I Still Believe!

Happy Sunday!

God always knows exactly what we need! I'm so very grateful.  Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "I Still Believe!"  He used 2 King 7:1-2 as his reference scriptures.

Elisha said, “Listen to the message from the Lord! The Lord says, ‘About this time tomorrow, there will be plenty of food, and it will be cheap again. A person will be able to buy a basket of fine flour or two baskets of barley for only one shekel in the marketplace by the city gates of Samaria.’” Then the officer who was close to the king answered the man of God. The officer said, “Even if the Lord made windows in heaven, this could not happen." Elisha said, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of that food.” (Easy-to-Read Version)

What's the worst sin?  I'll give you a minute to think.  Is it murder?  What about fornication?  Is it telling lies?  What about extortion? Is it gluttony? Is it greed? Let me help you!  The greatest sin is UNBELIEF!  Revelation 21:8 describes the people the people that will be thrown into the Lake of Fire and "those who refuse to believe" are part of the group. Read it for yourself.  "But those who are cowards, those who refuse to believe, those who do terrible things, those who kill, those who sin sexually, those who do evil magic, those who worship idols, and those who tell lies—they will all have a place in the lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Easy-to-Read Version)

Other sins blossom from and originate in unbelief!  If you truly believed God can bless you wouldn't steal, not even an ink pen from work!  If you really believed God has a husband for you, you would never even consider someone else's husband.  If you believe God has called you to a great work, you won't worry about the few you see now! Unbelief is the trick of the enemy!  From the Garden of Eden he has been telling lies about God.  He's convinced us that God is like our earthly fathers, but the Word says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numbers 23:19 (King James Version)

The situation in the reference scripture seemed impossible.  The Syrian Army had the Samarians trapped in their own city!  They were forced into cannibalism and eating bird poop.  Read it for yourself.  Four lepers sat outside the gate.  They decided to make a move.  Because of their courage and willingness to take a risk, the prophet's prediction came true.  They had no evidence that anything would change. But in 24 hours things had drastically changed!  I still believe!  Bishop encouraged us to , "Walk in the direction of your belief!"

Walking in the direction of my belief!  Love and prayers, Cynthia

BE You!

Where's my Happy Sunday?

Right here! Forgive the delay.  Praying that you enjoyed a wonderful Sunday, and are beginning this holiday week with thankfulness.  I want to thank you for supporting me and encouraging me each week as I share what has blessed me.  I didn't make it to service yesterday, but I watched it on LiveStream.  Bishop Alexis A. Thomas is always spot on!  Just what I and others need..."we will find grace to help us when we need it most." Hebrews 4:16 (New Living Translation)

Bishop took his text from, Jeremiah 1:5...“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—that’s what I had in mind for you.” (Message)  He encouraged us to "BE" what God created us to be.  God had a plan "BEFORE" we were even formed in the womb!  You are not a mistake!  You have a purpose, and you must live out the purpose.  I'm always encouraged by this story.  One day a preacher heard God tell him, "Tonight because of you many people will be saved!"  He preached that night and only one person came forward to be saved.  That one person was Dr. Billy Graham.  I'm sure you know that millions of people have been saved and blessed because of his ministry.  His ministry would not exist without that preacher! BE who God called you to BE!  BE a blessing to everyone you meet!

I stay encouraged during the week by reading the word, listening to great preaching, and uplifting music both spiritual and secular.  This message from Dr. Myles Munroe goes right along with Bishop's message.  I pray that you make time to enjoy it...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKSPd04y5DM&sns=fb.

Happy Thanksgiving!  BE nice in that line on Black Friday! LOL!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Days

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached from Psalm 90:12 today.  Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should."

He'd prepared another sermon but was touched by the tragic passing of Dr. Myles Munroe and the other passengers on the flight in the Bahamas last Sunday.  I have also enjoyed and been blessed by Dr. Munroe's ministry throughout the years.  I pray that you had an opportunity to experience his ministry or read his books and I'm so thankful that technology will allow us to continue to benefit from his ministry for many more years.

Bishop took time to teach us and remind us that this life is not going to be "a flowery bed of ease". The songwriter wrote, "Tragedies are commonplace, all kinds of diseases, people are slipping away. Economies down, people can't get enough pay. As for me, all I can say is...Thank you, Lord for all you've done for me!"  Life is hard, but God is good! Life is not fair, but God is just!  Things happen in life that are inexplicable, and inconsolable.  Bad things are happening to good people, and bad people as well!  In Luke 6:47-49, Jesus described a wise man that built his house on a rock and the foolish man that built his house on the sand.  Both men experienced the same storm, "the river burst its banks and crashed against the house."  But the wise man's house remained standing even after the tragedy.

Don't get it twisted, God is not interested in creating fear!  2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (King James Version) Only the devil wants to give you a spirit of fear!  God wants you to be so rooted and grounded in the Word that when troubles come you are able to stand and endure!  God wants you to be confident of your final destination when you leave this physical life.  God wants you to appreciate all that he has done for you and realize you are truly blessed.

One of my customers, told me he was a Christian.  He asked if I was and said he looked forward to seeing me in heaven.  I assured him he will see me there!  I'm not planning on going anytime soon, but I'm sure I'm going!  Like David, I'm expecting to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Psalm 27:13 says, "I will move past my enemies with this one, sure hope: that with my own eyes, I will see the goodness of the Eternal in the land of the living." (Voice)

Numbering my days, love and prayers, Cynthia

Sing!

Happy Sunday!

Today we celebrated Bishop Alexis A. Thomas' 30th Pastoral Anniversary and his 47th birthday.  Each year the celebration gets better and better! The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra presented a selection written especially in honor of Bishop and they joined with the combined choirs and band to bless us with beautiful songs. Yolanda Adams was the guest psalmist, and she tore the house up!

Bishop Neil C. Ellis was our guest speaker.  He preached and prophesied, "I Feel Something Coming!" He used Isaiah 54:1 as his reference scripture. 

Bishop Ellis cautioned us and encouraged us to pay attention to the plots of the enemy. Our enemy is trying to curse our future, rob us of our inheritance, short circuit the flow of our blessings, and deprive us of the opportunity to build and fund the Kingdom of God.  In spite of our enemy, God has preserved us! The Prophet Jeremiah wrote, "I remember well all my troubles, and I am very sad. But then I think about this, and I have hope: We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him." Lamentations 3:20-24 (Easy-to-Read Version)

Bishop Ellis taught us that the number 30 in the Bible generally carries a negative connotation.  It is usually associated with sorrow and weeping. For example, the Children of Israel mourned for Aaron and Moses for 30 days. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Our enemy wanted to stop our celebration today and he's probably been picking on you as well.  Our Bishop has faced serious health issues this year.  The enemy wanted this day to be a day of mourning, and weeping. But the reference scripture provides a secret for our escape!  "Sing, O childless woman! Break out into loud and joyful song, Jerusalem, for she who was abandoned has more blessings* now than she whose husband stayed!" Isaiah 54:1 (Living Bible)

Sing can be translated, rejoice and celebrate. The King James Version uses the word "barren" to describe the woman in this passage.  Barren can be defined as unproductive.  God says, "even the person that has no reason to sing, should sing!" Sing because something good is coming!  Sing, rejoice, and celebrate that God can be trusted!  If he promised, he will provide!  Sing because your due season is coming! Sing because God has delivered you from the hand of your enemy!  Sing! Sing because you will see it, "I will move past my enemies with this one, sure hope:that with my own eyes, I will see the goodness of the Eternal in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13 (Voice)

Starting this week with singing, love and prayers, Cynthia

Are You Filled With The Spirit?

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Are You Filled With The Spirit?"  He used Ephesians 5:17-21 as his reference scriptures.

"Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. Don’t drink too much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit and controlled by him. Talk with each other much about the Lord, quoting psalms and hymns and singing sacred songs, making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks for everything to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Honor Christ by submitting to each other." Ephesians 5:17-21 (Living Bible)

Bishop keeps us laughing!  He reminded us there are some questions that should never be asked.  We should never ask a woman, "Is that your real hair?"  We should never ask a woman her age, or her weight!  We should never ask a man "Is your hair thinning?" And wives should never ask your husband, "Does this dress make me look fat?"  All these questions are funny, but there is a question we always wanted to ask, but never could. Why?  Back in the day, children were supposed to be seen and not heard.  We couldn't ask why. But Father God doesn't cringe when we ask why!  He even encouraged us to ask in the Bible, "If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought." James 1:5 (Message)

The Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians, wanted them to have their questions answered.  He wanted them to have the necessary information to succeed!  He used an interesting comparison.  He encouraged them to be filled with the Spirit and compared it to drunkenness.  Maybe, you've never been drunk, but I know you've seen a drunk person at some point in your life. A drunk person doesn't care what you think about them, they don't care what you think about there clothing, or lack of clothing!  They aren't afraid to talk to strangers, and they break into song even if they can't hold a tune.  

When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we won't care what people think, Matthew 10:28 says, "Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell." (Common English Version)  When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we won't have any problem pulling out of sin, "Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him." Romans 12:2 (Common English Version)  When we are filled with the Spirit of God, we won't be afraid to share our testimony with strangers!  Jesus said, "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19 (Message)

How will others know that we are filled with the Spirit?  Good question!  They will see our "Mutual Submission", our "Thanksgiving", and they will hear our "Singing". Even Jesus said, "Everyone will know you as My followers if you demonstrate your love to others." John 13:35 (Voice)

Are you filled with the Spirit?

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Stand

Happy Sunday!

Today, Bishop Alexis A. Thomas completed his series on the Epistle to the Ephesians. His reference scriptures were Ephesians 6:10-13.  He entitled the message, "Stand!"

Ephesians can be divided and describe using three words; Sit, Walk, and Stand.  We must know that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ, we must walk through life and represent and reflect His love to the world, and finally we must STAND strong and in faith when faced with and attacked by the devil!

The enemy knows the scriptures. He quotes them and mis-quotes them regularly.  He is the culprit behind every attack.  He uses human beings to fight against the people of God.  He also works to dilute our impact in the world.  How we stand against the enemy is our testimony to the world.  The Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian Believers, "Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground." Ephesians 6:10-13 (Voice)  

Stand!  I know what you're thinking!  How can I stand my ground when my life seems to be falling apart?  I'm glad you asked!  2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "The path we walk is charted by faith, not by what we see with our eyes." (Voice)  By FAITH! How do I get faith? The Word says, "so then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 (New King James Version)  Hearing the Word daily, meditating on it, and studying it will strengthen you and help you to stand against the enemies attacks. Bishop mentioned the movie, "The Usual Suspects".  I've not seen it, but he said in one scene the the star is trying to convince another person that their enemy Keyser Söze really exists.  It's just like our enemy!  Satan exists! Closing our eyes and covering our ears will not make him disappear!  If we understand that he is already defeated it removes the fear factor.  Jesus defeated Satan at the cross!  Now all he does is lie to us and deceive us into thinking he is more powerful than God. 

Our theme for this year is, "We are a WELL Church"; walking examples of liberated lives. Bishop also declared that this is the year we will see the manifestation of our total wellness.  Ever since he made that declaration, he has personally been under physical attack. But he has been encouraging himself and we should as well.  No matter what we see with our natural eyes we must trust the Word. The Word is truth! I am what God says, I am!  I can do what God says I can do! And I can have what God says I can have!

Stand your ground!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

"How's Your Walk Been This Week?"

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "How's Your Walk Been This Week?"  He continued using scriptures from the Epistle to the Ephesians.  Ephesians 4:1 says, "I beg you—I, a prisoner here in jail for serving the Lord—to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these." (Living Bible)

Last week, Bishop taught us that we are "seated" in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. When we truly realize and understand where we are seated it should affect the way we walk.  Knowing who we are in Christ will affect the way we walk in every area of life.  Bishop recalled attending a reception held in honor of President Bill Clinton.  As he entered the venue, he noticed a difficult individual at the registration desk.  He watched as this individual gave others in line a hard time.  Bishop pulled his ticket out of his pocket and realized it was for reserved seating on the dais.  His attitude immediately changed.  When he finally got to the table, he just showed his ticket to the person and was able to enter without delay.  Knowing where he was seated affected the way he expected to be treated, and the way he would allow others to treat him.

How's your walk been this week?  Good question!  I've done well, but I needed this reminder.  When you know that, "no weapon turned against you shall succeed, and you will have justice against every courtroom lie."  it's easier to deal with difficult people and easier to, "don’t fight against the one who is working evil against you. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, you are to turn and offer him your left cheek. If someone connives to get your shirt, give him your jacket as well." Isaiah 54:17 and Matthew 5:38-40 (Living Bible) 

Isaiah 40:31 fits perfectly with this sermon, "Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind." (Message)

Seated and walking worthy...love and prayers, Cynthia