Tag: prayer

Christian

Worry Is Like a Rocking Chair

Cindy Dawson

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.

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

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1The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom

Christian

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

Cindy Dawson

[Friends, Because I have been out of state for the last month, helping my dad with medical issues, I have had to repost several times. Today, as I searched for the right post, I was reminded how we often put pressure on ourselves to “pray right” as if answers depended on how good we pray. But, God reminds me that He knows our heart and what we need, regardless of how we might stumble along. I pray that you will be encouraged and know that God is working whether you see it or not.]

Two and a half  years ago, I had no idea I was going to write a blog. I had no idea my daughter would lead worship in my church. I had no idea God was getting ready to change my life and hers.

But God’s plan was working all along, even though I was completely unaware of what He was doing! He already knew these things would happen. 

That’s what faith is: being sure of things unseen. (I’m sure He is working, I just can’t see it now. )

I have frequently prayed and asked God to do many things, but I haven’t always seen the answers I hoped for when I hoped for. In frustration, I asked Jesus to teach me to pray.

I learned I was right to ask Jesus to teach me how to pray. He has already taught me something new! Jesus said,

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Matthew 6:9-10 NIV

What does that have to do with effectual prayer? Everything! Because, I don’t need to go to God with a list of things for Him to do. What do the words mean “hallowed be your name”? Hallowed means: honored as holy, blessed, greatly revered, respected, honored and worshiped.

Let’s think about that for a minute. When we go to the Father in prayer, let us worship Him. Let us adore Him and recognize the character of our God. Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise.

Then Jesus said,

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” 

God has shown me that the key to effectual prayer is not about me. It’s not about my ability to pray. It’s about Him! I’ve been too focused on myself instead of on Him!  

Let Jesus teach us to pray. Let us worship the Father. Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise. Then, let us pray for His will to be done in our life, in our church, in our city, and all over the world. He has a plan that is better than all we can ask or imagine! 

“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…” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

The words of the hymn are true, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” But, let us have a new and deeper revelation of His greatness and love. Let us revere and love Him as we should. We can find words to praise Him throughout the Psalms! Here are just a few key verses:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory above the heavens…. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him… that you care for him?” Psalm 8:1-4 NIV

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise….” Psalm 18:1-3a NIV

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.” Psalm 25:1-2a NIV

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep…. How priceless is your unfailing love!” Psalm 36:5-7 NIV

With Love, 

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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 A Prayer Journal Can Enhance Your Blog

Cindy Dawson

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 NLT

I love to write my prayers in a Prayer Journal, and I’ve noticed that doing this has many benefits including making my posts more personal and timely. As a Christian blogger, there is nothing sweeter to our ears than these four words: “I needed that today!”

Because isn’t that what we desire? – to move our blog to a higher level of ministry – to touch hearts and encourage our friends, new and old?

“A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.”

Unknown

Benefits of a Prayer Journal

  1. I hear God’s still small voice more easily when I’m writing in my Prayer Journal. I begin by reading my Bible. Usually, something I read sparks a specific prayer and I follow that leading. Sometimes it turns into a blog post.

2. When I write my prayers, they are more conversational and informal. They get right to what’s on my heart. For example, writing in my Prayer Journal one morning, I prayed, “Lord, I am so excited about my new Study Bible!” I wouldn’t have said that if I were speaking my prayers, which tend to be more formal and structured.

3. That intimacy sometimes leads me to understand what God wants me to write about. For example, on 7/29/19 something I read in my Bible reminded me of Barnabas (whose name means Encourager). I wrote in my Prayer Journal, “Teach me, O Lord, to be an encourager like Barnabas.” When I looked back at my blog posts today, I saw that on 7/30/19 ( the next day), I posted the blog, How To Write An Encouraging Blog. It has already moved up to #2 on my Top Ten Most Popular Posts!

4. Another day, I went outside to pray early in the morning. I don’t consider myself a poet, but watching the birds stirred my heart to write a little poem that I jotted down in my Prayer Journal. That prayer became the inspiration for my 6-29-19 post, My Morning Prayer of Thanks. I think the Lord likes it when we write Him poetry! In Psalms, it is written,

My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1 NIV

5. One time a Blogger Friend of mine shared a personal need. That need was heavy on my heart and I prayed for her. In turn, that led to a specific post meant especially for my friend: BITTERNESS: This Heart Condition is Worse Than You Think

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a writer, too. Do you write your prayers in a journal? If not, try it, and see if it leads to better, more personal writing. Let me know. My prayer is that we all become better writers and ministers of the Gospel, encouraging one another daily!

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts with you, today. Comments are welcomed and appreciated.

With Love, Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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


		


			
		
	






			

			
							
		

	
	

		Christian
The Kitten, The Junk, And A Guy Named Jake
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

A True Story of God’s Wonder Working Power





By Christina Dawson










It all started with that wild-eyed, gray kitten. Little did I know, that kitten was about to completely change everything!





****************





Yesterday morning I wrestled with the thought that our 30 day ‘Who’s Your One?’ prayer campaign was ending. My heart ached as I wrote down as many names as I could think of that didn’t know Jesus. 





I prayed fervently, asking God to show me how to ‘carry the burden’ of all these souls. What was I to do to help these people see the truth? 





I prayed that I would no longer be only a light. I asked God to make me strong enough to carry a flame . . . kind of intense, I know, but none-the-less it’s what I prayed.





On the way to church I was brought to a sudden halt in the alley by a tiny gray kitten lying in the middle of the road. I had no choice but to pull over by the piles of junk I’ve been so curious about for the past couple of years. 





 I couldn’t catch the kitten to save my life. He was having nothing to do with me. I was so intent on catching it, I didn’t notice that a man had walked up. “You can’t catch that kitten,” the man said, making me jump! 





At first, I was frightened, but I quickly realized he was no danger.





“I live in that house right there with my wife”, he said pointing past the piled up junk. “My name’s Jake. That’s the only kitten left alive. You can’t catch him.”





“Hello, Jake,” I replied as I continued trying to catch the kitten (not sure what I would do with it if I did!) 





For about 15 minutes, Jake talked on and on while I tried to catch the kitten. Then I stopped and just listened. I could see that he needed a kind person to talk to. He was broken, both physically and spiritually. He gave me permission to come back later and try to catch the kitten again.





Now very late, I headed to Sunday School. I wanted so badly to invite him to church, but I just couldn’t. For some reason, in that particular moment it didn’t seem genuine, but I intended to do it when the time was right. 





As I walked into church, I was deep in thought. What was I to do? Add Jake’s name to the list in my prayer guide? Then what? My heart was heavy. 





I headed for the stairs. I was 20 minutes late. Becky called to me as I passed the church office, “I’ll add your name to your Sunday School class, Christina!”  





Oh no, I was intending to skip the embarrassment of my egregious lateness and head to the choir suite, but now I couldn’t cheat the numbers. I reluctantly made my way toward my Sunday School class and sat down next to my teacher. She was already deep into the lesson.





 Suddenly, to my shock, my emotions began to well up. I was completely consumed with thoughts of Jake and all his junk. Tears poured down my face. I was so embarrassed, but I couldn’t stop them. The more I tried to quiet myself, the more upset I became. It wasn’t long before the whole class was staring at me bewildered, and one lady ran across the room with a package of tissues. 





I blubbered on and on, through my tears, about the kitten. (I know they were probably thinking I had lost my mind.) Finally I got to the part about the man at the junk house. Eventually, I regained my composure enough to explain that my heart was heavy for the lost. All of these precious women began to chime in, encouraging me and each other. Just then, the door opened and a woman walked in.  





The poor woman must have thought I was crazy. She sat down. Class was nearly over. Our teacher wrapped up, thanked the woman for joining us, and we all prayed together. 





As I was heading to the bathroom to fix my makeup, that was certainly destroyed, the Holy Spirit stopped me. I looked at the woman again, more carefully this time. Wait! I know this woman! She looked different, but it was her. It was Beth.





The only reason we know one another is the result of brokenness. There are so many convoluted divorces and circumstances that make us “family” I will not even attempt to explain. I spoke to her. She remembered me, too. 





I wasn’t sure why, but I was compelled to talk to her, stay by her side, and make sure she was comfortably seated in the sanctuary before going to the choir room to put on my robe. I told her I was glad she was joining us and then rushed upstairs. Little did any of us know, the Lord was about to do something wonderful!





At the end of the service, the pastor invited people to come forward to accept Jesus as their Savior.  Then he did something he had never done before. Before he dismissed, he said, “I’m going to be standing right over there by the baptistry. If anyone just wants to talk or ask questions about being baptized, come on over and talk to me.” Church was dismissed.





Later that afternoon, I got a text from the pastor. “Your friend came up after the service and gave her life to Jesus! She is getting baptized tonight!”





 The Holy Spirit spoke very clearly in my heart. I knew in that moment that I didn’t have a burden to carry because Jesus already carried it. I didn’t do anything at all for her to accept Christ, but I got to walk her to the sanctuary and make sure she felt comfortable and safe, the same way someone did for me when I first came to church. 





The sermon that day was about the Samaritan woman at the well. The story isn’t that she ran back to Samaria and became an evangelist, giving her testimony and preaching the gospel. She simply said, “Its okay, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done! Come and meet my Savior, Jesus.” She made them feel comfortable. She invited them. That’s all we can do. The Lord will do the rest.





And now I know how important it really is, when they come, that we make them feel comfortable. Our kindness can help the Holy Spirit work in their hearts and keep them coming back so He can do even more, just like He did with me because of my church family. I can’t thank them enough for everything they do. 





God used this church to rescue me, and lead me into an abundant life. I have been completely changed and I am so grateful for the opportunity to build the kingdom along side my church family. 





Now, about Jake . . . I’ll let you know what happens, but I know God is up to something.





Thank you for reading Christina’s testimony.





With Love, Cindy










This Is My Journey Unscripted.





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





Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash 





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For more information on the booklet titled, Who’s Your One?, call 770-410-6000 or visit namb.net

		


			
		
	






			

			
							
		

	
	

		Christian
Think You Can’t Hang On?
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

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












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		Christian
Are You Going Through Change?
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			

Today is my first day of retirement!





I’ve had a lot of big changes in my life: moving 1,000 miles away from my hometown the day after high school graduation, going 300 miles away from home to college, divorce after 26 years of marriage, then, a big “Empty Nest” when 5 changes to 1, and now retirement. All of these changes came with a lot of emotion.





As I reflect on this new stage of my life, I realize that it is nothing like I imagined it would be when I was young (if I even thought about retirement when I was young).





I know that God has plans for me. And I am excited to follow that path. I will admit that it is a little scary for a “planner, list-maker, organized day” kind of person like me because I don’t know exactly what lies ahead.





But this I know: If there was ever a time to be fully devoted to the Lord, it is now. I have no excuses anymore. I don’t have to get up at 5 am every morning. I won’t come home from school exhausted any more.





I can spend my mornings with my Savior. I can study God’s Word. I can read. I can “stop and smell the roses”. 





I hope to improve my writing skills and spend more time preparing my posts. I hope you will notice a difference. 





I am thankful for all of my BF’s (Blogger Friends). I will have more time to read all of your wonderful posts and get to know you even better.





I cherish your prayers and I, also, will pray for you. 





” The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV





Jesus said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NLT





“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV





With Love, 





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










This Is My Journey Unscripted.





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





Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash





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		Christian
Be Still and Know That I Am God
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			
(Although it didn’t make my Top Ten, this is one of my favorite blogs from last year. I hope you like it, too!)


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 rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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: 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 KJV


With Love, 


Cindy


This is My Journey Unscripted.


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


realchristianwomen.blog 


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		Christian
A True Story You Won’t Forget
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			
Once there was a very popular preacher. So many people crowded into his church services, the church had to be enlarged. He frequently preached at other churches, as is often the case with popular ministers.


The preacher wrote beautiful Christian songs, that were also popular with churchgoers.  Soon be began a series of weekly prayer meetings in addition to regular services.


What made this preacher so special? I believe it was his life journey.


All the experiences in our past have shaped us into the person we are today. This preacher, at one time, was a vile sinner, cruel and having a hardened heart; a man without compassion or mercy.


Is it possible for such a person to have a complete turnaround? Can a hardened sinner become a saint? Can a depraved evildoer become a man (or woman) of God?


Ask the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair,  anointing them with costly perfume. When an indignant Pharisee questioned Jesus about allowing this sinful woman (probably a prostitute) to touch him, Jesus said this:


 “I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Luke 7:47


Read the full story HERE.


Have you guessed the identity of the preacher, yet? You won’t find him on YouTube or TV. He was born in 1725.


Before he gave his life to Christ, he was the captain of slave ships. I can only imagine the horror of such ships, but it is well documented that slave ships provided such wretched accommodations that many men, women, and children died before arriving at their intended destination. In the words of a former slave, Olaudah Equiano, “The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable.”


Who was this forgiven reprobate turned preacher-songwriter?


His name is John Newton and he wrote these famous words:  Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”


This celebrated hymn touches my soul because I know that what God’s grace and mercy did for John Newton, He did for me.


As you listen to Amazing Grace, thank God for his mercy and forgiveness. The more we have been forgiven, the more we love Him. That’s what Jesus said.


“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV


“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:5 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 Tomas Jasovsky on Unsplash


From Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton by Al Rogers
		


			
		
	






			

			
							
		

	
	

		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 patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”


“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV


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 posta long time 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, 





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
My First Love
	


	

							

			 Cindy Dawson		
		
		

			
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


 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 


so great is his love for those who fear him;








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


This is My Journey Unscripted.


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


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