Don’t Worry!

 Happy Sunday!

"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."(Philippians 4:6 Message).

It's comforting and refreshing to know that God cares for us and he has our lives in his hand.  There is so much happening right now in our lives and in our world.   If we aren't cautious, we can become overwhelmed.

2 Kings 4:1-44 is full of life applications.  A certain woman comes to the prophet with a problem.  Her husband has died and left her with massive debt.  The creditors are coming to take her sons away to be slaves.  The prophet asks her, "What do you have in your house?"  What a great question to ask today?  What do you have in your house?  Do you realize God has given you everything you need to succeed?  It's in your house!  It's in the unique person he created you to be.  Acts 10:34 says, “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open." (Message).

All the woman had was a container of oil, the prophet gave her these instructions.  "Here’s what you do,” said Elisha. “Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors.  And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside.  She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.  He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped. (Message). The woman was able to sell the oil, pay her debts, and live off the rest. 

What can we get from this?  Glad you asked.  Do what GOD told you!  No need to explain to your neighbors.  Keep the process secret, lock the door to naysayers, critics, and haters!  There will be plenty of time for testimonies when God brings you out!  Don't think small!  The prophet instructed her to get lots of pots or vessels.  Do you realize that she determined the size of her blessing by the number of vessels she was willing to collect?  We quote it all the time..."exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think".(Ephesians 3:20).  Exceeding means to surpass others; excel or be superior.  Abundantly means plentiful, profuse, and numerous.  Selah.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Don't Feel Sorry For Yourselves

 Happy Sunday!

"In this all-out match against SIN, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So DON'T FEEL SORRY for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?

My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,

    but don’t be crushed by it either.

It’s the child he loves that he disciplines.

    The child he embraces, he also corrects.

God is EDUCATING you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only IRRESPONSIBLE parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for TRAINING and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can TRULY LIVE? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s HOLY BEST. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it PAYS OFF big-time, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves MATURE in their relationship with God.

So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise, you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears."(Hebrews 12:11-17 Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Destroy The Works of the Devil

 Happy Sunday!

"We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places."(Ephesians 6:12 Voice).

Our enemy, Satan, tries to keep people IGNORANT.  Every area that you lack knowledge in, is an area that the enemy can overtake you. Don't miss this!  Knowledge PROTECTS us. Now, don't confuse knowledge with intellect. Education is great. MD, PhD, DDS and all the other letters behind your name are wonderful. I applaud your diligence, and hard work BUT intellect is not light. There are millions of educated fools in the world. Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."(KJV)  

Do you know any educated people that deny there is a god? Sure, you do! Do you know any educated people living in poverty? Sure, you do!  Do you know any educated people dealing with depression or mental illness? Sure, you do! Do you know any educated people suffering with sickness and disease? Yes, you do and so do I!  What is missing? Knowledge, understanding, and enlightenment are missing.  Psalm 119:130 says, "As people UNDERSTAND your word, it brings LIGHT to their lives. Your word makes even simple people wise." (Easy-to-Read Version).  The Word of God provides the answers to all of our human issues. Proverbs 4:7 says, "Getting WISDOM is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment."(Living Bible).

Jesus came to equip us and empower us. His purpose through us is to overcome the world. 1 John 3:8 says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might DESTROY the works of the devil."(KJV).   The works of the devil are the works of darkness.  Darkness and light cannot coexist.  Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let YOUR light so shine before men, that they may see your GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."(Matthew 5:16 KJV).  The enemy is called the Prince of Darkness. The enemy seduces men and women to do evil. Have you ever watched the news and wondered how a person could commit murder? The enemy uses the power of suggestion. The comedian Flip Wilson used to say, "The Devil made me do it!" No, the devil didn't make you do it, but he gave you the IDEA and you FELL for it!  Don't cooperate with the enemy!  Don't be deceived and don't be afraid!  

How can we identify the works of darkness? How can we destroy the works of the devil?  Great questions.  So glad you asked! The best way to identify the works of darkness is to study the Word.  As you study the Word, you can compare what the WORD says to what you see in your life and in your world. If it contradicts the Word of God, you should not be doing it! Ephesians 5:11 says, "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."(KJV).  The best way to destroy the works of the devil is to be a doer of the Word that you have studied. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 (KJV)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Psalm 27

Happy Sunday!

Light, space, zest—that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.

When besieged, I’m calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose, I’m collected and cool.

I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet. 

That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, the perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.

God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to God.

Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs: “Be good to me! Answer me!”
When my heart whispered, “Seek God,” my whole being replied, “I’m seeking him!”
Don’t hide from me now!

You’ve always been right there for me; don’t turn your back on me now.
Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me; you’ve always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.

Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street; show my enemies whose side you’re on. Don’t throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.

I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness in the exuberant earth.

Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. 

I’ll say it again:
Stay with God.

Psalm 27 (Message Translation)

Love and prayers for a wonderful week, Cynthia

I Want it ALL!

 Happy Sunday!

"Then, knowing what lies ahead for you, you won’t become bored with being a Christian nor become spiritually dull and indifferent, but you will be anxious to follow the example of those who receive ALL that God has promised them because of their strong faith and patience."(Hebrews 6:12, Living Bible).

Because of their strong faith and patience the people in the previous scripture received all that God had promised them.  Don't you want everything you are promised?  Of course you do!  You don't go in and order a fully loaded vehicle, and then accept a stock model with manual windows.  You want what you were promised, what you ordered, or what you paid for.  Jesus paid it all!  He paid for your life, healing, well being and prosperity.  Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was hurt because of us; he suffered so.  Our wrongdoing wounded and crushed him. He endured the breaking that made us whole.  The injuries he suffered became our healing."(Voice).  

Psalm 78:41 sheds some light on why the Children of Israel missed out on the Promises of God, "Again and again they turned away and tempted God to kill them, and limited the Holy One of Israel from giving them his blessings."(Living Bible).  WOW!  What were they doing that made God so angry?  I'll tell you what they were doing, and we sometimes do these things as well.  Murmuring and complaining, speaking against their leaders, and doubting if God would provide for them.  

The Apostle Paul offers a bit of encouragement for us, "Let us not grow tired of doing good, for, unless we throw in our hand, the ultimate harvest is assured. Let us then do good to all men as opportunity offers, especially to those who belong to the Christian household."(Galatians 6:7, Phillips).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Right Place, Right Time!

 Happy Sunday!  

One of my prayers for you and myself, is that we are always in the right place at the right time with the right information and the right understanding.  Not only is being in the right place important for us, but it could be a matter of life and death for another person.   God created each of us to be a blessing.  Even the smallest kind gesture may be enough to change someone's life.  I'm reminded of the period of time my uncle, Staff Sergeant Wallace Williams Jr. served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.  When he returned home we asked about the events.  He informed us that every big news worthy event happened before or after his team left those locations.  I believe the angels of God made sure he was always in the right place at the right time.   It doesn't have to be war, simply  leaving your home each morning requires inside information.

Where can we get this inside information?  I'm so glad you asked!  Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."(John 16:13, KJV).  Another translation of this scripture says, "The Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth. He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me. The Spirit has unlimited access to Me, to all that I possess and know, just as everything the Father has is Mine. That is the reason I am confident He will care for My own and reveal the path to you."(vs 13-15, Voice).  Don't miss this!  The Holy Spirit is available to show us the right path.  One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 16:11..."Thou wilt shew me the PATH of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."(KJV).  

How does the Holy Spirit show us the right path?  Great question!  In 1 Kings 19:10-12, the Prophet Elijah complained that he was the only person left truly serving God.  God told him to go to a certain place and wait there.  A great wind passed by, and earthquake rumbled, and a fire blaze up, but God was not in those events.  Then he realized that God was in the "still small voice".   It makes me think of our ancestors saying, "I should have listened to my first mind!"   What they were saying was the first thought that was drowned out by the noise of other thoughts, was the right thought.  Have you ever noticed how loud the world is?  Why do we want to vacation in peaceful places with the beauty of nature?  Everyone has an opinion.  In the past, we may never have known about their opinions.  Now with media and Social Media, we are bombarded everyday with opinions.  Do you realize that your opinion really doesn't matter?  Take a moment to think it through, and put that stone down.  LOL!   Jesus said, "Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I say are NOT my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And he does HIS work through me."(John 14:10, Living Bible).  What we believe, and what we say should line up with the Word of God.  What we live should not contradict what we see in the Word of God.  God will not ask us about our political affiliations.  But he will ask us about what we did with the life he gave us and how we treated others.  Jesus said, “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?" Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me."(Matthew 25:37-40, Message).

Our recent lessons in Children's Church are geared toward teaching the children to recognize the Voice of the Lord.  In one lesson example the teachers used a traffic signal to demonstrate how to hear God's voice.   The Green light is that soft peaceful feeling that it's Ok to go ahead.  My Aunt, Pastor Theaha McClendon always says, "The Peace of God, is the Yes of God".   The Yellow light represents that iffy feeling we sometimes have.  The thing we want to do may not be bad, but the timing may be bad.  I recently saw a quote that said, "Some people are good people, but they are not good for you". The Red light means stop!  Stop and pray about it!  Stop and get wisdom about it!  Stop and wait.   If we are truthful with ourselves, we can retrace our steps and see when and where we missed a Yellow or Red signal.   Thank God for forgiveness, and mercy.  

The Bible is our handbook, our guidebook, and our Love Letter from our loving father.  Have you ever had a letter or card you read over and over again?  After a while you learn the writing style of the sender.  If you ever get a letter and the style changes, you are likely to say, "He or she couldn't have written this!  They would never say this!"   That's how familiar we need to be with the Word of God.  When we know Him, we will know his voice and that voice will lead us to success,

Love and prayers, Cynthia

What are you expecting?

 Happy Sunday!

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, BE STRONG and immovable. Always WORK enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever USELESS.”(1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT).

Don't miss this!  God knows what you've done for the Kingdom, and others!  He doesn't miss anything!  He's a Giver and as the old song said, "You can't beat God giving, no matter how you try!"

What are you expecting?  Psalm 62:5 says, "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my Expectation is from him."(KJV).  The psalmist acknowledged that his expectation was from God.  Well then, what is God's expectation for you?  Jeremiah 29:11 gives us an idea, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an Expected end."(KJV).  God wants the best for you, and you should want the same.  

1 Peter 5:7 says, "You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern."(Phillips).  Isn't that a beautiful translation and reminder?  You are HIS personal concern.  He's thinking about you right now, and he's got plans to take good care of you.  He's constant like the seasons, and he's faithful to His Word!  The Apostle Paul gave us the key, "Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Love and prayers, Cynthia