Cynde Layne Wilkerson
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. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
I Peter 1:5-7
 
I was thinking this morning on how we are found saying that we believe, have faith and trust God in all things. But honestly, do we really or are they just words that sound good to our ears to help us cope from day to day. We affirm our faith by saying He's a healer, a keeper, a provider, or a comforter… I could list more but you know the phrases we commonly and loosely use when we testify of God’s goodness and keeping power in our lives. Truth of the matter is those words we speak are going to be tried by fire whether you believe or know it in order to reveal to us that He is indeed all of those mentioned and more. Afterwards, you will have a testament as to the things that God can do.
 
We know when the temperature is turned up, the fire is indeed hot, yet necessary to burn off the dross and the mucky muck that will eventually reveal the beauty of gold from it’s unprocessed natural state. However, as precious as gold is, the word says that our faith is far more precious and for us, it is also a process. Yes, we are going to have trials and tribulations that will come to test and try us. We must remember they do come to make us into the beautiful vessel God has called us to be. There is always “stuff” that needs to burn off in order to reveal the vessel that God is looking for. How will you know what you are made of if you have not been though some fire?  Peter tells us that there is a great inheritance, a great reward that awaits those who are kept by the power through faith, so that we can be found unto praise, honor and glory of God and especially for the appearing of Jesus at His return.

We are living in a time where we are going to need to know that we are able to stand firm in the power of our faith. We should also know that not only can we stand strong on God’s word but in whatever circumstance or situation that we're in until we have come out because of that power.
 
In this walk, we have to remember to keep the main thing the main thing – not getting distracted by what we see or what we are experiencing in the world but staying focused on what God is trying to do in us and through us...  it’s imperative to our salvation. And though our faith will be on fire (more often than not), please know that it is for the making of us into that beautiful vessel not only for our good but for His glory!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. I Chronicles 16:8-12
 
In the wee hours of the morning I woke up and found myself singing, “I’m chasing after you, no matter what I have to do, ‘cause I need you more and more.” This is exactly what I’m feeling in my spirit as well… like I need to be in pursuit of the Lord even moreso than ever before, as well as doing all I possibly can to get to Him. Not that He’s afar off because His presence is always with me and in Him I live, move, and have my being (Acts 17:27-28). However, I also speak in terms of pursuing the things of God, i.e., His word, His will, His wisdom, His ways for my life.
David penned this song that was to be sung while moving the ark of the covenant into the tent. These are words that would echo throughout time. I love every word because it expresses what I would say even today. I will give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name and make known his deeds among the people. I will sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, and talk of all the wondrous works He’s done for me. Glorying in all that is God for He is my all in all. Thinking about those in particular makes my heart rejoice because it keeps me in pursuit of the Lord; seeking His face and His strength constantly. I have been on this path for many years. I cannot count the number of times that I have turned to the psalms to help me restore my faith and get back on track mentally. We have to be as David was and remember that we will have to encourage ourselves sometimes. David said let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek his face continually.
With that being said why would we not chase after Him, especially when we think about all that He has done for us, faithfully and consistently. The Lord is always there for us regardless as to whether or not we believe it or feel it. it is not about a feeling and this is where our faith is tested. The word 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); diligently seeking, diligently in pursuit of Him with all our heart and with all our soul (Deut 4:29).
Let me encourage you today by saying, wherever you are on your journey, continue on your path. Don’t allow the obstacles or the bumps in the road to hinder your progress. If you fall down, get up, dust off and keep on moving, keep on pursuing.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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