Do you really believe?

Happy Sunday! 

It's a good day to have a good day!   Hope you are well and enjoying life.  You know I love to share lessons from Barry Bennett.  He always blesses me and gets me thinking.  What we believe and what we say are the foundation of our lives.  Hope this encourages you too!

Do you really believe? - by Barry Bennett

Do you really believe that God wants you to have an abundant life? (John 10:10)

Do you really believe that God rejoices in your prosperity? (Ps. 35:27)

Do you really believe that God wants you to have enough to provide for your family? (1 Tim. 5:8)

Do you really believe that you should have more than enough to send missionaries around the world? (Rom. 10:15)

Do you really believe that God has enough for you to pay your taxes? (Mt. 22:21)

Do you really believe that God wants to give you good things? (Mt. 7:11)

Do you really believe that God wants you to help the poor? (Prov. 19:17)

Do you really believe that righteousness brings increase to your life? (Ps. 84:11)

Do you really believe that God loves a cheerful giver and will multiply his seed sown? (2 Cor. 9:6-11)

Do you really believe that God wants your needs to be met? (Mt. 6:33)

Do you really believe that God wants to do exceeding, abundantly more than you ask or think according to the power that works in you? (Eph. 3:20)

Many miss out on God’s abundance because they simply don’t believe that He is THAT GOOD! Rather than concentrating on the evil, lack and pain in the world, focus on God and His limitless provision. There is seed in your life that is waiting to multiply. Will you sow it? If Christians would sow God’s grace into the world there would be less evil, lack and pain.

Your words, thoughts, actions, talents and resources are seeds that can transform lives. Do you really believe it? - by Barry Bennett

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Without Excuse

Happy Sunday!

We are living in a great time.  So many opportunities, and possibilities.  But all of these things come with responsibilities.  Our church is hosting our International Faith Conference this week.  How wonderful it was to stream the live service from my bedroom.  I didn't have to get dressed, drive to the church, or wait in line hoping for a good seat.  I didn't have to fight the crowds to get out of the building and to the parking lot afterward.  I was even able to text my offering.  But it made me think...with all of the available options and ways to get the Word of God there is no excuse for not getting it.

Romans 1:20-23 says, "Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have NO EXCUSE when they stand before God at Judgment Day.  Yes, they knew about him all right, but they wouldn’t admit it or worship him or even thank him for all his daily care.  And after a while they began to think up silly ideas of what God was like and what he wanted them to do. The result was that their foolish minds became dark and confused. Claiming themselves to be wise without God, they became utter fools instead. And then, instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they took wood and stone and made idols for themselves, carving them to look like mere birds and animals and snakes and puny men."(Living Bible).

Don't miss this!  Even the earth and sky declare that God is real, and that He should be given our worship and praise.  Don't get me wrong, I love to attend worship services in person, and I know the Word instructs us "not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches."(Hebrews 10:25, Voice).  But I'm also so thankful that I can get the Word on radio, television, YouTube, Facebook, podcasts, CDs, DVDs, and so many other ways.  If I have question, I can Google it.  Everything we read on the Internet is not true, but so very much is.  If I'm reading something and don't understand a word, I can look it up.  I can also read another Bible translation to get a better understanding. 

Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven as, "a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."(Matthew 25:14-15, KJV).  Another translation says it this way, "It’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left."(Message).  The first two servants were conscientious and managed the master's money well.  But the last servant, "the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping."(Living Bible).  You've heard the story before, the master rebuked the last servant and said, "You wicked and lazy and idle servant! Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest."(vs 26-27, Amplified). 

Don't be like that lazy servant.  Take advantage of every opportunity you have to  manage, steward, and increase what God has given you.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Work Is Good

Happy Sunday!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  Let's talk about work, Baby!  

As we celebrate the contributions of American Workers, it amazes me that 
there is always someone complaining about their job. They complain about the work, the boss, and the hours.  They wish for retirement, FMLA, or even Worker's Compensation.  But who gets to complain about the masses that are half doing their tasks?  Lately, I seen so many people that don't have a good work ethic.  Perhaps, they weren't trained properly, like the young man bagging my groceries, who put my warm Rotisserie Chicken in the bag with the ice cream.  Perhaps, they are just lazy and never heard the Apostle Paul's mandate to Thessalonians, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not WORK, neither should he eat."(2 Thessalonians 3:10, KJV).  Don't miss this!  Work is required.

Genesis 2:2 says, "And on the seventh day God ended his WORK which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his WORK which he had made."(KJV).  OK, so work is not a bad thing.  God worked, then rested after his work was done.  Everything God made was good!  He didn't half do anything!  We must follow his example.  Colossians 3:23 says, "In all the WORK you are given, do the best you can. WORK as though you are WORKing for the Lord, not any earthly master."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Proverbs 24:27 gives us instruction on how to have a good life, "Complete your WORK outside, and get your fields ready for next season; after that’s done, build your house."(Voice).  Another translation of this scripture says it this way, "Develop your business first before building your house."(Living Bible).  Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good WORKs, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."(KJV).  People should be able to distinguish between your work and the work of another.  They should see your excellence and in turn have a reason to praise God.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

You are the Proof

Happy Sunday!

"The Devil wants to kill you because you are the Proof!" - Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III

John 12:10-11 says, "But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus."(KJV).  Another translation of these scriptures says, "Word got out among the Jews that he was back in town. The people came to take a look, not only at Jesus but also at Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. So the high priests plotted to kill Lazarus because so many of the Jews were going over and believing in Jesus on account of him."(vs 9-11, Message).

Many times we remember Bible stories as they were taught to us in Sunday School.  That's all good as long as we don't miss other important points.  Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha were close friends with Jesus.  Lazarus got sick.  They called for Jesus who was in another area.  Jesus didn't come immediately.  When Jesus did arrive Lazarus was dead, and buried.  Both sisters met Jesus at different times when he arrived, BUT both said the same thing.  "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."(John 11:21, KJV), and "Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."(John 11:32, KJV).  Both women were grieving, and searching for answers.  Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III pointed out that even though their individual spiritual maturity levels were different they both came to the same conclusion.  They blamed Jesus.  Don't try to play innocent.  We all have been there.  We want answers in times of loss, grief, and hardship. When we can't get a conclusive answer as to why it happened we often resort to cliches.  You've heard them before, "God picked a flower for his garden", "All things work together for our good", and "God knows best".  

For starters, God is a creator...he can create flowers, and he is never in need of anything because he owns everything!  All things don't work together of good for everybody!  Right, you heard me!  Read that scripture again, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."(Romans 8:28, KJV).  Don't miss this!  It says all things are working together for good to those that meet the criteria.  They love God, and are The Called.  The Voice translation says it this way, "We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."(Romans 8:28, Voice).

You know the rest of the story.  Jesus went to the tomb, he wept, he prayed, commanded that they roll the stone away, and called Lazarus forth by name.  This was witnessed by many.  Seeing that dead man raised was undeniable proof of the power of God.  After this miracle it got to the point where the religious leaders wanted to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus.  This scenario is still being played out today.  You are proof that God can deliver.  You are proof that God can save.  You are proof that the Promises of God are true!  You have survived every attack waged against you, and you will continue to be an example of the Power of God at work in the earth.  Don't forget what you have already accomplished, overcome, and endured.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Lions, Lions, and Lions...

Happy Sunday!

Years ago, and for a period of time, I stopped listening to Gospel music after I heard a soloist proclaim that Daniel put his foot on the neck of the lion in the lion's den.  I can't find that in scripture.  Can you?  But what I do find in scripture is this, "Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of LIONS. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee."(Daniel 6:16, KJV).  Don't miss this!  There were lions plural.  So if it was as the soloist sang, what were the other lions doing while Daniel had his foot on the one singular lion?

Ok, so you think I'm being unreasonable, and nit-picking.  I most certainly am not!  The visual of one lion diminishes the significance of the true miracle that occurred for Daniel.  God delivered Daniel from an impossible situation.  This was so serious the scripture says the king couldn't sleep that night.  The Bible says, "Then King Darius went back to his house. He did not eat that night. He did not want anyone to come and entertain him. He could not sleep all night."(Daniel 6:18, Easy-to-Read Version).  Daniel was not a lion tamer.  He was a good man falsely accused and sentenced to death for praying.  

It happens all the time, are you guilty?  Do you lose sight of the tremendous miracle working power of our God?  Are you disappointed because things didn't work out like you thought they would, so you secretly stop trusting God?  Our God is an awesome God!  He has not changed!  He is still trustworthy.  

What really happened?  So glad you asked!  Let's read Daniel 6:19-23.  "At daybreak the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. As he approached the den, he called out anxiously, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve so loyally, saved you from the lions?” “O king, live forever!” said Daniel. “My God sent his angel, who closed the mouths of the LIONS so that they would not hurt me. I’ve been found innocent before God and also before you, O king. I’ve done nothing to harm you". When the king heard these words, he was happy. He ordered Daniel taken up out of the den. When he was hauled up, there wasn’t a scratch on him. He had TRUSTED his God.”(Message).

In case you were wondering if those lions were vicious, "The king gave yet another order; this time he demanded that those who accused Daniel of wrongdoing be captured and thrown into the lions’ den—but not only them—their wives and children too. As they were being pushed into the den, before they even hit the bottom, the lions jumped on them, overpowered them, and crushed their bones in their powerful jaws."(Daniel 6:24, Voice).  Ouch!

Don't let unbelief creep in in any way, not even in a seemingly harmless song.  Our Powerful God specializes in miracles, signs, and wonders!  His Word is truth!

The Psalmist proclaimed, "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."(Psalm 119:89, KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Time is Life

Happy Sunday!

Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."(KJV).  

Have you ever stood in front of the microwave complaining about 3 minutes taking so long?  I have!  But I can remember life before microwaves.  My mother-in-law, Minnie Pruitt would cook her whole Sunday dinner on Saturday. Then after church, we didn't head over to Applebee's.  We went home, and waited for the food to be warmed in the oven, or on the stove top.  Have you ever thought you didn't have time to complete a task but spent hours on Social Media before you even knew it?  I have!  Yes, I also remember the time before Social Media.  If I wanted to see the pictures from your vacation in Kokomo, I'd have to wait at least a week for you to get them developed at the FotoMat, then come to your home to view them.  Have you ever put off something that could have easily been done today, only to find that it was more difficult later?  Yes, I have.  Breakups, dishes, laundry, and exercise all come to mind.  Even though we have so much technology to make things faster, we still don't value time as we should.  And we waste precious time, and spend it unwisely.

Psalm 90:12 encourages us to number our days.  Another translation says, "Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should."(Living Bible).  Don't miss the last part, "help us to spend them as we should".   Time is money, but more importantly time is LIFE.  We are spending our time, our days, and our lives as currency.  

Ephesians 5:11-16 says, "Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people WASTE their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!"(Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Worry is Always Future

Happy Sunday!

I hope your week was grand, and pray that this next week brings you pure joy!  I love to share messages from ministers that bless me.  The message is from Brother Bob Yandian.  I first heard Brother Bob in the 1990's.  A dear friend, Pat Smith shared a box of ministry cassette tapes with me.  Those tapes encouraged, strengthened, and exposed me to some of the greatest bible teachers past, and present. Of course in our technological world you don't have to rely on cassette tapes.  You have the privilege of YouTube, Podcasts, Blogs, and so many other ways of getting the Word.  I hope you enjoy this one.

Worry is Always Future by Brother Bob Yandian

"And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?"(Exodus 17:3, NKJV).

The children of Israel had only been in the wilderness a few days when they came to a place where there was no water to drink. They began to complain to Moses, blaming the situation on him. They also decided that they had God’s plan all figured out. God had brought them to this spot to kill them!

Let’s examine the stupidity of this argument. The Israelites had been in captivity for four hundred years in Egypt. Despite the oppression, their population continued to increase. When Moses returned to Egypt to deliver the children of Israel, God protected them from ten plagues and death while the Egyptians suffered, and many died. God parted the Red Sea for them to travel across safely and even drowned the Egyptian army behind them. And God did all this to bring them to this one spot and kill them?

You have probably done the same thing. You have looked at your bills, your lack of food in the cupboard, and your overdue mortgage bill and cried, “I’m going to die right here!” Stop and think about what you have just said. God saved you many years ago, filled you with His Holy Spirit, healed your body, performed miracles for you and your family many times, and supplied all of your needs on more than one occasion. Has God done all these wonderful things in your life to bring you to this spot and watch you die?

When facing a tragedy or trial, it is easy to lose sight of all of God’s blessings that have brought us to this point. Worry is always future. When you worry, you are saying that even though God has taken care of you every moment of every day, somehow tomorrow He will fail because His grace ran out today. But the truth is that the God Who has always taken care of you will not fail you tomorrow, next week, or next year. He will continue to walk with you and provide until Jesus comes.

David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). Why wait until you are old to look at God’s faithfulness in hindsight? Look forward now in faith and expectancy knowing that God will continue to provide for you and will never fail.

Yours in Jesus Christ, 
Brother Bob Yandian


Love and prayers, Cynthia