“We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.” Psalm 33:20-22 NLT
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
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“God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” Psalm 46:1-3 NLT
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Stefano Zocca on Unsplash
Have you wondered lately, “What is wrong with me? Why am I so discouraged and depressed?
If so, you could be under attack by spiritual forces of evil! The apostle Paul wrote about it in the book of Ephesians. He said,
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12
Recently, a friend said to me, “I think I’m under the attack of the devil.”
I thought, “I think I am, too!”
Thinking about how we both had really geared up our efforts to be obedient to God’s will in our lives, I realized that Satan wasn’t taking it lying down! He was trying to discourage us both! He was trying to steal the Word and wear us down.
He was putting negative thoughts in our minds! Remember: Satan is the Accuser. (Revelation 12:10) He is also the Father of Lies. (John 8:44) He will attack your thoughts. Jesus said,
“Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word …” Mark 4:15
Did the devil attack Jesus? Yes, he did. Did Jesus fight back? Yes, he did. Did the devil finally give up and leave him alone? Yes, he did!
After fasting forty days and forty nights, (Jesus) was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Mathew 4: 3-4
Three times the devil tempted Jesus, and every time Jesus quoted the Word of God to him. That’s how Jesus fought back! Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the sword of the Spirit (our powerful weapon) is the is the Word of God. Jesus fought the devil’s schemes with the word of God. We can, too!
Let us praise and thank the Father, in prayer, for all the promises that contradict the discouragement and lies that come from Satan.
It is written, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
Jesus has promised that if I remain in His love, my joy will be complete. (John 15:11)
It is written “God gives us endurance and encouragement.” (Romans 15:5)
By your grace, you have given us eternal encouragement and hope. (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
It is written, when I am weak, then I am strong because your power is made perfect in weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
I thank you, Father, because you are able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, I will have all that I need, and I will abound in every good work! (2 Corinthians 9:8)
I can do everything through him who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:13)
WOW! I feel better already! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The Bible is full of encouragement and love for you and for me!
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Henry Hustava on Unsplash
“Give your burdens to the Lord. He will carry them. He will not permit the godly to slip or fall.” Psalm 55:22 TLB
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 TLB
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Picture in your mind an apple tree loaded with ripe, red apples. Big, juicy apples are weighing down the branches until they brush the ground. Below, dozens have fallen and cover the ground like a quilt. You have no doubt what kind of tree it is. It’s an apple tree!
Then picture another tree. It has no fruit hanging on the branches. There’s no fruit lying on the ground. There’s no fruit anywhere. You don’t know what kind of tree it is!
Galatians 5:16-26 explains how to produce the fruit of the Spirit and cast aside the lust of the flesh.
“16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Pay special attention to the bolded words, “walk by the Spirit”. The Greek word for walk is peripateo. It means “follow as a companion”. If we live our lives with the Holy Spirit as our constant companion, we will not entertain those fleshly desires.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (NIV)
Verse 25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
The Greek word translated “keep in step” is stoicheo. It means “to march in military rank, to conform to.”
It’s just like marching in a group. I’ve never served in the military, but I once marched in a band. In the 6th grade I was a majorette. The most exciting event of the summer was the 4th of July parade! I knew I had to keep in step with the others or I would stand out like a sore thumb. (I also had to try really hard not to drop my baton!)
To keep in step while marching means following the voice of the one calling the cadence. You don’t watch your feet! Likewise, keeping in step with the Spirit means following Him, focusing on Jesus and His precious Word.
Doing those things will produce the Fruit of the Spirit in your life and everyone will know what kind of “tree” you are. These are the characteristics that will define you: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Don’t be discouraged if your fruit doesn’t develop overnight. It takes an apple seed 5 to 10 years to make an apple! But when we’re serious about our relationship with God, He will change us into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. Our part is to “keep in step” with the Holy Spirit. God will do the rest!
May God bless you as you yield to His will and follow in His steps, allowing the Lord to develop in you the precious fruit of the Spirit.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Featured Image Photo by Nathan Hulsey on Unsplash
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;
he snapped their chains.
15 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Psalm 107:13-15 NLT
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Carolina Jacomin on Unsplash
Real Christian Women 