WHEN GOD SPEAKS – PRAISE HIM

Aloha!

“Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him in the noontime.  Praise Him!  Praise Him!  Praise Him when the sun goes down!”

Do you desire the sweet presence of the Lord in your life?  Are there chains that need to be broken?  It’s time to start praising the Lord!  P.T.L!

Praise is something you do. It isn’t something you work up.  You are either plugged in or you aren’t.  We adore, exalt, and lift up the name of the Lord in our praise.  Psalms is full of David’s praises to God.  It’s a choice and a decision to praise God.  We have a free will and it’s up to us to choose to praise God or not.

Psalm 100:4 NIV “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Psalm 22:3  NKJV “But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel.”

Psalms 9:1, 2 NKJV “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

Psalm 33:1 “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous:  for praise is comely for the upright.”

Praise is very real and powerful!  Just look at what happened to Paul and Silas when they praised God while in prison!  They sang praises to God, there was an earthquake, and the prison doors were opened!  They even ministered salvation to the Prison Guard!  Acts 16:25-34

Praise God in the good times and in the bad.  He’s worthy of all our praise.  Stay connected to the Lord and praise Him!  Always remember that He is with you through every storm.

“Praise the name of Jesus. Praise the name of Jesus.  He’s my Rock.  He’s my Fortress.  He’s my Deliverer.  In Him shall I trust.  Praise the name of Jesus.”

SONG: Casting Crowns “Praise You in This Storm” (live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype1xE0wzsg

PICTURE:  Ruffled Hibiscus in my Garden.  It reminds me of a Hawaiian Sunset.

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 SPEAKS – OBEY

Aloha!

When God speaks, choose to obey Him.  GOD BLESSES OBEDIENCE!

“If you are seeking to obey the Lord, expect opposition.  Expect obstacles.  Expect difficulties.  But also expect God to see you through.”  Greg Laurie

Isaiah 1:19, 20 “If you are WILLING and OBEDIENT, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

God wants to bless us so much more than we could ever imagine. We want God’s blessings in our lives.  It’s not “My will be done.”  It is “Thy will be done.”  God blesses obedience.

Many times the Bible says, if you do this, then I will do that.  There is a natural law in effect.  Newton’s Third Law of Motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”  A spiritual law is also in effect:  The Laws of Sowing and Reaping.  You reap what you sow.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Your attitude affects your altitude.  Do you want to soar with the eagles?  Have a willing, humble, and yes Lord, attitude.  Temper tantrums and selfishness are not acceptable attitudes.  Choose to listen and obey.  Remember, God blesses obedience.  We have a choice to be obedient or not.

We expect our children to obey us.  God also, expects us to obey Him.   We train our children to listen and obey.  They know our voice. Are you an obedient Sheep?  Do you know the Good Shepherd’s voice?  By not choosing to obey God, you actually are choosing to disobey.  That’s called rebellion.  What are your children learning from your example?  Are they seeing obedience or rebellion?

“By learning to yield to the loving authority of his parents, a child learns to submit to other forms of authority which will confront him later in life.” Dr. James Dobson

Jesus was an example of complete submission and humble obedience even when he knew he was facing the cross.  God blessed His obedience.  Jesus rose and triumphed over death, hell, and the grave.

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

If you find yourself falling short, you may need to repent of disobedience.   Turn to our Loving Heavenly Father and choose to obey Him.  He wants to bless you more than you know!

SONG: Keith Green, “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice” (live) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzWyZxlwGKI

PICTURE:  Hibiscus from my Garden

Please see past Devotions on my brother’s website:  georgewblack.com

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 SPEAKS – COME

Aloha!

When you hear the Lord calling, run into His everlasting arms!

When you are in love, you are all consumed with your future husband.  You think about him continually.  Your heart pounds at the whisper of his voice.  Just standing beside him gives you jelly legs.  Yes, I had it bad.  Still do.  My husband doesn’t have a singing voice, but every time he called me, his voice was music to my ears.  We’ve now been married for 32 years and I still love my husband with my whole heart.  The desire of my heart is to glorify God in all my life and to honor my husband.

Song of Solomon 2:10 NIV “My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.”

The Bible is the word of God.  It is God’s love letter to us.  You can see His passion for the Bride of Christ by reading Song of Solomon.

The Lord is calling His Bride (the church) to COME.  He’s calling us individually and corporately.  We have a choice to make.  Are we going to turn a deaf ear and harden our hearts against the Lord?

Let’s choose to listen and respond to His call in our hearts and lives.  Choose to accept and embrace the Lord in all of your life.

He yearns for our fellowship with Him.  If we could grasp His wonderful love for us, we would pursue Him with relentless passion. God completes us.  We are created with a void that only He can fill.  Nothing else will satisfy.

Col 2:10 “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

The next time God speaks to your heart and says, “Come,” I hope you take time to come to Him. Pray, praise, worship, and seek the Lord by reading the word.

Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Don’t dilly dally or drag your feet.  When God speaks, COME.

“Like a bride waiting for her groom, we’ll be a church ready for You.  Every heart longing for our King, we sing even so come Lord Jesus, come.” Kristian Stanfill

PICTURE: Ruffled Hibiscus in my Garden

SONG:  Kristian Stanfill, “Passion – Even So Come (Live)”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jwj6-QmmMA

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

DEVOTIONAL SERIES:  WHEN GOD CALLS MY NAME

by Cindy Black

#1, WHEN GOD SPEAKS, LISTEN

Aloha!

When God calls your name, can you HEAR Him?  God is speaking.  Are you listening?

Way back before cellphones truckers would use C B Radios and the talk may go something like, “Breaker, Breaker 1-9: You got your ears on little buddy?”  My question is, do you have your spiritual ears on? God is speaking.  Are you listening?

There are many voices in the world.  They can become much like static on the radio when you can’t get a clear signal.  A constant prayer I pray is to hear God’s voice above all others.  God is speaking.  Are you listening?

Psalm 85:8 “I will listen {with expectancy} to what God the Lord will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) but let them not turn again to {self-confident} folly.”

Mark 4:9 “Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

We were discussing our private Devotions with the Lord at a Ladies Bible Study.  One lady said her Bible lay on her bedside table and every morning she got up and walked right past it going through her busy day.  She couldn’t understand why God wasn’t speaking to her until she realized she never took time to pick up her Bible and read it.  God is speaking.  Are you listening?

When we read the Bible, it’s like the Holy Spirit illuminates certain verses and shines them into our hearts opening our understanding.  Sometimes I’ll just be washing dishes and the Lord will quicken a scripture to my heart and it ministers to me.  God is speaking.  Are you listening?

When you’re praying, you need to stop talking to God and just be quiet a little while and listen.  A conversation isn’t one-sided.  God is speaking.  Are you listening?

Samuel heard God calling his name, but didn’t realize it was God until Eli told him.  He was quick to listen from then on and the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by the word of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Spend some time in private Devotion.  Read your Bible.  Pray, praise, and worship the Lord.  Soon, you’ll hear God speaking to you.  He was there all along.

God is speaking.  Are you listening?

SONG: Mercy Me, “Word of God Speak” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

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

A TIME TO TRUST

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:8 “A time of war, and a time of peace.”

We can have the PEACE OF GOD right in the middle of our chaotic world! Trust God completely!

We live in perilous and uncertain times.  Our lives are fraught with conflict.  There are challenges on every side. Watching the news can be depressing. Does being a Christian mean you are exempt?  No.

Peace doesn’t mean the absence of trouble. It’s a knowing assurance, deep down in your heart, that God is in control.  It cannot be fabricated and isn’t mind over matter.  It’s a supernatural gift of God.

I’ve had people tell me I have great faith and have a wonderful philosophy of life. The fact of the matter is it all comes from my personal relationship with Jesus.  I experience life’s trials myself and the Lord is with me through them all.  He is my COMPASS when I can’t find my way.  He’s my ROCK when everything around me is being shaken.  He’s my PEACE in every storm.  He promised to never leave or forsake me and I’ve taken Him at His word. Deuteronomy 31:6 I can testify of His faithfulness.

Picture Jesus standing in front of you holding a gift in his hands.  He gives you the gift.  The gift is PEACE.  It’s up to you to accept and receive it.  Let this scripture speak to your heart and receive His perfect PEACE today.  You don’t have to live in torment, fear, and turmoil.

John 14:27 “PEACE I leave with you, my PEACE I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

PEACE is not only a GIFT, it is also a FRUIT of the Spirit.  It needs to be cultivated to grow.  If you dwell on fear and accept the turmoil you’re facing into your heart, you won’t have peace.  TRUST GOD and continually Turn to Him amidst fearful situations; and He will give your heart PEACE.

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect PEACE him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 15:13 “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.”

When the waves are crashing all around you, don’t focus on them.  Set your heart on the Lord and speak to those waves, “Peace be still.”  Keep your eyes on the Lord.  Trust God!

God fills us with His perfect peace.  Let His peace rule and reign in your hearts continually.

SONG: “It Is Well” – Kristene DiMarco & Bethel Music – You Make Me Brave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI

(Song Story) It is Well // Kristene DiMarco// You Make Me Brave https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opy0stb64G0

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

A TIME FOR LOVE

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:8 “A TIME FOR LOVE”

If you don’t feel loved, it’s time for you to know God because GOD IS LOVE!

God loves you with an unconditional and everlasting love!   He loves you so much more than you realize!  Accept and embrace the LOVE of God in all of your life!

1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  GOD IS LOVE.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Is your Cup of LOVE full, half full, or empty?  Your Cup of Love can be so full, it’s running over and touching many lives!  Accept God’s unconditional love for you and start filling up your Cup!  No one deserves His wonderful Love!  No one can earn it!  We’re all sinners saved by Grace!

When you are saturated with the love of God, you are then able to share His wonderful love with others. To the degree that you are filled with God’s love, you are able to turn around and love others!

1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.  And his commandments are not burdensome.”

One of the first songs I can remember, as a child, was “Jesus loves me.”  Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of how much God loves us!  When we face terrible situations and “Life” happens, we must remind ourselves of His wonderful love for us.  Embrace God’s love through all of life’s storms!  He is God with us! We serve a great big God whose lovingkindness and tender mercies are new every morning!  Remind yourself daily, “Yes, Jesus loves me!”

Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the LORD’s gracious love we are not consumed, since his compassions never end.”

Romans 5:1,5 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 5”And hope does not put us to shame, because GOD’S LOVE has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

There’s a precious family who volunteer, on a regular basis, at the McDonald House here in Hawaii. They’ve seen some of the children grow up!  They also help with Wounded Warriors.  It’s wonderful they’ve raised their children to love others and to share that love by helping others! Big Love!

“God equips us to love others by saturating us with his love.  As we receive His love, we’re empowered to love others big.”

SONG: “How He Loves Us” Kim Walker-Smith/Jesus Culture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

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

A TIME FOR SILENCE & SPEAKING

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:7 “A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”

“Sometimes God calls us to speak up.  Sometimes God calls us to remain silent.  To discern the difference, we can seek God through prayer.”

My Mamma said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”  She lived by that rule and taught us to do so also.  Don’t just say whatever pops into your head.  Words are powerful!  They can be used to help and encourage someone or they can be used to discourage and crush someone.  Choose your words wisely.  Once spoken, you can’t take words back.

Think before you speak.  Before you open your mouth, ask yourself, “Is this how I want to be spoken to?”

The attitude with which you speak is also important.  Saying something in a thoughtful tone will be more productive than yelling or being demeaning.

Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Proverbs 31:26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

Know when to speak and when not to.  1 Peter 3:15, 16: “We should always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks us to give a reason for our hope.” Proverbs 17:28 “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

Esther is a great example of knowing when to and not to speak.  She was very wise in holding her tongue and in speaking. In the end she saved not only herself and her Uncle, but also her people.  Esther 2:17-20 and Esther 4:12-14

Does your speech honor and glorify God or is it a reproach on the name of the Lord? Let’s be mindful of what comes out of our mouth.  Break an old habit of negativity and putting down people. Let’s make a new habit of speaking kindly, thoughtfully, and positively!

Your words can make all the difference in someone’s life!  We don’t know what other people are facing.  A little bit of kindness goes a long way!

James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

SONG: “How Great is our God” Hillsong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2wGrwTYGL0

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

A TIME FOR RESOLUTIONS

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:6, 7 “A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew.”

Making and fulfilling new resolutions require CHANGE.  The desired end must be greater than staying where you are right now.  Are you willing to do what it takes to achieve your desired goal?

“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” John Heywood   Rome was built by laying one brick at a time!

It’s easy to make resolutions.  It’s hard to see them through to the end.  Change, usually, isn’t easy.  It will take effort to obtain your goal.  Have faith and encourage yourself along the way.

If you slip up, “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!”  Remove, “I can’t” from your vocabulary. Don’t give up!  Don’t quit!

RECOGNIZE you need change.  DECIDE to change.  Devise a PLAN.  Have someone you can be ACCOUNTABLE to and or a support group.  DO IT until it’s done!

What are your resolutions this year?  What are you doing about them? “Begin it now.” Goethe

A marathon is won by those who have prepared for it and actually begin it!  A mountain is climbed by taking one step at a time.  A Degree is earned by attending one class at a time.

A common resolution is to lose weight.  I have both lost and gained.  Where I have found success in losing and keeping it off is having a set goal; desiring the end weight more than I want to eat the delicious, high, calorie food; and having an accountability partner.

Keep a JOURNAL in whatever change you are desiring to make. Write down your goals and daily accomplishments.  You can refer back to it when you need to.  You’ll see what to do differently and can also encourage yourself with what is working!

Our encouraging confidence and hope through all change is through our Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Joshua 1:3-9 “Be strong and very courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Song:  Jesus Culture “Break Every Chain” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtyVdC7E6Wo

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

A TIME FOR FRUITFULNESS & REPLENISHMENT

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:5 “A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.”

“Being fruitful as followers of Jesus requires seasons of productivity and seasons of replenishment.  We can trust that God is at work no matter what season we’re in.”

Each season has a purpose and they all play an important part in our lives.  I’m sure we all would like to stay in some of the “feel good” seasons longer! It would also be nice to delete or skip the uncomfortable seasons.  Each season helps us in our growth. Trust God in every Season!

We have different fruit trees in our yard.  The Haas Avocado tree normally produces fruit in December and January.  After they’re all picked, we prune the tree.  It’s not long before you will see buds and new growth.  The baby avocados look like little green marbles and they may grow up to 3 pounds each by picking time. It takes months for them to grow to that size.  Over time, they take in nutrition and grow. When they’re ripe, we pick them.  After all are picked, we prune to prepare the tree for growth again.  The cycle continues.

Jesus came a part, from the crowds and his devoted disciples, to be alone with His Father. This was a time of replenishment for Him.  We also need to spend time with the Lord in sweet communion receiving from Him.  We are renewed, strengthened, and encouraged during these times of refreshing.

After we’ve received from the Lord, we are then able to share with others. It was never meant for us to keep Jesus to ourselves. When our cup is full and we’ve had sweet communion with the Lord, then we are ready to share what He’s given us with others. You can’t give what you don’t have.

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life.  You can be pulled in so many directions that you feel like you’re Stretch Armstrong. There’s a time to say, “Yes,” and there’s a time to say, “No.”  There’s a time to be very active and fruitfully productive and other times to be less active and be rejuvenated.

Pray and ask the Lord where you need to serve and give to others; and where you need to slow down and be replenished.

“In the end, God brings growth.  No matter what our role, God works through us and in us.  Even in times when growth and fruitfulness seem impossible, God takes care of it.”

Psalms 1:1-3 “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers.”

Matthew 14:23 “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.  Later that night, he was there alone,”

Mark 1:35 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

SONG: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Matt Redman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

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

A TIME TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

Aloha!

Ecclesiastes 3:4 “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

“Often when we face the challenging seasons in life we may forget that God is right there with us.  He promises to fill us with His grace, courage, strength, compassion, and love along the way.  As we journey toward becoming more and more like Christ, we find that our prayers become more powerful, our rest more rejuvenating, and our faith more rewarding.”

It seems like David was either having a mountain top experience praising God with his whole heart or he was in the valley of despair. The common thread I found in his life was no matter what, he continually turned to God.  He encouraged himself in the Lord.

We choose to bless God and with David we can say, “I will bless the Lord at all times:  his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

You are not alone!  Even when facing death, you can be comforted in knowing God is with you! Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

When praise and worship is the last thing you feel like doing, go ahead and praise God!  Even if you have to tell yourself to bless the Lord like David.  Just do it!  Your focus will turn to the almighty God and your perspective will readjust itself in the midst of your praising God.

Psalm 103:1 “Bless the Lord, Oh my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.”

Knowing your maker personally is imperative in having hope and courage in the bleakest of life’s situations!  Encourage yourself in the Lord and know that He is with you!

Psalm 42:11 “Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 62:6 “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”

Whatever Season you may find yourself in, let God arise in your heart and in your life.  If you are facing painful loss, I pray the Lord comforts you with His Holy Spirit and gives you peace. Underneath are His everlasting arms.

Take comfort in knowing God is with you on mountaintops and in the valleys!

SONG: “His eye is on the Sparrow” Eclipse 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRhgD0UtpL4

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