“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28 AMPC
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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Your Good Shepherd understands the path ahead better than you ever could, and He is actively preparing you for it.”
charles stanley
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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“Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend[a]
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as one pleads for a friend.” Job 16:19-21 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:1-2 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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I am in shock by what is happening in America. I can’t seem to stop watching the news even though I know it only steals my peace and joy. Lord, what should I do? Maybe it’s time to take a break from the news and pray for my country instead. It wasn’t that long ago when I almost never watched the news because it was so depressing. What has happened to me that I have turned into a news junkie? Does sticking my head in the sand really help anything?
Is this a distraction from the enemy? What does God’s Word say? These Scriptures come to mind:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:6-8 NIV
We need to dwell on the good things in our lives. They are all around us!
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do believe we must avoid the pitfalls the devil puts in our path, whatever they may be.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Is he trying to discourage us? Does he want us to take our eyes off Jesus?
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9 NIV
Which reminds me, our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing harsh persecution in Nigeria, Myanmar, China, North Korea, and other places around the globe.
These are my thoughts. What do you think?
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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That’s why we complain isn’t it? To feel better. After all, I’ve got to get this off my chest! I need to vent!”
But does it really make you feel better? I decided to do an experiment. What would happen if, instead of complaining, I thanked God.
Here’s what happened. The more I complained about my situation (to other people), the angrier I got. But when I thanked God for the positives in this situation, the more at peace I became.
What does God’s Word say about it?
“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.” Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
The Amplified Bible makes it crystal clear: ” … in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness], 16 holding out and offering to everyone the word of life.”
God knows that when we complain, it has a negative effect on us. In other words, it isn’t healthy. But more than that, a person who doesn’t complain is refreshing to be around. That person shines like a star in the darkness holding out the word of life.
The Israelites complained about everything after God brought them out of Egypt. We tend to think, “How can they complain after God so spectacularly brought them out of slavery?” But are we any different? Hasn’t God brought us out of bondage to sin, and yet we complain about every little thing?
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I chuckle every time I read the following passage written by Beth Moore from her book, Breaking Free. She states the exact opposite of Philippians 4:6-7 to drive home a point.
“Do not be calm about anything, but in everything, by dwelling on it constantly and feeling picked on by God, with thoughts like, ‘and this is the thanks I get,’ present your aggravations to everyone you know but Him. And the acid in your stomach, which transcends all milk products, will cause you an ulcer, and the doctor bills will give you a heart attack and you will lose your mind!”
It’s funny because that’s what we do!
Next, I did some research. And there’s plenty of information on it. Consider this article from Penn State University.
“Complaining is also bad for your health. When you complain, your body releases more of the hormone that shifts a human into fight-or-flight mode, the hormone known as cortisol. This directs oxygen, blood, and energy from any system that is not crucial to survival. Frequent complaining results in extra cortisol being released, which puts a person more at risk for high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and strokes.
So what can we do to stop ourselves from complaining? Every time you find yourself making a negative observation, make a positive one instead. It is recommended that a person takes time to think about what they’re grateful for. Doing this can reduce cortisol by 23%, according to research at the University of California, Davis. Decreasing the amount you complain will have an overall more positive impact on your health. So why not start today?”¹
So now science is saying what God said thousands of years ago! I’m convinced. It’s time for me to stop complaining.
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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¹https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa16/2016/10/21/what-does-complaining-do-to-your-brain/
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“For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13 NLT
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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Intercession is the hardest work in the world–the giving of one’s self, time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward you for.”
elisabeth elliot
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 