Happy Sunday!
Praying that you, and your family are well. Thank you to all of my family and friends on the front lines: Doctors, Nurses, Sonographers, Respiratory Care Techs, Patient Care Techs, Unit Secretaries, other Hospital Staff involved in supporting these persons, Firefighters, Police Officers, Military Servicemen and Women, EMS, Dispatchers, Postal Workers, Security Officers, Retail Store Staff, City Bus and Train Operators, Delivery Workers and Drivers, and so many more "Essential" workers. I'm sure there are more, I'm sorry for leaving out anyone.
Genesis 12:3 says, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and the entire world will be blessed because of you."(Living Bible). God was talking to Abraham but this blessing trickled down to us because of Jesus. God intends for the entire world to be blessed by us.
Are you being a blessing during this troubling situation? Are you kind, patient, and understanding? Or are you cussing the cable company representative out because 1 of your 605 channels is not working? Are you sharing with others? I had to check myself in Walmart on Wednesday. Ya'll they had the Mega Rolls of Angel Soft! I was tempted to get more than one 18 pack. But I realized, I'm not out of toilet paper at home, God always provides for me, and I'm believing there will be more when I need it.
The rubber has met the road people! Do we really believe God? Or are we just going through the motions? Remember what the Word says, "My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you NEED. He will do this through Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:19, Easy-to-Read Version).
God commands us hundreds of times in the Word to "Fear Not". It's not a suggestion, it's a command. He knew that life on earth can get scary. But he wanted us to trust Him. Isaiah 41:10 emphasizes this, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."(KJV).
Be Fearless!
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Sunday, March 22, 2020
PPE
Happy Sunday!
Do you remember those good old call and response songs from church? Like if I were to sing, "God is a good God!" Would you know what to say next? What if I sang, "I'm a soldier!" Would you know to sing back, "In the Army of the Lord!"? More than likely you do. It's because it was repeated over and over again. It became a part of us. In this same way, the Word of God must become a part of our very being.
Everyone is so consumed with protecting themselves during this time. PPE or personal protective equipment is in high demand. Did you know we Christians have Spiritual PPE? Ephesians 6:10-11 says, "Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. Put on all of God’s ARMOR so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan."(Living Bible). Don't miss this! Satan is behind the Corona Virus. God is not mad at us. He took out that anger and wrath on Jesus, and it never has to be paid for again. Our task is to accept the finished work of the cross, and live our lives in righteousness.
In Ephesians 6 the Apostle Paul goes on to say, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."(Ephesians 6:12, KJV). I don't watch scary movies, the news is scary enough. But haven't you seen movies with invisible or unseen adversaries? Sure you have. Our real enemy Satan uses the unseen to war against us. We must have on the "whole Armor of God" to resist him. Did you see that? I didn't say to fight him. All we have to do is submit to God, and resist him. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you."(KJV).
Our Spiritual PPE includes the following:
Verse 14 says, "having your loins girt about with TRUTH". Our pants, for lack of a better description, should be made out of truth. Ephesians 4:25 tells us, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."(KJV).
The next item is "and having on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS;". 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."(KJV).
Verse 15 says, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of PEACE;"(KJV). Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"(KJV).
Verse 16 says, "Above all, taking the Shield of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."(KJV). Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."(Living Bible).
Verse 17 says, "And take the helmet of SALVATION"(KJV). The helmet protects the soldier's head which in turn protects the brain and the mind. So much of this warfare is fought in the mind. Proverbs 23:7 says, " For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."(Amplified). The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers, "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, KJV).
The only offensive weapon in our Spiritual PPE comes next, "and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of God:"(KJV). Hebrews 4:12 describes it like this, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(KJV).
These are all good things to be reminded of. Speaking the Word out loud is the key. You hear it, and the enemy can hear it. Dr. Fred Price once said, "If you can't believe your mouth, whose mouth can you believe?" Some examples of how to use this weapon are, Joel 3:10 says, "let the weak say, I am strong."(KJV). Psalm 118:17 says, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."(KJV). And 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "After all, God can give you everything that you need, so that you may always have sufficient both for yourselves and for giving away to other people."(Phillips). Selah.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Do you remember those good old call and response songs from church? Like if I were to sing, "God is a good God!" Would you know what to say next? What if I sang, "I'm a soldier!" Would you know to sing back, "In the Army of the Lord!"? More than likely you do. It's because it was repeated over and over again. It became a part of us. In this same way, the Word of God must become a part of our very being.
Everyone is so consumed with protecting themselves during this time. PPE or personal protective equipment is in high demand. Did you know we Christians have Spiritual PPE? Ephesians 6:10-11 says, "Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. Put on all of God’s ARMOR so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan."(Living Bible). Don't miss this! Satan is behind the Corona Virus. God is not mad at us. He took out that anger and wrath on Jesus, and it never has to be paid for again. Our task is to accept the finished work of the cross, and live our lives in righteousness.
In Ephesians 6 the Apostle Paul goes on to say, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."(Ephesians 6:12, KJV). I don't watch scary movies, the news is scary enough. But haven't you seen movies with invisible or unseen adversaries? Sure you have. Our real enemy Satan uses the unseen to war against us. We must have on the "whole Armor of God" to resist him. Did you see that? I didn't say to fight him. All we have to do is submit to God, and resist him. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you."(KJV).
Our Spiritual PPE includes the following:
Verse 14 says, "having your loins girt about with TRUTH". Our pants, for lack of a better description, should be made out of truth. Ephesians 4:25 tells us, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another."(KJV).
The next item is "and having on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS;". 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."(KJV).
Verse 15 says, "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of PEACE;"(KJV). Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"(KJV).
Verse 16 says, "Above all, taking the Shield of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."(KJV). Hebrews 11:1 says, "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead."(Living Bible).
Verse 17 says, "And take the helmet of SALVATION"(KJV). The helmet protects the soldier's head which in turn protects the brain and the mind. So much of this warfare is fought in the mind. Proverbs 23:7 says, " For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."(Amplified). The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers, "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, KJV).
The only offensive weapon in our Spiritual PPE comes next, "and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of God:"(KJV). Hebrews 4:12 describes it like this, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(KJV).
These are all good things to be reminded of. Speaking the Word out loud is the key. You hear it, and the enemy can hear it. Dr. Fred Price once said, "If you can't believe your mouth, whose mouth can you believe?" Some examples of how to use this weapon are, Joel 3:10 says, "let the weak say, I am strong."(KJV). Psalm 118:17 says, "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."(KJV). And 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, "After all, God can give you everything that you need, so that you may always have sufficient both for yourselves and for giving away to other people."(Phillips). Selah.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Atomic Bombs
Happy Sunday!
"We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the Word of God says the Blood of Jesus does for us." - Derek Prince
1 John 3:8(b) says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."(KJV).
I spent a great deal of my life in Missouri. The state is still called the "Show Me" State. People don't put a lot of trust in what you say, they want to see your actions. Makes me think of my Great Aunt Mae. I was pregnant with my second child and my hair was the thickest and healthiest its ever been. She greeted me, then pulled my hair, and told me to take that wig off. I was shocked, but not too much. My family will totally understand that the seven Moore sisters were and are something else. Not sure how she'd feel about all the lace front wigs, and units available today. But I really think she was just looking for authenticity. Aren't we all?
People need to see that life is actually working for you. They need to see that Jesus is real not because you go to church every Sunday, but how you live throughout the week. Your overcoming testimony destroys the works of the Devil. Its not a fake post on Instagram, or Facebook to make someone else jealous, but an actual success in this life. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 27:13. It says, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."(KJV). Don't miss this! The Psalmist is confident he will see what he is expecting on this side of Glory. And so do I!
This week I was introduced to the following passage by C.S. Lewis. The panic of his day was the Atomic Bomb. We can easily insert Corona Virus. It's all about perspective.
"It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.” - C.S. Lewis
Let's live life like we really believe the Word. You do believe, don't you?
Love and prayers, Cynthia
"We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the Word of God says the Blood of Jesus does for us." - Derek Prince
1 John 3:8(b) says, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."(KJV).
I spent a great deal of my life in Missouri. The state is still called the "Show Me" State. People don't put a lot of trust in what you say, they want to see your actions. Makes me think of my Great Aunt Mae. I was pregnant with my second child and my hair was the thickest and healthiest its ever been. She greeted me, then pulled my hair, and told me to take that wig off. I was shocked, but not too much. My family will totally understand that the seven Moore sisters were and are something else. Not sure how she'd feel about all the lace front wigs, and units available today. But I really think she was just looking for authenticity. Aren't we all?
People need to see that life is actually working for you. They need to see that Jesus is real not because you go to church every Sunday, but how you live throughout the week. Your overcoming testimony destroys the works of the Devil. Its not a fake post on Instagram, or Facebook to make someone else jealous, but an actual success in this life. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 27:13. It says, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."(KJV). Don't miss this! The Psalmist is confident he will see what he is expecting on this side of Glory. And so do I!
This week I was introduced to the following passage by C.S. Lewis. The panic of his day was the Atomic Bomb. We can easily insert Corona Virus. It's all about perspective.
"It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.” - C.S. Lewis
Let's live life like we really believe the Word. You do believe, don't you?
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Hidden Dangers
Happy Sunday!
2 Timothy 1:7 says, "You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit."(Voice). Don't miss this! God, our loving heavenly father is not giving us FEAR. So if we have FEAR we must determine where it has come from and return it to the sender.
Are your afraid? What are you afraid of? How did the enemy introduce this fear in your life? Do you know what one of the biggest fears is? I'll wait. Take all the time you need. The biggest fear is the Fear of Death. Think about it. Why all the rage about viruses? Fear of Death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "Since we, God’s children, are human beings—made of flesh and blood—he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could he deliver those who through FEAR OF DEATH have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread."(Living Bible). The Easy-to-Read Version says it this way, "They were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death."(Hebrews 2:15).
We just came out of Black History Month. Surely, you are not going to allow any kind of slavery in your life! Right? Don't be a slave to FEAR. Knowledge is power, and knowledge of the Word of God is supernatural! Get the Word. Knowing what God has promised you will build your faith and make you fearless. Knowing that God loves you and he never uses sickness to teach you. He uses His Word, and His Spirit to teach you everything you will ever need to know. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."(KJV). Wisdom is the ability to use the knowledge you have gained properly.
Ask any of my co-workers and they will tell you that I keep Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer on my desk all the times. And not just since the recent virus scare. One night I was working late. The cleaning ladies were moving about the floor. I noticed one particular lady going from desk to desk wiping with the same towel. I asked her what she was doing, and alerted her that she was actually spreading germs from desk to desk. At that time we were in the so called "flu season" and several of my co-workers were ill, and one had to be hospitalized. I don't think she fully understood, but I worked with leadership to ensure disposable wipes would be used, and discarded after each desk. Fast forward, we have different cleaning people, and new leadership. I have a sign on my desk asking them not to wipe my desk! Each morning I wipe my desk just in case it may have been contaminated in some way. I'm not doing it from a place of fear, but I do it from a place of wisdom. Wisdom helps me to protect myself, but ultimately God is my protector.
Psalm 91:3-7
God will save you from hidden dangers
and from deadly diseases.
You can go to him for protection.
He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies.
You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.
You will have nothing to fear at night
and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.
You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark
or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
A thousand people may fall dead at your side
or ten thousand right beside you,
but nothing bad will happen to you! (Easy-to-Read Version).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
2 Timothy 1:7 says, "You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit."(Voice). Don't miss this! God, our loving heavenly father is not giving us FEAR. So if we have FEAR we must determine where it has come from and return it to the sender.
Are your afraid? What are you afraid of? How did the enemy introduce this fear in your life? Do you know what one of the biggest fears is? I'll wait. Take all the time you need. The biggest fear is the Fear of Death. Think about it. Why all the rage about viruses? Fear of Death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "Since we, God’s children, are human beings—made of flesh and blood—he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could he deliver those who through FEAR OF DEATH have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread."(Living Bible). The Easy-to-Read Version says it this way, "They were like slaves all their lives because of their fear of death."(Hebrews 2:15).
We just came out of Black History Month. Surely, you are not going to allow any kind of slavery in your life! Right? Don't be a slave to FEAR. Knowledge is power, and knowledge of the Word of God is supernatural! Get the Word. Knowing what God has promised you will build your faith and make you fearless. Knowing that God loves you and he never uses sickness to teach you. He uses His Word, and His Spirit to teach you everything you will ever need to know. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live."(Easy-to-Read Version).
Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."(KJV). Wisdom is the ability to use the knowledge you have gained properly.
Ask any of my co-workers and they will tell you that I keep Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer on my desk all the times. And not just since the recent virus scare. One night I was working late. The cleaning ladies were moving about the floor. I noticed one particular lady going from desk to desk wiping with the same towel. I asked her what she was doing, and alerted her that she was actually spreading germs from desk to desk. At that time we were in the so called "flu season" and several of my co-workers were ill, and one had to be hospitalized. I don't think she fully understood, but I worked with leadership to ensure disposable wipes would be used, and discarded after each desk. Fast forward, we have different cleaning people, and new leadership. I have a sign on my desk asking them not to wipe my desk! Each morning I wipe my desk just in case it may have been contaminated in some way. I'm not doing it from a place of fear, but I do it from a place of wisdom. Wisdom helps me to protect myself, but ultimately God is my protector.
Psalm 91:3-7
God will save you from hidden dangers
and from deadly diseases.
You can go to him for protection.
He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies.
You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield.
You will have nothing to fear at night
and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.
You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark
or terrible suffering that comes at noon.
A thousand people may fall dead at your side
or ten thousand right beside you,
but nothing bad will happen to you! (Easy-to-Read Version).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Sermons We See
Happy Sunday!
Traveling with and for family this weekend. It’s been great! Worshipped at Jubilee Christian Church in Boston, Massachusetts today. Pastor Matthew K. Thompson preached, “The Nets are Breaking!” He used Luke 5:1-9 as his scripture reference. I immediately thought of the poem I will share below.
Jesus told Peter he would be a fisher of men. We are also called to use our lives to preach the Gospel. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”(KJV).
Sermons We See by Edgar Guest
I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be.
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.
One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told.
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear.
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Be Fruitful
Happy Sunday!
It's been a good week. I hope you will agree. I watched several YouTube videos during my commute and listened to more at work last week. They were the testimonies of Dr. Lester Sumrall. If you've never heard of him he's worth reading about. He started preaching at 17 years old. He didn't like churches or church people so he went out into the country and began his ministry in one room schoolhouses. He recalled the first time he preached the farmers laughed. They came back the next night with more people with them. They were all coming to hear what they thought were lies. Of course, they weren't lies. It was true that he had been given up to die by doctors and miraculously healed by God from tuberculosis.
One night he had a vision of people of all nationalities moving toward a cliff. He realized that no matter how beautiful, intelligent, or prosperous they were, he was seeing people moving toward a cliff and falling into Hell. He vividly described how at the last minute they appeared to try to turn back, but the others behind them moving forward pushed them over the edge. He was horrified and wept over the lives that were lost. He also repented for not caring about the fate of those around him. He changed and spent many years on the mission field ministering all around the world.
Jesus said, "Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. You can enter true life only through the narrow gate. The gate to Hell is very wide, and there is plenty of room on the road that leads there. Many people go that way. But the gate that opens the way to true life is narrow. And the road that leads there is hard to follow. Only a few people find it."(Matthew 7:12-14, Easy-to-Read Version). I always remind my students that God doesn't send anybody to Hell. People choose Hell when they reject Jesus.
Today Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "Reaching the World" with the subtitle, "Replenishing the Earth". We are commanded to be fruitful. Some have tried to limit this to childbearing, but Jesus wanted us to understand the broader meaning. He said, "I am the vine itself, you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share my life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you. This is how my Father will be glorified—in your becoming fruitful and being my disciples."(John 15:5-8, Phillips). A fruitful life is a an unselfish life. It's a life that is prosperous in every area, and that prosperity is used to bless others.
Before he left the earth, Jesus commanded us to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."(Matthew 28:19-20, KJV). I may never become a missionary in the Philippines and I'm Ok with that, but I can support ministers and ministries that do go to the ends of the earth. If I never travel to Africa I can minister to the African-Americans I see everyday. A kind word, a good deed, a listening ear, and even a smile are ways to be fruitful right where I am.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
It's been a good week. I hope you will agree. I watched several YouTube videos during my commute and listened to more at work last week. They were the testimonies of Dr. Lester Sumrall. If you've never heard of him he's worth reading about. He started preaching at 17 years old. He didn't like churches or church people so he went out into the country and began his ministry in one room schoolhouses. He recalled the first time he preached the farmers laughed. They came back the next night with more people with them. They were all coming to hear what they thought were lies. Of course, they weren't lies. It was true that he had been given up to die by doctors and miraculously healed by God from tuberculosis.
One night he had a vision of people of all nationalities moving toward a cliff. He realized that no matter how beautiful, intelligent, or prosperous they were, he was seeing people moving toward a cliff and falling into Hell. He vividly described how at the last minute they appeared to try to turn back, but the others behind them moving forward pushed them over the edge. He was horrified and wept over the lives that were lost. He also repented for not caring about the fate of those around him. He changed and spent many years on the mission field ministering all around the world.
Jesus said, "Do for others what you would want them to do for you. This is the meaning of the Law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets. You can enter true life only through the narrow gate. The gate to Hell is very wide, and there is plenty of room on the road that leads there. Many people go that way. But the gate that opens the way to true life is narrow. And the road that leads there is hard to follow. Only a few people find it."(Matthew 7:12-14, Easy-to-Read Version). I always remind my students that God doesn't send anybody to Hell. People choose Hell when they reject Jesus.
Today Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, "Reaching the World" with the subtitle, "Replenishing the Earth". We are commanded to be fruitful. Some have tried to limit this to childbearing, but Jesus wanted us to understand the broader meaning. He said, "I am the vine itself, you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share my life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you. This is how my Father will be glorified—in your becoming fruitful and being my disciples."(John 15:5-8, Phillips). A fruitful life is a an unselfish life. It's a life that is prosperous in every area, and that prosperity is used to bless others.
Before he left the earth, Jesus commanded us to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."(Matthew 28:19-20, KJV). I may never become a missionary in the Philippines and I'm Ok with that, but I can support ministers and ministries that do go to the ends of the earth. If I never travel to Africa I can minister to the African-Americans I see everyday. A kind word, a good deed, a listening ear, and even a smile are ways to be fruitful right where I am.
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Puzzled
Happy Sunday!
"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."(2 Timothy 3:16-17, Message).
My daughter Christina loves puzzles. She can quietly enjoy hours of putting all the tiny pieces together. What a sense of accomplishment she has when the pieces finally resemble the picture on the box. One time a piece was missing. For months she would sadly speak of the missing piece. We pride ourselves on being very organized. So we couldn't even imagine what happened to the piece. Blame that organizational gene on my mother, Vera B. Woods. When she found the missing piece in her room under the bed behind a storage container, she rejoiced!
I thought about this when reading this translation of the scripture above. "Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." Our lives are like puzzles. Things happen, pieces get lost. But God has a good plan for us. He told us about it in the Word. 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). We may step away from the plan or puzzle for a while, but we can come back and finish it with God's Grace.
Don't procrastinate. Don't be too hard on yourself either while you work on finding the missing pieces. 1 Peter 5:10 says, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you."(Amplified).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."(2 Timothy 3:16-17, Message).
My daughter Christina loves puzzles. She can quietly enjoy hours of putting all the tiny pieces together. What a sense of accomplishment she has when the pieces finally resemble the picture on the box. One time a piece was missing. For months she would sadly speak of the missing piece. We pride ourselves on being very organized. So we couldn't even imagine what happened to the piece. Blame that organizational gene on my mother, Vera B. Woods. When she found the missing piece in her room under the bed behind a storage container, she rejoiced!
I thought about this when reading this translation of the scripture above. "Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." Our lives are like puzzles. Things happen, pieces get lost. But God has a good plan for us. He told us about it in the Word. 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). We may step away from the plan or puzzle for a while, but we can come back and finish it with God's Grace.
Don't procrastinate. Don't be too hard on yourself either while you work on finding the missing pieces. 1 Peter 5:10 says, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you."(Amplified).
Love and prayers, Cynthia
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