The Lord IS

 Happy Sunday!

"The LORD is my shepherd;

    I have ALL that I need.

He lets me REST in green meadows;

    he LEADS me beside peaceful streams.

He RENEWS my strength.

He GUIDES me along RIGHT paths,

    bringing honor to his name.

EVEN when I walk

    through the darkest valley,

I will NOT be afraid,

    for you are CLOSE beside me.

Your rod and your staff

    PROTECT and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

    My cup overflows with BLESSINGS.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will PURSUE me

    all the days of my life,

and I will LIVE in the house of the Lord

    forever."(Psalm 23 NLT).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Be Sober!

 Happy Sunday!

"Be SOBER, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"(1 Peter 5:8 KJV).

Are you a tasty treat for the Devil?  When my grandson, Nesta was younger he would describe something delicious to eat as a "Tasty Treat".  The Apostle Peter wrote to Believers to be alert and aware that our enemy, the Devil is out to make us his prey!  He also told the Believer what to do to ensure you never become a tasty treat for the enemy!

How can you keep from being a "Tasty Treat" for the Devil?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked!  The Apostle Peter says this in the verse before, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."(1 Peter 5:7 KJV).  The Voice Translation says it this way, "Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries."  Don't miss this!  Burdens and worries can weigh us down!  When we get distracted by hard things and hard times we don't think clearly, and may become overwhelmed.  The Psalmist said, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when MY heart is overwhelmed: LEAD ME to the rock that is higher than I."(Psalm 61:2 KJV).

Knowing that God cares for us and has a great plan for our lives will help us to stay sober.  Yes, sober means "Not intoxicated or overpowered by spiritous liquors; not drunken".  BUT Webster's 1828 Dictionary also includes this meaning, "Not MAD or Insane; not WILD, visionary or heated with passion; having the regular exercise of cool dispassionate reason. Regular; CALM; not under the influence of passion; as sober judgment;" 

The next verse tells us, "STAND firm when he attacks. TRUST the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too."(1 Peter 5:9 Living Bible).  James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will FLEE from you."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  When we resist the enemy he will run away in terror!

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because GREATER is he that is IN you, than he that is in the world."(1 John 4:4 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

My Prayer

 Happy Sunday!

"That is WHY, ever since I heard of your strong FAITH in the Lord Jesus and of the LOVE you have for Christians everywhere, I have never stopped THANKING God for you. 

I PRAY for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you WISDOM to SEE CLEARLY and really understand who Christ is and all that he has DONE for you. 

I PRAY that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can SEE something of the FUTURE he has called you to share. 

I want you to REALIZE that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! 

I PRAY that you will begin to understand how incredibly GREAT his POWER is to HELP those who BELIEVE him. 

It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heaven, FAR, FAR above any other king or ruler or dictator or leader. YES, his honor is far more glorious than that of anyone else either in this world or in the world to come. 

And God has put ALL THINGS under his feet and made him the Supreme Head of the Church— which is his body, filled with himself, the Author and Giver of everything everywhere."(Ephesians 1:15-23 Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Same

 Happy Sunday!

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."(Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

Sesame Street had a song entitled, "One Of These Things".  Maybe you remember it.  It was a segment used to get children to differentiate between objects.  Even if the items were similar, there would be something in the mix that was different.  The Bible tells us Jesus is the SAME!  Yesterday, today, and for ever!  Don't miss this!  If Jesus is the same then we can expect him to do the same things.  Jesus never made anyone sick!  Jesus never left anyone in a tormented condition to teach them a lesson.  Jesus used and uses instruction, not destruction!

Jesus said, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give LIFE with JOY and ABUNDANCE."(Voice).  We have an enemy, BUT our enemy has been defeated!  Our enemy is a LIAR.  Jesus said, "Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."(John 8:43-45 KJV).

Don't believe the lies of the enemy!  God is a Good God!  He has a plan for you to live and not die, to thrive and not just survive!  Psalm 91:16 says, "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."(KJV).  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "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."(Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

God Never Fails!

 Happy Sunday!

"Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is NOTHING TOO HARD for thee:"(Jeremiah 32:17 KJV).

Last week I awoke with a song playing in my heart.  I could hear the First Baptist Church of Chesterfield Choir singing, "God Never Fails".  I'm prejudiced.  I don't care what you say!  I believe my childhood choir was better than yours!  LOL!  Anyway, the chorus says, "God never fails, God never fails. He abides in me, He gives me victory.  For God never fails. You just keep the faith and never cease to pray.  Walk upright, Call Him day noon or night.  He'll be there! There's no need to worry. For God never fails."

What a Blessing to hear songs that are Word based.  I know what you are thinking.  What do you mean, Cynthia?  Word Based? Great Question!  I'm so glad you asked!

God Never Fails - Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, HE WILL NOT FAIL THEE, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."(KJV).

He Abides in ME - John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."(KJV).

He Gives Me Victory - 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ."(KJV).

Keep The Faith - Romans 12:3 says, "Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the FAITH God has given each of us."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Never Cease To Pray - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing."(KJV).

Walk Upright - Psalm 84:11 says, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: NO GOOD THING will he withhold from them that walk UPRIGHTLY"(KJV).

Call HIM Noon, Day, or Night - Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call unto me, and I WILL answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."(KJV).

There's No Need To Worry - 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is ALWAYS thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."(Living Bible).

God Never Fails!

Love and prayers, Cynthia