GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!!

Pastor Orean Cosby
Pastoral Counselor
Stage IV  Breast Cancer with Mets to the Bones
SURVIVOR !!!

THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED            
                           "THE GIFT - 2011"

FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND

DONATIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED!!!

A PORTION OF MY STORY - I AM A STAGE IV BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - BLESS GOD!!!

I WAS DIAGNOSED JANUARY 14, 2011 AND I AM HERE TO DECLARE THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD.

When I received the diagnosis of breast cancer, my hemoglobin count was down to 8.5 and my doctors were seriously contemplating a blood transfusion. I did not want to do that so I opt to taking iron supplement for the anemia that was primarily due to the cancer.  After I was dismissed from the hospital to recover from the original surgery where the cancer was discovered, I began researching my condition.  I decided to go back to the garden of Eden for additional help.

I began a very strict diet of vegetables, fresh fruits and specific herbs and teas.  By March, 2011 the tumor markers had dropped by 50% but my hemoglobin had only increased to 10.2. My oncologist ordered a complete body scan along with a full body scan which resulted in a prognosis of stage iv breast cancer with mets (moved) to the bones.  My entire skeleton had signs of breast cancer, from my skull to the bones in my feet.  There was a lytic lesion on the neck of my femur bone that showed a hole that was approximately 50% eaten away. 

By April the orthopedic surgeon recommended putting a rod in my femur bone in order to stabilize the leg for when the time came that it would break - with the assumption that the bone was extremely fragile. Interestingly, when the surgery began, the doctor reported, the bone was stronger than anticipated and made putting the rod in more complicated.  That caused the recovery time to be longer than I expected.  I ended up in a rehabilitation center where my hemoglobin began to drop again.  By the second week of rehab, my blood count was down to 7.9 and of course the facility doctor wanted to order a blood transfusion. Again, I asked that it not be done because I wanted to go back to the herbs that helped me before.  Within the week after getting back on my regime my blood count started going back up. From June 17th to December 7 my blood count has risen to the normal range of 12.  Praise God!!  The mammograms taken on November 30 shows a significant decrease in the size of the tumor and all the cancer markers are going in the right direction.

I continue to stand on the Word of God as I did from the time my doctor gave me her report and the oncologist gave me his report.  I made a very conscious decision to believe the report of the Lord.  His report says that I am already healed because of what Jesus Christ did at Calvary and on the cross. I receive my healing by faith and walk in my healing now and until my work on earth is done.

                                                                   HEALING THROUGH

THE WORD OF GOD AND FAITH IN JESUS - EATING NUTRIENTS FROM THE EARTH FROM WHENCE WE CAME -  AND PROCEDURES FROM THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY!

GOD'S GRACE COVERED ME

 Preface:

In the churches today, testimony service has been eliminated.  In many instances, I understand the reasons.  However, Psalms 107:2 says "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so". If and when individuals do not know how to testify of God’s goodness, rather than eliminate the process, teach folks how to properly testify for edification and encouragement of the people and glorify God’s work in our lives.  So, since there is no platform for this activity in the church, I will use this time to share a testimony to encourage young mothers, especially single parents, to stay focused on God’s will for your life and use all the gifts that God has given and incorporate time management into the process. Then step back and watch God work for you and your family.  He is FAITHFUL that promise!  (Heb 10:23)

GOD’S GRACE COVERED ME!

While reading an article posted on the page "Beautifully Made Woman" on Facebook, I began reminiscing over my life as a single female parent.  So often, we forget some of the ways that God has blessed us and carried us through periods of our lives with and by His Grace.

A Brief Portion of a Testimony - When I moved to Austin, TX I was a single parent with three children, the youngest being 4 yrs old. The Lord blessed me to manage and train a choir that started out with 20 voices and developed into a 50+ voice choir, a 25-30 voice youth choir, a 15-20 voice children's choir, developed a 9 voice praise team, prayed up a 5 piece instrumental band, and a 6 piece orchestra.  All while going to college carrying a full 19-hour course load (freshman year) and working an internship with Austin's Opera Company.

My week days went something like this; I went to school from 8am to 1:30 pm, went straight to work for the Opera, left there and went to retrieve my latch-key children from home when school was out and got them situated with homework and chores, then on to the church (around the corner from church) to teach piano lessons.  By 6:30 we had youth and adult choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights, Thursday night was praise team and band rehearsals, of which I always had my children with me. After a full day and night, onward home to go to sleep until the next morning and then I would start all over again.  Thank God for Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights – no rehearsals!  However, those nights were spent doing tons of homework that I didn't have time to do Wednesday and Thursday nights. Phew!   Writing this sounds unbelievable – but this is really what it was like!!!

When I look back at that time, I now wonder to myself, how in the world did I do that?  One thing I discovered during this four-year period is that God covered me with His grace to such an extent that everything that wanted to come against me, could not and did not prosper.  Oh yes, I had many obstacles but because of His grace everything that came at me, rolled off me like water off a duck's back. One of the rewards, amongst many, is that none of my children have suffered from my busy schedule, none have been incarcerated, none are strung out on drugs, and all are in music ministry.  Are they perfect, by no means.  Am I perfect - certainly not, there is none perfect but one and His name is Jesus Christ.  But that is what is so good about God.  In our imperfection, we receive His Grace not because of who we are or what we do.  It is all because of His goodness and the result of what Jesus did on the cross.  Glory to God for His Grace that Covered Me then and still covers me today!!!

To all, especially single parent Moms with extremely busy schedules, His Grace will sustain you through hectic times and is available to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. You can receive it and experience His grace today.

 

Music – The Effects on the Soul

       The recorded history of Western art music properly begins with the music of the 
Church.  However, all through the Middle Ages and even to the present time artists
and intellectuals have continually turned back to Greece and Rome for instruction, for 
correction, and for inspiration in their various fields of work.

       There was a special reason for the disappearance of the traditions of Roman 
musical practice at the beginning of the Middle Ages: most of this music was connected 
with social occasions that involved lascivious and intoxicated behavior on which the early 
Church looked with horror, or with pagan religious exercises which the Church believed had
to be exterminated.  Consequently, every effort was made not only to keep out of the Church 
that music which would recall such abominations to the minds of the faithful, but, if possible,
to blot out the very memory of it.

       Greek mythology ascribed to music a divine origin. They named as its inventors and 
earliest practitioners gods and demigods, such as Apollo, Amphion, and Orpheus.  In this 
dim prehistoric world, music had magic powers.  People thought it could heal sickness, 
purify  the body and mind, and work miracles in the realm of nature.  From earliest times,
music was an inseparable part of religious ceremonies. 

      The Greek philosopher, Aristotle says, “Music directly imitates (that is, represents)the    passions or states of the soul; gentleness, anger, courage, temperance, and their opposites and other qualities. Hence, when one listens to music that imitates a certain passion, one becomes imbued (filled) with the same passion; and if over a long time one habitually listens to the kind of music that rouses ignoble passions, ones whole character will be shaped to an ignoble form. In recent years, it has been argued that much of the urban rap music of the late 90’s have encouraged incorrigible and inappropriate behavior. This notion is the same as was recorded by the great philosophers of the Middle Ages.

       Aristotle continues, in short, if one listens to the wrong kind of music, one will become the wrong kind of person; but conversely, if one listens to the right kind of music, one will tend to become the right kind of person. Consider this in relation to why God commands us to sing praises unto our God. Music that is filled with praise and adoration to and of God can only bring one into a realm that acknowledges the goodness of God and His grace. Hence, ones life can become overflowing with joy.

       Music affects character and different kinds of music affect the character in different ways. 
As believers in God and followers of Christ the music that we sing and listen to, should 
be selective.  It should be music that will give praise to God. It should also lift our spirit 
to exemplify the attributes and nature of God in the earth realm.

        I submit to every reader that is called by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, consider the kinds of passion that is stirred when you listen to your favorite music. Consider this, as Christians the music we listen to should encourage us to continue to live daily a lifestyle that shows forth praise and worship to our God according to 1Peter 2:9.

Language - Edification or Debilitation

Language, according to Webster, is the organized system of speech used by human beings as a means of communication among themselves.   I recently began paying more attention to how people communicated with each other.  I observed two definite kinds of response.  Each response was very dependent upon the language communicated.  There were positive responses as well as negative.  Unfortunately, of the two, I have heard more of the latter.

            The every day common language, used as I believe it is meant to be used, fulfills its purpose; which is communication, education, and edification.  It is always nice to speak when spoken to, to give a compliment, to respond to a compliment with “Thank you”, or just to speak kindly to ones fellowman.  Someone may say this is simply good manners; however, the greater part of good manners must be communicated through language.  If one inadvertently stepped on someone’s toe, though it may hurt, the injured person responds differently when one quickly says “I’m sorry” opposed to when nothing is said at all.   We know quite naturally that the pain does not decrease, but the person is gratified, (through your form of language), knowing that it was not intentional.

            The American writer, Dale Carnegie purports “ There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it." Interestingly, I have had the privilege of being surrounded by persons that used words and phrases so gracefully; I could listen to them at length – putting them in a class of their own.

Words can be used to encourage and uplift people.  When one has been told, “one can do it”, or “one can make it”, one will try just a little harder.  On the other hand, people can use language that discourage others by communicating little words or comments that weaken their faith in their abilities.  Whether we realize it or not, there is a calming affect when one is spoken to in a pleasant manner.  Whenever someone is stressed out, sometimes all it takes is a kind word from a brother or sister.  If one happen to be on the verge of a rather heated discussion that could get out of hand, it simply takes just one soft word to turn it completely around.  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.”

            Though the English language is enriched by words and/or phrases for specific areas of expertise, it is also debilitated by certain words and/or phrases when used in the wrong context.  Those very words can weaken a strong person particularly, if heard often!  Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  If one speaks words to put someone down, it affects the listener.  Consider children that have been told throughout their childhood that they would never amount to anything, or never go anywhere.  Statistics prove that these are people who are not living up to their potential.  More than likely, they are people of low esteem and have accepted the words spoken to them in the past.

            Matthew 12:34b says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”  Could it be that there is a deficiency of good in the heart?  I believe that many people lash out words of hurt and destruction, because of the hurt that is within.  Some people do not like themselves; consequently, they do not like others.  It becomes evident through their form of language.  Would one prefer to lift someone with ones words or cause someone to become weak?  The Choice Is Yours To Make!

SEEK THE FACE OF GOD

  When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

-- Psalms 27:8

Seeking the face of God is simply, wanting to be in His presence as often as possible. Not because you want something from Him or need Him to fix a problem, but just because you want to be close to HIM.

Too many are seeking the Hand of God. Bless me God, prosper me God, heal me God, get my children out of trouble God.  Make no mistake, God is willing and has promised to provide all of our needs and grant our desire.  He also asked that we delight ourselves in Him. David makes it clear in this division of Psalms that it is his desire to seek the face of God.

I found this article that expounds on seeking the face of God so clearly that I just decided to repost the entire article.  Please read and be encouraged to seek the face of God. If this is something that you have already begun, I encourage you to MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION!!!

What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord?

Meditation on Psalm 105:4

Seeking the Lord means seeking his presence. “Presence” is a common translation of the Hebrew word “face.” Literally, we are to seek his “face.” But this is the Hebraic way of having access to God. To be before his face is to be in his presence.

But aren't his children always in his presence? Yes and no. Yes in two senses: First, in the sense that God is omnipresent and therefore always near everything and everyone. He holds everything in being. His power is ever-present in sustaining and governing all things.

And second, yes, he is always present with his children in the sense of his covenant commitment to always stand by us and work for us and turn everything for our good. “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

But there is a sense in which God’s presence is not with us always. For this reason, the Bible repeatedly calls us to “seek the Lord...seek his presence continually.” God’s manifest, conscious, trusted presence is not our constant experience. There are seasons when we become neglectful of the Lord and give him no thought and do not put trust in him and we find him “unmanifested”—that is, unperceived as great and beautiful and valuable by the eyes of our hearts. 

His face—the brightness of his personal character—is hidden behind the curtain of our carnal desires. This condition is always ready to overtake us. That is why we are told to “seek his presence continually.” God calls us to enjoy continual consciousness of his supreme greatness and beauty and worth.

This happens through “seeking.” Continual seeking. But what does that mean practically? Both the Old and New Testaments say it is a “setting of the mind and heart” on God. It is the conscious fixing or focusing of our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on God. 

“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.” (1 Chronicles 22:19)

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1–2)

This setting of the mind is the opposite of mental coasting. It is a conscious choice to direct the heart toward God. This is what Paul prays for the church: “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a conscious effort on our part. But that effort to seek God is a gift from God.

We do not make this mental and emotional effort to seek God because he is lost. That’s why we would seek a coin or a sheep. But God is not lost. Nevertheless, there is always something through which or around which we must go to meet him consciously. This  going through or around is what seeking is. He is often hidden. Veiled. We must go through mediators and around obstacles.

The heavens are telling the glory of God. So we can seek him through that. He reveals himself in his word. So we can seek him through that. He shows himself to us in the evidences of grace in other people. So we can seek him through that. The seeking is the conscious effort to get through the natural means to God himself—to constantly set our minds toward God in all our experiences, to direct our minds and hearts toward him through the means of his revelation. This is what seeking God means.

And there are endless obstacles that we must get around in order to see him clearly, and so that we can be in the light of his presence. We must flee every spiritually dulling activity. We must run from it and get around it. It is blocking our way.

We know what makes us vitally sensitive to God’s appearances in the world and in the word. And we know what dulls us and blinds us and makes us not even want to seek him. These things we must move away from and go around if we would see God. That is what seeking God involves.

And as we direct our minds and hearts Godward in all our experiences, we cry out to him. This too is what seeking him means.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

“If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy...” (Job 8:5)

Seeking involves calling and pleading. O Lord, open my eyes. O Lord, pull back the curtain of my own blindness. Lord, have mercy and reveal yourself. I long to see your face.

The great obstacle to seeking the Lord is pride. “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him” (Psalm 10:4). Therefore, humility is essential to seeking the Lord.

The great promise to those who seek the Lord is that he will be found. “If you seek him, he will be found by you” (1 Chronicles 28:9). And when he is found, there is great reward. “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). God himself is our greatest reward. And when we have him, we have everything. Therefore, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

Seeking with you,

Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

MANIFESTING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (1)

In order to have the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit in your life, you must believe the promise of Christ according to His word.  Fruitfulness and abundance has been promised for you and everyone who receives Christ as Lord and Savior and continue in faith and obedience. Here is the promise: “Truly, truly, I  say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to the Father.  And whatsoever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” John 14:12-14.

Faith in God and in His promises and obedience to His commands are the only means by which you can live the supernatural life.

Some of you are probably already saying within yourselves, this is going to be tough, I can’t live that kind of life.  Well, you’re right. YOU, cannot do it.  The only one who can truly live it is the Lord Jesus Christ in you.

Therefore, your life must be Christ directed.  That means He must be in your life and on the throne.  That is when you have decided to make Him Lord of your Life allowing Him to lead as you follow.  Self then is yielding to Christ.  Your interests become directed by Christ resulting in harmony with God’s plan.  All other agendas become secondary to Christ.

As you continue to trust Christ, moment by moment, you will begin to experience many wonderful benefits.  Your prayer life will become more powerful.  Your study of God’s Word will become more meaningful and you will experience His power in witnessing.

WHAT HINDERS US FROM MANIFESTING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?

Lack of Knowledge.  Can you imagine a person saying “No” to the Christian life, if they knew all of the scriptural facts and benefits?

Pride – This is not the same thing as a healthy love and acceptance of oneself.  Pride was the sin of Satan (Isaiah 14: 12-14).  The self-centered, egocentric Christian cannot have fellowship with God (1 Peter 5:5)

Fear of man – Peer pressure keeps man Christians locked out of the supernatural life.  We need to see what the word says about the Christian. (1 Peter 2:9)

Worldly-mindedness – A love for material things that lead you away from the Mind of Christ. (Romans 12:2). We must be renewed in the spirit of our minds.

Lack of faith – Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6a). 

Secret sin – Unconfessed sin keeps many Christians from experiencing the joy of supernatural living  (Proverbs 28:13a).

Challenges

Challenges – Nothing pleasant, they don’t feel good, makes one want to crawl up into a fetal position or just break down and cry.  But, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I encourage you to not GET WEARY IN WELL DOING.  You must change your perspective on challenges.

This Christian walk is about facing challenges because this is the vehicle whereby we grow and mature into the manifestation of what God has called us to be. When you consider an infant and all of the challenges presented to them from day one of birth, you count it all as a part of their growth process.  As parents, what do we tell our children when they feel as though they just can’t take it?  We encourage them and tell them “it’s alright, you’ll be ok, you can do it”!  When they fall after trying so hard to stand up by themselves, what do we do?  Pick them up, brush them off, straigthen their clothes and tell them to try it again. Usually the child/baby will not want to try again because they feel it is too hard, they may not want to budge and they begin crying and throwing a fit, but as a good parent, you push them to try it again. Some babies have to be encouraged more than others but when it’s all over, the baby will pass the test of that particular challenge and move on to the next level.

We too, from the infancy of our new birth in Christ to the present and beyond, have to count all of the challenges we face as a part of our Christian growth process.

From my experience in interacting with others, I’m convinced that if each believer knew they had someone they could call right in the midst of a challenge to get a word of encouragement, many would not faint at the thought of going through a really tough challenge.  It is at this point that believers must become helpers one to another.

It is unfortunate that when new converts come into the body of Christ, they are not made aware that it is now a process of growth into Christian maturity and that involves the method of testing or challenges. Why the tests?

Let’s consider the exhortation from Apostle James in his first chapter (Ja. 1:2-4). “Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” (Amplified version) THAT’S GOOD NEWS!!!!

Too often, we don’t want to go through trouble unless we know all about how it is going to turn out. Understand this, trying to know everything and trying to figure out everything is like trying to control God.  Get pride out of the way and submit yourself under the mighty hand of God.  Man in his carnal state will always have a driving force to control everything in his environment.  It is a part of that enmity between man and God spoken of in Genesis.  The flesh wants to have complete control of everything, yet we find in the Word of God the following: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7.

 I’ve heard the question so many times, “How can I count it joy when I don’t have money to pay my bills, when my car is being repossessed or my family member is in jail and I can’t get bail money or everyone seems to push me to the side or whatever your particular challenge may be”.  How can I count this as joy?  Please allow me to offer some suggestions right here.

First, understand the purpose of testing in this Christian walk. Purpose – maturity in God.  We, as believers must change our perspective on challenges/testing. This process is not meant to make you fall or fail, but they are meant to build you up and make you soar like eagles.

Second – it makes one complete.  When we face our challenges, they gradually remove the weaknesses and imperfections in our souls, which make up our character.  Through a daily process the growth that we allow the challenges to bring will help us to conquer old hidden sins, shed old blemishes of unforgiveness and gain new virtues until we become entirely fit and ready for the Master’s use.

Third – it makes one deficient in nothing (lacking nothing). If one meets their challenges with the right attitude, day by day he will live a more victorious life. 

We cannot hold on to the mindset that whatever the challenge –“it’s not fair that I go through this”.  Christians must go through challenges in order to grow up in God.  Your challenge does not always come your way because of some misdeed that you are reaping consequences for.  When you see your challenge as a punishment, you will always ask the question “What did I do to deserve this?” or “Why is this happening to me?”.  However, Child of God, if you start looking at your challenges as another opportunity to help you grow in your faith walk, grow in your level of trust in God, grow in your love walk with your neighbor, or grow in your dependence totally on God, you will begin to see a more rapid progression of growth in God.

One of my favorites passage of scripture says “For we know, that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose” Ro. 8:28.  My question to anyone going through “stuff” is “Do you love the Lord?”. If the answer is “yes”, then my response is “Well, whether you can see it or not, it’s working for your good”.  Now, can you rest in that assurance?  I can!!  How about you? 

Beloved, don’t retreat from your challenges; its there to help you in your spiritual development.  God has more confidence in you than you have in yourself.  Remember, “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” 1Co. 10:13.

Blessings!

Pastor Cosby

Alone With God

Human beings need to be alone with God.  Our fall consisted in our being brought, through the lust of the flesh and the world, under the power of things visible and temporal.  Our restoration through salvation is meant to bring us back to the Father’s love and fellowship.

We need to be alone with God, to yield ourselves to the presence and the power of His holiness.  Christ on earth needed it.  He could not live the life of a Son here in the flesh without at times separating Himself entirely from His surroundings and being alone with God.  How much more must this be indispensable to us!

Alone with God – that is the secret of true power in prayer.  There is no true holiness, no clothing with the Holy Spirit and with power, without being alone daily with God.

My friends, I wonder how many of us can intentionally tear ourselves away from our favorite television show or the social networks to spend time alone with God. When our Lord Jesus gave us the command to pray to our Father in secret, He gave us the promise that the Father would hear such prayers and mightily answer them in our life before others.  What a privilege it is to begin every morning with intimate prayer.  Let it be the one things our hearts are set on – seeing, finding, and meeting God alone.  The time will come when you will be amazed at the thought that one could suggest five minutes was enough.

 

Retrieved from - Murray, Andrew. The Best of Andrew Murray on Prayer. 1996. Barbour Publishing, INC. Uhlrichsville, OH

Draw Close to God

The Most Blessed Experience is to Draw Close to God

I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Col. 1:29

You have your own special work; make it a work of intercession.  Paul worked hard, depending on God’s power working in him.  Remember, God not only created us but works in us.  You can do your only in His strength – by Him working in you through the Spirit.

Interceded often for those you work with and for other believers, too.  Pray in God’s very presence.  “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you” (James 4:8).

The nearness of God gives rest and power in prayer.  The nearness of God is given to those who make it their first aim to “Draw close to God.”  Seek His nearness, and He will give it.  “He will draw close to you”.  Then it becomes easy to pray in faith.

Remember that when first God takes you into the school of intercession, it is almost more for your own sake than that of others.  You have to be trained to love and wait and pray and believe.  Only persevere.  Learn to place yourself in His presence, to wait quietly for the assurance that He draws near.  Enter His holy presence, wait there, and bring your concerns before Him.

Retrieved from: Andrew Murray. The Best of Andrew Murray on Prayer: A Daily Devotional Journal. Barbour Publishing. Ulrichsville, OH. 1996