Seven Levels of Revenue

Happy Sunday!

I trust this message finds you well.  I'm out of town this week, but I prepared a special Happy Sunday for you.  This message by Bishop Tudor Bismark, blesses me every time I hear it!  Enjoy.

Bishop Tudor Bismark preached, "The Seven Levels of Revenue".  His reference scripture was Luke 16:1-12. We are citizens in the Kingdom of God.  We are governed by the Kingdom Economy. Ignorance of Kingdom principles is no excuse! Hosea 4:6 says,"My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true." (Message)

In this passage, Jesus uses a parable  to help us, "Learn some lessons from this crooked but clever asset manager. Realize that the purpose of money is to strengthen friendships, to provide opportunities for being generous and kind. Eventually money will be useless to you—but if you use it generously to serve others, you will be welcomed joyfully into your eternal destination." Luke 16:9 (Voice)

There are four Levels of Human Existence; The Begging Level, The Digging Level, The Money Level, and the True Riches Level.

The Begging Level  - Psalm 37:25 says, "Through my whole life (young and old), I have never witnessed God forsaking those who do right, nor have I seen their children begging for crumbs." (Voice)  It has never been God's desire for you to beg!  He did not create you to beg for recognition, attention, love, support, or sustenance.  In Luke 16, Jesus tells a parable about a beggar named Lazarus.

Lazarus was seated at the gate begging.  Begging will never allow you to go through doors!  As long as you beg, DOORS never open!  Even our prayers should never be begging prayers.  We are instructed to declare, proclaim, and"call things that don’t exist into existence." Romans 4:17 (Common English Version)  The beggar was sick, hungry, naked, and eventually died at the gate. 

The Digging Level - We must move from the begging level to the digging level. Jesus told another parable in Luke 13, about a fig tree. A certain man owned a vineyard.  In that vineyard there was a fig tree that hadn't produced fruit in three years.  The man told the gardener to cut it down.  The gardener asked for permission to give the fig tree one more chance.  The gardener answered, “Master, leave it for another year. I’ll dig around it and put some manure on it to make it grow. Maybe it will have figs on it next year. If it doesn't, you can have it cut down.” Luke 13:8 (Common English Version) If you want a strong life, a strong business, a strong ministry or an strong relationship you will have to dig!  Dig for information, dig for knowledge, dig for connections...don't be lazy!

The Money Level - There are seven levels of revenue...

Wisdom - James 1:5 says, "If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it." (Message)  and Proverbs 8:11 says, "Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her." (Message)  We must ask God to give us Heavenly Wisdom, we must seek to understand the wisdom of this world,  and we must be aware of the wisdom of darkness.

Vision - Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish:" (King James Version)  It has been said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."  We must plan our lives for generations! Proverbs 13:22 says, "A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren." (Voice)  It is impossible to run this life race without vision. Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." (King James Version)

Information -  God said, "Let there be Light!" Genesis 1:3 (King James Version) Light represents information.  The enemy controls you in the area of your ignorance. Everywhere you have ignorant the devil will control you!  Don't let the enemy defeat you!  Learn new words, explore new languages, read books, and expose yourself to experiences beyond your neighborhood!

Relationships -  It has been said, "There are things that money can't buy."  We need to build relationships to cover us in those times.  We may not be able to fight our battles alone, but our relationships can come along side us and help us to fight!   We need to network!  Build relationships

Good Name - Proverbs 22:1 says, "It is better to be respected than to be rich. A good name is worth more than silver or gold." (Easy-to-Read Version)  You must protect your good name, work on your good name, and you must develop your good name!  Not just your personal name but also the name of your business or ministry. You don't want doors to be closed to you because of a bad name.  Represent your family, your community, and your business or ministry well.

Property - Deuteronomy 6:11 says, "He will give you houses full of good things that you did not put there. He will give you wells that you did not dig. He will give you vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, and you will have plenty to eat." (Easy-to-Read Version)

Money - All money is not the same or equal! There are various denominations. Denomination is defined as, "the face value of a banknote, coin, or postage stamp." Money is also called currency.  Currency comes from the Latin root word currere which means "to run".  Money is intended to flow continuously through your life.  It will bless you and then bless those around you.  2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share." (Voice)

The True Riches Level - True Riches are a generational blessing, where your children are more blessed than you! Where your grandchildren are more blessed than you! Jesus said, “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."Matthew6:19-21 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Someday...

Happy Sunday!

God is faithful!  No matter what I may be experiencing He always gives me words of encouragement!  Our family suffered a great loss this week.  While riding down the highway, crying and asking why, I decided to turn on the radio.  Now, let me add a disclaimer here...if you are super religious and think it's impossible to get a word from the Lord through secular music, stop reading immediately!  But if you realize the Lord used a donkey in the Old Testament to minister to a prophet, continue reading.  The Supremes song, " Someday We'll Be Together" came on the radio.  It ministered to me. It encouraged me to look for the positive, which is extremely hard to do when a loved one has been taken so abruptly. Someday we will be together again, the Word says in Hebrew 12:1-3, "So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, 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. We may feel alone, but we aren't. We are surrounded by an army of witnesses. They have run the race of faith and finished well. It is now our turn. Now stay focused on Jesus, who designed and perfected our faith. He endured the cross and ignored the shame of that death because He focused on the joy that was set before Him; and now He is seated beside God on the throne, a place of honor. Consider the life of the One who endured such personal attacks and hostility from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart." (Voice)

Then to top it off, today, Bishop Alexis A.Thomas preached, "God Will Turn It Around!"  he used Job 42:10 as his reference scripture.  Job experienced extreme tragedy! Even if a person has never heard of Jesus, they probably have heard of Job. When even say, "they have the patience of Job", to identify people that exhibit more patience than others.  He lost his 10 children, all his cattle(money), and his health in a matter of days!  His so called friends came to encourage him but really only came to accuse him and criticize him. Even his wife told him to, "Curse God and die!"  Job was "Going Through".  Job 42:10 says, "After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it!" (Message)  Did you get that?  After Job prayed for his friends, God gave him Double for his Trouble!  

What can we take away from this scripture?  So glad you asked.   

First, life can change in a moment!  Even the Apostle Paul said the Lord's return will happen in, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye". 1 Corinthians 15:52 (King James Version)  Love, live and forgive!

Second, we should never subscribe to the false theology that a person must have done something bad to deserve hard times! 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "In fact, anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed." (Common English Bible)

Third, our lives will turn around when we forgive.  Job had to forgive his friends and then pray for them.  Then his situation turned around. Unforgiveness is deadly! Matthew 6:15 says, "Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you." (The Living Bible)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

I Need You To Pray For Me

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "I Need You To Pray For Me!"  He used Acts 12:1-16 as his reference scriptures.

In these scriptures,  the Apostle James the brother of John had been killed by Herod the King. Because the reaction from the unbelieving Jews was so positive, Herod decided to kill the Apostle Peter as well.  He arrested Peter and had him held in prison guarded by four squads of soldiers. Evil is relentless. Evil never responds to your accomplishments, it responds to your potential. The Apostle Paul warned the New Testament Christians, "Everyone who wants to live showing true devotion to God in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."  and Jesus told his disciples, "The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy."  But God always has a plan! Verses 5 and 6 say, "During Peter’s imprisonment, the church prayed constantly and intensely to God for his safety. Their prayers were not answered, until the night before Peter’s execution." (Voice)  That night an angel came in and set Peter free.  It was so miraculous that Peter even thought he was dreaming.

Prayer works!  Praying for others works! Don't know what to pray?  Let me help you.

For your unsaved loved ones...pray that the blinders will be removed from their eyes..."The ruler of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News—the message about the divine greatness of Christ. Christ is the one who is exactly like God."  2 Corinthians 4:4 (Easy-to-Read Version)  Pray that the perfect person will cross their path to minister the love of God to them.

For your pastor and ministers that bless you...pray that they will be bold and speak the truth. "So make us brave enough to speak your message." Acts 4:29 (Common English Version) Pray that their words will fall on good ground. "Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop." Luke 8:8 (Message)

For family, friends, and enemies...pray that God will, "Give them minds ready to receive wisdom and revelation so they will truly know You. Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance."  Ephesians 1:17-18 (Voice)

For yourself...pray that you will, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!" Proverbs 3:5 (Message)

I need you to pray for me...and I know you need me to pray for you.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Call it What it Is

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "You Know You Got Some Sin In You!"  He used 1 John 1:8-10 as his reference scriptures.

The Apostle John wrote to the New Testament Christians with hopes that their

"joy may be full".-1 John 1:4 (King James Version) There is nothing worse than a sad, sorrowful, defeated Christian!  We are called to spread the "Good News" but so many times we are heard singing the blues louder than the unbelievers.

The Good News is Jesus paid the price for our sins and the sins of the world; past present and future! Hebrews 9:12 says, "Christ entered the Most Holy Place only one time—enough for all time. He entered the Most Holy Place by using his own blood, not the blood of goats or young bulls. He entered there and made us free from sin forever." (Easy-to-Read Version) Lost people won't go to hell because of their sins! They will go to hell for rejecting Jesus!  "Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me." - John 14:6 (Easy-to-Read Version)  Now that's Good News!

The moment we accepted Jesus as our personal savior, our human spirit was recreated and made perfect. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (King James Version)  Our spirit man is perfect, but it has to fight against our imperfect soul and our imperfect flesh.  In order to strengthen our souls, Romans 12:1-2 encourages, "Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete." (Voice) 

Our spirit, soul, and body fight or war against each other. The Apostle Paul wrote,"It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge." Romans 7:23 (Message) But, when we allow the Word to transform us, our spirit and soul join together and over-power our flesh. So what was the Apostle John writing about in the following scriptures? I'm glad you asked!

1 John 1:8-10 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (King James Version) 

I know it's hard to believe, but we miss it sometimes!  No, we aren't living with blatant disregard for the Word of God, but we do sin.  When we sin, sin enters into our physical body and gives the enemy an opportunity to attack us physically.  When we sin, sin enters into our soul and gives the enemy an opportunity to attack our emotions. Ephesians 4:27 says, "Don't give the devil a way to defeat you!" (Easy-to-Read Version)  I'll use myself as an example.  I am fighting against the spirit of gluttony. Gluttony is a sin!  At one point in my life, I could eat a whole box of snack cakes in one sitting. I know, that doesn't seem too bad, but think about this.  All those calories add weight to my body, more weight than I was designed to carry around.  I then began to have problems with my knees. Because my knees were weak while lifting a heavy object my knees couldn't support the weight and my back was injured. The sin of gluttony did not affect my perfected spirit, but it affected my physical body and my soul.  Pain is depressing! So, my emotions were also affected. These scriptures encourage us to drop our self-righteous attitude and admit that we miss the mark.  Of course, I won't go to hell because I ate a whole box of snack cakes, but I may get to heaven faster!

Bishop begged us to, "Call it what it is!"  Call sin sin. When the Holy Spirit reveals something to you through the Word, listen.  Admit when you are wrong and repent. Move forward and do better tomorrow!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Words

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached from Luke 11:13, Ephesians 5:18, and Daniel 10:12-14 today.  He encouraged us again that God will answer prayer, but he put a new spin on it! God is coming for your words! You've heard the saying, "God answers every prayer, but only the prayers that are prayed"  We have to put our words to work in agreement with the Word of God.

Luke 11:13 says, "If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Common English Bible)  Even though we think we are perfect and would never consider ourselves evil, Jesus describes us as evil when compared to God the Father. He is good!  He will not withhold good things from his children, just as we will not withhold good things from our children.  Psalm 84:11 says, "The Lord gives—doesn't withhold —good things to those who walk with integrity." (Common English Bible)

Ephesians 5:18 says, "Don’t drink wine excessively. The drunken path is a reckless path. It leads nowhere. Instead, let God fill you with the Holy Spirit." (Voice) Bishop encouraged us to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians and compared the process to drunkenness.  Just as a drunk person is under the influence of the alcohol, we Christians should be under the influence of the Holy Spirit.  Bishop described it like this; Is the Holy Spirit a resident in your life, or is the Holy Spirit president of your life?

Daniel 10:12 says, "He said, “Daniel, do not be afraid. From the very first day you decided to get wisdom and to be humble in front of God, he has been listening to your prayers. I came to you because you have been praying." (Easy-to-Read Version)  After 21 days, the angel arrived with the answer to Daniel's prayer.  The angel told him that the prayer had been answered immediately, but spiritual forces had hindered the answer from getting to Daniel. The Apostle Paul explained this to the Ephesians, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world." Ephesians 6:12 (The Living Bible)

So what can we get from all this? So glad you asked! Trust God, he loves you and he will treat you better than your earthly parents ever could. Surrender to the Holy Spirit, "Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 (God's Word Translation)  Last but not least, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Don't be alarmed if the answer is delayed.  Use your words to thank God that he has already answered. Speak the Word!  Meditate on the Word! Memorize the Word! Then when the devil tries to make you doubt, you will have ammunition necessary to blow him to pieces! 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

God Will Answer Prayer - Part 3

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series today, with yet another reminder that, "God Will Answer Prayer!" He used Luke 11:1-13 as his reference scriptures.

"Another time Jesus was praying, and when He finished, one of His disciples approached Him. 

"Teacher, would You teach us Your way of prayer? John taught his disciples his way of prayer, and we’re hoping You’ll do the same." Jesus said here’s how to pray:

Father [in heaven], may Your name be revered. 

May Your kingdom come. 

May Your will be accomplished on earth 

as it is in heaven. 

Give us the food we need for tomorrow,

 And forgive us for our wrongs,

 for we forgive those who wrong us. 

And lead us away from temptation. 

And save us from the evil one.

Imagine that one of your friends comes over at midnight. He bangs on the door and shouts, “Friend, will you lend me three loaves of bread? A friend of mine just showed up unexpectedly from a journey, and I don’t have anything to feed him.” Would you shout out from your bed, “I’m already in bed, and so are the kids. I already locked the door. I can’t be bothered”? You know this as well as I do: even if you didn't care that this fellow was your friend, if he keeps knocking long enough, you’ll get up and give him whatever he needs simply because of his brash persistence!

So listen: Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you. All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking.

Some of you are fathers, so ask yourselves this: if your son comes up to you and asks for a fish for dinner, will you give him a snake instead? If your boy wants an egg to eat, will you give him a scorpion? Look, all of you are flawed in so many ways, yet in spite of all your faults, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to all who ask!" Luke 11:1-13 (Voice)

God is a good father!  He is not a deadbeat!  The State of Georgia has never had to take him to court regarding his child support!  SO why do we come to him as if he's a penny-pinching tight-wad?  Why do we fail to ask for what we need and desire? Psalm 37:4 says, "Do what the Lord wants, and he will give you your heart’s desire." (Common English Version)  Bishop encouraged us that there is no greater way to spread the Good News than to let others know, God Will Answer Prayer! That's good news...and we need some good news!

God Will Answer Prayer!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

God Will Answer Prayer: Part Two

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his sermon series, "God Will..."  with "God Will Answer Prayer": Part two.  Today he used Luke 18:1-8.  The New Living Translation says, "One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy. The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Bishop reminded us that all boasting must be and will be removed. He said and I quote, "You cannot get divine things done in human strength." Our ancestors understood this concept and sang, "Father I stretch my hand to thee, no other help I know. If thou withdraw thyself from me wither shall I go?"  With God all things are possible.  We are full of gifts, grace, purpose and power.  No one can do what we are ordained to do!  Everything that God is, and everything God has is accessible through prayer. 

What do you believe God is? Who do you believe God is?  The Word 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." - Hebrews 11:6 (Message)  Did you get that?  He cares enough to respond! God Will Answer Prayer!  And here's further proof, "We live in the bold confidence that God hears our voices when we ask for things thatfit His plan. And if we have no doubt that He hears our voices, we can be assured that He moves in response to our call." - 1 John 5:14-15(VOICE)

Love and prayers, Cynthia