Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "Receiving Your Inheritance", with the subtitle "Author & Finisher". Deuteronomy 2:24-25 says, "The Lord continued, saying, “Get up, get going, and move on through the Arnon Valley. Listen: I’m going to defeat Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon, for you; I’ll give you his land as the beginning of your new territory. Go get it, and attack him! Starting today, I’m going to make every nation under the sky terrified of you. When they hear about you, they will tremble and despair. - (Voice)”. God promised victory, but he required action on the part of the Children of Israel. The process remains the same. Many times I see posts on social media that suggest that God does it all for us while we sit around doing nothing. The truth is we can do all things through the strength that Jesus provides. Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our Faith but as James said, "Faith without corresponding action is useless". James 2:20 says, "The fact is, faith has to show itself through works performed in faith. If you don’t recognize that, then you’re an empty soul.- (Voice)".
So how can I receive my inheritance? Great question! Put the Word of God FIRST place in your life. I know what you are thinking, I already do that! Really? That's excellent! Psalm 1:3 says, "everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].-(Amplified)". So, is everything working perfectly in your life?
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.-(Amplified)". Do you have all the desires of your heart?
1 Peter 2:24 says, "By His wounds you have been healed.-(Amplified)". Is your body is healed?
2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].-(Amplified)". Do you have more than enough money, and every time someone sincerely needs assistance you can help them?
Matthew 6:31-33 says, "So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.-(Living Bible)". Do you ever worry about food, clothes, or shelter?
Proverbs 13;22 says, "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children.-(KJV)". Have you stored up a surplus for your children's children?
If we tell the truth, we have some more work to do! We are familiar with the Word, but we have to know it personally, and make it our own. When the world squeezes you, the Word needs to come out! When the doctor says you are going to die, you have to know beyond a shadow of a doubt..."I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.-Psalm 118:17(Easy-to-Read Version)". When your financial situation looks bleak, you have to be confident..."And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus.-Philippians 4:19(New Living Translation)". When your life is not looking like the Word is working, remember..."So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.-Isaiah 55:11(KJV)".
Putting the Word first place...
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Radical
Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Radical Christianity". In our modern world, we are always hearing about Radical Islam and radical Islamic extremists. These groups are considered to be the exception and not the norm by other Muslims. They follow the teachings of their religious leaders and refuse to listen to any other message. Did you know the Christians in the New Testament were considered radicals! When an angry mob were searching for Paul and Silas, they said, “Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city. -Acts 17:6a (Living Bible)". Even Jesus proclaimed, "And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a [a]share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].- Matthew 11:12 (Amplified)".
Don't get it twisted, Paul and Silas were not terrorists, but they also were not fearful, cowardly church members hiding inside the four walls of their church! The unsaved masses are not inside the traditional church. They are out on the streets, on our jobs, and cutting us off on the freeway. The Love that the Apostles preached is the same Love we must live by. The Blessing that was upon their lives is also on our lives. It is the Blessing that enables us to rise to the top and turn our world upside down.
Truth is the highest form of reality! The Bible contains the truths that we must have to overcome in this life. We must stop speaking what is happening and speak what is written. Jesus did it when he was tempted and so should we! Charles Capps, the great Bible teacher, told about how he was confessing the Word one day. The enemy taunted him and said, "You're just lying!" Then God said to him, "How can you lie when you are saying what I said?" Immediately, his Faith increased. God is not a man! He does not lie! If he says, "by whose stripes ye were healed - 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)". You are healed! Even if your body is screaming something to the contrary! That's why the Word says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)".
Don't worry about the enemy! Jesus overcame the enemy and has given us His name, power, and authority. Without human assistance Satan can do nothing! He has to have a human to cooperate with him to kill, steal, and destroy. Just make sure you are not cooperating with the enemy. He will tempt you to hate others, he will tempt you to worry, he will tempt you to fear. Luke 10:19 says, "And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you! - (Living Bible)",
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance" with the subtitle, "Radical Christianity". In our modern world, we are always hearing about Radical Islam and radical Islamic extremists. These groups are considered to be the exception and not the norm by other Muslims. They follow the teachings of their religious leaders and refuse to listen to any other message. Did you know the Christians in the New Testament were considered radicals! When an angry mob were searching for Paul and Silas, they said, “Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city. -Acts 17:6a (Living Bible)". Even Jesus proclaimed, "And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a [a]share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].- Matthew 11:12 (Amplified)".
Don't get it twisted, Paul and Silas were not terrorists, but they also were not fearful, cowardly church members hiding inside the four walls of their church! The unsaved masses are not inside the traditional church. They are out on the streets, on our jobs, and cutting us off on the freeway. The Love that the Apostles preached is the same Love we must live by. The Blessing that was upon their lives is also on our lives. It is the Blessing that enables us to rise to the top and turn our world upside down.
Truth is the highest form of reality! The Bible contains the truths that we must have to overcome in this life. We must stop speaking what is happening and speak what is written. Jesus did it when he was tempted and so should we! Charles Capps, the great Bible teacher, told about how he was confessing the Word one day. The enemy taunted him and said, "You're just lying!" Then God said to him, "How can you lie when you are saying what I said?" Immediately, his Faith increased. God is not a man! He does not lie! If he says, "by whose stripes ye were healed - 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)". You are healed! Even if your body is screaming something to the contrary! That's why the Word says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight - 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)".
Don't worry about the enemy! Jesus overcame the enemy and has given us His name, power, and authority. Without human assistance Satan can do nothing! He has to have a human to cooperate with him to kill, steal, and destroy. Just make sure you are not cooperating with the enemy. He will tempt you to hate others, he will tempt you to worry, he will tempt you to fear. Luke 10:19 says, "And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you! - (Living Bible)",
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Procrastination
Happy Tuesday!
I'm sharing this with you, but it ministered to me first! A few years ago, Bishop Tudor Bismark encourage his congregation to always work to improve themselves. He suggested learning a new word daily. I receive a daily email from Merriam Webster that I enjoy. The word for today is PROCRASTINATE. Ouch! It even hurts to type it! I have been known to procrastinate, and I am working on it daily.
The Holy Spirit ministered a little more to me about this word today. By definition it means to put off intentionally and habitually; to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. In John 9:4, Jesus says, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.- (KJV)". What was Jesus talking about? That's what I asked myself. The Living Bible Translation says, "All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end". The Voice Translation makes it even clearer, "While it is daytime, we must do the works of the One who sent Me. But when the sun sets and night falls, this work is impossible". I know what you may be thinking...we live in a 24 hour society! People work all night long. I've even worked the night shift myself. Jesus couldn't have been talking about night time only, but he was talking about the end of our time, and perhaps even the end of the world as we know it.
Pablo Picasso said, "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone". WOW! Now, don't get me wrong this is not a good-bye letter. I expect to live to be 120 years old, unless Jesus returns before that. I also pray that you live a long, healthy, and prosperous life. I'm just encouraging myself to do those things I have been putting off. Mary Kay Makeup leaders used to encourage their new representatives with this, "You have something that the world can't live without!" You do and I do too! What if that something needs to be presented or released today? That would mean that the world will have to wait. Bishop T.D Jakes once said, "God gives several people an idea, because most will do nothing with it!" Think about it! Tell the truth...haven't you been watching television and seen a product or service that you thought about years ago? You and I procrastinated and missed the opportunity. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.-(Message)'. God gives us power and strength to get wealth! We have a part to play in it! That part involves moving forward with the dreams, goals, and assignments he has given us. God is not raining money down from the sky, he is not making any money! But he will give us money making, ideas, talents, inventions, products, and services. He also gives us supernatural favor..."If you want FAVOR with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.-Proverbs 3:4(Living Bible)".
Why do we procrastinate? Good question! FEAR is the number one reason. We fear what others will think, we fear that it will not work, we fear that our idea will not be good enough, and we fear that maybe we didn't really hear God say do it. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.-(KJV)". If you are afraid, God didn't give you that fear! Your enemy, the one who wants you to hide that talent in the ground is lying to you! Don't let him cheat you! Don't let him cheat the world!
Love and Prayers, Cynthia
I'm sharing this with you, but it ministered to me first! A few years ago, Bishop Tudor Bismark encourage his congregation to always work to improve themselves. He suggested learning a new word daily. I receive a daily email from Merriam Webster that I enjoy. The word for today is PROCRASTINATE. Ouch! It even hurts to type it! I have been known to procrastinate, and I am working on it daily.
The Holy Spirit ministered a little more to me about this word today. By definition it means to put off intentionally and habitually; to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. In John 9:4, Jesus says, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.- (KJV)". What was Jesus talking about? That's what I asked myself. The Living Bible Translation says, "All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, for there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end". The Voice Translation makes it even clearer, "While it is daytime, we must do the works of the One who sent Me. But when the sun sets and night falls, this work is impossible". I know what you may be thinking...we live in a 24 hour society! People work all night long. I've even worked the night shift myself. Jesus couldn't have been talking about night time only, but he was talking about the end of our time, and perhaps even the end of the world as we know it.
Pablo Picasso said, "Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone". WOW! Now, don't get me wrong this is not a good-bye letter. I expect to live to be 120 years old, unless Jesus returns before that. I also pray that you live a long, healthy, and prosperous life. I'm just encouraging myself to do those things I have been putting off. Mary Kay Makeup leaders used to encourage their new representatives with this, "You have something that the world can't live without!" You do and I do too! What if that something needs to be presented or released today? That would mean that the world will have to wait. Bishop T.D Jakes once said, "God gives several people an idea, because most will do nothing with it!" Think about it! Tell the truth...haven't you been watching television and seen a product or service that you thought about years ago? You and I procrastinated and missed the opportunity. Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.-(Message)'. God gives us power and strength to get wealth! We have a part to play in it! That part involves moving forward with the dreams, goals, and assignments he has given us. God is not raining money down from the sky, he is not making any money! But he will give us money making, ideas, talents, inventions, products, and services. He also gives us supernatural favor..."If you want FAVOR with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.-Proverbs 3:4(Living Bible)".
Why do we procrastinate? Good question! FEAR is the number one reason. We fear what others will think, we fear that it will not work, we fear that our idea will not be good enough, and we fear that maybe we didn't really hear God say do it. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.-(KJV)". If you are afraid, God didn't give you that fear! Your enemy, the one who wants you to hide that talent in the ground is lying to you! Don't let him cheat you! Don't let him cheat the world!
Love and Prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, January 10, 2016
PowerBall
Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "Receiving Your Inheritance". There is a lot of buzz in the news about the PowerBall Lottery Jackpot. Many of those that are interviewed say if they win they will immediately quit their jobs. This reveals that there are millions of people in our society that are not living their God-given purpose. When we live in our purpose, we will enjoy our work and even do it if we didn't get paid! Before you assume that I have it all together, know that I was not called to work in my present capacity. Oh, I do an excellent job, but this ain't what I want to do! The Bible says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. - Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)". Did you get that? I owe, I owe, so off to work I go! That is not God's best! God gave man work as a gift. Before sin entered in, Adam had the best job! He was doing what he enjoyed. The only thing he was missing was a companion. Then God provided Eve.
Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it (NIV)". God gave us work, but we were never meant to work for a living! We were meant to use work as an outlet for our gifting and potential. Proverbs 18:16 says, "The right gift at the right time can open up new opportunities and gains access to influential people (Voice)". The King James Version of that same scripture says your gift will make room for you. Your gift will make room for you in the industry, in education, and in commerce. God wants you to live out his perfect plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that (Voice)". God knows the plan, but we fail to ask God! We listen to the opinions of others and follow the crowd right into depression, debt, and destruction.
How can we receive our inheritance? Excellent question! First and foremost, give GOD's WORD FIRST PLACE! Get serious about the Kingdom of God! We are in a faith fight! Deuteronomy 2:24 says, "Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and CONTEND with him in battle (KJV)". The word Contend means to struggle in opposition. The enemy is not playing a friendly game of checkers. He's out to kill you, kill your dreams, and kill your Faith in God. In Jude 3 the writer exhorts us to, "earnestly CONTEND for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (KJV)". We must develop our Faith to stand against the opposition. Romans 10:17 says, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (KJV)".
The second step in receiving our inheritance is understanding the BLESSING! Hebrews 4:1 says, "The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out (CEV)". Did you see that? It's possible to miss out on the blessing. I don't want to miss out! Do you want to live in this mean world, suffer, struggle, and die without getting all God has promised? Sadly, people are doing just that! There's a catchy commercial that says, "It's my money and I want it now!" That's how I feel! I want everything God has for me! Think about it like this...let's say you won the PowerBall. You used the same numbers your mother used to use. You have the winning ticket tucked safely away. Year after year, you know you are the winner but your never redeem the ticket. How stupid is that? Most of us would be standing outside the lottery office door before they opened Monday morning. God has given us "rich and wonderful blessings" but we have to accept them and take the steps necessary to receive them.
Believe GOD, trust that his Word is truth, follow the steps in that Word, and live in the Blessing!
Love and Prayers, Cynthia
Proverbs 10:6 - "Blessings come to those who do what is right, but words spoken by the wicked cover up violent schemes."(Voice)
Proverbs 28:20 - "The man who wants to do right will get a rich reward. But the man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail." (Living Bible)
Galatians 3:14 - "This is what God had in mind all along: the blessing He gave to Abraham might extend to all nations through the Anointed One, Jesus; and we are the beneficiaries of this promise of the Spirit that comes only through faith." (Voice)
Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "Receiving Your Inheritance". There is a lot of buzz in the news about the PowerBall Lottery Jackpot. Many of those that are interviewed say if they win they will immediately quit their jobs. This reveals that there are millions of people in our society that are not living their God-given purpose. When we live in our purpose, we will enjoy our work and even do it if we didn't get paid! Before you assume that I have it all together, know that I was not called to work in my present capacity. Oh, I do an excellent job, but this ain't what I want to do! The Bible says, "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. - Proverbs 22:7 (KJV)". Did you get that? I owe, I owe, so off to work I go! That is not God's best! God gave man work as a gift. Before sin entered in, Adam had the best job! He was doing what he enjoyed. The only thing he was missing was a companion. Then God provided Eve.
Proverbs 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it (NIV)". God gave us work, but we were never meant to work for a living! We were meant to use work as an outlet for our gifting and potential. Proverbs 18:16 says, "The right gift at the right time can open up new opportunities and gains access to influential people (Voice)". The King James Version of that same scripture says your gift will make room for you. Your gift will make room for you in the industry, in education, and in commerce. God wants you to live out his perfect plan for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Eternal, “plans for peace, not evil, to give you a future and hope—never forget that (Voice)". God knows the plan, but we fail to ask God! We listen to the opinions of others and follow the crowd right into depression, debt, and destruction.
How can we receive our inheritance? Excellent question! First and foremost, give GOD's WORD FIRST PLACE! Get serious about the Kingdom of God! We are in a faith fight! Deuteronomy 2:24 says, "Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and CONTEND with him in battle (KJV)". The word Contend means to struggle in opposition. The enemy is not playing a friendly game of checkers. He's out to kill you, kill your dreams, and kill your Faith in God. In Jude 3 the writer exhorts us to, "earnestly CONTEND for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (KJV)". We must develop our Faith to stand against the opposition. Romans 10:17 says, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (KJV)".
The second step in receiving our inheritance is understanding the BLESSING! Hebrews 4:1 says, "The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out (CEV)". Did you see that? It's possible to miss out on the blessing. I don't want to miss out! Do you want to live in this mean world, suffer, struggle, and die without getting all God has promised? Sadly, people are doing just that! There's a catchy commercial that says, "It's my money and I want it now!" That's how I feel! I want everything God has for me! Think about it like this...let's say you won the PowerBall. You used the same numbers your mother used to use. You have the winning ticket tucked safely away. Year after year, you know you are the winner but your never redeem the ticket. How stupid is that? Most of us would be standing outside the lottery office door before they opened Monday morning. God has given us "rich and wonderful blessings" but we have to accept them and take the steps necessary to receive them.
Believe GOD, trust that his Word is truth, follow the steps in that Word, and live in the Blessing!
Love and Prayers, Cynthia
Proverbs 10:6 - "Blessings come to those who do what is right, but words spoken by the wicked cover up violent schemes."(Voice)
Proverbs 28:20 - "The man who wants to do right will get a rich reward. But the man who wants to get rich quick will quickly fail." (Living Bible)
Galatians 3:14 - "This is what God had in mind all along: the blessing He gave to Abraham might extend to all nations through the Anointed One, Jesus; and we are the beneficiaries of this promise of the Spirit that comes only through faith." (Voice)
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Ready, Set, Go!
Happy Sunday!
Happy New Year! Have you ever noticed how you can do something without even thinking about it? I've run back to the washing machine to verify that I added the detergent. Only to find that I had added it without thinking. What about when you are driving? Do you remember when you first learned to drive? You probably learned to drive with no music, no companions, and no distractions. Now that you are a seasoned driver you are able to drive, sing karaoke to your favorite song, and have a full meal. Our subconscious mind does the work. The subconscious stores and retrieves data. The job of the subconscious is to make sure you respond exactly the way you are programmed. To reign in this life we have to reprogram our subconscious. Romans 12:2 says, "Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a NEW WAY OF THINKING. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect."
Our soul is our mind, our will, and our emotions. 3 John 2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy SOUL prospereth."(KJV) Don't miss this! You will prosper at the rate that your soul prospers. Why is the soul so important to prosperity? Great question! Proverbs 23:7a says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he;"(KJV) The word "heart" used in this scripture speaks of the soul: the mind, the will, and the emotions. Because what we think is so powerful, what we think is what we get! Dr. Bill Winston reminded us of Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington was born into slavery, but rose to prominence. He desired an education and worked hard to get it. He founded schools, wrote books, invented numerous things, and advised presidents. He believed that a man is only poor when he is poor in his thinking. We were once slaves to sin, but Jesus has set us free. We are free physically, but we must renew our minds and recognize that we are free spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially. Dr. Winston also mentioned Benjamin O. Davis. Benjamin O. Davis was a United States Air Force General and Commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was also the first African-American General in the United States Air Force. General Davis spent four years at West Point. During his time at West Point no one spoke to him because he was Black. Four years! He continued and excelled. Later when training other African American troops he would say, "I may be your color, but I'm not your kind!" He made up his mind to stand in the face of adversity. This Faith fight is not easy! But don't fear, the fight is fixed! We Win!
Dr. Bill Winston started a new series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance". Deuteronomy 2:24 says, "RISE ye up, TAKE your journey, and PASS over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: BEGIN to possess it, and CONTEND with him in battle."(KJV) Now that we have learned to Love and learned that Faith works by Love, we can move in take our Promised Land. In order to take the Promised Land, we must decide to believe God! What God says is Truth! No matter what the news reporters, the financial analysts, or even your grandmother said...GOD has the last Word! Titus 1:2 says, "My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. GOD, WHO NEVER LIES, promised this eternal life before the world began."(GW) We also have to mix Faith with God's Word. Hebrews 4:1-2 says, "Although God’s promise still stands—his promise that all may enter his place of rest—we ought to tremble with fear because some of you may be on the verge of failing to get there after all. For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith."(Living Bible)
Satan has vowed to stop you! He is working to keep you from reaching your Promised Land and your full potential. Don't be afraid, but you must be aware! Proverbs 1:22-23 says, "You simple, naive people, how long will you love your feeble ways? You simpletons, how long will you enjoy making fun of what you don’t understand? You fools, how long will you hate learning what truly matters? Turn to me and receive my gentle correction; Watch and I will pour out my spirit on you; I will share with you my wise words in order to redirect your lives." (Voice)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Happy New Year! Have you ever noticed how you can do something without even thinking about it? I've run back to the washing machine to verify that I added the detergent. Only to find that I had added it without thinking. What about when you are driving? Do you remember when you first learned to drive? You probably learned to drive with no music, no companions, and no distractions. Now that you are a seasoned driver you are able to drive, sing karaoke to your favorite song, and have a full meal. Our subconscious mind does the work. The subconscious stores and retrieves data. The job of the subconscious is to make sure you respond exactly the way you are programmed. To reign in this life we have to reprogram our subconscious. Romans 12:2 says, "Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a NEW WAY OF THINKING. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect."
Our soul is our mind, our will, and our emotions. 3 John 2 says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy SOUL prospereth."(KJV) Don't miss this! You will prosper at the rate that your soul prospers. Why is the soul so important to prosperity? Great question! Proverbs 23:7a says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he;"(KJV) The word "heart" used in this scripture speaks of the soul: the mind, the will, and the emotions. Because what we think is so powerful, what we think is what we get! Dr. Bill Winston reminded us of Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington was born into slavery, but rose to prominence. He desired an education and worked hard to get it. He founded schools, wrote books, invented numerous things, and advised presidents. He believed that a man is only poor when he is poor in his thinking. We were once slaves to sin, but Jesus has set us free. We are free physically, but we must renew our minds and recognize that we are free spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially. Dr. Winston also mentioned Benjamin O. Davis. Benjamin O. Davis was a United States Air Force General and Commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen. He was also the first African-American General in the United States Air Force. General Davis spent four years at West Point. During his time at West Point no one spoke to him because he was Black. Four years! He continued and excelled. Later when training other African American troops he would say, "I may be your color, but I'm not your kind!" He made up his mind to stand in the face of adversity. This Faith fight is not easy! But don't fear, the fight is fixed! We Win!
Dr. Bill Winston started a new series entitled, "Receiving Your Inheritance". Deuteronomy 2:24 says, "RISE ye up, TAKE your journey, and PASS over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: BEGIN to possess it, and CONTEND with him in battle."(KJV) Now that we have learned to Love and learned that Faith works by Love, we can move in take our Promised Land. In order to take the Promised Land, we must decide to believe God! What God says is Truth! No matter what the news reporters, the financial analysts, or even your grandmother said...GOD has the last Word! Titus 1:2 says, "My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. GOD, WHO NEVER LIES, promised this eternal life before the world began."(GW) We also have to mix Faith with God's Word. Hebrews 4:1-2 says, "Although God’s promise still stands—his promise that all may enter his place of rest—we ought to tremble with fear because some of you may be on the verge of failing to get there after all. For this wonderful news—the message that God wants to save us—has been given to us just as it was to those who lived in the time of Moses. But it didn’t do them any good because they didn’t believe it. They didn’t mix it with faith."(Living Bible)
Satan has vowed to stop you! He is working to keep you from reaching your Promised Land and your full potential. Don't be afraid, but you must be aware! Proverbs 1:22-23 says, "You simple, naive people, how long will you love your feeble ways? You simpletons, how long will you enjoy making fun of what you don’t understand? You fools, how long will you hate learning what truly matters? Turn to me and receive my gentle correction; Watch and I will pour out my spirit on you; I will share with you my wise words in order to redirect your lives." (Voice)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Friday, January 1, 2016
God Is Not The Variable
Why do some believers move from death to life, darkness to light, chaos to order and depression to joy while other believers seem to continue in the misery of chronic failure and lives filled with drama and lack? Have we not all been made new creations? Are we not all filled with the very presence and nature of God? Why are the results so different? Does God love some more than others, or does He treat some better than others?
God is not the variable. God is continually and constantly good, unchanging and has provided for man’s every need through the Gospel. Understanding the true nature of God is the first step in breaking free from failure, loss and heartache.
The variable has always been man. Consider the following:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6)
For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' (Mt. 13:15)
and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Tim. 4:4)
they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thess. 2:10)
The Choice Is Yours
You can choose your future and your destiny. You can choose to allow the Spirit to love through you. You can choose receive the joy of the Lord, to renew your mind, to pray in the Spirit, to be a doer of the Word, to give and forgive and to live by faith.
God is not the variable in our lives. Grace is a constant, abundant provision for every need. The variable is our will. We choose to be passive or active in our relationship with God. “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6)
By - Barry Bennett
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Dominate with Faith
Happy Sunday!
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "The Power of Love", with the subtitle, "Changing the World".
In Malachi 3:6, God says, "For I am the Lord, I change not;"(KJV) God never changes! Just because he instituted the New Testament, he did not erase the Old Testament. In Matthew 22:34-40 when the attorney asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, Jesus built his answer on the strength of the Old Testament. He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as you love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”(Message) The most important law or principle is Love! If I love you, I will never steal from you! If I love you, I will not lie on you or to you! If I love you, your life, your prosperity, and your health are my concern. So by living the law of Love, I can keep the commandments. If I keep the commandments, John 14:21 says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will MANIFEST myself to him." I don't know about you, but I'm expecting God to manifest himself to me in a big way!
God is placing us in the world not to compete with the world, but to Dominate the world! The Bible says, Daniel was ten times better than all of his co-workers. (Daniel 1:20) Being better attracts attention, both positive and negative. But don't you worry about that! Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16(KJV) The world needs to see your good works first, then they will glorify your father in heaven. James later wrote, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26(KJV) It's time to get to work!
How can we dominate in this society, and this economy? Great question! I'm so glad you asked. We will only dominate in life by Faith! Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please him. The man who approaches God must have faith in two things, first that God exists and secondly that it is worth a man’s while to try to find God." (Phillips) Did you see that? It's worth your while to have Faith in God! He will reward you! He will expand your territory! He will show himself strong on your behalf!
I know what you are thinking! I've tried that Faith stuff and it doesn't work. Yes, Faith works. But Faith has an enemy called Unbelief. You've read the scripture that says all you need is a mustard seed worth of Faith and you can move a mountain. Do you really think that after all these years in church you haven't accumulated a mustard seed worth of Faith? Sure you have! But you have probably amassed a transfer truckload full of unbelief. Think about it like this. We decide to play tug-a-war. You and I have the same amount of weight and strength on our teams. We pull. You pull. Nothing happens. But if I add a new team member and the weight and strength on my team is stronger than the weight and strength on your team, we will pull you across the line and win the game. Your Faith must be stronger than your Unbelief. Jesus told the disciples that they were unable to cast the demon out of the boy because of their unbelief! No, it was not because some demons only come out by fasting and prayer. Jesus was saying, this type of Faith only comes by fasting and prayer.(Matthew 17:19-21)
How can we strengthen our Faith? Starve your doubt, and unbelief. How can we starve doubt, and unbelief? Feed on the Word. Consume the Word. Don't vegetate on what the world is serving. Surround yourself with people, activities and things that encourage you and strengthen your Faith. Don't speak anything you don't want to see happen. Even when times are hard, speak positive words! The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Christians, "Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Philipians 4:8-9 (Message)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Dr. Bill Winston continued the series, "The Power of Love", with the subtitle, "Changing the World".
In Malachi 3:6, God says, "For I am the Lord, I change not;"(KJV) God never changes! Just because he instituted the New Testament, he did not erase the Old Testament. In Matthew 22:34-40 when the attorney asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, Jesus built his answer on the strength of the Old Testament. He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as you love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”(Message) The most important law or principle is Love! If I love you, I will never steal from you! If I love you, I will not lie on you or to you! If I love you, your life, your prosperity, and your health are my concern. So by living the law of Love, I can keep the commandments. If I keep the commandments, John 14:21 says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will MANIFEST myself to him." I don't know about you, but I'm expecting God to manifest himself to me in a big way!
God is placing us in the world not to compete with the world, but to Dominate the world! The Bible says, Daniel was ten times better than all of his co-workers. (Daniel 1:20) Being better attracts attention, both positive and negative. But don't you worry about that! Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16(KJV) The world needs to see your good works first, then they will glorify your father in heaven. James later wrote, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26(KJV) It's time to get to work!
How can we dominate in this society, and this economy? Great question! I'm so glad you asked. We will only dominate in life by Faith! Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please him. The man who approaches God must have faith in two things, first that God exists and secondly that it is worth a man’s while to try to find God." (Phillips) Did you see that? It's worth your while to have Faith in God! He will reward you! He will expand your territory! He will show himself strong on your behalf!
I know what you are thinking! I've tried that Faith stuff and it doesn't work. Yes, Faith works. But Faith has an enemy called Unbelief. You've read the scripture that says all you need is a mustard seed worth of Faith and you can move a mountain. Do you really think that after all these years in church you haven't accumulated a mustard seed worth of Faith? Sure you have! But you have probably amassed a transfer truckload full of unbelief. Think about it like this. We decide to play tug-a-war. You and I have the same amount of weight and strength on our teams. We pull. You pull. Nothing happens. But if I add a new team member and the weight and strength on my team is stronger than the weight and strength on your team, we will pull you across the line and win the game. Your Faith must be stronger than your Unbelief. Jesus told the disciples that they were unable to cast the demon out of the boy because of their unbelief! No, it was not because some demons only come out by fasting and prayer. Jesus was saying, this type of Faith only comes by fasting and prayer.(Matthew 17:19-21)
How can we strengthen our Faith? Starve your doubt, and unbelief. How can we starve doubt, and unbelief? Feed on the Word. Consume the Word. Don't vegetate on what the world is serving. Surround yourself with people, activities and things that encourage you and strengthen your Faith. Don't speak anything you don't want to see happen. Even when times are hard, speak positive words! The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Christians, "Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies." Philipians 4:8-9 (Message)
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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