Nehemiah 8:10 (Amplified Bible) Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
Psalm 19:8(New International Version) The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 32:10-11 (Amplified Bible) Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
There is nothing like a smile to bring a change to a complete stranger. In today’s society people are often caught up in their trouble and walk around in worry and fear. It shows on their faces, we are not good at really hiding our emotions. If we as Christians will share that joy that God has given us even if it is merely a simple smile. When in New Jersey, I was visiting a store everyday and every day I would cross paths with certain people. I intentionally gave them a big Texas smile each time I saw them and eventually they began to return that smile, then they would strike up a conversation. I once saw a T-Shirt that said “Smile, it makes people wonder what you’ve been up to.” People really do notice you smiling and are curious as to the source of your joy. There is joy in Christ and not only are we suppose to be enjoying our walk but also sharing it with others. Today share the joy, make a purpose to smile.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Stuck in Mud
Psalm 40:1-3 (Contemporary English Version) I patiently waited, LORD, for you to hear my prayer. You listened and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the LORD God.
There is a song by Phillips, Craig and Dean which tells us that there is nothing we have done that God cannot forgive when we ask. Our problem is that we do not ask. We push that sin down in to the back of our mind think that it is just too bad. We become swallowed up in this mud pit, hiding that sin. It remains there just eating away on us because we cannot forgive our self so we remain there stuck in the mud. God loves you and wants to forgive you of that sin. Repent, ask for forgiveness, and then forgive yourself.
“I've heard His love is patient, That He always hears a prayer And that His love will follow you Despite the miles My best years of life I wasted Why would He even really care What have I to give That He would find worthwhile you see I just wanna know Tell me how far will He go Will He still reach for me Inspite of who I am Let me tell you
He'll do whatever, whatever it takes His grace reaches lower than your worst mistakes And His love will run farther Than you can run away, my friend He'll do whatever, whatever it takes He'll do whatever it takes” (Phillips, Craig and Dean)
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
There is a song by Phillips, Craig and Dean which tells us that there is nothing we have done that God cannot forgive when we ask. Our problem is that we do not ask. We push that sin down in to the back of our mind think that it is just too bad. We become swallowed up in this mud pit, hiding that sin. It remains there just eating away on us because we cannot forgive our self so we remain there stuck in the mud. God loves you and wants to forgive you of that sin. Repent, ask for forgiveness, and then forgive yourself.
“I've heard His love is patient, That He always hears a prayer And that His love will follow you Despite the miles My best years of life I wasted Why would He even really care What have I to give That He would find worthwhile you see I just wanna know Tell me how far will He go Will He still reach for me Inspite of who I am Let me tell you
He'll do whatever, whatever it takes His grace reaches lower than your worst mistakes And His love will run farther Than you can run away, my friend He'll do whatever, whatever it takes He'll do whatever it takes” (Phillips, Craig and Dean)
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Eagerly Pursue
1 Kings 4:29 (New International Version) God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.
God asked Solomon what he would want and he requested wisdom in order to lead Israel. God granted him wisdom.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (The Message) God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
There are different gifts which given to us as believers. These gifts are for furthering the kingdom. Each of us has talents which God has given us, the gifts and talents are to be used for increasing the kingdom and edifying the saints. These gifts are available to all and ALL are valuable for us in service to the Lord. If you ask, not for yourself but for God’s glory, He will not deny these gifts. He wants us to ask for these gifts so that He may receive glory. I have asked for all gifts for this ministry but especially discernment, faith and prophecy but you may need other gifts to enhance your calling or service.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (Amplified Bible) EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
God asked Solomon what he would want and he requested wisdom in order to lead Israel. God granted him wisdom.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (The Message) God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
There are different gifts which given to us as believers. These gifts are for furthering the kingdom. Each of us has talents which God has given us, the gifts and talents are to be used for increasing the kingdom and edifying the saints. These gifts are available to all and ALL are valuable for us in service to the Lord. If you ask, not for yourself but for God’s glory, He will not deny these gifts. He wants us to ask for these gifts so that He may receive glory. I have asked for all gifts for this ministry but especially discernment, faith and prophecy but you may need other gifts to enhance your calling or service.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (Amplified Bible) EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Do Not Run
Jonah 1:3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
Jonah was called by the Lord to go and minister in Nineveh. He not only refused but he ran the opposite direction. Does that sound like something you may have done? We often do that, when God says go we turn the complete opposite direction and run. When Jonah refused to obey then God removed His protection from Jonah and allowed a storm and then a fish but kept his life safe. Are you in the middle of a storm? Do you feel as though you have been swallowed by your problems? But when Jonah repented God heard his prayer and restored Jonah to fulfill His call. Now we have the same opportunity, we can repent and be restored to fulfill our calling.
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Jonah was called by the Lord to go and minister in Nineveh. He not only refused but he ran the opposite direction. Does that sound like something you may have done? We often do that, when God says go we turn the complete opposite direction and run. When Jonah refused to obey then God removed His protection from Jonah and allowed a storm and then a fish but kept his life safe. Are you in the middle of a storm? Do you feel as though you have been swallowed by your problems? But when Jonah repented God heard his prayer and restored Jonah to fulfill His call. Now we have the same opportunity, we can repent and be restored to fulfill our calling.
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What are You Doing
Proverbs 16:1-4 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster.
If you keep your motives in line with God and commit them to God then He will bring them to pass. Any plans you make are known to God and if God has placed that desire in your heart then He will bless it. Just try to make sure that you are following God’s plans and not trying to steer God to your own plan.
Dear Heavenly Father,
There is nothing we plan that is a surprise to You. Lord, place in our hearts Your plans for our lives instead of us trying to convert You to follow our plans. Help us to fulfill Your purpose for our lives, bless us according to Your desire. Protect Your plans and provide for them, in Jesus name. Amen.
Love and God bless,
Cindy Irwin
If you keep your motives in line with God and commit them to God then He will bring them to pass. Any plans you make are known to God and if God has placed that desire in your heart then He will bless it. Just try to make sure that you are following God’s plans and not trying to steer God to your own plan.
Dear Heavenly Father,
There is nothing we plan that is a surprise to You. Lord, place in our hearts Your plans for our lives instead of us trying to convert You to follow our plans. Help us to fulfill Your purpose for our lives, bless us according to Your desire. Protect Your plans and provide for them, in Jesus name. Amen.
Love and God bless,
Cindy Irwin
Monday, August 2, 2010
Transform Us
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (Amplified Bible) But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You came to pay the debt of sin and when we accept that payment You said You will remove our veil. Please take away our veil include the veils we have placed, strip away the things of religions that have blinded us to who You really are. Help us to see You face to face. Help us to transform our lives into Your image, cover us with the righteousness of Jesus. Open our hearts to walk in the Spirit, totally trusting You for each and every step, every breath we breathe. Be glorified through us and in us. Help us to abide in Your word, these things we ask, we need in Jesus name, amen.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Dear Heavenly Father,
You came to pay the debt of sin and when we accept that payment You said You will remove our veil. Please take away our veil include the veils we have placed, strip away the things of religions that have blinded us to who You really are. Help us to see You face to face. Help us to transform our lives into Your image, cover us with the righteousness of Jesus. Open our hearts to walk in the Spirit, totally trusting You for each and every step, every breath we breathe. Be glorified through us and in us. Help us to abide in Your word, these things we ask, we need in Jesus name, amen.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Tomorrow's Promise
Exodus 6:4 (Amplified Bible) I have also established My covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their temporary residence in which they were strangers.
1 Peter 1:17-19 (Amplified Bible) And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short]. You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.
We are not given the promise of tomorrow so many choose to live for the day. They want to spend and play just for the joy of the moment. We are not promised to have another second here on this earth but we will have eternity to spend in either Heaven or hell. The decision to follow Jesus you make while you are here on earth is the only factor in your eternal destination. However if you have truly decided to follow Christ the remaining time you spend here on earth should give evidence of that decision to follow Christ. You can still enjoy your journey here but you should always be striving to look like Christ to the world.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
1 Peter 1:17-19 (Amplified Bible) And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short]. You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.
We are not given the promise of tomorrow so many choose to live for the day. They want to spend and play just for the joy of the moment. We are not promised to have another second here on this earth but we will have eternity to spend in either Heaven or hell. The decision to follow Jesus you make while you are here on earth is the only factor in your eternal destination. However if you have truly decided to follow Christ the remaining time you spend here on earth should give evidence of that decision to follow Christ. You can still enjoy your journey here but you should always be striving to look like Christ to the world.
Love and God Bless,
Cindy Irwin
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