CHOOSE LIFE

 Happy Sunday!

"Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like."(James 1:22-24 Message).

In the Old Testament and the New Testament, we are admonished to hear the Word and make the changes and adjustments necessary to line up with the Word. When we become DOERS, and not just hearers we are choosing LIFE.  Jesus came to give us Abundant Life. (John 10:10).   

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 vividly describes the consequences of choosing.  “Look, today I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, depending on whether you OBEY or DISOBEY. I have commanded you today to LOVE the Lord your God and to FOLLOW his paths and to KEEP his laws, so that you will LIVE and become a great nation, and so that the Lord your God will BLESS you and the land you are about to possess. BUT if your hearts turn away and you won’t listen—if you are drawn away to worship other gods—then I declare to you this day that you shall SURELY perish; you will NOT have a long, good life in the land you are going in to possess.  I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life or death, blessing or curse. OH, that you would CHOOSE LIFE; that you and your children might live!  CHOOSE to love the Lord your God and to obey him and to cling to him, for he is your life and the length of your days. You will then be able to LIVE SAFELY in the land the Lord promised your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (TLB).

Just in case you don't think these scriptures apply to us today, Galatians 3:14 says, "God’s purpose is therefore plain: that the BLESSING promised to Abraham might reach the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, and the Spirit might become available to us all by faith."(Phillips).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

GO, and sin no more!

 Happy Sunday!

"And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: FOR the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God Day and Night."(Revelation 12:10 KJV).

In the Bible the devil is called the "accuser of the brethren".  The Apostle Peter warned us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."(1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV).  Even in the Book of Job, the enemy accused Job of only serving God for what he could get.  Job 1:9-11 says, "Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (NLT).  We know how that story ended, don't we?  Job 42:10 Says, "Then, when Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his WEALTH and HAPPINESS! In fact, the Lord gave him TWICE AS MUCH as before!"(TLB).

So, what do we do when we encounter the accuser?  Great question! I'm so glad you asked!  First, RESIST him.  James 4:7 says, "SUBMIT yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will FLEE from you."(KJV).  Second, realize he is the "Father of Lies".  Jesus said, "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."(John 8:44 KJV).  So, if our accuser is the father of lies, he's probably lying to you. Don't believe him! The Apostle Paul encouraged us, "There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, BUT after the Spirit."(Romans 8:1 KJV).  He reiterated this in Galatians 5:16, "But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will CERTAINLY NOT gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)."(AMPC).

Third, if we do miss it, slip up, stumble, or fall.  Remember, 1 John 1:9 is a safety net, not a crutch.  It says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(KJV).  Another translation of this same scripture says, "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]."(AMPC).

Like Jesus said to the woman caught in Adultery, "GO, and sin no more."(John 8:11 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Change Is Inevitable

Happy Sunday!

"We walk by Faith, not by sight". (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). 

God's Best for us usually means we must leave the comfort of our current level, move forward into the unknown and leave the past behind. Everyday God invites us to the next level.  "To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; to knowledge, add discipline; to discipline, add endurance; to endurance, add godliness; to godliness, add affection for others as sisters and brothers; and to affection, at last, add love."(2 Peter 1:5-7 Voice).  The writer of Hebrews wrote, "Let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us." (Hebrews 12:1 Voice).

Isaiah 6:1 is probably one of the most preached and used scriptures in the church world. The Prophet Isaiah lets the readers know about a powerful vision he had. He saw it the year that something changed in his life. A great man, King Uzziah died. CHANGE can happen without warning. Perhaps you have experienced the death of a loved one, the death of a relationship, or the death of a dream. God wants to take you to the next level. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, "First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus."(Message). We have HOPE! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness."(Message).

Now don't beat yourself up about not wanting to change. One of my former employers used the motto, "Change energizes us!"  I'm still not sure energize was the best description for what happened to us when things changed.  BUT it did motivate us to either go with the flow or get run over.  And getting run over in the business world could mean finding a new job.  Even the Disciples wanted things to stay the same. They asked Jesus, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel NOW? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” (Acts 1:6-8 Message).  Don't miss this!  Jesus knew that change is not easy, but he promised to give us the Holy Spirit, and power to do great things in this life.

In John 14:26, Jesus describes how the Holy Spirit will help us deal with change.  "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you ALL things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you."(AMPC).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

In Earth as It Is in Heaven

 Happy Sunday!

"Thy kingdom come. Thy WILL be done, as in heaven, so in earth."(Luke 11:2 KJV).

What is God's will? How can I know God's will? Great questions. The will of God is the Word of God.  Think about it this way.  When a rich man dies, the family reads the Last WILL and Testament. The will outlines how the assets, property, and belongings of the rich man will be divided and disbursed. Ephesians chapter 1 tells us that we have been adopted into the family of God by the finished work of Jesus.  2 Peter 1:3-4 says, "Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust."(Message).

We become the sons and daughters of God when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. John 1:12 says, "Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to ALL who RECEIVED him, he gave the RIGHT to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust him to save them."(TLB). 

Now that we have accepted Jesus three things happened.  

1)  God has Signed for you - Just like we sign for packages or new car leases, God signed for us with the precious blood of Jesus.  1 Peter 1:18-19 says, "God paid a ransom to save you from the impossible road to heaven which your fathers tried to take, and the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver as you very well know. But he paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God."(TLB).

2)  God has Sealed you - You have God's seal of approval!  Not because you are good, but because he is GOOD! Ephesians 1:13-14 says, "It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life."(Message).

3)  God has Delivered you - God delivered you from a life of sin! Galatians 1:3-4 says, "Jesus Christ RESCUED us from this evil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God’s plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes!"(Message).

So, what's going on in heaven? So glad you asked.  All the focus is on Jesus!  The elders, and the creatures and the angels are all in awe of him.  Revelation 5 says, they worship Jesus continually and fall on their faces in reverence and say "Amen".  Amen means "so let it be".  It's a simple but effective prayer.  Until we get to heaven, we can worship Jesus right here on earth and we can agree with the Word of God and say AMEN.  Amen to HEALTH and HEALING, because the Word says, "by whose stripes ye were healed."(1 Peter 2:24 KJV).  Amen to PROSPERITY and ABUNDANCE, because the Word says, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"(2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV).  Amen to FAITH and WHOLENESS, because the Word says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."(2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

Yes, and Amen!  Love and prayers, Cynthia

READY

 Happy Sunday!

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:"(Hosea 4:6 KJV).

When you hear anyone preaching Gloom and Doom, remember this, even Jesus did not know when the world as we know it would end.  In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."(KJV).   What Jesus stressed more than fear was readiness.  Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore be ye also READY: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."(KJV).  Read Matthew 24 for yourself.  Yes, I have to admit the things that Jesus described are definitely happening in our world today.  He said there would be wars, and rumors of wars, famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes.  But in Matthew 24:8 he warned that, "All these are the beginning of sorrows."(KJV).  WOW!  That's scary!  This is only the beginning?  Yes, he goes on to describe even more trouble..."Then you will be arrested and handed over to be punished and killed. People all over the world will hate you because you believe in ME. During that time many believers will lose their faith. They will turn against each other and hate each other.  Many false prophets will come and cause many people to believe things that are wrong. There will be so much more evil in the world that the love of most believers will grow cold.  But the one who REMAINS FAITHFUL to the end will be saved.  And the Good News I have shared about God’s kingdom will be told throughout the world. It will be spread to EVERY nation. Then the end will come."(Matthew 24:9:14, Easy-to-Read Version).  

Don't miss this!  1 John 3:8 says that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.  When we follow Jesus, his mission becomes our mission!  Our purpose and life goal should be to destroy the works of the devil every day!   In Matthew 24, Jesus said the Good News that he preached would be preached to the entire world, then the end will come.  Each day as you do your part to fight poverty, ignorance, sickness, injustice, homelessness, hopelessness, depression, sadness, and sin...you are helping to bring the return of our Lord closer.  

It will take time and effort to study the Word for yourself.  But in the Bible times, even the blind and lame were made to work.  OK, I know what you are thinking...she's really lost it now!  But read it for yourself.  The blind and lame were taken to the local thoroughfares by their families to beg.  Sounds like work to me.  No disability checks!  No welfare!  They were expected to use what they had to improve their lives, even if it was just their voice used to ask for money!  Jesus told a story in Luke 16:19-20, "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was LAID at his gate, full of sores,"(KJV).   Mark 10:46 says, "And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, SAT by the highway side begging."(KJV).  And Acts 3:2 says, "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they LAID daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;"(KJV).  So there is NO EXCUSE for us!  If you miss out on God's BEST because of your own laziness and ignorance don't blame the Man. 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

All Night, All Day, Angels Watching Over Me

 Happy Sunday!

"Don’t forget to be kind to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!"(Hebrews 13:2 TLB).  

What is the ministry or assignment of angels? Great question. I'm so glad you asked!

Angels are assigned to PROTECT US. Psalm 91:11-12 says, "For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will steady you with their hands to keep you from stumbling against the rocks on the trail."(TLB).  Do you remember the story of Daniel?  Targeted by haters, thrown in the lion's den. The next morning when the king ran out to see what had become of Daniel, Daniel replied, "My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they couldn't hurt me. He did this because he considered me innocent. Your Majesty, I haven’t committed any crime.” Daniel 6:22 (GW).  Don't take this story for granted.  Those same lions devoured Daniel's accusers.

The King of Syria was out to get the prophet Elisha. Elisha's servant went out and discovered they were surrounded by the Syrian Army. Elisha told his servant, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." 2 Kings 6:16 (KJV).  He prayed that the servant's eyes be opened. The servant looked again and saw, "The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!" (2 Kings 6:17 Message).

Angels RESPOND to the Word of God.  One Pastor said, "Get your angels out of the unemployment line!"  Angels respond to prayers that line up with the Word!  When you speak the Word, you give the angels something to work with. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Words have power in matters of life and death, and those who love them will savor their fruit."(Voice).  Angels are sent to minister to you.  Did you hear that?  These are not little fat babies with wings! The normal response to seeing an angel was fear and dread. Every time an angel appeared to a person in the Bible the angel had to say, "Fear not!"  The prophets saw angels and fainted or fell as dead men.  Angels are fully equipped, capable, and strong enough to do what must be done! Hebrews 1:14 says, "Did God ever say to any of the heavenly messengers, sit here, at My right hand, in the seat of honor; and I’ll put all Your enemies under Your feet? No, of course not. The heavenly messengers are only spirits and servants, sent out to MINISTER to those who will certainly inherit salvation."(Voice).

How can I put my angels to work?  Great question! Get the Word in your mouth and speak it OUT LOUD.  If you are experiencing financial difficulty, don't moan and complain about how broke you are! Speak out loud..."The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack."(Psalm 23:1 AMP).  Are you having problems at work or in your business? Speak the Word...Psalm 1 says that those who follow the Lord and obey..."Everything they do is successful."(Psalm 1:3 ERV).  Are you sick? Speak the Word to your body... “Through His wounds, you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 Voice). 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

GREATER

 Happy Sunday!

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

Does this scripture encourage you?  I hope so!  It encourages me in so many ways.  First, the Apostle John wasn't teaching a Children's Church, but he referred to the readers as "Little Children".  When we are Born Again, we are the children of God.   We can be as close to God as little children.  "Jesus called a small child over to him and set the little fellow down among them, and said, “Unless you TURN to God from your SINS and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who HUMBLES HIMSELF as this little child is the GREATEST in the Kingdom of Heaven."(Matthew 18:2-4 TLB).

Second, the Apostle understood that there are some unsavory characters in the world.  There are obstacles that we face, and issues will arise.  He wrote, "My dear friends, don’t BELIEVE everything you hear. Carefully WEIGH and EXAMINE what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God COMES from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world."(1 John 4:1 Message).   Mark 4:24 says, "And He said to them, be careful what you are HEARING. The MEASURE of THOUGHT and STUDY you give to the TRUTH you hear will be the measure of VIRTUE and KNOWLEDGE that comes back to you—and MORE besides will be given to you who hear."(AMPC).

Don't miss this!  We have a part to play in the Greater!  The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "STUDY to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth."(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).  Study the Bible and learn the Truth.  Then do what James 4:7 says, "SUBMIT yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you."(KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia