DON'T RUN FROM THE LORD; RUN TO HIM!

Paul says in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Many would take this scripture to mean Paul could do whatever he wanted and God would give him strength.  But my family & friends, that's not the heart of Paul's message.  The heart of his message is that he learned to be content whatever his present circumstances were at any given time.

In other words, Paul did not allow any situation; good or bad to dictate his relationship with The Lord. Bottom line - Paul tells us he draws his strength through The Lord; which is only done by drawing closer to The Lord.

So like the Apostle Paul, we need to learn how to lean on The Lord and be content REGARDLESS of our situation.  Don't run from The Lord; run to Him!  Then, and only then, REGARDLESS of our present circumstance, can we say with confidence, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:10-13 NIV

"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:10-13 NIV

Be blessed my family & friends! As you continue to seek The Lord and His understanding, may He pour out His total favor over each and everyone of you!

Love you all!
Cyndy

A FAITHFUL, SENSIBLE SERVANT

We (Christians) need to remember to keep our eyes on our present life while we stay spiritually aware of the future and our eternity.  In other words - while we are here on earth...we have a job to do. That job is to witness to those around us in hopes they will come to accept and understand the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Personally....when our Lord returns, I hope He finds me working the fields for His harvest.   What about you? Allow the Holy Spirit to use you right where He has you planted. Don't be spiritually lazy.

"A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.  I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.  But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,  and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:45-51 (NLT)

I pray as the Lord gives opportunity to reach the lost and hurting, we would take our servanthood seriously as we continue to plow forward; being affective for the Kingdom of God.

And remember -
All we need to do is share the gospel....It's up to the Holy Spirit to convince the lost to believe.

Now as you continue to serve Him, do it with a joyful heart and you will experience His total blessings & favor in ways you never expected.

Love you all!
Cyndy

A BIT OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!

As I pulled into the Spotted Cow, a local ice-cream shop, the drive thru window was packed with a line-up of cars...and of course I entered thru the wrong drive. Determined to get my orange/vanilla swirl cone, I tried to inch my way into line, but the black car already in line forced itself ahead. But then I noticed the next car stopped to let me in line. As I got in line I said, "Lord, bless that person!" And without missing a beat, The Lord said, "YOU BLESS HER." My response was out of the norm because anyone that knows me knows I LOVE blessing others. But feeling way out of my comfort zone since I was in a drive thru for ice-cream, I quietly said, "But Lord, I have no idea who that person is and she may think I'm a bit whacked." And The Lord said again, "Bless her." Knowing my Lord's voice, I quickly said I would. But as I watched time tick away, I started getting a bit antsy and the thought kept whispering, "head home”, which was completely contrary to my Lord saying "Bless her." I quickly determined I was staying and was now on a mission to bless that lady and to obey God.

FINALLY!!! It was my time to order so I proceeded ahead. All I could think about was getting up to the window to pay for that lady's order. When I went to pay, I asked them to add that lady's bill with mine. When both bills were totaled, they looked at me, smiled and said, "You get $5.00 off your bill because your birthday is this month. Your total bill is $1.94." I was stunned!!!! I thanked them and asked them to tell that lady to have a blessed evening and the Lord blesses her. And I headed home....feeling blessed by The Lord simply because I obeyed His voice.

My point in all this is not to say, "Hey, look at me! I bought someone ice-cream!" But merely to say, if you know the Lord's voice, obey Him quickly! Don't disobey and sell The Lord short of a $5.00 ice-cream treat and risk missing out on the blessing He wants to pour out on you!

Oh and by the way...my birthday isn't for a couple weeks yet...so let's not age me before my time!

And just as a side note....
Being so excited to obey The Lord and bless that lady, I ordered the wrong thing for myself. I ordered an orange sherbet in a waffle cone....but I must say....it was indeed Moo-Moo-Lidious my family & friends! Simply Moo-Moo-Lidious!

Remember - We need to follow Jesus' example. He was the first One to give. And folks, He gave His all.

So I encourage you to "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children." Ephesians 5:1 NLT

It's simple! "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.  Hebrews 12:2 NLT

Don’t know about you, but I look forward to hearing my Heavenly Father say to me one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."  Matthew 25:23 ESV

I pray the Lord enlightens you, as you continue to seek His face for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I trust He will pour out His complete favor and blessings; reminding you of His love and goodness towards all His people.

Love you all!

Cyndy