Look Up

October 31, 2008 By cyndi 6 Comments

By Cyndi

Ever since I’ve taken up running this year I try to focus on my posture during the run, making sure my form is good. However, now that the temperatures are getting colder, I find myself having a bad tendency to look at the ground right in front of me instead of looking forward up ahead. The cold wind on my face makes my eyes water and it just seems warmer to look down and kind of “tuck” in. So when the Lord told me to “look up”, as I was running in this pathetic form the other day, I put my shoulders back, untucked my head, and looked up-back in my best posture.

Now does God ever speak something to you in the natural, but you know He’s really talking about the spiritual? Well, this was one of those times. Yes, I needed to correct my poor running form, but I also needed to correct my poor spiritual form. So much information about the economy and the election is filling the news and my emails, it is beginning to affect my state of mind and disrupt my peace. There are so many “what ifs?” out there it can be a bit scary. Father God was trying to get my focus back onto Him.

Psalm 121:1-3 says, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills-from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber.” The Word of God is such a comfort in challenging times like these. I need to look up, and know that the Lord will always be there to help me, no matter what happens in the election, the economy or anything else. It is a real tendency to look down and then feel down, affected by all the circumstances surrounding me and worrying about stumbling along the way, but I am choosing right now to look up and keep my eyes straight ahead focused on Him, rejoicing in knowing that He is still God and always will be.

Filed Under: Rest, faith

Unconditional Love

October 26, 2008 By robert 3 Comments

There is nothing I can do to cause God to love me any more than He already loves me and there is nothing I can do to cause Him to love me any less than He already loves me. God may not always like everything I do but He always likes me! 

Does God really love me that much? Is it really that unconditional and free? Yep. Not only that, this is the foundation for going on to maturity with God. There are consequences for my actions, and a prayerless life, for example, will probably not have much power; however, without a foundation of unconditional love everything moves to law, works-earning, instead of freely receiving.

 Romans 7:5 says that it is the law (works, earning) that stirs up the sinful passions of the flesh. Titus 2:12 says it is God’s grace, His undeserved favor (freely receiving) that teaches us to deny ungodliness and lust.

 Knowing I am loved frees me to seek God for who He is, laying aside my need to control, earn by law and have my identity in having to be good enough.

Filed Under: Father's Love

Moment of Revelation

October 19, 2008 By cyndi 3 Comments

Ever have one of those moments when something just makes sense to you, like some sort of revelation? Some people refer to these as “aha” moments. It’s like truth going from your head to your heart; your spirit just knows it.

I remember a time when we lived in the Dominican Republic and we began going to different churches holding conferences. I would do the praise and worship and Robert would teach. We had been to a couple of other churches so far and I had even been worship leading in Spanish for a few years, but for some reason I was really, really nervous at this one church.  There seemed to be a spirit of legalism and I had this intense fear of messing up. A real fear that, if I messed up and did not do a good job of worship leading, then I would be rejected and considered a failure. The funny thing was that we were in this church to teach about how much Father God loves us even though we do mess up and that He never sees us as a failure! God wanted to take me deeper in His love.

So the meeting started and I began to play. Then it happened-one of those “aha” moments. I knew that I knew Father God was with me and that no matter how I played, however much I messed up in front of everyone, it did not stop Him from loving me and approving of me. This truth was revealed deeper into my spirit and I saw myself as this little girl with a great big Dad, Who just wanted me to play like I always did and worship Him in simplicity. I did not have to put on a show, or prove anything to anybody. I knew I was loved.

The praise exploded at that point, I could do no wrong in His eyes so why not just go for it? I danced as I played, I shouted, I had sweat pouring off of me onto my keyboard so much I had to take a handkerchief and wipe it off every now and then (no A/C)! What a glorious time that was! I was set free from my fear of failing.  I was set free from my fear of being rejected. I was loved!

Filed Under: Father's Love

Discipline – Full Circle

October 12, 2008 By robert 2 Comments

It was around 6am. I was in the apartment of pastor Shulakov and his family in Vladivostok, Russia. I woke up early to use the bathroom and heard someone in the kitchen with the door closed. Pastor Vladimir was in there praying.

A couple hours later we talked over breakfast. Vladimir said, “I know I’m loved, I know there’s grace, but I have to pray”.

I could not agree more. There was certainly a time in my life where I turned the spiritual disciplines into law and suffered much condemnation as a result. At some point, however, I believe God wants me to come full circle, mature and embrace the discipline of prayer.

I believe we are entering a season in the body of Christ where it is becoming increasingly difficult to live a casual Christian life. I also believe great grace will be released to those who will seek God’s face and we are coming into some of the greatest opportunities for the Gospel the world has ever seen!

Filed Under: Agape Reformation, Father's Love

Family First

October 5, 2008 By cyndi Leave a Comment

By Cyndi

When I was a child, we did just about everything as a family. Whether it was yard work, washing cars, going to the beach, or whatever, we did it as a family. My father, being a civil engineer, had to take trips out of town sometimes to inspect projects. Most of the time, I would say ninety-eight percent, he would take all of us with him and turn it into a mini-vacation as much as possible. I think I have seen just about every part of Florida because of this, and there is always something in me ready for a “road trip”. Fond memories were made and I have tons of stories that will last me a lifetime.

Does your family spend time together doing things? We find it to be a challenge to make time for each other and our son being so busy with ministry. Our jobs and responsibilities are always crying out for more, and it is a real struggle sometimes to not feel that our worth and value comes from those things but of the Lord. We fall into the trap of measuring our success in what we do, rather than resting in knowing God loves us whether we work twenty hours a week or seventy. What has brought freedom to us is believing that Father God accepts us and receives us for who we are, not what we do.

I encourage you to do something special with your family this week.  Make some memories.  Work as unto the Lord in your profession, then relax and enjoy your family.  

Filed Under: Father's Love, Rest

Personal Belongings

October 1, 2008 By cyndi Leave a Comment

There is an old Hosanna/Integrity song called, “Fear Not” by Phil Pringle. It is based on the verse in Isaiah 43:1 where it says, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine”. Then in the next verse it talks about when you walk through the waters they will not overtake you, or through the fire, it will not burn you. This used to be one of my favorite songs we did in a quasi-jazzy style that made it stick in your head for days. Luckily it got stuck in my spirit too, as well as the power of the verses.

These verses say “when” I walk through waters and the fire, not “if”. Father God knows that there will be challenges in this life; Jesus even tells us this in John 16:33.  I know in this next week with Robert being overseas in Korea and Russia I will face some challenges I will have to deal with alone. I have already and I am sure there will be more, but I know that I belong to Someone Who is watching over me, taking care of me and walking with me through everything.  He is a personal God and He knows my name.

I am one of His “personal belongings” and so are you.  Just like when you go to the airport, you are reminded to take care of your personal belongings. You wouldn’t just leave your laptop on a bench and walk away would you? And you ladies wouldn’t just ask some stranger to hold your purse while you went to shop in some store, would you? Well, that is how I feel about how Father treats me. He keeps me by His side and in His sight at all times even when I am in the midst of high waters or hot fires.  What a comfort! No wonder He says to fear not.               

Filed Under: Father's Love, faith

Changes or Opportunies?

October 1, 2008 By cyndi Leave a Comment

As I was taking my morning walks this week, I could begin to sense the change of seasons in the air. I love this time of year, the transition from summer to fall. I especially love walking on the beach during this time, the smell and feel of it all.  So as I was enjoying all of these changes in the natural, I began thinking about how many people I know that are going through major transitions in their own lives right now. Their personal seasons are changing. In these tight economic times we are living in, some of our friends have lost jobs, lost incomes, changed jobs, changed homes, switched schools, switched cars, etc.  You name it, and change has been going on.

I began to pray more as I walked, and felt the Lord say to me, “The old has to pass away to bring in the new“. But of course!  Isaiah 42:9-behold the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare.  That is it! I keep looking at all these life changes in the negative and how bad they are, where Father God wants me to see them positively. He is doing new things! Just like the seasons, the old has to pass, be left behind, so the new can come in. But I like the old! I like the comfort and security of the familiar.

Changes can really be looked at as new opportunities- “new beginnings”. The Word says that God will work all things for good (Rom.8:28). What if I go beyond merely accepting these changes and actually embrace them? Can I stay excited and at rest, looking more to Jesus as my supplier, my healer, my total and complete Savior in all aspects of my life? He keeps telling me to press in to Him, to seek Him for all I need and not worry about all the changes around me. I want to be someone who will allow the old to pass and to embrace whatever new thing God wants to do in my life. Just as there are seasons in the natural, so are there seasons in our spiritual life. Lord, help me be sensitive to see these transitions in seasons as new opportunities.

Filed Under: Father's Love, faith

The Integrity Test

October 1, 2008 By robert Leave a Comment

I worked with a salesman once who would pick up a clients’ young child and make them laugh just after meeting them, and within a few minutes he would have everyone laughing. This type of person seems to have the confidence and boldness to reach out, take the initiative and start talking to strangers, make others laugh, and to make things fun! They quickly become the life of the party. My dad was this way; he could sell ice cream to Eskimos! For a long time I judged this quality in others, thinking they lacked integrity. I have had to “lighten up” realizing that these qualities can be good. Love always believes the best.

It is so easy to be drawn to charisma in leaders. However, is this what qualifies someone to lead? The body of Christ has had some big leaders fall in recent times. Dutch Sheets recently said, “We, the leaders of the charismatic community, have operated in an extremely low level of discernment. We assume a person’s credibility is based on gifts, charisma, the size of their ministry or church, whether they can prophesy or work a miracle, etc. We leaders in the church have become no different than the world around us in our standards for measuring success and greatness.”

We, as the body of Christ, hold some responsibility too, not just the leaders. How often do we run and support leaders that have gifting, that may minister healing or a prophecy to us, yet have almost no concern as to whether or not they have integrity in their lives or ministries?

Who will we look to for our next president? What ministries will we support? Is speaking well, charisma and gifting enough? Is it all about the “big name” people or dynamic prophecies and visitations? It is time for the church and our nation to grow up. We need to be good stewards of who we support in government and the church.

Jack Frost used to say, “Anyone can stand up and give an amazing testimony, but I want to ask the wife and kids what the change has been.” This is the integrity test. What is life like in the homes of these leaders…or our own? I believe God is looking for integrity in our jobs, our marriages, our families, and our ministries. 1 Sam.16:7 tells us to look at the heart, not at outward appearances. May God give us greater discernment in these times we live in and become men and women of true integrity. 

 

Filed Under: Christianity, Uncategorized