We Carry Life
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 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 4:5-7, 10
 
This past week has been extraordinary and beyond measure; one full of birthday celebrations and love from so many directions. However, there was a love gift in particular that I received and it was the best gift a girl could ask for. The Lord dropped some additional knowledge in my spirit that you can’t get on a natural level. He gave me the gift of insight; a higher level of divine learning. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! Priceless.
 
I also begin to reflect on how God has been blessing me with His word over the past couple of months and how valuable the information has been to me personally ,as well as collectively for the body of Christ. What He’s been giving me and revealing to me has catapulted me into another realm. Not to sound deep but you can’t stay in the same place when God has supped with you. So, while spending time in His word and listening, I am thoroughly convinced that we have to study to be better listeners than talkers, because listening is a learned attribute. He confirmed this to me while reading this week. I came across the Latin term "lectio divina" which means divine reading. It’s a method of reading that involves listening to the heart. It’s also an ancient tradition that the Hebraic called Shema which Involves reading passages with specific pauses and concentration in certain areas of the scriptures. You must read slowly, over and over; reflecting on each word and each phrase while paying attention to the impact the words have on the heart. I love that because I have experienced this over the years without knowing this information.
 
It made me think about Mary of Bethany, who stayed at the feet of Jesus listening; mesmerized by everything He spoke. She was at His feet at every given opportunity and clung to His every word, His wisdom, and His teaching. This is what I've been doing, staying at the feet of Jesus. The Lord is seeking those who desire to sit at His feet and listen. No, we don’t have Jesus here physically with us but we can spend time in His presence and we still have His word. The word tells us, “He that has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying...” (Rev 2:7). Listen to the Spirit of God or how will we be able to fully understand the treasure that we possess in this earthen vessel? This valuable and powerful and precious gift. Not every one will except it but we've been given the opportunity to carry it; to carry life. This light of the knowledge of God’s glory; wisdom and secrets (Deut 29:29), His insight that enlightens, along with His Spirit all wrapped up and given to us to deposit where needed. And it’s not just for us – but to be given out freely.
 
We are chosen to carry this great treasure, this light of God’s glory and grace, that has been put into these earthen vessels with this all surpassing power of the gospel to enlighten the mind, to convince the conscience of man, to convert the soul, and to rejoice the heart. Our obligation to the world is to advance the kingdom and make known Jesus because He is the only Saviour of men. We, the ministers of this great gospel, were designed to be the weaker vessels, yet stronger only because of His power so that the treasure we carry would be valued more. When we know who we are and whose we are, we begin to understand the value of what we possess. We then become the light that shines to those who are lost because we carry around in this body the life they need.
 
I absolutely love this letter written by Paul to the Corinthians. I’ve read it many times over the years, quoted it, spoke on it but it has never resonated “in” me like has this past week. He let them know that you have this treasure and an obligation to the ministry because it is the power for the effectual working of the kingdom. This treasure, this valuable, powerful and precious gift given to us in these earthen vessels, so that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. And that we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our body. We carry life.  
 
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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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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