No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:13-17

Do you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries… I have to tell you that this will not happen regardless of what you bring, because today I lift my voice and sing, that I rise into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear, can you hear me? Still I rise! As much as I love Maya Angelou, the words of her poem cannot compare to my testament of how "I still rise.” It’s meaning and it’s significance for me is the strength, joy and peace, regardless of what I face, can only be found in Jesus and that enables me to still rise above it all.

The enemy is pulling out all the stops, in every area, and in every aspect of our lives, whenever and wherever he can. In our homes, our children, our families, in our churches, and on our jobs. He moves on our bodies and tries to keep us down in our health. Case and point for last week: this is the first year (and it’s only April) that I can remember being completely bedridden with issues of sickness in my wonderful 50 years plus. Twice, in two months, I’ve been attacked in my body and unable to barely get out of bed, while experiencing pain like never before. Surely, he is on a mission but so am I. Because I am praying while laying! Sometimes, you have to let the enemy know, that no matter what you bring to discourage, dissuade, hinder, or try to make unpleasant, there is no weapon, no device, no tactic, or infliction formed, that will prosper against us!

Sure, we’ll get wounded, but we get up and get back on the field; not to mention that while we are down, we have to remain prayerful. Not letting the enemy take control of our mind or permeate and control our thoughts. He comes in to keep us down and keep up depressed. He would love to see us full of anxieties, worrying about every little thing, our situations and our circumstances to throw us off course and our focus off, our Help. Staying focused and keeping the word in our hearts is a must, so that we have something to draw from when a word is needed. And remembering and knowing that our light affliction is only for a moment (2 Cor 4:5-17). Also, remembering that we are going through and coming out because of His mercy and His grace.

We must learn to stand on God’s word because it’s powerful and if Jesus used it on the devil, I’m sure that it is a must for us as well. Throw the Word at him, let him know “for it is written, that No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper” and “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25) or “For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings, Selah” (Ps 61). There are so many scriptures that we can quote and stand on to keep our minds in perfect peace. An idle mind, a mind with no peace is the devil’s playground, he will begin to work there non-stop once he gets you down because his goal is to keep you down. It’s imperative that we learn to fight him with the word of God.

I had to laugh at myself this past Saturday morning, I felt better but not quite a hundred percent, yet I got up out of bed and yelled, “oh yeah, baby I’m back!” With the power and the authority, as well as the intensity, in which I intended. I don’t care what comes against you, whether it’s sickness, family, children, no finances, just to name a few, we must remember that NO weapon, device, tactic, or affliction formed or appears, or raises its ugly head will or can prosper against us, why? Because not only is this God’s promise to us but this is our heritage as servants of the most High God. No matter what befalls us, God is there, our refuge, our protection and our very present help at all times and types of trouble. We are safe even when the enemy rises up against us so yYou can let him know today that although you seek to destroy me, my faith, my joy, and my peace, and you may have me down for a moment but I still have the victory and today, still I rise!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5

Advertisement is a lucrative business. It is how we, the consumers, are sold on so many unnecessary items; and product and packaging is the key. If it looks good, then it must be good; if it sounds alluring, then you must try it. From make-up to medicine and so many other products; advertisement is geared towards making everything seem so appealing and entice us to "try and buy."

Matthew writes this gospel to convince the Jewish readers that Jesus is the King of the Jews, and has come in the flesh and is without a doubt, the real thing. He is the prophesied Messiah that’s mentioned in the Old Testament and the promised Deliverer! Yet, the people still reject the idea, even with the wonderful presentation, they still don’t believe that He is, who He says He is.

During this time, Jesus is talking to his disciples about some questions they have. I love the way He answers and I paraphrase, He says as opposed to be worrying about the when and what of things to come, be concerned about not being deceived by what you see and hear and in particular, who, you hear it from. In verses 6-13, Jesus tells them of some things to come and how they will come and “who” could possibly bring you information in regards to what’s happening (verses 23-26). However, He cautions them to beware, be on guard, be careful, take heed and pay attention, and not let any man deceive, mislead, misinform, or convince you otherwise because many shall come in my name, claiming to be the Christ.

We have to know that we know, who is the real thing. For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light deceiving many (2 Cor 22:13-15). False prophets will come and entice you with their words and their wonders. For the time will come when man will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Tim 4:3-4). They will come with the presentation of what they’re selling will want you to “try and buy” but beware of these wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15) for their only purpose is to draw you in as prey to devour you. We need not be concerned about the how and the when, and the what of things, but concerned about the who. Who are we going to trust, who are we going to believe, who are we going to take refuge in, who are we going to have faith and stand in? Who?

Jesus is the same always, and unchangeable, according to Hebrews 13:8. He is the one absolute constant in our life, the real deal, the real thing. His faithfulness, love, care, and devotion to us cannot to be compared to any other. Although, the false prophets and angels of light can also come in that way, give it some time because soon whatever is in you wil eventually come out. You can only fake it for so long before the real you shows up. But not the Lord, He never changes. His way is the right way - for He is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus will lead and guide us on the course to righteousness, heading on the right path even during the tumultuous times, both now and in times coming. He admonishes us to follow His lead, follow His word and to stay on course, so that we are not deceived or mislead. Know the word and know Jesus, He will never lead us astray or instruct us to anything unwise. But you have to know Him and know the difference!

If I took a little taste test (Psalm 34:8) today, I guarantee you that I know Coke from Pepsi. Simple illustration, because you have to know the real thing!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde