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Is it worth the risk?

9/5/2019

by Cindy Geyer

The Living Word:
The bellows fiercely fan the flames to burn out the corruption. But it does not purify them, for the wickedness remains. I will label them ‘Rejected Silver,’ for I, the Lord, am discarding them.” Jeremiah 6:29-30 (nlt)

The Word In Motion:
Sounds harsh doesn’t it, to be rejected because of an unwillingness to yield.

The prophet Jeremiah is telling the outcome of one who resists the Refiner’s fire. The fire burns on and on, but the impurities are never released and removed. Instead, this particular piece of metal has stubbornly clung to that which cheapens it, regardless of the intensity of the heat. Its resistance to the fire reveals ugliness rather than beauty. It has resisted its potential to become anything of value.

The Refiner, places a chuck of silver in the fire time after time. When the impurities are stubbornly held on to, the refining process continues in vain. So this stubborn piece of silver remains impure, unusable, and unattractive. Then the silver is rejected for use by the refiner. What a tragic ending! This obstinate and impure piece of silver has been set aside because it insisted on hanging on to its impurities.

We have a choice…yield to the Refiner and his fire or hang on to our impurities. Yes, it can be difficult to have our impurities exposed and removed. So instead of allowing the fire to do its refining work, we hang on to anger, un-forgiveness, selfishness, pride… and refuse to let those impurities be released from our lives. (the wickedness remains) We justify our rights and opinions. We blame others. We even blame God for what remains in us. And sometimes we are so locked into what we see in others that we don’t see what is in us. Is the risk worth it?

The Refiner’s fire is able to miraculously transform worthless junk into a vessel of pure silver. But for that transformation to happen we must surrender to the refiner’s skill. We need to allow the heat of the fire to reveal the impurities in us. Only He can take our lives and remove the impurities without scorching our hearts. He heats the fire till a miracle takes place: Till He sees Himself in the silver! We reflect the Refiners face!

Oh, how I don’t want to be set aside by God! I want God to be able to use me every day in every possible way! I want the impurities out of my heart and life! There’s nothing more tragic and horrifying than to hear the Refiner say, “I am simply unable to use you. You have refused to let go of that which defiles you.”

Is it worth the risk to resist?

PRAYER:
O Lord, I surrender to your fire. My resistance is futile. Help me to yield to the heat of your word, to surrender to the work of your hands, and to remember that even though the fire is hot you will not let me be burned. Your ever watchful eyes are on the whole process of refining me. Amen

I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" Zechariah 13:9

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“Who is this for?”

8/23/2019

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By Don Geyer

Living Word:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Word In Motion:
I woke up the other morning with my knee hurting. Now, I’m not fond of pain and would much rather live a life of comfort. Suffering is not one of my favorite things. And I don’t do it very well. (Don’t worry, this post is not about suffering per se.) But my first thought, after “ow”, was not, “Oh, dear Lord, please heal my knee.” It was more like, “Who is this for?”

“Who is this for?”? What kind of a question is that? Looking at 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 we discover a couple of things about our sufferings.

God will comfort us in them.

We’re supposed to share that comfort with someone in like circumstances.

The unstated, but implied observation is that someone should be sharing their comfort with me. Which is really just restating the first point. That’s how God usually does it – through someone else.

So, the question is a good one. (Yes, I do sometimes get it right.) And right away someone came to mind. So, I prayed for him. Both of his knees are in bad shape because of his work. And every time I got a twinge of pain, I prayed for him again. He got a lot of prayer that week.

But here’s how I look at it. God allows us to “suffer” for basically two reasons. One for our character growth (that’s a whole other teaching, but a really important point.) And two, for someone else, whether it be for their character growth or simply healing (or whatever else God might be up to in their live.)

As for the first of these (our character growth), and this is the super short teaching, as long as we respond correctly it will happen (lots of Scripture to back up that one). As to the second (for someone else), we often are not aware of when or how that will happen. Sometimes it is right away, sometimes years away. I know that Cindy, my wife experienced some stuff in her life that didn’t comfort anyone until years later. And then, it wasn’t just one person, it has been many. Other times it’s a one-off thing, like I hope this knee thing is. But one thing I do know is that it’s not all about me. It never is.

So sharing this comfort is my goal. I’ve decided that I want to be proactive about it. I don’t want to wait until the pain is gone before I start sharing. (My knee still hurts and I haven’t got my comfort yet. But I know it will come and be available for sharing.) So for now I share my comfort by faith. And that comes in the form of praying for my friend.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if this idea caught on. Something happens and immediately prayers are lifted up for someone or several people who suffer likewise.

Think about this from God’s perspective for a moment. He hears prayers all day long. Which one is he more likely to respond to? “Help ME, God,” or “Help HIM/HER, God”? I’m made in His image, and I’ll tell you which one I would respond to quicker: the one that’s not self-focused. It’s not that it’s wrong, it’s just not where I would like to see the focus. Especially if there is someone out there whom God wants me to pray for and comfort. It’s like He is giving me this pain so that I can ease someone else’s. (And I won’t even get into how many reasons for that there may be.)

So here’s today’s challenge: What’s bugging you? Who do you know that is being plagued by that very same thing? Pray for that person. Trust that God is working likewise in someone else that they will have you on their heart.

It’s really a pretty cool plan that God has for us to get over ourselves and look out for the rest of the Body.

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Seek My Face

7/10/2019

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by Cindy Geyer

Living Word:
You said, "Seek My face', my heart said to You,"Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8

Word In Motion:
Seek Him first in all things. We have a God with unlimited abundance. Open you heart and mind to receive more and more of Him. He is your salvation. He is your strength. He will never fail you nor abandon you. He is your Help.
Lift your eyes up to where your help comes from. Seek His face. Look to Him.
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.
Psalm 105:4

Listen for His voice. He speaks softly to your heart, in the depths of your being. Be still and listen. He will be a voice speaking to you saying "this is the way, walk in it"
"Listen to His voice and hold-fast to Him. For the Lord is your life."
Duet 30:20

When we worry all we hear is the storm of anxious confusion (waves in a storm and being tossed back and forth). As He tries to speak, His voice gets lost in the roar of the ocean of worry, muffled by the waves of fear. Be STILL and listen for His voice.
The mind control by His Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6

Listen, my voice cries out over the waves, "It is I. I am here." (listen)
"Do you not see me?, I am the one walking on the waves." (seek)
Be still, let me quiet your mind and still your anxious thoughts. Let me quiet the storm as you sit still in my presence. Do not be fearful of the storm, for I have overcome the storm.
Be still and know I am God.
Psalm 46:10

We need to Seek Him, listen for His voice, and look to where our help comes from;
Our help comes from the Lord, the one who calms the seas and quiets the waves.

Read this out loud, with a heart full of confidence.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let my foot slip—he who watches over me will not slumber; indeed, he will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over me—the Lord is my shade at my right hand;
the sun will not harm me by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep me from all harm— he will watch over my life; the Lord will watch over my coming and my going
both now and forevermore more.
Psalm 121

Lord, our response to your call is: "Yes, Lord, I will seek you always."

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Mother's day prayer

5/16/2019

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Happy Mother's Day! A prayer for you!

Lord, you have given Mom's great abilities, the ability to know and discern their child's needs, the eyes to see the unseen - eyes in the back of their heads, the words to encourage and give wisdom but most of all a never-ending love for their children.

I know they can get weary and even fearful at times. Be their Encourager today. Especially where they question their abilities, their decisions and even question who they are and Lord, where they fear they are not good enough. Your word says, "Perfect love casts out all fear", so Lord remind them, remind them like they remind their own children, how precious they are to you. How much you love them.

I ask that you would give them the spirit of wisdom and of discernment. I pray that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened that they may know the hope with which you have called them. I pray that out of your goodness you would strengthen them with your spirit in their inner being. Give them the ability to grasp how wide, how long, and how deep your love is for them. Fill them to the fullest measure of your goodness. Keep them and protect them from discouragement and fear as your remind them that you are with them at all times; that you will never leave them nor forsake them... not even their children. Comfort and heal those who mourn. Bring assurance to their hearts you have their precious ones in your ever-loving arms.

May you, O' lord, the God of all hope fill them with your Joy...The joy that is their strength - their durability, their intensity, their ability to endure, their ability to stand when all else falls. Fill them with your peace as they trust in you, so they may overflow with hope by the power of your Spirit...that they can do all things through you! Fill them with strength and dignity.

May they speak with wisdom and may your faithful instruction be on their tongues. As they watch and take care of their households remind them they do not need to fear for you are with them.

Give them the reward they have earned...
Let the works of her hands bring her praise.
Let her family exalt her and rise to call her "Blessed"
but above all Papa, Let her hear you saying daily...
"Well done my good and faithful one! Amen

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Testimony of Freedom

2/21/2019

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by Sallie
Living Word
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Word In Motion
I want to thank Cindy, Paula, Barbara and Debbie for the opportunity this evening to share a brief portion of my journey with Papa God. These wonderful and loving ladies, of our Papa God, helped me to release some toxic baggage, experience Papa God’s Love (Full Throttle) and live a much happier life.

I have known Paula for over 18 years and met Cindy at an event Paula was hosting on behalf of the company she works for. Paula immediately introduced me to Cindy and the brief time I spoke with her was very revealing as to how deep this woman’s love for Papa God is. She filled in missing links for me on a very meaningful phrase I was using ‘Let Go and Let God’. I knew there had to be more to this than what I knew there to be….And Cindy then filled in the missing link…’Let Go and Let God Go Before You!’

I was encouraged to attend the WIMM Women’s conferences for several years by Paula. God finally made it clear that I needed to attend my first conference in October 2015. This was the best decision I made for myself. I was able to meet the rest of these wonderful women, Barb and Debbie. I also met some amazing women who were attending the Conference. Through Cindy’s ministry expertise, I was able to release specific chains that bound me for most of my life.

It is the first time I truly felt free from the chains my mother had bound me with! My mother did the best she knew how to raise me and reprimand me. I love her very much, as she was my mother. I did not know how to accept encouraging words from Papa God or anyone else until Cindy, Paula, Barbara and Debbie helped me release myself from these binding chains.

Cindy also ministered to me Papa God’s words that He LOVED me unconditionally and was proud of me, of which I was terrified and at the same time exhilarated to experience this revelation. This was truly a life altering event for me! I not only felt free from those binding chains, I also began to hear positive thoughts instead of negative self-talk. As I left the conference, I made a pact and promise with Papa God and myself that I would focus on seeking to be truly happy in every aspect of my personal and work life. I have received affirmations that I, in fact, have accomplished living a Happy Life! I have had numerous people tell me that they noticed recently that I am a very happy person and that my smile is as big as the Grand Canyon. It’s because these four ladies guided me and showed me the way to a deeper relationship with our Papa God.

I knew God was telling me his work was not done with me yet, as he had plans for me to attend the October 2016 Women’s Conference. My work schedule and racing schedule shifted, amazingly, so I would be able to attend. And I found myself thoroughly enjoying the Word of God through Cindy’s ministry. The conference theme was ‘Come Away, My Beloved’. It was the first time in my life that I received a Love Letter and it was so moving that – I, who am not a crier especially in public was bawling like a newborn baby wanting to be fed. The two day conference flew by so fast and yet it left me feeling so very loved by our Papa God - way beyond my own comprehension.

I know Papa God’s work is still not finished for me! I wake up wondering and with anticipated amazement as to what Papa God has in store for me. I have been truly amazed every day since! And this truly puts a smile on my face!

Thank you and God Bless Cindy, Paula, Barbara and Debbie for their unconditional love and dedication to help me and many more know how much Papa God loves us unconditionally!

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A Testimony of Hope

2/1/2019

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by Joanna

Living Word:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have... I Peter 3:15

Word In Motion:
I attended for the first time one of the Word In Motion Ministries women's retreats in 2013 about Queen Ester – “Entering His Chambers”.

I have been involved in women’s ministry for more than 20 years and have attended many retreats in search of tools to find a deeper connection with God and to grow a bigger faith. But this first Word in Motion Ministries retreat has ruined me for all other women’s retreats!

At this particular retreat Cindy opened my brain to the concept of a sovereign God. Honestly, I could not spell the word “sovereign” in my notes. After that retreat not only could I spell “sovereign” but I came to a new revelation of a sovereign God who is to “reign” in and over my life. A sovereign God who is perfect in all ways and His love for me is perfect... All the time.

Just one of the unique aspects of the Word in Motion Ministries is that Cindy speaks a personal message of encouragement and declaration into each and every woman who attends the retreat. It is impossible to leave one of these retreats untouched by God’s love.
Beyond experiencing God’s great love for me, I have been able to dig out old lies and hurts and examine them in the light of God’s word, examine them in the truth of who God says I am, and to break off the lies and hurts and stand as a victor and overcomer and triumphant daughter of the King of Kings.

One example of breakthrough came during the conference “Thy Will Be Done” this last May. Because of deep sorrow at an early age, I put a limit on hopes and dreams because to dream for or attain all I can hope for or imagine meant that I would become vulnerable to the possibility of another great lose or disappointment.

But in examining the life of Joseph and his many loses and disappointments and YET see how the Lord was constantly at work in Joseph’s life story, I was able to reclaim abundant hope. To embrace joy. And to trust God's dream for my life because He will hold me with His righteous right hand. And when you know who’s you are and when you believe that Our God is Able.. Confidence in His calling on your life will follow.

Thank you so much Joanna for sharing your testimony with us.

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Position of Honor

4/27/2018

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by Cindy Geyer

The Living Word
We can rejoice, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5

The Word In Motion
As some of you have read in the last couple years I have been dealing with a disease that has changed my life. What was once a life of go, go, go; has changed to stop, evaluate, and then go. My life has literally stopped. I now have to assess if I can even go grocery shopping today.

The disease is Sarcoidosis - a hyper-immune disease which can affect all the organs in your body. It has affected my lungs, joints, lymphoids, and skin, it has its ups and downs. No one is sure how it starts or what causes it. Needless to say, it has been a very difficult journey. A journey that has brought me to a lot of different locations.  (For more info read the blogs Detours in life)

This past year I have been in the location of "The pit of Despair" (said with Princess Bride inflection). What was new and difficult, became mundane and difficult. So the depression set in. Everyone else in my life has moved on. Their lives are still going at the pace I used to function in and mine has slowed way down, and it seems like they have left me behind. (Now, I know that is not entirely true, but seeing this through the eyes of discouragement tends to exaggerate things.)

Also the pain I am in can cause discouragement. When people see me, I don't look “sick”. It is a disease that is inward and not always discernible. I also don't like to let on that I am not doing well. (I am working on that one). Many people don't realize that my life has slowed, so they keep moving on, until they see me again. This leaves times of fellowship few and far between. I try to reach out, but being limited to times of physical ability, it is hard. Also, they have lives that need to keep moving and not stop on my account. (Told you, still working on it).

So this depression sets in, not an easy thing to deal with. It can consume you and your perspective on life. Now, I don’t usually get so depressed, so this is a new experience for me. Especially when I know without a doubt that God has a plan in all this and that He turns all things to good! I also know that I am healed!! Whether it is seen now or in the future I am healed.

So I say all this to tell you about a special time I had with the Lord the other day. It was one of those days that I was in a lot of pain and not feeling I could get up, but I wanted to go to church. So I went. As I was in worship the pain and weakness got really bad. I cried out to Papa God, “Why am I in this position, O Lord… Pain, weakness, tired, alone in a pit of despair.” I just started to cry. Then the Lord spoke to my heart and showed me a picture.

I was in this deep pit, no way to climb out, with a shaft of light shining down on my collapsed body. "This is not a pit of despair my daughter...this is a position of honor!" What? How can this be? I am in a pit, alone and in pain. "My precious one I have chosen you for this time. I have placed you in this position to bring glory to my Name. It is a position of honor that I have placed you in. That it is a pit of despair is a perspective your flesh has made it to be. I have chosen this as a place of honor to bring glory to my name." Now I need to tell you that at first I was, like, could you choose a different place for this position. (Sarcoidosis is not what I would have wanted.) My discouragement was so overwhelming that I almost missed what Papa God was revealing to me. But then the picture of the pit started to change. The light was not just on me it got wider.

It says in Psalm 40 that when we cry out, He listens and lifts us up out of the pit of despair and gives us a firm place to stand. That firm place is His UNFAILING LOVE!! The firm place is his love for me, it gives me the ability to stand firmly and not sink in the mire of my discouragement. I learned that day that my fleshly perspective is a lonely pit of despair but with His unfailing-love-perspective (the shaft of light) I could see others in the pit with me. I saw their pain and suffering, loneliness, and fear. I saw people who needed hope and an understanding of God's unfailing love for them in the midst of their pain. I understood. I was in a position (of honor) to reveal God's love and hope to those I would not be able to reach if it wasn't for my disease. A light in the darkness to bring glory to His name. Wow! what a perspective change. He does turn all things to good. It's not all about me and my pain. It is about how God uses my suffering to reveal His goodness to others.

Now does that change my circumstances? No, I still have to deal with this disease and at times my discouragement, but Papa God always reminds me of His promises. * His understanding of what I am going through no one can fathom. He never grows tired or weary of helping me when I am weak. His unfailing love is always underneath me supporting my life. He is always faithful and He loves me unconditionally. His plan for me is to prosper not to harm me and to give me a hope and a future. These are truths that I believe with all my heart and they give me strength and joy every day. This is what I need to share with those who are suffering.

He has put me in a position of honor. He trusts me to reveal His love and faithfulness to others. During this time, I have been able to encourage more people than I have ever imagined. Nurses, techs, doctors, admissions, and so on. People I would never have reached if it wasn’t for this sickness. They ask me, “How can you be so positive when you are so sick?” I just look at them and say “God.” My position opens doors to reveal His glory.

Many of you are suffering and need a word of hope. Read the truth of who God is in the paragraph above *. He is a faithful God in all things.

For others of you who are suffering, you need to be reminded of who God is and that you are in a position of honor to bring glory to Him. What are you reflecting on while in your pit? It is not all about you. He is trusting you to reveal to others what He has been to you. What do your actions and statements reveal?

A position of honor is a place of surrender and responsibility. To surrender your perspective/selfishness and take on the responsibility of bringing glory to His name. Reveal who God is in the dark places of your life so others may see an amazing God who never leaves nor forsakes them. One who never fails and always loves unconditionally. AMEN!

Our sufferings are our places of honor. It is not about how we feel, it is about who Papa God is. We are in Positions of Honor to bring glory to his name.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. I Peter 4:12-13

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How are you?

1/30/2018

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The Living Word
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens -- Ecclesiastes 3:1

The Word In Motion
"How are you?" A question that has become a greeting not a conversation. We all ask this question of each other, but are we just doing it out of courtesy or really wanting to know. A lot of the time it is asked in the store or at church before or after service, events and such...we ask it as we pass by...stopping sometimes but still focused on service is going to start, or I have to get home, or I have to finish.

We are in such a hurried world. The available time to sit and listen to each other is becoming less and less. Texting is the go to. "It is quicker to text, I don't have time to talk." Which in its self is great. cause we can still at least let others know we are still out there, but that only last for a moment. When we see people we care about our time schedule is so tight, we only have time to ask "How are you..Oh, I have to go now" We talk about needing to have relationships and such but our lives don't slow down.

I have come to a serious place in my life where I have to slow down. I don't have a choice. It put me in a position of realizing how fast life is out there. We have less and less time. Just getting time with family is even hard.

When God put me in this position of Stop or you will Die, I saw the world and friends speeding by and I am stopped at the stop light unable to move, sometimes not even able to wave as people go by. They yell out "How are you" and I try to share but they are gone before I can even say "Okay".

It has made me realize, how in my own life I had been so busy and missed opportunities to just stop and say "hi" ask "How are you" and listen with intent to hear.

In this place of quiet reflection, I realize that life is short. It is not about quantity it is about quality. Its not about time, it is about love. God's love.

Everyone of us has relationships that God put into our lives for a purpose. Don't let life get so busy you miss the opportunities to love on the relationships God has made you responsible for.

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The Joy of Lord is MY STRENGTH!!

1/17/2018

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The Living Word: Nehemiah 8:10 b
"...Don’t be dejected and sad,
for the Joy of the Lord is your strength!"

The Word In Motion:
The Definition of Strength
state of being strong, endurance, power of resisting attack, force of an army
ability to deal with problems in a determined and effective way,
ability that makes one effective or useful.

Now...take one of the definitions that fits your situation
and put it in the place of the word STRENGTH.
The Joy of the Lord is my _________________

Example: The Joy of the Lord is my endurance.
His joy is my ability to endure
His joy is my ability to resist
His joy is my ability to be effective in this world..

WOW! His joy, HIS JOY,
changes our perspectives and enhances our abilities. It give us the strength to endure.
What do you need right now in your circumstances. Ask for His Joy to fill you and give you strength to endure, or resist, or to be effective.

This joy is a gift. He is offering it to you. All you have to do is receive.
What activates this gift or the batteries it needs is... Praise and Trust.

Paul in Philippians states: Rejoice in the Lord at all times.
Isaiah states: put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
David states: God is his strength, I trust Him always and my heart is full of JOY!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Joy isn't just happiness - It is the substance of contentment. It is trust in the knowledge, no the fact that God is ever-present, in control of all things, faithful, never grows weary, and He understands better than anyone else what is going on in our lives.

He is hope and He is joy.
Let His Joy flow through you now. Let your soul rejoice in Him.
HE IS YOUR STRENGTH!
your moral strength
your character strength
your inner strength

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Ps 28:7

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Expect the Unexpected

8/7/2017

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by Don Geyer

The Living Word
Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:9-10

The Word In Motion
“A priest, a Baptist minister, and a Pentecostal walk into a bar.” What’s next? What would you expect to hear after an opener like that? A joke, right? But what if the next thing I told you was that they had a cross-denominational revival and 50 people got saved? Now, if I told you to expect the unexpected, “national revival” is what you would think.

Having grown up with ten brothers, Joe was used to fits of jealousy and outbursts of rage. Being one of the youngest of the brood, he often was the recipient of the brunt of their frustrations. He was also the instigator of much of them. He was his father’s favorite. So when they threw him in a well, he figured one of them would eventually let him out. When they finally came for him, he was thoroughly frustrated himself. Dripping wet they hauled him up only to sell him to some passers-by. This wasn’t like before. A sense of dread came over him. The rest of his life was going to be a living hell. He expected he would serve one master after another for the rest of his miserable life with no chance of ever seeing his beloved father again.

An old shepherd was walking through the dessert. In his 80 years he had seen his share of strange things. Some distance away, at the foot of a mountain in the middle of a long shadow cast by a blistering hot sun was a little thorn bush. Nothing unusual so far. But this one was on fire. Still nothing all that awe-inspiring. What caught the shepherd’s eye at first was the light. He walked toward it, expecting it to be someone’s campfire. As he approached he saw that no one was around. He expected the fire to die down to a few glowing embers and eventually go out.

A seasoned warrior king, a conqueror of nations, a well-traveled man, had seen it all. He had servants from all over the world. His empire glistened with the greatest talents from anywhere in the entire world. He was advised by the wisest words of wisdom from the world’s greatest minds. At a party in his honor, as all of them were, a few rabble-rousers made him angry. No, furious. Did not these puny peasants know that he had the power to destroy them?! Even when confronted, these men refused to pay him homage. He was beyond angry, furious didn’t even do him justice. He couldn’t control himself. He had his workers heat the furnace, which had just days before melted the metal for his immense statue, to seven times hotter than it had been for that purpose. At a hundred yard he could feel the intensity of the heat. He had his royal guards take the men up the ramp to fueling side of the furnace to throw those vile villains into the flames. His own guards couldn’t even take the heat and perished on the way. The three bound men were momentarily on their own. Knowing that their fate lie in the depths of the melting pot, they jumped in. Despite losing his best men the king’s fierce anger was momentarily abated when the bound prisoners lept into the blazing inferno. He expected there to be shrieks of exquisite torment as their flesh melted off their bones.

The Bible is full of stories where something happens to someone and that someone expects something, but that something never materializes. Instead, something else entirely happens and that someone is required to adjust their expectations. And as they do, God begins to do some marvelous things.

Joseph served his master well. But still all did not go well. He landed in prison and was forgotten by “friends”. He could have given in to despair and just quit living altogether. But he wasn’t your average Joe. From the time he had his first dreams where his brothers and father bowed down to him, Joseph had some pretty high expectations of God. With no idea how God would pull it off, he served where he found himself whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison. He kept his high expectations of God and God lived up to those expectations. He ended up being the number two person in all of ancient Egypt! That was unexpected.

Moses noticed that the bush was not consumed. The time it took him to walk over to the bush should have seen the bush reduced to embers – at least. In the brilliance of the flames, the old man could still make out the smallest of branches and every leaf. The wonder of the burning bush drew him in. Cautiously, he approached. He didn’t want that kind of fire on him! And then it spoke! That was unexpected. Moses went on to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Along the way he learned to follow God’s instructions and developed a habit of adjusting his expectations. He had to. With each of the plagues he expected God to set his people free. By the time the Israelites got to the Red Sea Moses was beginning to get it. He raised his expectations to the level God could act, and entire army was annihilated and a nation saved.
That was unexpected.

Not believing his own eyes, Nebuchadnezzar saw not three prisoners but four, and none of them bound, none of them shrieking, none of them harmed in any way! Not only that, but the forth man was glowing so bright that the fire seemed pale in comparison. That was unexpected. Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah met the fourth man in the furnace. Immediately, they knew they had to adjust their expectations upward. Before going in they were confident in God’s ability to save. But what now? Obviously, it had to be great. That kind of saving doesn’t just happen every day does it? Nebuchadnezzar no longer demanded people worship him, he changed his tune and gave praise to God. The course of the nation changed.
That was unexpected.

The world would tell you, “Lower your expectations so you don’t get hurt.” Or “I can’t live up to your expectations, and you can’t live up to mine, so we just shouldn’t have any.” God, on the other hand, wants us to raise our expectations. He wants us to expect great things from Him. All too often our problems lie in the fact that we don’t have high enough expectations and we think God doesn’t want to – no, won’t - meet those expectations.
God wants us to have high enough expectations that He can meet them without compromising Himself in the process.

If He met your less-than-spectacular expectations (which may be high enough for you), what would that be saying about Him? Oh, ye of little faith. Go beyond the normal expectations – that which merely should be – and reach for more. Expect the unexpected!

Expect God to do what only He can. Oh, you’re circumstances are overwhelming? No, they should be overwhelmed! Your circumstances are merely a platform on which God can perform! That sounds dangerously close to HOPE!
Well, that was unexpected.

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Keep your eyes on the horizon.

6/5/2017

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Living Word:
I lift my eyes up to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Word In Motion:
We all understand discouragement. We all come to this place throughout our journeys in this life. We just need to remember that we are not alone. We need to keep our heads up. Looking down we can't see ahead and it feels like we are going nowhere, with our eyes up we see who is with us on our journey.

We can see the direction we are moving in. We can see His help and encouragement. We can rejoice with each step because we will see his handiwork in our life.

He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

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That Was Unexpected!

4/12/2017

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by Don Geyer

The Living Word
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20

The Word In Motion
“A priest, a Baptist minister, and a Pentecostal walk into a bar.” What’s next? What would you expect to hear after an opener like that? A joke, right? But what if the next thing I told you was that they had a cross-denominational revival and 50 people got saved? Now, if I told you to expect the unexpected, “national revival” is what you would think.

Having grown up with ten brothers, Joe was used to fits of jealousy and outbursts of rage. Being one of the youngest of the brood, he often was the recipient of the brunt of their frustrations. He was also the instigator of much of them. He was his father’s favorite. So when they threw him in a well, he figured one of them would eventually let him out. When they finally came for him, he was thoroughly frustrated himself. Dripping wet they hauled him up only to sell him to some passers-by. This wasn’t like before. A sense of dread came over him. The rest of his life was going to be a living hell. He expected he would serve one master after another for the rest of his miserable life with no chance of ever seeing his beloved father again.

An old shepherd was walking through the dessert. In his 80 years he had seen his share of strange things. Some distance away, at the foot of a mountain in the middle of a long shadow cast by a blistering hot sun was a little thorn bush. Nothing unusual so far. But this one was on fire. Still nothing all that awe-inspiring. What caught the shepherd’s eye at first was the light. He walked toward it, expecting it to be someone’s campfire. As he approached he saw that no one was around. He expected the fire to die down to a few glowing embers and eventually go out.

A seasoned warrior king, a conqueror of nations, a well-traveled man, had seen it all. He had servants from all over the world. His empire glistened with the greatest talents from anywhere in the entire world. He was advised by the wisest words of wisdom from the world’s greatest minds. At a party in his honor, as all of them were, a few rabble-rousers made him angry. No, furious. Did not these puny peasants know that he had the power to destroy them?! Even when confronted, these men refused to pay him homage. He was beyond angry, furious didn’t even do him justice. He couldn’t control himself. He had his workers heat the furnace, which had just days before melted the metal for his immense statue, to seven times hotter than it had been for that purpose. At a hundred yard he could feel the intensity of the heat. He had his royal guards take the men up the ramp to fueling side of the furnace to throw those vile villains into the flames. His own guards couldn’t even take the heat and perished on the way. The three bound men were momentarily on their own. Knowing that their fate lie in the depths of the melting pot, they jumped in.
Despite losing his best men the king’s fierce anger was momentarily abated when the bound prisoners leapt into the blazing inferno. He expected there to be shrieks of exquisite torment as their flesh melted off their bones.

The Bible is full of stories where something happens to someone and that someone expects something, but that something never materializes. Instead, something else entirely happens and that someone is required to adjust their expectations. And as they do, God begins to do some marvelous things.

Joseph served his master well. But still all did not go well. He landed in prison and was forgotten by “friends”. He could have given in to despair and just quit living altogether. But he wasn’t your average joe. From the time he had his first dreams where his brothers and father bowed down to him, Joseph had some pretty high expectations of God. With no idea how God would pull it off, he served where he found himself whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison. He kept his high expectations of God and God lived up to those expectations. He ended up being the number two person in all of ancient Egypt! That was unexpected.

Moses noticed that the bush was not consumed. The time it took him to walk over to the bush should have seen the bush reduced to embers – at least. In the brilliance of the flames, the old man could still make out the smallest of branches and every leaf. The wonder of the burning bush drew him in. Cautiously, he approached. He didn’t want that kind of fire on him! And then it spoke! That was unexpected. Moses went on to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Along the way he learned to follow God’s instructions and developed a habit of adjusting his expectations. He had to. With each of the plagues he expected God to set his people free. By the time the Israelites got to the Red Sea Moses was beginning to get it. He raised his expectations to the level God could act, and entire army was annihilated and a nation saved.

Not believing his own eyes, Nebuchadnezzar saw not three prisoners but four, and none of them bound, none of them shrieking, none of them harmed in any way! Not only that, but the forth man was glowing so bright that the fire seemed pale in comparison. That was unexpected.

Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah met the fourth man in the furnace. Immediately, they knew they had to adjust their expectations upward. Before going in they were confident in God’s ability to save. But what now? Obviously, it had to be great. That kind of saving doesn’t just happen every day does it? Nebuchadnezzar no longer demanded people worship him, he changed his tune and gave praise to God. The course of the nation changed. That was unexpected.

The world would tell you, “Lower your expectations so you don’t get hurt.” Or “I can’t live up to your expectations, and you can’t live up to mine, so we just shouldn’t have any.” God, on the other hand, wants us to raise our expectations of Him. He wants us to expect great things from Him. All too often our problems lie in the fact that we don’t have high enough expectations and God doesn’t want to – no, won’t - meet those low expectations. He wants us to have high enough expectations that He can meet them without compromising Himself in the process. If He met your less-than-spectacular expectations (which may be high enough for you), what would that be saying about Him? Oh, ye of little faith. Go beyond the normal expectations – that which merely should be – and reach for more. Expect the unexpected! Expect God to do what only He can.

No, you’re circumstances shouldn't be overwhelming, they should be overwhelmed!
Your circumstances are merely a platform on which God can perform!
That sounds dangerously close to HOPE! Well, that was unexpected.

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Be Still and Know that I Am God!

3/13/2017

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The Living Word
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

The Word In Motion
The words "be still and know" in this verse does not mean stay still, don't move, or sink into a place of one’s own thoughts. It means deliberately being quiet and focusing on God and God alone.

When you have been brought into relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, you will experience wonderful life experiences with Him. As you learn about Him, to wait on Him, and to trust in Him there will come into you a place of rest. You will gain an ability to be still when the storms of life rage around you. A stillness (security, knowledge) that settles in your heart, that... God is in control, that all things are possible with Him, and that all things work for good. This stillness or rest is the certainty that God is at work in your life, doing all in accordance with His will and purpose for you.

Be still - to be quiet, at peace, quit struggling - trust Him. When circumstances arise we tend in our flesh to yell, scream fight, grumble, worry, etc... This part of the verse is saying STOP! Be Still! Be quiet! Listen! Rest secure in who God, is. To do this means... you have to KNOW Him.

Know I am God - This is not just head knowledge, this is knowing Him with all your heart and soul also. Where, what your head knows and what your heart experiences of Him brings peace to the soul in all circumstances. The peace of God which transcends all understanding.

Have you entered into this kind of stillness, where you are at total rest because you know with out a doubt He is God? Time to learn more about Him. Time to trust Him to be all that He is. Time to learn to be still when the seas roar and the fires burn. Be still and know, He is God and He loves you without limitations.

Dear Papa God, help me to grow in my knowledge of You, not just in my head but in my heart and soul also. Help me to know you intimately and to trust in that knowledge of who You are. Help me to BE STILL and be quiet, in my circumstances. Help me to respond in who you are and not react because of how I feel or my fears. Give me the faith to stand firm and be still in my life. Teach me more about you and your love for me. Amen.

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Heaven's Kitchen

8/29/2016

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by Don Geyer - - re-post requested

The Living Word
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. I Corinthians 7:17

The Word In Motion
The kitchen was dark. The kitchen staff had just left and the pots and pans still swung from the overhead rack. No sooner did the door close than the voice of the goblet rang out.

“Did you see that! I was filled no less than five times!” He was always one to gloat. He knew that without him the Master could be grumpy. He was THE Master’s wine goblet, and he never let anyone forget it.

A muffled snirk emerged from under the sink. Chamber Pott was not known for his congeniality. He was always grumbling under his breath about not being valued for his contributions to the work around the mansion. His thinking now was about how many times HE had been filled today. Let’s just say it was more than five, though it was not exactly wine either.

Nobody paid any attention to the sounds under the counter. Sir Irving Tray was going on about all the things he was expected to carry. He had such great responsibilities and the Master was wise not to entrust them to anyone else.

But Turk E. Platter was not to be outdone. Sir Tray didn’t have anything to do with the main dish being served. It was he, Turk, that was summoned to that task.

Mr. and Mrs. T. Set certainly had something to say. They had served since - well, no one could remember that far back. They had always been there - together. And no one looked so fine as they either.

To everyone’s chagrin the Dish had to chime in. (Contrary to popular belief, she did not - ever - run away with the spoon. How absurd!) She first bragged about being the focal point of ALL the finery and in the same breath berated the Master for abusing her with knife and fork - all that cutting and poking was hard on her figure! It simply wasn’t fair. And daily use! Please! She needed a break - uh, let me rephrase that, she needed a vacation.

The desert plate was all for that. Underutilized and always in a sticky situation, she coveted her sister’s position.

The conversation went on and on. Or more appropriately, the soliloquies went on and on. No one really listened to what the other said, so long as he or she had the opportunity to do a little bragging or comparing too.

Unnoticed in the back of the kitchen, the Potter had entered the room. He had made each and every piece of service for the Master. They were his designs, their functions decided by him.

Chamber Pott, with the lowest vantage point, was the first to notice his presence. “Hello, Potter.” His was not the pleasant tone one would expect. “What do you want?”

The room went quiet as each turned toward the Potter. The Potter’s face was somber. “I came to see how each of you were adapting to service to the Master.”

“Splendid,” interjected the goblet. “Did you notice the red wine stains in me from this evening’s service. The Master is in good spirits, and I must say, it is all my doing.”

“Bite your tongue, Goblet! It was I who brought him all his favorite things. It was my service that put him in such a fine mood,” interrupted Sir Irving Tray.

“Says who?” wondered Turk E. Platter. And the bickering went on. Everybody had their say - again. It wasn’t enough they did it behind his back, but now, in front of the Maker, they carried on so. It was more than the Potter could take. As they carried on he silently pulled out Chamber Pott and filled him with boiling water from the caldron over the fire. Then, one by one, he took the service and dipped them in the scalding water. He gently scrubbed each piece with a rag and soap until they were clean. There was plenty of complaining. The water was too hot, the soap too harsh, the rag too common. Goblet was upset about losing his precious red wine stains.

When he was done, the Potter placed each piece on the counter in front of him. As he looked at each he could see his reflection in them. As he gazed, they realized, some with shame, that they had esteemed themselves more highly than they ought.

He had made them what they were.

No one was any more valuable than the others. Even Chamber felt a renewed sense of purpose as the potter dumped the water out of him. In the Potter’s hands he had just been used to help cleanse the rest of them. They all, too, saw his purpose, and the fact that they could not serve without his aid. They all had to work together. They all had just one Master to serve and each had a unique way to do it. Yes, some were more visible than others, some prettier, and some we don’t talk about, but all have a part in their service to Him. As long as they do it for him and not their own glory, no one is more important to the Master.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. I Corinthians 12

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We are all still here!

7/25/2016

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Living Word:
The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But... Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself!
We are all here! Acts 16:16-40

Word In Motion:
How do we praise in the dungeons of life?
Why do we have to wait for God's release to leave the dungeon even after the chains are gone?

Cindy shared with Rev. Leslie on "Heart of the Savior Ministries”
KPDQ 800am, that there is more to our circumstances than we see.

Obedience releases God's plan in our difficult situations.

Click to listen

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Shine Like Stars

7/14/2016

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By Cindy Geyer

Living word:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. 

Word In Motion:
It’s not about what caused it, it’s about what choices we made.

Repentance is not about what happened to you, it’s a face to face time with God where His light of truth dawns in your soul to reveal the dark places, your sins, your choices, your actions that put yourself before the purity of Christ. Repentance is where you are broken before Him without excuses, without the “BUTS” (… but she did this, …but he abandoned me, …but they took everything, …but he did this…) When God brings you to himself all your defenses drop and you come to a place of “Woe is me, I am a sinner”, then God starts to work within you and you begin to change, to turn around. You stop blaming, you stop making excuses, you own up to your actions.

There are always emotional reactions and selfish hurts that distort and confuse your circumstances. So because of that, you can’t set yourself in a place to blame. We tend to only see through our own eyes but, when God gets a hold of your heart He doesn’t want to know what others did, He already does. He wants to know if you see what you did, if you see what your actions did, if you showed His compassion, if you showed love, peace, patience kindness goodness, self-control.

Repentance looks deep within yourself and you see what you have done through the eyes of Christ and you are broken. Then when you repent - you don’t blame, you don’t accuse, you don’t defend - all you can say is, “I have sinned before God and you, I repent. Will you forgive me?”

Our anger, defensiveness, our owning up to what we did or didn’t do is lacking. It is time to walk and respond in the purity of the Holy Spirit. We need to be broken before God, and stop making excuses, blaming and accusing. Time to stop being defensive and start being accountable. Time to step into being an example of Christ, yielded, surrendered, full of forgiveness. We need to move into a place of brokenness with God that brings strength of character, grace of Christ, mercy of forgiveness and purity of repentance.

Isaiah 30 - Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says:
“Because you have rejected this message, and, relied on oppression and depended on deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. It will break in pieces like pottery, shattered so mercilessly that among its pieces not a fragment will be found for taking coal from a hearth or scooping water out of a cistern.”
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says,
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee. You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift!  A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.

Blessed are all who wait for him! O my people, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

This section in Isaiah is for all of Gods’ children, when you chose to sin, you run from God and become all alone. Our gracious father, the Lord Almighty will respond when you cry for help. Yes, He does give us times of adversity and affliction, to test our mettle and to refine our hearts so we can come to a place of accountability with Him and say “Woe is me, I am a sinner”, then you hear his voice telling you and leading you in the path of truth and righteousness. Your response will be to throw away your idols (your psychosis, excuses, lies, defenses, sin, selfishness, etc.) and say “Away with you” I chose this day to walk in Repentance and rest. I chose to be a person of integrity. I chose to throw down my idols of selfishness and become humble and broken before God and man.

That means you own what you did, you have to stop blaming, you have to stop accusing, you have to be a person of integrity and honesty. A person that is broken and contrite, a person that stands strong, a person that cares for the hearts and emotions of his family and others. A reflection of Christ!

In all things represent Christ, so you shine like stars holding out the word of truth.

Philippians 2:1-16a - Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends,—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky  as you hold firmly to the word of life. 

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Remember Me!

6/27/2016

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by Cindy Geyer

Living Word:
Remember this, keep it in mind, and take it to heart. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:8-9

Word In Motion:
Do you hear the cry of His heart? Remember Me!

There are times that life is just so busy and the struggle so overwhelming. Busy - work, taking care of children, being a taxi driver, church, cooking dinner, running errands, sports, weekly bible study, family time etc... Struggle - money, people, work, illnesses, family. We become overwhelmed and discouraged. We seek resources and others to help and yet in the midst of all this, His still small voice is calling out, “Remember me." "But Lord," I respond, “I do remember you. I had my quiet time with you this morning, I went to church on Sunday, and I even made it to Bible Study this week. Isn't that enough?" We are so calendared in our lives and focused on the circumstances that we have forgotten His presence and purpose in our daily lives.

His Cry: Remember the former things I have done in your life. You are not alone. You will be able to make it through. I did it before and I will do it again. I will not change, my promise stand forever.

The Lord is crying out for His beloved ones to come unto Him. To remember!
Remember this, keep it in mind, and take it to heart. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. II make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:8-10

Our passion for Him needs to be restored/ refreshed. To put Him first. The idols of this world, those things that take the place of our passion for Him need to be put down. Do not conform to this world and its pattern but be transformed in our minds. (Rom 12:1-2) then we will know his perfect pleasing will for our lives. Remember Him and be changed. “I am God, My purpose will stand”

Do you hear the cry of His heart? What has He divinely done in your life that you need to remember at this time? What do you need to do to enhance your relationship with Him? He is a jealous God. He wants to be first in your heart, the one you adore. “I am God, and there is no other.”

Isaiah 46:3-9 - “Listen to me, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. “With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles.

“Remember this, keep it in mind, and take it to heart. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Remember Him! He is your source of comfort. He is your provider. He is your defender. He is unchangeable. It is inevitable that He will intervene on your behalf. He has done it before and He will do it again. Remember – He is God and there is no other.

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Secure in the Detour - Part 4

5/6/2016

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by Cindy Geyer
Living Word:
I have set the Lord before me (always) because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices, my body will also rest secure. Psalm 16:8-9

Word In Motion: I well remember my affliction: and my soul is downcast” YET…I recall to mind…and therefore I have hope. Lamentations 3

I have been asked lately, “How are you doing?” A lot has happened since I last wrote. It has been a day by day journey. Never sure what each day will entail. But God has been faithful every day. One of these steps as I shared in part 3, is that my doctor thought the Sarcoidosis might be active in my heart. This was not a good thought. We had to face the possibility of what that would mean. granulomas in the vessels, pace maker, meds, life expectancy... So, I had to go in for a MRI.

This was not a good day. I have claustrophobia and the thought of going into a little tube and listening to different drumming and clicking sounds was not appealing, but it had to be done. So I went, decided God was in control and prayed a lot. He was so faithful to help me stay calm, even when they put a large cushion on top of me and squeezed me into the MRI machine. There was this moment of panic. Am I going to get stuck? Will I be able to breath? What if I have a coughing fit and they have to pull me out, will I need to take this test all over again? Lord, help me! He did. I was able to finish the test without panic attacks or hot flashes and no coughing attacks.

I am here to share... It is not active in my heart. Praise God!

This experience reminded and encouraged me to keep the Lord ever before me on this journey. To allow Him to lead and help me to rest secure in my life.

I have set the Lord before me (always) because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices, my body will also rest secure. Ps 16:8-9

This experience reminded me of Paul and Silas, who were on their journey just doing what God was leading them to do. They had a circumstance where something became a discord in their journey, (a detour) which in turn caused them to end up in a confined space.

Acts 16:16-36 NIV tells the story of Paul and Silas on a journey and their subsequent detour.

Some rich men became angry with Paul and Silas. They dragged them before the courts and accused them of being unlawful. They were severely flogged and beaten and then thrown into prison. They were put in the lower, inner cell of the prison and their feet fastened into stocks.

Here they are on a journey doing what God had asked of them and now a detour. Was it bad luck? Or did God lead them there? YES! Emphatically, YES! God led them there. God is in the detours, we may not see it right away but on the leg of the journey and at the outcome of the journey, God will always be revealed. Whatever we face in life, God is always there, leading. He will never leave nor forsake us.

Back to the story: So Paul and Silas are weary, beaten, sore, hurt and even hungry and sitting in a prison cell …About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved – you and your household.”

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them in to his house and set a meal before them. He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole household.
When it was daylight, the magistrates sent officers to the jailer with this order: “Release those men.” Then the jailer told Paul, “You and Silas had been released. Now you can go. Go in Peace!”

Now you can go – isn’t that a strange phrase to say. Now you can go? This has always stood out to me. Why did they stay?

Now, here are two strong men of God going about the Lord’s business. They are detoured and put in prison. Not just put in prison but also beaten severely it says. They are put in the dark inner part of the jail. Fastened and chained with backs bleeding from the strikes of the whip. Companionship of criminals and outcasts – The midnight hour approaches. People always love to talk about this part. – What do they do? They sing and worship!

They didn’t grumble and complain, whine and cry. They sang. Everyone could hear them. Songs of praise ringing throughout the dungeon. While the other prisoners listen with astonishment to the heavenly sound, in such a place of shame and sorrow, all of a sudden – all the doors fly open and all the chains fall off. Wow!

This is the part of the story that really speaks to me right now. The doors are open, chains are off, but they stay in their cells. What still needed to be done?
First let’s look at why they are freed.

Paul and Silas had a calm steady hope in Christ. They knew He was in the detours. What is darkness to them? They had a light inside, an inward joy amidst outward pain and suffering. Inward liberty in the bonds of prison.

Note: It is not the place that sanctifies the spirit within us. It is the Spirit   within us that sanctifies the place.

The prison could not silence what was inside their hearts. They put God before them and they rested securely in the fact that God was with them. Their wounds unattended, thrown in to the prison, sat for hours with cramped limbs, shivering in the cold and dampness. Everything seems against them. YET! With heroic cheerfulness they spent the night hours in prayer and singing praise. They were freed from their chains.

We are all seeking to know what freedom looks like and to grasp its reality and be secure in our daily lives. We define it in a physical way, more money, not sick, no sarcoidosis, more friends, better church, etc. but this is not freedom, this just causes us to become more bound up and insecure.

The freedom that Paul understood was spiritual security.  He knew God was in the detours; that God would never leave Him; that God was in control of all things. Even his prison sentence. He trusted God to be with him on this detour. He also knew that with God he could do all things. Philippians 4. He knew the secret to contentment in all things.

I have set the Lord before me (always) because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices, my body will also rest secure. Psalm 16:8-9

The secret for contentment in every circumstance is to focus on the Lord, (set Him before you) – as Savior, Redeemer, Sovereign and as the all Sufficient One. Freedom can never be known when the mind is diseased or the soul over worn and troubled. I totally understand that depression that comes at times of suffering.

They lifted up songs of praise and worship. They knew God was with them and they chose to acknowledge Him in the dungeon. A good lesson for all of us to grasp and put into practice. We all face the dungeons of life at times. We need to put the Lord ever before us, because He is there, and we will not be shaken by the detours in life. Our hearts will be glad and we will rest secure in our circumstances.

I was asked lately if I have gone to get prayed for, for healing. Yes, I have had many people pray. I thank God for my healing every day.

In the midst of the prison of Sarcoidosis, I choose to praise Him every day. Does that take away the darkness, the pain and suffering, the loneliness? NO. Does it take my mind off the negative and put God before me? YES!

NOTE: It is not the place that sanctifies the spirit within us. It is the Spirit within us that sanctifies the place.

I know, I am healed completely. Whether the healing is now or when I am in heaven with Him. I am healed. He has healed me, yet why am I still here in the dungeon of sarcoidosis?

Earlier I mentioned a part in the story that stood out to me, the phrase: Now you can leave – isn’t that a strange thing to say. Now you can leave.

Here they are: an earthquake shook the whole building, doors flew open, and chains fell off. Not just off of Paul and Silas but everyone. No one ran away they stayed where they were. Freed yet still in the prison. As the jailer was about to kill himself because he thought all had escaped, Paul yells out, “we are all here” This is the part of the story, we tend to miss.

Paul and Silas got to lead the jailer and his whole household to Jesus and baptized them. All of them. Paul and Silas saved their lives. If they had run away, all that would have remained was a dead jailor.

God is in the detours. I need to rest secure in that. Sometimes there are those in the prisons of life (whether it be other prisoners or the guards) that need secure people to help guide them out and save their lives. These detours are not all about us, it is all about Him. That none should perish.

Don’t you think Paul would have wanted to go? Paul had no idea why God had him stay, but he obeyed. He had learned to be content and rest secure in Christ.

What is a life worth? Paul was willing to pay that price. Am I?

When I was being shoved into that tube with the cushion on my chest and as that cushioned rubbed up on the top of the machine – squeak – yes, there was a moment of panic. First physical panic, thinking I am going to get stuck in this machine and second, why am I on this detour. Why sarcoidosis, what if it is active in my heart, what about my family, why me?  Yet, I knew I had to relax, breathe and trust. I needed to recall to mind that God is faithful and He is in the detours. He does have a plan and purpose and above all I can do all things through Christ, even an MRI machine, even a disease called Sarcoidosis.

At one part of the test they had to pull me out and put some dye in my arm. They only let me come out a little bit till they could reach my arm. I asked --with insistence -- if they could let my head out too. I promised not to move. They graciously agreed. As I was out breathing deeply of fresh air, I was asked “How can you be so happy with this test and your diagnosis…?” “It is God, My God, He is with me and will not leave me. He will carry me through this. He is and does give me peace and joy in difficult situations.” She said “Thank you, I want faith like that” and then... she pushed me back in. :)

In all the things we face, we are all exposed to the hurting and lost. Am I healed? Yes! Whether God wants to manifest that in my life immediately or later, I am healed. The chains are off. The doors are opened. But at this time I need to stay, freed but still in the prison, so I can be available and ready to call out “He is here!” This is our call and purpose to reveal our God, his love, his passion and to testify to His faithfulness in all things. For some he sets free and says go and share, to others he sets free and says, stay and declare. We all have this call. Don’t miss the detours, I mean opportunities, to shine like stars as you hold on to and hold out the word truth.  Philippians 2:14

Is one life worth it? Yes! And the whole household, Lord!

So in my own personal detour I am learning to rest secure and waiting for the moment He says, “Now you can go!”

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Fan the Flame!

4/28/2016

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Living Word:
Jeremiah 29:12-13 - Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Word In Motion:
I am here. I am listening. Do you hear me? Is the world that much of a distraction? Can you remember who I am? I am knocking. Is anyone going to answer?

I am seeking the ones who are passionate about life. Not the life the world gives but the life I give. Don't let the flame go out, due to discouragement or unforgiveness. Don't let the fire go out due to pride and anger. Don't let the spark go out due to fear. Fan the flame by Remembering Me!

I am the one who saves. I am the one who redeems lives. I am the one who heals. I am the one who restores what is broken. I am the one who loves unconditionally. I am the one who passionately cries out before God on your behalf. I am the one who gave all to have all with you. I am the way, the truth, and the life. I AM!

Come to me all who are weary, broken, lost, confused, heavy burdened,
And I Will, give you rest, strength, and wisdom. (Mt 11:28)

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Detours in Life - part 3

3/24/2016

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by Cindy Geyer

The Living Word:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:1-3, 10a

The Word In Motion:
It was just quiet. Quiet BUT not silent… I knew God was there with me. A lot of people think the quiet is that, God is missing. “Where are you God?” is the question that gets asked. It may be quiet but I promise God is still there – He’s still here. It is quiet, but He is not silent. He is still with me and directing me during this time. I am not alone. He has not abandoned me. He was the flagger on the road saying, “take this detour.” He directed me to this path. The destination is still the same, just a different route.

So now I’ve developed this cough that won’t quit. I have had bronchitis and pneumonia before, but this cough was worse. When I started coughing I could not stop. I also had this pressure on my chest that made it hard to breathe. So went to my primary care to see what was going on. They took an x-ray and told me that they wanted me to get a CT scan. While waiting for them to schedule that appt., my chest pressure/pain, my voice ( I could barely talk) and my breathing were getting worse. I called the nurse and she said for me to go to ER. They did the CT scan and then sent me to pulmonology. At the same time that this was going on, my doctor had my blood tested for pneumonia and tuberculous. They came out negative, but the CT scan showed some masses in my chest. When I got to the pulmonologist he said that they needed to do a biopsy of the lymph nodes and the granulomas that were in my lungs. He felt it was either lymphoma or a disease called Sarcoidosis. So a biopsy was scheduled for the next week.

I know that I am not done yet. God still has a plan for me.

I was told that after the biopsy I would be down for a week and I could not lift anything over 3 lbs for 4 weeks. So there I was in pain from whatever I have raging through my body and now dealing with incisions in my side and the pain from the surgery. Also, it was the holidays. So how am I supposed to cook Thanksgiving? How do I get my house ready for Christmas? How do I shop for my family and do all the traditions we have fun doing?

I know that I am not done yet. God still has a plan for me.

I struggled with these questions a lot. Why this detour God? What is the purpose for this? People quote Jeremiah 29, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. I know He has all this in His hands and he will not leave me. But Papa God, do you realize all that my life, as a mom, entails, especially during the holidays?

It is hard as a mom to come to a place where you cannot do anything. I was sitting watching my family moving and carrying on, but I was stuck on the couch in pain. I couldn’t even cook dinner. Help me, God, to see the good in all of this.

Well, after Thanksgiving the diagnosis came back. You do not have lymphoma, but you do have Sarcoidosis. I praised God when they told me I didn’t have lymphoma. I didn’t have cancer.

Now at this time I felt very relieved, I don’t have cancer and many others said the same thing to me. Almost responding with “its only Sarcoidosis.” But as I am learning more about Sarcoidosis… I’m not sure that it is any better.  I have been diagnosed with a hyper-immune disease. Here is some information to help explain this disease.

Sarcoidosis - is a rare inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, it causes heightened immunity, which means that a person’s immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body’s own tissues. It causes abnormal masses called granulomas. These granulomas may alter the normal structure and possibly the function of the affected organ(s). The disease can and usually does affect others organs, too, including (but not limited to) the skin, eyes, liver, salivary glands, sinuses, kidneys, heart, the muscles and bones, and the brain and nervous system.
 
No one knows exactly what causes Sarcoidosis – and there is no cure.

I have the granulomas in the lungs, and the lymph nodes in my chest are so swollen they are pushing against my aorta (hence the chest pain). This has them very concerned.
So treatment is “immune suppression therapy”. Remember earlier when I mentioned that I felt I shouldn’t take prednisone in the beginning? Well, my pulmonologist was very glad I didn’t take it. It would have masked my symptoms and they wouldn’t have been able to find out what was wrong. I would have just gotten worse until I was in a chronic state. Praise God, I listened to that still small voice! (Quiet but not Silent). But now that they know… prednisone is the main part of the treatment.

They suppress the immune system to reduce swelling and stop my immune system from hurting me.  I am on several medication to help me with this. The side effect is, I can get sick easier. So have to be very careful when I go out and who comes over. The decision to take the medications that I needed, was very hard for me. I don’t like meds or the side effects of them. The doctor put it very directly to me: “Cindy, you have a disease that is very serious and you can die from it, if we don’t do this. We have to get the inflammation down in the lymph nodes. They are pushing on your aorta and the granulomas will keep growing.” This kind of helped me with my decision. (You think?) I still had to wait the 3 weeks for my biopsy incisions to heal before I could even start this regime and get some relief. This made the holidays very interesting needless to say.

So... this therapy is a wait and see therapy. At some point they will lessen the meds and we will wait to see if the Sarcoidosis has calmed down.  This will not cure it, it will only calm it down. We don't know what will trigger it to activate or even where in my body it will become active. And so we wait.

The detour is a different path to my destination, but is it a bad path? I never knew I would be in this situation. I didn't plan for this. Sometimes I am unable to move or help my family with simple daily things. I can’t go out due to the immune suppression. We were told, that if I got sick I would probably end up in the hospital. Basically I don’t have a working immune system. People are always recommending all these things to help me, but with this disease if my body sees it as a foreign substance it will attack it and then it will attack me! So everything needs to be carefully studied before I can breathe it, ingest it, or use it. I have moved into the twilight zone of Sarcoidosis.

In Lamentations 3: verses 18 through 26, it says
So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.”
 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
 I well remember them,  and my soul is downcast within me.

This is a time that I could wallow, be discouraged, and even angry. As Solomon so succinctly says, “I well remember my affliction: and my soul is downcast” Yes, I do get discouraged and frustrated but I refuse to wallow. I want to do what Solomon does next… He says YET! Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

What does he call to mind? What does he remember that gives him hope?

I need to remember what he calls to mind, because now there is a concern that the Sarcoidosis has become active in my heart.

More to follow - look for part 4

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Is it worth the risk?

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Testimony of Freedom

A Testimony of Hope

Position of Honor

How are you?

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Expect the Unexpected

Keep your eyes on the horizon.

That Was Unexpected!

Be Still and Know that I Am God!

Heaven's Kitchen

We are all still here!

Shine Like Stars

Remember Me!

Secure in the Detour - Part 4

Fan the Flame!

Detours in Life - part 3

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