HOLIDAYS

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

The song goes, “Happy Holidays, the merry bells are ringing, happy holidays to you!”

While the holidays can be the happiest time for some, it is also the saddest time of year for many.  I encourage you to be mindful of others during the holidays.  You may feel awkward at first, but let God’s love win in reaching out to others!

It’s easy to focus on us 4 and no more especially with how busy our lives can be.  Be different this year.  Include some way of helping others in your Christmas Season this year!

I have friends and family who purposefully reach out to others during Christmas in different ways.  One shares a Christmas dinner party and gifts with orphans.  Another joins with others in feeding the homeless.  Another bakes bread and festive goodies to share with neighbors and elderly folks.  There’s also Church outreaches you can be involved with in sharing Christmas with others in many ways.  

There are many who could use a helping hand, a generous heart, and a warm meal.  If you know someone who is alone for Christmas, you can give them a call, invite them over for a meal, or include them with your festivities.

One Christmas was very memorable for our family.   We knew a precious family who was in need so our family went Christmas shopping for them.  We bought gifts we thought they each would enjoy.  After wrapping them, we wrote a note and told them that God was thinking of them and Jesus loved them very much.  It was a joy to our children to share Christmas with others without expecting anything in return.  We did this privately and in secret.  

Christ is the reason for the Season!  Share Jesus love with all you see!

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, what whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live.”

PICTURE: Kauai Marriott Resort

SONG: Joy To The World, Celtic Women https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDmIddF7DfQ

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

BE BOLD!

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Be bold in the Lord and in the power of His might!

I recently saw a picture of a cat looking at its reflection in a puddle of water.  What the cat saw was a lion!

If you were looking at your reflection, what would you see?  Would you see a victorious warrior or as defeated and insignificant? Look at yourself through eyes of faith and see yourself the way God sees you.  He sees you through the work that Jesus wrought on the cross.  When God looks at you, He sees you whole and victorious!

How you see God directly affects how you see yourself! Our perception is our reality.

It doesn’t take long in reading the Bible to see what a mighty God we serve!  He is awesome in power!  King of kings and Lord of lords! 

In a day when we are pushed and shoved to be politically correct, I encourage you to stand for Jesus.  Be bold in your faith and don’t ever shy away from sharing the hope that Jesus has placed in your heart.  No one can ever take away your testimony in what the Lord has done for you!

When we moved to Hawaii, I overcompensated being considerate of others who believed differently from me so much so I found I wasn’t saying anything about my precious Lord. By living my Christian life by example so others can see Him in me, I found the Lord opened doors for me to share the hope I have in me with others.  I also welcome any and every opportunity when the Lord opens a door, I walk right through it. 

Being bold for the Lord does not mean that you are obnoxious and rude.  What it means is you don’t shrink back from sharing Jesus when given the opportunity.  You won’t win many souls for the Lord knocking them over the head with your Bible, but sharing the truth of the Gospels with the love of God in a thoughtful way, will make the hungriest soul want to know more! 

Don’t hesitate to share the hope you have in your heart with others!  You don’t have to defend the Gospel.  By sharing your testimony of faith in Jesus, you have the potential to make a difference in someone’s eternity!

Be bold and know the Lord is with you!

Ephesians 6:19 (NKJV) “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,”

1 Thessalonians 2:2 (NKJV) “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.”

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

PICTURE: Kauai Marriott Resort

SONG: Morris Chapman and the Maranatha singers – Be bold, be strong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYZ880P5-Jk

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

DO UNTO OTHERS

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

As Christians, we are blessed to have experienced the unconditional love of God! Because God loves us and fills us with His love, we can love others!

Treat others the way you want to be treated. Think about the attributes of God’s love for us and practice those thoughtful attitudes towards others.

Have you ever been mistreated?  I have.  Did you want to lash back?  My first response at the time was fear for what was done and then I quickly understood they did not see me as I saw them.  Rather than fear them, I chose to forgive and continued to show the love of God by my actions and attitude.  (Every situation will be different and should be treated accordingly.) 

On other occasions, I have felt like slapping people for being cruel and mean!  No, I didn’t actually slap anyone, but I sure felt like it!  When cruel injustice is done, it’s very hard to be civil.  In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to allow our emotions escalate to anger and we may say or do things we will greatly regret and are not able to take back.

What do you do when you are provoked or have been wronged?  It depends on the situation. Serious situations may require your dialing 911 for help.  You may need to speak to a Guidance Counselor.

When you let anger and hate fill your heart, that’s what is going to come out in your actions and words.  When you let God’s love fill your heart, that’s what is going to come out in your actions and words. 

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Rather than react, we can choose our response. Before saying anything, take a breath and pause.  While doing that, ask yourself Will it help or hurt what you’re dealing with?   

Luke 6:31 (NIV) “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

1 John 4:7,8 (NKJV) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) “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.”

PICTURE: My husband and I at Dukes Restaurant in Kauai

SONG: Brandon Heath – Your Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vbg2dpX-EY

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

CHOOSE JESUS FIRST

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

God is not an afterthought.  Choose Jesus first before everything else!

Life can be very full and busy.  Before you know it, the day has ended and you still haven’t taken time for Jesus. Jesus needs to be the anchor to our souls and our firm foundation that we build our lives on.  Without Him in our daily lives and on the throne of our hearts, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

I used to have a hamster and he had a wheel he would run on in his cage.  He would run and the wheel would turn, but he never got anywhere.  Do you ever feel exasperated and frustrated like you aren’t getting anywhere? Break the insanity cycle and make a change!  Put Jesus first before any and everything else! 

You may not feel like you have time to include a moment of prayer or a brief Bible devotion, but without these how can you hear God and find direction for your life? 

There are many distractions in our lives that can get us off track from what we need to be doing.  Take time to step back and look at your life.  You may need to make some changes. Remember to put Jesus as your first priority.  Ask yourself the importance of each item and prioritize accordingly.  You may be able to let go of some things or just trim off the time they are taking.  For example, you may need to take 30 minutes from watching tv to allow time to pray and read your Bible and have a few family moments too!

Choose Jesus first. You’ll be glad you did!  He’s our peace, He’s the joy of our Salvation.  He gives us strength when we are weak.  He fills our hearts and lives with hope.  He is our firm foundation! He is with us always!  

Acts 17:28 (NIV) “For in him we live and move and have our being.”

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Psalm 119:30 (KJV) “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

PICTURE: Waterfall in Dukes Restaurant in Kauai

SONG: Desert Song, Natalie Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuNCtsm6YvA

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

HUMBLE YOURSELF!

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

If there was ever a time we needed the Lord, it’s now! 

Now is the time to humble ourselves before God. 

It’s time to humble ourselves, pray, and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways.

How do you humble yourself? 

It’s something you choose to do.  It shows in your attitude and actions. God gives us a free will and it’s up to us to acknowledge Jesus is Lord of our lives.  When we do that, we are putting Him on the throne of our hearts and we live our lives to please Him.  Our attitude needs to be, “Not my will be done, but Thy will be done.” When you humble yourself, you are preferring the Lord over your own desires.  You are putting Him first.  You are letting God be God.

My husband and I were in the process of building and buying our first home.  We were both so excited! One day I felt like something was wrong and so my husband and I prayed and read our Bibles seeking answers.  The Lord gave us our answer and told us not to buy the house.  We humbled ourselves by choosing what God told us over our own desire in buying the house.  Months later we discovered the whole neighborhood had dropped drastically in prices because the water was bad. If we had insisted on having our way in what we wanted, we would have been in a big mess, but by humbling ourselves before the Lord and being obedient to His instruction, we were spared. 

1 Peter 5:6,7 (NIV) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

James4:6 (ESV) “But he gives more grace.  Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Matthew 23:12 (ESV) “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Isaiah 62:6 (NKJV) “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night.  You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

PICTURE: Kauai Rooster

SONG: If my people, Jimmy Owens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPY-CrPtdKw

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

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

To the degree you are filled with Jesus will be the degree your light will shine. 

Just as Jesus is a beacon of hope for all, we are lights shining hope in a hopelessly dark world.

Have you ever been to a candle light service? One person shares their lighted candle with the next person and it continues until all have their candles lit and a once dark room is then filled with light!

Your light makes a difference!  You may be the only light some people will ever see up close and personal!  You can make a difference in someone’s eternity!   

Be ready to share freely the Good News of the Gospel with others.  You have hope that others need.  Your life is a light and it’s up to you how dimly or how brightly your light shines.

Sharing your testimony is something you can do and no one can ever take that from you! 

When possible, join with others in prayer for our country, its leaders, its future.  Proclaim and declare the word of God over our nation.  Pray with your church families and with your own families. 

How do you let your light shine? 

Your light shines when you are living your life following Jesus.  He is lifted up in your heart and life.  It’s not only what you say, but especially what you do. Your light will be seen in your actions and Christ like attitudes. 

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 12:46 (NIV) “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light.”

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV) “Arise, shine; For your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”

PICTURE: Staghorn Fern, Kauai

SONG: Shine Jesus Shine by Don Moen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OIwSQmyCg4

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

LET THERE BE LIGHT

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Is all you see darkness?  Then let the Lord turn on the light!

God’s word is a beacon of light shining brightly dispelling all darkness in our hearts and lives.

Light dispels darkness.  It also uncovers what has been hidden in the darkness.

When God speaks, by his glorious word that is the light into our lives, he breaks the power of darkness and we are changed.

His words are full of light!  There is peace, love, hope, and life.  There is no place for fear, doubt, confusion, torment, or turmoil.

Let the word of God dwell in you richly.  Be full of the word of life.

Jesus is the word made flesh.  It is in, through and by Him that we have our being.  We are complete and whole in Him.

How do you turn the light on?

Pray.  Read the word of God.  Personally, ask the Lord to shine his light into every hidden area of your heart and life to dispel all darkness.  Repent of what is exposed.  Turn and go the other way in following Jesus.

The entrance of His words bring light!

Genesis 1:3 (AMP) And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Psalm 119:105 (KJV) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

John 1:1 (NIV) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Colossians 3:16 (KJV) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

PICTURE: Kauai Coffee Beans

SONG: Let there be light/Brian and Katie Torwalt, Jesus Culture https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Let+there+be+light%2FBrian+and+Katie+Torwalt

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

PERFECT PEACE

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

No matter what you are going through I encourage you to set your heart and mind on the Lord.  Trust wholly in Him.  He is the peace in your heart, mind, and life!

I woke up with Isaiah 26:3 on my heart this morning and the Lord ministered peace to my whole being!  I pray this devotion brings encouraging hope and peace to you in your life!

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

When you focus on the waves, you may get sea-sick or just sink in the situations you’re facing.  When your mind is focusing on Jesus, who is the Lord of the waves, then you’ll have peace because you are trusting in Him!

Does this mean you have a la la la attitude and don’t deal with real life?  No!  It means as you are walking through life, you trust the Lord with your whole heart and your mind is set on Him. 

I’m at a time in my life when many my age are retiring.  It seems my life, in the contrary, has picked up its pace. Although it’s very exciting, I’ve felt discombobulated because so much is happening at once.  Being in the middle of transition can be very challenging.    

Thank the Lord for the Holy Spirit who empowers us to walk the walk He has for us! He’s right there every step of the way in our Life’s journeys!  We are in need of our blessed Savior every step of every day and He is our Peace!

Trust in the Lord with your whole heart!  Set your mind on Him!  He is your perfect peace!

PICTURE:  The top of Waimea Canyon, Kauai

SONG: Grace Flows Down by Christi Nockels and the Passion Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YWiH90AYhU

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

TURBULENCE AHEAD, BUCKLE UP!

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Being a Christian does not make you immune to life’s challenges, trials, and problems.

We are assured the Lord is with us every step of the way.

When your life’s journey becomes rocky, make sure you are secured to Jesus.

In real life, there aren’t signs saying Danger falling rocks ahead or sharp turn slow down.

While on a recent trip, it seemed there were not one or two, but continual bumps in the road and at times it felt like the rug was getting pulled out from under me.

I wondered, “What’s going on?”

There are times you rebuke the storms that rage and other times when you hold steady and plow right through. It can be challenging when the stormy waves continue to pound you while you’re trying to catch your breath from the last wave!

The good news is we are not alone.  God is with us through every storm!  We need to remind ourselves that His grace is sufficient.  Underneath are His everlasting arms.

Has your life been turbulent?  Buckle up with Jesus!  He only is our rock, our peace our blessed hope through every storm we face.

We want every day to be perfectly wonderful!  When it isn’t, we wonder why.  It may be the devil, the fallen world we live in, or you may need to repent. 

We need to trust God in the good times, when everything is wonderful, full of peace and joy as well as in the turbulent times, when times are hard, trying, and we face constant opposition. 

Lift up your eyes and behold the Lord is with you even in the crazy turbulence!

Receive His perfect peace in your heart, soul, and mind no matter how rocky your road is.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NKJV) “…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.  For I am the Lord your God…”

Lamentations 3:22,23 (ESV) “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Psalm 139:10 (NIV) “even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

PICTURE: Kauai Coffee Beans

SONG: Eye of the Storm – Ryan Stevenson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlow_JkOpiw

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

WHERE ARE YOU LORD?

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

I was seeking the Lord with what the next message would be and found myself asking, “Where are you Lord?”

I’ve been working on some big projects and it seems the whole time I was working, I was constantly getting ideas, thoughts, and songs for the weekly Devotional.  What to share seemed endless.

Yet, now I find myself faced with silence.

What do you do when you can’t see or hear the Lord?

You seek Him with all your heart. You knock and keep on knocking.  Sometimes you just need to be still and know that He’s God and remind yourself that He is faithful and true.

I sought the Lord, waited, and listened.

If we’re used to hearing Him one way, it doesn’t mean He’s going to talk to us that way all the time.  We need to be flexible in our listening.  God can’t be put in a box.

Stay tuned in!  Stay connected!  God is there all the time. God wants us to trust Him even when we can’t hear or see Him.  We walk by faith and we know He’s with us!

I remember when one of my children was a baby and was crying so hard his eyes were squeezed shut even though I was holding him.  It wasn’t until I gently blew into his face that he caught his breath, opened his eyes, and quit crying.

Sometimes we try so hard to hear or see God, we miss Him altogether.  Don’t strive with God.  It’s not complicated!  Simply hope in Him.  Know that He’s with you and He’ll speak to your heart and minister to you in your time of need.

1 Kings 19:11,12 (KJV) “And he said, go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. 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.”

Matthew 28:20 (KJV) “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

PICTURE: Waimea Canyon Waterfall, Kauai

SONG: Good Good Father [Lyrics] – Chris Tomlin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_m5ZWchiZo

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