Christian

Be Still and Know That I Am God

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?

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A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse for Friday, 2/21/20

“If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:9-10

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 kyran low on Unsplash

A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse for Today, 2/20/20

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” Proverbs 25:2 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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

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A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse for Today, 2/18/20

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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

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A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse for Today, 2/16/20

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19

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  

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Christian

Soften My Heart, Lord

Someone close to me recently told me she was selling everything she owns and moving to a 3rd World country to help orphaned and abandoned children. I was shocked and speechless. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. (Your moving where?)

“Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” Proverbs 3:27 NLT

She explained that God had called her and had confirmed it over and over. What could I say? I didn’t want to encourage her. What if it wasn’t God? But I didn’t want to discourage her either. What if it was? I could only listen quietly.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 NIV

Does God really call us to sell all and follow Him? That’s okay for “missionaries”, but when it’s someone you love, well, that’s different. I didn’t realize how different until it confronted me head-on. I doubt you will be able to understand the impact of my experience unless you experience it for yourself.

“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
    The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.” Psalm 41:1 NLT

My faith is being tested to the core. As long as I focus on God’s Word, I’m not in a panic. But to stay strong, I have had to continually stay focused on the Lord and stay in the Word. By immersing myself in the Word over the last few weeks, I have gone from “numb and shock” to peace. It has been an amazing process.

“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
    The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.” Psalm 41:1 NLT

How easily we can be swept up in our personal lives and never give thought to the plight of so many living in poverty and despair. For the most part, many American Christians live in a bubble. They don’t even observe the poor in their own town or city that may be only a few miles away.

“But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?” 1 John 3:17 TLB

You won’t see them at Dillards or Chicos. You won’t see them in a nice restaurant or your favorite nail salon. You won’t even see them in your neighborhood. They may be hidden away, but they aren’t far away.

“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.” Proverbs 28:27

Dear Heavenly Father, Soften our hearts. Create in us compassion and kindness. Forgive us for being selfish. Show us your will and lead us. Strengthen our faith in you. Guide and direct our way every single day. For you are our God, the Holy One, worthy to be praised. Amen

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  

Photos by Unsplash

A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse for Friday, 2/14/20

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13: 34–35 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  

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A Verse For Today, Christian

A Verse for Today, 2/13/20

“Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 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  

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A Verse For Today

A Verse for Today, 2/11/20

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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

realchristianwomen.blog  

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A Verse For Today

A Verse for Today, 2/9/20

“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.” James 1:5 NIV

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is fullsizeoutput_576.jpeg

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

realchristianwomen.blog  

Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash