Find You A Cause!

Happy Sunday!

I thank God that the Word is always on time and on point!  In the last year, our families have experienced a lot of loss. It's been overwhelming at times and I have had to look to the Word of God for comfort and solace.

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Find You A Cause!"  Please forgive the slang and or Ebonics, but the message is very clear.  If Jesus delays his return, we all will have to die.  There is hope in the Word, "And then this: We can tell you with complete confidence—we have the Master’s word on it—that when the Master comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they’ll be ahead of us. The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (Message)  Of course, we would love to go in the Rapture and not face death. But if you don't, what legacy will you leave in the earth?  What will people have to say in your eulogy?  Will any one even know you are even gone? Will anyone care?

We live in a self-promoting, self aggrandizing, and selfie taking society.  In this culture, a person can become famous for doing nothing at all!  Singers don't have to really be able to sing to sell Cd's, writers don't have to be able to write to sell books, and even motivational speakers can motivate with cliches and plagiarized snip-its from the Greats.  Our society is consumed with being more than we are!   But who are we really?  Bishop said, "You can't wear other folks armor to your own fight!"  We must see ourselves as Jesus sees us and rest on what he has given us.

Find You A Cause!  God created you with unique abilities and capabilities.  The enemy blinds us by encouraging us to look at what others are doing and comparing ourselves to them.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, "For we would never dare to compare ourselves with people who have based their worth on self-commendation. They check themselves against and compare themselves with one another. It just shows that they don’t have any sense! So we will carefully limit our boasting to the extent only of what God has done in and through us, a reach that extends as far as you." 2 Corinthians 10:12-13 (Voice)  Comparing ourselves to others shows our lack of knowledge.  And you remember what happens to people who lack knowledge, don't you?  "My people are destroyed because they have not learned." Hosea 4:6 (New Living Translation) 

Bishop referenced the book by Malcolm Gladwell, entitled the "Outliers: The Story of Success".  Gladwell researched and found that successful individuals generally spend at least 10,000 hours perfecting their crafts.  Bishop reminisced about being a ball boy for the Phoenix Suns.  He recalled hating Larry Bird.  He hated him because he never missed a shot and contrary to popular belief, that white man could jump! LOL! Bishop was enlightened one day when he heard an interview.  In the interview it was reveal that Larry Bird shot hundreds of practice shots prior to each game. So what some may have considered luck, was really hard work and determination.

Find You A Cause!  Maybe you will save hundreds of lives from a raging fire, or rescue a drowning man from an icy lake, but more than likely not!  But everyday you have an opportunity to share your testimony and save one person at a time from a burning hell!  You have been equipped by God to do wonderful things, "The people who know their God shall be strong and do great things." Daniel 11:32 (Living Bible)  Make a decision today to make a contribution to another person's life!  Don't be selfish.  The enemy is not likely to encourage you to do good.  So when you feel a tug on your heart to be a blessing...do it!  We are created to be channels, not reservoirs!  As I recently told a loved one, "I never lose by giving!"  Whether it's time, kindness, money, or love...I never lose by giving! 

In case you need a little more encouragement to be unselfish..."Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." Luke 6:38 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Supernatural

Happy Sunday!

Dr. Bill Winston continued his series entitled, "The Supernatural Church".  It was definitely my type of message. Straight Bible teaching with more scriptures than I could ever quote in one Happy Sunday edition.  I had the pleasure of worshipping at Living Word Christian Center in Chicago, Illinois today.  My daughter, Crystal graduated from The Joseph School of Business and the graduation ceremony was held during the 11:30am service.

Crystal and I had just been discussing how we need to know the Word.  When hard times and trials come, the Word provides the strength and hope that is needed to survive and thrive.  Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  John 16:33 (King James Version)  If we don't know the Word, it's like taking a water pistol to a gun fight!  The devil doesn't care about you!  He hates you because you are loved by the Almighty God!

Pastor Winston mentioned that he has been listening to some bible lessons lately.  He has listened to them about fifteen times.  The Word say, "Faith comes by hearing", that exhortation actually means...hearing, and hearing, and hearing!  Years ago, there was a popular saying..."You are what you eat."  It's so true!  Spiritually, you are what you eat! The Word of God is meant to, Protect, Promote, Prosper, and Preserve us.  We need the supernatural to achieve our God given purpose.

Pastor Winston reminded us of the story in Luke 5.  Jesus needed a place to sit an preach.  He boarded Peter's ship and after teaching he told them to launch out and cast their nets.  They were professional fishermen.  They knew what they were doing in the natural.  Jesus was operating in the supernatural!  Jesus asked them to do something out of the ordinary.  They didn't believe anything would happen.  How do we know this?  The next scripture says, "their NET brake".  One net!  They had no faith in the Word of Jesus.  They weren't prepared for the possibility that something supernatural could happen when they chose to obey!  I saw a quote on Facebook this week that goes right along with this..."Anything you pray for, you need to prepare for."  DeVon Franklin

What are you eating?  What are you hearing?  What are you praying?  If what you prayed for came tomorrow, would you be ready?

Love and prayers, Cynthia

How to Hear the Voice of God

Happy New Year!

I pray that this year is spectacular for you!  I pray that God's blessings chase you down and run you over..."All of the following blessings will be yours—in fact, they’ll chase after you—if you’ll listen to what He tells you." Deuteronomy 28:2 (Voice)

Pastor Duane Sheriff taught on "How to Hear the Voice of God".  Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." (King James Version)  Romans 8:14 says, "If the Spirit of God is leading you, then take comfort in knowing you are His children." (Voice)  Wow, if our steps are ordered by the Lord, why do we have so many mis-steps?  Pastor Duane said it's simple...we aren't HEEDING the LEADING!  God is always communicating with us but we fail to tune in. That's probably why Jesus said several times..."He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 11:15 (King James Version)  Most human beings are born with ears. What did Jesus mean?  He was saying, we can hear and not really listen.

Why do we struggle to hear the voice of God? 

1)   National Media - Satan is the Prince of the Power of the air(air waves).  Have you ever noticed that the media loves to cover stories that involve serial killers and crazy people that say God told them to commit their heinous crimes?  And what about hurricanes and tornadoes? Why are they called "acts of God"?  Jesus rebuked storms and calmed waves. (Mark 4:39)  If these occurrences are "acts of God", wouldn't Jesus be sinning to have stopped them?

2)   People Using God's Name in Vain - Now I'm not just speaking about people using the Lord's name during cursing spells.  We struggle to hear God because of so many people who have lied on God.  People, especially church people run around saying God told them this, and God told them that!  Many times they do this to manipulate and intimidate others. If it doesn't line up with the written Word of God, God didn't say it!  

3)   God's Voice is a threat to religion - Religion can only thrive where God is not alive!  That's what idol worship is all about.  People create gods that won't talk back. Buddha will never rebuke you for gluttony, he can't speak!  Allah will never convict you of murder, he can't speak.  But the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Living God can speak to your human spirit and encourage you to change.

4)   People do not recognize the voice of God - God rarely speaks audibly, although it is possible.  He speaks through visions, dreams, impressions, promptings, when we feel pressed in the spirit, or stirred in the spirit, through thoughts and pictures.

5)   We are trained in Western culture to rely on our 5 senses -  Faith is our sixth sense.  We struggle to hear the voice of God because hearing God requires faith. Hebrew 4:2 says, "Those people in the wilderness heard God’s good news, just as we have heard it, but the message they heard didn't do them any good since it wasn't combined with faith." (Voice)

What are the primary ways God leads us? How can we recognize the Voice of God? I'm so glad you asked!

The Word of God - Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." (New Living Translation)  God leads and speaks through his Word.

The Love of God - Romans 5:5 says, "This hope doesn't put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."  God will never direct you do do anything that does not express his love.  

Kingdom Protocol - Romans 14:17 says, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (New King James Version)  God will always lead you in the right, peaceful, and joyful path.

Desires - Psalm 37:3-5 says, "Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you whatever you ask for." (Easy-to-Read Version)  When we delight in the Lord our desires become his desires.

Godly Counsel - Titus 2:3-4 says, "Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children." (God's Word Translation)  God can speak to us through godly counsel, but anything spoken to you should still line up with the Word and you should have confirmation..."In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." 2 Corinthians 13:1 (King James Version)

Prophecy - The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians, "Don’t downplay prophecies." 1 Thessalonians 5:20 (Voice)  The King James Version says, "Don't despise prophecy."  Prophecy is designed to edify, exhort, and comfort.  It also should confirm what God has already revealed to you in his Word. 

Gifts of the Spirit - 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 says, "The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom. And the same Spirit gives another person the ability to speak with knowledge. The same Spirit gives faith to one person and to another he gives gifts of healing. The Spirit gives to one person the power to do miracles, to another the ability to prophesy, and to another the ability to judge what is from the Spirit and what is not. The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak in different kinds of languages, and to another the ability to interpret those languages. One Spirit, the same Spirit, does all these things. The Spirit decides what to give each one." (Easy-to-Read Version)

Provisions - Where God guides, He provides.

Spiritual Authorities - 1 Peter 4:11 says, "If you’re called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you’re called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed, to whom belongs glory and power, now and forever. Amen." (Voice)

Circumstances - Psalm 32:9 says, "But don’t be stubborn and stupid like horses and mules who, if not reined by leather and metal, will run wild, ignoring their masters." (Voice)  The old folks used to say, "You made your bed hard, now you gotta lie in it."  Meaning being hard headed can cause unpleasant circumstances. God can speak to us through circumstances. But let me say this in God's defense, the Word says, "every good and perfect gift" comes from God.  God is a loving father! He's not committing acts of child abuse, by inflicting his children with sickness, disaster, and trials.  James 1:13 says, "If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, “This temptation comes from God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one." (Good News Translation)  John 10:10 explains who is to blame for every negative circumstance, "The thief (devil) approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy." (Voice)

Godly Spouse -  God desires for us to marry a Christian at or above our spiritual maturity level, but if we didn't...1 Corinthians 7:14 says, "For perhaps the husband who isn't a Christian may become a Christian with the help of his Christian wife. And the wife who isn't a Christian may become a Christian with the help of her Christian husband. Otherwise, if the family separates, the children might never come to know the Lord; whereas a united family may, in God’s plan, result in the children’s salvation." (Living Bible)

I'm listening. Love and prayers, Cynthia

Hard Hearted

Happy Sunday!

Well, 2014 is winding down.  What a year it has been!  Death, destruction, and too many reports about what Kanye and Kim are doing! LOL!  I had the privilege of seeing all my children this week. My youngest son, Timothy, and I talked about some of the hard things we experience in this life.  I encouraged him to always remember, Life may be hard, but God is Good! The psalmist sang it years ago, "Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." Psalm 34:19 (Amplified)

So what can we take from this year? And what things will we leave behind? Awesome question!  

The Apostle Paul experienced far more negativity than we have and he said, "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." Philippians 3:12-14 (Message) Another translation says, "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead". (New King James Version)

Let's forget the negative. No matter how hard it may be, let's move into the New Year with positive thoughts, hopes, dreams and goals!

Don't be hardhearted! I know, I know...you don't think it's possible for you to be hardhearted, you're a good person after all! But our hearts are hardened to the things of God by unbelief. If you are shocked, surprised, and amazed at a miracle of God your heart is hardened. If you relate more to the natural than the supernatural, your heart is hardened. Mark 6:50-52 says, "Jesus was quick to comfort them: “Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts." Did you get that? The disciples had just experienced the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and yet they were terrified by a storm. If they had considered the things that Jesus had already done and trusted him they would not have feared.

Andrew Wommack has several teachings about hardness of heart. I recommend them to you, they can be accessed via his ministry web site. He says, "Likewise, if we were not so dominated by considering the natural, we would not be surprised by the supernatural. We should expect to see the miraculous power of God manifest in our lives all the time. But the truth is, our hearts have become hardened toward God and His supernatural power because of our failure to stay focused on spiritual things."

Let's forget the negative!  Let's embrace the positive!  Let's spend more time meditating and studying the Word of God! Let's soften our hearts to the possibilities with God! Remember, "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Faith For Healing

Happy Sunday!

I prepared this message earlier in the week.  I was and still am so encouraged by the information. I never imagined that my brother would not survive. I thoroughly expected a miracle. So what now?  That's what I was asking God.  The Word says, "let God be true, but every man a liar". Romans 3:4 (King James Version)  So, I'm choosing to believe that God is not a liar!  His will is that "we prosper and be in health even as our souls prosper". 3 John 1:2

Dr. Barry Bennett taught a lesson entitled, "Faith For Healing".

No one wants to think that they aren't believing.  We all have a belief system in our heads which sometimes, many times we confuse for Faith.  When our minds are renewed and we have believed with our minds, we think that this is Faith. But Faith may actually be something else.  Let's look at Faith from another vantage point.  The Word says, "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3 (King James Version)

A great part of our lives is spent renewing our minds.  This is totally scriptural because Romans 12:2 says, "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind". (King James Version) The problem is that Faith is not from the mind, Faith is from the heart. Romans 10:10 says, "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (King James Version) 

Many times when Jesus healed individuals he proclaimed, "According to your faith be it unto you." Matthew 9:29(King James Version) Faith is not static, Faith is alive. Faith is not a formula. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (King James Version)   Faith is in the realm of the unseen.  We have to believe it before we see it!

Mark 10:46-52 recounts the story of Blind Bartimaeus. He was positioned on the roadside to beg.  He heard that Jesus was coming his way.  He began to scream, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!" (King James Version) Bartimaeus was blind, but he wasn't stupid!  He had heard about the things Jesus was doing, "How that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached." Luke 7:22(King James Version)  He knew by revelation and by the teaching of the prophets, that Jesus was the Messiah!  The phrase "son of David" refers to the Messiah.  He was proclaiming that Jesus was the answer to his need or problem.  Those around him, told him to shut up!  But he cried out even louder!  If some one can shut you up, you don't know that you know that you know!  But if you've seen it in Faith, you won't be stopped! Think about the four men that brought their friend to Jesus.  They couldn't get in through the door, but they made a hole in the roof!  When you are in Faith, you will do what you have to do! The blind man made a demand by Faith on the mercy of God, and Jesus stopped.  Look at what happened then, the same people that told him to shut up, now encouraged him. Don't be swayed by people!  They will tell you that their uncle died from that same disease, then when you get healed they will say "I knew you would make it!"

"Bartimaeus cast aside his beggar’s robe and stepped forward, feeling his way toward Jesus." Mark 46:50 (Voice)  Don't miss this!  He threw away his identity! That beggar's robe identified him as a beggar.  He knew his life was going to change. He knew by Faith he would not be a blind beggar again. He wasn't healed yet, but he believed!  Jesus asked him, "What do you want from Me?" (Voice) He could have asked for anything!  Season tickets to an NFL teams games, the latest Maserati, or millions of dollars. But he asked for his sight!  He knew he could do a lot more if he could only see! Jesus said, "Your faith has made you whole. Go in peace." (Voice)

Proactive Faith - Proactive Faith seizes the moment!  Proactive Faith wakes up in the morning and proclaims, "This Is My Day!" The woman with the issue of blood was demonstrating proactive Faith she said, "within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole." (King James Version)

Reactive Faith - Reactive Faith hears a word and responds.  They may have had no idea their lives would change that day, but they responded immediately and they were healed. Think of the man laid at the Pool of Bethesda.  He'd been in that condition for 38 years!  He had no idea his life would change with a simple question from Jesus. "Do you want to get well?” John 5:6 (Message)

Inactive Faith - Inactive Faith hears the Word and does NOT respond! Inactive Faith is just waiting and hoping.

Dr. Bennett used this analogy.  Think about walking into your bedroom and your cute little dog Fluffy is on the bed.  Fluffy knows she is not supposed to be on the bed. You use your authority and tell her to get off the bed.  No problem. She moves off the bed immediately!  The next day you walk into the bedroom and there is a large black, one-eyed, German Shepherd on the bed.  He growls.  Now, you have a different attitude because you don't know that dog.  All the authority you have with Fluffy doesn't translate to this dog.  This is what sometimes happens in regards to sickness.  We think we know who we are in Christ, then the Doctor says we have 3 weeks to live.  We don't know that dog!  What do we do now?  Glad you asked! We use our Proactive Faith and the authority of the Name of Jesus, and we tell that dog to get off the bed! We rebuke the sickness in the Name of Jesus!  Who's in charge? You or the Dog?

Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (King James Version)  Don't miss this!  Faith and hearing are two different things.  You get faith by hearing, and you get hearing by the Word of God!  When your heart hears the Word Faith comes.  There are two types of faith, Human Faith and the God-kind of Faith.  Human faith has potential. Positive thinking is human faith.  The God-kind of Faith has only ONE source, the Word of God! You must hear and believe the Word of God. Dr. Bennett used this example. He was waiting to be picked up at the airport.  The associate pastor asked the congregation, "Who wants to go with me to pick up Pastor Barry?"  A group agrees to go, but they go to the train station. The pastor is not at the train station.  The group decides to pray that he comes to the train station. Then when that doesn't work they fast, pray, and praise God.  Meanwhile, the pastor is waiting at the airport.  You can't pray for more faith. You can't fast for more faith. You can't praise for more faith.  Faith has ONE source! Hearing the Word!

Jesus made time to pray and commune with God.  He knew the prophecies from the Old Testament. Jesus said, "I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing." John 5:19 (Message)  He knew that he needed a word from God to do what must be done.  We also need a word from the Lord!  Contrary to popular belief we do have a word from the Lord...the BIBLE! Get in the Word, and let the Word get in you! Don't try to do what Jesus did if you won't do what Jesus did!  Jesus was the word made flesh and he said in St. John 15:5, "For apart from me you can do nothing!" (New Living Translation)

"So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." 2 Corinthians 4:18 (New Living Translation)

Get the Word. See the Word in your heart. Act on the Word.  Faith is aggressive! Faith grows! Faith overcomes the world! Feed your Faith the Word of God, and your doubts will starve to death!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Would You Please Grow Up?

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series entitled, "Put God First".  This week's sermon was called, "Would You Please Grow Up?"  He used Hebrews 5:11-14 as his reference scriptures. The New Living Translation says, "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong."

Living things grow!  The true sign of death is the cessation of growth.  The main purpose of our salvation is growth.  Jesus spent three years training his disciples.  He wanted to ensure their ultimate success after he left the earth.  We have to be intentional about our spiritual growth.  Matthew 5:6 promises, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (King James Version)  The writer of Hebrews compares the believers to infants.  Infants rely on others for their nourishment.  They can't take care of themselves.  But mature individuals are able to feed, clothe, and care for themselves and others.  The writer says it's about time we grow up.  There are people waiting for what we have to offer. Our neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers can be blessed when we mature. 

Psalm 1 describes a blessed mature man or woman in this manner, "He is like a tree planted beside streams—a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does." (God's Word Translation)

We are counting down to the New Year!  Let's decide to grow up, to flourish like a tree planted by the river, and to be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Don't Miss Your Blessing!

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas began a series entitled, "Put God First!"  The series will cover four important commitments we Christians should make.  The first sermon in this series was called, "Don't Miss Your Blessing!"  Bishop used Hebrews 10:23-25 and St. John 20:24 as his reference scriptures.

When we were growing up, there was no question about our schedule for Sunday. We knew exactly where we would be and what we would be doing.  We were going to church and that was that!  Our society has changed.  I was discussing with my family this Thanksgiving, how on Sunday's and even on holidays, stores were closed, gas stations were closed, and if you forgot to get butter for your mashed potatoes you may have to ask your neighbor or family member for a stick of butter. Bishop reminisced about getting his clothes ready for Sunday on Saturday, and getting a whipping for wearing his Sunday clothes during the week.  I had to chuckle when he said this.  One of my favorite movies is BAPS.  In one scene, James expresses his love to Mickey.  He tells her all the things he desires for her.  He tells her she shouldn't have to wear her "Sunday clothes on Wednesday".  LOL!  God wants you to have the best!  He only asks you to get it his way..."But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." Matthew 6:33 (Common English Version)

"So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25 (Message)  Bishop encouraged us to attend to attendance!  

He said we should show up because...

1) The Gospel is being preached...the Gospel is the good news.  We are inundated with bad news everyday.  We need to hear some good news!  Matthew 11:5 says, "the good news was preached to the poor".  What would be the best news a poor person could hear?  Well, I would think it would be that they don't have to be poor any more. The Good News is that Jesus has paid the price for our salvation, healing, deliverance, and prosperity!

2) Revelation is Being Released...Jesus taught in parables. Believer's hear the parables and can understand the hidden meanings.  Jesus even encouraged Peter and acknowledged that we get revelation from God, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are." Matthew 16:17 (Message)

3) Your Presence Makes a Difference...You may not think you matter, but you do! Someone is encouraged by your attendance!  Someone is watching you and patterning their life after yours.  They may never reveal it, but it happens.  Your presence is an inspiration and a testimony to what God can do in your life and in theirs.  My sister, Jacque has been battling Lupus for many years.  She posted a meme on Facebook, that poked fun at the fact that some Lupus sufferers don't look sick.  We are all fighting battles.  When you "fight the good fight" other people can see that it is possible.  Think of the power your testimony will have when others find out you didn't let anything or anyone get you down.

St. John 20:24 says, "Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn't with the others when Jesus appeared to them." (Common English Version)Thomas was not in attendance when Jesus appeared to the disciples.  He was at home discouraged, and sad that Jesus had been killed.  He couldn't believe the report of Jesus being alive.  When he finally saw Jesus and touched his wounds, he believed. Jesus told him, “So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia