Tag: prayer

Christian

It’s Time to Fight Back!

Cindy Dawson

Have you wondered lately, “What is wrong with me? Why am I so discouraged and depressed?

If so, you could be under attack by spiritual forces of evil! The apostle Paul wrote about it in the book of Ephesians. He said,

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12

Recently, a friend said to me, “I think I’m under the attack of the devil.”

I thought, “I think I am, too!”

Thinking about how we both had really geared up our efforts to be obedient to God’s will in our lives, I realized that Satan wasn’t taking it lying down! He was trying to discourage us both! He was trying to steal the Word and wear us down.

He was putting negative thoughts in our minds! Remember: Satan is the Accuser. (Revelation 12:10) He is also the Father of Lies. (John 8:44) He will attack your thoughts. Jesus said,

“Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word …” Mark 4:15

Did the devil attack Jesus? Yes, he did. Did Jesus fight back? Yes, he did. Did the devil finally give up and leave him alone? Yes, he did!

After fasting forty days and forty nights, (Jesus) was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Mathew 4: 3-4

Three times the devil tempted Jesus, and every time Jesus quoted the Word of God to him. That’s how Jesus fought back! Ephesians 6:17 tells us that the sword of the Spirit (our powerful weapon) is the is the Word of God. Jesus fought the devil’s schemes with the word of God. We can, too!

Let us praise and thank the Father, in prayer, for all the promises that contradict the discouragement and lies that come from Satan. 

It is written, the fruit of the Spirit is  love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

Jesus has promised that if I remain in His love, my joy will be complete. (John 15:11)

It is written “God gives us endurance and encouragement.” (Romans 15:5)

By your grace, you have given us eternal encouragement and hope. (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

It is written, when I am weak, then I am strong because your power is made perfect in weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

I thank you, Father, because you are able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, I will have all that I need, and I will abound in every good work! (2 Corinthians 9:8)

I can do everything through him who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:13)

WOW! I feel better already! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The Bible is full of encouragement and love for you and for me!

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

Thursday's Verse, 4/30/20

Cindy Dawson

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
    a stronghold in times of trouble.
 Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10 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?

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Christian

Tuesday's Verse, 4/28/20

Cindy Dawson

“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?

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Christian

Do You Believe God Will Answer Your Prayer?

Cindy Dawson

The Lord impressed something on my mind today that I couldn’t shake. He was asking, “Do you believe I will answer your prayer?”

Why do I bring this up? Because today I was asked to pray for 2 young children who were burning up with a raging fever due to Malaria. They are patients of my missionary friends in Africa.

Although my heart was breaking, I felt like my prayers did little good. If I had more faith, wouldn’t I pray with more conviction? Wouldn’t I feel something?

Not necessarily. If faith depended on feelings, we’d be in a boatload of trouble. I believe faith is believing God’s promises, believing His Word, trusting Him, and knowing that He is love. Whether feelings accompany our prayers or not, God’s Word is still Truth.

Just maybe, when we feel like our prayers aren’t making it out of the room, we need to say, “IT IS WRITTEN!”

After all, prayer is spiritual warfare! Just like Jesus did when Satan tempted Him, we can say those same words and encourage ourselves. Isn’t Satan trying to deceive us into thinking our prayers won’t change anything? He is a liar! So let us say,

It is written! “… whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

It is written! “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 )

It is written! “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV

When someone is desperate, and asks me to pray, I want to know that God hears me and that His will will be done. I want my faith to be strong! I want to experience fervent, effectual prayer!

It is God’s grace that enables us to do anything for God. It is not our own strength, but His. Even in prayer, I must depend on His grace to give me the ability to pray powerfully and with great faith.

“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)

So as we approach our loving God in prayer, may we lean on Him and embrace His grace which will teach us to pray in power according to His will. He has given us the privilege of prayer, making us His instruments to bring about His will.

“Our prayers cannot force God to do anything, but He uses them as His own instruments to bring about His will.” ~ R. C. Sproul

SUM IT UP:

  1. Know that God will use your prayers as an instrument to accomplish His will.
  2. Know that prayer is your privilege.
  3. Know He is listening with love and compassion.













ABOUT What A Friend We Have in Jesus : What a Friend We Have in Jesus was written by Joseph M. Scriven. Joseph Scriven’s life was filled with many trials and sorrows. His fiancée died in a drowning accident on the eve of their wedding in 1844. Eventually, he found love again, but his plans for marriage were dashed again when his new bride-to-be died after a short illness in 1855. That same year, he received news from Ireland that his mother was terribly ill. He wrote a poem to comfort her called “Pray Without Ceasing”. It was later set to music and renamed What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Scriven did not have any intentions nor dream that his poem would be published in the newspaper and later become a favorite hymn among the millions of Christians around the world.





Prayer isn’t something we have to do. It’s something we get to do. As the old hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”





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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		A Verse For Today, Christian
A Verse for Today, 3/8/20
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:15-17 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?





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		Christian
Letters to the Atheist I Love
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

Do you know someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus? Maybe it’s someone you love very much. You may have prayed for this person for a long time. Maybe it’s your husband. 





Someone I love very much calls himself an atheist.  I want to share with you some of the letters I have written him in response to his explanations of why he doesn’t believe  in God. I pray that they may help you in some way.





Dear J,     You claim to be an atheist, but I don’t believe it. I think that deep down you know the truth. I’ve been through a time of doubt myself, and I think everyone has to go through doubt before faith becomes genuine. 





 I am so sorry that you are going through such a difficult time. Just like you, I have also had serious problems connected to work and making a living. The only way I have been able to make it through my tough times was (and is) through my relationship with Christ.





It is knowing that God loves me, even though I don’t deserve it, that I find comfort and strength to endure the difficult times. Whenever I turn to Him, He never fails to comfort and encourage me. 





During one particular crisis, I happened upon a radio station, seemingly by accident. I began to listen every morning as this minister taught about the struggles of Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37).  It was amazing how this pastor encouraged me through his lessons day after day! These lessons were exactly what I needed to face my arduous situation each day.  





God didn’t answer my prayers the way I hoped (and thought) He would. No, He didn’t stop the injustice. In fact, my situation ended up worse than I even imagined! But He made His love and faithfulness known to me in an awesome way. I knew in my heart and soul that He was along side of me.





Since then, I am trusting God in a way I never have before. I’m going to write down a couple of Scriptures that have given me peace. (There are many more.) I hope they will encourage you, too. I love you and I will keep praying for you.





Love,   C





Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”





Philippians 4:6 “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.”





PS: My heart has been broken many times, but the Lord has always helped me through. That is the truth.





Letter 2:





Dear J,       You said you would like to have the comfort of knowing what I know and believing what I believe. You can. It is a choice to believe in Jesus, not a feeling. Anyone can know the love of God. The Bible says, “If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 





Everyone who seeks God will find Him, but if we don’t keep in the Word of God, we won’t do very well in our walk. The Word of God is what strengthens us and it is how God encourages us. There have been many times when I prayed that God would help me believe and strengthen my faith…





I wish I could scoop you up out of your pain, but I can’t. Please start seeking God. You don’t have to be perfect. He loves you and me the way we are.





Maybe you think my life has been perfect. I can assure you it has not. God has not kept bad things from happening to me, but every time I turn to Him, I find Him. He is waiting for you to seek Him. This is what you must do. 





I love you,     C





Letter 3:





Dear J,         I would like to have an intellectual discussion with you concerning your comment that the peace of God does not exist for you. You say you’re not an atheist by choice. Does that mean you didn’t choose to be an atheist? How is that possible? Have you made a decision that even if Christianity is truth, you don’t want any part of it? Or, have you sought God with all your heart but did not find Him? Or, did you make a decision that God does not exist based on your intellect? Or is there another reason?





I love you,       C





Letter 4:





Dear J,       So, my question for you is: Aren’t you curious as to why millions of people are Christians? Isn’t it at least possible they know something you don’t? You said, “I just don’t see any compelling evidence that God exists.” 





You can’t determine if God exists based on the actions of “Christians”, the history of the church, the Roman Empire, Constantine,  or any other historical facts and/or statistics. Knowing God is a matter of the heart. Do not be afraid to soften your heart toward God.





Love,     C





Letter 5:





Dear J,        I don’t know how anyone survives hard times without a relationship with Christ. (Don’t you dare stop reading this!) You keep telling me of all the misfortune and injustice in your life.  I have had many experiences that were devastating at the time, but my relationship with God is what carried me through. You don’t even know about them and you don’t want to. Every time I was at one of these lowest points, God encouraged me in such a way that I knew, without a doubt, that God was there and I was not alone. Minute by minute, God knows every detail of what is going on in my life. It is God who holds my future.





It’s being able to see the blessings in my life, in spite of the negative circumstances, that enables me to endure the tough times. Later, I always realize that I have become a stronger woman because of them.





 I chose to believe Him. I chose to take Him at His word. Following Jesus is not a feeling that comes over you, it is a choice. Once you make the decision to believe in Him and follow Him, then you will be able to see the compelling evidence you seek. Then you can have the comfort of knowing what I know and believing what I believe.





I love you and pray for you.     C





I hope you will be encouraged to keep praying for the unbeliever you love.













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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		A Verse For Today, Christian
A Verse for Today, 2/25/20
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” Psalm 18:6 KJV





With Love,  





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.





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





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		Christian
Be Still and Know That I Am God
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

I’m a To-Do List,  planner, scheduled-day kind of person. I didn’t realize how much until recently.





It was early in the morning, about 6:00, when I let my dog, Bella, out the back door. Sunny skies, a gentle breeze, and the sweet sound of birds singing greeted me. I sat down on my little black bench to enjoy it for a minute.





I already had coffee in hand, so I drank it outside instead of hurrying into my office. Suddenly, a hummingbird darted past and paused to drink from the bright pink Hibiscus bloom peaking out from my neighbor’s balcony.





A baby bunny hopped out of the cornfield and looked around. A striking red cardinal flew to my bird feeder and looked me right in the eye. “Are you going to put any seed in this feeder or what?” he seemed to say.





A bright yellow Monarch fluttered by. It was like God had orchestrated his creation to entertain me. I couldn’t leave my seat.





After a while, this Scripture came to me, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)





I sat peacefully, obediently, enjoying the beauty right outside my door. My brain stopped buzzing around like it was on fire.





Then, God reminded me that His plan is never what a person thinks it will be. Abraham didn’t know that Sarah would give him a son in her old age. Jacob didn’t know he would have to work twenty years for Laban before he could leave with Rachel. And Joseph could never imagined that God’s plan would land him in prison. But all these things were part of God’s plan!





If these men of God were like me, they would have been thinking that it was all their fault that things were working out so badly. But God’s will was being accomplished through ordinary, imperfect men – in spite of their flaws.





I learned something important that day. Sometimes I just need to slow down, quiet my brain, and observe God’s creation. It reminds me that He is God. And I might hear that still, small voice.





“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”  1 Kings 19:11-12 





With Love,     





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.





(Re-posted from July, 2018)










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		A Verse For Today
A Verse for Today, 2/9/20
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 NIV





With Love,  





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.





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





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		A Verse For Today, Christian
A Verse For Today, 1/23/20
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” Revelation 5:8 NIV





With Love, 





Cindy





This Is My Journey Unscripted.





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





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