A day is coming when God Himself will redeem (vindicate) all of our suffering.
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“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.
Job’s story is relatable to other believers who have suffered for reasons unknown to them.
Corrie ten Boom is one example. She hid Jews during the Holocaust and saved an estimated 800 people’s lives! The Nazis caught her and imprisoned her (along with her father and sister) in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp.
Corrie ten Boom is known for using the following verse to describe her feelings after she and her family were arrested by the Nazis.
“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me…” Job 29:2
Did you know that although it is famous in world literature, Job is one of the least-read books of the Bible? To me, studying the book of Job is analogous to climbing Mt. Everest. And writing about it has been just as challenging. However, I have learned a lot while reading and studying Job, and over the next few days I want to share a few of the insights that seemed especially important to me.
The value of God’s wisdom is beyond our ability to comprehend.
“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? No mortal comprehends its worth …
It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold… it cannot be bought with pure gold.
Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? … God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. … he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Job 28:12-13, 15-17, 20, 24, and 28 (emphasis mine) Read full chapter
More to come!
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“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.
After church one Wednesday night, my daughter asked me to stop by her house because she had something to tell me. I knew right then I needed to brace myself. I had no idea what she wanted to tell me, but I had a feeling it was going to be something I wouldn’t like.
She sat me down on the couch and with all seriousness she said, “God has called me to be a missionary. I’m going to Africa. My heart practically stopped.
The witness in my spirit said this was of God, but the mother in me froze in fright. She wasn’t going with an established missionary society. She was just going alone. But first, she would be stopping off in Bangladesh. (I reminded myself to breathe.)
She Face-Timed me along the way. “Hi Mom, I’m at the airport in Istanbul!” (Breathe!)
“Hi Mom, I’m in Kisumu. A man just asked Helen how many cows he would need to pay to marry me! (Breathe!)
Then, COVID-19 hit, and all flights to America from Nairobi were canceled. I didn’t know it then, but it would be six months before I would see her again. I’m sure I needed God’s strength more than she did. You’ll understand if you’re a mother.
She had never lived far from me. I thought I could always protect her and keep her from harm. Now she was on the other side of the world. I was in for the greatest spiritual battle of my life – against fear.
I made a conscious decision to trust God and not cave in to fear. I fiercely fought against fear every day, refusing to let it in for even a minute. I refused to entertain thoughts of what could happen. I knew that if I didn’t trust the Lord to bring her home safe and sound, I would never make it.
God gave me the peace that passes understanding. I know that. It wasn’t by my own strength. It was the grace of God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 NIV
Clinging to the Lord and His precious promises, I wrote this poem, now a song. Listen below:
🎶 Your Love, Oh God
The Poem, My Prayer
Your love, O God, Will hold us near. It shields us from our darkest fears.
In times of darkness Where I can't see, Your loving eye Will watch for me.
When I can't see What lies ahead, I'll trust you, Lord, And what You've said.
Your promises Are my delight. They guide my way. They are my light.
With my whole heart I trust in you. Your loving hands Will see us through.
Your faithful love Forever watches My precious child In all Earth's places.
In Africa, playing cards with the boys before bedtime.
“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.‘” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.” Psalm 56:3-4 NIV
The Lord kept her safe and brought her home again. It was the experience of a lifetime – for both of us!
Maybe you’re wondering, “How? How do I trust and not give in to fear? Here are some practical steps you can take:
Write down the Scripture verses that strengthen your faith.
Read them whenever doubt starts to creep in.
Ask God to give you more faith to believe His promises.
Thank God daily for being with you (and her) every step of the way.
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“Whoever receives and welcomes one child such as this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives not [only] Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:37 AMP
There may be children in your church who will accept Jesus as their Savior because they went to Sunday School and had a teacher who told them about Jesus. Many times, I have taught children in Sunday School whose parents did not attend church.
It takes a lot of caring Christians to properly support the children who come to your church. I’ve been praying for God to send more Sunday School teachers and nursery workers. There never seems to be enough. Do you find this to be true in your local church?
When I consider the words of Jesus, I am amazed that we don’t have enough workers. After all, it is a privilege to serve the Lord in this way, and it honors God. To welcome a little child is to welcome Jesus and the Father.
There is another reason Children’s Ministry is so important. Consider this,
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15 (emphasis mine)
“Certainly these verses should impress the servant of the Lord with the importance of reaching little ones with the Word of God. The minds of children are most plastic and most receptive. W. Graham Scroggie said, “Be your best and give your best to the children.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Children are important to God. We must take care of them and teach them about our Lord.
There is almost always an opportunity to serve in Children’sMinistry.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10
I met Jesus when I was only 6 years old. I am so grateful for the Sunday School teachers who taught me about Him. And I am thankful for those who serve our Lord in this way today.
Is God calling you to serve in this vitally important ministry?
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “HereamI.Sendme!” Isaiah 6:8
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
My mom used to decorate for Christmas with lots of elegantly wrapped empty boxes tied with the most exquisite bows. She would carefully store them in her basement after the holidays for the next year.
When my son was a little boy, he had a friend who lived next door to my parents. We called him “Little Greg”. Even though he is now a lawyer in his 40s, I still think of him as “Little Greg”. His mom and my sister were good friends, and they used to take the boys to all the fun places in the city.
One day, when my son and Little Greg were playing in my mom’s basement. They had been quiet for a long time, so my mom went down to check on them. What she saw shocked her!
Wrapping paper and bows covered the floor! The boys had unwrapped all the “fake” Christmas packages, looking for toys!
This is one of our favorite family stories that never gets old. No matter how many times it’s told, this story always makes us laugh. My son, Zack, and his friend Little Greg were looking for presents, but all they got were empty boxes! They were looking for gifts in all the wrong places.
This Christmas, let us seek the real gift of Christmas, Jesus our Savior and Lord. There are lots of beautifully wrapped packages that are really just empty boxes. But Jesus is the real gift of Christmas. Merry Christmas and God bless you all!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NIV Read full chapter
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
Do the holidays trigger thoughts about what should have been instead of what is? Are you feeling lonely? The strange thing about depression is that it seems to take your mind captive. You may think you can’t stop the downward spiral.
The next thing you know, you’re driving to the grocery store to buy food for the holidays, and tears begin to well up in your eyes. You hate it. You don’t want to be sad!
I know all about it because I experienced this one day.
I prayed. I asked the Lord to help me.
Just a few minutes later, my daughter called. (You should know, she loves to cook. I mean really cook, like they do on TV Cooking Shows. I, on the other hand, look for the easiest and quickest recipe possible.)
Christina: “Mom, would you get me a butternut squash while you’re at the store?”
Me: “Do you mean like a real vegetable butternut squash?” (I’m thinking, does that come in a package?)
Christina: (starts laughing hilariously) “Yes! A real vegetable butternut squash!!”
We both cracked up and had a good belly laugh! It felt so good to laugh!
Guess what? My mood completely changed right then.
I learned a valuable yet simple lesson about holiday blues.
Always go to the Lord in prayer.
Find a way to laugh!
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Mathew 6:8
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
“A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Proverbs 17:22
A book could be written on this subject, and I know that, but this is what happened to me. Sometimes a person needs a word of encouragement, not the whole book.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving . . . Psalm 25:1-2
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Find a way to laugh a little today!
(I hesitated to post this message again because I have posted it several times in the past, but every time it has been posted, many readers say, “I needed this today.” Christmas can be hard for many reasons. Let us pray for and encourage one another.)
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“God desires that His children not only receive His grace but understand why it is precious. Through the Son, believers learn to value mercy because they see what it cost… In Christ’s submission to the Father’s will, the depth of divine mercy is revealed. The Father’s justice and compassion meet perfectly in the cross. In that sacred union, the believer learns both the seriousness of sin and the magnitude of grace.”
bruce cooper, reasoned cases for christ
See Bruce’s excellent post, Knowing the Father Through the Son: The Door That Never ClosesHERE.
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God!“ Psalm 36:5-7a NLT (emphasis mine)
Here are a few of my favorite pets and animals:
My sister’s dog, SHADOW
My daughter’s dog, SELAH
My daughter holding a SLOTH!
HENRY and SELAH
Karla’s dog, FINLEY
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.
“Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. ” James 5:7-8 NASB
James urges his readers to “stand firm” (lit., “strengthen your hearts”). This expression has the idea of providing solid support, of establishing a person, and thus of enabling one to stand unmoved by trouble. The reason given for standing firm is again that “the Lord’s coming is near.” The day when things will be set right is imminent. This confident expectation will make the faint heart strong. (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
In His Love, Cindy
Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
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