“Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10 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
Photo by Jaka Škrlep on Unsplash
I was feeling discouraged, tired, and weak. But my daily Bible reading fell in the book of Nehemiah. It was just what I needed! Nehemiah is packed with encouragement and reveals the sneaky tactics of the enemy. Once I realized that my negative feelings were really an attack of Satan, they lost their power over me!
If this is happening to you, congratulations! The devil is afraid of you and he wants you to give up!
Satanic attacks are often disguised as your own feelings and thoughts. The enemy loves to attack our mind (our thinking). Those doubts, fears, frustrations, distractions, and even fatigue are the attack of the enemy.
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV
My Bible reading today was Nehemiah, chapters 4 through 6. Nehemiah had led the exiles back to Jerusalem where they were obeying God and rebuilding the demolished walls of the city. You can read it here. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nehemiah+4-6&version=NIV
These chapters reveal how the enemy tries to stop the work God has given us to do. Whether it is writing a blog, teaching a Bible Study, going to the mission field, pastoring a church, or building a wall, the enemy’s plan is first and foremost to STOP THE WORK.
Satan’s plan is to make you give up. How does he do this?
(Parenthesis and underlining mine.)
“When Sanballat (the enemy) heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Nehemiah 6:19 NIV
“Tobiah the Ammonite (also an enemy), who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:1-3 NIV
When you are feeling intimidated (which includes feelings of failure or lack of expertise, and you start second-guessing your calling) know this: Satan is attacking your mind because he’s angry! He wants you to give up!
“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.” Nehemiah 4:8 NIV
Has trouble come against your ministry in any way? Have problems cropped up you didn’t expect? It could come in many forms: extra bills, lack of resources, lack of workers, etc. Satan wants you to give up!
“Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain. Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Nehemiah 5:1-3
Jews who were more prosperous were taking advantage of their fellow Jews by charging them interest on loans, taking their children as slaves, and taking their property. Is there trouble within? Satan wants you to give up!
Sanballat sent a message to Nehemiah:
“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”
I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” Nehemiah 6:5-8 NIV
Sometimes lies may be circulated about you. Satan wants you to give up!
“They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”
Fear brings on fatigue. Enthusiasm brings on high energy. Satan wants you to give up!
Even though the enemy fought hard to defeat the Jews and stop them from rebuilding the wall, he failed. Why? Nehemiah says,
“We prayed to our God.”
“So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.” Nehemiah 6:15 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
RealChristianWomen.blog
“Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in you.” Psalm 25:4-5 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
Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash
“You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.” Psalms 36:6b-7 NLT
The dog in the picture is my father’s dog, Shadow.
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
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
“Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.” Psalm 32:8-10 NLT
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 Ansgar Scheffold on Unsplash
“Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater.” Luke 12:48b 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
Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash
In these perilous times where the Coronavirus has the world on edge, what could be more important than being privy to the wisdom of God? We know wisdom is tied to the fear of the Lord.
Someone asked me recently, “What is the fear of the Lord? What does it mean?”
It’s important to fully understand what is meant by it, for many promises are tied to it. Here are just three:
The Amplified Bible says, “He will be the security and stability of your times.” (Isaiah 33:6)
Stability is resistance to change. We talk about a stable economy, meaning it won’t suddenly change. We want stability in our life, also. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
The New Testament talks about building our life on Jesus Christ, our Rock.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
So, in order to have stability in our life we must know the Word (The Bible) and put it into practice in our lives. Then, no matter what storms come our way we will stand firm on the Rock.
To fear the Lord means to be in awe of His Majesty and holiness. He is our friend, but He isn’t our buddy. We must not treat Him as merely a means of blessing and a way to get what we want.
When we incorporate the fear of the Lord into every moment of our lives, we make decisions based upon His approval. We live with the knowledge that the Creator of the universe is intimately involved in our every move. He sees, knows, and evaluates all our choices, and we will answer to Him.”
Got Questions
Remember the words of the Apostle Paul and do not be afraid.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
So, as we move forward in these days of uncertainty, let us be unafraid, trusting in God. May we live in the fear of the Lord and receive His wisdom, that our times will be steady and sure, built on the Rock, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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 Hello I’m Nik 🍌 on Unsplash
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 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
Photo from Unsplash
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NLT
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 Polychrome Creative on Unsplash
“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 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
Photo by J Scott Rakozy on Unsplash
Real Christian Women 