…give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:79

Light, the source of natural and spiritual illumination that provides energy and strength on both levels. Light provides a quality of brightness, as well as a certain brilliance that can transcend and go beyond limits and surpass what we could possibly think, imagine or even fathom. Think naturally for a moment about the sun, it sits high and provides light to millions, all at the same time but does not have the same effect for each. For me, the sun shining brightly provides a mood of happiness and joy. I get up and get out, to the beach or sit on the patio, just as long as I can feel the sun rays and bask in them. It makes me feel better and seemingly more productive, it allows me to flow creatively in my writing, in my art, as well as in all aspects of my day.

Spiritually, just as the sun is naturally, the Lord is our source of light, which in turn allows us to become the bearers of light, deemed to be brilliant and shine brightly everyday. We are to be a light that provides strength, encouragement, joy, and peace to those who are sitting in darkness or in the shadow of death. Did you know that a shadow comes from something or someone blocking the light? I’ll let you meditate on that for a moment.

Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, Mary’s cousin, prophesizes here after his son, John is born and the Lord allows him to get his voice back after months of not being able to speak. And speak he does; he begins to remind them of the promise given to their fathers, the covenant, the wondrous child that would come and prepare the way and to give knowledge to the people so that they could come out of darkness. Zacharias became the light bearer that gave hope to many that day.

What if we, the bearers of light are not being brilliant everyday, what if we are the ones blocking the light from being seen causing others to remain in the shadow of darkness and death; what if we are not shining and being that source of light to a world that needs to have a glimpse of hope? The gospel brings light, not darkness. It’s the message of the gospel that will not only give light, but give hope to those that sit in darkness. We have to be careful about the message our light brings. We quote scripture well, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” but we have to be honest with ourselves and ask, what are they seeing in me? Is my light shining? Is the Lord being glorified?

There is something to be said about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel; that light that’s being seen or revealed, could be you. You could be the hope that someone is searching for and you have the knowledge and a word that can help them come out of darkness. For we are the light of the world, let’s be about shining brightly and being brilliant everyday.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. Psalm 61:8
(Ref: Psalm 61)

I remember coming up and hearing this song being sung, “I made vow to the Lord and I won’t turn back.” I also remember the mothers telling us, “don’t make a vow that you don’t intend to keep.” In those days, they put the fear of God in you and I’m not talking about reverence. That resonated and has remained in my spirit over the years; it definitely has impacted my life and my walk with the Lord. Making a vow or a pledge to the Lord is a position we must take, not out of fear but out of reverence.

In this passage of Psalms, David is feeling sad and depressed and didn’t want to do anything because he didn’t think he could do anything about his present situation. Yet, the passage still exudes worship and confidence in the Lord. In reading background, we could paraphrase and say that David was tired of living and just wanted to die because nothing was as he had hoped. He felt as if it was too much for him to bear and he felt inadequate. He said his heart was weak; he didn’t feel brave enough to fight and didn’t have the strength to go on. But David knew that he was wrong, even in his thinking. He knew who God was, He knew what God had done and He knew God was not only his source, but also his resource. When he came to himself, he began to cry out and ask God for help. If there was one thing David knew without a doubt is that God heard his prayers. He said, “I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed, you are my refuge, my strong tower, my covering, and my very present help in a time of need. I know that my weeping may endure for a night but my joy comes in the morning, and my joy comes from you. Even David has to draw on the very words he's penned. We have to go back on draw from some things that God has brought us from or from His Word.

Sometimes, I understand that we may feel as David felt. He had a lot on him but God knew that He could count on David. It’s the same for us and God is counting on us as well. It won’t always be a bed of roses; we’ll cry sometimes, we will be sad and depressed at times; anxiety is real and it happens to all of us, in some form or another when we become overwhelmed. But also like David, we have to remember who our Source is and from where our resources and our help come. When we come to ourselves and consider who God is and the promise we’ve made to Him, we’ll ask for His help. We’ll recall that He is our refuge, our covering, and our strong tower when we are overwhelmed with life issues. Although, our heart is overwhelmed, we must not forget that God is the source of our comfort. We can take everything to Him in prayer. Isaiah 65:24 says, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”

When we make a vow or pledge allegiance, it means to make a solemn promise, to perform, carry out, and live in accordance to what we’ve said we’ll do; a word we’ve given in regards to our loyalty, our commitment, and our faithfulness to the Lord. We shouldn’t take that lightly. God is faithful in His promises and the vows that He made to us. Let’s be committed to love, prayer and devotion to Him, not because of the wonderful things He does and can do for us but for who He is; because He is God! Let’s worship and be confident in Him. These two alone will communicate a commitment on our behalf and a feeling of fullness in our spirit that overflows in joy for the God we say we love and serve. These two will show up very clearly, in our behavior and in our actions. Someone needs to see that in you. You might be the only Bible they ever read. We must desire, as well as pledge ourselves to serve God faithfully, always in our worship and our service to God, who is our confident hope. Whatever our circumstances, situations or concerns of life, we should be determined that He will be our focus, our joy, our peace, and our praise.

David said, “I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” He made that vow and commitment to the Lord and this was the main thing for him, so let us also keep this main thing, the main thing! Come on and say it with me, “I pledge allegiance to the Lord!”

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Deut 11:22

While conversing with a friend this week, she made a simple, yet profound comment that embodied not only what we were discussing, but it spoke to me on a natural level as well. She said, “Sometimes you just have to just walk it out”; meaning that we simply must go through whatever “it” is, until the end result is received or accomplished. While meditating on the impact of those three words, I began to think of my days of working out with Billy Blanks, Jr. and his wife, Sharon. While preparing for the first workout video, we endured some intense routines, after which Billy would say, “walk it out” before moving on to the next phrase of extreme workout. For me, the pain, which at the time seemed gruesome and unnecessary (needless to say, working out is not my thing), the discomfort, the soreness were so unpleasant that walking it out hardly seemed to be the answer; although the end results we achieved were worth every moment of it all. In comparison and to get back to the spiritual aspect of those three words, it brought to mind that as we are in preparation for the work of the Lord, during the intense pain and even sometimes extreme trials, we have to learn to walk it out until we get to the end results of what God is trying to get us to. Honestly, if we admitted it, our flesh does not do pain well and it does not want to suffer… be it naturally or spiritually. No pain, no gain, right?

It is not God’s desire that we feel or experience pain, but in order to shape us, mold us and prepare us for His glory, we have to understand that we must go through some things and it might be uncomfortable at times. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings. We must release our control, our ways of thinking, our ways of doing, our ways of operating because the Lord is trying to do a new thing in us. We have to give over to what He is trying to perfect and complete in us and also what He is trying to convey to us. It is a preparation for His glory, for the work He is calling each one of us to do.

I know first hand how rough it may seem sometimes; trials can be fiery hot, but no matter how hard the trials may seem, we have to know that the Lord is with us. He is there even when we might not “feel” as though He is and trust me, it is not about a feeling. We have to know and by faith believe. I thought about one of my favorite scriptures: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee (Is 43:2). What a scripture for comfort; it’s consoling to read God’s word and His promises in the midst of whatever we are going through. However, we have to know in our hearts that He is yet with us continually. He said He'd never leave us nor forsake us. Stand on that promise.

Verse 23 tells us, then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves after we have kept His commandments, loved Him, walked in His way and we have stayed close to Him faithfully and firmly, without wavering, we stood with Him. Which took me to a New Testament scripture to bring it home, I Peter 5:10, which says, that after we have suffered a while, He’ll make us perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us. It would stand to reason, with those kinds of promises; we should certainly be able to hold on until our change comes, amen? Until then, continue to walk it out!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:10-11

This weekend was filled with such wonderment, amazement, and awe, that it left me with unexpected admiration and respect for how the Lord strategizes; nothing is by chance with Him. How I esteem the Lord and those He chooses to use for His service and I gratefully recognize how mindful He is of me. Just when I think I’ve soared to an obtainable height, He once again takes me to a higher place in Him and in a manner of minutes, with simply, mere conversation. He spoke to me directly and in volumes; He was specific in His wording and I was absolutely powerless in my ability to speak or process the information for a moment; talk about moments that take your breath away. We often think sometimes that it couldn’t possibly get any better than this and He shows you something even greater! I bless the Lord for allowing me to have worship in His presence; better yet, to take the time to come and personally speak to me.

In this passage, Jesus tells the story of the invited guests choosing and presuming places of honor to sit at the table and then possibly being put in the position of being asked to move for someone who is more important or perhaps there were special, unspoken seating arrangements by the host. Whatever the case, can you imagine the embarrassment of being asked to move? Jesus tells them to take a less important seat humbly, so that when your host comes, he’ll say to you, “my friend, move up, come and sit here closer to me.” Imagine being honored in the presence of all the other guests because of your humility. You’ll be pleasantly surprised when the host asks you to move closer to him. What am I saying? Just what Jesus said, “that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." We don’t have to presume a position, or try and gain the advantage by manipulation for our personal benefit. If we remain steadfast and humble, God will exalt us to a higher place in due season.

Jesus is trying to teach kingdom principles to anyone who’ll listen and heed, and not just the pious, religious, and hard-hearted leaders of that time. We have to apply the same Word, that same teaching to our lives today. The Lord is watching what we do, how we do, and certainly the attitude in which we do. Our actions speak long before our words are ever spoken. His Word says that if we exalt ourselves then we would be made us lower, however, if we remain humble, meek, modest, and unassuming in our actions and behavior that He would exalt us, elevate us, and move us to a higher place in Him. Our works of love, kindness, and compassion are better than works that we display only to be seen of men. Let no man know publicly what you have done or you will have your reward here on earth. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward (Matthew 6:1-2). I know that I want the reward that awaits me in Heaven.

I praise God for the Lord of Hosts to see the humility in me, choosing to sit in lowly places and do the work of the Lord. He then chose to come to me and say “friend, come up higher, move to a higher place of honor, to a place of reward in Me.” He has blessed me among men! My desire is to be seen of God, and that the work I do gives glory only to Him. I want to be found in His will always; I'm not bucking for any special seat, just as long as I'm at the table, I'm satisfied! Even in the higher places that the Lord exalts us to, let's be persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, nor positions, not titles, nor location, nor sitting at the head table, shall be able to separate us from the love of God and that we will remain humble even in our elevation!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:20-21

Currently, I am experiencing extraordinary worship. Simply stated, worship is to love, admire, and reverence God greatly, excessively and unquestioningly for who He is. I have been feeling extreme excitement, intense joy and an unfathomable anticipation that is even more powerful than usual. My committed love to God and my enthusiasm for the things of God, run deep. Honestly this morning, I thought about the adventures of finding hidden treasures (yes, I have always been a fairy tale kinda girl) and finally getting to the X on the map that revealed a room filled with an abundance of treasures. Then, I began to ponder on the treasures of God; the exceedingly abundant treasures that lay up and wait just for me; treasures which are being stored in heaven, where they are in safekeeping from the pirates and the thieves of the world; treasures they are untouchable by any man. God in all of His glory, has even allowed me to experience His riches and glory now (Phil 4:19). So when you ask me where my treasures are, I’ll tell you, it’s where my heart is, on the things of God.

How many times have we heard this particular scripture? Many times I’m sure, for me, it is a reminder that things here are only temporal and that I must set my affections on things above. We can’t continuously drain ourselves worrying about possessions or our strength spending time gathering up and collecting “stuff” for a life here because we are just journeying through. Not loving or worshipping things above God. Whatever we give time to or whatever we value highly, whatever we take time to serve, admire, hold on to, or esteem rather than God or the things of God is where our heart lies. It could even be whatever we continuously give thought to or how we plan and conduct our lives. These are the things that shape our very being and our way of life; a life that gives reverence to things more than God. We have to keep our focus on things above and our concern, is to be prepared for life eternal. I Peter 1:3-5 says, “…which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. So, let’s build our hope on things eternal.

Nothing we acquire here on this earth is going to be able to go with us. I remember hearing years ago this phrase, “I’ve never seen a Brinks truck following a funeral procession” meaning, you can’t take your earthly possessions or treasures with you. Why would we want to when God has in store for us, greater treasures. It is written, that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (I Cor 2:9-10). My heart has found its greatest treasure!

Where is your treasure?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

… in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Phil 2:13-16

This morning, I woke up singing; what a wonderful way to start the morning! It’s as if I’d been in some magnificent and breathtaking place. While there, I was in the presence of God and you know that where He is, there is joy! We concluded our time together before I woke and I left singing the words “shine your light on the world.” This reminded me of a song we sang in the choir: “Jesus is the Light that shineth in me, that shineth in me. If I do what He wants me to do he’ll show up in me; if I walk the way He wants me to walk, He’ll show up in me; if I talk the way He wants to talk, He’ll show up in me; if I live the way He wants me to live, He’ll show up in me; He’ll show up in my attitude and He’ll show up in my gratitude; He’ll rise up in me; He’ll show up in me, Jesus is the light that shineth in me. It stands to reason that if He shows up in me and He is my light source, then I should shine!

Yesterday, I had an amazing epiphany or “aha” moment concerning my present situation and I realized that God was miraculously blessing me in several areas. Not only because I had stayed in His will, but I trusted that He would show up on my behalf. I stood firm on however you bless me Lord, I'll be satisfied. I understood all along that He was testing my faith (some frying pan hot fire, y’all) and that He was counting on me to come through as pure gold after all the Cynde stuff was burnt off. Yes, there were some rough days and yes, there were some days I could have just crawled into a corner and not come out. Yet, His word says, stand on our must holy faith and do all things without murmuring or questioning, especially, when we come to understand His word and even if we don't understand His way or His will, we must stand by faith, in faith. Paul reminds us to be blameless and harmless, you sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of corrupt and wicked world. Also, I had held forth the word of life; He let me know that I had not run or labored in vain and because of that, the blessings are manifesting. The feeling I’m experiencing is indescribable, especially, to come to the realization that I had walked upright before Him and had not failed Him. God, who worked in me and through me during this time, blessed me to shine among men. He’ll do that if we walk, talk, live the way He wants and do what He wants, He’ll show up without fail.

It made me think about how our lives must be a light that shines on the world. If we walk, talk, live and do as the world, what makes up different? How will they see change to strive or aspire too if there is no change in us? If we behave, react, perform, respond, express to our situations and circumstances of life as the world, what can we offer as an example? We are to be living epistles, read of men. How can we advise, if we are not displaying the fruit of the spirit? Ephesians 5:8-9 says this, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” No matter what the world is doing, not matter how glamorous it may seem, no matter how it glitters, it’s not always gold. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (II Tim 3:1-5).

Stay connected to the source and our resource, which is the Lord, for He is counting on us to represent who we say we are in Him. He’ll show up in us if we allow Him too. We will be a light to others in darkness to a way that they do not know, but can get a glimpse through you as you shine your light on the world!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12, (NIV)

I am a stickler when it comes to doing things in excellence. If you are going to do something, why not give, present and display your best. We should not “half-do” anything, especially when it comes to the things of God and we should want to represent Him with our best. You’ll be surprised how you can draw others to you with just a touch of excellence, or going just a step above. You’ll be able to speak a word more effectively to someone who might not have had the opportunity to know about this great inheritance. The scripture today speaks of bearing fruit in “every good work.” Let’s be wise in our walk and in our witness. Somebody’s watching you.

Paul prays for the Colossians in this chapter, in regards to bringing forth fruit with their spiritual knowledge, as we should be praying for the church today in the same regard, however, the key of these verses is to understand that it speaks of a specific knowledge, the word of God and the knowledge of His will for our lives. Apply what they had been taught; it is about the knowledge that we receive or we obtain through teaching, as well as the “daily” study and practicing of His Word, so that we can be found walking worthily of the Lord; deservingly, respectably, pleasingly in His sight, and where we find can strength, peace, and joy to endure while walking. Also, always giving our best and in with the right spirit because even a good work or a good word can be fruitless, if it’s done with the wrong motive or the wrong attitude. We have to be fruitful in every good word and work, it should all be good. We cannot and must not be fruitful in some works and fruitless in others. Matthew Henry says, “that good words won’t do without good works.” This is a truism both naturally and spiritually and very timely, even for the church today. How could that possibly work together? Sowing good seed is a must, not an option.

It is imperative that we get this embedded in our spirit that God is fully deserving of our commitment, our time, our reverence, and always our best. We should be found walking and talking in excellence. We should be pleasing at all times in His sight; not just on Sunday where we can be seen of men. We should be found increasing our knowledge for our walk, building our most holy faith and our relationship with Him; learning more about Him and His plan for our lives. God is trying to get us to a place in our walk so that we can share this good news, as well as His love and His joy that is so freely given. We didn’t (or couldn’t) do or say anything special to even be considered for such a great inheritance. Jesus paid the price for us to be able to have the opportunity to walk and sit in heavenly places. We should certainly want to work and walk worthily of such an admirable commission that was so graciously given to us.

Let’s be found walking, talking, breathing, and working in excellence for an Inheritance that is worthy of our best. Think of how pleasing that would be to the One is who worthy of our best.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

In them indeed is the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear, hear but never grasp and or understand; and you shall indeed look, look but never see and perceive. For this nation's heart has grown fat and dull, and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, yet, in case they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn; I should heal them.
Matthew 13:14-15 (Amplified)

I have to admit that I am sometimes amazed by those who are professing to know Christ but are living a life less than what is available to them. Look at it this way; it’s like having a gift, yet never opening the package to see its content or see what you’ve been given freely.

To be convinced means to be influenced or persuaded; to make someone sure or certain of something, or to believe or to be certain. Yet, we hear these phrases from those who are perhaps convinced but not converted, “I am confident that it’s real and as soon as I get my life together or really, it does not take all of that?" Then there are those who are faithful, but not converted and they might say, "I am touched by the eloquent and beautiful words of the Pastor, didn’t he truly preach today or he certainly brought a word or ooh, church was so good today.” Many are influenced by the Word but are not fully utilizing or practically making use of what’s been heard to their benefit or to their advantage. Being converted after being convinced is the part we need to grasp. Converted means to change something from one character, form, or function to another, or be changed in character, form or function or to adopt new opinions or beliefs, or someone who has chosen a new way of life or a new set of beliefs. This one speaks to me and brings II Cor 5:17 to mind, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We have got to get this in perspective and how it was intended for us.

This entire chapter, Jesus’ relays His message in parables and helps to put things in perspective. Although it’s a "natural" meaning and they literally understood the parable, they did not understand its "spiritual" significance. Jesus then gives the disciples a reason as to why he uses this type of instruction to get His point across. He wanted them to understand that the Kingdom truths and principles were to be received, believed, communicated, and taught as such, so that even those who were intentionally inconsistent with right and wrong, corrupt, easily swayed, manipulated, and molded; or better yet, those who thought in their foolish minds that they knew and understood it all. However, in verse 15, Jesus tells them that just in case they do see and understand their condition, their present state of mind and turn from it (II Chronicles 7:14), get their heart right, they would live, He would pardon, sanctify and heal then and He would save them. There was a healing for their soul if they wanted it. I love that God is a God of second chances!

So many of us today, are living beneath our privileges, we are convinced that Jesus is real on Sunday or when it’s convenient to call on His name, but we have yet to become converted fully into the body of Christ. We hear the Word, we hear the Word, we hear the Word, yet the Word is not applied to its greatest extent for life in our everyday living. We do just enough to get by but just enough is not good enough. Like in those times of Jesus, we see and we hear but we closed our eyes to the whole truth and reject the divine teaching of the Word. We sometimes won’t accept what we don’t understand. The scripture says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). It is imperative that we understand and with that we will begin to see and to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to us as we read and study the Word (II Tim 2:15). I love what it says in verse 16 and it brings it all together, "blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears, for they hear." When we come to the realization of the Word, we come understand it for our life and conversion begins to take place. We’ll begin to live the life that was meant to be lived. We’ll experience "life" when the application of God’s Word is in full effect. We’ll see God do some amazing and wonderful things for us, through us and because of us. My Word tells me that in His presence is fullness of joy!

I am not only fully convinced and converted, but persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8: 38-39).

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; I John 4:7

What a wonderful way to start the week, with love on our mind. While driving this weekend, I noticed all the vendors with their love wares and I began to think not only about Valentine’s Day, but about the love of God which surpasses all knowledge or understanding. We cannot even begin to comprehend the kind of love that God shows us, because God is love. Only a God that is love could possibly be the example we can pattern our lives after but knows how to give us the perfect love day.

Here’s the fact of the matter: He loves us continually and unconditionally, and everyday is a love day, full of love songs, full of happiness and joy. The love He has for me makes me feel like I am the only girl in the world. He showers me daily with His love, His gifts, and His favor and little surprises and I love how He loves me. He is amazing in His care for me; He assures me that all of my needs will be met and that I will want for nothing. He told me that He would withhold no good thing from me if I walk upright before Him and that every one of His gifts are good and perfect that He sends me from above (James 1:7). Who wouldn’t want a love like this?

Most would ask, “What kind of love is this?” Well, I’d tell you that this is the love you can only get from God and because God is love (I John 4:19), He shows us how to love, how we should love one another; do and be for one another, married or not, especially, if you say you know and love God. If we are going to be like Him, then we have to love like Him, not just on one designated day out of the year that was made-up by man but at all times. When we love, we have to get us out of the way and love with the love of the Lord, despite the faults, regardless of the shortcomings, in spite of the imperfections, flaws and mistakes we see in others. Just like God continues to love us with all that is “us” even on a good day! Thank God for His mercy and grace, and love, amen?

Let’s love as God loves, even though we are a mere reflection of that love, very small indeed compared to who He is, yet, striving to be as loving as Him. Let’s build on the foundation of who He is and how He loves as we continue in our walk in Christ.

Remembering that everyday is a love day with God!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62:5

I have been in an expectant mode for quite some time; in an anticipatory way; in the expectation that something interesting, exciting, and extraordinary will happen everyday. I am beginning to see many things promised come to fruition, along with some extra special additives that were unexpected and it’s moving and exhilarating. It keeps me full of energy and with much enthusiasm and with such a sense of purpose that I’m able to get things going and get things done. I continually stand in awe of the omnipotence of God.

My soul waits expectantly from the Lord. Yet, understanding that we cannot just sit around waiting but must be found working while we wait, being silent before Him in prayer, and listening but most importantly, resting and wrapping ourselves up in Him while we wait. We have to commit to fully trusting, and giving over all into His hands. Believing and trusting that He will do just as He said He would do. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises and He is not a man that He should lie. Man will not always keep his word, even when he says that he will. God will never fail you; wait only on Him.

David encourages himself by making up in his mind to wait patiently on the Lord. He knew that God was his source of hope, his refuge in time of trouble, his place of safety in every circumstance. So he tells us that his soul, waits only upon God and his expectation comes from Him and that his soul would yet be calm and without fear or anxiety. David understood that his hope was in God and that he would not rely on man or himself. He was confident that only God could and would.

We have to be encouraged and live as David did, in hope and in expectation that God is the author and finisher of our faith in all things; that He is our deliverer, our refuge, our strength, and that whatever we are facing, whatever circumstance or situation, He is our only hope. When all else fails, when our finances and resources have been exhausted and when you have no earthly man that can or will help; when you’ve tried everything else and all else fails, God will still be there, waiting and willing because He will never leave nor forsake us; for He is our only hope, our very present help in the time of need.

Wait upon the Lord, wait expectantly; for my soul, oh God, waits on you only.

Until the morning, be blessed!
Cynde

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV

I appreciate the Lord and how He allows me to “see” in situations and circumstances with clarity now, whether it's immediately or sometime later. How it relates at times, why it relates; when it connects or what is relevant or not. Because we are human, we sometimes get off track. We think too much and with our heart, we base our emotions. There are many things that are vying or contending for our heart, because this is the center of control for us and our life.

This morning, I had the opportunity to sit in court, while awaiting the judge for a ticket wrongly sent because of the city’s faulty and imperfect equipment; clearly understanding that the man or woman who reviewed the photos didn't know about the faulty equipment nor could they see it in the photos. Since the court system is new to me and I was irritated by the lack of respect for the people attending court. The signs were posted that the court opens at 8:30 am, although the doors swung opened closer to 8:45. Employees dragging in with food and coffee, along with the hustle and bustle of unpreparedness for their daily routine assignments exhibiting tardiness, slothfulness, attitudes, lack of concern and a look of being annoyed. Not to mention, there were definitely some with control issues and yes, all were officers of the court. The judge, old and gray, finally came in cranky and snappy at 9:45. I was wowed by the drama before me and kept thinking this is our justice system. I could feel myself wanting to complain, and my heart and mind had spun off into a whirlwind as I sat there observing. However, fortunate for me, God sent a young man to sit down next to me; he smiled and spoke. He then began to do some idle talking and then handed out bookmarks that spoke of Christ. He asked me minutes later if I had patience along with a look to accompany the question. I told him yes, I do, but patience was not the issue at the moment. Yet, his words helped me instantly to get my heart and mind back on track and not allow other people’s issues to disturb my peace or the person I am in Christ. The scripture tells us, “and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). I patiently waited as the morning progressed with the joy of the Lord that really is my strength and my strong tower.

We live in a world full of imperfections, equipment that won't operate correctly, and folks with issues and character flaws. There is only peace and perfection in Christ and we must strive for that. We must realize that we will not be perfect till we reach heaven. Until such time, we must guard our hearts and allow it to guide and direct all that we do and in every situation, circumstance or setting. Every word that proceeds out of our mouth starts in the heart (Matt 15:18). All of our actions and choices are made there first. Our heart is the source and center of our emotional life; it’s where the deepest and sincerest feelings are found and where we are most vulnerable to pain, hurt and harm. When your heart hurts you experience pain like none other.

This scripture teaches us that the heart is the control center; our life is a reflection of our heart. Our heart is the well from which all the issues of life gush forth and because the heart is our storage for of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects our life and shapes our character. We have to set our hearts on things above and not set them upon the things of this earth. Keeping our heart and mind, keeps our relationship in alignment with the Lord. Our relationship with Him is important and significant for our growth as His children. Therefore, we must diligently guard our hearts and watch over them. Our hearts should follow hard after the things of God so that we don’t get easily distracted by the things of the world.

Let's encourage one another and remind each other, as the young man unknowingly did this morning for me to guard my heart and mind, to live a life of faith, as well as remembering that He will keep us in perfect peace, if we keep our mind stayed on Him (Is 26:3), also remembering that we serve the one true and living God who is in control of all things, even in the courtroom.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Genesis 12:1-2

Covenant, agreement, sacrifice, commitment, and faith; this scripture speaks volumes in regard to these words and about a man called to move out of his country, out of his familiar surroundings and obey the voice of God.

Abraham, like some of us, was not raised in the greatest of homes or environments. God may not have been the focal point, yet, when Abraham he was called (at age seventy), he not only believed God but trusted Him enough to follow Him and His word by faith. He had now faith. Now faith is faith in action; faith that gets up and move; faith that is willing to obey and leave everything behind to journey to an unknown land; come out of our comfort zone, out of our familiar surroundings and have faith that trusts God’s purpose for our life. Even though Abraham could not see it or understand it, he yet moved as God instructed. For we walk by faith and not by sight.

Just as Abraham heard the voice of God, we have to know when He is speaking to us as well. We have to know that when God says, “Move or go, to a place that I will show you”, we have to be willing to move, whether locally or to a land that we do not know. It is in our obedience and in our “yes” that God begins to bless and you’ll begin to see with the natural as God begins to shift, align and change things on your behalf. Also, like Abraham, new life begins when by faith we trust God's Word. Before we (and Abraham), can accept the promises of God, we have to first believe that God is. The scripture says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Psychology taught me that something positive follows a desired response and acts to encourage desired behavior; which tells me that it will be worth my efforts if I diligently seek the Lord by faith; reinforcing that I am walking in the benefits of God because of my obedience to His word. Can I use a phrase from the young people, “it’s like that?” Yes, it’s just like that.

Abraham's life was changed the minute he said yes. His faith and his trust in God were in action. God is no respecter of persons; what He did for Abraham then, He will do for us now. All God requires is a yes, as well as a willing and obedient spirit. Look at how Abraham's life was changed, just for acting upon God's word. His faith and trust in God set him on a new course for his life; he would become a blessing not only to his family but for people and many generations to come.
It is the same for us who believe and walk in faith; trusting in God's word for our lives. Having that now faith; faith that is moving, breathing and walking in action. We must know that God has called us to a greater purpose and that it is more than just a Sunday affair. He wants us to move from faith to faith and from strength to strength. He desires to see us on the path of service, because we are called to serve. Not to just sit idle and watch from the pews; doing just enough (we think) to get by or comfy in our titles and positions. God is not concerned with those things. What happened to, “I must work the work of Him who sent me, while it is day” (John 9:4) or are we only reading the words in red as just being words spoken by Jesus? I think not, He said, “greater works than these shall we do (John 14:12).” God has purpose for our life. Like Abraham, He wants us to exercise some now faith, putting our faith in action, faith that is going to get up and get busy.

Our lives are changed once we receive the call, so that we can in turn help change lives. You can not accept the call without accepting what goes with it (Rom 1:3-6; 8:28-30). Someone needs to hear our faith story, it may not be as eventful as Abraham's story but it is still a testament of faith. God’s plan for our lives is that we love Him, He intended us to be of service to the body of Christ and to lost souls as we move by faith in Him; go in faith with Him; be in faith for Him.

We are living in a time where we have got to have some “now faith!” The Kingdom of God and souls are at stake. We don’t have time to squander or wonder, no time for thinking, analyzing or questioning … when God says, Go… just go! There is not only a blessing for you, but you will be a blessing to others.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

… a fragrant odor of an offering or sacrifice which God welcomes and one in which He delights. Phil 4:18 Amplified

I have been thinking of late, how wonderful and pleased the Lord is when we are not only aligned with His word but also with His will. How everything we experience and the things that occur in our lives are for our growth, as well as our good. Naturally, as parents we watch as our children come into themselves and we observe their growth based on our training, teaching and leading. We see their potential even when they don’t see or understand it yet and we hope that they will grow in the ways they've been taught. We also know that in order to grow there will be circumstances of life that must happen that will affect growth or could possibly stifle growth. However, it is important to remember that it’s our response and our handling of those circumstances that determines our growth spurts or development. Some of which, we won’t be able to shield them from so that this natural process can take place. This also applies to our spiritual life.

Last year, I had the pleasure of hosting a two day conference on the great Queen Esther. The first workshop was entitled “Created for Purpose.” It told of the early beginnings in the life of Esther; her upbringing, her teachings, her grooming, and her preparation for purpose. While studying, I found some interesting background information on Esther’s name that excited me so that I knew it was a must share for the workshop; this revelation, this nugget that we could apply to our journey with the Lord.

Esther’s Jewish name was Hadassah, which derives from the word “myrtle.” Myrtle is a type of tree whose leaves only release their beautiful fragrance when they are crushed. You pull a leaf off the branch and crush it between your fingers and the sweet smelling aroma is released. I want you to meditate on that for a moment and think about how the word crushed is defined; as to press or squeeze with a force; to pound and force out or to extract: to apply by pressure forcibly or strongly: to overwhelm with confusion, chagrin, or humiliation, as by argumentation or a slighting action or remark; squelch; to oppress grievously.

Sometimes, we will be put in situations or circumstances that may feel as if we are being crushed, or pressured, broken and burdened. But, it’s during this process that we begin to release that fragrance that God desires; a sweet smell unto His nostrils, one of which He is well pleased. Why, because we are created for purpose; because it is necessary for the building of our character, for the preparation of God’s desired effect in us and our growth. I hope you catch that in your spirit today. It’s compared to being tried by the fire, after the fire burns off all the dross, you then begin to see the shine (I Peter 1:7)! It is at those times when begin to understand why we have been created, and how our unexpected strengths come forth. We watch a transformation take place not only in us as the fragrance releases but in turn, it also releases us into a statue of power, of strength and of faith. We then begin to think about being created for God’s purpose. We begin to come to the realization of who we are and whose we are and that all things are working together for our good and for our growth. When we understand the wisdom and the authority we possess on both the natural and the spiritual level, we will be a force to be reckoned with.

Realization will cause us to renew our fervor and zeal for God, our passion for ministry. We will be determined to run all the way. We will be motivated and driven to seek out God’s purpose for our life; we will learn to face adversity, make hard decisions because we know that God is counting on us to succeed. In verse 19 it says, “And my God will liberally supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” He has already made the provisions liberally it states. We need only to walk in it.

Esther was created for purpose - an instrument for God. God also wants us to be an instrument to be used for His glory. It’s in our willingness to obey, our willingness to get prepared so that He can position us for our appointed time; allowing God to crush us until the fragrance that He desires is expelled. Imagine what God could do if we would just surrender all to Him.. Imagine the work we could accomplish for the Kingdom if there was no more I … but you Lord!

Esther didn’t even know her potential; she didn’t even know her worth until she was under pressure, yet she had been in the process of getting prepared all along. But God knew -- God set Esther up, an unlikely, unknown candidate to become the great and woman of royalty she was, He gave her unmerited favor naturally and spiritually. So many of us we don’t realize our potential, or the power we possess, or we are still living beneath what God has predestined for our lives. Esther was strategically, deliberately, tactically, and purposely placed for such a time and God is trying to do the same in us… for such a time as this. Let God do a work in us; molding, shaping, prepping, and crushing, so that we are releasing a beautiful fragrance and sending up that sweet fragrance to God’s nostrils; He will be well pleased!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. Psalm 93:1 (ref: Psalm 93)

We are living in tumultuous times; times where the world is growing increasingly hostile. People seem to be on wits end; killing, stealing and destroying is common daily news. Folks are noisy and unrestrained, confused and agitated, emotional and chaotic, as well as riotous and disorderly. Now, more than ever before, we must find ourselves as the scripture says, “abiding in the shadow of the Almighty” where we can find rest for our souls; regroup, recharge and reload and then get back out on the field. I don’t know about you but I can barely catch my breath before it's “something or someone” else to deal with. As mentioned before, the enemy is coming hard and coming fast, and taking folks down and some out. We have to know that we are on the Lord’s side; come what may. We are going to get wounded, battered and bruised; we will need to build on our most holy faith (Jude 1:16-25) and cloth ourselves as Paul told the Ephesians, “put on the whole armour of God” because there will be lots of fiery darts thrown our way.

David reminds us that the Lord rules and governs. He is in control and has all power. He is the sovereign God and He reigns supreme! Who is liken unto our God? There is no other; His splendor and His authority is magnificent and complete. His majesty cannot be compared with any other. He has surrounded, clothed and covered us with His strength. He has enabled and equipped us to go forth and do the work. The Lord is higher than the noise of the world. We have to find ourselves so wrapped and enveloped in Him until we have shut out the noise and can only hear His voice; telling us when to move, where to go and how to handle every situation according to His divine perspective, guidance, and leading and certainly, not our own because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not thoughts. God is our strategic leader, so we need to follow Him, especially since He can see the situations and the circumstances afar off and plans accordingly.

Surely, if He has established the foundations of the world, if His placements are sure, and cannot be moved or shaken, how much more will He provide, protect and cover us; those who are called according to His divine purpose. We have to know that the Lord, who is strong and mighty, can and will keep us even through our most trying of times and when our faith is on trial; He, whom we have not seen, yet we love, in whom, though now we see Him not, we yet believe and rejoice with an unspeakable joy (I Peter 1:7-8). The majestic God, the God who covers and clothes us with what we need at all times, faithfully.

Continue to stand fast and stand firm in Him; be assured today that we are clothed and covered with the majesty and the strength of the Lord.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16

I have a couple of things this morning, first, I purchased the Book of Eli, some time back and decided to open and watch it last night (for the umteenth time). I love to revisit movies to see if I missed any little hints to the story or messages that might have taken place. You’ll always notice things that you didn’t see in the previous times watched. Afterward, I prepared to settle in for the night and began to listen to a message. During the preached word, I was jotting down notes and several scriptures were being given, but this one came back to my remembrance this morning because it spoke to me and it is in line with what I’m experiencing presently. It wasn’t until minutes ago that I thought about the movie, the message and this scripture and how each relates to the other for me today.

For those who’ve not seen the movie, it is a story of man who has been walking for 30 years with a book, a book that he had been entrusted with and has been given instructions to take the book west. That is all the information he has and he goes because that it what he was told to do. I don’t know and it doesn’t say where he started from or why it took so long to walk this path to his destination. Eli recognizes that the experiences of the journey and the lessons of the journey gave him wisdom and insight along the way as he traveled. He read from the book every night for the 30 years it had been in his possession. Eli met with opposition, trials, and the enemy along the way but it didn’t stop him and it didn’t deter him from the path, the journey, or his mission. Nearing the end of the story, we find out that Eli was blind; the book he had in his keep was the Holy Bible, and it was in Braille. He also had not only read but meditated upon the Word day and night; he hid it in his heart and was able to quote verbatim, word for word, the King James version of the Bible when he arrived at the place where God had sent him. Mission accomplished.

What a beautiful depiction of a story of blind faith. For we walk by faith and not by sight. Going, though we don’t see; moving, yet, we can’t envision; traveling, not knowing our destination; but trusting because we believe. This truly gives meaning to, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being;” We simply cannot live without His leading or His guiding in our life.

Most times, we won’t know where the Lord is leading or how He is leading because He will just say, go. We rely on the fact that He knows what’s best for us as we travel on this journey. We have to trust that the path He has set for our lives and follow accordingly. Blessings follow, go before and await the obedient servant. We don’t have need to see, just believe by faith that God has made provisions for us; everything we need to accomplish His purpose, everything done according to His way and His will, so without a doubt it's perfect. He has and will equip us with the necessities to make the journey. In verse 5, it says, “Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:” Surely, if He has created the heavens and spread forth earth and gave breath to us and His Spirit so that we might walk, live, and be; then I know He is able to lead us into His purpose, if we allow Him.

The verse tells us “By a way that they knew not.” Meaning that whatever path the Lord has purposed for our lives, He is able to guide us and lead us to do the work His has called us to do. With this, we can have total trust and faith in what we cannot see, yet, whose voice we hear, and obey. If He can lead and guide the blind naturally, surely, He is capable of leading us. For His word says that He will never leave nor forsake us. If we thought about how God has led and guided us strategically to where we are, gently nudged us on the way that we should go, we would realize that we have been led in the way all along and that He has never failed us yet. Perhaps we got in the way, let things distract us, hold us up, deter us or we willingly got off the beaten path because that is not the way we would have chosen, the Lord is still right there waiting for us to get back on course.

Today, let the Lord guide and lead us on the path that He has chosen. Let's hear His voice, pick up the book, read it daily, meditate on it (Joshua 1:6-8) and follow as He leads. He is calling for us to go, for such a time as this. He has already made the provisions for us to go, in fact, He has made the perfect provisions just for you!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde