He's Always Got My Back
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen. Psalms 23:4-6
 
Last year, I committed to a daily confession of the 23rd Psalm. What a blessing it is to repeat those words and to be reminded that the Lord is my shepherd and He not only watches over me but protects me, keeps me, and He comforts me. However, sometimes, we are taken aback by situations when we are attacked by the enemy unexpectantly and it throws us off (yes, even for us seasoned folks). Today, these verses were magnified in my spirit after having a conversation with the Lord this morning. Sometimes, illumination is necessary in order to be reminded of whose we are, especially when the enemy rears his ugly head and although we will walk through the valley at times, we don't have to fear evil because He is always with us to calm and comfort us even in the midst of adversity.
 
As of late, I have been in excitement mode for awhile because He has poured in so much into a short amount of time; busy trying to process and decipher, deprogram and reprogram myself in my thinking, in my speaking and in my actions. My spirit has been rejoicing over the word and my mind feels like it's busting loose at the seams from information overload. Yet, I thrive well in this mode. Naturally, the rest of me wants to run, jump, shout and scream, or simply, just dance awhile! Did I get some exciting news in regards to winning a trip, a new car, etc. No, something better... I have been simply receiving rich words; a word that speaks to MY right now; a word that didn't change my physical locality or my current situation or circumstance (although I'm waiting for the manifestation of it), yet, it changed my sight, changed my attitude, and most importantly, it changed my pattern of thought. The enemy is never happy about us coming into the knowledge or the revelation of God's word that will bring about a change, not only in your life but in the lives of others.

We have to be aware that when the enemy thinks we are too happy or too excited, or we are trying to apply the knowledge we have learned, he will make it his mission to trip you up, discourage you and throw you off track. He will use anybody and anything to do just that. However, we must stay the course and not allow ourselves to get sucked into his trap. The word tells us that we are not ignorant to his devices, his schemes, or his tricks (2 Cor 2:11). Now, this doesn't mean he is going to stop trying because he is going to find other ways, other people, and other avenues to accomplish his mission. So, we have to recognize it for what it is. I thank God for the amazing, comforting power through His word, and specifically through this psalm. As I repeated these particular verses spoke loudly today: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 
 
Often, we grapple with the word and what it says, how it speaks, when it speaks or what it speaks to because of lack of insight or understanding. But this word is abundantly clear especially this phrase, "surely goodness and mercy will follow you" because He is with us always. What an assurance from God! Letting us know that no matter the valley, no matter what you face, no matter the opposition or the fiery darts that come to wound you, I've got you. And when God gives revelation regarding a thing, it is the time to hear it in the way that it has been illuminated. I'm just grateful that I serve a God who loves me and is always concerned about me and it's comforting to know that He's always got my back!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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We are One
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:20-23

“We are one” is a phrase that has been lingering in my spirit for awhile and how imperative it is for us as a body of believers to understand that this is the very basis of what’s needed in order to work effectively for the kingdom. We cannot function properly as a body without it. Unity, truth, and excellence are needed as we move forward in the work of the Lord.

A few years ago, I heard a message that has taken up root in me: "The Synergy that Advances the Kingdom.” Sometimes, a rich word will come and grab your very being and you cannot dismiss it. You begin to marinate in it and allow it to sink deep into your spirit until it takes hold. The word, synergy is the operative word in that message. The word derives from the Greek words sunergiā and from sunergos, meaning cooperation and working together. It also translates as "the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." Meaning that our individual efforts are not to be compared to what our combined efforts can accomplish! We were meant to be as one; one body having one mind, unified for one purpose (1 Cor 12:12). Honestly, if we can’t work together, cooperate with one another as a cohesive body within the church as intended, how do we expect to convince nonbelievers of the joy and benefits of this lifestyle? Paul spoke to the Corinthians in regards to not bringing offence in any way so that the ministry is not blamed (2 Cor 6:1-10).

We can take our minds back to Genesis and foundations of the world and think about how God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost worked together as one and in perfect harmony. Perhaps God could have done it all and was more than capable to effectively do it by Himself, but He didn't. They worked together and cooperated as one. What a perfect example for us to follow. Jesus said "the glory that thou has given me Father, I have given to them so that they may be made "perfect" or complete as one." He has given us all that’s needed in order for us to work and be better together for the advancing of the Kingdom. Another example to remember is how Jesus brought together twelve very different individuals to make up the disciples, each with his own personality, trade or craft, talents and gift(s) to collectively work together with one goal in mind to effectively advance the Kingdom… now that is synergy!

It is the Lord’s desire, as well as His plan for us to cooperate and work together as one - so that our combined forces have a greater effect, a greater impact in the work of the ministry. We cannot work one without the other, because it will not be as effective or get the desired or intended results, not from a human or a spiritual aspect. From this scripture today or even from the beginning according to God's plan, you can see that it was not envisioned for us to work alone. Working together as one, others will see and know that we are His disciples. Let's make a conscious effort to effectively advance the Kingdom together, that should our only goal, also having that synergy, cooperating and working together towards one purpose because we are one!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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Capturing Every Thought
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Unfortunately, as I self-disclose today, I realized that I have been emotionally off balanced. in so many directions. Honestly, I've been feeling some kind of way for quite some time and it's not always expedient for me to share my thoughts.  Today, I need to be real, as well as candid in order to continue to move forward freely. And perhaps,  I can help someone who might be struggling with the same issue.

This past weekend in particular, including the last couple of weeks, I have come to some unpleasant awakenings (you know, the times when you realize the light just came on).  It’s not that I wasn’t aware but it was as if the light was shining so brightly that it could not be ignored. The Lord certainly has a way of getting our attention when we aren’t listening as attentively as we should. I’m not sure how many would readily admit that, however, I do know that the truth shall set you free and this day I intend to be free and stay free.  

As God began speaking His Word through others more frequently, I realized that I had allowed myself to sink into something that was not conducive to my lifestyle. I had let emotional strongholds take hold and literally rule my thoughts and actions. I received this "light moment" from an event I attended and when the speaker said, “emotional strongholds impair (weaken or damage) our ability to operate; rob us of our joy and allows the enemy to have a foothold on our lives.”  This in turn, affects our behavior, changes our demeanor and alters our attitudes. Like the children of Israel, I found myself murmuring and complaining about everything and just going through the motions of life which is not me. Because we are in the world, we deal with so much on a daily basis and so life happens. There are circumstances, situations, events, and people that can and will cause or wreak havoc in our lives.  Some, we can prevent and some, we simply cannot. It affects our emotions, our attitudes, our thoughts, and our actions and it will overtake us, if we allow it. 

Undoubtedly, I can say that I am one who has never cared about what others say because I love who I am (first rule: love and know thyself) and I’m grateful for the person that God has called me to be. Even while in my youth, I was very confident and secure, yet, I have always experienced this type of negativity most of my life when others, especially from those closest to me would try and sabotage or defame character or slander your name. However, I realized long ago that not everyone (i.e., your sisterfriends, your girls or your ace boon) is in your corner or will ever be happy about who you are or what God is doing in your life even though, they willingly express, "I'm here for you." Please understand that some have a different agenda or perhaps dealing with their own “stuff or baggage” that has nothing to do with you. Oftentimes, we will allow the words and the actions of others to discourage us and we allow it sink into our spirit. They say misery loves company and a lot of times if we are not careful, the negativity will attach itself to us and before you know it, things have crept in unaware and set up house.  These in particular have had a toll on my emotions, along with the other circumstances and situations of life that I’m dealing with. Things had become overwhelming and I unknowingly, allowed it to affect me over time. This weekend, I had to come to myself, remembering who I am and do some house cleaning moment! 

This scripture was in my spirit because it is imperative to bring every thought into captivity. We cannot allow the enemy (anyone or anything) to take up room and cause us to be unbalanced emotionally. I love what Paul tells the Corinthians: “But I beseech you that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of forces. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raises up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”  Paul reminds us that we must remember to carry this in our spirit as if it is the air we breathe to maintain our well-being, mind, body and soul.

Now, I have not in the business of allowing the enemy in any form to come in and attach itself to me and cause me to step outside the will of God or the ark of safety and I am not about to start. So I put the devil on notice today that I am not the one. I bless God for knowing that I am blood bought, fire baptized and powerful through the spirit of God that dwells in me. While also reminding myself that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and not a force to be reckoned with. I have been called to do a work that He purposed for “me” to do – and remembering that He is counting on me to do just that. There are no weapons that are formed against me that will or can prosper! No matter what the circumstances or the situations that arise in our lives, no matter how things look, no matter how things feel, no matter the hindrances or the bumps in the road on this journey, we must hold on to that “mustard seed” of faith and know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are the called according to His purpose.

We must keep our minds and our thoughts stayed on the Lord. There cannot be any fainting, even though it's easy to get discouraged if you take the time to stop, look, listen and then decide that maybe it’s easier to give up, give in, hide in a corner or just check out emotionally. Trust me, this is not an option. We cannot get weary in our well doing nor allow the enemy to have dominion over our actions and especially our thoughts. We must lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets, affects, troubles, or overwhelms us (Heb 12:1). I encourage you as I encourage myself today to be steadfast and stand strong; continue to be unmovable, unyielding, and firm; always flourishing, and thriving in the work of the Lord and bringing every thought into captivity that rises up against it!
 
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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