"You Ain't Seen Nothing Like This!"

Happy Sunday!  

Bishop Walter S. Thomas was our special guest speaker today.  He is the pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.  He used John 2:1-11 as his reference scripture.  His sermon was entitled, "You Ain't Seen Nothing Like This!"

This passage is so familiar, but the Word of God is alive!  Each time we read it and meditate on it, there is an opportunity to get fresh revelation from it!  It happened in the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry. In chapter one, he called his first disciples.  Immediately after this, John writes that the group was invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee.  John also notes that Mary the mother of Jesus was also there.

It helps to know a little about weddings of that time period.  Weddings celebrations were extensive!  The reception lasted at least a week.  The family was responsible for furnishing food and drink for all the guests for the duration of the celebration.  The scriptures say, "While they were celebrating, the wine ran out; and Jesus’ mother hurried over to her son. Mary said, "The host stands on the brink of embarrassment; there are many guests, and there is no more wine". John 2:3 (Voice)  The Bible doesn't tell us whose wedding it was, but based on Mary's concern it may have been a member of their family or a close family friend.

Jesus said, "Dear woman, is it our problem they miscalculated when buying wine and inviting guests? My time has not arrived".  But she turned to the servants and said, "Do whatever my son tells you". John 2:4-5 (Voice)

"In that area were six massive stone water pots that could each hold 20 to 30 gallons. They were typically used for Jewish purification rites.  Jesus’ instructions were clear: "Fill each water pot with water until it’s ready to spill over the top; then fill a cup, and deliver it to the headwaiter".  They did exactly as they were instructed. After tasting the water that had become wine, the headwaiter couldn't figure out where such wine came from (even though the servants knew), and he called over the bridegroom in amazement. He said, "This wine is delectable. Why would you save the most exquisite fruit of the vine? A host would generally serve the good wine first and, when his inebriated guests don’t notice or care, he would serve the inferior wine. You have held back the best for last." John 2:6-11 (Voice)   

What can we learn from these scriptures?  Good question!  

This was the first miracle recorded in the Gospels. It was not a miracle involving "NEED".  The wine was not a necessity!  The bridal party, the family, and all the guests would survive without more wine.  God is concerned about the things that concern you!  Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."(King James Version)

Mary was confident that Jesus could help! That's FAITH! Undoubtedly, she had seen other miracles.  John 14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (King James Version)  All things are possible with God!

Obedience was required!  Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus said!  In John 14:15 Jesus says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (King James Version)  If we want to see miracles, we must obey.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

"Keep Your Mind Right About Things!'

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series entitled, "Keep Your Mind Right!"  He used Philippians 3 verses 8, 14, and 20 for today's sermon.

Bishop reminded us that in order to have true joy we must know who God is and believe what he has said about our lives.  There are "joy thieves" out in the world attempting to steal our joy. Today Bishop talked about "Things".  Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having things!  God just doesn't want the "Things" to have or possess us.  Matthew 6:21 says, "Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." (Message)

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to "rejoice in Christ", "obtain Christ", "gain Christ", "be found in Christ", and "glorify Christ".  In verse 8, he wrote,"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ," (Living Bible)   He was an intelligent, well educated man.  He had lived a strict life according to the Jewish Law and Tradition, but he considered all those accomplishments worthless.  

What can we get from Paul's example?  So glad you asked.

Count - Paul said, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (King James Version)  Count is an accounting term.  Paul reconciled his personal books, and determined that knowing Christ is more valuable than the pursuit of things. Jesus gave us similar instructions in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too." (Voice)  We never have to chase things!  Chase God and the things will chase you!  Deuteronomy 28: 2 says, "All of the following blessings will be yours—in fact, they’ll chase after you—if you’ll listen to what He tells you." (Voice)

Press - Verse 14 says, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (King James Version)  Bishop said, "Nothing is more dangerous than a satisfied Christian!"  We must not be stagnant, lazy, or complacent!  1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (New King James Version)  Each day we must "press" toward the mark for the prize!  The Message Translation says, "I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back." 

Look - Verse 20 says, "We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior." (God's Word Translation)  Have you ever waited for anything?  Sure you have!  We are waiting right now!  The most important thing we are waiting for is the return of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is coming again!  Matthew 24:44 says, "Therefore, you, too, must be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him.” (God's Word Translation）

Let's Count, Press, and Look this week!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Keep Your Mind Right About People!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series from the Book of Philippians entitled, "Keep Your Mind Right!"  This edition was entitled, "Keep Your Mind Right About People!"  He used Philippians 2:5 as the reference scripture.

Last week Bishop told us there are three things that attempt to steal your Joy!  They are circumstances, people, and worry.

Philippians 2:5- 6 says, "Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God." (Living Bible)

People are able to steal our joy when we have the wrong mindset.  If we are selfishly thinking of our own well-being and our own livelihood we will find it difficult to remain joyful.  Jesus was God, but he put his title aside and considered our needs.

Bishop reminded us that many times we even lose our joy in church.  You would think that church would be the one safe place! NOT!  Being born-again is just the first step in our transformation process.  Romans 12:1-2 says, "So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him."

"Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."(Message)
When we first received Jesus, we were called "babes in Christ".  Babies grow and mature.  We would be shocked to see a healthy 10 year old crawling, cooing, and drinking from a bottle.  But somehow the church has normalized spiritual immaturity.  In verse 2 of this same chapter, the Apostle Paul writes, "Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." (Message)
Bishop gave us a few pointers on how to stay joyful when dealing with people:

Don't Assume Everyone Dislikes You!  Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying attention to you." - Eleanor Roosevelt   Give people the benefit of the doubt.  They may be occupied with their own issues.

Consider Jesus!  "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! 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 handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God."  - Hebrews 12:1-11 (Message)
Don't let anyone steal your joy this week!  Jesus said, "I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.

If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."  - Matthew 5:44 (Message)
Love and prayers, Cynthia

Keep Your Mind Right!

Happy Sunday!

It's been a full and exciting week!  We enjoyed our Annual Fresh Rain Conference!  Dr. Kerwin B. Lee, Pastor of Berean Christian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia was our guest lecturer each night.  He taught "How to Experience a Major Turnaround" in our personal, relational, and church lives.  Wednesday and Thursday nights, Dr. Lance Watson, Pastor of St. Paul's Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia preached and encouraged us that nothing catches God by surprise..."God has thought that thing out, and thought that thing through!"  Friday night, Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Pastor of Greater Traveler's Rest Church in Atlanta, Georgia preached and taught us to "Give God the Glory!"

Today, Bishop Alexis A. Thomas began a new series entitled, "Keep Your Mind Right!"  He will be preaching this series using the Book of Philippians.  He used Philippians 1 verses 6, 12, and 27 for this message.

The Book of Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul.  He was in prison in Rome for preaching the Gospel, and yet he encouraged the believers to be joyful and to rejoice!  Paul wanted believers to be aware of the joy thieves.  He wanted them to know that focusing on God and good things makes it easier to be joyful.  In chapter 1 verse 6 Paul wrote, "I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, returns to redeem the world." (Voice)  Did you get that?  God the creator has a plan for your life! He is a good planner and has considered everything you will ever need!  He won't get to the middle of the project and have to stop because he has run out of funds!  He has more than enough to bring you to a desired end.  Knowing that God is faithful, and trustworthy should encourage us and bring us great joy!

In verse 12, Paul says, "I have good news, brothers and sisters; and I want to share it. Believe it or not, my imprisonment has actually helped spread the good news to new places and populations." (Voice)   This scripture reminds me of Genesis 50:20. Joseph said, "Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it." (God's Word Translation)  In order to keep our minds right we must believe that even negative situations and circumstances can have a positive effect on us!

Verse 27 says, "So here is what I want you to do: conduct yourselves as true and worthy citizens of the Anointed’s gospel, so that whether I make it or don’t make it to see you, I will at least hear that you continue to stand, united in one spirit, single-minded in purpose as you struggle together for the faith in the gospel." (Voice)  Paul wasn't sure he'd ever see the Philippians again, but he wanted them to stand strong and be an example to the world around them.

Verse 28 was not included in Bishop's message, but when I read it I knew it would bless you.  It says, "Don’t be paralyzed in any way by what your opponents are doing. Your steadfast faith in the face of opposition is a sign that they are doomed and that you have been graced with God’s salvation." (Voice) Don't let the circumstances sway you!  Don't surrender to depression!  Don't fear!  Don't doubt!  Keep your mind on God, the Word, and positive things!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Participate

Happy Sunday! Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "You Have To Participate!" He used John 6:1-13 as his reference scriptures. This is the familiar story of the feeding of the 5000 men, and an unnumbered group of women and children. Jesus asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” The Message translation says, "He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do." I imagine Philip probably felt like you or I would when pressed with a perplexing question...Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn't be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.” (Message) Thank goodness Andrew came to Philip's rescue..."One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.” (Message) You know the story. Jesus instructed the disciples to have the people sit down in orderly groups. Then He gave thanks and broke the bread. The Message translations says, "All ate as much as they wanted." You have to participate! When Moses and the Children of Israel were surrounded by mountains and the Red Sea with the Egyptians approaching quickly. Exodus 14:15-16 says, "God said to Moses: “Why cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites. Order them to get moving. Hold your staff high and stretch your hand out over the sea: Split the sea! The Israelites will walk through the sea on dry ground." (Message) God commanded Moses to use what he had! He had to participate! John 11:43 says, "Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” (Message) The people had to participate! Lazy Faith is no faith at all! James 2:20 says, "that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless." (Amplified Version) We have to be willing to do our part! In Mark 11:22-26 Jesus said, "Trust in God. If you do, honestly, you can say to this mountain, “Mountain, uproot yourself and throw yourself into the sea.” If you don’t doubt, but trust that what you say will take place, then it will happen. So listen to what I’m saying: Whatever you pray for or ask from God, believe that you’ll receive it and you will. When you pray, if you remember anyone who has wronged you, forgive him so that God above can also forgive you. If you don’t forgive others, don’t expect God’s forgiveness." (Voice) Did you get that? You have to participate! You have to speak to your problems! You have to pray! You have to believe! You have to forgive! Many times we say that we are waiting on God...I believe that God is waiting on us! The Bible says that Jesus is seated at the right-hand of the Father in Heaven. In God's system, you can't sit down until your work is done! Jesus did what he was supposed to do! Because of his sacrifice we can be SAVED in every area of our lives! Salvation means wholeness, healing, and deliverance. Let's participate! Love and prayers, Cynthia

Possibilities

Happy Sunday! We are still basking in the Glory of the Lord! Bishop reported that the giving last week totaled more than $70,000.00 from all three services. That was giving above and beyond regular tithes and offering! He also read reports of blessings and financial breakthroughs that happened to many of our members this week. Wednesday we were blessed to have a seminar with Joe Sangl. You can visit his web site to get more information (http://www.josephsangl.com/category/oxen/). Today, Bishop encouraged us with a story from Mark 9:19-29. The disciples were unable to heal a young boy and his father appealed to Jesus. Jesus said, "Bring the boy here.” They brought him. When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a seizure, causing him to writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth. He asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been going on?” "Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!” Seeing that the crowd was forming fast, Jesus gave the vile spirit its marching orders: “Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you—Out of him, and stay out!” Screaming, and with much thrashing about, it left. The boy was pale as a corpse, so people started saying, “He’s dead.” But Jesus, taking his hand, raised him. The boy stood up." (Message) The young boy had been oppressed by the devil most of his life. Jesus told his father, "Anything can happen!" What is there in your life that has been the same for too long? Can you imagine things being better? Can you see yourself prospering? Can you envision yourself healed? Can you picture your relationships mended? Don't Limit God! Anything is possible! Love and prayers, Cynthia

GIVE

Happy Sunday! Happy New Year!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas encouraged us today!  He began with announcing some of the events we will be participating in in the coming weeks.

Our theme for last year was "We are a WELL Church...Walking Examples of Liberated Lives!"  This year we will continue with that theme but expand it a bit.  Our theme for 2014 is, "We are a WELL Church, and This is the Year We Will SEE It!" 

One of the new changes is our weekly broadcast.  Our service is broadcast locally on Sunday evening at 6pm.  Bishop said he had been asked to do a television broadcast many times in the past years, but he always declined.  This year he was led to do it.  Last Sunday he jokingly said that each broadcast was $800.00.  He pointed to a particular member and said, "Lucy feel free to pay for a broadcast."  This week that woman walked up to him and gave him $800.00 for one broadcast.  He mentioned it at each service and other members just started coming forward bringing checks and cash in varying amounts.  I attend the 11am service most of the time.  Bishop wasn't even able to preach due to the number of members coming forward to give their gifts.  One young lady came up and told Bishop she recently lost her job, but she felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to give her last $20.00.  A young boy came up with a few dollars, he began to cry and said, he wanted to give and he was praying that God would bless his mother with enough money to take care of them.  Bishop asked the boy's mother to come up and blessed them with an undetermined amount.  He also blessed the young lady and encouraged them with this scripture..."Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 (New King James Version)

As the congregation gave, I was reminded that we are to be channels and not reservoirs.  God wants to bless us in order for us to be a blessing to others!  The old church song says, "You can't beat God giving...no matter how you try!"  Malachi 3:10 says, "Feel free to test Me now in this. See whether or not I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will open the windows of heaven to you and pour a blessing down upon you until all needs are satisfied." (Voice)

Love and prayers, Cynthia