Peter Knows

 Happy Sunday!

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust."(Psalm 4:8 Amplified).

I had a very full weekend, and got a lot accomplished.  I know I will sleep peacefully, and soundly tonight.  Not just because I am tired, but also because God cares for me.  1 Peter 5:7 says, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."(Amplified).  It's so nice to know that someone cares about you.  And it helps that it's the God of the Universe.

All this made me think about Peter. He had first hand experience with resting in God's care.  "The night before he was to be executed, he was asleep, double-chained between two soldiers with others standing guard before the prison gate, when suddenly there was a light in the cell and an angel of the Lord stood beside Peter! The angel slapped him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists! Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your shoes.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me!” the angel ordered. So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a dream or vision and didn’t believe it was really happening. They passed the first and second cell blocks and came to the iron gate to the street, and this opened to them of its own accord! So they passed through and walked along together for a block, and then the angel left him."(Acts 12:6-10 Living Bible).

I thank God for all of His many blessings.  I thank him for prosperity, progress, and purpose.  I'm thankful to know He has a good plan for my life, and your life too.  He promises in Jeremiah 29:11, "I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering."(CEV).  And I love how the Psalmist confidently proclaimed, "I know that I will live to see the Lord's goodness in this present life."(GNT).

I'm thankful for you!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Open My Eyes

 Happy Sunday!

"When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha."(2 Kings 6:15 NLT).

This is one of the greatest bible stories!  The King of Aram was at war with the King of Israel.  Each time the King of Aram would plan a military strategy, God would supernaturally inform the Prophet Elisha and he would warn the King of Israel.  It got so bad that the King of Aram was ready to kill any traitors he found in his camp.  But they quickly informed him that the Prophet Elisha was telling the King of Israel every move he made, and even the secret things he said in his private bedroom.  WOW! 

Makes sense that Jesus would later say, "But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when the TRUTH will be revealed: their secret plots will become public information."(Matthew 10:26 Living Bible).  God sees it all!  God knows the entire story, all the intricate details.  So back to Elisha.  He didn't sit the servant down and try to convince him that everything is going to be alright.  He said, "Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them."(vs 16).  Then he prayed, "Lord, I ask you, open my servant’s eyes so that he can see.”(vs 17).  Wait!  Didn't the servant already have his eyes open?  He saw the enemy army surrounding them, didn't he?  Yes, his physical eyes were open but he needed to see in the spirit.  "The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!"(vs 17).

Psalm 34:7 says, "The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers."(Amplified).  I guess the servant didn't know that we have invisible armies at our disposal.  The prophet prayed and asked God to blind the Aramean soldiers, then he led them to the King of Israel and prayed that their sight would be restored.  Can you imagine their horror to open their eyes and realize they were in the middle of the enemies camp?  They were easy prey.  They could be killed and it would have all been normal for times of war.  But Elisha told the King of Israel to feed them and send them home.  After that, "The raiding bands of Aram didn’t bother Israel anymore."(vs 23).

What can we get out of this?  So much!  I'm so glad you asked!  When we reverence and fear the Lord he has promised to protect us.  Even though we cannot see our angelic body guards, they are present and accounted for.  Hebrews 1:14 says, "What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation."*GNT).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Heart of a Child

 Happy Sunday!

"You have built a stronghold by the songs of children. Strength rises up with the chorus of infants.  This kind of praise has power to shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you."(Psalm 8:2 TPT).

God wants us to be childlike, but not childish.  There is a big difference.  Even Jesus said, "Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 18:4 Amplified).  Don't miss this!  The greatest person is not the one we would expect.  They may not be impressive in our evaluation.  We may not recognize their name, or think they are relevant, beautiful, or important. BUT God classifies them as the greatest.  1 Samuel 16:7 says, "But the Lord told him, “Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.”(CEV).

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."(Amplified).  The Message Translation says, "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.  Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust."(vs 23-27).  And the Voice Translation of the same scripture 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."

All these references to the heart make me think about how people often say, "God knows my heart".  Yes, he knows your heart.  He knows it better than you do.  He's not fooled.  Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, "The heart is the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is!  Only the Lord knows! He searches all hearts and examines deepest motives so he can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds—how he has lived."(Living Bible).  Jesus said, "It’s the same with people. A person full of goodness in his heart produces good things; a person with an evil reservoir in his heart pours out evil things. The heart overflows in the words a person speaks; your words reveal what’s within your heart."(Luke 6:45 Voice).

It's so simple.  It's not hard to locate your heart, listen to your words. 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Free and Victorious

 Happy Resurrection Sunday!

"Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a FREE people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth."(Ephesians 1:7-10 Message).

Jesus made us Free!  John 8:36 says, "So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free."(Amplified).  Let that sink in! Especially, if the enemy is haunting you with memories of past mistakes.  Jesus paid it ALL!  There is no outstanding balance!  And if you miss it, 1 John 1:9 says, "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [CONTINUOUSLY] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]."(Amplified).

Don't you just love how the Word says, "He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need"?  I do!  I'm so grateful that I have a Heavenly Father that sincerely loves, cares, and provides for me.  I'm thankful that he has given me the Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and guide me.  It's comforting to know that even in this unpredictable world I can have complete confidence in his good plan for me. You can too!  He promises, "I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."(Jeremiah 29:11 Message).  2 Corinthians 2:14-15 says, "Yet I am so thankful to God, who ALWAYS marches us to VICTORY under the banner of the Anointed One; and through us He spreads the beautiful fragrance of His knowledge to every corner of the earth. In a turbulent world where people are either dying or being rescued, we are the sweet smell of the Anointed to God our Father."(Voice).

Free, and Victorious!

Love and prayers, Cynthia