“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
What started out as pleasant conversation ended in hurt feelings, tears, misunderstanding, and a chill between myself and someone I dearly love. Oh, how I wished I could take back my words!
I apologized, but the damage was already done. A heated theological discussion got out of hand and it was my fault. It wasn’t as much what I said, but how I presented it.
My harsh comments about a popular preacher with whom I disagree did more harm than good. My friend was hurt by what I said about someone she liked and learned from. I realized I had approached it all wrong. And now I couldn’t get out of my mess.
The next day, quite by “accident”, I stumbled across something written by Hannah Anderson. Her words stung. I want to share them with you.
Discerning people use their insight to serve those around them . . . They use knowledge to build up and unify – not tear down or create division . . . Sometimes this means having the patience to wait while others think through what you already know . . . Sometimes it means foregoing your preferences for the good of others. Sometimes it might even mean being misunderstood precisely because others can’t yet see what you do . . . They resist the temptation to flaunt knowledge or prove themselves right.”
Hannah Anderson, All That’s Good
All I can say is, “Ouch!”
(Side note: It always amazes me how God will put something I need to know right before my eyes even though I wasn’t looking for it!)
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:2 NIV
Yes, God pruned the branches that needed pruning so that I would bear more fruit. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.
We must learn what it means to love one another in every form it might take. Even in speaking Truth, we must think of others above ourselves. We must always ask ourselves, “Am I walking in love?”
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 ESV
I think of the Apostle Paul who said,
“Knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” 1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV
Am I saying we shouldn’t speak the Truth? Not at all! The Bible teaches us to correct and rebuke.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 NIV
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NIV
What I Learned
May the Lord speak to our hearts and teach us how to interact with one another in love. May we become more like Him everyday, overflowing with humility, gentleness, respect, patience and kindness.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Zdeněk Macháček on Unsplash
“And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.” Philippians 4:8 TLB
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
I recently heard a pastor say something that sent shock waves through me. In an attempt to draw unchurched people to Christ, this popular pastor is teaching his flock that the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is not essential to following Jesus. (I find that really hard to accept since Jesus Himself taught from the Old Testament!)
Even more shocking, is how easily people accept it! That’s why I feel I have to talk about it on my blog. The Old Testament is vitally important because everything in it points to Jesus. The better we understand it, the better we will understand our walk with God.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Once the enemy convinces the church that we shouldn’t base our beliefs on the Bible, he can bring forth all kinds of deception and lies that will be gobbled up by itching ears. Without the Bible, the church is destined to embark on a path that gradually looks more and more like the world and less and less like Christ.
The importance of Bible reading can not be overemphasized. And if we read more books about the Bible than the actual Bible, well, we are treading on dangerous ground. But isn’t that what people like to do? It’s the lazy way out. Don’t let someone tell you what the Bible says, unless you have read it for yourself first.
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV
Yes, maybe our churches will grow bigger and faster if we present a message that mirrors the world view and culture, but is that really a good idea?
Jesus said,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13 NIV
My purpose in writing this post is not to criticize, but to highlight the vital importance of reading, studying, and knowing God’s Word for yourself; and to warn against any teaching that does not honor God’s Holy Word. A cursory knowledge of the Bible is not good enough. For the Bible is our guide to discerning truth from error.
I challenge you to read the entire Bible within one year. It’s easier than you think! I did it last year and I’m doing it again this year. In fact, I plan on doing it every year from now on. Why? It’s so easy to do! And once you do it, you’ll want to do it again. I promise!
I personally like the One Year Reading Plan here. Using this chronological reading plan, you will study the Bible in the order that events happened. I found it very helpful to better understand the Biblical timeline. And it requires only a few minutes each day.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV
The Bible guides us through life and teaches us what is true. It is indispensable!
As always, comments are welcomed and appreciated.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Jenny Smith on Unsplash
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” Revelation 5:8 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.” Psalm 61:2-3 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
