Invited

 Happy Sunday!

"God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?" "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable.  Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. You’ll never get blacklisted if you live like this.”(Psalm 15 Message).

Jesus often spoke about being invited to banquets.  His first recorded miracle happened at a wedding.  It's exciting to be invited to special occasions, and it's good to know how to conduct ourselves when we attend events.  Luke 14:7-11 says, "Then Jesus noticed that some of the guests were choosing the best places to sit. So he told this story:  “When someone invites you to a wedding, don’t sit in the most important seat. They may have invited someone more important than you.  And if you are sitting in the most important seat, they will come to you and say, ‘Give this man your seat!’ Then you will have to move down to the last place and be embarrassed. “So when someone invites you, go sit in the seat that is not important. Then they will come to you and say, ‘Friend, MOVE UP here to this better place!’ What an honor this will be for you in front of all the other guests. Everyone who makes themselves important will be made humble. But everyone who makes themselves humble will be made important.”(Easy-to-Read Version).

Jesus is the ultimate example.  Acts 10:38 says, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing GOOD, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."(KJV).  Then the Apostle Paul encouraged the  Philippians, "If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his LOVE has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."(Philippians 2:1-4 Message).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

HELP!

 Happy Sunday!

"If you will only let me HELP you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich! But if you keep on turning your backs and refusing to listen to me, you will be killed by your enemies; I, the Lord, have spoken."(Isaiah 1:19-20 Living Bible).

Do you need help?  Wait a minute!  Don't just blurt out a quick answer. Think it over. We are often so quick to say we don't need anything from anyone. And all the while the real ONE is ready and willing to help us!  The Apostle James wrote, "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."(James 1:5 Message).  Don't miss this!  We have our pride(that's sin you know).  We don't want anyone talking down to us(that's trust issues). That's why Google is a blessing and a curse.  We don't personally have to interact with others, we can just Google our question.  The laptop won't judge us. Our cell phone won't snicker when we look up a word.

God is our Heavenly Father.  A good father wants the best for his children.  God wants the best for us.  So why don't I have the Best?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked.  A wise man once sang, "It's so good loving somebody and somebody loves you back."  God doesn't force us to love Him, or trust Him.  He allows us to choose.  Deuteronomy 30:19 says, "Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! Then you and your children will live."(Easy-to-Read Version).  We can choose the life we want. 

Over and over again in the Bible there are examples of humans and their choices.  There are good people and bad people making choices.  We can follow their good godly examples, but many times we do the opposite.  Jesus told the parable of a man with two sons. The younger son didn't want to wait for his father to pass away, he wanted his inheritance now!  The father didn't argue with him, and wasn't critical of his decision.  He gave both sons their inheritance.  Luke 15:13-16 says, “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there wasted all his money on parties and prostitutes. About the time his money was gone a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the swine looked good to him. And no one gave him anything."(Living Bible).

"So he had this moment of self-reflection: “What am I doing here? Back home, my father’s hired servants have plenty of food. Why am I here starving to death? I’ll get up and return to my father, and I’ll say, ‘Father, I have done wrong—wrong against God and against you.  I have forfeited any right to be treated like your son, but I’m wondering if you’d treat me as one of your hired servants?’ So he got up and returned to his father."(Luke 15:17-20 Voice).  The Dake Annotated Reference Bible says of these scriptures, "This is true repentance - confession of sin, genuine sorrow, and humility because of sin. Making a decision to repent is not enough.  One must truly repent - being genuine in acts, words, and deeds - to be honored of God or man."

He humbled himself, returned home and was welcomed lavishly by his father.  James 4:6 says, "God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it)."

Love and prayers, Cynthia

To Tell the Truth

Happy Sunday!

"Am I now your enemy, just because I told you the truth?"(Galatians 4:16 CEV).

There's a GEICO insurance commercial that portrays President Abraham Lincoln and his wife in conversation.  She asks, "Does this dress make my backside look big?  He has always been known for honesty.  He struggles to answer but does gesture that it may be making her look bigger.  She appears to quickly walk off. 

In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Galatians.  Deceivers have crept in to the church with false doctrines.  At one point in the letter he even says, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"(Galatians 3:1 KJV).  Pretty strong isn't it?  He urges them with truth and his testimony.  He loves them and only wants the best for them.  When we truly love others we will tell them the truth.  If we don't love them or if we hate them, we don't care what may become of them.  Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another."(John 13:35 KJV).

Many in our society are full of lies.  This is nothing new.  As Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is NO NEW THING under the sun."(KJV).  Jesus dealt with liars during His earthly ministry, "You don’t understand the things I say, because you cannot accept my teaching. Your father is the devil. You belong to him. You want to do what he wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He was always against the truth. There is no truth in him. He is like the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the father of lies. I am telling you the truth, and that’s why you don’t believe me."(John 8:43-45 Easy-to-Read Version).

How can I know the Truth?  Great question!  I'm so glad you asked.  Jesus prayed, "Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your WORD is consecrating truth."(John 17:17 Message).  We can know the truth by knowing the Word of God.  Don't miss this.  The word "know" is often the word used for intimacy.  In Genesis 4:1 it says, "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain"(KJV). We must spend time in the Word, get to know it better, and store up what we learn for the future.  Along with the Word we have help!  Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall TEACH you all things, and BRING all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."(John 14:26 KJV).  That's GOOD News!

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Work it Out

Happy Sunday!

Happy Labor Day in the USA!

"These aren’t just my own thoughts. God’s law says the same thing.  Yes, it is written in the Law of Moses: “When a work animal is being used to separate grain, don’t keep it from eating the grain.”  When God said this, was he thinking only about work animals? No. He was really talking about us. Yes, that was written for us. The one who plows and the one who separates the grain should both expect to get some of the grain for their work."(1 Corinthians 9:8-10 Easy-to-Read Version).

The Bible has a lot to say about work!  God even gave Adam and Eve work to do in the Garden of Eden.  Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and REPLENISH the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."(KJV).  Work is a good thing!  Especially, when you are living out your God Given Purpose.

What does the Bible say about work?  Great question.  I'm so glad you asked.  In 2 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul wrote, "We also gave you this rule: If you don't work, you don't eat."(CEV).  Proverbs 6:11 and Proverbs 24:34 both say this about laziness, "Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down and sleep—So will your POVERTY come like a robber or one who travels [with slowly but surely approaching steps] and your want like an armed man [making you helpless]." OUCH!

Ephesians 4:28 says, "If you have been stealing, stop. Thieves must go to WORK like everyone else and work honestly with their hands so that they can SHARE with anyone who has a need."(Voice).  Don't miss this!  One of the primary reasons to work is to have enough to share with others.  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).

Don't worry about being cheated at work.  James 5:4 reveals that your Avenger has heard your cries.  It says, "You refused to pay the people who worked in your fields, and now their unpaid wages are shouting out against you. The Lord All-Powerful has surely heard the cries of the workers who harvested your crops."(CEV).  Above all this the greatest work we can do it to believe in Jesus.  "The people asked Jesus, “What does God want us to do?” Jesus answered, “The WORK God wants you to do is this: to believe in the one he sent.”(John 6:28-29 Easy-to-Read Version).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Harvest Time

 Happy Sunday!

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."(Genesis 8:22 Amplified).

One of the content creators that I enjoy watching on YouTube has been harvesting various fruits and vegetables from her garden.  She is well versed in her growing zone, first frost date, and what the plants look like when they have "gone to seed".  She is excited to see items producing especially when she didn't think they would.  If you think green beans, cabbage and corn come from a can, you will be surprised to see how much work must be done during harvest season. LOL!

Jesus compared the Word of God to seeds being planted in the hearts of men.  He often spoke of the great harvest of souls.  John 4:34-36 says, "Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work. Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields of HUMAN SOULS are ripening all around us, and are ready now for reaping. The reapers will be paid good wages and will be gathering eternal souls into the granaries of heaven! What joys await the sower and the reaper, both together!"(Living Bible). 

Jesus always used parables and stories that incorporated things the listeners were familiar with.  For example he told this parable in Luke 12:16-21, "A wealthy man owned some land that produced a huge harvest. He often thought to himself, “I have a problem here. I don’t have anywhere to store all my crops. What should I do? I know! I’ll tear down my small barns and build even bigger ones, and then I’ll have plenty of storage space for my grain and all my other goods. Then I’ll be able to say to myself, ‘I have it made! I can relax and take it easy for years! So I’ll just sit back, eat, drink, and have a good time!’”  Then God interrupted the man’s conversation with himself. “Excuse Me, Mr. Brilliant, but your time has come. Tonight you will die. Now who will enjoy everything you’ve earned and saved?” This is how it will be for people who accumulate huge assets for themselves but have no assets in relation to God."(Voice).

How can we make sure we have assets in heaven?  Great question.  I'm so glad you asked.  Matthew 13:23 says, "The good ground represents the heart of a man who listens to the message and understands it and goes out and brings thirty, sixty, or even a hundred OTHERS into the Kingdom.”(Living Bible).  Jesus said, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(NLT).

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."(Matthew 6:33 NLT).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Bless The Lord

 Happy Sunday!

"O my soul, come, praise the Eternal with all that is in me—body, emotions, mind, and will—every part of who I am— praise His holy name.  O my soul, come, praise the Eternal; sing a song from a grateful heart; sing and never forget all the good He has done.  Despite all your many offenses, He forgives and releases you. More than any doctor, He heals your diseases. He reaches deep into the pit to deliver you from death. He crowns you with unfailing love and compassion like a king.  When your soul is famished and withering, He fills you with good and beautiful things, satisfying you as long as you live."(Psalm 103:1-5 Voice).

The Psalmist commanded his soul to "Bless the Lord".  There are times when we need a little motivation, and inspiration.  Many times we have to encourage ourselves.  Don't worry we are in good company in this, King David had to do the same.  1 Samuel 30:6 says, "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David ENCOURAGED himself in the Lord his God."(KJV).

To stay encouraged we must Glorify God, remain Thankful, and Think on and Imagine Good things.  Glorifying God is easy.  Bring to remembrance who He is and what He has done.  In the early 1990's I made photo copies of prayers from the book called, Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland.  It belonged to my Aunt Theaha.  Later a dear friend, Nancy bought me my own leather bound copy! One of the prayers involves the names of God.  Rehearsing the names encourages me and reminds me of how God has been all of these in my life.  For example, Jehovah Jireh means My Provider; Jehovah Shalom means My Peace; Jehovah Rapha means My Healer; El Shaddai means the Breasted One Full of Blessings.  I could go on but I hope you see the benefit of Glorying God.

To stay encouraged we must remain thankful.  Saying Thank You is not outdated or out of style.  I still send hand written Thank You Cards, and just yesterday I received the most beautiful hand-made Thank You card from my niece, Gretchen.  In 2 Timothy 3:2 the Apostle Paul wrote to his son in the ministry, Timothy.  He described what people would be like in the end times, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy,"(KJV).  Don't be like these people.  Instead, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."(1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV).

To stay encouraged we must think on and imagine good things.  Philippians 4:8 says, "And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."(Living Bible).  It's been said that our lives are going in the direction of our dominant thoughts.  Don't miss this!  What you think, you will become.  That's why it's important to know what God's Word says about you, and to agree with what he has declared.  Forget about all the negative that has been spoken to you or about you.  Think on GOOD things.  Imagine them.  See yourself healed, prosperous, and joyful.  Jesus said, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."(Mark 11:24 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia

God is NOT a Liar!

 Happy Sunday!

"True, some of them were unfaithful, but just because they broke their promises to God, does that mean God will break his promises? Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is not. Do you remember what the book of Psalms says about this? That God’s words will always prove true and right, no matter who questions them."(Romans 3:3-4 Living Bible).

Don't miss this!  God's Word will always be true no matter who disputes it, disparages it, or disbelieves it.  That's very, very Good News considering all the bad news in the world.  If you have questions, ask God.  The Apostle James was inspired to write, "And if, in the process, any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem he has only to ask God—who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty—and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him."(James 1:5 Phillips).

Are you worried about tomorrow?  Jesus said, "Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ That’s what those people who DON'T know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need."(Matthew 6:31-33 Easy-to-Read Version).

The Apostle Peter encourages us, "Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries. Most importantly, be disciplined and stay on guard. Your enemy the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone."(1 Peter 5:7-8 Voice).  God is a GOOD father.  Clear your mind of any bad memories of other fathers, and see Him as the Perfect, Loving, Caring, and Providing Father He is.  The Amplified Version of verse 7 says, "He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah and the wonderful things His anointing would do for us. Here are just a few of them, "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."(Isaiah 61:3 KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia