Are you Ignorant?

 Happy Sunday!

"Since he himself is weak in many ways, he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes."(Hebrews 5:2 Good News Translation).

Are you ignorant?  Don't rush to answer!  None of us want to be called "ignorant"!  The definition of Ignorant from the Webster's Dictionary of 1828 is "Destitute of knowledge; uninstructed or uninformed; untaught; unenlightened. A man may be ignorant of the law, or of any art or science. He may be ignorant of his own rights, or of the rights of others."  Based on this definition, we are all ignorant in some area, or various areas.  In the Bible, the Apostles consistently urged Christians to resist ignorance!  God does not want us to be ignorant about anything!  God definitely doesn't want us to be ignorant of the Word of God and all the benefits we are eligible for.

Hebrews 4:15 says, "Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he NEVER sinned."(Easy-to-Read Version).  Jesus is our Ultimate Example!  He proved it is possible for a human being empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a holy, victorious, and abundant life.  Hebrews 6:12 says, "We don’t want you to be lazy. We want you to be like those who, because of their faith and patience, will GET what God has promised."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Don't miss this!  Don't be lazy!  Fighting ignorance requires effort.  The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Work hard so God can say to you, “Well done.” Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what his Word says and means."(2 Timothy 2:15 Living Bible).  Take time to study the Word of God.  Be willing to allow the Word to change you from the inside out.  Be willing to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God.(1 Peter 5:6 KJV).  He guarantees us that He will exalt us, and lift us up in the right time!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Meanwhile

Happy Sunday!

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"(Hebrews 12:1-3 Message).

The phrase, "go over that story again", stuck out to me in the passage above!  I had the privilege of seeing some family members this weekend that I haven't seen in years.  We talked about the past and laughed about things we've been through!  Of course, when we were living through those hard times we didn't laugh!  Thank God for bringing us through!  It made me think of the song, "Through It All" by Andrae Crouch.

I also thought of comic books!  I know what you are thinking!  Comic books?  Right!  Haven't you seen a text bubble in a comic book that says, "Meanwhile"?  To let you know that while your hero was busy saving one group or city something else was going on in the background!  The Bible does that too!  There are scriptures that let us know that things are going on behind the scenes!  This physical world is not all there is!  There is a spiritual world!  The Apostle Paul wrote, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places."(Ephesians 6:12 Amplified).

Don't miss this!  While the saints of old and the Bible characters we read about in Sunday School are in Heaven cheering us on, the enemy and his crew are doing all they can to steal, kill, and destroy us!(John 10:10).  Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and great preachers and teachers to remind us and encourage us to stay on the straight and narrow path!  Jesus said, “Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way."(Matthew 7:14 Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Humility

 Happy Sunday!

"When Ahab heard these prophecies, he tore his clothing, put on rags, fasted, slept in sackcloth, and went about in deep humility. Then another message came to Elijah: “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime; it will happen to his sons; I will destroy his descendants.”(1 Kings 21:27-29 Living Bible).

Ahab was a BAD dude!  Not like Michael Jackson "Bad", but really bad.  He encouraged the people to worship idols and even had a man falsely convicted and killed, all in order to get the man's vineyard.  If you are not familiar with him you've probably heard about his wife, Jezebel!  God used the Prophet Elijah repeatedly to rebuke and warn Ahab.  So much so that Ahab hated Elijah and would have killed him too, if he could have. 

“Yes,” Elijah answered, “I have come to place God’s curse upon you because you have sold yourself to the devil. The Lord is going to bring great harm to you and sweep you away; he will not let a single one of your male descendants survive!  He is going to destroy your family as he did the family of King Jeroboam and the family of King Baasha, for you have made him very angry and have led all of Israel into SIN. The Lord has also told me that the dogs of Jezreel shall tear apart the body of your wife, Jezebel.  The members of your family who die in the city shall be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the country shall be eaten by vultures.”(1 Kings 21:20-24 Living Bible).

After hearing this Ahab did something totally out of character, he repented and humbled himself.  Before Elijah could get home, God told him to turn around and tell Ahab that all the bad stuff wouldn't happen in his lifetime because he humbled himself.  Jesus said, "If you walk around all high and mighty, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become MORE than yourself.”(Luke 14:11 Message).  God was merciful to Ahab.  He gave Ahab much better treatment than he deserved.  He does the SAME for us.   When asked how she was doing a co-worker of mine said, "Better than I deserve!"  I said, "Isn't it wonderful that we don't get what we deserve?  We get what Jesus paid for!"  The Prophet Jeremiah echoes this, "The reason I can still find HOPE is that I keep this one thing in mind: the Lord’s MERCY.  We were not completely wiped out.  His compassion is never limited.  It is NEW every morning. His faithfulness is great."(Lamentations 3:21-23 GW).

Jesus said, "The thief comes ONLY in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may HAVE and ENJOY life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."(John 10:10 Amplified).  The Apostle Peter preached, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about DOING GOOD, and HEALING all that were Oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."(Acts 10:38 KJV).  The devil is behind all sickness, destruction, and poverty!  Jesus came to rescue us, and set us free from the enemy's strategies.  Will we humble ourselves, admit we need help, and let Jesus free us?  Selah.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

What You Say?

 Happy Sunday!

"The only words that have power in your life are the ones you believe!" - Barry Bennett

Take a moment to read that quote again. I'll wait!  I heard the story of a man whose father always berated him.  They were mechanics, and cannibalized old cars for parts.  His father would tell him, "You are so stupid, you can't even screw a nut on a bolt without cross threading it!"  He believed the "Words" his father spoke over him and years later he would still get nervous about doing this simple task.  Words matter.  Faith people are often criticized for "Naming It and Claiming It", but EITHER way you will have what you say!  You will also have what you believe.

Jesus said, "The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don’t make anything happen. Every WORD I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making."(John 6:63 Message).  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).  Don't miss this!  Your Life, and Your Death are in the power of Your Tongue!  What are you speaking?  Are you saying, "My employer has started the lay-offs, I will probably be the first one to go"?  Or are you saying what God said through the Apostle Paul in the Bible, "My God will supply all that you need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:19 Phillips).

Are you saying, "It's Hay Fever Season, I always suffer during this time of year"?  Or are you saying, "He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have HEALED ours!"(1 Peter 2:24 Living Bible).  

Matthew 12:35 says, "Those who are good have good things saved in their hearts. That’s why they SAY good things. But those who are evil have hearts full of evil, and that’s why they SAY things that are evil."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

What Do You Desire?

Happy Sunday!

Psalm 37:4 says, "Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart's desire."(CEV).

Dr. Bill Winston once said, "What you don't DESIRE, you don't deserve!"  Let that sink in for a moment.  Read it again if you need to!  I know a few indecisive people.  Maybe you do too.  You take them to a restaurant and it takes forever for them to decide what they want.  I, on the other hand, have certain favorites at most of my regularly visited eateries.  I laugh with my daughters any time we enter a Drive-Thru.  I expect you to have your desired items identified and ready by the time I get to the speaker to order.  If you can't make up your mind, the next time you will go inside to order!

The Word of God tells us if we delight ourselves in the Lord He will give us the desires of our heart.  Sure, He can read our minds.  Psalm 94:11 says, "The Lord knows what people are thinking.  He knows that their thoughts are like a puff of wind."(Easy-to-Read Version).  BUT he wants us to be clear about what we want.  Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."(Matthew 7:7-8 KJV).

The Widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 came to the Prophet for help.  Her husband died and she was left in debt.  Her sons were going to be taken into slavery to pay the debt.  The Prophet asked her what she had in the house.  You know the story.  All she had was a little jar of oil.  She desired to be out of debt, and she desired to keep her sons free.  She was willing to LISTEN and OBEY the instructions of the prophet.  He told her to borrow as many vessels as she could from her neighbors, close the door behind her, and pour oil in the vessels.  Miraculously, the little jar of oil filled every vessel until the last vessel was full.  Then the Prophet instructed her to sell the oil, pay her debts, and LIVE off the rest!

What do you Desire?  Jesus often asked people what did they desire or want before he healed them.  For example, in Mark 10:51, "Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man answered, “Master, I want to see!”(CEV).  I used to attend Prayer Band meetings with my Mother-in-Law, Minnie Pruitt.  We would sing a catchy song.  It said, "Any way you bless me Lord, I'll be satisfied!"  Sounded right, but it's full of unbelief!  We are very blessed in the USA, but we are not always satisfied.   God cares enough about you to give you what you desire. He doesn't force you to accept what I desire.  You are unique.  You are designed by God.  You may look like other people, but you are not them.  You are You.

Mark 11:24 says, "So listen to what I’m saying: Whatever you pray for or ask from God, believe that you’ll receive it and you will."(Voice).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Our God

 Happy Sunday!

"The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways."(Deuteronomy 28:7 KJV).

Do you have any enemies?  Anything or anyone that has set themselves against your life, health or strength? Well, I've got GOOD NEWS!  God promised that our enemies will be "smitten" right before your eyes! Smitten can be defined as "a sudden, quick, decisive, fatal blow with the intent to utterly conquer or destroy"!  Don't miss this! Our enemies haven't got a chance!  Even the Apostle James encouraged us, "So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will FLEE from you".(James 4:17 Living Bible).

The Seven Redemptive Names of God provide total victory for us against the seven enemies that we all face!  Reminding ourselves of these names and attributes of our God will give us strength in times of adversity.

Jehovah-Jireh    -  God Our Provider

Genesis 22:13-14

Defeated the enemy of Poverty and Lack

Jehovah-Rapha   -  God Our Healer

Exodus 15:26

Defeated the enemy of Sickness and Disease

Jehovah-Nissi      -  God Our Banner or Victory

Exodus 17:14-15

Cancels the enemy of Defeat and Failure

Jehovah-Shalom   -  God Our Peace

Judges 6:24

Defeated the enemy of Worry and Care

Jehovah-Ra-ah     -  God Our Shepherd

Psalm 23

Cancels the enemy of Confusion

Jehovah-Tsidkenu    -  God Our Righteousness 

Jeremiah 4:2,  Hebrews 2:14-15

Defeated the enemy of Condemnation and Shame

Jehovah-Shammah   -  Our God Is Here

Ezekiel 48:35, Isaiah 41:10-12

Cancels the enemy of Fear

God gave Jesus for us, and Jesus paid the full price for our freedom, liberty, prosperity, healing, and peace.  Are you enjoying the Benefits?

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Resurrection Daily

 Happy Resurrection Sunday!

"To put it another way: if we have been united with Him to share in a death like His, don’t you understand that we will also share in His resurrection?"(Romans 6:5 Voice).

Don't miss this!  We get to share in His Resurrection!  Not just once a year on Easter, but everyday!  The Apostle Paul said it like this, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the LIFE which I now LIVE in the flesh I live by the FAITH of the Son of God, who LOVED me, and gave himself for me."(Galatians 2:20 KJV). This means we can experience resurrection life in every area of our lives every day!

Jesus didn't die for a one day celebration.  His sacrifice paid for our abundant daily life.  He's concerned about every thing that concerns you.  Philippians 1:6 says, "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."(Message).  Do you need healing?  Do you need peace?  Do you need money?  Do you need sleep?  God through Jesus has even provided peaceful sleep.  Psalm 127:2 says, "It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest."(Living Bible). 

1 John 5:14-15 says, "We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say.  He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Love and prayers, Cynthia