I’m a To-Do List, planner, scheduled-day kind of person. I didn’t realize how much until recently.
It was early in the morning, about 6:00, when I let my dog, Bella, out the back door. Sunny skies, a gentle breeze, and the sweet sound of birds singing greeted me. I sat down on my little black bench to enjoy it for a minute.
I already had coffee in hand, so I drank it outside instead of hurrying into my office. Suddenly, a hummingbird darted past and paused to drink from the bright pink Hibiscus bloom peaking out from my neighbor’s balcony.
A baby bunny hopped out of the cornfield and looked around. A striking red cardinal flew to my bird feeder and looked me right in the eye. “Are you going to put any seed in this feeder or what?” he seemed to say.
A bright yellow Monarch fluttered by. It was like God had orchestrated his creation to entertain me. I couldn’t leave my seat.
After a while, this Scripture came to me, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
I sat peacefully, obediently, enjoying the beauty right outside my door. My brain stopped buzzing around like it was on fire.
Then, God reminded me that His plan is never what a person thinks it will be. Abraham didn’t know that Sarah would give him a son in her old age. Jacob didn’t know he would have to work twenty years for Laban before he could leave with Rachel. And Joseph could never imagined that God’s plan would land him in prison. But all these things were part of God’s plan!
If these men of God were like me, they would have been thinking that it was all their fault that things were working out so badly. But God’s will was being accomplished through ordinary, imperfect men – in spite of their flaws.
I learned something important that day. Sometimes I just need to slow down, quiet my brain, and observe God’s creation. It reminds me that He is God. And I might hear that still, small voice.
“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” 1 Kings 19:11-12
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
(Re-posted from July, 2018)
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
“When the dream in our heart is one that God has planted there, a strange happiness flowers into us. At that moment all of the spiritual resources of the universe are released to help us. Our praying is then at one with the will of God and becomes a channel for the Creator’s always joyous, triumphant purposes for us and our world.” Catherine Marshall
Did you ever stop to think about this? That you are working and praying for something that God Himself put in your heart!
This is my desire, that my prayers would be at one with the will of God, and to know that I am praying according to His will.
“Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 TLB
What is your dream?
With Love,
This is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus:Who Is Jesus?
“… that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world … ” Revelation 20:2
Have you ever wondered how the devil attacks Christians? The Bible says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) I think Peter used the roaring lion illustration for a reason!
I Peter 4:1 says to“…arm yourselves with the same attitude (that is in Christ)…” It doesn’t say to have the same attitude as Christ. It says to ARM yourselves with it!
I haven’t been able to get those words out of my mind for days. To arm yourself means to equip yourself with weapons. The mind of Christ, or having the same attitude as Christ, is our weapon against the devil!
I knew I needed to learn more about the attitude that equips me for battle with the devil. After all, a “roaring lion” is prowling around, looking for someone that is unprotected and unarmed! To prowl means to search stealthily, implying he is difficult to detect. He is sneaky.
What is the mind of Christ? What is His attitude? First of all, the mind of Christ is completely unselfish. He gave His life for us. He loves us. He put us above His own needs and desires. He sought the will of the Father, not His own. He had no time for sin. He sought the glory of God the Father. He was willing to suffer. Early in the morning, He prayed. In humility, He became a servant.
When we obey God and allow Him to transform us into a new creation, we begin to think like Jesus. We become less self-centered and begin to care for others more than ourselves.
I realize that there have been times when the devil tried to “devour” me. He attacked me with the purpose of dragging me away from God and what God called me to do. Because I was not thinking with the mind of Christ, the devil was able to get a foothold. I was focused on what I wanted (what I thought I needed.) I clung to my selfish desires because, well, I needed to! (It was a big mistake!)
But when we think like Jesus, we are well armed against the devil’s schemes. I see it now. I wish I had seen it earlier.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11) The Bible tells us how to protect ourselves against the devil. He tells us how to arm ourselves.
“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. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6: 10-18)
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ” Philippians 2:5-11
I pray that my blog will inspire you to search God’s Word and learn more about the mind of Christ, the attitude that was in Christ. His Word is filled with precious promises and leads us faithfully to Jesus.
With Love, Cindy
This is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.
“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.” ROMANS 10:9-11
I urgently feel the need to learn how to pray more effectively for the people God has laid upon my heart. Sisters in Christ, Join me as I ask Jesus to teach me how to pray.
O Lord, my God, teach me to pray the effective prayer that avails much! Teach me to pray in full surrender to your will! I confess that I don’t know how to pray as I should. Reveal the sin that hinders my prayer. Give me the humility to learn from You. This is the cry of my heart! I pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Although I do not want to suggest that there is a “formula” for prayer that we must adhere to, I do want to search the Word of God for direction and help to pray in the way that I should and that is pleasing to Him. After all, there are numerous references to prayer and many examples of prayer in the Scripture. Let’s look first at Jesus’ teaching on prayer:
“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.” Matthew 6:6
Although I know that God hears me when I pray in my car on the way to school, I think that we must remember that we also need to make time to pray alone in a special place where we can take time to worship and listen. Jesus said, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:8
” And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Answers to prayer depend, not on me, but on the love and power of the Father. And He“is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” Ephesians 3:20
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 KJV
So let us go to the Secret Place of the Father’s presence and speak with Him, not just to Him. Let us seek His presence and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in prayer.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
Do you know someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus? Maybe it’s someone you love very much. You may have prayed for this person for a long time. Maybe it’s your husband.
Someone I love very much calls himself an atheist.I want to share with you some of the letters I have written him in response to his explanations of why he doesn’t believe in God. I pray that they may help you in some way.
Dear J, You claim to be an atheist, but I don’t believe it. I think that deep down you know the truth. I’ve been through a time of doubt myself, and I think everyone has to go through doubt before faith becomes genuine.
I am so sorry that you are going through such a difficult time. Just like you, I have also had serious problems connected to work and making a living. The only way I have been able to make it through my tough times was (and is) through my relationship with Christ.
It is knowing that God loves me, even though I don’t deserve it, that I find comfort and strength to endure the difficult times. Whenever I turn to Him, He never fails to comfort and encourage me.
During one particular crisis, I happened upon a radio station, seemingly by accident. I began to listen every morning as this minister taught about the struggles of Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37). It was amazing how this pastor encouraged me through his lessons day after day! These lessons were exactly what I needed to face my arduous situation each day.
God didn’t answer my prayers the way I hoped (and thought) He would. No, He didn’t stop the injustice. In fact, my situation ended up worse than I even imagined! But He made His love and faithfulness known to me in an awesome way. I knew in my heart and soul that He was along side of me.
Since then, I am trusting God in a way I never have before. I’m going to write down a couple of Scriptures that have given me peace. (There are many more.) I hope they will encourage you, too. I love you and I will keep praying for you.
Love, C
Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.”
PS: My heart has been broken many times, but the Lord has always helped me through. That is the truth.
Letter 2:
Dear J, You said you would like to have the comfort of knowing what I know and believing what I believe. You can. It is a choice to believe in Jesus, not a feeling. Anyone can know the love of God. The Bible says, “If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
Everyone who seeks God will find Him, but if we don’t keep in the Word of God, we won’t do very well in our walk. The Word of God is what strengthens us and it is how God encourages us. There have been many times when I prayed that God would help me believe and strengthen my faith…
I wish I could scoop you up out of your pain, but I can’t. Please start seeking God. You don’t have to be perfect. He loves you and me the way we are.
Maybe you think my life has been perfect. I can assure you it has not. God has not kept bad things from happening to me, but every time I turn to Him, I find Him. He is waiting for you to seek Him. This is what you must do.
I love you, C
Letter 3:
Dear J, I would like to have an intellectual discussion with you concerning your comment that the peace of God does not exist for you. You say you’re not an atheist by choice. Does that mean you didn’t choose to be an atheist? How is that possible? Have you made a decision that even if Christianity is truth, you don’t want any part of it? Or, have you sought God with all your heart but did not find Him? Or, did you make a decision that God does not exist based on your intellect? Or is there another reason?
I love you, C
Letter 4:
Dear J, So, my question for you is: Aren’t you curious as to why millions of people are Christians? Isn’t it at least possible they know something you don’t? You said, “I just don’t see any compelling evidence that God exists.”
You can’t determine if God exists based on the actions of “Christians”, the history of the church, the Roman Empire, Constantine, or any other historical facts and/or statistics. Knowing God is a matter of the heart. Do not be afraid to soften your heart toward God.
Love, C
Letter 5:
Dear J, I don’t know how anyone survives hard times without a relationship with Christ. (Don’t you dare stop reading this!) You keep telling me of all the misfortune and injustice in your life. I have had many experiences that were devastating at the time, but my relationship with God is what carried me through. You don’t even know about them and you don’t want to. Every time I was at one of these lowest points, God encouraged me in such a way that I knew, without a doubt, that God was there and I was not alone. Minute by minute, God knows every detail of what is going on in my life. It is God who holds my future.
It’s being able to see the blessings in my life, in spite of the negative circumstances, that enables me to endure the tough times. Later, I always realize that I have become a stronger woman because of them.
I chose to believe Him. I chose to take Him at His word. Following Jesus is not a feeling that comes over you, it is a choice. Once you make the decision to believe in Him and follow Him, then you will be able to see the compelling evidence you seek. Then you can have the comfort of knowing what I know and believing what I believe.
I love you and pray for you. C
I hope you will be encouraged to keep praying for the unbeliever you love.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
What would you do if you lost a 5 carat diamond ring? Would you just say, “Well I don’t see it. I guess it’s gone.” Or, would you look for it for as long as it took? Would you look everywhere or just where you stood? Would you give up after a few minutes? Of course not! You would look for it with every bit of energy in your body! How much more should we seek God with all our hearts!
Maybe you’re thinking that it’s impossible to know for sure if God is real. But, you can know! God says you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart. If you don’t know Him, you haven’t searched for Him with all your heart. But if you will seek to know Him, you will find Him. I think people who say they don’t believe in God haven’t taken God at His word and opened their hearts so that they might know the One true God and Jesus Christ His Son.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Jesus taught His disciples saying, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God]…” Matthew 6:33
God loves you more than you can imagine! He loved you enough to die for you, knowing you could reject Him and His love. How do I know that? The Scripture plainly tells us of God’s great love.
“But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Amplified Bible
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 NIV
Did you know that you cannot love God if you don’t love Jesus? “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” 1 John 5:1
“The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 1 John 4:8 AMP
The Psalmist writes, “For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 108:
With Love, Cindy
This is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.
“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.” ROMANS 10:9-11
Slow to anger toward others: this is patience. Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit. It is a characteristic of God. The Greek word for patience is makrothumia. It is also translated as patience in 2 Peter 3:9. “The Lord … is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” We are exhorted to“be patient, bearing with one another in love.”Ephesians 4:2
We say we want others to see Jesus in us. When we are patient with others, even when provoked, they will see Jesus. Opportunities will arise when you can show God’s love through patience. When we love, they will see Jesus in us.
Righteous Anger: There may be times when our anger is justified and it is not wrong to be angry. After all, Scripture tells us that God can be angry, yet He does not sin. But what we do in that anger is important. The Scripture says,
“In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. … Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. “Ephesians 4:26, 27, 29-32
With Love, Cindy
This is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.
“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.” ROMANS 10:9-11
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
Discovering the promises of God is one of the most exciting things you can do as a Christian. The better you know the Scriptures, the easier it is to receive God’s guidance. Psalm 119 is a treasure that teaches us the value of God’s word. Study it and meditate on the truths it reveals. Here are just a few verses from the longest chapter in the Bible.
“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord… I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I will not neglect your word… Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law… Your statutes are my delight. They are my counselors… Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will mediate on your wonders…
My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word… Teach me knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands… If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”
Verses 99 through 102 are thrilling. Meditate on these verses. The author says,
“I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts… I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.”
That is the desire of our hearts, to be taught by the Lord, through the Holy Scriptures, by the very Spirit of God, that we might walk with Jesus everyday and know His will.
“You are my refuge and my shield. I have put my hope in your word… I am your servant. Give me discernment that I may understand your statutes… The unfolding of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple… Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”
Psalm 125:4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 125:9 “He guides the humble in what is right and he teaches them his way.”
Father, Thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the precious Word of God that guides us. Help us to walk in love that we might bring glory to your name.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
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