The Chosen One

 Happy Sunday!

"And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds."(Numbers 17:7-8, KJV).

Dr. Bill Winston said that not entering into the Promised Land may have not been as devastating as we think for Moses.  Of course, we won't know for sure until we get to Heaven and ask.  But Moses dealt with so much from the people he led.  Murmuring, complaining, and accusing him of attempted murder for simply bringing them out of bondage.  In Numbers 16 they were at it again.  Questioning his motives and his authority.  When God had had enough He told Moses to get away from these evil men, and Moses warned others to do the same.  Then the earth opened up and swallowed the murmuring ringleaders, their families, and all their belongings.  OUCH! 

In our scripture today, there was yet another test to prove who God called to lead in the priesthood.  Each of the 12 tribes brought a rod to Moses.  He placed them in the tabernacle.  Miraculously, overnight Aaron's rod budded, blossomed, and produced almonds.  No doubt about it.  God showed clearly and unequivocally who had been chosen.  In John 15:16, Jesus said, "It is not that you have chosen me; but it is I who have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and bear fruit that will be lasting; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you."(Phillips).

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"(KJV).  God chose you and called you out of darkness so that you can be visible, undeniable proof of His power.  He has spared your life, He has showered you with his blessings, and He is daily using you to draw others to Himself.  Matthew 5:16 says, "You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."(Voice).

You are the chosen one.  You are the answer.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Be All That You Can Be

 Happy Sunday!

"Remember Elijah? He was a man, no different from us. He prayed with great intensity asking God to withhold the rain; God answered his prayers and did not allow a single drop of rain to fall for three and a half years."(James 5:17, Voice).

Have you ever thought to yourself, "What can I do? I'm just one person."  Sure you have.  People think less of themselves all the time.  It's why people stay in abusive relationships, unproductive communities, and dead-end jobs.  But God is so Good!  He has filled the Word with examples of humans living supernaturally, and has promised that we can do likewise.  Even Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."(John 14:12, KJV).

You are one, but you are not alone.  Your life matters.  Someone needs what you have to give.  I know I've told you this story before, but I will repeat it again.  A minister prepared for a great revival meeting.  God spoke to his heart and told him that thousands of people would be saved because of his ministry.  That night only one young man came forward to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Not the ending the minister expected, but that one young man was Billy Graham.  This one young man "preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people who attended one of his more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories. He reached millions more through TV, video, film, the internet and 34 books."(https://memorial.billygraham.org/official-obituary/).

What are you doing with what God has given you?  When he returns like the "man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods", what will you have to show for your time on earth?  Will he say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."(Matthew 25:21, KJV).   Or will he say, "You’re a wicked, lazy servant!"?(vs 26, Phillips).  OUCH!  I hope that's not what you hear, and pray that you make the necessary changes while you can.  The master goes on to say, "throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where he can weep and wail over his stupidity."(vs 30, Phillips).

Don't be stupid, wicked, or lazy.  Romans 14:19 says, "So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another."(Amplified).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Do Your Part

Happy Sunday!

Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."(KJV).

We absolutely love this scripture!  Yes, we do!  But are we seeing this lived out in our lives as it is described?  Read it again, but this time go back to at least verse 20 of this chapter to get the full weight of what Jesus taught.  This scripture's abundant blessings are conditional.  They're based on our ability to live out the the rest of Jesus' commands.

Let's take a look at some of the things he said prior to this scripture.

      Verse 27 - "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you"(KJV)

      Verse 28 - "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully

                         use you."(KJV)

      Verse 29 - "To those who despise you, continue to serve them and minister

                         to them. If someone takes away your coat, give him as a gift

                         your shirt as well.(TPT)

      Verse 36 -  "So imitate God and be truly compassionate, the way your 

                         Father is."(Voice)

      Verse 37 -  "Forsake the habit of criticizing and judging others, and then

                         you will not be criticized and judged in return. Don’t look at

                         others and pronounce them guilty, and you will not experience

                         guilty accusations yourself. Forgive over and over and you will

                         be forgiven over and over."(TPT)

Job 36:11 says, "If they OBEY and SERVE Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy."(Amplified).  Don't miss this!  We have a part to play in our success. 

I often work with customers that are frustrated and overwhelmed because they did not get a promotional credit or rebate they expected. After assuring them that I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of the concern, I usually find that they failed to do their part.  They did not read the rebate instructions. They did not return the necessary device or documentation in a timely manner.  They ignored emails, and text messages sent as reminders.  Can you relate?  In some cases it is too late and the benefit is lost.  God wants you to get every good thing He has provided for you.  Psalm 35:27 says, "The Lord is great, and he delights in the prosperity of his servant.”(TPT).  But like Brother Kenneth Hagin used to say, "It's not going to just fall on you like ripe cherries falling off a tree".  You are responsible to do your part. 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Report Card

 Happy Sunday!

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."(Galatians 6:4-5, Message).

Do you remember getting your school report card?  I do!  There was a time when my parents rewarded us with $3.00 for every A, $2.00 for every B, $0.00 for every C.   C was unacceptable, because my mother insisted we were not average.  Rest assured a whipping was coming for every D, and I'm still alive, so it's clear I did not get any F's.  The standard was set, and we were expected to live up to that standard.  It's the same way in the Kingdom of God.  God is our Heavenly Father and he has given us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness".(2 Peter 1:3, KJV).  He expects us to "Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way."(2 Timothy 2:15, Easy-to-Read Version).

Don't miss this!  God wants us to apply what we learn in the Bible to our daily lives, relationships, and endeavors in the right way.  There is a right way to do things, you know?  I know, I know.  The culture wants you to believe there are "gray areas", exceptions, and many ways to skin a cat.  I don't recommend trying the latter!  LOL!  Don't be hoodwinked, or bamboozled either!  Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 both say, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."(KJV).  I don't believe there is any coincidence that this scripture is in the Bible twice.

There will be a Test!  Not your standardized Test, but a Test nonetheless.  Haven't you been feeling the pressure this year?  It's Testing time.  John 6: 6 says, "He asked Philip this question to TEST him. Jesus already knew what he planned to do."(Easy-to-Read Version).  Jesus taught his disciples for 3 years.  He rebuked them quite often when they missed the point of the teaching.  For instance, one day he told them to go to the other side of the lake.  Remember, some of them were seasoned professional fishermen, and familiar with the sea.  "The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, “Master, save us! We’re going down!”  Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?” Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: “Silence!” The sea became smooth as glass."(Matthew 8:24-26, Message).

Are you ready for the test?  Are you confident in the material you have learned?  Have you just skimmed over the content?  Have you practiced it?  We can always look to Jesus as our example.  Matthew 4 tells us how Jesus passed the Test.  After 40 days and nights of fasting, he was physically weakened but each time the enemy tried to tempt him he said, "for it is written".  He had the Word of God in his heart and memory.  He didn't have to search the Internet for a good response.  He was firmly rooted, and grounded in the Word.  He trusted God, and no matter what he saw or heard.  Matthew 4:11 says, "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."(KJV).  Jesus passed his test, and got way more than any $3.00!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Fooling You?

Happy Sunday!

"Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like."(James 1:22, Message).

The King James Version of this same scripture says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."(KJV).   Don't miss this!  It is possible to deceive yourself.  I know, I know it sounds preposterous!  Why would you want to lie to yourself?  Aren't there enough lies and liars in the world already? 

Earlier in the week, the Holy Spirit led me to Revelation 21:8.  In the previous scriptures Jesus declares that He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.  Then he declares the those that overcome will be His sons, and He will be their God.  Then he gets to verse 8 and begins to paint a picture of those who do not overcome.  He says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."(KJV).  Not a happy description to say the least.  I noticed that he specified "ALL Liars".  He didn't do that to the other words.  Makes you wonder why he wanted to ensure we know that all liars are doomed.

Proverbs 6:16-19 gives some insight into how God feels about telling lies.  "The Lord HATES these seven things: eyes that show pride, tongues that tell LIES, hands that kill innocent people, hearts that plan evil things to do, feet that run to do evil, witnesses in court who tell LIES, and anyone who causes family members to fight."(Easy-to-Read Version).  The religious leaders were bent on killing Jesus, and he told them, "For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and a hater of truth—there is not an iota of truth in him. When he lies, it is perfectly normal; for he is the father of liars."(John 8:44, Living Bible).

Let's not forget Ananias and Sapphira.  Acts 5: 1-7 says, "Once a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira fully cooperating, committed fraud. He sold some property and kept some of the proceeds, but he pretended to make a full donation to the Lord’s emissaries. Peter: Ananias, have you allowed Satan to influence your LIES to the Holy Spirit and hold back some of the money? Look, it was your property before you sold it, and the money was all yours after you sold it. Why have you concocted this scheme in your heart? You weren’t just lying to us; you were lying to God.  Ananias heard these words and immediately dropped to the ground, dead; fear overcame all those who heard of the incident.  Some young men came, wrapped the body, and buried it immediately. About three hours had passed when Sapphira arrived. She had no idea what had happened."(Voice).

Don't miss this!  God loves a cheerful giver.(2 Corinthians 9:7).  It was his property, and his money.  Ananias didn't have to give it.  But he wanted to be recognized for his big giving.  Jesus warned us about this, "“Be careful! When you do something good, don’t do it in front of others so that they will see you. If you do that, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."(Matthew 6:1, Easy-to-Read Version).

You know times have changed because it wouldn't have taken 3 minutes for people in the crowd to upload the video of Ananias dropping dead to Instagram.  But the scripture says, 3 hours later Sapphira made it to church.  Not knowing what had happened to her husband, she lied too, dropped dead, and was carried out.  Moral of the story..." What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself"(Ephesians 4:25, Message).

Don't lie to anyone, especially yourself.  Michael Jackson sang about talking to the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways.  Dr. Fred Price said, "Whatever you are anywhere, you should be everywhere".  I encourage you to speak the Word, and always speak the Truth.

Love and prayers, Cynthia