FORGIVENESS

by Cindy Black

Aloha!

“Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner.”  Lewis B. Smedes

One of the hardest things to do in life is “FORGIVE.”  It’s a very important part of our Christian walk.

God doesn’t ask, He clearly tells us to forgive.  If you’re alive long enough, someone will need your forgiveness or you theirs. We also need to forgive ourselves. 

Matthew 6:14,15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

“Forgiveness,” was the message at one of the best and most memorable Valentine’s Banquets I’ve ever been to.  We are all imperfect humans who mess up sometimes.  Any healthy relationship includes forgiveness.  If you hold grievances against another, you yourself will become hard and bitter.  It not only affects you, but all those around you. 

It’s easy to be critical and judgmental of others when they don’t line up to your standards.  We don’t have that option. Having a Christ like attitude means we are KIND, TENDER, and FORGIVING in our hearts towards others.

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Jesus is the perfect example in forgiveness.  He was beaten, whipped, spit on, falsely accused, and crucified. Yet, at the end of his earthly life, He prayed for us all, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Luke 23:24 Matthew 18:21, 21 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?  Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Walk in forgiveness daily.  Forgive yourself and others.  Remember God loves you!

SONG:  Matthew West, “Forgiveness” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYTnTorkkxg

Story behind the song, “Forgiveness” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz3tkHv5sbg

PICTURE:  Red Throated, Pink Hibiscus

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

BROKEN HEARTS

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

A broken heart hurts to the depths of your soul and is almost inconsolable.  The pain can be intensely deep.    God knows when our hearts are broken. He is there to comfort, heal, and help us through all our brokenness. 

A few years ago my heart was so broken I was completely devastated.  At first, nothing could be said or done to console me.  The damage was done and it resulted in a broken heart. 

Although the situation did not change, I decided the relationship was more important than me being right.  The unconditional LOVE OF GOD and extending FORGIVENESS began the healing of my broken heart. 

♥TODAY MY RELATIONSHIP IS STRONGER AND THE LOVE OF GOD HAS HEALED MY BROKEN HEART. 

LOVE and FORGIVENESS can cause new life to be birthed into relationships. They can soon grow and be stronger than before. 

Look to the Lord.  His comfort and love are immeasurable.  Apprehend him in all of life’s storms.  He is a very present help in time of trouble.  Every situation is different.  The Lord will give you wisdom concerning your brokenness.

Psalm 121:1,2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”

Restitution doesn’t always happen.  You can’t choose how others respond.  We are responsible for ourselves.  It’s during those times, we completely cast those cares and concerns on the Lord. 

I pray the Lord comforts your broken heart and gives you peace.  Take refuge in the Love of God.  Underneath are His everlasting arms.  God cares, loves, and is there to help you through all your brokenness.

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV) “A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

SONG:  Third Day, “Cry Out To Jesus” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmVxRl5bc4Y

PICTURE:  Orchid in my Garden

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

WHEN GOD CALLS MY NAME, MARY & MARTHA

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Do you relate with Mary or Martha?  Are you having intimate time with the Lord, or are you running around, like a chicken with its head cut off, distracted by life?

I relate to both Mary and Martha.  I picture Mary as the sister who wanted all God had for her and soaked up His every word like a dried up sponge.  You can see Martha stewing in the kitchen!  She was running around trying to get everything done so they could have a nice meal to share with Jesus!  She was preparing, cooking, and cleaning.  Martha was so distracted by what needed to be done, she forgot what the most important thing was. 

A good book to read regarding this is “Having a Mary heart in a Martha world, Finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life.” By Joanna Weaver. We studied this at a ladies Bible Study and found it to be very encouraging in finding balance in doing what needs to be done and also having time for Jesus.

Luke 10:38-42 “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha was in such a tiz with all her distractions, while trying to get everything done, she felt sorry for herself and wanted Jesus to make Mary help her.  Jesus did care about Martha, but she was so distracted, she forgot the one important thing. Jesus wasn’t going to deny Mary a close encounter with Him because Martha was bent out of shape over trying to do it all herself. 

Life is full and can become overwhelmingly busy.  The next time you find yourself distracted by it all, stop, breathe, and say a prayer focusing on the Lord and not the chaos.  The Lord will give you peace and help you to prioritize so you get the important things done and the rest will have to wait. 

Jesus is first Priority!  You can cook and clean, just make sure you have Jesus at the top of the list and not at the bottom.  Keep the Main thing the Main thing!

SONG: Kari Jobe “One Desire” at Relevant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlzL3asCyPo

PICTURE:  Waterfall in my Garden

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice

WHEN GOD CALLS MY NAME, HEARTS ON FIRE

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

 

How would you rate your relationship with the Lord?  We are either HOT, COLD, or LUKE- WARM.  I pray the Lord fans the flames of our hearts with passion for Jesus once again!

Rate yourself from 1-5, 1 being Hot and 5 being Cold:

I love God with all my heart! (1-5) I look forward to private prayer time! (1-5) I desire for God to fulfill His purposes and plans in all my life! (1-5) I look for opportunities to share Jesus with others. (1-5)

If you are HOT (1), then keep the embers flaming and spread the love, joy, and hope of Jesus with others.  If you need to turn up the heat (2-5), then be encouraged, God will fan the flames of your heart for Him!  Repent of what’s caused you to become cold or complacent and fully and wholeheartedly turn to the Lord.  He will revive you and set your heart on fire for Him once again!

I pray for Revival to spread across our country and the world.  Revival begins with each of us in our personal relationship with the Lord. It’s interesting that when your life is the Lord’s, you are so much more satisfied than when you try to hold on to your life in living it your way.

I received Jesus as my Savior at 14 years old.  He filled me with the Holy Spirit and set my heart on fire for Him!  Through the years, my heart has always been filled with hope no matter what I’ve faced in life.  My heart still burns with passion for Jesus.  I know that beating someone over the head with my Bible won’t draw them to him, but sharing the truth of the gospel in God’s love will. 

God loves you!  I pray the Lord opens your eyes and your hearts to know Him personally.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the Life.  John 14:6

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Romans 6:11 “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Today’s message was inspired by my nephew’s song, “Greater,” from his CD “No Scars.”  Listening to John’s song reminded me of how our hearts need to be on fire for the Lord.  I hope you’re encouraged and the embers of your hearts are aflame once again for Jesus!

SONG: “Greater” by John Eastmond https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gazEcEGDWnQ

To see more about John, go to www.AndrewEastmond.com 

PICTURE:  Bulbs from my Garden

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

www.facebook.com/cindy.b.bice