mickey. He tells her how he loves her, and wants the best for her. Then she exclaims, "Don't say it if you don't mean it!"
Can't you just hear Jesus saying the same thing? Don't say it if you don't mean it! It's not about whether you smoke, or chew, or hang around with folks that do. Well, at least not fully. It's about the weighty matters. Are you loving others? Jesus said, "Your strong love for each other will PROVE to the world that you are my disciples.”(John 13:35, Living Bible). Don't miss this! He did not say we would be recognized for our attire, our blessings, or our religious habits. This current temporary situation brought on by Satan and the virus has proven that the church is not a building, but a group of people. We were instructed to GO into all the earth preaching the Gospel. That means everyday, not just on Sunday, we have a chance to shine.
The Apostle John wrote, "If anyone says “I love God,” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen?"(1 John 4:20, Living Bible). Let that sink in. People can be hard to deal with. I know first hand.
I'm in Customer Service. But no matter how ugly people act, we are commanded to love.
Thankfully, God has given us His love with which to love others.(Romans 5:5). And he reminds us that he has loved us through thick and thin. Romans 5:6-8 says it this way, "Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Sunday, July 19, 2020
What do you know?
Happy Sunday!
Daniel 11:32b says, "but the people that do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits."(KJV).
I'm sure you've heard someone say that they "know" someone else in the biblical sense of the word. The word "know" is defined as "having developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with". When we know God, the Word promises we will be strong and do exploits. Another translation of this scripture says, "But the people who know their God* shall be strong and do great things."(Living Bible).
My mother used to say you should learn something new everyday. What have you learned today? What have you learned this week? What have you learned this month? What do you KNOW? Even learning things about yourself qualifies. During our months of quarantine and isolation we have time for introspection. We can revisit hurts of the past and see how they have affected us mentally, and emotionally. We can acknowledge feelings and thought patterns and allow time for healing and make changes for a better future. We can organize, purge, and clean our environment. We can stop procrastinating and do the things on our lists. Well, at least some of the things on our lists. 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).
Dr. Mike Freeman, Pastor of Spirit of Faith Christian Center in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, recounted going to the local community swimming pools as a child. The shallow end would be so crowded that you couldn't really move without bumping into another person. One day he noticed the deep end was empty. He determined to learn how to swim. After learning to swim he never had to deal with the crowded shallow end of the pool. He had space to enjoy the water. He discovered that "if you learn a little more than the average person you can distance yourself from the crowd". Don't miss this! This is applicable to every area of life.
Ignorant people say, "what you don't know can't hurt you". Actually, what you don't know can kill you! God does not want us to be ignorant. He wants us to, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth."(2 Timothy 2:15, Amplified). It may not seem like much but what you are learning today will place you miles ahead of those who refuse to learn.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Daniel 11:32b says, "but the people that do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits."(KJV).
I'm sure you've heard someone say that they "know" someone else in the biblical sense of the word. The word "know" is defined as "having developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with". When we know God, the Word promises we will be strong and do exploits. Another translation of this scripture says, "But the people who know their God* shall be strong and do great things."(Living Bible).
My mother used to say you should learn something new everyday. What have you learned today? What have you learned this week? What have you learned this month? What do you KNOW? Even learning things about yourself qualifies. During our months of quarantine and isolation we have time for introspection. We can revisit hurts of the past and see how they have affected us mentally, and emotionally. We can acknowledge feelings and thought patterns and allow time for healing and make changes for a better future. We can organize, purge, and clean our environment. We can stop procrastinating and do the things on our lists. Well, at least some of the things on our lists. 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).
Dr. Mike Freeman, Pastor of Spirit of Faith Christian Center in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, recounted going to the local community swimming pools as a child. The shallow end would be so crowded that you couldn't really move without bumping into another person. One day he noticed the deep end was empty. He determined to learn how to swim. After learning to swim he never had to deal with the crowded shallow end of the pool. He had space to enjoy the water. He discovered that "if you learn a little more than the average person you can distance yourself from the crowd". Don't miss this! This is applicable to every area of life.
Ignorant people say, "what you don't know can't hurt you". Actually, what you don't know can kill you! God does not want us to be ignorant. He wants us to, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth."(2 Timothy 2:15, Amplified). It may not seem like much but what you are learning today will place you miles ahead of those who refuse to learn.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Making Him Happy
Happy Sunday!
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).
Do you want to please God? I mean is pleasing God your life's goal? Please is defined as "cause to feel happy and satisfied". Do you want to make God happy? Do you want him to be satisfied? Christians love to quip about God saying on their final day, "well done my good and faithful servant".(Matthew 25:21). But do you wake up everyday with the goal of pleasing God in everything you do?
I know, I know. It seems daunting unless you remember, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."(Philippians 4:13, KJV). And it can seem impossible with out the help of the Holy Spirit. "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."(Acts 1:8, KJV). Jesus further encouraged us by saying, "For with God nothing shall be impossible."(Luke 1:37, KJV).
I've often said I am so blessed to be quarantined with my daughters. We understand each other, enjoy being together, and know how to enjoy time alone in our own rooms. There is only one disagreement. We disagree about which Disney Princess is the best. I've always been drawn to Cinderella. Not only could her nickname be Cindy like mine, but I always felt our stories were intertwined. A hard childhood, but a fabulous future...that's for me! I love Snow White because she could clean a house inhabited by 7 men. That girl had the juice! LOL. My daughter, Christina loves Belle from "The Beauty and the Beast". That story will preach, as my sister Jacque always says. It reminds us...don't disregard the lowly, don't fall for the curse, it's Ok to sacrifice your life for the one you love, it's good to be smart, reading is fundamental, and it is best to see people for more than face value. God said, "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."(1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).
My daughter Crystal loves all things Cinderella. Good, bad, or indifferent she has seen and owned almost every Cinderella movie. She has even seen the Broadway rendition when it came to Chicago. She relates to the story of redemption and hope that things will be better like Jeremiah 29:11, "“I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future."(Easy-to-Read Version). She also loves the songs and there are days I walk past her room and hear her singing. From the Rodger's and Hammerstein Cinderella, she loves the song, "Impossible". If you Google it we prefer the Whitney Houston and Brandy version. Check out these lyrics that are so appropriate for today, "But the world is full of zanies and fools; Who don’t believe in sensible rules; And won’t believe what sensible people say; And because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes; Keep building up impossible hopes
Impossible things are happening every day!"
Don't miss this! Impossible things are happening every day! Faith is what our dreams are made of, and having faith in God to do it is what makes Him happy. 1 Peter 5:10-11 says, "Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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).
Do you want to please God? I mean is pleasing God your life's goal? Please is defined as "cause to feel happy and satisfied". Do you want to make God happy? Do you want him to be satisfied? Christians love to quip about God saying on their final day, "well done my good and faithful servant".(Matthew 25:21). But do you wake up everyday with the goal of pleasing God in everything you do?
I know, I know. It seems daunting unless you remember, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."(Philippians 4:13, KJV). And it can seem impossible with out the help of the Holy Spirit. "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."(Acts 1:8, KJV). Jesus further encouraged us by saying, "For with God nothing shall be impossible."(Luke 1:37, KJV).
I've often said I am so blessed to be quarantined with my daughters. We understand each other, enjoy being together, and know how to enjoy time alone in our own rooms. There is only one disagreement. We disagree about which Disney Princess is the best. I've always been drawn to Cinderella. Not only could her nickname be Cindy like mine, but I always felt our stories were intertwined. A hard childhood, but a fabulous future...that's for me! I love Snow White because she could clean a house inhabited by 7 men. That girl had the juice! LOL. My daughter, Christina loves Belle from "The Beauty and the Beast". That story will preach, as my sister Jacque always says. It reminds us...don't disregard the lowly, don't fall for the curse, it's Ok to sacrifice your life for the one you love, it's good to be smart, reading is fundamental, and it is best to see people for more than face value. God said, "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."(1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).
My daughter Crystal loves all things Cinderella. Good, bad, or indifferent she has seen and owned almost every Cinderella movie. She has even seen the Broadway rendition when it came to Chicago. She relates to the story of redemption and hope that things will be better like Jeremiah 29:11, "“I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future."(Easy-to-Read Version). She also loves the songs and there are days I walk past her room and hear her singing. From the Rodger's and Hammerstein Cinderella, she loves the song, "Impossible". If you Google it we prefer the Whitney Houston and Brandy version. Check out these lyrics that are so appropriate for today, "But the world is full of zanies and fools; Who don’t believe in sensible rules; And won’t believe what sensible people say; And because these daft and dewy-eyed dopes; Keep building up impossible hopes
Impossible things are happening every day!"
Don't miss this! Impossible things are happening every day! Faith is what our dreams are made of, and having faith in God to do it is what makes Him happy. 1 Peter 5:10-11 says, "Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Hidden...
Happy Sunday!
Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(KJV). Have you ever wondered why we need to hide the Word? I would think the Word could be left out in the open anywhere. Didn't your grandmother have that 16 pound family Bible out on the coffee table? We generally hide our valuables, our money, and our secrets. The Message Translation of this same scripture says, "I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt." That's so good!
In Matthew 13, Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower. He described how quickly the enemy comes to steal the seeds of the Word before they can germinate in the soil of our hearts. Our enemy knows that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."(Romans 10:17, KJV). He does whatever he can to keep us from hearing the Word, and if we do hear it he causes distractions, and tries to keep us from understanding it. Think back before COVID-19 and restrictions on large gatherings. Can't you recall being in church, and the Word getting really good and interesting? Then all of a sudden and baby starts crying, your neighbor decides to get up and go to the bathroom, or a late comer to the service is ushered to your row? I can remember so many instances like this. That was the Devil distracting you from the Word you needed for your well-being.
Thank God for CDs, DVDs, and Streaming Services that allow us to go back and hear what we missed, and listen again, and again. I have so many little notebooks with years of sermon notes. They still bless me. I can pick them up and go back years and the Word is always still relevant. Our enemy is a liar. He is like most proficient liars, he does a very good job. Our only defense is the Truth. Jesus prayed for us, and said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."(John 17:17, KJV). Don't miss this! The Word of God is the TRUTH. Truth is the only antidote for lies.
Get the Word, hide it in your heart, then guard it like you guard your precious jewelry. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life."(Voice).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."(KJV). Have you ever wondered why we need to hide the Word? I would think the Word could be left out in the open anywhere. Didn't your grandmother have that 16 pound family Bible out on the coffee table? We generally hide our valuables, our money, and our secrets. The Message Translation of this same scripture says, "I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt." That's so good!
In Matthew 13, Jesus taught the Parable of the Sower. He described how quickly the enemy comes to steal the seeds of the Word before they can germinate in the soil of our hearts. Our enemy knows that "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."(Romans 10:17, KJV). He does whatever he can to keep us from hearing the Word, and if we do hear it he causes distractions, and tries to keep us from understanding it. Think back before COVID-19 and restrictions on large gatherings. Can't you recall being in church, and the Word getting really good and interesting? Then all of a sudden and baby starts crying, your neighbor decides to get up and go to the bathroom, or a late comer to the service is ushered to your row? I can remember so many instances like this. That was the Devil distracting you from the Word you needed for your well-being.
Thank God for CDs, DVDs, and Streaming Services that allow us to go back and hear what we missed, and listen again, and again. I have so many little notebooks with years of sermon notes. They still bless me. I can pick them up and go back years and the Word is always still relevant. Our enemy is a liar. He is like most proficient liars, he does a very good job. Our only defense is the Truth. Jesus prayed for us, and said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."(John 17:17, KJV). Don't miss this! The Word of God is the TRUTH. Truth is the only antidote for lies.
Get the Word, hide it in your heart, then guard it like you guard your precious jewelry. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life."(Voice).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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