No More Shadows- Stop Living in darkness!

 

Hebrews 10:1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Shadows are ubiquitous, being an intrinsic part of the natural order. They serve a useful purpose by providing a distorted image of what formed them. Overall, shadows have no power to change things; they only project a distorted and negative representation of the image they attempt to emulate.

A more excellent perspective, Hebrews 10:1 explores the significance of the law of sacrificial giving and the repetitive rituals, symbolically foreshadowing future blessings and positive outcomes.

In essence, shadows foreshadow what is to come, the real deal. However, according to God's Word, while shadows are inevitable, our purpose does not solely revolve around living in their presence.

We do not dwell in the obscure and uncertain realms of shadows, but instead, we bask in the unwavering faith of God's boundless love. Choosing to reside in the shadows constrains our ability to have faith in God. As the text reflects, repeated actions have no substance but futile attempts to produce a positive outcome from distorted realities.

The undeniable truth is that God's Word eternally surpasses a mere semblance or shadow. 

                  

What shadow has limited your faith in God?

A shadow aims to reveal what it sees rather than an actual image of what is portrayed, even in distortion. 

Christ has come; there is no need to live in the shadows of life.

Remember, the law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves Hebrews 10:1.

No Shadow Living,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Believing is Seeing Faith Friday!

The phrase 'Believing is seeing' presents a counterpoint to the famous adage 'Seeing is believing,' highlighting that belief can foster a profound comprehension or revelation that surpasses the confines of physical evidence or empirical proof. 

Some individuals think they would believe in Jesus if they could see a definitive sign or miracle. But Jesus, in John 20:18-29, emphasizes the belief that we are blessed if we can believe without seeing. We have all the proof we need in the Bible's words and believers' testimony. A physical appearance would not make Jesus more real to us than he is now. 

The message of Believing and seeing emphasizes the importance of faith and belief in the context of religious conviction. It posits that belief should not be hinged on tangible proof or signs but rather on an innate reliance on the promises of God. This principle resonates across various religious teachings, which consistently extol the virtue of faith.

The message also highlights the belief in Jesus as God's son, a central Christian tenet. Hopefully, this message will encourage more people to embrace this belief, suggesting faith is more important than seeking empirical proof of Jesus's divinity.

Finally, my reference to "Faith Friday" suggests a specific day dedicated to celebrating or contemplating faith, which is a beautiful practice.

Faith Friday!

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Under Pressure Don't Crack!

Greetings!

Let me share a story that holds a valuable lesson. I recently cooked some ramen noodles in a glass soup mug and added them to a cup of chicken noodle soup. While transferring the hot mug to the sink, I realized I wasn't being careful and put it under cold water instead of letting it cool off first. As a result, I heard a crackling sound, and the mug broke. 

Well, surprise, surprise, crack, crack, crack was the sound I heard. Oh dear, I exclaimed. I should've let the soup mug cool off; instead, I was running cold water instead of hot water, which would have matched the intensity of the present heat. 

Lesson to learn: When we are under pressure, we must allow ample time to cool off; otherwise, we will crack under pressure, just like the glass mug I used for the ramen noodles. It was a lesson to learn that we must always take the necessary precautions when handling hot items, especially when in a hurry or distracted. We need to give ourselves ample time to cool off, or we might end up making mistakes that we'll regret later.

So, it's always better to be cautious and attentive while dealing with hot objects.

When we're in a rush, we must be patient and give ourselves time to cool off before making any decisions. This story helps us to learn from our mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.

Under Pressure but Not Defeated,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Salt and Sugar Matthew 5:13

 Greetings,

Today, we will examine the differences between sugar and salt. Although they look similar, each function independently and creates different outcomes. However, my focus is not just on their similarities but on a fascinating metaphor from the Bible that emphasizes their distinct roles in the believer's life. We all know salt is a common household ingredient used to season and preserve food taste. But have you ever considered its use to depict Christians and their role? 

The Biblical metaphor in Matthew 5:13 gives us a clue. Jesus describes his disciples as the salt of the earth. This metaphor suggests that, just like salt, disciples have a responsibility to flavor and enrich the lives of others. 

However, sugar has been part of the diet for centuries, serving as an energy source and sweetener. But here's the fascinating part about sugar: considered an exclusive part only available to kings in ancient times. These monarchs viewed sugar as a symbol of power, status, and wealth. Something they were only able to enjoy. So, the next time you reach for the salt or sugar shaker, remember this lesson from history and scripture.

Both ingredients seem alike at face value, but they teach us about a disciple's roles in life and how we can bring sweetness and flavor to other's lives.

Remember this: let's not be unbalanced Christians who only display sweetness to others and are not the salt of the earth that God has called us to be. As it is said, "You are the salt of the earth. But how can the salt be made salty again if it loses its saltiness? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot" (Matthew 5:13). 

So, learn how to be wise in saving souls. A little sweetness goes a long way in bringing individuals to Christ.

Salt of the Earth,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Strongholds and Imaginations: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

We live in the world, but what sets us apart from the world is how we fight and our weapon of choice. The Christian must choose weapons that are not carnal but possess God-given power to destroy strongholds. Paul assures us these mighty weapons -prayer, faith, hope, love, God's Word, the Holy Spirit- are potent and effective (see Ephesians 6: 13-18). 

What type of strongholds do you ask? Strongholds against the knowledge of God in the form of arrogant arguments and various walls the adversary has built up to block our progress. And did you know that God has given us the power to take possession of all forms of thinking that would go against God's knowledge, bringing about its obedience to Christ?

Moreover, through our complete obedience to God's Word, made manifest is the punishing of every act of disobedience. In other words, we win when we follow God's order, not the worlds.

 

One of the most crucial elements in maintaining a strong and resilient faith is unwavering trust in God. Never underestimate the power of our faith in God, as it protects against the enemy's attempts to undermine our beliefs. Therefore, it is vital to be mindful of what we allow into our minds and to guard against any negative influences that may be detrimental to our faith. 

The adversary is persistent, and there is an ongoing battle between our natural and spiritual minds. In our world, unseen forces are at work, but with steadfast faith in God, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way. 

                               Move past it! It will only prosper if you let it!

Furthermore, be dedicated to God and His ways, and allow the Spirit of discernment to keep your thoughts focused on his truth.

Choosing God's Methods,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Trusting God When Nothing Seems to be Happening

 22 Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my disgrace." 24 She named him Joseph,[a] and said, "May the Lord add to me another son" (Genesis 30:22-24).

I can relate to what Rachel is experiencing. Sometimes, it seems like everyone else is experiencing divine intervention in their lives, and it can be disheartening when we don't see the same for ourselves. But I think trusting in God is something we must work at and develop over time. It's about learning more about God's character and ways and building a relationship with Him rather than expecting immediate results from our prayers. It's a process, but the more we seek Him, the more we will find Him working in our lives in ways we may not have expected.

Trusting God when nothing seems to be happening is difficult. More significant still is not letting what we see God doing in the lives of others lead us to take matters into our own hands. We would do well to remember God's timetable does not equal ours. We live in a world where, as the slogan says, I want it now, not tomorrow. Patience is certainly not a virtue many people ascribe to. I understand it's a sad story of sibling rivalry and the desire for motherhood. 

It must have been difficult for Rachel to watch her sister Leah have child after child while she remained barren. Unfortunately, in her jealousy, Rachel decided to give her servant to Jacob to conceive a child, which ultimately caused much adversity. 

Resist the temptation to think God has forgotten about you. Have patience and courage to wait for God to move on your behalf.

It's a reminder of the importance of patience and the dangers of succumbing to envy and competitiveness. 

"God heard Rachel's prayers, and He blessed her with the ability to conceive. She gave birth to a son and joyfully declared that God had removed her shame. She named the child Joseph, meaning 'may he add,' expressing her hope for another son to be added to her family by the Lord."

The lesson learned is that we can't earn God's love through deception and trickery but through what is true and correct.

Question: which one do you identify with, Leah or Rachel? Please go and read their story in its fullness before you answer.

Then God Remembered Rachel,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Insights Into the Power of Unity: Ephesians 4:16

 "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love"(Ephesians 4:16, KJV). https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-4-16

Greetings,

The concept behind gardening and farming is that it is vital that the irrigation hoses are maintained and joined correctly. "If there is an obstruction in the water output, the flow of water will be disrupted." causing the hoses to burst. Improper maintenance of the hoses and connections can lead to leaks, resulting in a lack of water supply to the plants' commonly grown areas, ultimately hindering the growth and productivity of the plants. 

It's essential to ensure proper maintenance of the hoses to prevent such instances from occurring. Likewise, as appropriate connections are vital in farming and gardening, we must remain sufficiently connected to Christ and our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

The imagery suggests that growing and working together has benefits, namely growth. Just as important is that the Gospel be taught and spoken in truth. Without this acknowledgment, the Gospel becomes polluted and not understandable to all. We must refrain from deceiving those we minister to through error and immaturity. Also, verse 15 of Ephesians states, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ." 

The truth we share is found only in Jesus Christ. 

Our continuance in the growth and knowledge of Christ produces an understanding of how significant each member is in the body of Christ. In essence, the goal of working together is unity.

 

How is this accomplished?

 

Through Grace given, each member of the body of Christ has been given spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8) for "perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry; for the of the body of Christ" Ephesians 4:12. The Word of God says at least one gift. However, with that one spiritual gift, our responsibility is to discover your gift and minister in how the Spirit empowers us. As we mature spiritually and become more like Christ, our relationships with other believers strengthen, allowing for growth as each person contributes (vs. 16). 

What person ministering the Word of God does not want to experience growth? 

Even if we do not hold a leadership position in the church, such as a pastor or elder, we still play a crucial part in the body of Christ. We all can contribute towards the growth and building up of others in our unity through Christ.

Question: What would you say to someone who argues that one can have a strong relationship with Christ without being involved in a community of believers?

The Power of Unity,

Minister Sylvia Joyner

Jesus Walks on Water: Matthew 14:22-33

 Greetings!

Have you ever heard the fascinating story of Jesus walking on water? It's one of the most intriguing miracles in the Bible. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus appeared to his disciples, struggling to keep their boat afloat during a stormy, turbulent night on the Sea of Galilee. Still, the disciples saw Jesus' walking on the water towards them amid all the chaos. 

Wow! What a sight to behold! It sounds like a good ghost story; keep reading to see if it is one.

Jesus defies nature and walks on water, causing the disciples to react with fear and confusion. Surprised, they exclaim, "It's a ghost!" But Jesus quickly restates their concern with a reassuring message: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Jesus reassured them and invited Peter to come out and join him on the water. Peter stepped out of the boat and walked towards Jesus, but when he saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus caught him and said, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

Why do you think Jesus asks Peter about doubting? What did Peter doubt? Have you ever doubted God's voice in your life?

In the Christian tradition, walking on water is seen as a miracle, representing Jesus' divine power over nature. However, the story's Symbolism goes deeper than just demonstrating Jesus' supernatural abilities. Word of God reveals powerful and memorable narratives to empower and enrich our Christian faith, teaching us valuable lessons about trusting God.

 

In walking on water, Jesus also demonstrates his trust in God and willingness to believe in impossible situations to accomplish His will. A deeper inquiry into the water reveals the chaos and uncertainty of the world in an attempt to overcome various storms in life, such as financial difficulties, health issues, relationship problems, career challenges, and more. Jesus provides the impetus that if we believe in impossible, seemingly out-of-this-world situations, we too can overcome these storms and bring order back to our lives. 

Furthermore, the story provides a metaphor for the pilgrimage of faith. As Peter begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus, we, too, can lose sight of our faith. But by keeping our sight of Jesus and trusting his voice, we can embrace the strength required to endure the storms of life.

Overall, the Symbolism of Jesus walking on water is an eternal reminder of the importance of faith, courage, and trust in God, especially when facing challenges that would swallow us up.

Remember that God's voice is always beckoning us to come closer to him in our relationships with him and others. 

It's true that where we are in our relationship with God can significantly impact our ability to stay focused on the voice of Jesus. Even when the winds around us are strong and seem like they will consume us, having a solid connection with God can help us stay anchored and focused on His guidance. We must nurture our relationship with Him through prayer, reading scripture, and seeking His will.

Becoming A Water Walker,

Minister Sylvia Joyner