Look upon mine affliction and my pain; Psalm 25

Yesterday, while resting, I had the opportunity to hear a phrase that made me hold my heart and say, “Oooh.” It was a moment that would speak clearly to the heart of every woman watching. There was a woman scared to let go of her emotions and move forward in a relationship because of her past; it was filled with memories of previous hurts, pain, sorrow and distress. She’d experienced abuse both physical and emotional. At this point of her life, she was unwilling to reciprocate the love that was being offered freely to her. During a conversation and knowing her past, as an expression of love and in hopes of reaching her heart, the man tells her that he would “love her passed her pain.” I thought what a wonderful pulling of the heart strings and an effective way to bring about a healing and restore brokenness.

This applies spiritually to us today because God is in the healing and restoration business, from brokenness; shattered pasts, as well as damaged and destroyed relationships. He is the One who can without a doubt love you pass any and all hurts or pains you have encountered, past or present; whether they are emotional, spiritual or physical pain and afflictions. He has given us His “love manifesto” for life; for His Word is sure and it’s right. The Word gives us so many promises that we can take to heart; promises that we can stand on, promises that we can believe; for God is not a man that can lie (Num 23:19). He is God, our all in all, our hope for today and tomorrow. He tells us that He would never leave us nor forsake us. He is there for us through it all, we can depend on Him and His Word. Certainly, it would stand to reason that He is able to love us passed our pain; able to overtake; move through and ahead of our hurts. He is able to keep us and give us rest and peace regardless of all else that we can and will experience.

The heartfelt expression given by the young man was admirable and I love the concept naturally; if we could just get that in our spirit, it would help bring about healing and restoration to so many who need to know that love exists (I John 4:16). One reaching one… what an impression that would make for the Kingdom! However, no one can love us pass the pain like Jesus can. Even David knew that everything he was, was predicated on God. He knew that everything he wasn’t, God was. He knew God was where all of his hopes lied. We have to remember that no matter who has turned away from us or left us or who has hurt us, or who has been there or not been there for us, He is always right there, waiting with open arms. Keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee, O God (verses 20-21).

If you are scared to let go of emotions and move forward in life because of your past; if it is filled with memories of previous hurts, pain, sorrow and distress; if you’ve experienced abuse physically, emotionally, and spiritually and if in this point of your life, it keeps you from a love that is being offered freely... let me tell you today that Jesus can and will love you passed your pain! He is the way, the effective way to bring about a healing and restore brokenness for your soul.

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. Deuteronomy 33:27-29

I’m not sure about the time this morning, but I was awakened by what sounded like a sonic boom, only to get my bearings and realize the second time, that it was thunder. I’m sure that lightning was around somewhere since they hang out together. There are no words for what my heart does during these (unfamiliar to me in this capacity) occurrences, so I covered my head and I heard the words “in His arms.” Needless to say, I slept well the rest of the morning as the rain continued to fall. Sometimes, you’ll be given a word at the right time that is not only on time but comforting and consoling; giving you rest beyond measure. Bringing to memory that we must trust God in all things, great and small, no matter the issues or the circumstances we face. He is our refuge; it’s there we can find shelter from the storm, literally.

In this passage, the children of Israel were being blessed by Moses before his death and he reminds them, what a blessed people they were to God. He had made every provision for them, shown them through all of His wondrous and mighty acts since leaving Egypt. He held them in His arms every step of the way. Destroyed their enemy, provided, comforted, sheltered, and protected them. He was always with them and they were never alone. God had been given them every benefit of His mercy and grace. The children, “had it made” as we would say today; riding on easy street with no worries. He kept them from falling, as well as keeping them from being consumed by their enemies. He was always there and all God required was their love and obedience. Sounds simple doesn’t it. Well, the children of Israel might say different during the course of history.

Even today, as the people of God, He has made the same provisions for us. Said He’d never leave us nor forsake us. He will be there in our time of need; He will keep us from the snare of our enemy. He will keep us safe from harm and danger, an ever present help for us. One of my favorite passages is Psalm 91, where it speaks to hiding in the shadow of the Almighty and then if you drop down to verses 14-15 it says, “Because he (us) 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: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.” What a wonderful promise from Him to us. Like the children of Israel, God has afforded us that same love and refuge, and extended to us the same care and comfort, same shelter of protection from the enemy, and He is able to keep us from falling just as He did for them (Jude 1:24-25). We have a God who sits high and it looks low, seeing all, knowing all and concerned about all. He is never too far that we can’t reach Him. He is there in the midst of everything we face.

Let’s remember today that we are in His arms, we have the love and the protection of God, not to mentioned we are armed and dangerous (Morning Love, Feb 2010); against all odds – even thunder and lightning... we can put our trust and faith in God because He is our refuge and we our underneath His everlasting arms, safe and secure. Happy are we, amen?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7

Today, I am in awe once again at the ways the Lord loves me. How He speaks exactly to what I need to hear and when I need to hear it. He is just good like that. Oftentimes, there is so much going on that truthfully, I just want to steal away to a place where I can shut off my brain and not think and just rest. However, there is not a place where the Lord is not found, so wherever I choose to go to hide, He is there. I thank Him for being a hiding place when needed because it is there where I can find rest for my soul; it is there where I can find refuge, comfort and peace from the world and honestly, even myself.

The word for me over the past couple of weeks has been to rest and if by any chance you know me personally, you know that this is a hard thing for me. Even if I am physically resting, my mind is not, it's ever going, ever thinking, even when I’m asleep. Not because there are current or ongoing storms raging in my life but because it's just in my makeup... the thinker. God, in all of His wonderfulness has and is making every provision for me. I just sometimes need to be rescued from myself, my thoughts and the constant barrage of having to think through every little thing that concerns me.

David writes with the thought that he would be safe under the protection of God; being hidden, concealed or veiled from the enemy; a place of preservation from the trouble that sought him. If by chance you are in need of a hiding place, a place where you can feel safe and secure from the storms that may be raging in your life, I know that in God, there is a resting place (Ps 119:110-116). He is there waiting for you and me at all times. Always there in time of need, sheltering us from the storms of life and everything that it brings. David made it a point to tell us that God was his hiding place.

Today, I declare that thou art my hiding place, God. In you I can find a place where I can be surrounded with protection, safety and security and I know that I am safe; safe in your arms, safe from all (and myself) that would try and hinder me from resting in Him. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Ps 91:2-4); I'm going to be snuggled nicely under the shadow of the Almighty. In you Lord, I have a great hiding place where I can sing songs of praise, songs of gratitude, songs of deliverance, songs that fill the air with the joy of my salvation! Where is your hiding place?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! Lamentations 4:1-2

In my jewelry case, I keep a polish cloth, one side cleans away the impurities and the other is for polishing and making the jewelry shine. Whatever chemical the cloth possesses, is for the sole purpose of restoring my gold and silver. No matter what the elements of the air may bring or causes it to tarnish; or how it’s being kept affects the outward appearance, the cloth will restore it to its natural beauty. Keep that thought.

Jeremiah expresses so much grief, as well as mourning in the book of Lamentations for Jerusalem, yet, in spite of all and in the midst of everything that was going on, he still found comfort and hope in the God he knew and loved would hear his prayer and petitions. Simply, he believed God would restore Jerusalem in spite of themselves. This chapter speaks not only to the conditions of their siege during this time, but to the cause and the consequences of that siege. However, Jeremiah was confident that no matter how far the people had gone in their sin, and although there would be harsh consequences, he knew God was able to restore and that there was hope for Jerusalem. So, he pleads on their behalf and goes to God and cries out for them. Jeremiah, who like Jesus, does the same for us today, advocates on our behalf. The scripture says, The sons of Zion, the prophets and the priests can be compared to fine gold, how they are esteemed, respected, valued, and well regarded as men and how they had been shaped into products by the Master Potter, yet, they were responsible for ruining the nation with their sinful ways. Jeremiah explains the comparison in regards to all they have been given and who they were to God with the unacceptable and shameful behavior they were showing. Chastisement and punishment was necessary.

God has truly made us as precious vessels of gold, just as Jerusalem, so that we can be the esteemed, respected, and valued highly carriers of this great Gospel. He has taken the time to shape and mold us (if we allow Him), clean and polish us into His beautiful holy vessels. Vessels, that serve in many capacities, vessels that have been given many gifts, talents, and directives for the up building of the Kingdom and certainly for His glory. Even when we are disobedience, rebellious, and defiant, He is still right there to restore to us our shine through repentance. By grace we are forgiven, and by faith we are tried by fire. That keeps us cleaned and polished for His glory. The scripture tells us this, “that we may be found into praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ us” (I Peter 1:7); a little fire to burn off the dross, so that we can be found free from the things that bring down our value and cleanse us and with a little polishing, we are restored to our splendor. Remembering the thought: God being the polish cloth, one who cleanses away the impurities, as well as polishes and makes us shine. He possesses whatever is needed in Him for the restoring of us according toHis purpose. No matter what the elements (circumstances, situations, hardships, or turmoil, etc.) of the air may bring or causes us to tarnish; or how there will be things that will affects the outward appearance, the cloth can and will restore it to its natural beauty. Amen?

Praise God for His mercy and grace for as we are dulled sometimes by the process of life, He is still there to clean, polish and restore us to be the treasure in these earthen vessels. For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (2 Cor 4:7-10). For this is the purpose for which it is imperative to stay clean and polished!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8

This past week, I was amazed at the Word that went forth and the people that were chosen to deliver it during our yearly convocation. It was as if they were handpicked especially to transport messages from the heart of God. Truly, there was a rich, refreshing, and solid word going forth and certainly, it was much needed for this season. These men and women were getting down to the nitty gritty of things and not holding back; reminding us of who we are and to come up to where we are supposed to be in Christ, not only the call but for the purpose by which we’ve been called and to stand firmly on that which we say we are according to the Word. A personal favorite was a message entitled, “A Church without an Identity Crisis” and it came with comments such as, “we believe in God but we live like God doesn't exist” and “usually only when it’s convenient for us.” If you could have seen me as I watched these messages from my laptop, you would have thought I was a child in a toy store! The jumping and screaming in excitement at what I was seeing and hearing, as well as what I was experiencing. I faced little moments of realization all week and knew that I am more than happy to do God’s will, while also realizing that presently His law is within my heart.

Everyday, I am so excited about what God is doing in my life and what’s happening naturally and spiritually. I can feel the shift that is occurring within the body of Christ. I can hear this because it's being spoken nationally. Bless God! Not only has He allowed me to actually see in the natural but He is teaching me His perfect way in leaps and bounds; revealing, as well as enhancing that which I’ve been already been taught. I thank God for great foundational teaching which makes all the difference. I could go back and name names of the many that have sown into my life however, the point is to recognize the importance of getting to know God’s will through His Word and applying it accordingly to our lives while being delighted at the same time about what we have been afforded as the people of God.

We cannot allow ourselves to get so caught up in the vocation, the calling, the title, the profession, or the busyness of work that amounts to nothing that we forget about simply doing the will and the mission of God; getting back to the basics, getting back to what God intended according to His Word, according to His commission. It’s more that just a grateful and obedient devotion to God's service; it’s about having a delight, an enjoyment, a pleasure, a joy as you are in service to the Lord, not begrudgingly, but lovingly and willingly. Then we can actually serve better, be better and witness better when we view it better. What a joy it should be to be able to do God’s will; to have been chosen to carry His Word in our hearts and to preach and share righteousness in the congregation and beyond, and not have hidden nor concealed His lovingkindness within our hearts.

For God to know that I delight and take pleasure in doing His will because it gives me great joy and how wonderful it is to know that if He is joyful because He has found me doing what He has asked of me. He takes great joy in those who cheerfully, readily and without any hesitation to do his will. If I delight myself in Him, His will and His Word, there are benefits! The scripture says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” How wonderful is that to hear and needless to say, I'm just delighted!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts 2:24-28

If we take the time to really sit and think, we have so much to be thankful about, as well as grateful for. Just remembering how the Lord keeps us from moment to moment from dangers seen and unseen is a absolute reason to shout for joy. I know that sounds cliché-ish but we spurt out these words so frequently as a part of our daily language, without feeling or thought. When asked, we testify to others of how good the Lord had been to us, we tell of His wondrous works and His mighty acts in our lives. We say, I get joy when I think about what He’s done for me. What about that keeping that same joy for what He’s doing regardless of how it feels or looks or about to do and will do even when it seems bleak, hopeless, unpromising, and disheartening? We quote scripture to show our knowledge, whether or not we understand it or live it; but because it sounds good and frankly, to make us feel and look holy; wearing it as a badge of honor. Unfortunately, for many, it’s just a façade and not how we genuinely feeling because most times we live deceptive appearances; far from happy and far from the joy of the Lord that we say is our strength. Happy and holy on the outside and in turmoil on the inside. We shout in pain, we live in heartache, we work in discomfort, and we serve in hurt. This ought to not be among the righteous, among the upright, among the saints.

David is quoted in this passage as saying, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.” And remember David did not see the Messiah nor did he experience His presence in the flesh, yet he could speak with a certainty that the Lord is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope! That is belief speaking and faith standing. And as it should be for us who have had the opportunity to experience Christ because of the Pentecost; believed that He died and rose just for us. Those of us who have the Word of God as our help and our hope. We have to crucify that flesh and let it rest only in hope as David did. The Word makes mention of the ways of life, the how, the why, and the results of following on that path of righteousness. Yes, we are going to experience life, the Word is clear on that but it is also clear on how to stand even when you don’t know what to do and to rejoice always. In spite of all else, keep your joy. We have to know where our hope lies and not let it affect our joy. Psalm 16:11 (paraphased) tells us “Thou, O Lord will show me the path of life: in thy presence (operative phrase here) in His presence is fulness of joy, not worry, not doubt; for at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Evermore means forever and for always! This is still David speaking. Regardless of everything else he went through whether self inflicted or not, he still had joy. We must remember to stay in His presence, seek His face, but most importantly, get Jesus joy! It will make you stand by the words you say.

Let’s make it a point today that from this point forward, we will remember that the Lord has given us the words to life and for every circumstance and situation that may arise. No matter what it looks like, don’t let anything take your joy. Keeping in mind that it is only a trial of our faith (I Peter 1:7). Let’s walk in victory because we have already won. My pastor used to tell us to fast forward on the videotape of life, you’ll see, in the end, we win (I Cor 15:57-58; I John 5:4)!

When I think about all that Christ did to make the ways of life known to me, I am coloring myself joy! It's a vibrant, exciting, bright and hopeful color! Now go ahead and sing, "I get joy when I think about!"

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Psalm 33:1

Early last evening, I started singing a song entitled, “praise is comely.” What I love about the moment was that it was so befitting for what I was feeling in my spirit. Initially, my mind drifted into how praise is a significant part of who we are as believers. However, as I continued to sing and meditate, God began to shed another light on those words. He showed me in the natural, a spiritual revelation. Maybe you’ve already come into this realization but for me it was a fresh and exciting vision of loveliness! In that excitement, I immediately looked up the lyrics of the song and these are some of the words from the chorus, “Praise is comely, Lord, upon me, open my eyes so I can see how beautifully praises cover me.” This absolutely sealed the moment for me!

In the Ancient Hebrew dictionary, comely is listed as meaning decoration, glory, beauty, honor, glorious, bravery, or excellence. Being an artist with a vivid imagination, a visual came wondrously to mind. I saw how beautiful and eye-catching praise looked on us but most importantly, how pleasing it must look to God. I started to imagine how He sees us when we are adorned in praise; wrapped up in praises and wearing it as a garment. I envision, because I understand that praise is not only what we do but who we are, the upright swathed in beautiful swirls of praises; covered in the most brilliant of colors and exquisite fine fabrics of glory, honor, bravery and excellence, giving the appearance and the aura of His beauty, His magnificence, as His splendor surrounds us; a vision that not only shows the significance of praise but the beauty of praise on us. Revealing that praise is fitting and appropriate, as well as being strikingly radiant upon the righteous ... yes, praise is comely.

If we are wrapped in praises, it should come naturally for us to show forth His praise. Wrapped for every circumstance of life, as well as through the midst of our trials or tribulations. As I continued to read some the other words from the chorus, it stated that “when I'm weak, You are strong, praise carries me on.” Most definitely, David reminds us that he praised God no matter what his situation he faced and he tells us to do the same as we face life doing this journey. We must "bless the Lord at all times and let His praise continually be in our mouth." It may not be easy sometimes to get through certain adversities in life but keep a praise on your lips. Praise in the midst of all the certainties, uncertainties and the realities of life, no matter what’s going on, good and bad or indifferent because praise will carry us through.

While in our praise we are brought into the very presence of God. It is there where we can find an assurance that He is with us. Psalm 22:3 tells us, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest in the praises of Israel.” In other words, our God, who is a holy God, inhabits, lives, dwells, and resides in the praises of His people. When we praise God, we can be confident that He is in the midst of our praises. When we are wrapped in praises, it’s allows us to see who we are in God and who God is in us and in all of His glory. When we realize that praise fits every situation, ever circumstance, we will be able to rejoice in the Lord while clothed and dressed to be seen of the world and they will be drawn to see what is this aura of beauty, this magnificence and splendor that surrounds us.

As we visualize ourselves wrapped in praises today, help us Lord, to open our eyes so we can see how beautifully praise covers us!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph 3:16-20

I’ve been told that whatever is in your heart will eventually come out. However, this also tells me that your heart reveals most assuredly what’s rooted inside. Regardless of what your mouth may speak, if your heart isn’t in it, there will be no power, little, if any, effectiveness or validity in what you say. Case and point: I can tell you that I love you all day long but if love doesn’t stem from my heart or show in my actions, then it is all for naught. Nothing speaks love like that which comes from the heart. Don’t be fooled to think that others can’t tell when you are not sincere from your heart.

I love being reminded of how God, out of the very abundance of His heart, loves me. He’s told me, as well as shown me consistently, that He is love. From before time and before I was, He loved me. Not only does He love with an everlasting love but with a love that can be seen, felt and reached. His love comes boldly through His word, through the men and women of God in word and with tangible evidence of love and encouragement that speaks to our right now, so that we might be strengthen in the inner man, both spiritually and naturally. The word today lets us know by Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, we can become rooted and grounded in love, His love. It’s a blessing to be rooted and grounded in love and that it dwells in us for the sole purpose of flowing from us.

I’m grateful, as I think on the goodness of God and how He makes love provisions even when we can’t see the ways that have been made for us. His send a fresh new word that is alive and able to speak to any circumstance. Letting us know in an instance that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power, authority and influence of Christ that works in us!

The love of Christ, which passes all knowledge, is the love that I want flowing from my heart; this is the power that I want working in me. When you see me, I want you to see Jesus, when I speak words of life; I want you to hear Jesus coming from heart. Verse 18 in conjunction with 17 says, “that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend (which does not only mean to understand a thing but it also means to be included in something as a part of a larger whole; as in the body of Christ) with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. In other words, that the understanding and cohesiveness among us will be the absolute fullness, completeness and richness of God and that we will be able to transcend, which is to go above and beyond the limit, rise above all that He is in the extent, and the expansion, deepness, power, and strength of His love toward one another, as well as extending it to others outside the body of Christ (John 14:12). This is not only our commission, but a commandment, that we love one another as He has loved us.

Paul was telling the Ephesians that it was necessary and his desire for them would be that they were as firm in the love of Christ as a natural foundation. Love is our drawing factor, our calling card; our strength and our basic principle of which everything else is built. I thought about the familiar phrase, “on the solid rock I stand" with that rock being Jesus!

Let love be found flowing from our heart and not just for each other when convenient or just within the household of faith but let's extend it to those on the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that His house may be full. Because for by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God and because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended (endorsed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:2-8). Now that’s love!

Let’s strive to be the temple of God, firmly rooted and established in Christ. Letting love abide in our heart as Christ loves us and letting it flow as freely from us as it is given to us continuously!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde