“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV
In His Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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Is your heart breaking? Are you in deep despair? Is depression crushing you? Even when you think you can’t hang on, God will hang on to you. No matter what life is throwing at you, no matter how weak your faith might be right now, God will hold you fast.
How do I know? I know because He has done this for me. It has been over 60 years since I asked Jesus to be my Savior. Through many trials, through many sorrows, through all my many failings, He never let me go.
He never said, “That’s it! I’m done with her. She’s gone too far now. Enough is enough!”
When I doubted, He held me fast. When I rebelled, He held me fast. When I went astray, He held me fast. When I was in deep despair, He held me fast. When my heart was broken, He held me fast. This is why I love Him and why I praise Him unashamedly.
It is when I acknowledge my own shortcomings, vulnerabilities, and weaknesses that I can grasp the depth of His great love and forgiveness and understand just how much I really need Him.
If you are searching for love, forgiveness, and mercy, come to Jesus. His love surpasses all understanding. He loves you, yes you.
Scripture for Meditation
“If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there … Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:10)
“Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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“How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and he saved me.” Psalm 116:5-6 NLT
Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?
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Maybe there are Christians that have never stumbled. I just know that I’m not one of them! I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. When God judges me, I hope that He considers the hurts and circumstances that led me down wrong paths. I don’t want God or anyone else to expect me to be perfect.
But, do I expect others to be perfect? Do I forget to consider all the hurts and circumstances that may be in their lives? Even worse, do I judge a person based on how they look?
Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2-3 NIV
I don’t know about you, but I want to be judged with abundant mercy!
I work in a large and very diverse middle school. I have an opportunity to ‘love and not judge’ every day. God has reminded me that many of these kids have not had the advantages in life that I had.
When I get impatient with a student and inwardly roll my eyes in disgust, Jesus speaks to my heart, “And you’re perfect? Do you even know what’s going on in this kid’s life?” Then, I am reminded of things I do know. He could be falling asleep in class because he slept in a car last night. Or maybe he doesn’t have a bed of his own, or maybe he was left alone with a crying baby all night while his mother was out.
When a student tells me to shut up, do I get angry and take it personally? God, remind me that maybe this child is never spoken to with respect and love at home. Maybe he is being abused and is lashing out at authority.
Maybe this child is apathetic because he hasn’t eaten since lunch at school yesterday.
Maybe he is apathetic because his mom died this weekend.
Maybe he acts out because his mom never shows up for visitation and he is disappointed over, and over, and over again. (All real examples)
Maybe, maybe, maybe…
If only we could see God’s plan for those we tend to judge. If only we could see them with God’s eyes of love and mercy. I am not special or better because of what was given to me. If anything, more is expected from me. More patience, more love, more understanding.
One morning on my way to school, I prayed “Father, I don’t know how to make a difference in the lives of my students, but you do. That very day my principal posted an article, The Judgement Cure. The author said, “You cannot influence anyone as long as you are judging them.”
How’s that for a quick answer? Wow! I’m still trying to learn this lesson. I believe it is the key to influencing others.
Because I have worked in 5 different public schools, I have seen abuse that the average middle-class person may never be exposed to – examples of abuse, neglect, and suffering that break my heart. May God soften our hearts and teach us to walk in love.
“… if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing … Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-8 NIV Read full chapter
(Reposted from 2017)
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
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“Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.” Psalm 86:6-7 NIV
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.” Psalm 25:6-7 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV Read full chapter
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Igor Rodrigues on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 