“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 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
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 TLB
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
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 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
Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash
“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.
Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash
Do you ever feel like God isn’t there? When we can’t seem to hear His voice or sense His leading, that’s when it’s time for faith to take charge!
God is always speaking to us in the sense that His Word is alive and all we have to do is open our Bible to hear God’s Word. Today, as I sought the Lord regarding what to write about, I realized that He is always leading me, even when I can’t “feel” it.
How do I know? Because He has promised me He would. If I look to His Word, He speaks. Psalm 119 is about God’s Word, but it also promises that those who love His Word will be rewarded with counsel, wisdom, insight, guidance, and peace.
“Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.” Psalm 119:24
“Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.” Psalm 119:98-99
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105
“Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165
“Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.” Psalm 119:140
I will trust Him to lead me because I have surrendered to His will for my life and I love the Word of God. So during times when all I hear is silence, I will trust that He is still leading me through the darkness. I believe His promises are true.
“For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” Isaiah 14:27
“In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
what I have planned, that I will do.” Isaiah 46:11
“He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
“He who has compassion on them will guide them
and lead them beside springs of water.” Isaiah 49:10b
“The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:11a
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Your Watchful Eye Will Lead Me
Your watchful eye will lead me.
You never look away.
I turn to you for guidance
Every single day.
Because I love your Word,
And seek to know it well,
I trust your hand to guide me,
For in my heart Christ dwells.
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
All Scripture references are from the NIV.
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Corrie Ten Boom was a prisoner and survivor of Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. If anyone ever had an excuse to worry, it was her. Corrie, her sister, and their elderly father were whisked from their home and sent to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, “the deepest hell that man can create”¹ because they were caught hiding Jews during WWII. Following are some quotes on worry from Corrie.
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. It does not enable us to escape evil. It makes us unfit to face evil when it comes. It is the interest you pay on trouble before it comes.”
“Worry is like a rocking chair; it keeps you busy but does not bring you farther.”
Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place, had a profound effect on me as a young adult. Her faith and trust in Jesus Christ will encourage you through any trial you may find yourself in today.
Corrie lived her life, before and after Ravensbruck, serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” Philippians 4:6-7 AMP
So many times, people say, “I’m a worrier. I worry about everybody.” It’s as if they think it’s a badge of honor. It’s not! To worry means we are not trusting God. To please God, we must have faith. We must trust Him.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 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
Photo by Cassandra Ortiz on Unsplash
1The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
Thy Word I love, O Lord.
Tis my greatest delight.
Early I rise to seek you
And wait for the morning light.
Thy Word I receive, O Lord.
Tis my daily bread.
It feeds my broken heart
And prepares for the day ahead.
Thy Word I will keep, O Lord.
Tis my strength for each day,
You are the solid rock.
I will follow all your ways.
Thy Word I need, O Lord.
Tis the joy of my heart.
You draw me closer to You,
To teach and Thy Truth to impart .
I give thanks for this wonderful gift.
More precious than silver and gold
A treasure of promise and love,
My Bible, whose worth is untold.
How shall I know my own heart, if I do not read God’s Word?
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. . . . exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMP
How shall I learn, if I do not read God’s Word?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 ESV
How shall I have faith, if I do not read God’s Word?
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV
How shall I be obedient, if I do not read God’s Word?
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua 1:8 ESV
How shall I find my way, if I do not read God’s Word?
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 ESV
How shall I fight the devil, if I do not read God’s Word?
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written . . . Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:1-4 ESV
How shall I keep myself from sin, if I do not read God’s Word?
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
How shall I have peace, if I do not read God’s Word?
“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Psalm 119:165
Lord, Give us a love for your Word. May we hunger for it more every day, that we may serve our family and answer our calling in truth and love.
“I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:16
With Love,
Cindy
This Is My Journey Unscripted.
realchristianwomen.blog
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Rachel Lynette French on Unsplash
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?
Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash
RealChristianWomen.blog
I was stopped in my tracks as I read the letter to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-6).
1″I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary … 6You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
It sounds like a strong church! But one thing is going to bring them down. What is it?
4 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
How had they changed? What things did they stop doing?
The Amplified Bible says, “… you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me].”
When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” he replied,
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37
I began to ponder this. How do we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind? Would we even know if we, like the Church at Ephesus, left our first love? I’m sure the Ephesians thought they loved the Lord with all their hearts. After all, look at all the great things they were doing. But something must have changed.
I have searched the Scriptures, prayed, and asked other Christians, seeking the answer to this question: What does it mean to love the Lord with your whole heart?
Is it an emotion? An act of our will? Obedience? Praise?
Is it possible that the Ephesians went about the activities of church life, minus the passion of one who has been forgiven? Did they forget how thankful they once were for His forgiveness and love?
I can only infer that as we go about the business of “church”, it is possible to do many good things, yet forget how we first loved Him.
Perhaps now we are busy doing (like Martha) instead of sitting at His feet (like Mary).
The importance of “loving God with all my heart” has been on my mind for several weeks. I ask myself, Do I love Jesus with all my heart? And more importantly, what does Jesus think?
I started thinking about how I show love to my children. For one thing, I tell them – a lot!. So last night I started my prayer like this:
Lord, I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul and mind. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins. I remember how on fire I was for you when I first experienced the forgiveness that “washed me white as snow” and “removed my sins “as far as the east is from the west”.
My heart was flooded with peace because the heaviness of my soul, the anguish of guilt vanished.. I remember how I devoured the Scriptures as I discovered your promises. Give me a heart like David, whose Psalms reflect his deep love for you …..
So let us think back to how we first loved Him. Let us ask ourselves, Do I tell Him that I love Him everyday? And let us ask Him to help us to never forsake the love we had at first.
Scriptures
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; Psalm 103:11-13
Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
With Love,
Cindy
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Is it possible to be rich and not know it? That would be sad, wouldn’t it? Let me introduce you to Jane, a woman born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a billion dollars in the bank.
Every day Jane orders more stuff to make her happy. Monday she ordered a diamond ring and bracelet. Tuesday, a bigger swimming pool. Wednesday, 5 new cars. And Thursday, 1000 pairs of shoes.
But Jane isn’t happy. She’s been locked up in a mansion with servants to wait on her all her life and she has no one to compare her life to. She only knows she wants what she can’t have! And that is – out of the mansion!
Poor Jane. She’s rich, but she doesn’t know it…. If you’re talking about money, that is!
But is she really rich? Does having lots of money make you rich? One definition of rich is “abundantly supplied with resources”.
Jane has money and lots of possessions, but she doesn’t have contentment. She doesn’t have the resources she needs to be happy or content. In spite of all her money, she is miserable.
To be content means “to be satisfied with what one is or has and not wanting more or anything else.” Hmmmmm.
What is our abundant supply of resources?
It is Christ. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Living Water. He is the source of all we need.
No matter what problems we face, He is our wisdom.
No matter what battle we fight, He is our Defender.
No matter what sadness we face, He is our Comforter.
No matter what fears we have, He is our Refuge and our Fortress.
If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are rich because you have all the resources you need to have a life of peace, joy, and contentment.
Are you rich, but you didn’t know it? Thank God for all you have every day, and find a way to help others who have less. Soon you will realize you have been rich for a long time. You just didn’t know it!
With Love,
Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?
Scripture References:
“…Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God…” 1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV
“How I love you, Lord! You are my defender. The Lord is my protector; he is my strong fortress. My God is my protection, and with him I am safe. He protects me like a shield; He defends me and keeps me safe.” Psalm 18:1-2 GNT
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
“I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust … He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge … For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;” Psalm 91: 2,4,11 NIV
Jesus said, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 NIV
“The bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:33:35 NIV
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that … ” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
“Don’t weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste your time? For riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird!” Proverbs 23:4-5 TLB
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV
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Real Christian Women 