Stir it up!

Hebrews 23-24 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

2 Timothy 6-7 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

What comes to my mind when I read these scriptures, is a camp fire full of glowing embers. I love being outdoors and sitting out by the fire. Everyone knows that when a fire has burned for a while, the heat gets more concentrated and doesn't have a big flame anymore. The heat is still there, but the flames have gone and there are ashes atop the embers. What happens when you stir up the coals? You guessed it! The flames are viable and you get the fire going again. 

   We are to do the same thing spiritually! Stir up literally means to rekindle or revive the spark. When you feel that your gifts are dead, rebuke that thought and know that they aren't! Revive them and stir them up! When you feel that love has escaped you, don't harden your heart. Like it says in Hebrews 23, "let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works". Stir it up! 

The enemy wants to tell you lies saying that you don't have God given gifts and talents. But in 2 Timothy we are reminded to stir up the gifts of God which are IN YOU. We already have God given gifts. We are to revive them. 

   It seems that Paul knew Timothy was feeling depressed by his own imprisonment. Paul encouraged Timothy to revive 'the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,". This metaphor is taken from the kindling of ashes into a flame. 

   Even if it looks like the God inspired gifts in life have gone out, don't put out the fire...fan the flame! So how do we do this? We do this by reading and meditating on The Word, prayer, and the frequent actions of reviving your gifts and talents. If you are a talented musician, but you've neglected you're gifts...stir it up and play again! If you have a gift of encouragement, call a friend that is down and encourage them. Tell a worker at a restaurant that they are doing a great job! Stir up the gift! 

What are some of your gifts and talents? I want to encourage you to write your gifts and talents down and speak them out loud! Declare that you are talented and gifted. Stir up the gifts and fan the flame! 

Have a blessed day in The Lord,

Cindy Mae 

What Type of Ground Are You?

Matthew 13:3-9 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

In this parable, Jesus tells about the same seed (God's Word) being sown, but different temperatures of a person's heart and their willingness to receive God's Word. The seed sown is the word of God. The sower is our Savior Jesus Christ. 

In the first example, there is a careless hearer of the word of God. We must stay in The Word and keep it constantly on our mind and in our spirit. The enemy will be sure to rob us of The Word if we do not guard our minds and protect it. When The Lord speaks something to you, write it down and speak it out. The enemy can not steal what you speak with your mouth. 

The second example tells about how hypocrites are like the stony ground. They often get the start of a true believer. Some are glad to be in church and hear The Word but do not have a change of heart or have a commitment to change. When the trials of life come, they will go back to their old ways because there were never any real roots. The Word that they received with their mind, was tested but it didn't endure because it didn't reach their heart. Don't try to intellectualize the Holy Spirit. It won't work. For healthy changes to come to pass, let The Word of God into your heart. 

The third example tells about a person with worldly heart and sin. Much like thorns, sin entangles and scratches our walk with God. This person hears The Word of God but sin encroaches to choke out the goodness of The Word. The things of this world can not deceive us unless we allow the sin and put our trust in them. When opportunities arise saying "do wrong or do as you please" stand up and shout, "No devil! I will not do your will BUT I declare I will do God's Will in Jesus' name." And the devil will flee from you because the devil can not stick around when the name of Jesus is spoken. Amen! 

In the fourth example, Jesus speaks of true Christians. What sets apart the good ground was fruitfulness. Christ doesn't say that this good ground is perfect and has no stones or thorns. Jesus spoke of fertile ground that "yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty".  All are not the same and we should aim at the highest to bring forth the most fruit. 

John 10:10 The thief comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

In John 10, Jesus tells how the enemy is a thief and he has come to steal, kill and destroy The Word of God that has been planted. BUT Jesus also tell that He has come that we may have an abundant life. 

I challenge you to search your heart. What type of "hearer" are you? I pray by faith that every person reading this, is or will become, the hearer that receives The Word on good ground. If there is anything worth "hearing" in this world, it is God's word. Type any prayer request down below. I'm praying for y'all! 

Have a blessed day in The Lord,

Cindy Mae 

Safety In The Lord

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.

What a comforting verse! Anytime you need shelter, strength and healing, run to God. No one else can offer that to us in this world. Often times we run away from God when we have missed the mark, but that is the time we need Him the most. 

I know in times of trouble, I have felt helpless and hopeless, but then I would remember I have an ever present, ever loving God who is there for me. I love that it says " The righteous run to it and are safe." When we run to Jesus, we are safe. Hurt, depressed, went back to your old bad habits, abusive with your words? Don't feel ashamed. Repent and bring your pain to The Lord and He will restore you. 

Have a blessed day in The Lord,
Cindy Mae 

Faith God Can See

Mark 2:3-12 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic, I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

When I read this passage I think, "God is so good to heal a paralyzed man!" I read it again and something stood out to me. The paralyzed man and his friends didn't just think they would be healed. The paralyzed man took action and was brought to the feet of The Savior Jesus Christ. What a great account of putting faith into action. They broke through the barriers (the crowd of people and even the ceiling) and pressed forward to get to Jesus. I can image the man was saying, I'm not gonna leave this place until I get to Jesus. I'm not going to stop pressing toward The Healer. 

In verse 5 it says "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."" When Jesus saw their faith the paralytic man was healed and told him to get up and walk and he did. The man had an expectancy to be healed. Christ showed His power to forgive sin by showing His power to cure the man sick of the palsy. 

What areas of life are you paralyzed? We can be paralyzed in: our finances, our body, by fear, our mind and emotions etc...Pray and take action toward healing and Jesus will see your faith. 

I believe that Jesus can heal people at any time. It is not our works that constitute healing, but instead comes from Christ. Thank You Lord! Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any area you are paralyzed in your life and expect to be healed and made whole.

Have a blessed day in The Lord,

Cindy Mae 

Hope, Tribulation and Prayer

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; constant in prayer;

Rejoicing in hope - Hope in great things to come for each faithful follower of Christ. Hopefully and rejoicing in the prospect of great things to come (most importantly eternal life), will keep you looking up and believing the God has great things in store for your future. 

Patient in tribulation - Remember that what Christians suffer, we suffer for Christ's sake. Christ never said that our life wouldn't have hardships and pain, but He did say He would be right by our side through it all. Suffering for a believer is the spiritual discomfort brought by resisting the pressures of the flesh. 

Romans 8:17-18 says "and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Jesus isn't suffering physically or mentally, and if we are suffering with Him, we don't have to either. He is our head and seated at the right hand of God. Suffering and persecution are no doubt difficult to walk through. Just remember that Jesus will bring you through the troubles of life. I do not believe we were made to suffer all the days of our life. We are heirs to Christ and Christ has overcome every tribulation. When you get fed up and frustrated at life remember, patience implies steadfastness.

Continuing instant in prayer- being consistent and fervent in prayer through The Holy Spirit,  believers are able to break strong holds, cast out demons, heal the sick, love the unlovable and shake the nations. The devil trembles when Christians use our authority to pray fervent prayers. When we do, curses are being broken and healing begin in Jesus name. 

Have a blessed day in The Lord,

Cindy Mae 

Bitter Roots Produce Bitter Fruit

 

Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Follow peace and holiness and steer clear of bitterness. Scripture says 

in Romans "If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men." Peace is sometimes difficult to have, however as much as it is possible do so. Be at peace with yourself to guard yourself from bitterness. 

It is difficult for bitter people to have healthy relationships. They see everything through a critical lens. When we learn to appreciate what we have and those around us, bitterness drifts away and is replaced with gratefulness. 

If the whole world seems to be so ugly for you, maybe you should take a look at the windows you are looking through. Are you looking through windows of faith, believing that God will do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond in your life or are you seeing life so bad and unfair because you didn't get your way? 

Trust God and ask for His perfect will in your life. I like this quote by Spurgeon. "A bitter spirit is a poor companion for a renewed heart." -C Spurgeon  

To steer clear of bitterness, have the attitude that no one owes you anything. Life isn't always fair, but God is fair. It says in 2 Thessalonians 1:6 that "God is just..." There is no reason to get bent out of shape and bitter. God will set all your crooked places straight when you stay in faith and pursue holiness.  

Write down in your journal* the areas in your life where you feel bitter. Ask Jesus to remove that bitter root so you will not produce bitter fruit in your life. 

Have a blessed day in The Lord, 

Cindy Mae 

*I strongly recommend getting a journal if you don't already have one. Write down the dreams God has placed in your heart and back them up with scripture, believe for God's perfect will in your life. :-) 

Watch and Stand Fast In Faith

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 

The Bible tells us to watch. Be consistently engaged in prayer and in growing sensitivity to The Holy Spirit. See Matthew 24:43 Matthew 26. We must watch and be on guard against the enemy's attacks. Take comfort in the fact that " He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4) Also watch for opportunities to receive good and do good. Watch your loved one's backs. There are ideas floating around that try to draw believers away from unity of the Gospel. 

Stand fast in the faith - Hold on to the truth of God. Do not be moved by the world.  

Be brave and be strong. There is strength in Christ Jesus. Even when we feel weak, we are made strong in Him. 

Have a blessed day in The Lord,
Cindy Mae