“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Being timid or having fear usually enters in when a person focuses on his or her situation and abilities rather than on God’s sovereignty and attributes. (Jeremiah Study Bible Notes)
In His Love, Cindy
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Paul wrote a letter to the church in Philippi from his prison cell in Rome. Even though he was under the threat of execution, he maintained the proper perspective and urged the believers in Philippi to do the same.
We must also remember to maintain a proper perspective. Yes, shocking events are happening worldwide and I don’t think it’s a good idea to hide our heads in the sand. But our focus must not be on those things, but on Jesus and the good things He has done. (By the way, ostriches don’t really bury their heads in the sand. That’s a myth. But I digress.) Paul reminds the church to
“be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.” Philippians 2:3-4
I have noticed in my own life that when I’m helping others my own problems don’t loom so large. For example, when I work in the Food Pantry at my church handing out food to the needy I’m reminded of how blessed I am (not what I don’t have).
Now, if someone with no idea what you’re going through tells you not to worry about anything, you might roll your eyes. But if someone in prison (not to mention having been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and hunted down like a dog) tells you you don’t need to worry, you might be more inclined to listen to what they have to say. Paul encourages the believers in Philippi,
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. 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
“And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” Philippians 4:8
If you do this, I guarantee you will feel better. In fact, God guarantees it!
In His Love, Cindy
Scripture references from TLB
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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV (emphasis mine)
Verse 10 AMP: “… ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”
Isn’t that exciting?!
In His Love, Cindy
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“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 3:6 NASB (emphasis mine) Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
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(Satan) is amazingly effective at making lies believable … the only hope we have of being able to spot his lies is to be intimately familiar with the truth. We must be so well versed in the truth, so faithful to the truth, and such a doer of truth that he will not be able to deceive us with his lies. Apart from the Word of God, we are sitting ducks!”
Jim Osman, Truth or Territory?
In His Love, Cindy
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“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NIV Read full chapter
Note: Context is important to properly understand verse 13.
“Christian contentment is the God-given ability to be satisfied with the loving provision of God in any and every situation.” Charles Kelley
In His Love, Cindy
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“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 NIV
Today, let us reflect on those who paid the ultimate price for the freedom and liberty we hold so dear, not only in America but in every free country around the world. THANK YOU!
The photo above is from a football game at North Carolina State University.
In His Love, Cindy
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“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.” Psalm 122:6 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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Hopelessness is the cruelest emotion. I felt hopeless once. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Hopelessness is like being in a dark hole. You don’t know how to get out and you don’t care.
If you have ever experienced hopelessness, and you’re still around to tell about it, you understand the inextricable need of all human beings to have HOPE.
We don’t know what may happen tomorrow, but we can be prepared by putting our hope in God today. Consider what God says about hope.
“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 40:31 NIV
“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22 NIV
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18 NIV
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV
” … we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:18-19 NIV (emphasis mine)
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus … ” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV (emphasis mine)
If the problems of this world are taking a toll on you, turn your eyes on Jesus. This is how we renew our hope.
A True Story About Hanging on to Hope
Alexander Solzhenitsyn knew how to hang on to hope. He was a political prisoner in Russia for many years. Forced to work 12-hour days at hard labor while existing on a starvation diet, he became gravely ill, and the doctor warned he would die.
One afternoon, he stopped working. Even though he knew the guards would beat him severely, he just could not go on any longer.
At that moment, a prisoner, also a follower of Christ, approached him. He had a cane in his hand, and with his cane, he drew a cross in the sand. Solzhenitsyn said when he saw that cross, he remembered the anguish his Savior had taken on for him; and he realized that the cross was where the battle was ultimately won. He got up, went back to work, and survived.
When you hang on to true hope, you can overcome the worst adversity.
(from the Jeremiah Study Bible)
In His Love, Cindy
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