Stand

Happy Sunday!

Today, Bishop Alexis A. Thomas completed his series on the Epistle to the Ephesians. His reference scriptures were Ephesians 6:10-13.  He entitled the message, "Stand!"

Ephesians can be divided and describe using three words; Sit, Walk, and Stand.  We must know that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ, we must walk through life and represent and reflect His love to the world, and finally we must STAND strong and in faith when faced with and attacked by the devil!

The enemy knows the scriptures. He quotes them and mis-quotes them regularly.  He is the culprit behind every attack.  He uses human beings to fight against the people of God.  He also works to dilute our impact in the world.  How we stand against the enemy is our testimony to the world.  The Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian Believers, "Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places. And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground." Ephesians 6:10-13 (Voice)  

Stand!  I know what you're thinking!  How can I stand my ground when my life seems to be falling apart?  I'm glad you asked!  2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "The path we walk is charted by faith, not by what we see with our eyes." (Voice)  By FAITH! How do I get faith? The Word says, "so then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 (New King James Version)  Hearing the Word daily, meditating on it, and studying it will strengthen you and help you to stand against the enemies attacks. Bishop mentioned the movie, "The Usual Suspects".  I've not seen it, but he said in one scene the the star is trying to convince another person that their enemy Keyser Söze really exists.  It's just like our enemy!  Satan exists! Closing our eyes and covering our ears will not make him disappear!  If we understand that he is already defeated it removes the fear factor.  Jesus defeated Satan at the cross!  Now all he does is lie to us and deceive us into thinking he is more powerful than God. 

Our theme for this year is, "We are a WELL Church"; walking examples of liberated lives. Bishop also declared that this is the year we will see the manifestation of our total wellness.  Ever since he made that declaration, he has personally been under physical attack. But he has been encouraging himself and we should as well.  No matter what we see with our natural eyes we must trust the Word. The Word is truth! I am what God says, I am!  I can do what God says I can do! And I can have what God says I can have!

Stand your ground!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

"How's Your Walk Been This Week?"

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "How's Your Walk Been This Week?"  He continued using scriptures from the Epistle to the Ephesians.  Ephesians 4:1 says, "I beg you—I, a prisoner here in jail for serving the Lord—to live and act in a way worthy of those who have been chosen for such wonderful blessings as these." (Living Bible)

Last week, Bishop taught us that we are "seated" in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. When we truly realize and understand where we are seated it should affect the way we walk.  Knowing who we are in Christ will affect the way we walk in every area of life.  Bishop recalled attending a reception held in honor of President Bill Clinton.  As he entered the venue, he noticed a difficult individual at the registration desk.  He watched as this individual gave others in line a hard time.  Bishop pulled his ticket out of his pocket and realized it was for reserved seating on the dais.  His attitude immediately changed.  When he finally got to the table, he just showed his ticket to the person and was able to enter without delay.  Knowing where he was seated affected the way he expected to be treated, and the way he would allow others to treat him.

How's your walk been this week?  Good question!  I've done well, but I needed this reminder.  When you know that, "no weapon turned against you shall succeed, and you will have justice against every courtroom lie."  it's easier to deal with difficult people and easier to, "don’t fight against the one who is working evil against you. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, you are to turn and offer him your left cheek. If someone connives to get your shirt, give him your jacket as well." Isaiah 54:17 and Matthew 5:38-40 (Living Bible) 

Isaiah 40:31 fits perfectly with this sermon, "Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind." (Message)

Seated and walking worthy...love and prayers, Cynthia

"Would You Please Sit Down?!

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Would You Please Sit Down?!"  He used Ephesians 2:4-7 and Hebrews 10:11-13 as his reference scriptures.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:4-7 (New King James Version)

"And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool."  Hebrews 10:11-13 (New King James Version)

What we believe is demonstrated by how we behave! If you believed Proverbs 18:21,"Words have power in matters of life and death." wouldn't you speak positively?  If you believed Jeremiah 29:11, "I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering." wouldn't you live with hope and joy?  If you really believed Philippians 4:19, "You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus." wouldn't you thank God confidently even though you have no idea how He will do it?

Brother Jesse Duplantis said, "When will we get away from people's commentaries on the Word of God and get away from genetically altered Christianity and distortion and start believing what God says?"  The Word of God must have preeminence in our lives!  The Word has to have the last word!  The reference scriptures that Bishop used today, tell us that we are already seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  How can this be?  Because the last time I checked, I was seated in Phoenix, Arizona.  I'm so glad you asked!  God is Eternal!  He is not limited by or restricted by time. He has already finished the work!  Jesus even verified this on the cross when he said, "It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died." John 19:30 (Easy-to-Read Version)

Think about it this way.  Imagine that I give you a million dollars. Don't laugh, one day I will be able to do it! I deposit it in a savings account in your name. When you need money you keep coming to my house. You cry and beg me to give you the money, because you're broke.  I'm puzzled and I give you a real crazy look because I've already given you the money! It's already in your account! You have to do your part...you must follow instructions and guidelines, go to the bank and make a withdrawal. The money will sit there collecting dust and interest until you go and make a demand for it!  God has already "given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him." 2 Peter 1:3 (Easy-to-Read Version)

In the Bible, people don't sit down until their work is done!  Jesus finished his work and he allows us to accept his work as payment for our sins.  When we accept Jesus and agree that his sacrifice was enough, we are allowed to sit down with him.  We can, "Let him have all our worries and cares, for he is always thinking about us and watching everything that concerns us." 1 Peter 5:7 (Living Bible)  Would you please sit down and trust and obey God's Word?  Would you sit down and stop trying to work it all out? As the song says, "while you're trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out!"   "Trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself.  In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Proverbs 3:5-6 (Living Bible)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Trees

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Look At All These Trees!"  He used Genesis 2:16-17 as his reference scriptures.

One of the most difficult assignments in this life is to live with, or to work around grumbling, fussing, and complaining people!  Proverbs 21:9 says, "It is better to live in a small corner on the roof than to share the house with a woman who is always arguing." (Easy-to-Read Version)  The children of Israel suffered in the wilderness because they were constantly murmuring, and complaining.  1 Corinthians 10:5 says, "But just experiencing God’s wonder and grace didn't seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased." (Message)

The reference scriptures Bishop used say, "God made certain demands of the man regarding life in the garden. God said, "Eat freely from any and all trees in the garden; I only require that you abstain from eating the fruit of one tree—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Beware: the day you eat the fruit of this tree, you will certainly die." Genesis 2:16-17 (Voice)

Did you see that? God allowed them to eat of ANY and ALL the trees in the garden, except one!  But the enemy assisted them in focusing on that one tree and ignoring the vast number of other trees available to them!  He plays the same trick on us today!  He's convincing us to worry and complain about our bills, and problems instead of remembering all the times God has supported us, and provided for us.  He's tricking us into complaining about our spouse, instead of remembering how different single life was.  He's hood-winking us into complaining about our job, and our co-workers, while millions of Americans wish they had employment.  Adam and Eve fell for it, but we don't have to!  Jesus came and defeated the enemy and has given us power and authority! 

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 (King James Version)  He had more than enough justifiable reasons to complain, but he didn't do it!  He learned that being thankful and grateful to God for his unfailing love and blessings was the best way to live with joy!

Bishop encouraged us to step away from the "Complaint Window", and step over to the "Claim Window".  At the Claim Window, we can claim all the promises of God by faith!  Yes, things may look grim, but what has God promised?  Psalm 84:11 says, "He doesn't deny any good thing to those who live with integrity." (Voice)  Yes, the doctor says it's fatal, but what has God promised?  1 Peter 2:24 says, "By his wounds you were healed." (Easy-to-Read Version)  Yes, your month is longer than your money, but what has God promised?  Philippians 4:19 says,"And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us." (Living Bible)  Yes, they treated you badly, but what has God promised?  Isaiah 54:17 says, "Weapons made to attack you won’t be successful; words spoken against you won’t hurt at all." (Common English Bible)

Look at all these trees!  Focus on the promises and not the problems!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

It's Only a Test!

Happy Sunday!  I missed worship today due to car troubles.  I hope you took advantage of the opportunity to fellowship with other believers and get fortified for the work week! I'd just like to share a passage that blesses me every time I read it.  I pray that you get something from it as well!

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.

Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.

So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures." - James 1:2-18 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Out of the Audience, into the Army!

Happy Belated Sunday!

Sunday we celebrated Men's Day at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.  Our guest speaker was Dr. Fred Campbell, pastor of Mt Zion Baptist Church in Redwood City, California. His focus was, "Follow Me" and overall message was, "God's Desire is that Men come out of the Audience and into the Army!"  He used Matthew 4:19, "Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” (Living Bible)

MEN!  Men are pivotal to the Kingdom Enterprise! God wants men in the Kingdom - Kings Domain.  God wants followers, not fans!  A Fan has a crush on Christ, but is not dedicated to the relationship.  The Apostle Paul expressed his desire to be a follower like this, "I want to know Him inside and out. I want to experience the power of His resurrection and join in His suffering, shaped by His death, so that I may arrive safely at the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:10-11(Voice)

Jesus did not define the word disciple, he described it.

He related to the men - Jesus invested in men!  John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish." (Message)  Jesus was willing to become a man in order to better understand being a man.  Jesus is the authentic man and worthy to be followed! 

He reflected the Father before men - Being a disciple is more than verbal, it's vocational!  Jesus reflected the Glory of God in everything he did.   Just as the moon has no light of it's own, but simply reflects the light of the sun, Jesus showed the world what God is really like.  What difference does Jesus make in your life?  Can anyone tell that you are a Christian without seeing your large print Bible?  Do your neighbors see the difference?  Do your children see the difference? Do your co-workers and enemies see the difference? Does your wife see the difference?

He reproduced Himself in men - When Lazarus the friend of Jesus died, his sisters said, "Lord, if You had been with us, my brother would not have died." John 11:21 (Voice)  Jesus encouraged them and said, "I am the resurrection and the source of all life; those who believe in Me will live even in death." John 11;25 (Voice)  Jesus is life!  He gave his life for us, "This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.” John 10:17 (Message)  

Lazarus was the living, breathing miracle and the evidence of the power of God!  The religious leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus and Lazarus!  Think about it.  Everywhere that Lazarus went, people whispered.  "He's the one that was dead, and now he's alive!"  Imagine living your life as a follower!  Imagine what people will say about you!  "Wow, I remember when she was in debt, now she's a millionaire!"  "I remember when he was in prison, now he's a successful businessman."  "I know where they came from, but look at them now!"  You are the evidence of a miracle.

Dr. Campbell reminded us of the story of cyclist Lance Armstrong.  He won seven Tour de France championships, then lost them when it was determined that he'd used performance enhancing drugs.  Jesus told his followers to wait for the power."But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection.” Acts 1:8 (Living Bible) We need God's power and wisdom to be followers.  When we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can say..."I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power." Philippians 4:13 (Living Bible)

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Seven Levels of Revenue

Happy Sunday!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The True Riches Level - True Riches are a generational blessing, where your children are more blessed than you! Where your grandchildren are more blessed than you! Jesus said, “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."Matthew6:19-21 (Message)

Love and prayers, Cynthia