FOLLOW the Instructions!

 Happy Sunday!

I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

And I don't borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to gray.

And I don't worry about my future,

For I know what Jesus said,

And today He walks beside me

For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand

But I, I know, I know, I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds, who holds my hand - Ira Stanphill

Do you remember this song?  Or songs like it, that remind us of what the Word of God tells us!  It's so 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.  Uprisings, wars, violent attacks, political campaigns, and I-Phone 17's.  If we aren't cautious, we can become overwhelmed.

That's probably why the Word says, "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).

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.  Above reminds me of Deuteronomy 28, "The head and never the tail!"

Selah.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

At All Times

Happy Sunday!

Psalm 34...

"I will praise the Lord NO MATTER what happens. I will constantly SPEAK of his glories and grace.  I will boast of all his KINDNESS to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.

For I CRIED to him and he ANSWERED me! He FREED me from all my fears.  Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord HEARD him and SAVED him out of his troubles.  For the Angel of the Lord guards and RESCUES all who reverence him.

Oh, put God to the test and see how KIND he is! See for yourself the way his mercies shower down on all who trust in him. If you belong to the Lord, REVERENCE him; for everyone who does this has EVERYTHING he needs.  Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will NEVER LACK any good thing.

Sons and daughters, come and listen and let me teach you the IMPORTANCE of trusting and fearing the Lord. Do you want a long, GOOD life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with EVERYONE; work hard at it.

For the EYES of the Lord are intently watching all who live good lives, and he gives ATTENTION when they cry to him. But the Lord has made up his mind to wipe out even the memory of evil men from the earth. Yes, the Lord HEARS the good man when he calls to him for help and saves him out of all his troubles.

The Lord is close to those whose hearts are BREAKING; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins. The good man does not escape ALL troubles—he has them too. But the Lord HELPS him in each and every one. Not one of his bones is broken.

Calamity will SURELY overtake the wicked; heavy penalties are meted out to those who hate the good. But as for those who serve the Lord, he will REDEEM them; everyone who takes refuge in him will be freely pardoned". (Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Our REWARDS Program

 Happy Sunday!

"You can never please God without faith, without DEPENDING on him. Anyone who wants to come to God MUST believe that there is a God and that he REWARDS those who sincerely look for him."(Hebrews 11:6 TLB).

Most retailers have a rewards program.  My daughter's and I make it easy.  We all use the same phone number for these loyalty programs.  We share in the discounts and benefits and likely get more because all of our purchases are combined.  Did you know God has Rewards? Yes, He does!  Deuteronomy 28:1-7 says, “If you FULLY OBEY the Lord your God and CAREFULLY KEEP all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:

Your towns and your fields will be blessed.

Your children and your crops will be blessed.

The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.

Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.

The Lord will CONQUER your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!"(NLT).

Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, REMEMBERING that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for."(TLB).

Proverbs 19:17 says, "Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full."(Message).

Just in case you think that you can or will miss out on a Reward, Hebrews 6:10 says, "For God is not unrighteous to forget or OVERLOOK your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do."(AMPC).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

GOD is Love!

 Happy Sunday!

"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for LOVE comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better.  But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love."(1 John 4:7-8 TLB).

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful, loving, caring, and responsible fathers out there! I pray you enjoyed the day and were acknowledged and appreciated.

God made us in his image and his likeness.  Have you ever heard someone say, "That child is the spitting image of their father"?  Of course you have.  And if the child doesn't resemble the father at all, the old folks would say, "there must be a dead cat on the line".  LOL!  It's funny, but it's true.  We should resemble our father.  1 John 4:16 says, "God is love." (KJV).  Logically, if God is love and he created us we were made by love.  Love is not a fuzzy feeling. Love is a lifestyle. When we understand fully the love God has for us, we will be able to share that love with the world.

1 John 4:18 from the Phillips Translations says, "Love contains no fear—indeed fully-developed love expels every particle of fear, for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. This means that the man who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected".   Did you get that?  Fully developed love contains no fear! There are so many things happening in the world to cause us to fear.  But the Word of God is encouraging us and commanding us to love and assuring us "Perfect", mature love dispels fear.

How can I get this love?  So glad you asked!  Romans 5:5 says, "And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love." (Voice).  Isn't that incredible! God tells you to love, then gives you His love to love with!  All you have to do is cooperate with the Holy Spirit! 

When someone mistreats you and you want to retaliate, the Holy Spirit reminds you..."Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:19 NLT).  When your money is shorter than your month and you are tempted to worry and fret, the Holy Spirit encourages you..."And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NL).  When the doctor tells you there is nothing that can be done to help you, the Holy Spirit assures you..."He forgives all my sins and heals ALL my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies." (Psalm 103:3-4 NLT)  

One last thing that always amazes me, Revelation 21:8 lists the people who will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. It says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (KJV).  OUCH!  The fearful?  What's so bad about being afraid? Good question!  Being afraid that your enemy will not get what's coming to him will cause you to be angry.  That anger can cause you to sin.  Being afraid that you will never meet Mr. or Mrs. Right could cause you to settle for Mr. or Mrs. Right Now.  This could be devastating to your purpose and your future.  Being afraid that God's Word is not true could cause you to neglect it, devalue it, and ignore it.  This will lead you to trust in yourself, your education, or your money..."He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." (Proverbs 11:28 KJV). "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." (Proverbs 28:26 KJV).  "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV)

Working on perfecting my love walk!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Rest

 Happy Sunday!

"Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to REST on the Sabbath day." (Deuteronomy 5:15 NLT).

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas once said, "One of the purposeful and intentional designs of God in our lives and his acts in our lives is to REMOVE all boasting!  We work hard to take the credit, while God works to let us know HE deserves all the credit."  

The Apostle Paul agreed, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT).

No matter how intelligent and capable you are, no matter how beautiful and talented you are, and no matter how many zeros behind your bottom line or letters behind your name, it is the mercy and grace of God that has brought you through. The psalmist wrote, "Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal RESCUES the righteous from what oppresses them." (Psalm 34:19 Voice).   And Jeremiah lamented, "My soul has them continually in remembrance and is bowed down within me. But THIS I recall and therefore have I HOPE and expectation: It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:20-24 AMPC).

Feel free to glance back over your life to see how far you’ve come, but don’t gaze at it longingly!  Remember you were once a slave to sin and foolishness, but God delivered you.  He delivered you so that you can REST. The Sabbath represents rest. God intends for you to realize he gives you the strength, the courage, and the ability to do everything you must do.  When you trust him, you can rest every day of your life. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real REST. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Guarded

 Happy Sunday!

"Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and PURE HEART come the good and noble things of life."(Proverbs 4:23 Voice).

Life can be hard.  We each have our own trials and tribulations. It's so easy to focus inward and forget about the other people Jesus gave his life to save.  During hard times, I remember my mother saying she hated people.  Everyone that knew her knows she was a people person.  How could she hate people?  I didn't fully understand then, but I can see now how it can be possible to hate.  People who are without God's Real Love are harsh, cruel, deceptive, conniving, vindictive, selfish, inconsiderate...and the list could go on and on.  Sometimes even the people who profess to know Jesus as Lord and Savior are amazingly despicable.  BUT God didn't command us to love the LOVABLE, he commanded us to love them ALL just like he did. 

Jesus said it best, in Matthew 5:44-48, "But I tell you, LOVE your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly.  If you do this, you will be children who are TRULY like your FATHER in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong.  If you love only those who love you, why should you get a reward for that? Even the tax collectors do that.  And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than anyone else. Even the people who don’t know God are nice to their friends. What I am saying is that you must be PERFECT, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."(Easy-to-Read Version).

Perfect means mature.  We have to mature in this walk of faith.  Jesus said our Father God is our example to follow. We must ensure our hearts don't become harden because of things that have happened to us.  Yes, stuff happens, but don't let that stuff change you!  

Love and Prayers, Cynthia

Hate What God Hates

 Happy Sunday!

"These six things doth the Lord HATE: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."(Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV).

God is so clear in the Bible when it comes to things he approves or disapproves of. If you have any doubt, search the scriptures.  In Job 1:8 it says, "Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant, Job? He is the finest man in all the earth—a GOOD man who fears God and will have NOTHING to do with EVIL.” (TLB).  Don't miss this!  Job reverenced God, meaning he acknowledged God and treated him with deep respect.  Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "And, when all is said and done, here is the last word: worship in reverence the one True God, and keep His commands, for this is what God expects of every person."(Voice).

Why is it important to reverence God and keep his commandments?  I'm so glad you asked!  Deuteronomy 28:1-7 is just the beginning, "If you fully obey all of these commandments of the Lord your God, the laws I am declaring to you today, God will TRANSFORM you into the greatest nation in the world. 

These are the BLESSINGS that will come upon you:

Blessings in the city,

Blessings in the field;

Many children,

Ample crops,

Large flocks and herds;

Blessings of fruit and bread;

Blessings when you come in,

Blessings when you go out.

The Lord will defeat your enemies before you; they will march out together against you but scatter before you in seven directions!"(TLB).

Now before you say that this scripture doesn't apply to us, and it is only for the Jews, let's hop over to the New Testament.  Galatians 3:13-14 says, "Now Christ has REDEEMED us from the curse of the Law’s condemnation, by himself becoming a curse for US when he was crucified. For the scripture is plain: ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’  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

Have You Received?

 Happy Sunday!

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."(Acts 1:8 KJV).

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John's baptism".

Then said Paul, "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus".

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

And all the men were about twelve.

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God."(Acts 19:1-8 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

GOOD News!

 Happy Sunday!

"But LIFE is worth nothing unless I USE it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of TELLING OTHERS the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love."(Acts 20:24 TLB).

In 1974, Chaka Khan and Rufus sang a song written by Stevie Wonder entitled, "Tell Me Something Good".  They weren't singing about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but everyone will agree we prefer good news!  There are enough negative things happening in the world and our lives to keep every news outlet busy.  

We have some really Good News to share!  Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted and to announce that captives shall be released and the blind shall see, that the downtrodden shall be freed from their oppressors, and that God is ready to give blessings to all who come to him.”(Luke 4:18-19 TLB).  Now that's GOOD News!  

Romans 10:13-17 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not HEARD? and how shall they HEAR without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of GOOD THINGS!  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So, then FAITH cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God."(KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Blessed Memories

Happy Sunday!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you awesome ladies reading this!  This week is a repost from 2019!  It still holds true for women and men!  Enjoy!

Who remembers the carnations that were sold or provided in the black church on Mother's Day?  I can't recall if it was the Mother's Board, or the Usher Board selling them, but everyone wanted one. You wore the white flower if your mother had gone to heaven, and the red flower if your mother was still here with you.  I don't have to tell you Mother's Day was quite emotional at church during these services.  A soloist would be selected to sing, "Motherless Child".  If you don't know this song, Google it Baby!  Have your Kleenex ready, it's a tear jerker with roots that go all the way back to slavery when children were sold away from their mothers.

I totally get it!  There are days when I break into tears thinking about my mother, and my sweet grandmother, Eliza Williams.  After I snap back to reality, I feel so grateful for their lives and everything they taught me and shared with me.  Joni Mitchell sang, "Don't it always seem to go. That you don't know what you've got til it's gone."   Sometimes, this is true.  BUT it doesn't have to be this way!  We have a great OPPORTUNITY right now to love, and appreciate those dear ones in our lives.

Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days so that we may TRULY live and achieve wisdom."(Voice).  Don't miss this!  As my son, Terrence A. Pruitt always says, "God does not waste instructional minutes."  He's always trying to get wisdom, and answers to us! This scripture reminds us there is a limit on this earthly life.  If Jesus doesn't return before your "time", you will die.  Numbering our days doesn't have to be morbid.  It's just good to remind yourself every day to ENJOY the simple things, LAUGH at the funny things, CHERISH those you love, and IGNORE the foolishness.  God has not given us a spirit of fear, so don't go into next week fearing death. Proverbs 9:11 lets us in on a little secret.  You can extend your life!  Did you know this?  It says, "Wisdom will help you LIVE longer; she will add years to your life."(Easy-to-Read Version).

So, what can we do with this wonderful life we've been given!  So glad you asked!  Proverbs 10:7 says, "Good people leave memories that BLESS us, but the wicked are soon forgotten."(Easy-to-Read Version).  Leave memories that Bless others.  Don't be that one mean family member that no one cares to recall, unless they are trying to convey how hard their life has been.  Make good memories now for those you love, and those that love you.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

I'm Complete

 Happy Sunday!

"God made my life COMPLETE

    when I placed ALL the pieces before him.

When I got my act together,

    he gave me a FRESH start.

Now I’m ALERT to God’s ways.

    I don’t take God for granted.

EVERY day I review the ways he works.

    I try not to miss a trick.

I feel put back together,

    and I’m watching my step.

God REWROTE the text of my life

    when I opened the BOOK of my heart to his eyes.

The GOOD people taste your goodness,

The WHOLE people taste your health,

The TRUE people taste your truth,

The bad ones CAN'T figure you out.

You take the side of the down-and-out,

But the stuck-up you take down a notch.

SUDDENLY, God, you floodlight my life.

    I’m blazing with glory, God’s glory!

I smash the bands of marauders,

    I vault the highest fences.

What a GOD! His road

    stretches straight and smooth.

Every God-direction is road-tested.

    Everyone who runs toward him MAKES it." (Psalm 18:20-30 Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

BE

 Happy Sunday!

I hope that you had a great week since the last Happy Sunday message.  Life is not without challenges, but you are equipped to handle it ALL!  God has given us, "all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"(2 Peter 1:3, KJV).  The Living Bible says it like this, 'For as you KNOW him BETTER, he will give you, through his great power, EVERYTHING you NEED for living a truly GOOD LIFE: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!"(2 Peter 1:3, TLB).  It's just what the Psalmist said, "Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!"(Psalm 23, TLB).

As we continue to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ", we will get better and better at handling life's challenges. (2 Peter 3:18, KJV).   Think about the Apostle Peter.  He was hot-headed, impulsive, denied the Lord three times and even cut a man's ear off with a sword. (John 18:10).  BUT after receiving he Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost he preached The Gospel to a massive crowd and 3000 believed and were baptized! (Acts 2:41).  What a transformation!

This is how he encouraged the Believer's later in his life.

"Summing up: BE agreeable, BE sympathetic, BE loving, BE compassionate, BE humble. That goes for ALL of you, no exceptions. NO retaliation. NO sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life

    and SEE the day fill up with GOOD,

Here’s what you do:

    Say nothing evil or hurtful.

Snub evil and cultivate good.

    run after peace for all you’re worth.

God LOOKS on all this with APPROVAL,

    listening and RESPONDING well to what he’s asked.

BUT he turns his back

    on those who do evil things."(1 Peter 3:8-12, Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Right Reward

 Happy Sunday!

"The Lord says: CURSED is the man who puts his TRUST in mortal MAN and turns his heart away from God.  He is like a stunted shrub in the desert, with NO HOPE for the future; he lives on the salt-encrusted plains in the barren wilderness; good times PASS HIM by forever.

But BLESSED is the man who TRUSTS in the Lord and has made the Lord his HOPE and CONFIDENCE.  He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching DEEP into the water—a tree not bothered by the heat NOR WORRIED by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit.

The heart is the most deceitful thing there is and desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is!  Only the LORD knows! He searches ALL hearts and examines deepest motives so he can GIVE to each person his right REWARD, according to his DEEDS—how he has lived."(Jeremiah 17:5-10 Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

The LAST DAYS

 Happy Sunday!

"Don’t be NAIVE. There are difficult times ahead. As THE END approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and ALLERGIC to GOD. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. STAY CLEAR of these people."

"These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn. These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were REJECTS from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself. But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them, just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax."

"You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse."

"But don’t let it FAZE you. Stick with what you LEARNED and BELIEVED, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written WORD of God for showing you the WAY to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us TRUTH, exposing our rebellion, CORRECTING our mistakes, TRAINING us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."(2 Timothy 3:1-17 Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Reasons

 Happy Resurrection Sunday!

"[But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The REASON the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to UNDO (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].”(1 John 3:8 AMPC).

I’m always interested in the reason behind things.  For instance, while traveling I frequently look up information about city names and street names.  While speaking with a customer recently their address intrigued me.  I couldn’t wait to look up the street name and learn why!  The street name is Elsie Faye Heggins if you are curious like me!

At Christmastime, people will sing and say that, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”!  Yes, He definitely is, but what is the reason for his coming?  I’m so glad you asked!  Adam and Eve got us all tangled up and Jesus came to fix it!  Romans 5:15 says, “But God’s free gift is not like Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But the grace that people received from God was much greater. Many received God’s gift of life by the grace of this other man, Jesus Christ.”(ERV).

This is the GOOD NEWS!  We are not doomed by what Adam did!  We have the opportunity to accept what Jesus did for us and live LIFE ABUNDANTLY.  John 10:10 says, “The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with JOY and abundance.”(Voice).

Colossians 2:10-15 says, “YOU have everything when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest Ruler, with AUTHORITY over every other power.  When you came to Christ, he set you FREE from your evil desires, not by a bodily operation of circumcision but by a spiritual operation, the baptism of your souls. For in baptism, you see how your old, evil nature DIED with him and was buried with him; and then you came up out of death with him into a new life because you trusted the Word of the mighty God who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead in sins, and your sinful desires were not yet cut away. Then he gave you a share in the VERY life of Christ, for he FORGAVE all your sins, and BLOTTED out the charges proved against you, the list of his commandments which you had not obeyed. He took this list of sins and destroyed it by NAILING it to Christ’s CROSS.”(TLB).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Why would you ever complain?

 Happy Sunday!

"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,

    or, whine, Israel, saying,

“God has lost track of me.

    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?

Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been LISTENING?

God doesn’t come and go. God LASTS.

    He’s Creator of ALL you can see or imagine.

He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.

    And he knows everything, inside and out.

He ENERGIZES those who get tired,

    gives fresh STRENGTH to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But THOSE who wait upon God get fresh strength.

    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

    they walk and don’t lag behind."(Isaiah 40:27-31 Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Read All About It!

Happy Sunday!

"Good news from a faraway place is like a cool drink of water when you are hot and thirsty."(Proverbs 25:25 Easy-to-Read Version.

We all like to get Good News!  Well, I hope you like to get good news!  I sure do!  When everything in the world seems to be bad, negative, and fear inducing there is always Good News in the Secret Place for the Child of God.  Jesus proclaimed, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."(John 14:27 KJV).  Don't miss this!  Jesus did not pretend that things in the world were just fine.  He did not tell us that everyday would be filled with only good and no evil.  BUT he ensured we would have everything we needed to overcome.

Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."(Luke 4:18-19 KJV).  The Easy-to-Read Version says it this way, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me.  He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor.  He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.  He sent me to free those who have been treated badly and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.”

You don't need an advanced degree to know that Good News to a poor man is the truth that you don't have to be poor anymore!  Good News to a man that is bound physically, mentally, or emotionally is the fact that you are set free!  Good News to the Blind, Lame, or Sick is that healing is yours!  In 3 John 2, the Apostle John echoed this, "My heartfelt prayer for you, my very dear friend, is that you may be as healthy and prosperous in every way you are in soul."(Phillips).  There is Good News for us today!  The Bible is full of Good News and promises made to you by our Ever Faithful God.  But there's only one way to get this Good News, you must read all about it in the Word of God.  Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

DON'T FORGET!

 Happy Sunday!

"The Eternal your God promised your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you this land. When He brings you into it, you’ll live in beautiful and spacious cities you didn’t build. You’ll have houses filled with good things waiting for you—cisterns to hold water already dug out of the rock for you, and vineyards and olive orchards that you didn’t plant. You’ll have all you want to eat and more. When this happens, be very, very careful! Don’t forget it was the Eternal who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves."(Deuteronomy 6:10-12, Voice).

Don't forget who brought you out!  

So many scriptures encourage us to remember and not forget all the good things that the Lord has done.  Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, "Don’t let the excitement of being young cause you to forget about your Creator. Honor him in your youth before the evil years come—when you’ll no longer enjoy living."(Living Bible).  We are prone to forget.  But meditating on the good things and recalling them can encourage us and strengthen our faith.

Lamentations 3:20-22 says, "I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed.  I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting the bottom.  But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on HOPE:  God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left."(Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Refusing to be Ignorant!

Happy Sunday!

The best way to identify the Blessing and its effect on your life is to compare it to the curse.  Many times, in the Word, God uses comparisons.  Think about it.  In Deuteronomy 28:13, we see that the Blessing will make you the head and not the tail, above only and never beneath.  This one scripture can tell us so much about how the blessed life will be.  You will be the leader and not the follower.  You will never have to live under the circumstances, but you can rise above them.

The Blessing will repair everything that the curse has destroyed.  But you have to believe it!  You will never receive the blessings you cannot ENVISION.  Proverbs 22:9 says, "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor."(KJV).  Another translation of this scripture says, "Generous people are genuinely blessed, because they share their food with the poor."(Voice).  Did you see that?  A person that is willing to BLESS others will always be blessed.  That person is looking beyond what they have and trusting that God will bless them again.  

Galatians 3:13-14 says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the BLESSING of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."(KJV).  Jesus paid the price for you to be blessed.  Think about how you would feel if you paid for a special vacation or event for your child, grandchild, or family member.  You told them where to go, when to be there, and how much fun they will have attending.  But they didn't trust your promise.  They disregarded the instructions and ignored the travel arrangements.  I know how I would feel!  I'm just happy God is more loving and merciful than I am.  The Apostle Paul said, "I would not have you to be IGNORANT" many times in the New Testament.  He begged the believers not to be ignorant!  Ignorant is defined as lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular.  Are you ignorant of your rights and privileges as a child of the King?  Are you ignorant of the blessings that are GUARANTEED to you as a giver?  Are you ignorant about what the Bible really says?  The world says, "What you don't know can't hurt you!"  That's a lie!  What you don't know can kill you!

Don't be a casualty in this war!  We are in a faith fight!  Hebrews 11:6 says, "It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he CARES ENOUGH to respond to those who seek him."(Message).  Receiving your inheritance requires that you read the last will and testament.  It requires that you believe that you are eligible to receive, and it requires that you take possession of what belongs to you.

Refusing to be ignorant!  Love and prayers, Cynthia

Are you Thirsty?

The Happy Sunday!

Isaiah 44:3 says, "For I will pour water upon him that is THIRSTY, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:"(KJV).  Don't miss this!  God will pour water on ground that is thirsty.  Water represents the Word of God, and man was formed from the dust or earth.  God will hydrate you when you are thirsty for the Word.  I know that in popular culture, being "thirsty" is not seen in a positive light.  In the Urban Dictionary, "thirsty" is defined as being too eager to get something.  Don't let popular culture cause you to miss your Blessing!   In Psalm 42:1 the psalmist says, "My soul is dry and thirsts for You, True God, as a deer thirsts for water."(Voice).  Another translation of this scripture says, "A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it—arrive and drink in God’s presence?”  I’m on a diet of tears—tears for breakfast, tears for supper.  All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?”(vs 1-3, Message).  

1 Kings 17:8-16 is a familiar passage, but it always provides fresh revelation.   Jesus said in Luke 4:24, "No prophet is accepted in his own country."(KJV).  This passage in 1 Kings proves that the prophet did not go to a widow in Israel, and there may have been many needy widows during the drought and the famine.  He went to a widow in Zarephath.  In verse 9, God tells the prophet, "I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee."(KJV).  She had already been told what to do.  But her obedience had to overcome her fear.  Think of how she must have felt contemplating making this last meal and then starving to death, she and her son.  Dr. Bill Winston said, "The biggest miracle is believing the Man of God!"   The widow had to trust that what the Lord said, and verified through the prophet was true.  She had to be willing to take her eyes off the present circumstance and trust God.  

Lets go back to Isaiah 44:3, in another translation it says..."Like a devoted gardener, I will pour sweet water on parched land, streams on hard-packed ground;  I will pour My spirit on your children and grandchildren—and let My blessing flow to your descendants."(Voice).  Once I was admiring a picture posted on Facebook.  It was a bowl of fresh string beans from my cousin's garden.  They looked so sweet and delicious!  When she planted her garden, if she used seeds...the seed packet did not show a picture of the seed. The packet showed the final product.  The packet was a vision, or a visual representation of what she could expect over time.  Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."(KJV).  Faith is our seed packet.  When we see the promises of God, we plant them in our hearts and can expect that in time we will get the exact harvest we desire.  With God there is always a guaranteed return on our seeds planted!  Galatians 6:7 says, "What you give is what you get. What you sow, you harvest."(Voice).

Love and prayers, Cynthia