“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: 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?
“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
When we complain, it has a negative effect. It isn’t healthy. A person who doesn’t complain is refreshing to be around. One who is always complaining, not so much. The Israelites complained about everything after God brought them out of Egypt. We 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.”
A lot of research has been done on the effects of complaining. 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
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus? A Message For the Skeptic
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¹https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa16/2016/10/21/what-does-complaining-do-to-your-brain/
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“See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.” Colossians 2:8 NASB Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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10 “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 Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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Refresh your commitment today to test everything by the Word of God. The surest defense against spiritual deception is knowledge of spiritual truth.“
Dr. David Jeremiah
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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“God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
With Love, Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
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“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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I want to tell you about a time, not long ago, when I felt like God was far away.
I felt like my faith was losing steam and my zeal and enthusiasm for God were draining away.
Satan was putting doubts in my mind. I kept hearing this: “Who do you think you are?”
I couldn’t feel God. I didn’t feel like praying. I didn’t even feel like going to church. I didn’t feel like reading my Bible. I just wanted to watch TV, play games on my ipad, and eat junk food.
But instead, I did pray (although without emotion). I did go to church. I did read my Bible. And I continued to write my blog. I went through the motions; all the while Satan whispered lies in my ear. (Who do you think you are? You can’t write a Christian blog!) At the time, I was ashamed because I thought they were my thoughts!
But Jesus said, “When (Satan) lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44. Satan is also called the accuser of the brethren. (See Revelation 12:10)
Then, in church, we sang, Jesus Draw Me Nearer by Keith Getty. As I sang the words, I knew God was explaining things to me.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
God was testing my heart! I realized that God was making me stronger. If I lost all emotion, all feeling and joy, would I still pray? Would I still read His Word? Would I still serve Him?
Yes, Lord. I will. Let me pass the test. Make my heart pure. Make me strong.
Did God let Satan test me? I think He did. Once I realized that I was in a test, I became strong because I knew those thoughts of doubt were lies from Satan. I knew God wanted to make me stronger.
So the next time God seems far away or something happens that you don’t understand – maybe you’re taking the same test. Maybe God is making you stronger!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3 NIV
I am thankful for my church and my pastors, especially my Minister of Music, Ricky Clark, who always seems to be leading us in a song that is straight from the heart of God.
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 NLT Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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