Happy Sunday!
To exercise authority in the earth you must have a body! God gave human beings dominion over this earth and everything in it. Psalm 115:16 says, "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the EARTH hath he given to the children of men."(KJV). When Jesus arrived at the Gadarenes the demon possessed man ran out to meet him. What sounded like a praise, was really a challenge! The demon recognized that Jesus was God. The demon knew that to have the authority to torment him, Jesus would have to be a man. He, of course did not know that Jesus was fully God and fully man. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, he received the power of the Holy Spirit. He was a new creation...a God Man! Mark 5:7 says, "When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then bellowed in protest, “What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!” (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, “Out! Get out of the man!”)"(Message).
You may be thinking, "What does this have to do with me"? Great question! I'm so glad you asked! Everything that Adam needed was provided for him in the Garden of Eden. When Adam sinned, things changed dramatically. Genesis 3:17-19 says, "And to Adam, God said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit when I told you not to, I have placed a curse upon the soil. All your life you will struggle to extract a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, and you shall eat its grasses. All your life you will sweat to master it, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from the ground, and to the ground you will return.”(Living Bible). OUCH! That's pretty depressing! But don't worry, God had a plan! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He orchestrated this: the Anointed One, who had never experienced sin, became sin for us so that in Him we might embody the very righteousness of God."(Voice). God has a good plan for us and he intends for us to have everything that Adam lost!
The only way to get all the things Jesus paid for back is by Faith! Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Rising to the Top". It's important that we recognize the terms God uses to describe us. We are HEIRS! Romans 8:16-17 says, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then HEIRS; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."(KJV). It may seem strange to us, because many of us have never received an inheritance. But in a perfect world, parents live godly, prosperous lives and leave something of substance for their children. I'm not talking about Mama's favorite pair of shoes, or Daddy's tool box! I'm talking about businesses, industries, and properties! It's so important to God that he said, "A GOOD man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."(Proverbs 13:22, KJV). Now before you turn me off, and disregard this blog post...YES, there are systems that have been strategically enacted against various people groups to keep them from having what they need for today! They are struggling just to survive. Speaking about leaving an inheritance when you are on Welfare is a joke! BUT GOD knew what we would be up against! He's not going to accept any excuses. He has given us the WORD, and the Holy Spirit! With these tools, Jesus proved it is possible to be an overcomer! Dr. Winston said, "When we gain more confidence in the Blessing, more power of the Blessing will be demonstrated!"
Deuteronomy 7:14 says, "You will be blessed more than ALL people."(Easy-to-Read Version). The Blessing will fix anything! An important part of the Blessing involves speaking. What you say you will see! Watch your words! Only say what God says. Only say what you want to see in your life. Charles Capps, the great Faith teacher told the story of speaking things into existence. The Holy Spirit encouraged him to speak positively about his life. At the time, he had massive debt, had stressed induced ulcers, and other problems. He would go to the back side of his farm and pray each morning. He began to declare what the Word said! One day the enemy said to him, "You are just lying!" The Lord encouraged him and said, "How can you lie when you are saying what I said?" From that point, he never hesitated to say what the Word said. He began to walk by Faith! Eventually, things changed in his life and things will change in your life! Joel 3:10b says, "let the weak say, I am strong."(KJV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Gremlins
Happy Sunday!
"The Word of God is the platform for all increase for every believer." - Dr. Bill Winston
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word that God speaks is ALIVE and FULL of POWER [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."(Amplified).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."(Amplified).
The Word of God is alive and powerful and able to make us well fitted for this life, and thoroughly equipped for every good work! If you are old enough, you may remember your grandmother having a big bible on the coffee table. It was beautiful and elaborate, and not to be touched. Hopefully, you had other bibles in the house to read and study. Many did not have the opportunity to read it. That's just what the Devil wants. He wants us to look at the Bible just like any other book. He wants us to disregard what the Word says just like we disregard an unfavorable article in the newspaper.
The Word of God is Spiritual! The Words when added to our lives produce positive results. Do you remember the 1984 "Gremlins" movie? A struggling inventor explores a store in Chinatown. He sees a strange little creature called a "Mogwai". The shopkeeper is hesitant to sell the man the creature but ultimately relents. He warns the man not to expose the mogwai to bright lights or sunlight which will kill it, not to let it get wet, and never feed it after midnight. The man gives the creature to his son and of course the son violates the rules and there is chaos. We live in spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial chaos because we do not heed the Word. The word "Mogwai" means monster in Cantonese. The monsters in our lives will die if we violate the rules the shopkeeper gave the inventor. In John 9:5, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world."(KJV). Monsters don't like light because it exposes their darkness and inconsistency. Think of our ancestors. Many of them were not allowed to learn to read. Why would reading be detrimental to a slave? Great question! If you can't read, you will never know what really belongs to you! It's the same with the Word! If you can't read it, you will never know that God wants you healthy, wealthy, and wise! That's why the enemy deceives us into thinking reading the Bible is boring. He know full well if you read it it will activate power in your life to overcome him and his plots! Ephesians 5:26 says, "He(Jesus) died to make the church holy. He used the telling of the Good News to make the church clean by washing it with water."(Easy-to-Read Version). Water is essential! Our bodies are made up of about 60% water. The Word is compared to water to help us understand that we cannot survive without fresh, clean water. We cannot survive without the Word. In John 6:35, Jesus said, "I am the bread that gives life. If you come to My table and eat, you will never go hungry. Believe in Me, and you will never go thirsty."(Voice). The monster was not supposed to eat after midnight. What's the big deal about midnight? Well let's see. Boaz awoke at midnight to see Ruth laying at his feet, at midnight the death angel killed every first born in Egypt, at midnight Paul and Silas sang and praised God in jail and an earthquake freed them. Most importantly Jesus used a parable about the bridegroom coming at midnight to encourage us to always be ready for his return! We need to eat the Word of God, devour it, and desire it even after midnight. Just watch the local news for a moment and you will see that it is getting dark out! People are straying further from the Word of God. The think they know it all! Romans 10:2-3 says, "They don’t seem to realize that this comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God’s business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it."(Message).
Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge."(Easy-to-Read Version). This scripture goes on to blame the leaders in that day for not teaching the people. The leaders disregarded the Word of God and the people were perishing. It is vitally important to attend and be a part of a good church! You know all the cliches, you don't need to hear another sermon laced with cliches! You need a sermon full of the Word of God because the Word is our only hope! The Apostle Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy what to expect..."And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. Even though they may look or act like godly people, they’re not. They deny His power. I tell you: Stay away from the likes of these. They’re snakes slithering into the houses of vulnerable women, women gaudy with sin, to seduce them. These reptiles can capture them because these women are weak and easily swayed by their desires. They seem always to be learning, but they never seem to gain the full measure of the truth."(2 Timothy 3:1-7, Voice). I sincerely hope you are not listed in this scripture! If you see yourself, repent! God will forgive you and you can move forward.
Killing monsters, and destroying the works of the Devil...love and prayers, Cynthia
"The Word of God is the platform for all increase for every believer." - Dr. Bill Winston
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word that God speaks is ALIVE and FULL of POWER [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."(Amplified).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."(Amplified).
The Word of God is alive and powerful and able to make us well fitted for this life, and thoroughly equipped for every good work! If you are old enough, you may remember your grandmother having a big bible on the coffee table. It was beautiful and elaborate, and not to be touched. Hopefully, you had other bibles in the house to read and study. Many did not have the opportunity to read it. That's just what the Devil wants. He wants us to look at the Bible just like any other book. He wants us to disregard what the Word says just like we disregard an unfavorable article in the newspaper.
The Word of God is Spiritual! The Words when added to our lives produce positive results. Do you remember the 1984 "Gremlins" movie? A struggling inventor explores a store in Chinatown. He sees a strange little creature called a "Mogwai". The shopkeeper is hesitant to sell the man the creature but ultimately relents. He warns the man not to expose the mogwai to bright lights or sunlight which will kill it, not to let it get wet, and never feed it after midnight. The man gives the creature to his son and of course the son violates the rules and there is chaos. We live in spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial chaos because we do not heed the Word. The word "Mogwai" means monster in Cantonese. The monsters in our lives will die if we violate the rules the shopkeeper gave the inventor. In John 9:5, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world."(KJV). Monsters don't like light because it exposes their darkness and inconsistency. Think of our ancestors. Many of them were not allowed to learn to read. Why would reading be detrimental to a slave? Great question! If you can't read, you will never know what really belongs to you! It's the same with the Word! If you can't read it, you will never know that God wants you healthy, wealthy, and wise! That's why the enemy deceives us into thinking reading the Bible is boring. He know full well if you read it it will activate power in your life to overcome him and his plots! Ephesians 5:26 says, "He(Jesus) died to make the church holy. He used the telling of the Good News to make the church clean by washing it with water."(Easy-to-Read Version). Water is essential! Our bodies are made up of about 60% water. The Word is compared to water to help us understand that we cannot survive without fresh, clean water. We cannot survive without the Word. In John 6:35, Jesus said, "I am the bread that gives life. If you come to My table and eat, you will never go hungry. Believe in Me, and you will never go thirsty."(Voice). The monster was not supposed to eat after midnight. What's the big deal about midnight? Well let's see. Boaz awoke at midnight to see Ruth laying at his feet, at midnight the death angel killed every first born in Egypt, at midnight Paul and Silas sang and praised God in jail and an earthquake freed them. Most importantly Jesus used a parable about the bridegroom coming at midnight to encourage us to always be ready for his return! We need to eat the Word of God, devour it, and desire it even after midnight. Just watch the local news for a moment and you will see that it is getting dark out! People are straying further from the Word of God. The think they know it all! Romans 10:2-3 says, "They don’t seem to realize that this comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God’s business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it."(Message).
Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge."(Easy-to-Read Version). This scripture goes on to blame the leaders in that day for not teaching the people. The leaders disregarded the Word of God and the people were perishing. It is vitally important to attend and be a part of a good church! You know all the cliches, you don't need to hear another sermon laced with cliches! You need a sermon full of the Word of God because the Word is our only hope! The Apostle Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy what to expect..."And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. Even though they may look or act like godly people, they’re not. They deny His power. I tell you: Stay away from the likes of these. They’re snakes slithering into the houses of vulnerable women, women gaudy with sin, to seduce them. These reptiles can capture them because these women are weak and easily swayed by their desires. They seem always to be learning, but they never seem to gain the full measure of the truth."(2 Timothy 3:1-7, Voice). I sincerely hope you are not listed in this scripture! If you see yourself, repent! God will forgive you and you can move forward.
Killing monsters, and destroying the works of the Devil...love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Angels...
Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle "Releasing the Blessing". When the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land, one of the first cities they had to conquer was Jericho. Jericho was considered an impenetrable city. The walls of the city were built upon a 14 foot embankment. The wall on top of the embankment was 26 feet tall and 6 feet thick. There was even a spring within the city, so that if the city was shut up due to enemy attack they would never run out of water. The people of Jericho had been anticipating an attack for many years. In Joshua 2:9-11, Rahab tells the spies, "I know the Eternal has given your people this land. Your coming has paralyzed us all with fear. We have heard how the Eternal held back the Red Sea so you could escape from Egypt on dry land and how you completely destroyed the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og—and their kingdoms—on the far side of the Jordan. As soon as this news reached us, our hearts melted like wax and none of us had an ounce of courage left. The Eternal One, your God, is truly God of the heavens above and the earth below."(Voice). Years before, the 10 spies had given an evil report about the land. They told the Children of Israel that they could not take the land. Their report was evil because it was a lie! The people in the land were living in fear because they had seen the mighty works God had done for the Children of Israel! Don't let the enemy deceive you! What God has called you to do will be impossible for you, but not for God! He never asked us to do the work in our own strength. Even the Apostle Paul made it clear, "I can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth me."(Philippians 4:13, KJV).
Dr. Winston said, "Between the Promise and the fulfillment there is a war". When you receive the promise of God regarding your situation, immediately it is done! But while you wait for the manifestation in the flesh or in reality you will have to fight! The Bible calls it the Good Fight of Faith. When you know that God has promised to "overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share" but your wallet is still empty, you will have to fight off thoughts of doubt and unbelief.(2 Corinthians 9:8, Voice). You will have to stand without wavering, because a person that wavers will get nothing. James 1:6-8 says, "Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."(Message). Joshua 6:2 says, "And the Lord said unto Joshua, SEE, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour."(KJV). The city had not been taken at that moment, but God told Joshua to SEE it as if it had already been done! Joshua didn't even have the instructions on how to take the city, but he was expected to believe God and consider it done! I have a question for you? Do you think Joshua had his eyes open? Sure, he did! So why was God telling him to SEE? Great question! Dr. Winston always says, "You can't go anywhere you don't see yourself going!" If you can't see yourself in business for yourself, it will never happen. If you can't see yourself traveling the world, it will never happen. If you can't see yourself healed, you may die and go to be with Jesus a little sooner than expected. Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."(Living Bible).
God wants people to see the Blessing at work in your life! He's a good father! He gets no glory out of his children being broke, busted, and disgusted! He gets no glory out of you being sick! That's a lie from the Devil! The word says, "Beloved, I wish ABOVE ALL THINGS that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."(KJV). God wants you well not on welfare! How is He going to do it? By Faith! When you stand in faith angels go to work on your behalf. In Hebrews 1:14 the Word says, "All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation."(Easy-to-Read Version). When you received Salvation you received angels to help you! How many angels do you have? As many as you need! In 2 Kings 6:17, the prophet needed an army of angels and that's what he got..."Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes so that he could see horses of fire and chariots of fire everywhere upon the mountain!"(Living Bible). In Daniel 10:12-13, he needed two angels..."Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia."(Message). Do you see what I see? From the moment Daniel prayed the answer was on the way! The angel ran into spiritual opposition! Revelation 12:9 says, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(KJV). There were angels cast down to the earth with Satan...we call them fallen angels or demons. We have nothing to fear! The Word says, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."(1 John 4:4b, KJV),
Who tells your angels what to do? Great question! You tell your angels what to do! Angels respond to the Word spoken in faith. If you say, "I'm never going to have enough money", your angels get a vacation day. But if you say what the Word says, "The blessing of the Lord brings me wealth, without painful toil for it", your angels have to go to work to bring that Word to pass. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."(KJV). Wherever you and I are today, we got here with our words! God created man in his image. God speaks things into existence. When man fell, his tongue became a weapon of mass destruction! James 3:3-7 tells us the every beast can be tamed, but the tongue is wild and dangerous..."And do you know how many forest fires begin with a single ember from a small campfire? The tongue is a blazing fire seeking to ignite an entire world of vices. The tongue is unique among all parts of the body because it is capable of corrupting the whole body. If that were not enough, it ignites and consumes the course of creation with a fuel that originates in hell itself."(Voice). No reason to fear, God has a plan! There is a spirit that can tame the tongue! The Holy Spirit can tame our unruly tongue. The more we allow the Holy Spirit access to our tongues the stronger we become spiritually! Acts 2:4 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."(KJV). When we surrender our tongues to the Holy Spirit we will speak what the Word says! When we speak what the Word says we will not curse, but bless! When we speak what the Word says, we will see our lives, our families, and our world change! The Apostle James gave us a great formula for success in every area of life..."My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger."(James 1:19, Easy-to-Read Version).
Getting my angels out of the unemployment line! Love and prayers, Cynthia
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle "Releasing the Blessing". When the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land, one of the first cities they had to conquer was Jericho. Jericho was considered an impenetrable city. The walls of the city were built upon a 14 foot embankment. The wall on top of the embankment was 26 feet tall and 6 feet thick. There was even a spring within the city, so that if the city was shut up due to enemy attack they would never run out of water. The people of Jericho had been anticipating an attack for many years. In Joshua 2:9-11, Rahab tells the spies, "I know the Eternal has given your people this land. Your coming has paralyzed us all with fear. We have heard how the Eternal held back the Red Sea so you could escape from Egypt on dry land and how you completely destroyed the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og—and their kingdoms—on the far side of the Jordan. As soon as this news reached us, our hearts melted like wax and none of us had an ounce of courage left. The Eternal One, your God, is truly God of the heavens above and the earth below."(Voice). Years before, the 10 spies had given an evil report about the land. They told the Children of Israel that they could not take the land. Their report was evil because it was a lie! The people in the land were living in fear because they had seen the mighty works God had done for the Children of Israel! Don't let the enemy deceive you! What God has called you to do will be impossible for you, but not for God! He never asked us to do the work in our own strength. Even the Apostle Paul made it clear, "I can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth me."(Philippians 4:13, KJV).
Dr. Winston said, "Between the Promise and the fulfillment there is a war". When you receive the promise of God regarding your situation, immediately it is done! But while you wait for the manifestation in the flesh or in reality you will have to fight! The Bible calls it the Good Fight of Faith. When you know that God has promised to "overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share" but your wallet is still empty, you will have to fight off thoughts of doubt and unbelief.(2 Corinthians 9:8, Voice). You will have to stand without wavering, because a person that wavers will get nothing. James 1:6-8 says, "Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."(Message). Joshua 6:2 says, "And the Lord said unto Joshua, SEE, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour."(KJV). The city had not been taken at that moment, but God told Joshua to SEE it as if it had already been done! Joshua didn't even have the instructions on how to take the city, but he was expected to believe God and consider it done! I have a question for you? Do you think Joshua had his eyes open? Sure, he did! So why was God telling him to SEE? Great question! Dr. Winston always says, "You can't go anywhere you don't see yourself going!" If you can't see yourself in business for yourself, it will never happen. If you can't see yourself traveling the world, it will never happen. If you can't see yourself healed, you may die and go to be with Jesus a little sooner than expected. Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."(Living Bible).
God wants people to see the Blessing at work in your life! He's a good father! He gets no glory out of his children being broke, busted, and disgusted! He gets no glory out of you being sick! That's a lie from the Devil! The word says, "Beloved, I wish ABOVE ALL THINGS that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."(KJV). God wants you well not on welfare! How is He going to do it? By Faith! When you stand in faith angels go to work on your behalf. In Hebrews 1:14 the Word says, "All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation."(Easy-to-Read Version). When you received Salvation you received angels to help you! How many angels do you have? As many as you need! In 2 Kings 6:17, the prophet needed an army of angels and that's what he got..."Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes so that he could see horses of fire and chariots of fire everywhere upon the mountain!"(Living Bible). In Daniel 10:12-13, he needed two angels..."Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia."(Message). Do you see what I see? From the moment Daniel prayed the answer was on the way! The angel ran into spiritual opposition! Revelation 12:9 says, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(KJV). There were angels cast down to the earth with Satan...we call them fallen angels or demons. We have nothing to fear! The Word says, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."(1 John 4:4b, KJV),
Who tells your angels what to do? Great question! You tell your angels what to do! Angels respond to the Word spoken in faith. If you say, "I'm never going to have enough money", your angels get a vacation day. But if you say what the Word says, "The blessing of the Lord brings me wealth, without painful toil for it", your angels have to go to work to bring that Word to pass. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."(KJV). Wherever you and I are today, we got here with our words! God created man in his image. God speaks things into existence. When man fell, his tongue became a weapon of mass destruction! James 3:3-7 tells us the every beast can be tamed, but the tongue is wild and dangerous..."And do you know how many forest fires begin with a single ember from a small campfire? The tongue is a blazing fire seeking to ignite an entire world of vices. The tongue is unique among all parts of the body because it is capable of corrupting the whole body. If that were not enough, it ignites and consumes the course of creation with a fuel that originates in hell itself."(Voice). No reason to fear, God has a plan! There is a spirit that can tame the tongue! The Holy Spirit can tame our unruly tongue. The more we allow the Holy Spirit access to our tongues the stronger we become spiritually! Acts 2:4 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."(KJV). When we surrender our tongues to the Holy Spirit we will speak what the Word says! When we speak what the Word says we will not curse, but bless! When we speak what the Word says, we will see our lives, our families, and our world change! The Apostle James gave us a great formula for success in every area of life..."My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger."(James 1:19, Easy-to-Read Version).
Getting my angels out of the unemployment line! Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Faith for the Promise...
Happy Sunday!
Happy Mother's Day! Praying that you enjoyed a wonderful day sharing cherished memories, or showing your mother as much love as possible!
Today, Dr. Bill Winston said, "Faith for the Promise is in the Promise". You may want to say that out loud a couple times or take a moment just to think about it. Whatever you need, whatever you are dreaming of, and whatever you may have thought was too great to ask for is available by Faith in the Promise. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV). So let me ask, what scripture(promise) are you standing on? Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin often said he wouldn't even pray for a person that could not identify what scripture they were standing on. If you don't know you are eligible for a benefit you could suffer without it. Once I had a temporary assignment with Kelly Services. The assignment ended abruptly. In a conversation with my friend, Barbara Macon she suggested that I apply for unemployment benefits. In my mind, I couldn't imagine I would qualify. But, I was eligible. Those employment benefits were such a blessing to me and my family until I found full-time employment. The information I needed already existed, the benefit already existed, but it did me no good until I heard it. Just hearing it was not going to get it to me, I had to do the work and inquire and apply for it. James 2:20 says, "Fool! When will you ever learn that “believing” is useless without doing what God wants you to? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith."(Living Bible).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Releasing the Blessing". Anything God tells you to do will have to be done by Faith. Hebrews 10:38 says, "Now the just shall live by faith."(KJV). Another translation says it this way, "The person who is right with me will live by trusting in me."(Easy-to-Read Version). A person of Faith will live their life with the confidence that nothing is impossible with God! A person of Faith will understand that the Word is a seed. When the seed of the Word is planted in good soil(your heart) it will produce a harvest. A seed knows what to do! You plant any seed in soil and it will instinctively grow. Even a wooden fence pole after many years in the ground will begin to rot. What happened? The soil worked on the pole trying to make it grow. You know the scripture..."Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."(Galatians 6:7, KJV). Do you want more money? Plant money seeds. Do you want more love? Plant love seeds. Do you want more friends? Plant friend seeds. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."(KJV).
This week, go back to your Promise in the Word. Read it again, read it out loud if necessary. You can even memorize it if you haven't already. The Faith for that Promise is in the Promise. Trust God! He is not a human, he is not a man that can lie to you! He is Almighty God. For one of his promises to prove false, he would have to be proven false! That of course, WILL NEVER HAPPEN! Matthew 5:18 says, "God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Happy Mother's Day! Praying that you enjoyed a wonderful day sharing cherished memories, or showing your mother as much love as possible!
Today, Dr. Bill Winston said, "Faith for the Promise is in the Promise". You may want to say that out loud a couple times or take a moment just to think about it. Whatever you need, whatever you are dreaming of, and whatever you may have thought was too great to ask for is available by Faith in the Promise. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV). So let me ask, what scripture(promise) are you standing on? Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin often said he wouldn't even pray for a person that could not identify what scripture they were standing on. If you don't know you are eligible for a benefit you could suffer without it. Once I had a temporary assignment with Kelly Services. The assignment ended abruptly. In a conversation with my friend, Barbara Macon she suggested that I apply for unemployment benefits. In my mind, I couldn't imagine I would qualify. But, I was eligible. Those employment benefits were such a blessing to me and my family until I found full-time employment. The information I needed already existed, the benefit already existed, but it did me no good until I heard it. Just hearing it was not going to get it to me, I had to do the work and inquire and apply for it. James 2:20 says, "Fool! When will you ever learn that “believing” is useless without doing what God wants you to? Faith that does not result in good deeds is not real faith."(Living Bible).
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Releasing the Blessing". Anything God tells you to do will have to be done by Faith. Hebrews 10:38 says, "Now the just shall live by faith."(KJV). Another translation says it this way, "The person who is right with me will live by trusting in me."(Easy-to-Read Version). A person of Faith will live their life with the confidence that nothing is impossible with God! A person of Faith will understand that the Word is a seed. When the seed of the Word is planted in good soil(your heart) it will produce a harvest. A seed knows what to do! You plant any seed in soil and it will instinctively grow. Even a wooden fence pole after many years in the ground will begin to rot. What happened? The soil worked on the pole trying to make it grow. You know the scripture..."Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."(Galatians 6:7, KJV). Do you want more money? Plant money seeds. Do you want more love? Plant love seeds. Do you want more friends? Plant friend seeds. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."(KJV).
This week, go back to your Promise in the Word. Read it again, read it out loud if necessary. You can even memorize it if you haven't already. The Faith for that Promise is in the Promise. Trust God! He is not a human, he is not a man that can lie to you! He is Almighty God. For one of his promises to prove false, he would have to be proven false! That of course, WILL NEVER HAPPEN! Matthew 5:18 says, "God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working."(Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 1, 2016
What do you have?
Happy Sunday!
What if being blessed was a requirement, and not being blessed was a sin?
It definitely changes the dynamic and should cause us to question what we have been taught or brainwashed to believe. Jesus told parables to make his spiritual lessons come to life for the listeners. In what we call the Parable of the Talents, Jesus describes an interesting scene. A man was planning to go away on a trip. He was a rich man because the scripture says he called his servants and gave each one some money. You know the story. He gave one five, one two, and one one talent. We know that our talents as in business savvy, and musical genius can produce a financial return but the talents in this scripture were monetary denominations. One source that references Nave's Topical Bible Commentary, says a person with five talents of gold or silver would be a multimillionaire by today's standards.
Why was Jesus telling a story about being faithful with finances? Great question! I'm so glad you asked! Later in this same sermon, Jesus described the end times. He said when he returns with all the holy angels with him, he will divide the people of the world into two groups. Each group will be blessed or cursed based on a particular criteria. Matthew 25:35-36 reveals the means by which they will be evaluated..."It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me."(Easy-to-Read Version). There is nothing on this list that will not require some expense. We need money to spread the Gospel, we need money to feed, clothe, and assist the poor, and we need money to visit those in prison. Now, don't go all super spiritual on me! Don't tell me about your vow of poverty because you can't find that in the Bible. If you think about it with an open mind, those that claim to live a vow of poverty have a home, food, and clothes provided for them by their religious order. The homeless on the streets of your city will never choose poverty over a safe, warm, and dry place to live and food to eat. Jesus is the greatest business owner of all time! He wouldn't instruct his employees to do something and not provide them with the necessary equipment to get the job done!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Living In The Power of the Blessing". Romans 4:13 says, "It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not because Abraham obeyed God’s laws but because he TRUSTED God to keep his promise."(Living Bible). Abraham was confident in the promises of God! He had the Blessing and now that same Blessing has been given to us! Galatians 3:13-14 says, " Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that the laws in Moses’ Teachings bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, “Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.” Christ paid the price so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to all the people of the world THROUGH Jesus Christ and we would receive the promised Spirit through faith."(God's Word Translation). The Blessing is on us! We have been endued with power for success and we are commanded to use the blessing to "be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth".
I know what you may be thinking! You just don't know Cynthia, I don't have anything valuable. That's exactly what the woman told the prophet in 2 Kings 4:2. Elisha said, "What is it that you want me to do? Do you have anything of worth in your house?" The woman said, "I don’t really have much of anything. The only thing I have in my house that might be of any worth is a jar of oil."(Voice). You know the story, the little bit of nothing turned out to be just enough to provide for her family and save her children from slavery. I'm personally asking God to reveal to me what I have in my house. I'm committed to listening, and obeying. Please pray for me.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
What if being blessed was a requirement, and not being blessed was a sin?
It definitely changes the dynamic and should cause us to question what we have been taught or brainwashed to believe. Jesus told parables to make his spiritual lessons come to life for the listeners. In what we call the Parable of the Talents, Jesus describes an interesting scene. A man was planning to go away on a trip. He was a rich man because the scripture says he called his servants and gave each one some money. You know the story. He gave one five, one two, and one one talent. We know that our talents as in business savvy, and musical genius can produce a financial return but the talents in this scripture were monetary denominations. One source that references Nave's Topical Bible Commentary, says a person with five talents of gold or silver would be a multimillionaire by today's standards.
Why was Jesus telling a story about being faithful with finances? Great question! I'm so glad you asked! Later in this same sermon, Jesus described the end times. He said when he returns with all the holy angels with him, he will divide the people of the world into two groups. Each group will be blessed or cursed based on a particular criteria. Matthew 25:35-36 reveals the means by which they will be evaluated..."It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me."(Easy-to-Read Version). There is nothing on this list that will not require some expense. We need money to spread the Gospel, we need money to feed, clothe, and assist the poor, and we need money to visit those in prison. Now, don't go all super spiritual on me! Don't tell me about your vow of poverty because you can't find that in the Bible. If you think about it with an open mind, those that claim to live a vow of poverty have a home, food, and clothes provided for them by their religious order. The homeless on the streets of your city will never choose poverty over a safe, warm, and dry place to live and food to eat. Jesus is the greatest business owner of all time! He wouldn't instruct his employees to do something and not provide them with the necessary equipment to get the job done!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Living In The Power of the Blessing". Romans 4:13 says, "It is clear, then, that God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was not because Abraham obeyed God’s laws but because he TRUSTED God to keep his promise."(Living Bible). Abraham was confident in the promises of God! He had the Blessing and now that same Blessing has been given to us! Galatians 3:13-14 says, " Christ paid the price to free us from the curse that the laws in Moses’ Teachings bring by becoming cursed instead of us. Scripture says, “Everyone who is hung on a tree is cursed.” Christ paid the price so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to all the people of the world THROUGH Jesus Christ and we would receive the promised Spirit through faith."(God's Word Translation). The Blessing is on us! We have been endued with power for success and we are commanded to use the blessing to "be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth".
I know what you may be thinking! You just don't know Cynthia, I don't have anything valuable. That's exactly what the woman told the prophet in 2 Kings 4:2. Elisha said, "What is it that you want me to do? Do you have anything of worth in your house?" The woman said, "I don’t really have much of anything. The only thing I have in my house that might be of any worth is a jar of oil."(Voice). You know the story, the little bit of nothing turned out to be just enough to provide for her family and save her children from slavery. I'm personally asking God to reveal to me what I have in my house. I'm committed to listening, and obeying. Please pray for me.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Born This Way
Born This Way by Barry Bennett
Sometimes a cultural catch phrase can be more accurate and more profound than was intended by the originator of the phrase. Certain lifestyles have been excused, tolerated and ultimately embraced under the pseudo scientific/philosophical declaration, ‘I was born this way.’ This is meant to disarm the critic and excuse the behavior of the one who seeks to defend his or her lifestyle.
To the shallow and uninformed, this phrase is sufficient to satisfy the conscience and pave the way for being ‘tolerant’ of whatever behavior is being discussed. Of course, even society will draw the line at certain types of behavior and not excuse the ‘born this way’ defense. That line keeps moving and as we speed toward the end of this age, it will probably disappear completely.
Right now the popular cause to support is the fight against sex trafficking. If the traffickers were to declare that they were ‘born this way,’ and thus their behavior is excusable, most would laugh. If the polygamist were to declare that he was ‘born’ to have multiple wives, some would laugh, but that line is moving. Within ten years polygamy will probably be legal. The definition of marriage has been changed for some and so it will eventually be changed for all.
Pedophiles could also declare they were born to desire sex with children. They can’t help it. It is like being born right handed or left handed. Society is encouraged to understand and be tolerant. The list could go on and on. Everyone wants to feel good about their behavior. Guilt is not politically correct. Even our modern grace movement is on a crusade against guilt which many are misinterpreting in order to indulge the flesh.
What is the truth behind the ‘born this way’ philosophy? It actually couldn’t be more accurate. All humanity is born spiritually separated from the life and nature of God. Apart from God, man has no true knowledge of himself, his Creator or his purpose on this earth. Apart from God, man has no true identity. We come into this world with no idea who we are, so we seek to create an identity or one is created for us through the molding of society, relationships, innate fears, the media and our life experiences.
The truth is, we were all ‘born this way.’ We all come into this world craving our true identity and not knowing that identity can only be found in Jesus. In order to navigate through life in a fallen world, we adopt an identity which satisfies on a carnal level our need for acceptance and purpose. Here is how Paul describes it:
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Eph. 4:17-19)
The ‘rest of the Gentiles’ can really refer to all of humanity. The problem begins with the blindness of the heart which produces futility in the mind. The result is to give ourselves to lewdness and unclean living. And then, because of guilt and a deep dissatisfaction with life, we declare, ‘I was born this way.’ Yes, we were!
That is why Jesus said, ‘you must be BORN AGAIN!’ (John 3:7)
Whatever lifestyle, behavior and purpose some have embraced is simply a manifestation of being separated from the life and knowledge of God. It is a fake identity. It can never satisfy them. Those who so aggressively demand that you accept them just the way they are, are really demonstrating that their own conscience gives them no peace. The only solution is to force others to accept them and even embrace them. Perhaps then they can find peace. But society’s embrace will never produce peace.
Rather than adjusting to a life of darkness, blindness and corruption, Jesus came that we might have true life. We can be born into a new reality with a new identity and a true purpose. His nature can transform our hearts, renew our minds and free us from the identity theft that we have accepted. The lost are crying to know this life. The counterfeit they have accepted makes them aggressive, belligerent and even hateful, but God’s love is greater than man’s darkness. They were born that way, but they can be born again.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Debts Cancelled
Happy Sunday!
WOW! What a week! It's been full and eventful. I pray that you enjoyed your week and pray that everything is well in your "neck of the woods"! One consistent thread this week has been that the Word of God is truth. Just like it says in Isaiah 55:11, the Word never misses it's intended target..."So it is when I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, But it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined."(Voice).
This week I had the pleasure of attending the Living Victory Chicago conference with Brother Kenneth Copeland. It was awesome. If you know me, you know I'm a cry baby. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. I love the Word of God and enjoy hearing good, relevant, and encouraging messages. It was also a great blessing to be able to enjoy it with my daughter, Crystal. I found myself crying and thanking God for the amazing things he's doing in my life! He's so gracious. Even though my enemies want to see me fail, with God on my side, I always win! I was reminded of the scriptures, Mark 10:29-30. Jesus has just told the disciples something very shocking. A rich, religious young man came to Jesus asking what he must do to gain life in the world to come. He claimed to have kept all the commandments from his youth, and maybe he had. But Jesus told him that he left off one thing. He told the young man to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. Verse 22 of this chapter says, "The young man went away sick at heart at these words because he was very wealthy."(Voice). The reason the disciples were shocked at this interaction is because they were also wealthy! Read it for yourself. Read it in your own bible. Peter owned his own fishing business. Jesus sat on one of Peter's ships to preach. Get that picture of a man with a little fishing pole out of your head! This is fishing on the scale of "The Biggest Catch"! The disciples were flabbergasted and wondered, "Who then can be saved?"(verse 26). In verses 29 and 30, Jesus let's them know that anyone that gives up anything for the kingdom will receive more in this life, and in the life to come. He also mentions that these blessings come with PERSECUTION. Yes, as the old folks say..."If you don't run head first into the devil, you're going in the same direction he is!" There's no reason to fear! Jesus overcame for us, and he empowers us to make it through persecution unscathed.
Brother Kenneth Copeland reminded us that nothing just happens. There are really no coincidences in this life. God orchestrates everything. Jeremiah 29:11 says it, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that."(Voice). God has a plan. Even when we deviate from the plan, he has a plan. Joseph's brothers thought they had a great idea to get rid of their dreaming younger brother. But really they guaranteed their future prosperity. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said, "It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Then today, Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Revelation of the Blessing". There are three ways God uses to give you supernatural debt cancellation. He uses Miracles, Wisdom, and Overflow. In 2 Kings 6:1-6, a young man helping with the building project, dropped a borrowed ax head in the river. He screamed to the prophet Elisha. The prophet cut a stick and threw the stick into the water. The stick made the iron ax head float. That's a Miracle! In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow came to the prophet. Her husband and provider was dead, and the creditors were coming to enslave her sons. The prophet gave her wisdom about how to use something she already possessed to eradicate her debt. That's Wisdom! In Philippians 4:15-19, the Apostle Paul thanks and encourages the believers that contributed to his ministry. The Message translations says this in verse 17, "I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.". The King James Version says, "but I desire fruit that may abound to your account". That's Overflow! God will bless you with extra: bonuses, unexpected gifts, and returns that have been fraudulently held up by the enemy. You can use the overflow to pay down your debt! That is not extra money to buy shoes! You can buy more shoes after the debts are paid. Proverbs 22:7 says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."(KJV). There is nothing wrong with borrowing and lending, but God wants you on the lending side of the equation. Deuteronomy 28:12(b) says, "and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow."(KJV).
Why is debt cancellation important? Great question! I'm so glad you asked. This world as we know it is heading for a dramatic conclusion. Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(KJV). We are responsible to get the Good News about Jesus to the world. No, you may not be called to Africa or India as a missionary. But you are responsible to help get the Word out. It's much easier to give when you are out of debt! When you partner with your local church, and other ministries you are eligible for the reward and the return on the souls affected. Proverbs 11:30(b) says, "he that winneth souls is wise."(KJV). Proverbs 19:17 says, "Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
WOW! What a week! It's been full and eventful. I pray that you enjoyed your week and pray that everything is well in your "neck of the woods"! One consistent thread this week has been that the Word of God is truth. Just like it says in Isaiah 55:11, the Word never misses it's intended target..."So it is when I declare something. My word will go out and not return to Me empty, But it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined."(Voice).
This week I had the pleasure of attending the Living Victory Chicago conference with Brother Kenneth Copeland. It was awesome. If you know me, you know I'm a cry baby. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. I love the Word of God and enjoy hearing good, relevant, and encouraging messages. It was also a great blessing to be able to enjoy it with my daughter, Crystal. I found myself crying and thanking God for the amazing things he's doing in my life! He's so gracious. Even though my enemies want to see me fail, with God on my side, I always win! I was reminded of the scriptures, Mark 10:29-30. Jesus has just told the disciples something very shocking. A rich, religious young man came to Jesus asking what he must do to gain life in the world to come. He claimed to have kept all the commandments from his youth, and maybe he had. But Jesus told him that he left off one thing. He told the young man to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. Verse 22 of this chapter says, "The young man went away sick at heart at these words because he was very wealthy."(Voice). The reason the disciples were shocked at this interaction is because they were also wealthy! Read it for yourself. Read it in your own bible. Peter owned his own fishing business. Jesus sat on one of Peter's ships to preach. Get that picture of a man with a little fishing pole out of your head! This is fishing on the scale of "The Biggest Catch"! The disciples were flabbergasted and wondered, "Who then can be saved?"(verse 26). In verses 29 and 30, Jesus let's them know that anyone that gives up anything for the kingdom will receive more in this life, and in the life to come. He also mentions that these blessings come with PERSECUTION. Yes, as the old folks say..."If you don't run head first into the devil, you're going in the same direction he is!" There's no reason to fear! Jesus overcame for us, and he empowers us to make it through persecution unscathed.
Brother Kenneth Copeland reminded us that nothing just happens. There are really no coincidences in this life. God orchestrates everything. Jeremiah 29:11 says it, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that."(Voice). God has a plan. Even when we deviate from the plan, he has a plan. Joseph's brothers thought they had a great idea to get rid of their dreaming younger brother. But really they guaranteed their future prosperity. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said, "It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Then today, Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Revelation of the Blessing". There are three ways God uses to give you supernatural debt cancellation. He uses Miracles, Wisdom, and Overflow. In 2 Kings 6:1-6, a young man helping with the building project, dropped a borrowed ax head in the river. He screamed to the prophet Elisha. The prophet cut a stick and threw the stick into the water. The stick made the iron ax head float. That's a Miracle! In 2 Kings 4:1-7, the widow came to the prophet. Her husband and provider was dead, and the creditors were coming to enslave her sons. The prophet gave her wisdom about how to use something she already possessed to eradicate her debt. That's Wisdom! In Philippians 4:15-19, the Apostle Paul thanks and encourages the believers that contributed to his ministry. The Message translations says this in verse 17, "I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.". The King James Version says, "but I desire fruit that may abound to your account". That's Overflow! God will bless you with extra: bonuses, unexpected gifts, and returns that have been fraudulently held up by the enemy. You can use the overflow to pay down your debt! That is not extra money to buy shoes! You can buy more shoes after the debts are paid. Proverbs 22:7 says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."(KJV). There is nothing wrong with borrowing and lending, but God wants you on the lending side of the equation. Deuteronomy 28:12(b) says, "and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow."(KJV).
Why is debt cancellation important? Great question! I'm so glad you asked. This world as we know it is heading for a dramatic conclusion. Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(KJV). We are responsible to get the Good News about Jesus to the world. No, you may not be called to Africa or India as a missionary. But you are responsible to help get the Word out. It's much easier to give when you are out of debt! When you partner with your local church, and other ministries you are eligible for the reward and the return on the souls affected. Proverbs 11:30(b) says, "he that winneth souls is wise."(KJV). Proverbs 19:17 says, "Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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