Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

When you desire truth in your innermost being, it will require some cleaning. As hard and as unpleasant as this may be, it is a necessary component to ensure that all unwanted contamination, impurities, and toxic waste can be eradicated completely. A heart that has had a thorough cleansing, a washing if you will, so that you are left feeling sparklingly fresh and ready to move on.

It’s take a concentrated effort to deal with “some of the stuff” of our past; unfortunately, there is not a handbook to guide us along the way. Nothing to keep us from consciously or unconsciously making the same learned mistakes of the past; stuff that hinders us from moving forward so that a healing process can begin. Yes, I am speaking of the heart. It can and does harbor, so many feelings that honestly, we may have thought we’ve dealt with but things arise that will prick our memory, an act, an occurrence, a conversation and we realize we are not yet free from that particular yoke of bondage.

David, in this passage knew he had an unclean heart, knew that he needed help to improve his state of mind; because he had resolved within himself that he couldn’t do it and was so upset that he literally begs God to fix it and to create in him a clean heart and most importantly the move on, to renew a right spirit within him; this is crucial because what’s the point of asking the Lord for a new and clean heart if we don’t get the right attitude to accompany it. It’s fruitless and we’ll find ourselves right back where we were in a state of needing to be cleansed.

Again, if we truly want to be free, we have to ask the Lord to look at us and the stuff that clogs up the heart, help us to see if we are harboring feelings of hurt and pain, bitterness, resentment, anger or animosity from our past, from someone in the church, someone in our family, and someone on the job, and so many other reasons. We will have to release it, and not revisit the circumstance again. We cannot allow it to continue to have power over us, otherwise, we are still bound and we are not yet free. If we are still bound by these things, we are not helping ourselves and we are not healthy, emotionally, physically and most definitely, not spiritually. We want God to renew, restore, refresh, and rejuvenate our heart; take out anything that is not like Him, remove the things we know about and the things that we thought were gone, help us to move forward so that we can effectively be a help to someone else. Moving into a place of joy and freedom where there is rest for our soul.

I was singing "won't He make you clean inside" when I woke up this morning. I've not heard that song in quite some time, but realized the Lord was going somewhere with this and of course, this scripture came to mine. I find myself quoting this passage regularly during prayer times because I want the Lord to cleanse me and see only the best in me, as I come before Him and honestly, you can’t be your best without first doing a self examination of what’s in need of being cleansed in our lives. Thank God for His mercies which are new and available to us every morning, which is food for thought today. Asking the Lord to create in me a clean heart and renew the right spirit in me… Amen?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 is the very definition of faith. It describes it best and frankly it just doesn’t get any simpler. However, I wanted to expound on some of the words in this verse because it shows how powerful faith is and if we could remember to stand on the power of these words, it would affect our very being, our very lifestyle. Let’s look at some of the words in this verse; Now, denotes at this present time, immediately, promptly, and without hesitation. I thought about how we hear our mothers say with authority, “I said, now!” We have to use the same authority when speaking in faith… because NOW faith is needed for that situation or circumstance! Substance signifies the core, essence, or the basis, the tangible matter of which things stand,like a foundation. Things refers to occurrences, unspecified term or detail. Hoped indicates a confident desire; expectation, anticipation, trust and a belief that it shall be; and then lastly, Evidence simply means the proof of or the existence of a thing. In this case it is the evidence of what we cannot see, yet we believe. Walking by and walking in faith is not by sight; otherwise it's not faith.

This is what faith consists of and there are many of whom we could call on for their testimonies of faith. By faith, we believe that God framed the foundation of the world and created all things; by faith, Noah built the ark, not knowing when it would rain but that it would rain. It was by faith that Abraham left his homeland and believed God for a place that he didn’t know; by faith, we believe God parted the Red Sea and Moses and the children of Israel crossed over on dry land. We have so many persons of extreme faith – the shoulders of those that we can stand on as examples. These are just a few examples from the Bible but there are so many testimonies of faith and God’s faithfulness to His people today. Everything that we do must be motivated by an embedded trust and faith in God's Word. We have to have faith to believe and faith for the right now!

Hebrews also states two very important verses: Hebrews 1:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must first believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and then there is Hebrews 10:23, "We must hold fast to our profession of faith without wavering, (for He is faithful that promised;) Because the just shall live by faith! So we, by faith must stand on His word, stand on His promises, believing that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could think or ask! We have to have some NOW faith. Faith without hesitation. What will you believe God for today… by faith?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 95:2

David tells us to come before the Lord’s presence with thanksgiving and to make a wonderful, jubilant, and joyful noise with a song of praise. What an honor to have the opportunity to come before His presence with thanksgiving each and every day at any time of the day. I love that in His presence is fullness of joy and that in it self makes it effortless to give him the fruit of my lips.

Every day should be a day of giving thanks – a thanksgiving day.

Happy Day of Thanksgiving!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies. There is a scene where Dorothy and her companions are traveling through the forest; it’s dark, there are sounds of the night and they are scared and have worked themselves into a frightened frenzy. They begin to sing lions, and tigers and bears, oh my, repeatedly and suddenly the lion jumps out. Well, needless to say the king of the forest proved to be all roar and no bite. There is such a lesson to be learned in this scene. When we find ourselves in the wilderness of the lions, and tigers and bears which are dangerous by nature and would harm us and devour us, given the chance, we have to remember who we are and in Whom we trust.

Just like the characters from the movies, we sometimes work ourselves into a frenzy and most times, the things we fear the most… never come to fruition, and we sigh the sigh of relief (Is 54:17). We have to trust God and have the faith to believe He will protect us along the way, while in the darkness of the forest or in the wilderness; regardless of the situation. The scripture tells us in I Peter 5:8, “Stay alert! be sober, be vigilant, watch for your enemy, the devil. He prowls and roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour and destroy; we can expect that but we have to remember that we can go boldly to the throne of grace, where we can find mercy and favor in our times of need. The Lord is there, our high priest, ready and willing to fight and intercede for us to the Father because He knows what we are facing or will face. He understands for He is already in our tomorrow, yet, He is accessible to us today and at all times.

So, let’s go with assurance and with confidence and boldly to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time for every need for help that is on time, because God is a timely God. Let’s go without any doubt or fear to the throne of God, to the throne of grace; where His favor flourishes, where His mercy abides and where His grace is abundant!

Favor, and Mercy, and Grace, oh my!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Deut 32:1-2

The past couple of days have been full of God’s voice. He has been speaking directly to me through various vessels and the words yet all delivered differently, each spoke to where I am presently in my life. I have been in a place of hearing, a place that you can only get to while spending time in the presence of God. When our minds are clear from our own thoughts, our own ways, our own fears, we can then begin to hear God speak. I have given ear and the Lord has been speaking. His words have been like music to my ears; they have dropped and have settled upon my heart as the morning dew, lightly misty and fallen as a gentle rain. You realize when the dew has fallen after morning has come, because you can see just enough to let you know that it’s there. Such as it is with God's word, gently fallen and blanketing as the dew.

These words came as a reminder that God is preparing me for purpose and that His love is being perfected in me. God has made or is making provisions on our behalf; the path has been set and all that is necessary to walk therein. His way is the perfect way. We can be renewed in our thinking as we continue on this journey if we allow ourselves to hear what the Lord is saying to us. No matter what it appears to be, we have to remember to give ear only to His word and adjust accordingly. He has made promises to us in His word, promising to never leave us nor forsake us, promising to care for us and meet our needs according to His riches and glory, promising that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, promising to give us perfect peace that passes all understanding. These are just a few of His promises, the words of His mouth spoken just for us. We have to rise up in the power that He has given us and because His word is power.

I thank the Lord this morning for His gentle refreshing. His word is refreshing and His way is refreshing. He lets us know just how much He cares for us and that He is there. He hears and He listens and is concerned about everything we are concerned about and will perfect it (Ps 138:8). I thank Him for the rest that He has allowed me to enter; a rest that is essential in order for Him to work in and through us. He has provided all that’s needed in His word, we must remember to give ear to it and listen. I love how He has been speaking His word that I might find that peace and that rest for my soul as I continue on to do His will. Give ear and hear what the Lord is saying to you today as He is dropping His words for your life as the gentle rain.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Reflecting this morning before and after prayer, I want to share these words, “what a moment you have brought me through, such a freedom I have found in you. You’re the healer who makes all things new. I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead. Here to declare to you my past is over in you. All things are made new. You make all things new and I will follow you, forward (Israel Houghton).

The message that the prophet Isaiah is telling the children of Israel is that Lord has said, not to remember the things of old, stop looking back and to look ahead, I’m about to do a new thing right now. I’m going to make a way for you while you are in the wilderness, so press on and move forward. He speaks of total restoration for them and he asks them shall you not know it, shall you not be aware that it is me doing this? This is the probably the hardest concept for us to grasp sometimes that the Lord is there with us as we are in our wilderness. He has not forgotten us but is counting on us to trust that He is God and asks the question. “is there anything too hard for me?” Personally, I’d have to say no because I’ve seen God work the miraculous in the wilderness, not only in my life but in the life of others.

All of us have had or are having a wilderness experience; a time where you don’t know what to do or which way to go and we have had to put our trust and our confidence in God to lead us out. There is wonderful news today, we are about to embark on some new things, we will see God do a great work, a work that we’ve not yet see Him do for us. We have to trust and know that He is God and move forward as He leads, as He guides, and as He directs. Having an ear to hear Him when He speaks so we will know how to move, when to move, where to go and what to do. He, in turn, will meet and supply all that’s needed and we will begin to see Him open up the way. He will give us a refreshing as we go and we'll see total restoration in our lives. You will not only be blessed but all those who know you and know your struggle and have seen you in your wilderness will be blessed as you become a beacon of hope; they will see the new thing that has been manifested in your life and that light will be a drawing card as you lead others to Christ.

Rejoice today and tell the Lord ... "You make all things new and I will follow you, forward."

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Psalm 104:33-34

This morning I woke up singing, “Oh how I love the name Jesus. It is the sweetest name I know. Oh how I love the name Jesus.” I heard this song earlier this week and it resonated in my heart and it bubbled up in my spirit as I gave praise unto the Lord this morning with the fruit of my lips. Oh, there’s something about that sweet name.

Some of the words of the Kirk Franklin’s rendition says, “some people say I'm crazy but, I can't explain the power that I feel when I call your name; said it's just like fire shut-up in my bones. The Holy Ghost is moving and just won't leave me alone. There's something … when I call your name Jesus. Said it's sweeter than honey from a honeycomb (now that’s sweet!). At the name of Jesus every knee has got to bow so you don't have to wait till the fire comes you can call on Him, shout, Praise him…do it right now!” This is a great place to take a praise break and give God praise while you yet have your being, sing sweet praises unto the Lord.

The words to the song ministered to me and reminded me there’s something about the name Jesus and there is no other name as sweet as that name. Just the mention of His name, brings about a peace, brings about a joy and it will not only comfort but it will console you. I love that we are able to call on Him anytime, any place and He is right there. It’s something about that name. There’s healing in His name – salvation is His name, love in His name; whatever you need, it’s in the name of Jesus! It’s the name that moves mountains, the name that calms the seas, the name that can speak to the circumstance of your life and immediately it's got to change. Power in that name. The name that is above every name… Jesus.

Oh how I love the name Jesus! There’s something about that name… it is the sweetest name I know. Say it often, Jesus... it will bring about a power in you!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: Psalm 105:11 (Ref Psalm 105:1-11)

I have been and yet still in such a crazy praise mode this week. I have such an "excitement build up" in my veins with anticipation and I feel as if I’m going to explode with joy as I eagerly look forward to what the Lord is doing not only in me but in my life and my circumstance. When I read the scripture this morning, it described everything perfectly. The Lord is always on time with His word that it keeps me in awe. So you know I have to tell it! This is the amplified version:

O Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; meditate on and talk of all His marvelous deeds; sincerely praise them. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek and require the Lord as their essential necessity. Seek, inquire of the Lord, crave Him and His strength; His might and seek to require His face, His presence continually evermore. Earnestly remember the marvelous deeds that He has done, His miracles and wonders, the judgments and sentences which He pronounced upon His enemies, as in Egypt. O you offspring of Abraham, His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones, He is the Lord our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He is seriously mindful of His covenant and forever it is imprinted on His heart, the word which He commanded and established to a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His sworn promise to Isaac; which He confirmed to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, “Saying, Unto you will I give the land of Canaan as your measured portion, possession, and inheritance. Isn’t that enough to sing praises and thank God for? And as if that wasn’t enough He said even though they are strangers in the land, I will allow no man to do them any harm and spoke to the powers that be for their sakes to let them know that He didn’t like what they doing to His people. Then verse 15 confirms that by saying, “Touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm.” Folks need to be careful about messing with, messing over, and messing around God’s people.

When the Lord delights in us: He makes ways for us; He makes our crooked places straight, He works on our behalf as we go along this journey. He tells us that He will bring us into a land that is rich and flowing in milk and honey; bring us into abundance, into increase, and into stability if we would just trust Him at His word. The Word says in I Peter 5:6-10, to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He might exalt us in due time, our due season; casting all of our cares on Him because He cares for us. Be watchful and attentive, cautious and on guard because the enemy desires to destroy us, along the way. We must remain steadfast and unmovable in our faith because after we have suffered awhile… He will make us perfect, establish and strengthen us and then settle us in the land of ever flowing… our land of plenty!

I am excited and waiting in expectation at what the Lord is about to manifest in my life. No I can’t see it, but I can feel it in the atmosphere… and isn’t that why we walk by faith and not by sight? I don’t need to see it to believe it, but I need to believe it in order to see it! Amen? However, until it manifests itself, I’m going to continue to give God praise, thank Him and make known of His doings among the people so that they might be blessed as well. You should be able to hear me as I sing praises to Him and as I dance my way right into Canaan, my land of plenty!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5

You can hear me saying on various occasions, "just give me the favor of God!", divine or otherwise and I am satisfied; happy, content, joyful, and definitely in awe of how He continuously reveals Himself in my circumstances. Without His favor in my life, honestly, I don't know how I exist. I can sing unto Him and give Him thanks when remembering who He is and in remembering all of His mercy, His grace and His righteousness towards me, in spite of me.

In this psalm, David could speak on the favor of God. He could speak on God’s anger being only for a moment because he could give an account of the things that he had done to anger God, and not just once or twice. Yet, God was still merciful to him and showed him Divine favor. David could speak and did speak throughout the psalms in regards to how grateful he was for God’s grace and His unmerited favor towards him. I'm sure you are thinking right here, "yes, thank you Lord for all the times I've angered you and yet you still showed me mercy, forgiveness and favor. David tells us today, “sing unto the Lord, saints of His, thank Him just at the remembrance of His holiness, and His righteousness; thank Him because His anger only endures, lasts, or continues for a moment. Thank Him because of His favor, there is life, we may weep during the night but in the morning, there is joy.” Trust me when I tell you that David knew this all too well. He lived it, he experienced it, and he could write about it as an encouragement to us today.

David lets us know that our joy and our happiness are found in God. How we determine, how we resolve to be happy is on us. We can move quickly and energetically towards it, or we can choose to wallow and get stuck and be bound and live without it. It’s our choice. But David said in His favor is life, weeping lasts for a night but the joy of the Lord comes in the morning. We get up, we wipe our tears and we move on because He has provided us all we need to live life to the fullest. Sure, things may not go as you plan, or as you hoped; perhaps you didn’t seek God in regards to what His plans were. Most often we don’t ask, we just move and breathe and operate in us, ourselves, and our way without counsel from God. Most times, we go in the power of me, myself, and I got this and not taking the time to consult the One who is concerned about our very soul, and He is always still there when we decide to seek Him concerning the things that concern us. One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 138:8, where David says that the Lord will perfect that which concerns me. The Lord is concerned about every aspect of our life, our walk, and our journey in Him. He desires that we have the joy that is our strength and the peace that passes all understanding; He desires that we rejoice always in Him.

We should be encouraged by David’s words, encouraged as we remember that God is the joy and the strength of our lives; He comes speedily and in due season, not in our timing, otherwise how would we go from strength to strength or from faith to faith. We must continue to trust Him and always keeping in mind to wait on Him; to stand still and know that He is God, in all of His glory and His righteousness, in all of His holiness; and also keeping in our remembrance to give thanks for how in His favor is life and life more abundantly!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Morning Lovers,
This morning I read this in my devotional diary (which I hardly ever remember to read), I hope it blesses you as it did me... there was no scripture noted but Zechariah 4:1-6 is the reference.

By My Spirit
November 15

Man is apt to think that once in a life time only was My Miracle working Power in action. That is not so. Whenever man trusts wholly in Me, and leaves to Me the choosing of the very day and hour, then there is My miracle working power as manifest, as marvelously manifest to-day, as ever it was when I was on the earth, as ever it was to set My Apostles free, or to work miracles of wonder and healing through them.

Trust in Me. Have boundless faith in Me, and you will see, and, seeing, will give Me all the glory. Remember, and say often to yourselves, "not by might, nor by Power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord."

Dwell much in thought upon all I accomplished on the earth, and then say to yourselves, "He, our Lord, our Friend, could accomplish this now in our lives."

Apply these miracles to your present day need and know that your Help and Salvation are sure.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. Psalm 47:1, 6-7

I love how the Lord wakes me in the morning with songs of praises unto Him. It is with much understanding that I am singing and rejoicing to the God of my salvation today. These verses are self explanatory to say the least and help us to remember that we should always give God praise. The clapping of hands and praising the Lord, along with the shouting unto God with the voice of triumph for being victorious; for overcoming, for the joys that come with knowing He has already taken care of something, or fixed something; for the things that He has done and is doing on our behalf. We can sing praise unto our God effectively, when you understand who God is. This is the joy I’m feeling in my spirit today!

I’m joyous and happy not only about who God is, but who He is to me and what He is doing in my life. How much He loves and cares for me and that alone is enough to lift my voice and shout! I thank Him for all His many wonderful blessings and for how He is working things out in the heavenlies just for me even when I don’t know or understand how He is working it out. Yet, I am excited as I anticipate His blessings and you can too! Make it personal.

We won’t always have an idea as to what God is doing for us but we must continue to believe and trust Him in all things because He loves us and He wants the very best for us. He is there for us and we have to praise Him as if it's everything that we have petitioned God for has already been done whether we see it or not, most likely, not. This is where we walk by faith and not by sight. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) but when we have an understanding of who God is and what He is capable of doing, we can then continue to sing praise Him in spite of what's going on around us. This is why I will yet praise Him, I will sing praises and shout loudly from the mountaintop with a voice of triumph! Can you hear me?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Matthew 15:28 (ref: Matthew 15:22-28)

Relentless is a term described as never slackening, continuing at an intense level, pursuing without mercy; demanding and opposing something or someone. This story speaks to the persistent, passionate and powerful faith of a woman whose concern for her daughter made her pursuit for help, relentless.

Imagine this woman starting out pleading with compassion and respect, “have mercy on me, Oh Lord, my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” When she was shunned and probably got the response she expected, given who she was, she began to worship Him and said, “Lord, help me.” You can almost hear the love that knows no bounds for her daughter in her voice, yet, He replied and said, “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Most of us might have hung our heads in shame or easily given up but with the same spirit of compassion and obvious wisdom and insight, she makes a strong, yet profound statement, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.” Although she was not Jewish she thought perhaps she might be allowed to share just some of the crumbs of His mercy. Who wouldn’t stop and take notice after hearing such an analogy and a demonstration of such faith? Because of her relentless faith, that day her daughter was made whole.

I don’t know if you know the passion that comes along with being a mother, but when your child is in need of some help, you will go to the lengths for them. A Syrophenician woman who was of Greek descent, a people who were hated by the Jews, one of whom by no means should have approached Jesus, was no different from any of us. She knew that if she could get to Him, surely He could help her daughter and she desperately wanted her child delivered from this demon. She also knew that Jesus was just the man who could help because of the miracles she'd heard or perhaps saw. His silence with her was seemingly refusal; but His delay was not denial… it’s was just a test of her faith.

What if we sought the Lord as this woman did? What if we sought after Him with the same intensity and having the faith that moves mountains? We are going to have many obstacles, many persecutions, and much opposition but we are going to need relentless faith, even when the answer may be not to our liking. We must have the faith that will stand regardless of what we see or don't see, for things that we face on a daily basis; faith that will stand up against the forces of evil because we know that this world is ruled by the powers of darkness (Eph 6:12)and we will, if we are living according the will of God, face persecution on some level. All hell will come against us but we must stand against the enemy and his tactics, yet knowing that the God we serve is able to do above all that we could ask or think.

At all costs, we will have to be determined that we are going to push forward boldly and earnestly for the faith with and by faith. Regardless, refuse to back down; refuse to give up. Being passionate and intense, being determined and unwavering is not only a must, but a requirement.

So be fervent, be firm and unyielding, be persistent ... have relentless faith!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: Psalm 91:14-15

Speak to my heart, Holy Spirit, message of love to encourage me, lifting my heart from despair, how You love me and care for me, speak to my heart, Lord, Speak to my heart, That's what I want You to do, Speak to my heart, ‘cause I'm waiting to hear from You, Speak to my heart.

During my prayer, I began singing a portion of this song. Now, I have sung this song many times over the years, however this morning, it sounded different in my spirit. I kept hearing “message of love to encourage me.” How magnificent to hear those words in the morning; not only to know that God loves us but to hear it specifically to start your day, is absolutely breathtaking.

I was reminded of Psalm 91 by a good friend recently and this morning the scripture came up again for this message of love. It's been awhile since I've read it in its entirety, yet it didn’t take long to see how the words of this psalm fit the topic today. It is a must read because it's a commanding message written by David and words that we can live by as a believer. Again, David shows us his sincere love for the Lord and because of this love, he pens these powerful words.

This is a message of love this morning, it not only shows David’s love for God but it shows us God’s love for us as well and how He will allow us to dwell in His presence, where there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11); while we wait and rest; while He covers and hides until our deliverance comes. He protects us from the enemy and keeps us safe from the dangers and the pitfalls that are there to entrap us. He is our shield from the fiery darts; He is our refuge and our dwelling place and nothing can come near to harm us if we are snuggled safely there. He has also given His angels charge or to keep watch over us as we go throughout our journey. That's comforting within itself to know He loves and cares about us to assure and guarantee our safety at all times... such wondrous love!

This is His promise to us, whatever we are facing, He is there because we have set, placed, situated, and positioned our love towards Him. Which pleases Him enough to deliver and keep us, and positioning us in high places in Him just because we know and love His name. The name that is above every name… El Shaddai, God almighty; JEHOVAH-JIREH, God of provision; JEHOVAH-SHALOM, God of peace; JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, God who is there for us and I could go on about His names. However, it is important to remember to look to Him who is the author and the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1). No matter what it looks like; no matter the troubles we face, God is in control of our every situation. We have to remain in the safety of His arms and know that when we call on Him, He’ll answer and be with us through it all. Also remembering that he who dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty and it is in Him we will trust.

This is a message of love to encourage us today!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:37-41

For the last couple of days it has been very windy. Personally, I love the wind; it’s refreshing and it chases away the muck that's in the air because this is the horrible stuff you find in the skies of Los Angeles. However, when the wind comes and blows it away, it reminds me of the freshness of the crisp country fall air, only if it is but for a moment.

In this passage, Mark tells us of the great storm that arose while the men where on the ship with Jesus and how the waves beat into the ship and the men were so afraid. I can only imagine how it was rocking from side to side, water thrashing the ship and getting them soaked. I know any natural man (or woman in my case) would be more than concerned while out in the middle of the sea. However, it didn’t seem to bother Jesus at all, He was sleeping peacefully down below. Admittedly, I probably would have been the first to wake Him and say, “Excuse, Lord, but I’m scared right now and I don’t like water or boats and especially not rocking ones. I’m feeling alittle sick and nauseous from fear; I have seen you do many miraculous things and I was just wondering if there's something you could do right now, please?” Sounds comical, but I know that I speak for many of us.

So it is in our life sometimes, because we are human, panic, as well as fear does set in. We see the storm, we feel the storm and we ask, Lord, where are you? Do you see my situation? Are you hearing me Lord? Do you care that I’m drowning in this circumstance? I need you to do this for me right now. Then we pray like never before and never thinking perhaps this could be for my growth, or God’s glory.

When the storms are raging in our lives and the wind is blowing violently, we have to remind ourselves who is in control of the wind and the storms. We must remain calm and without fear because God loves and cares for us; He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble and in time of need (Psalm 46:1). Most times, our worry is “when Lord?” But nothing is on our time; yet God is timely. We may not understand why, but He knows and sees into our tomorrow. We have to learn to trust and obey because again, all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose… not ours.

Verse 41 says what manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? If He is able to speak a word and immediately everything ceased and all was calm, how much more do we believe that He can do the same for us. The word also says that he can do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we can ask or even think, according to the power that worketh in us; we certainly can't leave out that very important piece of the verse. We have to remember to speak the Word to ourselves when we become fearful or when are "lacking abit" in our faith. Some of my favorite scriptures to stand on are: Psalm 138:8, the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me; Isaiah 54:16, No weapon that is formed, No instrument of war, no sword, or spear; no instrument of persecution or torture that is made against me shall prosper; Psalm 91:15, He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him; and lastly, Isaiah 65:24, And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. There are so many promises in the Bible to stand on, we have to find them and begin speaking them. We have to stand still and know that He is God and that He is in control of everything and everything must obey Him .

Please know today, when the wind blows and the storms of life are raging, all God has to do is speak a Word into our circumstance or situation and it is done. His Word to our wind and our storm today, “Peace be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Be encouraged.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Let your love be sincere; hate what is evil and loathe all ungodliness, but hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection as members of one family, giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice and triumph in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of God's people; sharing in the necessities of the saints; pursue the practice of hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 (Amplified)

November is officially the month we begin to get into the season of things; thoughts of traveling, food, and family gatherings are on our minds. Everyone becomes loving, friendly, kind, sweet, and happy at just the thought of the holidays approaching. Seemingly, becoming more thankful and giving as there is such a peaceful bond that comes during this time that resonates with all people regardless of race, creed or color. With the holiday cheer, everyone is most likely to react with an over zealous response of joyfulness. I have a category for some called, “the connected series of exuberant seasonal performances”, because unfortunately as soon as the season is over, these tend to go back into their normal “modus operandi” or mode of operation; it’s very sad but true. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could have that kind of love, care and enthusiasm year round, where everyone is happy, happy and howdy, howdy; loving and giving and thankful at all times and in everything?

In this scripture, Paul tells us that God would have our love be sincere, having love as if everyone was a part of one family, the same family and showing honor to one another always. Making sure it’s our priority to see about each other; comforting, supportive and patient with everyone, and contributing to the needs of God’s people; making sure to see about the necessities of the saints. We should be eager to see about one another; happily pursuing the practice of hospitality. Doing whatever we can to help; easing a burden with a kind act, in word or deed. Being an encouragement; lending a shoulder or having a listening ear. We should have enthusiasm in our service to one another with sincerity and attempting to show the love of God in us at all times. Paul said we should rejoice always, and have joy because we know where our hope lies. This is the foundation of all that keeps and sustains us. Sharing that hope can be, crucial to a life.

It is possible, if you truly have the love of Christ in you and heed to the Word because the scripture very specifically reminds us to have an attitude of praise, an attitude of thankfulness, an attitude that allows us to be passionate, loving, giving, kind, friendly, and joyous at all times, not just at certain seasons of the year or when we feel like it. We can't let the trials of this life hinder us from being a living epistle and walking in way that God has set before us.

Let’s strive to have a year round attitude of thankfulness and goodwill towards God’s people and especially within the household of faith. It’s not just seasonal, it’s a lifestyle, every day, all day!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

I love the beatitudes. Each is profoundly unique in it's message. This verse tells us that if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled. It doesn't speak to what we think of naturally when we thirst or hunger. It speaks to us in the sense that seemingly you never get enough or you are not satisfied when seeking after righteousness, because even when you feel full or you think you're full, you're always are left wanting more of it. It's good like that!

The Word is essential to our lives; we need the daily nourishment which is vital and necessary for spiritual life, growth and strength. We have to be persistent in our quest to satisfy ourselves with the words that are life. If we strive with the depths of our innermost being; if we seek God and all His righteousness; if we desire to follow after God and the things of God, you will be filled with happiness, joy, peace, and love!

Got hunger? Try the Word, it's filling!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: I Peter 1:6-8

I adore the analogies we find in the Word that breaks it down to us simply so that we can understand what God is saying to us. Such as this one today, as it speaks on our spiritual purification in comparison to a natural purification of an item that we consider valuable by the world's standard. If you studied the process for gold, you would read statements such as "as it's heated to over 2000 degrees, it begins to remove unnecessary elements"; "frees it from every improper mixtures"; "to show its quality, its properties, and its true nature." Therefore, it's simply, just a process. I'll let you think about that spiritually for a moment.

If we could only but see the trial of our faith being tried by fire, as a process! The necessary process that burns off and removes unnecessary elements that keeps us from getting to person God has called us to be; therefore being able then to bring glory and honor to God; a process that is designed to free us from every improper mixture (thoughts, actions, habits, ways, etc), as well as getting us aligned with the Word of God; mixtures that keep us weighed down (Heb 12:1-2) and keeps us from praising God. Who wouldn't want to praise God without restrictions and without restraint? Think about how liberated you'll feel once all the “stuff” has burned off.

Faith that's been tried with fire shows its hidden qualities, its beautiful splendor; its outstanding properties, and most importantly, its true nature! Have you seen gold in its finest state? I'm not a gold lover, but gold that has been processed, all polished and shiny, is a beautiful sight to behold. Such are we, when we’ve been taken through that process and the scripture states that we are even "much more" precious than of gold. Gold brings no glory to God but as God tries the content of our character in Him through our various trials, it takes us from faith to faith and from strength to strength; it will bring deserving praise, honor and glory unto the Lord.

We are walking by faith and not by sight... loving and believing Him, whom we have not seen, yet trusting with peace and with unspeakable joy... something that the world can't give and certainly can't take away! Remember that the next time your faith is on fire, it's just a process going on that will be for your good and God's glory!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:12-14

David tells us that God’s law is perfect, it converts the very soul; and that he knew the testimony of the Lord was unquestionably and undeniably the truth. This is an absolute truth, His laws and statues are right; they are pure, and they endure forever. David said that they are to be desired more than the finest of gold and they are sweeter than a honeycomb! He also tells us that there is great reward if we keep them.

What impresses me about David is his explanation of things; first he lets us know about the wonderment of God, His laws and His nature; then he tells us his concern regarding the condition of his heart. He was always searching himself, going to God and coming clean by pouring out his heart to Him. He knew that God was his very present help especially in the time of need. Think of what would happen in us and around us, if we would just have the heart of David, search ourselves in the same manner and ask God to cleanse us and help us in our thoughts, in our words, in our lives, and in our times of need. Search me Oh Lord is a wonderful way to start the day and if you find anything in me that shouldn't be, take it out ... amen?

I love this phrase in the scripture, “who can understand his errors.” Which translates into, how do I keep my mind and my heart from wandering? How do I discern what or when I do wrong? How do I keep from straying from the law, from the things I know are not right? How do I know all the sins that are lurking in my heart? As quickly as he asked those questions, he simply asked God to cleanse me from the secret faults and mistakes, the ones that are hidden from the natural eye; the ones that no one can see but you, Lord. He continues by saying, Oh God, please keep me from the rude, arrogant, inconsiderate, disrespectful, overconfident, big-headed, and conceited sins, (you know those sins that we don’t even consider sins); and those secret sins, so that they don’t have control over me, so that I can be blameless and innocent from violating your laws and most importantly, that I don’t sin against you ... that I can live according to the manner in which you expect from me and then I can continue to be blessed by You and You in turn, receive the glory.

How many of us ask those same questions or find ourselves in the same position. We first want to acknowledge the need and then ask the Lord to create in me a clean heart, renew the right spirit within me (Psalm 51). Let every word that comes from my mouth be pleasing in your ear. Let the thoughts, the intents and the mediation of my heart, not only be pleasing, but acceptable in your sight at all times. Help me to have the pleading heart of David, because I am concerned about the condition of my heart. Let my heart continually have intercession with you, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
James 4:14

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. Who is not familiar with this popular nursery rhyme from our childhood? I had not given the phrase “life is but a dream” much thought until I heard it mentioned in a movie during a funeral scene years ago. It was an eye-opening moment and my impression of the rhyme has never been the same.

During my prayer time this morning, those words dropped in my spirit. Clearly, as I began to meditate, this metaphor spoke in volumes. This rhyme ministers today as it refers to one traveling and persevering despite any problems or difficulties along the journey and to persist with determination joyfully because our life is regarded as having an equivalent value as that of a dream, an occurrence that we experience during sleep, which is like a vapor. A vapor is matter that is visible in the air as mist, clouds, or smoke which can dissipate; disappear and fade quickly.

The scripture today asked a question, “for what is your life?” Our life is even as a vapor that appears and then it is gone. In the book of James, it is so wonderfully written that nothing is permanent and certainly not our life here on this earth; making good use of our time because honestly, we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:31-34). We have enough to be concerned with in this day, that we cannot be concerned with tomorrow is what he is saying. We cannot predict tomorrow for it’s not promised and the future on this earth is unknown to us, however, the good news is that we as the children of God, do know where our hope lies; not in the things of this world.

At any given time, our plans could easily be cut off or could possibly fail. It is important that they be continuously in line with the will of God and we must work the work of Him who has sent us while it is day, as long as we are in the world. Why? Because our days upon the earth are as a shadow and we must spend it wisely and working His purpose and His plan for our lives because honestly, only what we do for Christ is going to last. What legacy will you leave? What will be said of the life you’ve lived? What accomplishments will be noted? Whose life did you speak life into? Did you encourage someone along the way? Did your life exemplify Jesus?

No one will live a perfect and wonderful life in every way, yet we do strive to live in perfection as Christ has called us, before our time, like a vapor, has vanished away; doing it merrily with joy and with the love of the Lord as we sojourn along this journey called life.

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily... life is but a dream.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, Deut 7:6-8a

When I hear the word treasure, it reminds me of all the movies I’ve seen and the stories I’ve read that deal with finding treasures in the Sahara, or pirate ships searching for hidden and lost wealth in oversized trunks with gold spilling over. As entertaining and as fascinating as the stories are, these treasures are not to be compared to who we are in God’s eyes, His special treasure that is much more valuable than any tangible treasure that man could ever find.

We are a special people, a special treasure unto Him created for His purpose; someone who is of high value and very precious in His sight. The scripture tells us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (I Peter 2:9-10). I’m so grateful that He loved us enough to engraft us into His family and we are now considered the sons of God (I John 3:1).

Have you thought about how blessed we are and that God doesn’t look on us or choose us as man would. Man would look for certain qualities that are appealing to the eye and looking only from a natural standpoint; missing most times the beauty that comes from within. God sees the heart of the people He’s chosen and loves us in spite of who we are, what we look like, or where we’ve come from because we are all wonderfully and marvelously made. He’s not concerned with our social status, how much or how little we have, or the color of our skin seeing that He is not a respecter of persons. He chose us simply ... because He loves us.

Because He has chosen me and set His love upon me, I also have a responsibility in this relationship. A treasure is taken care of because of its extreme value and this is what the Lord does for us. When we love and value someone, we promise to cherish, we promise to be faithful, we promise to honor, we promise to take care of and we promise to hold in high esteem or regard. There has to be accountability when we make a pledge to the one we say we love. God has done that and is faithful in keeping His word in regards to His promises. The same goes for us, we have a responsibility to God, we are accountable to God, the one we say we love. The verse tells us that we are a holy people and should we not be because God is holy; it would stand to reason that He would want His people to be holy and strive not only to love and be holy but also to keep His Word, and do all things on a level of excellence that truly represents Him and brings glory to His name.

If God has high standard towards us, shouldn’t we as a special treasure unto to Him, keep those same high standards in service to Him? We should be an example not only among ourselves, but to the rest of the world who is watching and taking notes. We must strive not to be a hindrance or a stumbling block with our actions and vain words; nor should we take the things of God lightly. If we say we love God then we would want to please Him in the manner in which we’ve been chosen. We are in the world yes, but not of it ... we need to take off the old habits, the old mindsets, the old ways, the old attitudes of the world; the ways that don't mesh in the ways or the work of the Lord. We should want to be found loving God and cherishing Him as He does us, the one He has chosen. It is an honor just to have been chosen. How can we reciprocate this wondrous love? We should be giving our all because that’s what you do when you truly love someone. God loves us on that level because everything He does for us speaks loudly and in volumes ... because I love you, because I'm committed you, because I CHOSE you. These are words we can stand on forever.

I praise God for setting his love upon me and choosing me. Not for any great thing I've done but simply because He loved me enough to choose me. That is what makes me happy and excited about who God is to me and that He included me in His plan of salvation and His purpose for His Kingdom … but most importantly, I thank Him letting me know that I am a special treasure unto Him. He loves me so much and continuously shows Himself faithful and for that, I am grateful!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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