I will praise thee, O thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I shew forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For thou has maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. Psalm 9:1-4

While reading through my emails, I stumbled across one that talked about the changing of time on our clocks during the weekend. Normally, during these seasonal changes we are inundated with one of these two phrases, “spring ahead” or “fall back.” In the midst of reading the email, the words fall back resonated with me because I have been under such an attack from the enemy that I began to think about them in regards to what had been going on. Sometimes, as my good friend tells me, we just have to "walk it out."

So, while meditating, there were so many things running through my mind. Lately, it seems as though I can't stop the floodgates from opening and the barrage of thoughts pouring in. I am constantly in battle with the enemy because he keeps bringing so many things to mind; harping on the same subject. He is relentless in his pursuit because he knows us all to well. He keeps up the reoccurrence of things that have upset us in the past, whether it was years ago or yesterday. You forget, he remembers and wants to make sure he brings it back to you often. It's like a scratched record where it continuously repeats over and over. Literally, I have to wrestle to get my mind back on track and not allow him to continue me down that road. He loves to overwhelm us with the things that keep will keep us vexed with the strongholds that keep us bound. I know and I am aware of the enemy and his tactics in regards to the mind games he plays and he has spent a great deal of time trying to keep me from rejoicing in the God of my salvation and concentrating on stuff that has absolutely no value; things that try and hinder me and distract me from moving forward. I will say this, he is definitely on his job and after coming to myself, realizing he is crazy to think that I don't know who I am in Christ, I am certainly going to be on my job. I'm done, son!

Many scriptures came to mind. I remembered David telling us in Psalm 27, when his enemies came upon him to devour him, they stumbled and fell. That scripture is and has been such an encouragement to me but today it came to life. I also remembered Peter saying, “be sober and clear headed, be vigilant and on guard; because your adversary, your enemy, the devil, is as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour, consume, overwhelm, and literally kill; who you need to resist with all persistence, being steadfast in the faith knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world. So, we should not be surprised when the enemy attacks and we should be on constant alert because we know he is lerking and waiting to ponce. If you have had an opportunity to read about the lion, you understand how he operates when he is stalking his prey and lying wait for the kill. The enemy has been stalking and walking about, wreaking havoc not only in my life but also in the lives of so many that I've talked to lately, doing whatever he can, whenever he can and however he can to try and scare us into a corner and be fearful; throw us off track or cause us to doubt God; trying to get us to give in or give up. Undoubtedly, his roar is loud and it can startle you initially but hold fast.

My response, in conjunction with the scripture for today, is that it’s not going to happen on my watch and the roaring lion is going to have to fall back, perish and die at the presence of the Lord. God is maintaining my cause, He has prepared me for purpose for such a time as this and I cannot allow the enemy to sidetrack me, not even for a second; not even when things haven't manifested as of yet. However, I will wait because God is in control and is still on the throne. I realize that it is imperative like never before that we stay rooted, grounded and saturated in God’s word; knowing His word, meditating on His word so that we can have total recall and speak the word continuously and with authority, The enemy is not playing with us and he aims to takes us out. Am I the only one experiencing this – because it is an all and all out war going on and we have to be ready and prepared for battle at all times (Eph 6:10-13). We are not fighting against flesh and blood! So be aware of who your enemy is and his tactics in your life. The scripture also tells us that we are not ignorant to the devices of the enemy, so resist him at all costs with boldness.

The message that David writes for our encouragement in this psalm is that the plan or intended achievements of evil are only temporary, because in the end, only the righteous will endure. He lets us know that we can continue to rejoice and sing praises regardless of what is going on; no matter how the enemy rears his ugly head, no matter the circumstances he tries to create. There are no weapons that form that will prosper against us… why? Because God is for us and our enemies must bow, they must fall back at the very name of Jesus! Stand with confidence because your very life depends on it. For this is the reason we give Him thanks and as David said, “with our whole heart.” Telling others of how wonderful He is and how He keeps the enemy at bay –When we call upon the Lord, He hears and answers our call. That causes us to say, "I will give thanks to you, Lord, and I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, Oh Most High. My enemies will fall back; they will stumble and perish before you and for you. Oh God, you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting and crowned as the righteous judge. Thank you for I know that I already have the victory!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

… a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; Ecclesiastes 3:7

I thought about a very old and familiar catch phrase “silence is golden” when the Lord dropped this title in my spirit. It derives from a proverbial expression that dates back to ancient Egypt (they say). It was often used in circumstances where the thought was “saying nothing is preferable or more desirable to speaking.” I would be inclined to agree in most circumstances because there are some instances in which we should just keep silent.

I remember always hearing as a young girl that “if you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say anything at all.” I tried to keep hold to that mantra while growing into my adulthood because given my personality, the bold and the brazen, keeping my mouth shut would sometimes prove to be a task within itself (thank God for Jesus!). I can hear my grandmother saying, “Jane, keep your mouth shut, and don’t say a word!” Honestly, even though I was listening, sometimes I was just not able to do so and my mouth would run amok. I was very passionate and outspoken about the issues of life, racial injustices, color barriers, and so many other things we faced in that time, which was the late 60’s in Kentucky. But given the growth, wisdom, maturity, and a whole lot of Holy Ghost, I’ve learned there is value in silence—depending on the occasion and depending on the moment. Sometimes, it’s best to stay silent rather than say something that will cause friction or discord or saying something that you will regret later... because words are irretrievable. So yes, again I say that in some circumstances, silence can be golden.

We are living in a time where it is imperative that we understand we must speak a word in or out of season (2 Tim 4:2). It’s always appropriate for us to use Godly wisdom before we speak in any given situation or circumstance. It is vital and equally as important that we use that wisdom to know how to speak, what to speak, and when to speak in order for God to get the glory and not us (Psalm 39:2). These are times when it becomes hard to keep silent, especially when we are seeing the injustices, unfair treatment and the wrongdoers of the world. Everyone out for themselves, saying whatever they want and whenever they want. Surely, we cannot sit idly by and not speak; we must get involved. We cannot hope and pray that things will go away or let someone else handle it or perhaps think that this is not my issue. It becomes true even more so when we experience it inside the church and among the very people who say they love God yet have their own agendas. I believe the latter part of Timothy is clear when it says to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. And over in Titus 2 it says, but speak thou the things which become sound doctrine and sound speech, that cannot be condemned and these things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. We need to be about it. What do we think Jesus would say if we aren’t about the work He has called us to do? Well, silence then is not so golden when we are looking at it in this context of “saying nothing is preferable or more desirable to speaking.” Really? What about our voice? Who will take the stand? What about the power we say we possess as God’s mouthpieces and His vessels? We can’t rightfully restrain it and we certainly should not suppress it when it becomes the time to speak for the glory and the honor of God. We have to make God's people accountable so that the ministry does not suffer (2 Cor 6:3-7).

I think about how in this stage of my life, I am still very passionate and outspoken especially when it pertains to the things of God. I don’t believe that my grandmother would tell me to keep my mouth shut now. In the world of technology, with all of the various mediums we have at our disposal, we can have a voice to convey what God (not us) has given us to relay to His people. Now, I can write it, speak it, blog it, text it, email it or tweet it (and believe me I am). This good news is so wonderful that you cannot contain it and you just can’t keep it to yourself especially, when you want to uplift, enlighten or encourage; but even moreso for the correction, instruction and edification of God’s people. These are times when we have to stand up and declare the righteousness, the faithfulness, and the lovingkindness of God (Psalm 40:8-10). This is my time to speak and certainly for me right now, silence is not always so golden!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. John 4:28-29

On two different occasions, in two different cities and from two entirely different people, I heard verbatim, these three words, “He saw me.” Certainly, if you know anything about me, you know I believe that nothing is by happenstance. So, when I heard these words for the third time, it struck a chord in me. I knew that it was a word that needed to be shared because the words had been in my spirit for awhile. It blessed me mightily to hear them again and I could have thrown a book at my instructor because she kept repeating the words. The more she repeated the words, the more power they evoked. They begin to take shape and form in my head and I started to excited. As she spoke and went through the motions dramatically, I realized the words were apart of her testimony and as she continued, I then realized they coincided with what I had been thinking of in terms of writing. It brought everything to life for me and I felt the words as they penetrated my heart.

First, let me start off by saying that I love how John writes specifically to the purpose of bringing his readers to a spiritual life, a spiritual awakening if you will, through belief in the person and the work of Jesus. He does an excellent job in writing this very familiar story within the gospel. He illustrates a beautiful story of a Samaritan woman who comes to get water but meets Jesus instead. Although she had not a clue that this was about to be, her day. This story has many facets and great nuggets. If we look back in the history of a people, we would have to touch on certain points in order to get the gist of what is about to take place. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews; Jewish travelers would take the long detour around Samaria to avoid contact with them because they considered them to be dogs; the Jews had no dealings with them and lastly, the Jewish men did not speak to women in public. So, this day, like any other day, she was not trying to be seen and nobody was trying to see her!

However, Jesus decided to take a direct route because He said that it was necessary and he had a need to go through Samaria. Not only did He strategically plan this journey but it was a timely consideration for ministry’s sake. Jesus makes no mistakes. Everything He did (and does)and everywhere He went was calculated; done with careful and thoughtful deliberation as led by the Spirit of God. This day, he was at that well on purpose for purpose. He went specifically to see her, this Samaritan woman, a woman whose only thought was to get water from the well and get back home.

Tired, weary and hungry by the journey, Jesus sits by the well and waited. It was about noon when the woman came to draw water and he asked her for a drink. Can you see her face and can you imagine her being in shock, yet probably also very intrigued? Wondering who is this person who’s willing to talk to me? Someone who is not avoiding me; someone who actually sees me, a woman of Samaria; a person that the Jews have no dealings with? Not to mention, He should not even be talking to me. I can hear Jesus saying to her, I'm talking to you because I see you. I see where you hurt, I see your pain, I see your frustration, I see your heartache, I see you. When you cry at night, I see you. When you are emotionally distraught, I see you, when you are alone and lonely, I see you. When you think you are on your last leg and you can’t go any further, I see you. When you are at your lowest point, I see you. I see where you are and I will meet you right where you live.

Jesus being who He is, knows how to grab hold of an opportunity and seize the moment – He proceeds to tell her about the living water and then brings her story closer to home. He gently, but wisely tells her about her life and exposes her. Why, because Jesus wanted her to know that when nobody else sees you, I see you. His willingness to grant favor and mercy caused Him to wait for this Samarian woman. He already knows all and sees all because He is Omnipresence. Wherever we are – He’s there. The scripture says that his eye is in every place (Proverbs 3:15). He didn’t condemn her but showed mercy – NOT only releasing but relieving her of her emotional baggage, her pain and stress from the life she was leading. It caused her to leave her waterpot and run to tell others about this man, the Messiah, who saw her and knew all about her life.

As I think back over my life and remember where I was when Jesus in all of His mercy, in all of His glory was waiting for me by the well in 1988. In a backslidden state, He saw me - I wasn’t trying to go back to church after being hurt, disillusioned by the church folks; tired of ritualistic and religious processes of the church. But God in His infinite wisdom, already saw my pain, He already saw my hurts, He already saw my issues and already knew my story. In spite of all that I had been through and done—He saw me. He established a connection with me that day and spoke supernaturally into my life told me I am the Lord that heals thee – I am the Lord that will make the crooked places straight, I am the Lord who supplies all your needs, I am the God of your salvation… I am the God who will restore You. He renewed my mind, restored my heart and gave me rest for my weary soul. Jesus knows all about us -- He can help us understand ourselves – so that we can see ourselves as He does.

Once Jesus established a connection with the Samaritan woman, He began to communicate with her. He spoke supernaturally into her life which broke through the condemnation of the past and the negatives of her background. He looked past the sinful heart of a woman to see a soul that needed Him to meet her at the well – where there was mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. He saw her. He knows exactly where you are and what you need... trust me, He sees you today!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty waves of the sea. Psalm 93:4

There was a conversation that took place regarding those who are professing to know God but essentially, were missing the mark on so many levels, as well as the various aspects in the teaching of God’s people without the Spirit of God that gives understanding, interpretation and revelation. After hearing an assortment of thought processes and listening to how the Word was taken out of context, misconstrued and misinterpreted to fit and meet lifestyles, it saddened and disturbed me greatly.

There were so many points that were just not biblically sound. Although, one would believe that it was, based on the setting and the caliber of people involved. Unfortunately, I was not in a position to speak in this setting but several passages came to mind while listening. Paul spoke to this very point in Corinth specifically. He told the people about the things we speak and how they should not be in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but that which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual, and the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2).

As I continued to listen, it was foolishness and made to sound deep and profound. Clearly, a ploy to impress those who had not studied to show themselves approved unto God and could not rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:14-15). It began to sound like whah, whah, whah, whah, whah; just a constant barrage of words; words of no value, just noise. Chattering, annoying sounds that amounted to nothing. If we were to look at the word noise, it’s defined as a course of sound, mostly loud, irritating and unwanted; also defined as disturbances, racket, clamor, clatter, uproar and commotion; or idle talk. Yes, this is what I was experiencing! And I wanted to say loudly, please, just be quiet!

Even though I could hear the sound of their voices, I begin to hear the Lord speak above all of it. It was as if He turned the volume down and totally changed the dynamics of what I was hearing and thinking. A teaching moment for me. As I considered what was being said in the scripture used today, it began to speak to me in such an insightful way that I was enamored by its words and began evaluating different commentaries to get background as to why David was writing this passage regarding the noise of many waters. He was saying in essence that God is mightier and more powerful than the noise of many waters, not to mention that He is able to control them. He talks about the breakers and the waves and God being even more exceptional and mighty over them. I don’t know if you have ever sat and listened to the noise of the waves, the crashing of the water against the ocean front but depending on the current, the sound or the noise can be very loud. However, if we are in tune with God, we will be able to hear His voice above it all.

How do we get so caught up in the sounds of what people are professing and claiming today? How do the words that sound so wonderful keep us mesmerized? We begin not only to listen but follow and oftentimes because we are so fascinated that our ears only hear the sweet melodic sounds. It’s was a reminder to me that we are to preach a sound word, being instant with it regardless of the season; correct, rebuke and encourage for the time is come when men won’t endure sound doctrine but after their own lust they heap to themselves teachers and say what others want to hear (2 Tim 4:2-4). We have to be so careful not to have itchy ears and adhere to sound doctrine. Why? Because some will like the noise, the confusion and chaos.

Many of the misunderstandings, such as to the way we should live, conduct ourselves and treat others in and out of the faith that you hear sometimes are absolutely mind boggling. The scripture tells us in all thy getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). I would say, please make it a point to get an understanding so that there is no confusion about what the Lord is saying to us, the church. Know for yourself that Christ died to release us from spirit of bondage and set us free. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to become entangled again with yoke of bondage from the doctrines of man. We must study to show ourselves approved as unto the Lord, not man.

We live in a day where everyone loves to have something to say; where everyone is so deep and rich in thought, loaded with degrees and teachings of men; ever learning but never coming into the full knowledge of Christ through the Spirit of God. There will also be those who will have a form of godliness, but denying and not possessing the power of God (2 Tim 3: 1-7). Everything that sounds good is not always good or even correct. Regardless of what is going on around us we have to learn to live above the noise, above the nonsense and cleave to the word of God and stay in a place to be able to hear from Him. No matter what the noise in your life, God is bigger, mightier, more powerful than anything and everything that we will encounter.

I thank God for being above all of the noise – I am grateful for hearing His voice above the noise, above the mess, above the confusion, above the clutter that we experience on this journey, most importantly, I thank Him for His Spirit that rest, rules and abides in me. It makes the difference in order to live above the noise!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you will bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12 NIV

For the past couple of weeks, since hearing a song entitled, “Life and Favor”, I have not been able to stop listening to it repeatedly. It is not just the melody but the wording that demanded my attention. This and several other songs have been ministering to me on a daily basis while traveling on this journey. The song simply says, “You don’t know my story, you don’t know the pains, the trials that I’ve been through (or come through). You cannot imagine but God has been faithful, He promised He would never leave me, and my story proves that God can use me… you don’t know my story; it would blow your mind. You don’t know my story, for if you did you would lift up your hands; so just let me tell you I think you may as well break out and dance. My story. You don’t know my story but through my testimony I have overcome and I have been set free.” I love the lyrics because it speaks to my life, my testimonial. Through His love, His mercy and His favor, I am delivered and by His grace there are no chains that are binding me. You don’t know my story, you may have a small inkling of what love and mercy, life and favor has done for me but you really don't know my story. How it’s kept me, groomed me, purged and cleansed me, molded, shaped and fashioned me. You would have had to walk in my shoes, or lived my life, or know what God has invested in me, or purposed for my life. Don’t pretend for a moment to know “my story”, because I’m telling you, it would blow your mind. This song is one that reminds me of my story, helps me to go back and remember how I made it through life’s struggles, life’s trials and circumstances; a song that keeps me in my righteous mind; a song where I gladly take refuge and sing with Jesus joy! You don't know my story.

This psalm is a prayer, one of many beautifully written by David as he once again encourages my soul with his poetic wording, penned straight from his heart. David was anointed to write the words needed to get to the heart of the matter. His prayers were powerful, as well as sincere in the midst of all of his challenges, in spite of the sufferings he encountered, although some were self-inflicted, David always knew where his help came from (Psalm 121). I love the psalms because David tells us, his story. Otherwise, how would we have the opportunity to know of him, his thoughts, his ways, or his temperament; his shortcomings, his attributes, his downfalls, or even his weaknesses and how He trusted and depended on God? There was no second guessing as to who he was and we don’t question his life or speculate how he lived it, or why he might have been going through some things, yet we do often quote that David was a man after God’s own heart. However, I do believe there are some testimonies from David that we don’t know and were not written, because some of his story might have blown our minds.

David prayed and praised continually (Psalm 34:1), regardless, of the evil that was all around him; regardless of how they treated him, no matter the distress he was in, he prayed. That is the stance that we will have to take if we intend to live a life of prayer and praise as David did. We must pray for others and not judge or condemn, hinder or hold back, yet uplift and encourage and strive to please God in every way; both in word and in deed. David prays for all of the people of God, in particular, he said, bless the righteous and give them all joy and protect them. An unselfish prayer, for the ones who love your name, surround them with your favor and keep them under the shadow of your wings, O God (Psalm 57) David prayed for others even when he didn’t know their story. He prayed for them because they loved God and because he had the heart and compassion for others.

Love and favor, God grants it, David knew it and we should give it, freely and without question. We want it for our lives but are we willing to spread it among each other unselfishly and without return, without some invested motive. These are two words that I cannot nor do I want to live without. Honestly, I need them working simultaneously in my life. God keeps me surrounded with His favor as a shield of protection over my life. It would be hard to imagine living each day not having that kind of protection or that kind of covering. Can you imagine being on the battlefield with nothing to block the enemy's darts or attacks? He blesses the righteous in spite of what we may endure for righteousness’ sake. He is definitely faithful to me in every area of my life and I still have my song of joy. No, it doesn’t always feel good, but I have that confidence, that assurance, that He will never leave me nor forsake me and with that, I can rejoice always (Phil 4:4). Everything we experience is for our good and for God’s glory. It is where we get our testimonies; it is how we get our story.

Lord, let all who take refuge in you be glad and celebrate; let us forever sing for joy; for the joy of the Lord is our strength. Spread your wings of protection over us, covering us always, so that those who love your name may rejoice in you and know that you and you alone are our help in every circumstance no matter how it looks for we walk by faith. Let us put our trust in you and not man. Surely, you will continue to bless the righteous, always surrounding us with your favor as a shield so that we can be free to rejoice and sing!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

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

I don’t know about you but this is a very exciting time in my life. In spite of the things going on around me (or not going on), to the things that are going on in me, in spite of the tricks, the traps and the devices of the enemy that honestly, come fast and hard, it is still an exciting season for me. Once you get passed all of the “stuff” and begin to see God move on your behalf, you get into a place of happy where He begins to speak directly to everything that concerns you (Ps 138:8) and your faith begins to come into fruition (you see it happening). That is what I have been experiencing and thus my expectations have soared to an all time high, which leads me into a continual preparation, a preparing in the direction where God is leading and thus realizing that His possibilities are endless!

Expectation is to anticipate or to hope; to believe within you that there is probability and possibility; and to wait simply means to hold on, pause for a moment while God works out some things, waiting on His direction and waiting with expectation. Do you agree? Take a moment to seriously bask in the thought for today, Expectation brings Preparation. What does that really say to you today? Where are you in your walk with Christ? Are you in expectation mode? Do your trials and suffering make you stronger or have you retreated? Now is not the time for turning aside or turning back. Keep hope alive. Our trials should cause us to leap from faith to faith when we have successfully come through the process. We must press forward with expectation and begin to prepare as God leads. The Lord is always faithful to us, and the One who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thess 3:3-5). God is so faithful to us that we should make it our first priority to not only please Him, but be faithful and obedient, as well as taking Him at His word.

I feel strongly in my spirit that this is such a time of expectation, a time of anticipating because hope brings about a preparation of heart and mind. For us as believers, this consists of the work needed and the planning involved to make ready so that we can be used effectively, as well as efficiently in our purpose for advancing the kingdom. Indeed, it is a new era, a period of time significant in the development of me, a time where every event, trial or error that happens, every personality I encounter is for my betterment and my preparation. The Lord says that He is bringing forth the power of His church in this season and it shall be seen and it shall be witnessed in the whole of the earth.

Personally, I want to be a part of that powerful church that He speaks of and that it will be seen in me. Let’s have expectation that brings about a preparation … I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope (Psalm 130:5).

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Joel 2:23

Summer and country, hot and humid, torrential rains and more heat, as well as more humidity are all fond memories of my childhood. As fun as it was playing and hearing my Grandmother say “how does anybody get that dirty” came second to my times of sitting on her large porch, swinging, drinking tea and the days of smelling the rain before it came. The excitement followed just as quickly as the downpour, immediately after the smell. It’s strange how our minds can still recall even the smell of rain because it has been years since I sat on a porch and waited for the rain. Maybe it’s a country thing; that certain smell that lets you know that rain is in the air. I am definitely grateful for the retention and the preservation of my senses. Today, that memory was pricked and all I could do was get excited… it’s about to rain!

In this particular section of Joel, he tells the people that they must repent and in turn God promised to remove judgment and repair the gap between Him and His people and then restore to them all of these wonderful blessings to those who faithfully obeyed. He promised great blessings both spiritually and naturally. God intended to do for the same for us who have faithfully obeyed. He would rain on them with the former and the latter rain, give them mercy, favor, grace, and love. They would know that God’s hand was on them. He offers them hope and the assurance for all that had been taken from them over the years. Simply, Israel would be restored to even a greater state than they had been previously.

It is the same for us today, God is keeping a close eye on each of us and He sees our heart. He knows that we have been obedient to His word. Even as we go through our tests and our trials, He knows. He knows our struggles; He knows our heartaches and pains. He sees our tears and knows what each represents; He keeps our prayers (Rev 5:8). He knows our faithfulness and He sees our good works, even if we don’t feel as though He does. Don’t get weary, and certainly, do not give up. Keep working for the kingdom, our work is not in vain and the Lord knows. The scripture says, “for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Heb 6:10).

Today, the word in my spirit is simple really; it just smells like rain, which means that after the smell the downpour of blessings is coming! It’s about to rain. Are you ready for the rain? Of course, I’m speaking of rain in a spiritually sense that will provide tangible (touchable, physical material) blessings. When the smell of rain in the air was revealed, it came with a refreshing and we know that the rain brings about more than a cleansing! It is rain in its proper season and the effects or the results of the seasonable rain that brings about abundance both naturally and most definitely spiritually. There will not only be overflow, because the rain that’s coming is not a moderate little shower, its coming fast and it’s coming hard. God is not only going to restore but re-establish, not only refresh but rejuvenate, not only renovate but rebuild because everything we need is in the rain. Once the seasonal rain begins, we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it could only be God. Verse 21 says, “Fear not, O land: be glad and rejoice for the Lord will do great things!

The rain is coming! Can you smell it?

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1: 3-8 NIV

I consider myself not only a connoisseur of good food but also one who takes great pride in cooking dishes from my Grandmother’s country kitchen recipes to the finest of restaurant gourmet dishes. However, I realized long ago that the success to great cooking is not just in the labor of love but in the combination of certain ingredients. There are some characteristics or distinction of flavors that compliment one another so well that it gives you the best in blending for a unique and exquisite explosion in your mouth! Your taste buds are happy beyond words and usually, your face will tell the story for you.

This in itself is a great comparison to these verses in Peter. He tells us that God has given us the ingredients needed in order to make and perfect us into the flavor of love that He is looking for to “be partakers, Peter said, of the this divine nature.” God’s faith to love virtues recipe is everything we need for His goodness and for His glory. Peter gives us all of the additives for this recipe of life in these verses. He even tells us the order in which we should add them for optimum results. First, he said, make very effort to add to your faith goodness; and then once you have added goodness, add knowledge; and to knowledge, add self-control; and to self-control, add perseverance; and to perseverance, add godliness; and to godliness, add mutual (common) affection; and to mutual affection, add love. Don't you love those ingredients? I would say that we need to simmer and stir slowly as we add each in order to make sure we have blended properly to make a pleasing combination that the Lord is looking for. Then Peter said, for if you possess these qualities, adding in the proper amounts as needed, they will keep you from being barren (ineffective) and unfruitful (unproductive). This reminded me of two things, first in Matthew 5 – where it tells us if salt has lost its savor, it is good for nothing. Without salt, there is no flavor, without flavor, how can you possibly be effective in witnessing to the world of God's goodness, if you aren't tasting too good. Maybe abit bland or tasteless. Secondly, if you are no longer fruitful, how can you help advance the kingdom? We must walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:9-10).

We need these each of these attributes for growth. To add, literally means to minister additionally. So, the very unique characteristic of each added or ministered additionally, helps us to be the very uniqued blend or creative work, He intended for us to be (Ps 139:14). If we don’t grow or get seasoned as He purposed, then we become useless spiritually, distorting the purpose of the ministry by which we have been called. Therefore becoming of little or none effect; we are not to give offence in any thing so that the ministry won’t be blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God (2 Cor 6:3-7). I want to be good and savory and give attentiveness to each for a pleasing combination for the Lord and for the world to taste and see (Psalm 34:8); for if we do all these things, we shall never fail (verse 10) and we can share with others this wonderful life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness and this recipe for life! This is a great recipe to swap, wouldn’t you agree?

Until the morning, be blessed, Cynde

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. John.5:2-4

In reading this passage, I began to get a visual. I saw lots of people from all walks of life lying around seemingly waiting with no expectation. There was no physical movement to speak of and they all had a look of despair. They were lethargic, weary and hopeless; hurting, broken, and emotionless. Some lying and waiting for a hand or just some help. None of which seem to have the energy mentally to improve their situation. They were just lying listless, detached, and waiting...just waiting.

What a state to be in even as the scripture suggests that there was a great multitude who were impotent, meaning crippled, powerless, weak, helpless, and incapable men and women lying around lacking the ability, character, or strength required to do anything about their circumstance or situation as they waited for the moving of the waters in the pool of Bethesda; waiting for the season when the angel of the Lord would come and stir up the water and they could step in and be made whole. However, even in that, there has to be some movement on their part. In order to get a healing, they had to get up from where they were and get to the pool. Further in the scripture, John tells us that Jesus asked a man who had been lying around the pool for thirty eight years waiting for someone to help him into the pool, “do you want to be made whole?” I hear Jesus asking us the same question, as well as “do you like being in your present condition”, “how long has it been", "do you want change" and how long will you lie around waiting before you decide to step into the water while it’s moving?”

The sheer excitement of reading this passage was not about the angel coming down to the pool and troubling the water or that whoever stepped in first would be made whole, but it was when I received the revelation regarding the moving of the water. We are in a season of movement; the water is stirring and it contains everything we need. All we need to do is step in. It’s time for us to move out of our comfort zone, move out of our complacency; and move out of our fear, moving out from complaining, grumbling, and murmuring from our present state because there is deliverance in the water. It’s time to move out of our “business as usual” methodologies, and move into the place where God needs us to operate according to His biblical principles. It is time to set aside our own agendas and seek Him for direction and clarity for this season. Move into becoming alive and willing to do whatever it takes to advance the kingdom. We cannot do this if we are lying lifeless, and unresponsive.

We cannot be as those mentioned above, where we are lying around waiting without expectation; nor can we lie around lethargic and sluggish. We can’t lie around hopeless or in our brokenness, or waddling in our hurt, looking sad, weary, and broken and expect to be effective. Can you imagine being that close to a pool of miraculous healings, lying under covered porches being shaded from the heat, and just waiting around hoping for someone to come along and help you get to the pool? Can you imagine being that close to where you know there is deliverance and you never really try to help yourself? We don’t have to wait for a certain season, where the angel of the Lord has to come down and stir up the waters for our healing, or our deliverance, or for our miracle before we decide that now might be a good time to get up and do something. We have the power of the living water and it's moving everyday, all day. Whatever the problem is, however long the problem has been a problem, whatever the situation of life, the water is moving and we need to get up from where we are and get to it. Let’s not lie around while the cares of this life keeps us waiting for someone to come by and help us up, allowing precious time go by because that help may never come in time. Ask the man who had been waiting 38 years for anybody that would help and nobody did until Jesus showed up! We can rest assure that God is a very present help in times of trouble and when we are in need (Psalm 46). It's time to rise up from where you are and step into whatever you need. Step into your healing, step into your miracle, step into your deliverance, and step into life more abundantly, because the water is moving!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  I Peter 1:3-9 NIV

I heard a message that was entitled, “When trials come, trust God.” Now, as simple as that statement sounds, it may be harder at times to put these two words into action… trust God. We often say that we have faith and we trust God, but when there is a circumstance that rocks us to the core, or a situation is out of our control or comfort zone, we could possibly have a problem with holding fast to that trust. It causes us to begin to question God or doubt Him, if things are not done in an expedient matter or if we haven’t heard Him speak to our hearts for direction and my personal favorite: trying to be in control of all things, Cynde. Silly me. This word spoke directly to me and to everything that I have had to endure throughout the past year. I could have gotten through my circumstances more effectively and expeditiously, had I trusted that God knew what He was doing in my life or had I remembered that I should not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which come to try me (1 Peter 4:12-13). It was a word of comfort indeed, as well as a great reminder.

The word circumstance can be defined as uncontrollable conditions: conditions that affect your life and are beyond your control; it could be social, financial, material, or even, spiritual conditions. They could all quite possibly occur at the same time and for any length of time. A season of circumstances is not predictable but deemed necessary by God and most definitely, at His discretion depending on what He is preparing you for. Of course, when we in our season, our vision may become cloudy and we can be totally oblivious to that point during that time. However, I bless God for the Word that comes to uplift us, keep us on track, and provide us with hope; a word that will help us to persevere and endure while we are yet in our season.

Honestly, if you are not inside the realm of where I live and not in a natural sense, but speaking in regards to being within the circle of the spiritual influences in my life, then you really only see the outer shell of who I am… the happy, bubbly, always encouraging, standing on the word and the promises of God, never let them see you sweat Cynde. The part of me that continually, consistently, and passionately loves the Lord and loves sharing the word of God. You may not ever see or experience the Cynde trials or the inner part of me that encounters the heaviness from the manifold temptations, the assortment of trials and tribulations or the suffering that comes with being a child of God for His purpose. The word tells us that there will be trials and that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:7). That is where I want to be found as I suffer for righteousness’ sake (1 Peter 3:14-15).

In my season of circumstances, I have learned to become even more transparent to those that would not have the opportunity to know me on that level. I know this is truly of the Lord’s doing because I have not, over the years, worn my situations and circumstances as a cloak; certainly, not on my face, nor in my actions, but privately. There have been many sleepless nights, some crying out to the Lord, a flowing of tears, and even emotional meltdowns. I would be telling an untruth if I didn’t admit that some of my days and nights were not filled with happiness and joy or peace. This year has taught me that I am not in control of all things, but that the Lord is trying to perfect and do a good work in me as He prepares me for purpose in which He called me. Today, I can truly say that this has left me filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, knowing that I am receiving the end result of my faith!

No matter what we are doing in whatever capacity, we cannot get weary when it comes to working in our purpose, our due season is upon us (Galatians 6:9). Yes, it will get hard at times; yes, we will have to deal with many obstacles; yes, there will be adversity, hardship, difficulties, and even some suffering but we must persevere. Yes, it will sometimes seem as if it is too much to bear, but we will have to have tenacity, along with some steadfastness to continue moving forward knowing that it is for our good and God’s glory. While also bearing in mind the sufferings of Jesus are not to be compared with the light afflictions we are asked to endure. I keep in mind the words of Peter, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while (a season) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness (showing the quality of worth) of your faith.”

You may be going through a season of uncontrollable conditions; a season that is beyond your control, but hold on. Keep in mind that God is trying you with a purifying fire and it is a process that you must go through in order that your genuineness of faith can be proven—which has a greater worth than gold. God is counting on us, so let’s complete the process with joy because God has counted us worthy (1 Peter 5:10)!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde