Christian

When Things Aren’t Working Out Like You Planned

If you are a believer in Christ, you are surrounded by God’s mighty Word. The belt of Truth is wrapped around you, holding your armor and weapons in place. During times of testing, we need to hold fast to the Word of Truth. Are you struggling with circumstances in your life right now? If you are, tighten your belt. You’re in the right place!

God knows every detail concerning your life. He knows exactly what is happening today. He even knows the number of hairs on your head!

He has promised to guide you along your way in this world. But His plan for you is probably very different than you thought it would be. Why? Because deep down, we think we are in control. Deep down, we think we are directing our own path and that the decisions we make will determine our future. But God is in control and His plan for you is superior to your own plans.

Consider Abraham, Joseph, Gideon, David, Esther, Paul, (and the list goes on). None of these people knew what God had planned for them. But they trusted God along the way, even when things looked bad.

Let’s talk about Joseph for a minute.

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.  He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had:  We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” Genesis 37: 5-7

That must have been pretty exciting for Joseph, but you probably know what happened to him. He ended up being thrown into a pit and left for dead, then he was sold into slavery. After that, he was sent to prison for something he didn’t do! He could have been really discouraged, but he kept on trusting God through all these circumstances and God gave him favor until eventually Joseph was put in charge of all of Egypt! (Read about it in Genesis 37-50)

In hindsight Joseph could see how God’s plan brought him to the place of honor and power he enjoyed as an Egyptian leader. It ‘s only in hindsight that we will understand why things happened like they did in our own lives. That’s why we must live by faith.

“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

Regardless of how things look, these promises are still true:

“… the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
    the purposes of his heart through all generations..” Psalm 33:11

“For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
    His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

Sometimes you may feel like God has abandoned you, but that is not true. Listen to the words spoken to God’s people while they were exiled in Babylon:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

The Israelites did return to Jerusalem and rebuilt the wall!

We must never trust our own ideas above what God is doing that we cannot see. God says,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Even though things don’t seem to be working out right, God’s promises are still true. His Word is still true. God is working His plan for you this very minute. Will you trust Him?

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

A Prayer

Father, The whole universe is by your design. You created it all! No matter what happens, I will always follow you. Please direct my steps, for I trust in you. Give me the strength and courage I need. Strengthen my faith, I pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Unsplash

All Scripture references are NIV.

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Friday’s Verse, 11/6/20

“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian

A Verse for Meditation, 11/5/20

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 NIV

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian

Tuesday’s Verse, 11/3/20

“Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.” Psalm 32:10 NLT

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Sergei Akulich on Unsplash

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Christian

Monday’s Verse, 11/2/20

“The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 NIV

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Christiana Rivers on Unsplash

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Sunday’s Memory Verse, 11/1/20

“How great is the goodness
    you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
    blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19 NLT

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian

10 Ways to Encourage Others Through Your Blog

The Bible says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV) But how do we do that?

I know many bloggers whose primary goal is to encourage others by sharing Jesus. This is a wonderful thing! And we want to get better and better at doing just that. So let’s look at some ways we can accomplish that goal through blogging.

American Express Tumblr : Photo | Monday inspirational quotes, Words, Life  words

#1. Share a personal experience. Everyone loves a personal story. Nothing is more inspiring than reading about how someone else achieved their goal despite hardship and problems along the way.

#2. Share someone else’s story. You may read about someone’s experiences in a book or article and then share that account in your own blog. Be careful to give credit where credit is due.

#3. Share encouraging Bible verses. (Google can be very helpful.)

#4. Share your journey. What has God taught you that you might share to build others up?

#5. Look for Bible characters who were encouragers and tell their story. Some examples are, Mordecai in the book of Esther, Barnabas in the New Testament, Aaron and Hur encouraged Moses during Israel’s battles in Exodus, and Elizabeth was an encouragement to Jesus’ mother, Mary.

#6. As you study your Bible, look for more examples of godly encouragement.

#7. Relate the results of godly encouragement from the Bible. What were the results of Barnabas’ encouragement? What were the results of Mordecai’s encouragement? Was it important that God put those encouragers in place? What might have happened without their support?

#8. Relate a time when you were desperate for God to help you and He provided strength, encouragement, or comfort.

#9. Encourage your fellow bloggers by liking and commenting on their posts. I have developed blogger friends over the last three years that I sincerely care about and pray for. Nothing is more encouraging to a blogger than reading in their comments these words: “I needed that!” or “Excellent post!”

#10. Last, but not least, PRAY FOR YOUR READERS!

Verses of Encouragement

Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 37:23-24 “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

An Example from the Movies: The King’s Speech

The 2010 movie The King’s Speech tells the story of England’s King George VI, who unexpectedly became monarch when his brother abandoned the throne. With the country on the brink of World War II, government officials wanted a well-spoken leader because of the increasingly influential role of radio. King George VI, however, struggled with a stuttering problem.

Throughout his struggle to overcome his speech difficulty, his wife, Elizabeth was his constant source of encouragement. Her steadfast devotion provided the support he needed to overcome his challenge and rule well during the war.*

You can be an encourager like Barnabas! Your encouragement can make a difference in someone’s life! Who encouraged you? How did they make a difference in your life?

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

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Friday’s Verse, 10/30/20

His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.  Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day.” Lamentations 3:22-23 TLB

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Christian

A Verse for Meditation, Thursday, 10/29/20

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Gabriel Garcia Marengo on Unsplash

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 10/28/20

God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

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