John 3:16-18 (The Message) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
There is only one who gave Himself for you, so why do you take bids from the world for your talents, your time and your soul. Jesus won that bidding war already yet we keep stepping up on the auction block and accepting a bidder who only wants to destroy you. What does the world have to offer you that could possibly be better than Jesus and what He has done for you. Satan came to steal, kill and destroy and when you turn away from Jesus then you are turning to satan. Jesus came that you could have life and an abundant life. I knew someone who had a great music talent and instead of using it for God they were trying to get record deals in the secular venue. God did not bless his efforts, he made it into that business but he lost his wife and children. He is into drugs, he is always broke. He is on a downhill spiral, it is only a matter of time before his world comes crashing down. You cannot be in the world doing things that dishonor God and expect to be able to stay aligned with God. Jesus paid the price do not be fooled into thinking that the world has something better to offer. You know there is nothing better than Jesus, so choose Him and quit looking.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Facing Giants
Mark 10:27 (New American Standard Bible) Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
Where do you place your trust? the doctors, our government, your pastor. All of these people can and will eventually fail you. Our God is the only one who never has and never will fail. Your circumstances may deteriorate but God is still God and even death is a victory for the believer. The only way that people can offer enlightenment or help is through the power of Jesus Christ, without Him they are nothing but through Him all things are possible. No one has any knowledge unless God grants them the ability to retain what they study. No one has wise judgment unless God has granted them with understanding. We will all face tragedies here on earth but these tragedies are temporary, how we respond to those tragedies may have eternal impact. What you deem as a giant is nothing compared to eternity so be careful how you handle those giants. Do you trust God to handle them or blame Him after the world failed your trust?
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Where do you place your trust? the doctors, our government, your pastor. All of these people can and will eventually fail you. Our God is the only one who never has and never will fail. Your circumstances may deteriorate but God is still God and even death is a victory for the believer. The only way that people can offer enlightenment or help is through the power of Jesus Christ, without Him they are nothing but through Him all things are possible. No one has any knowledge unless God grants them the ability to retain what they study. No one has wise judgment unless God has granted them with understanding. We will all face tragedies here on earth but these tragedies are temporary, how we respond to those tragedies may have eternal impact. What you deem as a giant is nothing compared to eternity so be careful how you handle those giants. Do you trust God to handle them or blame Him after the world failed your trust?
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Thursday, July 15, 2010
It Starts as a Child
Proverbs 19:24 (Contemporary English Version) Some people are too lazy to lift a hand to feed themselves.
1 Timothy 5:17-18 (The Message)Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox" and "A worker deserves his pay."
“I want it now.” Next time you are in a grocery store or restaurant, just listen to hear some child screaming because they are not getting what they want. They wailing is usually squelched as the parents cave in to the child’s desires. We have been and are training children that they can have anything they want by merely screaming for it. They have no conception of responsibility or working to earn. It is no wonder that we have become a nation dependant on welfare, excepting to get what we want with no effort on our part. This is not a socialistic country. We must take care of our elderly and those with disabilities but there are far too many able bodied people demanding that they be taken care of while they sit around whining for more. If we do not teach our children that they must work to make a living then this country will become a socialistic nation.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
1 Timothy 5:17-18 (The Message)Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox" and "A worker deserves his pay."
“I want it now.” Next time you are in a grocery store or restaurant, just listen to hear some child screaming because they are not getting what they want. They wailing is usually squelched as the parents cave in to the child’s desires. We have been and are training children that they can have anything they want by merely screaming for it. They have no conception of responsibility or working to earn. It is no wonder that we have become a nation dependant on welfare, excepting to get what we want with no effort on our part. This is not a socialistic country. We must take care of our elderly and those with disabilities but there are far too many able bodied people demanding that they be taken care of while they sit around whining for more. If we do not teach our children that they must work to make a living then this country will become a socialistic nation.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
World of Liars
1 John 4:1-6 (The Message) My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world. Here's how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought! My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world's language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception.
You cannot trust everyone who calls themselves spiritual. There are people out there who claim to be spiritual healers, spiritual advisors or the like; but they really do not know who Jesus really is. Do not chase after everyone who claims to be gifted to heal or prophesy because if God is not glorified but the man is then it is not of God. Most of the false religions of the world recognize Jesus however not as the Son of God but merely a prophet. Just because they know who Jesus is does not mean that they have a relationship with God.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (The Message) Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
You cannot trust everyone who calls themselves spiritual. There are people out there who claim to be spiritual healers, spiritual advisors or the like; but they really do not know who Jesus really is. Do not chase after everyone who claims to be gifted to heal or prophesy because if God is not glorified but the man is then it is not of God. Most of the false religions of the world recognize Jesus however not as the Son of God but merely a prophet. Just because they know who Jesus is does not mean that they have a relationship with God.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (The Message) Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Choosing a Plan
Isaiah 30:1-2 (Contemporary English Version) This is the LORD's message for his rebellious people: "You follow your own plans instead of mine; you make treaties without asking me, and you keep on sinning. You trust Egypt for protection. So you refuse my advice and send messengers to Egypt to beg their king for help.
I once heard a story about an old rock group that chose their name by opening the dictionary and closing their eyes and placing it on a word. When they had opened their eyes they found they had landed on “commode.” They were not excited about that word so they chose the next word down, “commodore.” They used their judgment to choose another name and not stick with their first option. We, as Christians, have been given Holy Spirit to help us make wise decisions. Somehow we seem to choose the very first options and not seek God’s choice for our life. Many people do this with boyfriends or girlfriends, with jobs, they often do not seeking God’s will in their everyday life. Then when they face difficulties they blame God but He had a better plan for them from the beginning. He knows what is best for you, check with Him, you will never regret choosing His plan.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New Century Version) I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the LORD. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
I once heard a story about an old rock group that chose their name by opening the dictionary and closing their eyes and placing it on a word. When they had opened their eyes they found they had landed on “commode.” They were not excited about that word so they chose the next word down, “commodore.” They used their judgment to choose another name and not stick with their first option. We, as Christians, have been given Holy Spirit to help us make wise decisions. Somehow we seem to choose the very first options and not seek God’s choice for our life. Many people do this with boyfriends or girlfriends, with jobs, they often do not seeking God’s will in their everyday life. Then when they face difficulties they blame God but He had a better plan for them from the beginning. He knows what is best for you, check with Him, you will never regret choosing His plan.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New Century Version) I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the LORD. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Monday, July 12, 2010
What are You Holding
Isaiah 25:11-12 (Contemporary English Version) They will struggle to get out, but God will humiliate them no matter how hard they try. The walls of their fortresses will be knocked down and scattered in the dirt.
I was saved when I was 4 years old, this does not mean that I stayed close to the Lord this entire time. But God watched out for me in spite of my stubbornness. I have been members at several different church through the years but about 5 years ago we went through some financial challenges which caused us to travel and work 7 days a week. This took us away from home, family and friends and church, and ministry, after about 2 and a half years of this God allowed us to come back home. I had built walls around us spiritually even before that, walls to protect my family and myself. When we came back home a friend called to ask for help with their praise team, my husband told me he needed to be needed, so he went to help. With my walls up all I could see was the darkness I had chose to see about that church. All I could see was their faults, not their hurts. Those walls were to keep from getting hurt but they smothered our ministry. Those walls kept others from hurting us but they also kept others from helping us. They were my walls, I built them and I am the one who had to remove them.
I had to let it go and let God deal with it and with him. I have enough problems on my own. When I let go those walls I had build started to come down; I began to open up to the church and God has been working in me and through me. I am still taking apart those walls and reminding myself that God has got it in control, to let go. There are probably some walls in your life, ask God to start tearing them down and show you how to let go of things so He can take care of things. There was a story I heard a long time ago about a little boy who had caught a butterfly. In his desire to keep and protect it, he held onto it so tight he crushed its wings. Do not do what I was doing, holding on so tight to keep and protect something that I was actually killing it.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
I was saved when I was 4 years old, this does not mean that I stayed close to the Lord this entire time. But God watched out for me in spite of my stubbornness. I have been members at several different church through the years but about 5 years ago we went through some financial challenges which caused us to travel and work 7 days a week. This took us away from home, family and friends and church, and ministry, after about 2 and a half years of this God allowed us to come back home. I had built walls around us spiritually even before that, walls to protect my family and myself. When we came back home a friend called to ask for help with their praise team, my husband told me he needed to be needed, so he went to help. With my walls up all I could see was the darkness I had chose to see about that church. All I could see was their faults, not their hurts. Those walls were to keep from getting hurt but they smothered our ministry. Those walls kept others from hurting us but they also kept others from helping us. They were my walls, I built them and I am the one who had to remove them.
I had to let it go and let God deal with it and with him. I have enough problems on my own. When I let go those walls I had build started to come down; I began to open up to the church and God has been working in me and through me. I am still taking apart those walls and reminding myself that God has got it in control, to let go. There are probably some walls in your life, ask God to start tearing them down and show you how to let go of things so He can take care of things. There was a story I heard a long time ago about a little boy who had caught a butterfly. In his desire to keep and protect it, he held onto it so tight he crushed its wings. Do not do what I was doing, holding on so tight to keep and protect something that I was actually killing it.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Get Real
Acts 7:51-53 (The Message) "And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you're just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn't get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you've kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God's Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!"
Don’t you know God gets sick of seeing people playing church, going through the motions for the eyes of their peers. God must really hate seeing their phony worship. Look in your heart, look at your motives. Why are you going to church, why do you sing, why do you pray? Are your motives pure? If you are going to church for the wrong reasons, do not stop going just change the reason. If your reason is just to hear the singing that is wrong, do not stop singing just change the reason. If your prayers are for the wrong reason, do not stop praying just change the reason. Our God has given everything we need and He deserves all our praise, and prayers but they need to come from our heart. Dear Lord help us get real, Lord we ask for forgiveness for not being true in our worship. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Don’t you know God gets sick of seeing people playing church, going through the motions for the eyes of their peers. God must really hate seeing their phony worship. Look in your heart, look at your motives. Why are you going to church, why do you sing, why do you pray? Are your motives pure? If you are going to church for the wrong reasons, do not stop going just change the reason. If your reason is just to hear the singing that is wrong, do not stop singing just change the reason. If your prayers are for the wrong reason, do not stop praying just change the reason. Our God has given everything we need and He deserves all our praise, and prayers but they need to come from our heart. Dear Lord help us get real, Lord we ask for forgiveness for not being true in our worship. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
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