Hearing, and Hearing

 Happy Sunday!

Isaiah 55:8-11 says, "This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.  As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my WORD. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it."(Living Bible).

Don't miss this!  God's Word Always Produces Fruit!  No Ifs, Ands or Buts!  If God said it, that settles it.  Faith is believing the Word.  Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(KJV).  My girls and I laughed as I recounted standing in the next room in fear trying to remember what my mother told me to go in there and get or do.  I had heard her voice giving me instructions, but I had not listened and concentrated on the instructions.  This explains why the scripture says, "hearing, and hearing".  We need to hear the Word over, and over, and over again.  We need to become skillful and confident with it.  We need to be so full of it that when the enemy says anything opposing the Word we are able to refute it.

We are in a battle, a battle for our lives and the lives of our children.  Ephesians 6:12 says, "For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil."(Phillips).  2 Corinthians 10:4-6 says, "The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."(Message).

God's plans will prevail.  God's Word will come to pass.  Will you participate and partner with Him? Or will you side with the Devil?  There are only two sides; good and evil.  Proverbs 16:25 says, "Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road he thinks is right, but it ends in death."(Living Bible).  Proverbs 3:5-8 says, "Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish, and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead. And don’t think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong. Respect the Eternal; turn and run from evil.  If you depend on Him, your body and mind will be free from the strain of a sinful life, will experience healing and health, and will be strengthened at their core."(Voice).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Strength Training

 Happy Sunday!

“So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?"(Jeremiah 12:5, Message).

I love the Word!  You already know this.  It shows us just how real people lived, learned, and loved God.  Jeremiah talks to God openly and without fear, and God responds as the loving father He is.  In short, He tells Jeremiah to "Man Up".  Read the first part of the chapter yourself.  Sounds like what we are experiencing today.  We believe the promises of God, and we have His Word on our futures but what we see with our eyes is so very contrary.  But just like 2 Corinthians 5:7 we must remember to, "walk by faith, not by sight:"(KJV).

Since the quarantine started, we've been inside much more than we were in the past.  I would generally get a mile or more of walking in each day without even trying.  Walking to the bus stop, walking from a downtown bus stop to the Subway, walking from the train station to the next bus, and then most days I'd walk over to my favorite Meijer Grocery to get lunch or supplies for the work day.  I live just over a mile from Lake Michigan.  That was one of our requirements when searching for a place here in Chicago. It had to be near the lake.  I was flabbergasted to find that many people live here for decades and never visit the lake.  We are not those people!

A good friend who lives in Prescott, Arizona asked me what I was doing for exercise.  I sadly talked about my cycling classes being canceled due to COVID-19, and not getting out as much.  She expressed that getting her walk in everyday was top priority.  I was certainly encouraged and began walking to the lake very early each morning.  The first day I had trouble breathing.  I don't have asthma, or any other health issues but being in the house for so long had taken its toll on me.  I had to sit down several times during the 5 mile walk.  I remember walking a mile comfortably in 15 minutes a few years ago.  Currently, I'm doing a mile in around 24 minutes.  Each day it gets easier and I get stronger.  We go early enough to catch the sunrise.  Each one is different and makes me remember Lamentations 3:22-23, " of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."(KJV).

What has that got to do with you?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked.  Physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially we need to be strengthened.  We know our weak points, and if we are unsure the Word says, "If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking."(James 1:5, Voice).  We have to do our part.  Getting in the Word, hearing faith-filled ministries, being open to learning new things, and fighting complacency, procrastination, and laziness.  I use Proverbs 6:10-12 to remind myself of the perils of laziness. "You say, “I need a rest. I think I’ll take a short nap.” But then you sleep and sleep and become poorer and poorer. Soon you will have nothing. It will be as if a thief came and stole everything you owned."(Easy-to-Read Version).  OUCH!

I picked 5 miles because 5 is the number of Grace, and I sure need it to stay motivated. I'm excited for the day when I can do much more much faster.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

We Don't Get What We Deserve

Happy Sunday!

Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"(KJV).

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."(KJV).

I heard someone say that a certain person "didn't deserve to die".  Although, we may be saddened by the seemingly senseless death of another person, we have to come back to the Word of God as our guide and standard.  Based on the Word, we ALL deserve to die for our sins.  Without the saving work of Jesus the Christ, we all were doomed to die because of the sin released on mankind by Adam.  1 Corinthians 15:22 says, "For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive."(KJV).

That is the Good News!  Jesus came to give us a chance to live an abundant life here on earth, and life eternal with Him.  But he won't force himself on us.  Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  If you don't want to die and spend eternity in Hell, open the door to Jesus!  Let Him in and let Him change your life. 

Jesus had a good friend named Lazarus who became ill.  You know the story.  By the time Jesus got to their home Lazarus had been dead for four days.  His sisters told Jesus that things could have been different if he'd only arrived sooner.  Jesus told them not to worry, Lazarus would live again.  "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."(John 11:24, KJV).  Then "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"(John 11:25, KJV).  Jesus went to the tomb and called Lazarus forth!  What a testimony!  You do realize that this was a huge spectacle!  John 12:17 says, "There were many people with Jesus when he raised Lazarus from death and told him to come out of the tomb. Now they were telling others about what Jesus did."(ERV).  There was so much publicity about this that John 12:10 says, "leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus too."(ERV). 

"Entering into this fullness is not something you figure out or achieve. It’s not a matter of being circumcised or keeping a long list of laws.

No, you’re already in—insiders—not through some secretive initiation rite but rather through what Christ has already gone through for you, destroying the power of sin.

If it’s an initiation ritual you’re after, you’ve already been through it by submitting to baptism. Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ.

When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ!

Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets."(Colossians 2:11-15, Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

The Chosen One

 Happy Sunday!

"And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds."(Numbers 17:7-8, KJV).

Dr. Bill Winston said that not entering into the Promised Land may have not been as devastating as we think for Moses.  Of course, we won't know for sure until we get to Heaven and ask.  But Moses dealt with so much from the people he led.  Murmuring, complaining, and accusing him of attempted murder for simply bringing them out of bondage.  In Numbers 16 they were at it again.  Questioning his motives and his authority.  When God had had enough He told Moses to get away from these evil men, and Moses warned others to do the same.  Then the earth opened up and swallowed the murmuring ringleaders, their families, and all their belongings.  OUCH! 

In our scripture today, there was yet another test to prove who God called to lead in the priesthood.  Each of the 12 tribes brought a rod to Moses.  He placed them in the tabernacle.  Miraculously, overnight Aaron's rod budded, blossomed, and produced almonds.  No doubt about it.  God showed clearly and unequivocally who had been chosen.  In John 15:16, Jesus said, "It is not that you have chosen me; but it is I who have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and bear fruit that will be lasting; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you."(Phillips).

1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"(KJV).  God chose you and called you out of darkness so that you can be visible, undeniable proof of His power.  He has spared your life, He has showered you with his blessings, and He is daily using you to draw others to Himself.  Matthew 5:16 says, "You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it."(Voice).

You are the chosen one.  You are the answer.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Be All That You Can Be

 Happy Sunday!

"Remember Elijah? He was a man, no different from us. He prayed with great intensity asking God to withhold the rain; God answered his prayers and did not allow a single drop of rain to fall for three and a half years."(James 5:17, Voice).

Have you ever thought to yourself, "What can I do? I'm just one person."  Sure you have.  People think less of themselves all the time.  It's why people stay in abusive relationships, unproductive communities, and dead-end jobs.  But God is so Good!  He has filled the Word with examples of humans living supernaturally, and has promised that we can do likewise.  Even Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."(John 14:12, KJV).

You are one, but you are not alone.  Your life matters.  Someone needs what you have to give.  I know I've told you this story before, but I will repeat it again.  A minister prepared for a great revival meeting.  God spoke to his heart and told him that thousands of people would be saved because of his ministry.  That night only one young man came forward to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Not the ending the minister expected, but that one young man was Billy Graham.  This one young man "preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people who attended one of his more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories. He reached millions more through TV, video, film, the internet and 34 books."(https://memorial.billygraham.org/official-obituary/).

What are you doing with what God has given you?  When he returns like the "man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods", what will you have to show for your time on earth?  Will he say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."(Matthew 25:21, KJV).   Or will he say, "You’re a wicked, lazy servant!"?(vs 26, Phillips).  OUCH!  I hope that's not what you hear, and pray that you make the necessary changes while you can.  The master goes on to say, "throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where he can weep and wail over his stupidity."(vs 30, Phillips).

Don't be stupid, wicked, or lazy.  Romans 14:19 says, "So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another."(Amplified).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Do Your Part

Happy Sunday!

Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."(KJV).

We absolutely love this scripture!  Yes, we do!  But are we seeing this lived out in our lives as it is described?  Read it again, but this time go back to at least verse 20 of this chapter to get the full weight of what Jesus taught.  This scripture's abundant blessings are conditional.  They're based on our ability to live out the the rest of Jesus' commands.

Let's take a look at some of the things he said prior to this scripture.

      Verse 27 - "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you"(KJV)

      Verse 28 - "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully

                         use you."(KJV)

      Verse 29 - "To those who despise you, continue to serve them and minister

                         to them. If someone takes away your coat, give him as a gift

                         your shirt as well.(TPT)

      Verse 36 -  "So imitate God and be truly compassionate, the way your 

                         Father is."(Voice)

      Verse 37 -  "Forsake the habit of criticizing and judging others, and then

                         you will not be criticized and judged in return. Don’t look at

                         others and pronounce them guilty, and you will not experience

                         guilty accusations yourself. Forgive over and over and you will

                         be forgiven over and over."(TPT)

Job 36:11 says, "If they OBEY and SERVE Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy."(Amplified).  Don't miss this!  We have a part to play in our success. 

I often work with customers that are frustrated and overwhelmed because they did not get a promotional credit or rebate they expected. After assuring them that I will do everything in my power to get to the bottom of the concern, I usually find that they failed to do their part.  They did not read the rebate instructions. They did not return the necessary device or documentation in a timely manner.  They ignored emails, and text messages sent as reminders.  Can you relate?  In some cases it is too late and the benefit is lost.  God wants you to get every good thing He has provided for you.  Psalm 35:27 says, "The Lord is great, and he delights in the prosperity of his servant.”(TPT).  But like Brother Kenneth Hagin used to say, "It's not going to just fall on you like ripe cherries falling off a tree".  You are responsible to do your part. 

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Report Card

 Happy Sunday!

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life."(Galatians 6:4-5, Message).

Do you remember getting your school report card?  I do!  There was a time when my parents rewarded us with $3.00 for every A, $2.00 for every B, $0.00 for every C.   C was unacceptable, because my mother insisted we were not average.  Rest assured a whipping was coming for every D, and I'm still alive, so it's clear I did not get any F's.  The standard was set, and we were expected to live up to that standard.  It's the same way in the Kingdom of God.  God is our Heavenly Father and he has given us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness".(2 Peter 1:3, KJV).  He expects us to "Be a worker who has no reason to be ashamed of his work, one who applies the true teaching in the right way."(2 Timothy 2:15, Easy-to-Read Version).

Don't miss this!  God wants us to apply what we learn in the Bible to our daily lives, relationships, and endeavors in the right way.  There is a right way to do things, you know?  I know, I know.  The culture wants you to believe there are "gray areas", exceptions, and many ways to skin a cat.  I don't recommend trying the latter!  LOL!  Don't be hoodwinked, or bamboozled either!  Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 both say, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."(KJV).  I don't believe there is any coincidence that this scripture is in the Bible twice.

There will be a Test!  Not your standardized Test, but a Test nonetheless.  Haven't you been feeling the pressure this year?  It's Testing time.  John 6: 6 says, "He asked Philip this question to TEST him. Jesus already knew what he planned to do."(Easy-to-Read Version).  Jesus taught his disciples for 3 years.  He rebuked them quite often when they missed the point of the teaching.  For instance, one day he told them to go to the other side of the lake.  Remember, some of them were seasoned professional fishermen, and familiar with the sea.  "The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, “Master, save us! We’re going down!”  Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?” Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: “Silence!” The sea became smooth as glass."(Matthew 8:24-26, Message).

Are you ready for the test?  Are you confident in the material you have learned?  Have you just skimmed over the content?  Have you practiced it?  We can always look to Jesus as our example.  Matthew 4 tells us how Jesus passed the Test.  After 40 days and nights of fasting, he was physically weakened but each time the enemy tried to tempt him he said, "for it is written".  He had the Word of God in his heart and memory.  He didn't have to search the Internet for a good response.  He was firmly rooted, and grounded in the Word.  He trusted God, and no matter what he saw or heard.  Matthew 4:11 says, "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."(KJV).  Jesus passed his test, and got way more than any $3.00!

Love and prayers, Cynthia