“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
One morning, God stopped me in the middle of something (I thought) was very important and gave me a lesson in discipline. This is what happened:
I was studying my Bible to prepare a lesson for the Women’s Bible Study when the phone rang. The church secretary informed me that the room I had reserved for the Bible Study would not be available because someone else needed it.
I thought: What?! Are you kidding me? So what?
(Little did I know, the Lord was getting ready to take me down a completely different path than the one I was on.)
It was hard to continue preparing my Bible lesson when I was so angry. I thought: They can’t just take my room! This is ridiculous! Who do they think they are? That’s not fair!
I knew my attitude was wrong, but I couldn’t help it. I felt justified.
Then a Scripture came to my mind.
“Above all else, guard your heart,” came the still small voice. (Proverbs 4:23)
Honestly, I didn’t really want to, but I listened. Then another Scripture came to my mind. “Do not think of yourselves more highly than you ought.” (Romans 12:3) and “Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
Then, God said to me, “Forgive”.
“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
As an act of my will, I forgave. But I still felt really annoyed. Then the Lord brought another Scripture to my mind. “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up.” Hebrews 12:15
To forgive is a decision, but I knew that if I kept rehearsing this over and over in my mind, bitterness would take root. I needed God’s grace.
Thank God we can “Come boldly to the throne of grace … and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
What is our time of need? It is when we are too weak to do something in our own strength. The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient, …. for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Hebrews 13:9 says, “It is good to be strengthened by God’s grace.”
Oh how we need to rely on God’s grace to serve Him!
“Let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28 KJV
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
God was teaching me that I can easily justify a selfish attitude. But if I want others to see the love of God through me, I must walk in His ways.
It wasn’t the circumstances in question that were important. The real issue was – would I guard my heart? He taught me to rely on Him because His grace is sufficient.
If you need God’s grace today, go boldly to the Throne of Grace.
With Love,
Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash
All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.
“Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word. I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map—and your commands are my chart and guide. I long for your instructions more than I can tell.” Psalm 119:18-20 TLB
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Alex Grodkiewicz on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.” Psalm 139:1-4 NIV
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
One way or the other, God, who thought up the family in the first place, has the very best idea of how to bring sense to the chaos of broken relationships we see all around us. I really believe that if I remain still and listen a lot, He will share some solutions with me so I can share them with others.”
Jill Briscoe
Jill Briscoe has an active speaking and writing ministry that has taken her to many countries. She has written more than 40 books, including study guides, devotional material, poetry, and children’s books.
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of.” Galatians 6:4 ERV (Easy to Read Version)
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I run to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing.” Psalm 143:8-10 NLT
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
As a child, I remember being so excited for Christmas Eve to finally come. First, Santa rode by our house on top of a fire engine waving and shouting “Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!” All the neighborhood children watched excitedly. It was always cold and often snowing in New Jersey at Christmas.
One of my fondest memories is helping my parents put toys together for my younger siblings on Christmas Eve. I am twelve years older than my brother and 9 years older than my sister, so they were put to bed and fast asleep before the real excitement could begin!
I always loved puzzles (and still do), so I loved putting toys together that might send someone else off the deep end! Plus, it was fun to be included in “playing Santa”.
Playing Santa for my own children brings many joyful memories as well. So I am reminded this Christmas that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. The real blessing and strongest memories are from giving to others.
If you are troubled this Christmas with money problems and frustrating events, there is a way to save the Christmas season! See where you can give to others. Find someone that you can help. Everything may be upside down this year, but we can still receive the blessing that comes from giving. God blesses us so that we will be able to bless others. God told Abram,
“I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2).
And the Apostle Paul said,
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 NIV
Even if your Christmas budget is less than normal (like mine) you can still find ways to give. My sister reminds me that everyone likes to get a gift! Even if someone is able to buy anything they might want, they will still enjoy getting a small gift to open.
One of the gifts I will give this year is handmade crocheted dishcloths made by me! It costs little, but everyone loves them!
Just this morning I was told about a family with six small children that had lost everything. My friend got the word out and we are helping them by donating furniture and anything else we can give. It’s been amazing how quickly everyone stepped up and donated things they need.
And remember this: The best antidote for depression is helping other people! So find a way to bless others and you will be blessed yourself! Have a very merry Christmas!
With Love,
Cindy
This is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
“Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” Proverbs 4:6-7 NLT
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Zdeněk Macháček on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 