“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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It really hurt my feelings. It was like stopping by your best friend’s house only to discover she was having a big party and you hadn’t been invited! I felt so left out and hurt. I felt like crying.
That morning, I had walked into the Women’s Bible Study and there were all my friends having a potluck that no one had told me about! Maybe I was being overly sensitive, and maybe this was an area of vulnerability for me, but I was very offended.
The Bible study teacher recognized that I was upset, and the next time I saw her she gave me an index card with some Scripture references on it. She probably had no idea that it was going to change my life. As I opened my heart to God’s Word, something wonderful happened! The Truth set me free! These are the Scriptures:
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE.” Proverbs 19:11
“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16
This happened to me over 30 years ago, but the devil has used the same tactics since the beginning of time to battle against God’s people. He has used it on me. He will use it on you.
Read about David in 1 Samuel 17:28-33 below. Notice that David had to overlook the offenses thrown at him before he could kill the giant. Satan tried to stop God’s plan for David, but he couldn’t do it because David overlooked the offense.
“When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
David refused to be offended.
Over the years, God has continued to reveal to me how powerful it is to walk in love, and that means overlooking offenses.
“(Love) is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP
The devil will send offenses our way, but when we choose God’s way and walk in love, Satan’s attack will not prevail.
“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
Has anyone ever offended you? Insulted you? Put you down? If so, consider this: Love is strong spiritual warfare!
You may be thinking, “How is this spiritual warfare?”
Consider the evil attack on Jesus when he was crucified. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
It is following Him and walking in his steps that empower us for spiritual battle.
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.” Psalm 47:6-7 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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Nothing in the Christian life is more important than forgiveness-our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us.”
John F. MacArthur
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11-12 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
I want to share a true story with you, an example of how God glorified His name through a handful of praying Christians, many years ago.
Next month will mark the 204th anniversary of the church I attend. In 1818, a small church of about 26 people in Rockfield, KY began to pray that God would help them start a new church in Bowling Green, Warren County, KY.
Providence Knob Baptist Church sent 4 members to Bowling Green to start a new church. The church they started is the one I worship in today, 204 years later.
To put this in perspective, 1818 is the year the famous American Patriot, Paul Revere, died. In fact, Warren County was named after General Joseph Warren of the Revolutionary War, who dispatched Paul Revere on his famous midnight ride.
The population of Warren County was less than 12,000 then, as compared to over 125,000 at the present time.
Today, the church planted over 200 years ago thrives. A magnificent choir of 50 sings praises to our Lord. A team of singers and musicians lead the congregation in worship, and little children sing of Jesus’s love. An orchestra plays heavenly music in praise to the Lord. People are being saved. The Word of God is being proclaimed. Missionaries are being sent abroad. God’s work is being done and God is glorified.
The obedience and prayers of those pioneers who, in 1818, prayed for God to build a church in Bowling Green resulted in God being glorified. When God answered their prayers, He did “immeasurably more” than all they could ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
Those faithful saints never really saw the fruit of their labor, but God was, and is, and will be, glorified in this place.
It made me think about my own life. Do I want to bring glory to God only? Or do I want glory for myself? Do I want God to do “immeasurable more” than all I ask or imagine? Do I want Him to use me according to His will, even if I never see the fruit of my labor? These are heart-searching questions. May we have the courage to ask them.
God’s plans are bigger than our ability to imagine. I understand now, that God’s plan for my life might bring forth fruit that I don’t live to see, just as these church planters didn’t live to see the fruit of their obedience and prayers.
I would imagine they probably became discouraged at times. It couldn’t have been easy to start a new church in a new city. But they persevered and God answered their prayers.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 NIV
Jesus prayed to His Father,
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” John 17:4 NIV
God has the plan. Will we surrender our will to Him? Our part is to be willing. He will do the rest.
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV
We may not always see the fruit of our obedience and service, but if we are surrendered to His will and obedient to His Word He will glorify His name. This is God’s plan – To glorify His name.
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:4-7 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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Real Christian Women 