The Benefits of the Word

 Happy Sunday!

"Oh, how I LOVE all you’ve revealed;
    I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an EDGE on my enemies;
    they NEVER become obsolete.
I’ve even become smarter than my teachers
    since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages
    SIMPLY by DOING what you TELL me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
    so I can spend all my time keeping your WORD.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
    you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
    I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;
    that’s why I hate false propaganda."
(Psalm 119:99-104 Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Peace Not Confusion

 Happy Sunday!

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."(1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV).

How do you feel when someone lies on you?  What about when your actions or words are misunderstood?  What about when you are misquoted?  I can only imagine it's not the best feeling.  Think about what God must feel when human beings lie on Him!  The Bible gives us some insight into His feelings.  Genesis 6:5-7 say, "God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. God said, “I’ll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I’m sorry I made them.”(Message). OUCH!

Remember when Moses was on the mountain with God, and the people decided to make a golden calf and worship it?  Exodus 32:9-10 says, "Then the Lord said, “I have seen what a stubborn, rebellious lot these people are. Now leave me alone and my anger shall blaze out against them and destroy them all; and I will make you, Moses, into a great nation instead of them.”(Living Bible).  Thankfully, Moses was able to remind God of the promises He made to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.  Exodus 32:14 says, "So the Lord changed his mind and spared them."(Living Bible). 

Psalm 2:1-4 says, "Why are the nations so angry? Why are the people making such foolish plans? Their kings and leaders join together to fight against the Lord and his chosen king. They say, “Let’s rebel against them. Let’s break free from them!”  BUT the One who rules in heaven LAUGHS at them. The Lord makes fun of them."(Easy-to-Read Version).  While we are reviewing some of God's feelings or emotions, we definitely can't miss the greatest one of all, Love!  1 John 4:8 says, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD is LOVE."(KJV).  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."(KJV).

God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin.  God is not angry with us!  He loves us and wants the best for us.  BUT he won't force us to love Him back.  He is not the author or creator of confusion, the Devil does that.  God desires for us to enjoy "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."(Romans 14:17 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Pleasant Words

 Happy Sunday!

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."(Proverbs 16:24 KJV).

I enjoy house plants.  If you visit my home this is immediately evident.  I rarely speak to my plants, but I can tell if they need water, food, or more light.  Scientific studies have proven that positive words spoken to plants have an effect on them.  Whether it's the vibration in the sound waves or the carbon dioxide, something really happens to the plants when they are spoken to.  The scripture above says pleasant words are even beneficial to Humans.

Jesus is our example.  He spoke to a fig tree in the Bible.  Matthew 21:18-20 says, "In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were ONLY leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”(NLT).  Why would Jesus curse that fig tree?  Great question, so glad you asked!  Fig trees produce fruit before they produce leaves.  That fig tree was a Hypocrite!  The Webster Dictionary 1828 defines hypocrite like this, "One who feigns to be what he is not; one who has the form of godliness without the power, or who assumes an appearance of piety and virtue, when he is destitute of true religion."

The Apostle Paul knew the power of words and encouraged Believers, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."(Ephesians 4:29 KJV).  What kind of words are you speaking to others?  What sort of words are you speaking to yourself?  Don't miss this! It matters what you say!  Jesus said, "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very WORDS I have spoken to you are spirit and life."(John 6:63 NLT).

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."(Philippians 4:8 KJV).  Think on good things, and speak pleasant words!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Don’t Be Intimidated!

 Happy Sunday!

"Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be SAVED, even by God himself."(Philippians 1:28 NLT)

The Webster's Dictionary 1828 defines intimidate as "To make fearful; to inspire with fear; to dishearten; to abash".  I had to also look up the word "abash" to get clarity.  Abash is defined as "to make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed".  Don't miss this!  God commands us to not let anyone make us fearful, disheartened, embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed!  I know what you are thinking, but is it possible? Yes, it is! God never tells us to do anything that we are not capable of doing.

How can we accomplish this?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked!  The Apostle Paul said, "For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."(Romans 1:16 KJV).  We have to know what we believe, and in whom we believe.  Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV).  The Word of God has to be a priority!  The Word is described as food and water!  Just like you need nourishment to be strong for work and exercise, you must have a steady diet of the Word to be strong against the wiles of the Devil.  Our enemy is not just out to hurt us, discourage us, or sadden us, his end goal is to KILL us!  John 10:10 says, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance."(Voice).

Be encouraged!  No matter what happens God has already made the way for us to WIN!   Jesus paid the price for our salvation, healing, and prosperity!  He's promised to never leave us or forsake us!(Hebrews 13:5).

Love and prayers, Cynthia