Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 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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“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 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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When Jesus came to Earth, the Jews rejected Him because they expected a Messiah who would overthrow the Roman Empire and fix all their problems. They didn’t expect a gentle and meek Savior who would eat with sinners, teach love and forgiveness, and die on a cross.
The Messiah didn’t solve all their earthly problems. In fact, His followers were persecuted like He was. So why did He come?
The Messiah came to open the way to the Father, to provide forgiveness for sins, and give us eternal life. He came to bring the gift of salvation to all who would put their faith in Him. That was His mission.
“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt.20:28
Do we do the same thing today as the Jews did 2000 years ago? Do we think that Jesus is a means to earthly treasures? Do we think it’s all about this present life instead of what awaits us in eternity?
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:14 NIV
Do we think Jesus came to give us financial prosperity? The Bible says that those who think that godliness is a means to financial gain have a corrupt mind and have been robbed of the truth.
“These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:2-7 NIV (emphasis mine) Read full chapter
Jesus came to free all people from the chains of spiritual darkness: the oppression of sin.
I am saddened when I think about those who follow Jesus because of what they think He will do for them during this time on earth. I know a man who “got saved” because he was convinced that if he had enough faith he could save his marriage. He became a regular church attender and prayed for his miracle. When his prayer was not answered the way he expected he stopped attending church and gave up on faith.
We must not become so consumed with what we think we need, following Him because of what He might do for us, that we forget to follow Him just because of who He is.
“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?
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“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 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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realchristianwomen.blog
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” James 5:7-8 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts.”
George Müller
“George Mueller was a Christian evangelist and director of the Orphanage at Ashley Downs in Bristol, England during the 1800s. He is best remembered for his complete trust in God’s provision, never soliciting the community for financial donations nor accepting any government support. With this unique dependence on unsolicited gifts, his institution is estimated to have received and disbursed over £113 million in today’s money by the time of Mueller’s death. He preached at Bethesda Chapel and later traveled the world to preach the gospel and promote stewardship by bearing witness to his life of non-reliance on worldly riches.” CompellingTruth.org
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Jules Marvin Eguilos on Unsplash
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“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV (emphasis mine) 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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It seems like people will believe just about anything these days (and that includes Christians). The question that hounds me is this: Should I be silent or should I speak up? God’s Word says,
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to be silent and a time to speak” Ecclesiastes 3: 1 and 7b NIV
That assures me of one thing. I don’t always have to speak up! That’s good because sometimes it’s just easier to keep my beliefs to myself unless I’m asked for my opinion. But on the other hand, the Bible also says this:
“Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17 NIV
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction during WWII. At one time I found it hard to understand how people in Germany could remain silent amid the horrible persecution of the Jews. But I’m beginning to understand how societal pressure can keep one silent. It isn’t easy to speak up against lies, in the church or in secular society. In the case of Nazi Germany, silence aided evil. Silence can aid evil in today’s world as well.
The following secular quotes are also interesting to contemplate:
Your very silence shows you agree.”
Euripides
Sometimes, to remain silent is to lie, since silence can be interpreted as assent.”
Miguel de Unamuno
But Scripture also supports silence:
“Therefore, he who is prudent and has insight will keep silent at such a [corrupt and evil] time, for it is an evil time [when people will not listen to truth and will disregard those of good character]. Amos 5:13 AMP
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Proverbs 17:27-28
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” James 1:19
Jesus exemplified the wisdom of silence when He stood before Pontius Pilate:
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. Matthew 27:12-14 NIV
When the Jews faced national annihilation, the brave Queen Esther recognized her God-appointed purpose and time to speak. Her cousin Mordecai urged,
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:12-14
Esther obeyed, risking her life to save her people. She knew it was “a time to speak,” and she received God’s abundant blessing.
I have searched the Scriptures concerning speaking up or staying silent and my conclusion remains:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to be silent and a time to speak” Ecclesiastes 3: 1 and 7b NIV
Should I speak up or should I remain silent? There are no easy answers to our question. We may not know what we should do. But God has promised to give us wisdom when we ask Him. So that is what we must do. We rely on God’s wisdom and the Holy Spirit to lead us as we seek guidance from God’s Word.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 NIV Read full chapter
I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, especially if you have struggled with this issue in your life or ministry.
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?
Source: GotQuestions.org
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