ABRAHAM’S BIG DECISION

Aloha!

“Worrying about past mistakes only robs us of future progress. God will still forgive, teach, and use us for His glory.  Even when we fail Him, He never fails us.”

On this journey called “Life,” let God be God!

It’s much easier to drive a car when you are looking at where you are going rather than looking in the rear view mirror.  If you continue to look in the rear view mirror, (at past mistakes) you can’t see where you’re going.  Don’t let your past cloud your future!

There are times we make mistakes. Just don’t stay there.  When you fall down, pick yourself up by the scruff of the neck and keep going!  Proverbs 24:16 “The righteous falls seven times, but arise again.”

There’s part of a song I used to sing to my kids when they were little.  “Pick yourself up. Dust yourself off.  Start all over again.”  It helped when they’d fallen down not to focus on their having fallen, but on getting back up.  Before you knew it, they were playing and having fun.

When we make mistakes or wrong choices, we have a choice to focus on our failures, or to get back up off the ground and focus on God.  Be quick to repent and turn back to God.  Trust Him and live a life of faith rather than worry.

“Abraham left behind a legacy of extraordinary faith and trust even though he made mistakes.”

Abraham, originally called Abram, lived a life of adventure following God.  We also find Abraham is one of the “Heroes of Faith” in Hebrews 11.  Abraham had a big calling on his life.  Even though God made promises and spoke to him, he didn’t completely trust God at times.  Abraham allowed worry and stress affect him and his decisions.  Genesis 12, 20 He lied about his beautiful wife by saying she was his sister two times! In spite of his lack of faith and failures, God intervened and saw Abraham through.

Abraham learned from his mistakes and slowly learned to trust God and make better choices.  He passed a huge test with flying colors when God asked him to sacrifice his own son, Isaac.  He trusted God through the whole ordeal and God provided a lamb!

“We can choose to walk in obedience now, regardless of past errors in judgment.  The best is yet to come.”

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

CAIN’S REMINDER ABOUT WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT

Aloha!

“When swirling emotions threaten to take over, we have a choice. Let’s choose to obey God, surrender all our anxiety, and let peace reign in our hearts and lives.”

It’s easy to say, “Yes Lord,” when in God’s presence. When things don’t go the way you think they should and life’s trials become unbearable, what do you do?  Luke 22:54-62 Peter actually denied the Lord and then had a repentant heart and ended up being a powerful disciple.

We may be tempted to be angry and blame others or God. When you feel like turning away from God, I hope you run into His everlasting arms. Like Peter, we may fail at times. Know that God loves you!  Rather than taking matters into your own hands, Trust God!  Choose Jesus!

Cain and his brother, Abel, brought offerings to the Lord. Cain’s offering from the field was not accepted by God while Abel’s offering from the flock was.

Genesis 4 Cain was outraged and allowed destructive emotions to take precedence and rule his angry and hurting heart. “God was waiting for Cain to release all the emotional worry to Him and focus on the important stuff.  Cain made the wrong choice.”

God had a better way for Cain. How different things could have been had he only trusted God!  God let Cain know he had a choice to do well or if he didn’t, sin was waiting at the door.

“Only through our relationship with God can our destructive thoughts and feelings be transformed and redeemed into constructive expressions that bring life and hope.”

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

“I Will Choose Christ” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1PG3WwU1r4  

Kathy Triccoli sings, “I will choose Christ.  I will choose love.  I choose to serve. I give my heart. I give my life.  I give my all to You.”

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

DAVID DANCES WITH WILD ABANDON

Aloha!

“The great thing, and the only thing, is to adore and praise God.”  Thomas Merton

David knew and loved God with all his heart.  Even at his lowest moments, David would bless God with every fiber of his being. Psalms 103:1 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalms is full of songs of worship and praise to our great and mighty God! When reading and singing the Psalms, like David, I find myself passionately worshiping God! 

David danced with wild abandon when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem.  He didn’t care what others thought.  His wife even despised him in her heart.  It was reason enough to celebrate having God’s presence in the City! 

God desires us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth with our whole hearts.  He created us for His pleasure.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  When our focus is God, and we worship Him with our whole lives, we will find ourselves in His presence!

 Encourage yourself in the Lord reading Psalms!  Know who God is!  Praise and glorify Him with your whole heart in wild abandon!Don’t be overcome by fear and anxiety.  Let the praises of God rise up within you!  Dance! Sing!  Shout! 

 Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and God is our strength, a very present help in trouble.”

 Psalms 34:1-4 “I will bless the Lord at all times:  His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:  the humble shall see and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.  I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalms 43:5 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God:  for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

Psalms 113:3-5 “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.  The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.  Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high.”

“When we choose to worship rather than worry, all our anxiety and concerns melt away in the presence of God. Worship is always the better choice.”

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

MOSES PROTESTS HIS DIVINE CALLING

Aloha!

“Where God guides, He provides.” – unknown

“At times you may feel inadequate to do the very things God has created and called you to do, but you can find confidence knowing that the God who has chosen you will be with you every step of the way.”

God created us with purpose and destiny.  We may look at ourselves and feel inadequate to the call of God on our lives.  If we’re not careful, we won’t even start.  What’s stopping you from being obedient in following God? What has God called you to do?  Are inhibitions and fears are holding you back that prevent you to step out of your comfort zone of where you are into the unknown of where God wants you to go?  Place your faith, hope, and confidence in the Lord and take the first step in following Him. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.  Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kill countless ideas and splendid plans:  that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.  A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it.  Boldness has genius, magic and power in it.

Begin it now.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

1749-1832

“The story of Moses reminds us that while we encounter doubt and worry in life, nothing God calls us to do is greater than His ability to provide.”  Moses almost missed his divine calling due to his focus on stuttering. I’m so glad God had a plan and he has a plan for us!

“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.”

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

ESTHER’S DIVINE MOMENT

Aloha!

“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Esther was put to the ultimate test in Trusting God.  The benefit of her doing so enabled her, Mordecai, and all the Jews to live rather than be put to death!  

The book of Esther is a remarkable book and I encourage you to read it.  You’ll glean wonderful insights from it! It begins sounding much like a fairy tale, but you soon discover the powerful hand of God’s divine intervention and providence in the lives of his people.  He’s the same God today!

The next time you find yourself in a bigger than life predicament that looks like it’s going to destroy you and yours, remember this powerful true story and encourage yourself!  You don’t have to be a somebody to make a difference! Don’t worry and fret!  Do TRUST GOD!  God is at work in your life even when it doesn’t look like it!  “Even when we are not aware of His presence, God is still with us, orchestrating a story and an ending that is beyond anything we can imagine.”

Having been raised by her uncle Mordecai, Esther lived a life of TRUST. When you have a right relationship with someone, you learn totrust them.  It’s the same with the Lord.  You learn to Trust God with the big and little details of your life when you walk with Him.

Esther found herself in a challenging situation when she had been accepted as the new queen.  Her Uncle Mordecai’s life was in jeopardy due to the jealousy of one of the kings’ men.  When Mordecai asked Esther to go before the king on behalf of the Jews, she said, “If I perish, I perish.”  She also had her maidens fast and pray as well as all the rest of the Jews.  This beautiful woman knew she could be put to death if the King refused her.  Esther was very courageous and full of faith!  She trusted God! King Ahasuerus accepted her and she received his favor. Haman ended up being hung by the gallows he’d built to hang Mordecai. Mordecai was placed in a prominent position next to the King

 “Esther was willing to put her worries aside and act in faith, saving her own life as well as the lives of thousands of others.” 

Decide today to TRUST GOD!  His love never fails, falls short, or comes to an end!

Esther, 1 Corinthians 13

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

JOSEPH’S UNEXPECTED RISE TO POWER

Aloha!

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”  Anatole France, French Poet

“God isn’t just in the details; he is also in the big picture.  God doesn’t just go with us; he goes before us preparing the way.  Though sometimes we encounter mind-bending challenges and crazy circumstances, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, still has it all under control.  There’s no need to worry.”

It’s important to remember that GOD HAS A PLAN!  Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Joseph had dreams that God gave him and after sharing them he quickly found himself being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers!  When you think it can’t possibly get any worse, he was thrown into the dungeon and forgotten after he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife.  Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there!

God didn’t forget Joseph or the dreams He gave him!  Joseph didn’t harbor ill will against his brothers, the pharaoh, or against any who wronged him.  Joseph walked in integrity trusting God amidst all of his trials and kept his heart clean.  In the end, God promoted Joseph and fulfilled his dreams.  Ultimately, Joseph had favor and authority that saved his family and all of Egypt.  Genesis 37-50

When things don’t go the way you think they should and you find yourself in adverse situations, know that God is with you!   Nothing catches Him by surprise.  God has a plan!  John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  God is the way maker!  Romans 8:28 God’s working it all together for your good! 

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

SARAH’S ECHOING LAUGHTER

Aloha!

“Even when it seems all hope is gone, we can still choose to trust God.  Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”

After walking through the Princeville Resort in Kauai, I stepped onto the Lanai and was blown away with the incredibly gorgeous panoramic vistas that I beheld!  God’s creation is magnificent! From the depths of my being, I began to sing, “HOW BIG IS GOD?!” When I stopped singing, guests who were also enjoying the view, asked me to keep singing because that’s how they felt too!

We don’t always feel like singing.  Actually, sometimes we may feel like crying, screaming, or in Sarah’s case, laughing. When God tells us something, we need to remember to TRUST GOD and know that HIS TIMING IS PERFECT.  God is in control!  HE IS FAITHFUL!

God told Abraham he’d be the father of many nations.  With this promise, Sarah spent many years hoping and praying for a baby.  Over time, she grew old and began to lose hope because she was barren.  Sarah needed a miracle.  God sent messengers to speak to Abraham and she overheard them telling her husband she’d have a son. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Sarah laughed.

God’s promises are yea and amen!   David continually encouraged himself in the Lord.  “Why art thou cast down oh my soul?  Hope thou in God.” What has God promised you?  Place your dreams and hopes in His almighty hands because God is faithful and His timing is perfect.  Look to the Lord who is our hope and the anchor to our souls.  Quit striving!  Start Trusting!  Let God be God! 2 Cor. 1:20, Gen. 18-20, 1 Sam. 30:6, Psalm 42:5

“Only believe, only believe, all things are possible, only believe.”

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

HAGAR IS PURSUED BY GOD

Aloha,

“One day we will meet beside the river and our Lord will dry every tear.  For now, we must live in the joy of that promise and recall that for every generation life is hard, but God is faithful.”  Bodie Thoene

Hagar soon found herself between a rock and a hard place after complying with Sarah to bear a son for her and Abram, since Sarah was barren.  Initially Hagar probably felt like she was doing what was right, but after Ishmael was born she was in quite a predicament! 

Sarah had become cold, harsh and very demanding towards Hagar.  Although she knew running away wasn’t the answer, Hagar felt hopeless and isolated.  God knew right where she was and in her lowest moment He taught her a very valuable lesson.  “God sees us.  We are never alone.”  She gave God a personal name:  “The God Who Sees Me.” 

It’s comforting to know that God sees you right where you are even at your lowest.  You may feel no one else notices the burdens you bear or the heartaches you face, but know that God sees you! 

Rather than running away from what may be causing grief and pain in your life, run into the Loving arms of our Lord!  Jesus is our blessed hope!  Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and our strength and will be present in our trouble.” John 11:25 “Jesus is the resurrection and the life.  We receive eternal life through Him.”  Isaiah 54:10 “God’s unfailing love for us will not be shaken.”

“Even when no one on earth understands the impossible situation you’re facing, God sees you.  That’s a powerful encouragement to not worry but instead trust in the God who sees.”

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

ISAAC’S UNFORGETTABLE LOVE STORY”

Aloha!

“What-ifs cause worry and stress.  As children of God, we can walk in obedience and trust, knowing that God has all the details under control.”

Abraham desired for his son, Isaac, to have a wonderful wife such as he had.  He sent his trusted servant to find Isaacs perfect wife!  I’m sure there were many“what-ifs” going on.  What-if the servant couldn’t find the perfect bride?  What-ifshe didn’t want to come back with him?  God is sovereign and it all worked out from the greatest to the least detail! 

The “What-ifs,” can cause much distress in our hearts, minds, and emotions, if left unchecked!  Rather than asking “What-if…” we need to CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD, pray, walk in faith, and follow God’s directions fully and faithfully. 

God is still sovereign today.  “What-if God has something better than we ever expected waiting for us around the next corner?”  Let’s pray and trust God! 

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

I used a lamp as an example of being plugged into or Trusting God.  When it’s plugged in, it will turn on!  Trusting God is a choice.  Remember the little song,Psalms 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in Him, I will trust in Him, I will trust in Him…”  Choose to trust God, even when you’re afraid, knowing He’s right there with you!

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

TRUSTING GOD #1, NOAH’S BIG BOAT ADVENTURE

Aloha,

“Worry is like a rocking chair; it’ll give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.”  Unknown

All of life is full of change.  If we’re not careful, we may get caught up in challenging situations and find ourselves both worrying and very stressed!  During these trying times, we choose to TRUST God!

We don’t stick our head in the sand and pretend the storms of life aren’t raging.  What we do is TRUST in the almighty God who is with us through every storm of life! You may see crashing waves thru the lens of a camera, but the closer a person is standing to you in proximity, the waves visually recede and your focus changes.

My heart’s desire for all of you is that you to find peace with God and learn to TRUST Him completely with your whole life. As you relinquish control and let Him have the steering wheel of your life, you will find that His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in your weakness.  Take courage, we serve a mighty God!

Genesis 6:  God was grieved with mankind and was sad.  Noah was different. He walked with God and was blameless.  Aren’t you glad he didn’t follow the crowd!  He chose to obey God and built an Ark with God’s specifications. He followed God’s instructions to the “T”! 

It rained and flooded the whole earth and all who escaped were Noah and his family and his children’s spouses and all the animals that were on the Ark.  When Noah stepped on dry land, he worshiped God! 

Let’s live our lives according to the Master Designer and do it His way.  

Have a great week and remember to TRUST GOD implicitly! 

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