“Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].” Proverbs 29:18 AMP Proverbs 29:18 in all English translations
My thoughts: You may have heard it said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” KJV (leaving out the second part of the verse). When we look at the whole verse, it is clear that the word vision does not refer to some dream of success a person may have but to God’s Word. Unrestrained means that without the guidance of God’s Word, people abandon themselves to their own sinful ways.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” Jesus, John 16:13 NIV Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter
My thoughts: Even though this passage is familiar to many of us, it speaks volumes about the world around us today. May we take the time to carefully consider this message from God found in His Holy Word. By loving truth, we will stand firm.
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” Psalm 145:18-19 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” Psalm 139:1-4 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10 NIV
My thoughts: This verse assures us that God will guide us when we are surrendered to His will. Trust Him to guide you.
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Once there was a very popular preacher. So many people crowded into his church services, the church had to be enlarged. He frequently preached at other churches, as is often the case with popular ministers.
The preacher wrote beautiful Christian songs, that were also popular with churchgoers. Soon, he began a series of weekly prayer meetings in addition to regular services.
What made this preacher so special? I believe it was his life journey.
All the experiences in our past have shaped us into the person we are today. This preacher, at one time, was a vile sinner, cruel and having a hardened heart; a man without compassion or mercy.
Is it possible for such a person to have a complete turnaround? Can a hardened sinner become a saint? Can a depraved evildoer become a man (or woman) of God?
Ask the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, anointing them with costly perfume. When an indignant Pharisee questioned Jesus about allowing this sinful woman (probably a prostitute) to touch him, Jesus said this:
“I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Luke 7:47
Have you guessed the identity of the preacher, yet? You won’t find him on YouTube or TV. He was born in 1725.
Before he gave his life to Christ, he was the captain of slave ships. I can only imagine the horror of such ships, but it is well documented that slave ships provided such wretched accommodations that many men, women, and children died before arriving at their intended destination. In the words of a former slave, Olaudah Equiano, “The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable.”
Who was this forgiven reprobate turned preacher-songwriter?
His name is John Newton and he wrote these famous words: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”
This celebrated hymn touches my soul because I know that what God’s grace and mercy did for John Newton, He did for me.
As you listen to Amazing Grace, thank God for his mercy and forgiveness. The more we have been forgiven, the more we love Him. That’s what Jesus said.
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:5 NIV
“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.” Revelation 12:9 NIV (emphasis mine)
My thoughts: This explains a lot!
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
Every book of the New Testament, with the exception of Philemon, warns believers of false teachers. The battle between truth and error has been raging ever since Genesis 3.
Rev. Rodgers Atwebembeire, The Gospel Coalition, Africa
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
My dog, Henry (above with my daughter), likes to walk on the curb, so sometimes I do it, too. I figure it’s good for my balance. I have discovered that if I look at my feet I’ll fall off the curb, but if I look ahead several yards, I don’t fall off. It reminded me of Paul’s words,
” … I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
Sometimes we get so focused on what’s going on in our lives (looking at our feet) that we forget to keep our eyes on Jesus (what is ahead). What’s even worse is to look behind, and dwell on past mistakes.
God reminded me that I must not dwell on today’s problems or yesterday’s failings, but fix my eyes on Jesus instead. So I will read my Bible and praise Him. I will look to the Savior of my soul for the strength for today.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus
Real Christian Women 