Tag: love

Christian

When Disaster Strikes, You Are Not Alone

Cindy Dawson

” … Then one day, my world was shattered.”

But wait. Let’s start at the beginning.

 I was blessed to spend 18 years as a stay-at-home mom. That was the desire of my heart. But my kids started growing up, so at age 47 I decided I would go back to school and become a special education teacher.    

My “ministry” became teaching children with disabilities. I prayed for my students and prayed that God would use me in the public school system.

I hung a starfish on my desk lamp to remind me that I might not be changing the world, but if I could help even one child, my prayer would be answered. (See “The Starfish Story” below.)

Then suddenly my world was falling apart. I lost my job because of lies that were told about me. These lies tarnished my record and eventually ended my career. With my emotions in high gear, I could not stop crying.  I was completely devastated and left with a long drive home.How could this happen? I thought I couldn’t go on. In an emotional state of mind, I made the decision to retire with only seventeen years of experience.

You can imagine the thoughts that went through my mind. I  doubted everything I had previously believed. (Surely teaching had not been God’s will. I should have never done this!  It was all in my head. I’m a failure. And worst of all: I never really helped anyone.)

Have you ever been there? Have you ever questioned everything? When you are hurt, you are vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and can begin to believe his lies. But God lifted me out of the valley of despair. This is what happened:

That very night, I met a friend for dinner, which had been planned several days before. She knew nothing about what happened to me that day, but she had a gift and a note from her son a  former student from 15 years before). The note thanked me for all I had done for him. The gift was a beautiful sparkling starfish on a silver chain.

When I saw that sparkling starfish, I was overwhelmed by God’s love and kindness. God was speaking loud and clear to my heart and mind, “I know what is going on. I know your heart is crushed, but I am with you and watching over you. You are not a failure.” 

I realize now that even if God had not sent me such a great encouragement, He would have been watching over me just the same. We must always remember that He is with us every single day and He knows our every care. Sometimes He will give us visible reassurance, but most of the time He wants us to believe His promises and stretch our faith.

The Starfish Story

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement. 

Continue reading “When Disaster Strikes, You Are Not Alone” →
Christian

How to Pray Effectively For an Unbeliever … When You Don’t Know What to Say

Cindy Dawson

Whether I feel defeated or victorious, strong or weak, praying God’s Word is always effective. I wrote the following prayer so that I could remember to acknowledge God’s promises when I pray, regardless of how I feel.

Lord, I pray that you will send your workers into ______’s life to plant the seed and water it, for You, O Lord, will make it grow.

I pray that You will open _____’s heart to pay attention to what is said. Take out his heart of stone and give him a tender heart toward You. Lord, make your light shine in his heart that he may know Christ.

I pray You will grant him repentance and lead him to a knowledge of the truth. I pray he will come to his senses and escape from the trap of the devil.

I pray You will rip away the bondage that holds him away from You.

I know You are not slow in keeping your promise, but you are patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Father, help _____ see his need for a Savior and to know he must confess his sins, repent, believe, and live a fruitful life. Help him choose Your mercy and Your gift of grace, to believe with his heart and confess with his mouth, Jesus is Lord.

Heal his heart and heal his mind, O God. for You heal the broken-hearted. You bring rest to the weary.

I pray you will guide me and use me to show the love of Jesus to _____. Give me opportunities to be Jesus to _____. Help me to be loving, kind, and forgiving, showing compassion and patience.

Help me to be persistent in prayer daily and to never give up or become discouraged. Help me to pray with faith and trust, knowing you hear my prayers.

I pray Your will be done in _____’s life, just as it is in heaven. I pray that You will be glorified through his salvation.

I pray with confidence, knowing that Your Word says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Keep teaching me how to pray and make my ears attentive to your voice.

And I pray that _____ may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that he may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Taken from Ephesians 3:20-21)

I ask these things in Jesus’ precious name. Amen

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Are you praying for someone who is openly rejecting Jesus as Savior?

With little observable evidence that my prayers have been effective, I will pray in faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrew 11:1

Even though it has been almost 3 years, I know God is working.   “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (He doesn’t say when.)

I pray God’s Word because the Word of God “is living and active and full of power. “ Hebrew 4:12 AMP

God’s says, “(My Word) will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

And so, I wrote this prayer based on my faith in God’s Word. While still seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will pray it everyday for someone I love. You can pray it, too.

With Love, Cindy

This is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you know Jesus?

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.

“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.”   ROMANS 10:9-11

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Scripture References

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

” … in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

 “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul” (Acts 16:14).

“… 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 

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”                 2 Corinthians 4:6

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”     2 Peter 3:9

“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian

You Have a Ministry! Do You Know What It Is?

Cindy Dawson

There have been moments when I literally began to panic. Thoughts racing through my mind … God didn’t tell you to write a blog! You shouldn’t be doing this! This is all you!

Have you ever experienced this deceitful kind of attack on your mind? God didn’t send you here! God didn’t say …

Do you remember what the Serpent said to Eve? “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1

This is the Deceiver in action: making you question what God has said. It is nothing new.

The devil even tried his tricks on Jesus. But what did Jesus do? He said, “It is written …” (Matthew 4:4)

So the first thing I did was to look in God’s Word to see what He says about ministry.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

My Pastor’s job is to prepare ME for ministry. Your Pastor’s job is to prepare YOU for ministry. The entire Body of Christ is being prepared for ministry. We all have a job to do.

“6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8 NIV

Next, I took a spiritual gifts assessment on my church’s website. This confirmed what I already knew. It reinforced my understanding of what God is asking me to do.

Then, I heard the often-quoted verse: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

Do we know what it really means? Or, do we interpret it according to present day psychology?

Psychology says, “Vision goal setting is goal setting with a grand purpose. It begins with a dream based in your passion and inspiration in your work. From the dream comes a clear vision of where you want to be and what you want to do …” Jim Taylor, PhD (Psychology Today)

Is that what God meant in Proverbs 29:18 when He says “Where there is no vision, the people perish …” ? Let’s examine the second part of the verse (that is usually not quoted.

“Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].” Amplified Bible

The Living Bible translation says, “Where there is ignorance of God, crime runs wild; but what a wonderful thing it is for a nation to know and keep his laws.” 

If the “vision” we speak of is the  “…  revelation of God and His word” then maybe our “vision” for the Church should look more like this:

A world where …

  • All Christians show a kind of love that gives them a reputation for kindness and mercy, patience and unselfishness.
  • All Christians ministering in the capacity that God has gifted them, edifying and building each other up, and praying for one another.
  • All Christians showing mercy and compassion toward their fellow man. 
  • All Christians forgiving their enemies, their neighbors, and each other.
  • All Christians sharing the Gospel with a lost world. 
  • All Christians seeking God with all their heart, unconcerned with fitting in with the world.  

Now that’s a vision! What can we do? I can do my part. You can do your part. God has the plan. Our part is obedience and surrender.

With Love, Cindy

This is My Journey Unscripted.

References

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other” Ephesians 4:32

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

Do you know Jesus?

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.

“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.”   ROMANS 10:9-11

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Christian

Where Has God Asked You to Love?

Cindy Dawson

My job (and ministry) is in a middle school. You know, where kids know how to push your buttons and are exercising their desire to rebel against authority.

Maybe God hasn’t put anyone “hard to love” in your life, but I bet He has. I only know that what God has asked me to to do isn’t easy and even though I am willing – I keep failing over and over.

What is our mission?

It is to love!

Sometimes I wonder why He has called me to love those “not easy to love”. I’m not good at it! I lose my temper. I get angry. I lecture. I utter those horrible teacher words, “I’m done!”

The kind of love God expects us to show to others is not a feeling. It is an action. It can be very hard to show agape love. Where is your mission field? Do you sometimes find it difficult to show love to people there?

Over 20 years ago, God showed me something that I will never forget. At the time, I was very involved in women’s ministry, but I became increasingly disturbed by some of the teaching in my church. I asked God to show me where my focus should be.

I asked Him to show me the main idea of the New Testament. I felt like my focus was on the wrong things. In desperation, I read the New Testament through three times in a row.

In a notebook, I kept track of how often various subjects were discussed, such as hope, faith, prosperity, love, spiritual warfare, etc.

I discovered that love was the most frequently taught subject by far! There was no doubt about it. God was showing me, through my crisis, that love, agape love, was very important to Him and my focus should be there.

I began an in depth study on agape love, looking for every Biblical reference. I studied Greek and Hebrew definitions. I wrote. I read. I studied.

love is patient2I Corinthians 13:4-8

 

I can’t do it in my own strength. God must do it through me. Every day, I must pray for God’s power to dwell in me. Once we realize that we can’t do it ourselves, we have passed Lesson 1.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (NIV)

Lesson 2: Let our day begin with prayer. “Father, Show the Savior’s love through me today. Teach me to love.” And pray for them. Ask God to help you see the good things about them, not just what they do wrong.

Lesson 3: Study God’s Word about love and be changed. Start with I Corinthians 13. Meditate on it. Study it. How does it apply to my life?

“Love is patient.”  I Corinthians 13:4a

(I don’t know about you, but I need to meditate on these 3 words for at least a week!)

The Greek word for patient is makrothumeo. It means “slow to anger”.

“Being slow to anger does not mean that one does not care, but rather that he has his emotions under control.” (Detzler)

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)

According to Vine’s Bible Dictionary, “Patience is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate.”

Webster defines patience as “enduring … trouble with composure and without complaining; refusing to be provoked …”

Note: I wrote this post about a year ago, but I find myself once again needing His strength and His grace to do the very thing He has asked me to do – love those God has put in my path – and show them God’s unconditional love.

With Love, 

AA55AA1F-EA36-49A9-92BE-41FD67348618

This is My Journey Unscripted.

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

realchristianwomen.blog 

Christian

The Care Giver

Cindy Dawson

The first 11 days I was running on adrenalin. I arrived in town the night before he came home from a 6-day hospital stay resulting from complications of a severe bout with the flu. Extreme coughing had broken a vertebra in his back and caused a huge hematoma that resulted in a 40% blood loss. All this left him too weak to even stand up. It’s amazing how sick a person can be and still be released from the hospital!

Sleeping on a couch right outside of his bedroom, I heard every cough, every stir, every sound he made. I feared that we could lose him. He was very, very ill. For almost 2 weeks, a heightened seriousness griped my mind that I could not allay. I could not quell the adrenalin rush. I was afraid. 

I have always had my dad on a pedestal, the man in a suit who always knew what to do, the smartest man in the world. It was a new experience for me to see him in so much pain, vulnerable, and needing 24/7 care. 

It’s been an honor to be caregiver to my 83 year-old dad. It’s been a privilege to take care of him. After all, he took care of me my whole life! He has given me some of my best memories … catching my first fish … getting a hole in one … rocking me when I was broken-hearted … and teaching me about life and the things that are important, like honesty, integrity, and truth.

I put myself in his place. How would I feel if I was dealing with these health issues? How would I feel if suddenly I became dependent on another person in order to live in my own home?

What would it be like to depend on another person for everything? (to go to the bathroom, find things I need, prepare my food, make sure I got the correct medication at the right time, get a blanket when I’m cold, get me a drink, or monitor my blood pressure)

Would I be stressed out? Would I feel frustrated? Would I be depressed? How would I feel if I knew my care giver’s life was being disrupted because of my illness? 

Would I be angry because my life had been turned upside down? Would I be grumpy and irritable if I was in pain? How would my health problems affect me emotionally? These are the questions that motivated me to do the best I possibly could – to be loving, kind, and patient.

It’s hard to be those things when you’re sleep-deprived and feeling so much responsibility on your shoulders. Sometimes it was hard to be focused because I was so tired. But I had to get it right. I administered his medication and recorded the times in my computer along with blood pressure readings and notes.

One day ran into another. I just kept going. But after 3 weeks, he was much better and well enough to be alone at night with only wellness checks during the day. I returned home, 450 miles away.

This experience taught me something. The most important thing needed by a caregiver is the empathy that flows from love and respect for the one receiving your care. Caregiving is a gift of love. To me, there is no better reward than knowing I have had the opportunity to give it to someone I love.

PS: On January 7, I celebrated Christmas with my 3 adult children, their spouses, and my 3 grandchildren. It was a very special Christmas, indeed. All the decorations were still up, we exchanged presents, and I was deeply moved by the sweetness of all the love shown to me. I am exceedingly thankful for the blessings God has showered upon me. 

Scriptures for Meditation

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

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“Treat men exactly as you would like them to treat you.” Luke 6:31 Phillips

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“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:34-40 NIV

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 “In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37 NIV

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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 Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

Christian

Just Don’t Say “Jesus”

Cindy Dawson

You can say “God”. You can say “the Lord”. You can say “God bless you.” Just don’t say “Jesus”. Did you ever notice what happens when someone mentions Jesus? A tension fills the room. It’s true. I wonder why that is.

I guess we don’t want to offend anyone. I suppose we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. Maybe we want to be politically correct. Whatever the reason, I think we need to think again.

The problems of the world seem hopeless. Watching the news is depressing. Crazy people  kill the innocent. Gangs rule neighborhoods. Children are abused and neglected, starving for food and love.

Jesus is the answer to the problems of the world. He is Love.  He is the Healer of the brokenhearted and gives hope to the hopeless. He is rest for the weary,  and peace for the anxious.

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone were a Christ-follower – If the whole world loved the Lord with all their heart and their neighbor as themselves? 

Imagine a world that loves Jesus.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Luke 10:27

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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

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Christian

How to Fight Depression

Cindy Dawson
 A reader recently  shared that she was struggling with depression. I have to fight depression from time to time, too. It’s like a sad situation or thought gets stuck in my mind. Do you know what I’m talking about?

The first thing I do is ask the Lord to help me. Depression may seem like it is stronger than you, but remember, “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 KJV
Nothing is too hard for God to do. In fact, “He can do immeasurably more than all that you ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20

Second, Negative self-talk can send you spiraling down, but I’ve discovered that if I can laugh, (I mean really laugh) my sadness will disappear. Watch a funny movie or tell someone a funny story. Find a way to laugh! The Bible says “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22 KJV

Listening to Christian music is also helpful. It gets my mind on the blessings of God, and those negative thoughts begin to fade away. “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Psalm 103:2 NLT

Depression is fueled by negative self-talk, but it is defeated by the promises in God’s Word. Let God’s Word be your weapon against depression. Psalm 119:28 says, “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” Verse 92 says, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” And verse 165, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

Be around other people. One time when I was sad, I went to Pet Smart and just walked around and started up casual conversations. Everyone wants to talk about their dog, so it wasn’t hard! I watched the dog trainer work with the puppies. They were so cute! I couldn’t help but smile.

If you need to see a doctor, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. God has never said that we shouldn’t get help when we need it.

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever. If you have already asked Jesus into your heart, He is still there and He knows what you are going through.

Jesus said,  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

The closer I walk with Jesus, the less I have to deal with depression. Jesus is my healer and yours. Looking to Him is always the right answer. His love never fails.

With Love, Cindy

This is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you know Jesus?

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.

“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.”   ROMANS 10:9-11

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Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash

Christian

No One Can Snatch You Out of His Hand

Cindy Dawson

Is backsliding forgiven? Is there anything in the Bible about it? Is there any example of a Christian backsliding and then being restored? I don’t think so! I can’t think of anyone! As these thoughts crept into my mind, a panicky feeling started to embrace me.

In church Sunday, The Lord let me know right away that He absolutely does forgive us when we stumble.  My pastor said something in his sermon that spoke to my heart. He said, “No one can snatch you out of His hand.” 

I know God was speaking these words directly to me. A peace came over me instantly. (That’s the great thing about hanging out where God can speak to us.)

The Lord reminded me of the Apostle Peter. He denied Jesus 3 times. Peter said, “I don’t know him! . . . I’m not one of them! . . . I don’t know what you’re talking about!”  Then he left and wept bitterly. The Amplified Bible says, “with painfully moving grief”. (Acts 22:57-59) I wonder if a panicky feeling started to embrace Peter.

Peter denied he even knew Jesus. Yet we know, the Lord forgave Peter and used him mightily.

Saul (who would later become The Apostle Paul) gave approval to the stoning of Stephen for speaking the truth about our Lord Jesus. That very day, great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem. “Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” Acts 8:3

Yet we know, the Lord forgave Saul and used him mightily.

King David stole another man’s wife (Bathsheba) and then had the man (Uriah) killed!

Yet we know, the Lord forgave David and used him mightily.

“(God) testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart ..’.” Acts 13:22

No matter how bad our sin, His love is greater! His mercy is greater! I don’t think we will really truly understand how much He loves us until we go to Heaven. 

It doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences to our actions. There will still be consequences. But we can be sure of this: No one can snatch us out of His hand.  

I testify that He has surely done this for me. And so, I share with you, “My Journey Unscripted”.

God has used imperfect people through out history, and He does still today. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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

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Christian, Women

Sins Like Scarlet

Cindy Dawson

Have you ever thought, “I love Jesus, but I’ve lived a sinful life. I’m divorced, I was a prostitute, a thief,  a liar, a drunk, Fill in the blank.

Does that mean church people won’t accept me? Do I have the right to be in church? Will I be punished for the rest of my life? Will I be shunned? Could Jesus ever use me?

Jesus said this about the woman who had lived a sinful life, “Because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47 (Berean Study Bible) 

Honestly, I would be more worried if I had lived a so-called “perfect” life! If I was really proud of myself for following all the rules, would I be as thankful for Jesus as I am now? Would I judge those who had not followed the rules? Would I look down on them? Let’s consider some other things Jesus had to say about this.

“Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” Luke 11:39 NIV

Basically that means they did things for show and they were very legalistic, but there was no love in their hearts and they only thought about themselves!

In verse 42 He adds, “You give God a tenth . . . but you neglect justice and the love of God.”

“You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (verse 46)

In other words, you give people a lot of rules to follow, but you don’t care anything about them and you couldn’t be bothered to help them.

If you have had “Pharisees” in your life, or if you are just afraid that church people will judge you, listen to  the words of Jesus.  

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The Scripture says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Isaiah 43: 25

If you have given your heart to Jesus, but you have a past, remember this. He forgave you when you asked him to. He remembers your sins no more. It’s like you never did them in his eyes. Being a Christian means you are a Christ-follower. Pleasing Him is what matters.

 The Rest of the Story

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.  As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  

You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7: 36-48

With Love, Cindy

This is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you know Jesus?

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it now. He loves you more than you can comprehend, and it will change your life forever.

“IF YOU CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, ‘JESUS IS LORD,’ AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED. FOR IT IS WITH YOUR HEART THAT YOU BELIEVE AND ARE JUSTIFIED, AND IT IS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YOU CONFESS AND ARE SAVED. AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME.”   ROMANS 10:9-11

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Christian

Eliminate Stress

Cindy Dawson

1. Pray

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”              Philippians 4: 6 & 7

2.  Memorize God’s Word

Psalm 91: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” (verses 1 & 2)

If you make the Most High your dwelling … then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (verses 9-12)

‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.’ (verse 14)

3. Praise God

Today, we are blessed to have access to so many beautiful songs of praise to our God. I play Christian music through Pandora every day. It puts my focus on the Lord and gives me peace. Try some of these stations on Pandora:

The Hymn (O What Mercy) Radio

Bill and Gloria Gaither

Christian Contemporary Radio

Hillsong United Radio

Hymns 4 Worship Radio

Laura Story Radio

Phillips Craig & Dean

Praise & Worship Medley Radio

Sandy Patty Radio

Selah Radio

Today’s Christian Hits Radio

Kari Jobe Radio

Laura Story Radio

Hymns on Piano Radio

Country Hymns Radio

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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

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