Happy Sunday!
"Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God."(2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Good News Translation).
What can I do to help? Lately, that's been what we hear so often. People want to know how they can help others and make things better. This is a godly trait. God comforts us through trials and tribulations, then we are equipped to comfort others. Who are you helping?
Philippians 4:19, that scripture that we love so much, was the response to a church that had given financially to the Apostle Paul's ministry. He was assuring them that God would supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory because they had given. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says the same thing..."If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated."(CEV).
Help comes in many forms: a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a prayer, a monetary gift, a phone call, an encouraging text, washing the dishes, donating to a good cause, making a meal they enjoy, and a listening ear. I talk to some people that complain about life being so hard and unfair, but these same people are selfish and self-centered. The Word is true and forever will be. "Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life."(Galatians 6:7, Message).
Help is on the way! As soon as we start moving...
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Got Vision?
Happy Sunday!
Habakkuk 2:2 says, "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."(KJV).
It's always good to know the context of a scripture. I admit I have been guilty of taking scriptures out of context at times. Thankfully, God is merciful and gracious and if you are willing to learn He will teach you. I believe that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"(2 Timothy 3:16, KJV). I also believe that even though these scriptures were literally lived out by the Children of Israel we can glean wisdom from them for today.
Habakkuk voiced a complaint to God. Did you know you can ask God questions? You can make your case, and He will answer you. In Isaiah 1:18, God says, "Come now, and let us reason together;"(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "Come, let’s discuss this."(Living Bible). I love listening to old recordings of Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin. He wasn't afraid to ask God anything, and he'd rely on the Word of God for the answers. He recounted asking God about an issue, and telling God he wouldn't change his mind about it unless he had three scriptures to back it up. He laughed when he reported that God told him he'd do him one better, and gave him four scriptures to support the truth.
So what was Habakkuk's complaint against God? So glad you asked. This was his first complaint to God, "O Lord, how long must I call for help before you will listen? I shout to you in vain; there is no answer. “Help! Murder!” I cry, but no one comes to save. Must I forever see this sin and sadness all around me? Wherever I look I see oppression and bribery and men who love to argue and to fight. The law is not enforced, and there is no justice given in the courts, for the wicked far outnumber the righteous, and bribes and trickery prevail."(Easy-to-Read Version). WOW! If I didn't know this was written thousands of years ago, I would swear it was written in 2020.
You should read God's response to Habakkuk's first complaint, but today I want to focus on his second complaint and God's answer. He says, "God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you? Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now? This outrage! Evil men swallow up the righteous and you stand around and watch!"(Habakkuk 1:12-13, Message).
God answers Habakkuk and tells him to start taking notes. God wants this response recorded and available for everyone to see. One translation says, "Write my answer on a billboard", and another says, "Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by."(Living Bible and Amplified). It was a literal prophetic vision to Habakkuk, but to us it is an encouragement to have Vision.
What is your vision for the future? What is your vision for your family? What is your vision for your legacy? The Word says, "Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."(Proverbs 29:18, Amplified). The world is happy to give you their vision. It's shown daily on the Tell-A-Vision. Most of the time it's gloom and doom. But the Word says, "Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal RESCUES the righteous from what oppresses them."(Voice). The economists may tell you that you will never bounce back from this financial crisis. But 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises, "God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you NEED and MORE so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others."(Living Bible). The commercials tell you about all the side effects of the medicines, and advertise that lovely senior citizen complex with medical staff on site. I'm not judging, if that's what you really want. So be it. But the Word says, "They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do WELL. They will be like trees that stay HEALTHY and FRUITFUL, even when they are old."(Psalm 92:13-14, CEV).
Do you have a Vision? Re-visit your vision today. Write it down, review it. Remind yourself of the promises of God. You "shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."(Psalm 118:17, KJV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Habakkuk 2:2 says, "And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."(KJV).
It's always good to know the context of a scripture. I admit I have been guilty of taking scriptures out of context at times. Thankfully, God is merciful and gracious and if you are willing to learn He will teach you. I believe that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"(2 Timothy 3:16, KJV). I also believe that even though these scriptures were literally lived out by the Children of Israel we can glean wisdom from them for today.
Habakkuk voiced a complaint to God. Did you know you can ask God questions? You can make your case, and He will answer you. In Isaiah 1:18, God says, "Come now, and let us reason together;"(KJV). Another translation of this scripture says, "Come, let’s discuss this."(Living Bible). I love listening to old recordings of Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin. He wasn't afraid to ask God anything, and he'd rely on the Word of God for the answers. He recounted asking God about an issue, and telling God he wouldn't change his mind about it unless he had three scriptures to back it up. He laughed when he reported that God told him he'd do him one better, and gave him four scriptures to support the truth.
So what was Habakkuk's complaint against God? So glad you asked. This was his first complaint to God, "O Lord, how long must I call for help before you will listen? I shout to you in vain; there is no answer. “Help! Murder!” I cry, but no one comes to save. Must I forever see this sin and sadness all around me? Wherever I look I see oppression and bribery and men who love to argue and to fight. The law is not enforced, and there is no justice given in the courts, for the wicked far outnumber the righteous, and bribes and trickery prevail."(Easy-to-Read Version). WOW! If I didn't know this was written thousands of years ago, I would swear it was written in 2020.
You should read God's response to Habakkuk's first complaint, but today I want to focus on his second complaint and God's answer. He says, "God, you’re from eternity, aren’t you? Holy God, we aren’t going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now? This outrage! Evil men swallow up the righteous and you stand around and watch!"(Habakkuk 1:12-13, Message).
God answers Habakkuk and tells him to start taking notes. God wants this response recorded and available for everyone to see. One translation says, "Write my answer on a billboard", and another says, "Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by."(Living Bible and Amplified). It was a literal prophetic vision to Habakkuk, but to us it is an encouragement to have Vision.
What is your vision for the future? What is your vision for your family? What is your vision for your legacy? The Word says, "Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he."(Proverbs 29:18, Amplified). The world is happy to give you their vision. It's shown daily on the Tell-A-Vision. Most of the time it's gloom and doom. But the Word says, "Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—they may often seem overwhelmed—but the Eternal RESCUES the righteous from what oppresses them."(Voice). The economists may tell you that you will never bounce back from this financial crisis. But 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises, "God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you NEED and MORE so that there will not only be enough for your own needs but plenty left over to give joyfully to others."(Living Bible). The commercials tell you about all the side effects of the medicines, and advertise that lovely senior citizen complex with medical staff on site. I'm not judging, if that's what you really want. So be it. But the Word says, "They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do WELL. They will be like trees that stay HEALTHY and FRUITFUL, even when they are old."(Psalm 92:13-14, CEV).
Do you have a Vision? Re-visit your vision today. Write it down, review it. Remind yourself of the promises of God. You "shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."(Psalm 118:17, KJV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Riot of Love
Happy Sunday!
Psalm 34:1 says, "I will bless the Lord at ALL times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."(KJV).
I've had to make a conscious effort this week to always bring myself back to the Word of God. It's been a week to remember, with so much we'd like to forget. But God has been faithful. When I've been down he has lifted me. When I thought my thoughts were crazy or far-fetched, he's encouraged me with others of like minds.
John 10:10 says, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance."(Voice). Ok, I know what you are thinking. "Cynthia you always use that scripture!" Yes, I have to admit it is appropriate in so many instances. The Devil is a fallen angel, a spirit. To do damage in this world he must have a physical body. So he employs the weak-minded, the un-regenerated, and the foolish to do his dirty work. He whispers in the ears of the wounded telling them this is the way you can be heard. He convinces those that feel powerless to do the unthinkable to feel power and control. He confuses, and deceives the masses.
Revelation 12:9 says, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(KJV). Don't miss this! It says he deceives the whole world! You may know when you are right, and you may know when you are wrong. But do you know when you have been deceived?
The Apostle Paul said many times that he did not want the Believers to be ignorant. He especially didn't want them to ignorant of Satan's devices, intentions, and strategy. 1 John 3:8 says, "The one persisting in sin belongs to the diabolical one, who has been all about sin from the beginning. That is why the Son of God came into our world: to destroy the plague of destruction inflicted on the world by the diabolical one."(Voice). The Voice translation used this caption for the scripture above..."If you are wondering if your faith is authentic, take a look at your life. Are you doing what is right?"(Voice).
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. Love will never end."(Easy-to-Read Version). Jesus said the world will know that we are His by our Love..."This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."(John 13:35, Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Psalm 34:1 says, "I will bless the Lord at ALL times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."(KJV).
I've had to make a conscious effort this week to always bring myself back to the Word of God. It's been a week to remember, with so much we'd like to forget. But God has been faithful. When I've been down he has lifted me. When I thought my thoughts were crazy or far-fetched, he's encouraged me with others of like minds.
John 10:10 says, "The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance."(Voice). Ok, I know what you are thinking. "Cynthia you always use that scripture!" Yes, I have to admit it is appropriate in so many instances. The Devil is a fallen angel, a spirit. To do damage in this world he must have a physical body. So he employs the weak-minded, the un-regenerated, and the foolish to do his dirty work. He whispers in the ears of the wounded telling them this is the way you can be heard. He convinces those that feel powerless to do the unthinkable to feel power and control. He confuses, and deceives the masses.
Revelation 12:9 says, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(KJV). Don't miss this! It says he deceives the whole world! You may know when you are right, and you may know when you are wrong. But do you know when you have been deceived?
The Apostle Paul said many times that he did not want the Believers to be ignorant. He especially didn't want them to ignorant of Satan's devices, intentions, and strategy. 1 John 3:8 says, "The one persisting in sin belongs to the diabolical one, who has been all about sin from the beginning. That is why the Son of God came into our world: to destroy the plague of destruction inflicted on the world by the diabolical one."(Voice). The Voice translation used this caption for the scripture above..."If you are wondering if your faith is authentic, take a look at your life. Are you doing what is right?"(Voice).
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. Love will never end."(Easy-to-Read Version). Jesus said the world will know that we are His by our Love..."This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."(John 13:35, Message).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Are We There Yet?
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
For Mother's Day I asked for books and I was blessed to get them. I finished "The Life and Ministry of Healing Evangelist Raymond T. Richey" overnight. He lived from 1893 to 1968 and ministered the Gospel to millions. The original biography entitled, "What God Hath Wrought" was written by his wife Eloise May Richey in 1925. He was hit in the eyes with a tree branch as a child and by early adulthood he was almost completely blind. God miraculously healed him from blindness, and later from Tuberculosis. He dedicated his life to the ministry.
I truly enjoyed this book, and I bet you are wondering where I'm going with this. Well, today I had the pleasure of being in a Zoom meeting with some of my favorite people in the world. My Aunt Sophia asked what does the Bible have to say about everything that is happening in the world today. The Bible has a lot to say, and it's been said for generations. Raymond T. Richey lived during the "Terrible Flu" or Spanish Flu of 1918. The book tells about how he's ministered to hundreds of soldiers who had the flu. Some survived and many died. Thankfully, many accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and we will meet them in heaven. Even back then, the people of God were anticipating the return of our Lord. They looked at World War I and later World War II and thought surely this is the end times.
Jesus said, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the END is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and PESTILENCES, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."(Matthew 24:6-8, KJV). He goes on to describe some scary times for believers. Then he says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(vs 14). Don't miss this! The Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached in ALL the world before the END of the world.
This reminds me of a day when I was riding the Metrolink from East Saint Louis, Illinois to Saint Louis, Missouri for work. A young man stood up and calmly gave a quick message from the Lord. He sat down and we all went on about our day. Most people on the train probably had no idea what had just happened. They heard the Gospel. When we stand before God, no one will be able to say they didn't know. No person arriving in Hell will ever be able to convince the Judge(God) that they were ignorant of the Gospel. Even if you never set foot in a church, and never watched a church service streaming live, or never heard the Gospel on a commuter train, the earth screams that there is a God. Psalm 19:1-4 says, "The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear. But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth."(Easy-to-Read Version).
God wants us all to spend eternity with Him. He did not create Hell for humans, it was meant for our adversary the Devil and the fallen angels. But he allows us free will, and the opportunity to choose. He loves us, and wants us to love him back. But just like Bonnie Raitt sang, "I can't make you love me, if you don't." (You younger ones probably enjoy Tank's rendition, but I digress). God won't force you to do anything.
Technology is allowing the Gospel of the Kingdom to be spread faster than ever, and we know that Jesus will be returning soon. In the meantime, we have an opportunity to be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with. People should see us living large and ask, "what must I do to be saved?"(Acts 16:30, KJV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
For Mother's Day I asked for books and I was blessed to get them. I finished "The Life and Ministry of Healing Evangelist Raymond T. Richey" overnight. He lived from 1893 to 1968 and ministered the Gospel to millions. The original biography entitled, "What God Hath Wrought" was written by his wife Eloise May Richey in 1925. He was hit in the eyes with a tree branch as a child and by early adulthood he was almost completely blind. God miraculously healed him from blindness, and later from Tuberculosis. He dedicated his life to the ministry.
I truly enjoyed this book, and I bet you are wondering where I'm going with this. Well, today I had the pleasure of being in a Zoom meeting with some of my favorite people in the world. My Aunt Sophia asked what does the Bible have to say about everything that is happening in the world today. The Bible has a lot to say, and it's been said for generations. Raymond T. Richey lived during the "Terrible Flu" or Spanish Flu of 1918. The book tells about how he's ministered to hundreds of soldiers who had the flu. Some survived and many died. Thankfully, many accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and we will meet them in heaven. Even back then, the people of God were anticipating the return of our Lord. They looked at World War I and later World War II and thought surely this is the end times.
Jesus said, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the END is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and PESTILENCES, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."(Matthew 24:6-8, KJV). He goes on to describe some scary times for believers. Then he says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(vs 14). Don't miss this! The Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached in ALL the world before the END of the world.
This reminds me of a day when I was riding the Metrolink from East Saint Louis, Illinois to Saint Louis, Missouri for work. A young man stood up and calmly gave a quick message from the Lord. He sat down and we all went on about our day. Most people on the train probably had no idea what had just happened. They heard the Gospel. When we stand before God, no one will be able to say they didn't know. No person arriving in Hell will ever be able to convince the Judge(God) that they were ignorant of the Gospel. Even if you never set foot in a church, and never watched a church service streaming live, or never heard the Gospel on a commuter train, the earth screams that there is a God. Psalm 19:1-4 says, "The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear. But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth."(Easy-to-Read Version).
God wants us all to spend eternity with Him. He did not create Hell for humans, it was meant for our adversary the Devil and the fallen angels. But he allows us free will, and the opportunity to choose. He loves us, and wants us to love him back. But just like Bonnie Raitt sang, "I can't make you love me, if you don't." (You younger ones probably enjoy Tank's rendition, but I digress). God won't force you to do anything.
Technology is allowing the Gospel of the Kingdom to be spread faster than ever, and we know that Jesus will be returning soon. In the meantime, we have an opportunity to be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with. People should see us living large and ask, "what must I do to be saved?"(Acts 16:30, KJV).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Is that you?
Happy Sunday!
2 Timothy 3:1-9 says, "Don’t be naive.
There are difficult times ahead.
As the end approaches,
people are going to be self-absorbed,
money-hungry,
self-promoting,
stuck-up,
profane,
contemptuous of parents,
crude,
coarse,
dog-eat-dog,
unbending,
slanderers,
impulsively wild,
savage,
cynical,
treacherous,
ruthless,
bloated windbags,
addicted to lust, and allergic to God.
They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals.
Stay clear of these people.
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them;
women who,
depressed by their sinfulness,
take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.”
They get exploited every time and never really learn.
These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres,
who challenged Moses.
They were rejects from the faith,
twisted in their thinking,
defying truth itself.
But nothing will come of these latest impostors.
Everyone will see through them,
just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax."(Message).
I split these scriptures up on purpose. I want you to slow down and read each descriptive word again. Prayerfully, you will not find yourself in any of these words. If you do, repent and the Holy Spirit will help you to do better! Do you know anyone like this? If so, do what the Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Stay clear of these people".
The Bible is always relevant. No matter how many years pass, the Word speaks to what we are seeing and experiencing right now. Dr. Bill Winston challenged us to move up to the next level! We are responsible for the Word we have heard. What we do with this revelation is very important. Church is not for entertainment, but enlightenment. We should be growing, changing for the better, and advancing. Temptations that tripped you up last year should not cause you to fall this year. Generally, the content in one grade must be mastered before a student can move to the next grade. In an imperfect world, we know this is not always the case. But with God you must master the current level of revelation before more will be given to you.
Hebrews 5:11-14 says, "There is much more I would like to say along these lines, but you don’t seem to LISTEN, so it’s hard to make you understand. You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to the place where you need someone to teach you all over again the very first principles in God’s Word. You are like babies who can drink only milk, not old enough for solid food. And when a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life, and doesn’t know much about the difference between right and wrong. He is still a baby Christian! You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong by practicing doing right."(Living Bible).
The Spirit of Fear is running rampant in our world today. Most of the fear is centered around death. We all will eventually die. Let me say that again. We all will eventually die. How and when are uncertain, but God did not intend for us to cower in anticipation of death. Jesus conquered death for us. He removed the sting of death, and later the Apostles compared death to simply falling asleep. We do not have to fear, but we each get to make the choice to stand in Faith or live in Fear. 1 John 4:18 says, "Love contains no fear—indeed fully-developed love expels every particle of fear, for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. This means that the man who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected."(Phillips).
Jesus comforts us with these words, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"(John 16:33, Amplified).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
2 Timothy 3:1-9 says, "Don’t be naive.
There are difficult times ahead.
As the end approaches,
people are going to be self-absorbed,
money-hungry,
self-promoting,
stuck-up,
profane,
contemptuous of parents,
crude,
coarse,
dog-eat-dog,
unbending,
slanderers,
impulsively wild,
savage,
cynical,
treacherous,
ruthless,
bloated windbags,
addicted to lust, and allergic to God.
They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals.
Stay clear of these people.
These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them;
women who,
depressed by their sinfulness,
take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.”
They get exploited every time and never really learn.
These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres,
who challenged Moses.
They were rejects from the faith,
twisted in their thinking,
defying truth itself.
But nothing will come of these latest impostors.
Everyone will see through them,
just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax."(Message).
I split these scriptures up on purpose. I want you to slow down and read each descriptive word again. Prayerfully, you will not find yourself in any of these words. If you do, repent and the Holy Spirit will help you to do better! Do you know anyone like this? If so, do what the Apostle Paul told Timothy, "Stay clear of these people".
The Bible is always relevant. No matter how many years pass, the Word speaks to what we are seeing and experiencing right now. Dr. Bill Winston challenged us to move up to the next level! We are responsible for the Word we have heard. What we do with this revelation is very important. Church is not for entertainment, but enlightenment. We should be growing, changing for the better, and advancing. Temptations that tripped you up last year should not cause you to fall this year. Generally, the content in one grade must be mastered before a student can move to the next grade. In an imperfect world, we know this is not always the case. But with God you must master the current level of revelation before more will be given to you.
Hebrews 5:11-14 says, "There is much more I would like to say along these lines, but you don’t seem to LISTEN, so it’s hard to make you understand. You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to the place where you need someone to teach you all over again the very first principles in God’s Word. You are like babies who can drink only milk, not old enough for solid food. And when a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life, and doesn’t know much about the difference between right and wrong. He is still a baby Christian! You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong by practicing doing right."(Living Bible).
The Spirit of Fear is running rampant in our world today. Most of the fear is centered around death. We all will eventually die. Let me say that again. We all will eventually die. How and when are uncertain, but God did not intend for us to cower in anticipation of death. Jesus conquered death for us. He removed the sting of death, and later the Apostles compared death to simply falling asleep. We do not have to fear, but we each get to make the choice to stand in Faith or live in Fear. 1 John 4:18 says, "Love contains no fear—indeed fully-developed love expels every particle of fear, for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. This means that the man who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected."(Phillips).
Jesus comforts us with these words, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"(John 16:33, Amplified).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Long Lost Mother
Happy Mother's Day!
Lately I've been watching old episodes of Long Lost Family - UK on YouTube. It's always good for me to see families reconnected. It's like missing pieces of a puzzle finally being found. The family resemblances are uncanny. It reminds me of my Aunt Betty. I would walk in the room and she would exclaim that I looked just like my biological father, and even walked like him. She'd say it gave her chills. Do you remember that I never met him? He saw me when I was less than 2 years old, but before getting pictures from my Uncle Lee A. Green, Sr. I wouldn't have been able to pick him out in a police line up. LOL!
I've noticed a few similarities in most of the cases portrayed on the show. First, the mothers generally do not want to give up their children. Many felt hopeless, and had no where to turn. Their families turned against them, and some were told by their parents they could come home, but the baby could not come with them. Second, the mothers for the most part saw an opportunity to give their babies a better life. Episode after episode when meeting their children the birth mothers ask if the child had a happy life.
Isaiah 49:15 says, "But the Lord says, “Can a woman forget her baby? Can she forget the child who came from her body? Even if she can forget her children, I cannot forget you." Don't miss this! God says even if you were forgotten by your mother He will never forget you! Isn't this awesome? God is all about fixing things, and making life better. Jesus told us, "The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before."(John 10:10, Phillips). We must remind ourselves often that God is always good. When we are confident of his character it's easy to rest in his protection and promises.
Third, I noticed that many families waited too late. I can relate. When I seriously searched for my biological father I was a few months too late. He'd passed away in February of that year, and it was May when I met my Uncle Lee and Aunt Lois in person. I wish I'd looked for him much sooner. On the show when the parent has died, they often try to soften the blow by letting the child know that they have siblings. I'm thankful that I've been so very blessed to connect with my sister, Emelia, and brothers, Christopher and Anthony. Still hoping to meet an older sister we were told was born in Shreveport, Louisiana when our father was just 16 years old.
What can we take away from all this? Good question! I'm so glad you asked! Don't put off what you can do today for tomorrow. Be merciful, people are imperfect and make decisions based on their situations. Even if you don't like the way things happened, remember God loves you and he will make bitter experiences sweet. In Psalm 27:10, the Psalmist declared, "My father and mother abandoned me. I’m like an orphan! But you took me in and made me yours."(Passion). If your mother is still living, shower her with love, appreciation, and gifts. If your mother is in Heaven, thank God that you will see her again one day.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Lately I've been watching old episodes of Long Lost Family - UK on YouTube. It's always good for me to see families reconnected. It's like missing pieces of a puzzle finally being found. The family resemblances are uncanny. It reminds me of my Aunt Betty. I would walk in the room and she would exclaim that I looked just like my biological father, and even walked like him. She'd say it gave her chills. Do you remember that I never met him? He saw me when I was less than 2 years old, but before getting pictures from my Uncle Lee A. Green, Sr. I wouldn't have been able to pick him out in a police line up. LOL!
I've noticed a few similarities in most of the cases portrayed on the show. First, the mothers generally do not want to give up their children. Many felt hopeless, and had no where to turn. Their families turned against them, and some were told by their parents they could come home, but the baby could not come with them. Second, the mothers for the most part saw an opportunity to give their babies a better life. Episode after episode when meeting their children the birth mothers ask if the child had a happy life.
Isaiah 49:15 says, "But the Lord says, “Can a woman forget her baby? Can she forget the child who came from her body? Even if she can forget her children, I cannot forget you." Don't miss this! God says even if you were forgotten by your mother He will never forget you! Isn't this awesome? God is all about fixing things, and making life better. Jesus told us, "The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before."(John 10:10, Phillips). We must remind ourselves often that God is always good. When we are confident of his character it's easy to rest in his protection and promises.
Third, I noticed that many families waited too late. I can relate. When I seriously searched for my biological father I was a few months too late. He'd passed away in February of that year, and it was May when I met my Uncle Lee and Aunt Lois in person. I wish I'd looked for him much sooner. On the show when the parent has died, they often try to soften the blow by letting the child know that they have siblings. I'm thankful that I've been so very blessed to connect with my sister, Emelia, and brothers, Christopher and Anthony. Still hoping to meet an older sister we were told was born in Shreveport, Louisiana when our father was just 16 years old.
What can we take away from all this? Good question! I'm so glad you asked! Don't put off what you can do today for tomorrow. Be merciful, people are imperfect and make decisions based on their situations. Even if you don't like the way things happened, remember God loves you and he will make bitter experiences sweet. In Psalm 27:10, the Psalmist declared, "My father and mother abandoned me. I’m like an orphan! But you took me in and made me yours."(Passion). If your mother is still living, shower her with love, appreciation, and gifts. If your mother is in Heaven, thank God that you will see her again one day.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Again, I Say Rejoice
Happy Sunday!
What day is it? Oh, it's Sunday! Some days in quarantine I do have to ask myself what day it is, and check my phone or calendar. The Word speaks about forgetting so many times. God encourages us to remember and not forget.
Romans 12:12 says, "Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer."(Voice). Don't miss this! Don't forget to REJOICE!
Philippians 4:4-9 says, "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."(Message).
I can hear you now! What do I have to rejoice about? Well, for starters you are reading an email or blog post. That means you have Internet access, you have eyes, you have hands, and you have a computer, laptop, tablet, or a smartphone. Multiplied millions in the world don't have these blessings. You have a roof over your head, and if by chance you are homeless you are still connected to family and friends. You have opportunities, and you have options.
You still have a chance to change for the better. Jesus said, "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."(Living Bible).
You have time. Time is valuable, precious, and non-refundable. Use your time wisely. Rejoice!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
What day is it? Oh, it's Sunday! Some days in quarantine I do have to ask myself what day it is, and check my phone or calendar. The Word speaks about forgetting so many times. God encourages us to remember and not forget.
Romans 12:12 says, "Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer."(Voice). Don't miss this! Don't forget to REJOICE!
Philippians 4:4-9 says, "Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."(Message).
I can hear you now! What do I have to rejoice about? Well, for starters you are reading an email or blog post. That means you have Internet access, you have eyes, you have hands, and you have a computer, laptop, tablet, or a smartphone. Multiplied millions in the world don't have these blessings. You have a roof over your head, and if by chance you are homeless you are still connected to family and friends. You have opportunities, and you have options.
You still have a chance to change for the better. Jesus said, "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."(Living Bible).
You have time. Time is valuable, precious, and non-refundable. Use your time wisely. Rejoice!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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