GOD CALLS US TO WAIT

After reading the title of the final chapter of our book, I said, “Can’t we just skip this one Lord?”  Of course the answer was, “No.”

“God often doesn’t answer us in the way or within the time frame that we would like.  This is a normal part of the spiritual journey, but we should take heart.  If we remain faithful, we will have a story of God’s goodness in our lives that we would not have any other way.”

 Patience is necessary and vital in the Christian walk.  It’s a fruit that we choose to let grow in our lives.  When you plant a seed, it takes time and care for it to grow.  I have a beautiful garden, but it didn’t get that way over night. 

We live in an “Instant,” society.  With a touch of the fingers you have foodcooked in seconds, messages can be sent world-wide, or access to unlimited information!

James 1:4 (NKJV) “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

As we wait on God, we are placing our HOPE and TRUST in HIM and HIS FAITHFULNESS! 

We need to remember God is faithful and His timing is perfect.  When God calls us to wait, we must wait. 

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

Mahalo,

Cindy Bice

“TIMES OF REFRESHING” Garden Bible Study in Hawaii

Please contact me via my Facebook for more information:

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GOD CALLS US TO FAITH

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The story goes that a young man, following in his father’s footsteps as alumberjack, wanted to cut down more trees than the other men.  He set his sights and figured he could work harder each day and progressively cut down more trees each day.  The opposite occurred.  Each day he cut less trees no matter what he did or how hard he tried.  He tried holding the ax differently, chopped differently, etc.

After several weeks passed, he was frustrated and weary so he asked a burly seasoned lumberjack what he was doing wrong.  The lumberjack observed that he had calluses on his hands, muscles, and was very strong.   He figured the young greenhorn was giving it his all and then asked him when he last sharpened his ax. 

We may be following God with great passion and desire to do everything we think He wants us to do and yet find ourselves spinning our wheels and actuallyfrustrating the grace of God. Galatians 2:20, 21 We can sharpen our spiritual axes by remembering the promises of God. 

We may feel discouraged, but God’s Word is full of promises that sharpen us as we follow Jesus.  GOD IS CALLING US TO FAITH.  Get this, GOD IS CALLING US TO BELIEVE IN HIM AND ALL HE CAN DO THROUGH US!  Remember Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord.” Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  There is an acronym F.R.O.G.  It stands for Fully Rely On God! 

We have a race to run, a good fight of faith to win, and a life to live.  The next time you find yourself frustrated and getting nowhere, stop and examine what’s missing.  Let’s Fully Rely On God and walk this Christian walk by the Faith of the Son of God who loves us more than we could ever imagine! 

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

GOD CALLS US TO OBEDIENCE

“The strength and happiness of a man consists in finding out the way in which God is going, and going that way too.”  Henry Ward Beecher

What good is it to hear God’s voice if we aren’t going to OBEY?  God blesses OBEDIENCE.  God expects obedience with a good attitude.  In Isaiah 1:19 we find that the willing and obedient eat the good of the land.  We must take up our own cross and follow Jesus every day.

If we choose to disobey God, it can directly affect us and our families in a very negative way.  How many times has God spoken to you in His still small voice and rather than obeying what God was telling you to do, you justified your actions?  We may have a seemingly good excuse, but disobedience is disobedience.  When we are disobedient, we are actually in REBELLION and find that we need achange of heart. 1 Samuel 15:1-9 Saul justified what he wanted rather thanobey what God was saying through the prophet Samuel.  His disobedience cost him the throne!

To know and love God incorporates obedience.  We are not servants, we are heirs and his children.  As we grow in Christ, it’s imperative to “listen and obey,” when God speaks to us.  Luke 22:42 Even Jesus prayed, “…not my will, but yours be done.”  Philippians 2:13 One of my prayers is for the Lord to work in me to will and to do of His good pleasure.

When a parent corrects their child and the child continues to wine, beg, and even throw a temper tantrum, then that child is being rebellious and disobedient.  Quick correction can take care of that attitude and God does the same with us. Let’s listen and obey choosing God’s will over ours!

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

GOD CALLS US TO KNOW AND LOVE HIM

Aloha!

The first four chapters were about Hearing God’s Voice.  The second four wereabout the ways God Speaks.  The last four chapters are on the Wonder of God’s voice.  Threaded throughout the book is God desires a close relationship with us. 

What do you do when you hit a road-block in your life and it seems like there’s no answer in sight?  There are different seasons in our lives and the winter seasoncan be quit bleak at times.  We may feel like the heavens are brass.

Mark Batterson pastors a congregation in D.C. came to such a road block in his life.  Needing a place for his growing congregation to meet posed many challenges for him.  He was greatly discouraged and needed breakthrough.  Batterson took 40 days to seek God.  He read a new Bible through cover to cover and prayed. He went from God seeming very distant to where God spoke to himthrough the scriptures.  Through this time, he realized that God doesn’t want us to do things for Him, but wants us to thankfully receive what He’s already done for us.  We can in turn be like a mirror and reflect that love to others.  He was unable to purchase a building, but with the Lord’s help, came up with the idea to use theaters to meet in.  Today many churches also do this. Batterson observes that God doesn’t call us to be religious where we focus on doing things for God.We as Christians receive what Jesus has done and respond by reflecting His love to others.  God desires a close relationship with each of us.

TAKE TIME FOR GOD!  Just a few moments every day can make life-changingdifferences for each of us!  JESUS wants to be our FIRST LOVE.  Step away from everything that’s distracting and pulling at you and spend quality time praying and reading your Bible. SEEK GOD, you will be so thankful you did!  Scriptures:  Titus 3:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, Matthew 6:33, Revelation 2:4

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

GOD WHISPERS

When telling a close friend or loved one something specifically meant for them to hear, you may lean close enough to whisper it to them.  How does God talk to you?  I have found that the Holy Spirit is a gentleman and treats us respectfully as ladies and gentlemen.  Most of the time, God speaks to me in a still small voice that could be considered a “whisper.” 

1 Kings 19:1-18 Elijah had been a powerful prophet, who with God’s help, defeated the pagan prophets.  He now ran for his life in fear of Jezebel.  Elijah’s eyes were on his own inadequacies and on Jezebel.  He was focused on how powerfully wicked she was and he feared for his life.  ~When our focus is on ourselves, others, or overwhelming circumstances, we are fretful and hopeless.  Thank God, He has mercy on us and intervenes in spite of ourselves!~ When Elijah could run no more in his own strength, he fell asleep and awakened to an angel who fed him.  Elijah became hopeful and yet complained to the Lord of his miserable circumstances. ~His eyes still weren’t focused on the Lord.~

God told him to wait for Him to pass by.  I imagine Elijah was desperate andwaited for God with great expectation.  He heard many loud sounds as he waited to hear God’s voice:  there was wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but Godwasn’t in any of these.  He didn’t give up and leave, but stayed and kept listening because he knew God would speak to him.  Then, in the sheer silence, God spoke in a gentle whisper that captured Elijah’s attention.

God let Elijah know that he wasn’t alone and met his needs on many levels:  spiritually, physically, emotionally, and in relationships.  He does the same with us.  God desires a relationship with each of us and cares about every detail in our lives. God speaks to us in a comforting and loving way, in a whisper.  Weneed to be still and expectantly listen for Him.

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

GOD’S PERSONAL TOUCH

“Faith is like radar that sees through the fog the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.”  Corrie Ten Boom

Our hope, strength, and peace come from God.  He personally makes himself real to us especially when we need him most!  Each one of us has our own story to tell.  We can share testimonies of our loving God and his hand in our lives!  The testimonies shared today were heartfelt and inspiring!  God is not superficial, but He is real in every way!

We read a story of J. C. Penney and how he met God in a profound way.  In 1929, he was hospitalized due to being extremely ill.  Penney had given up hope and thought he wouldn’t survive the night so he wrote farewell notes to his family expressing his love for them.  He made it through the night and as he was going to the chapel the next morning, he heard the hymn “God Will Take Care of You.”  He felt the power of God in a very tangible way!  His hope was restored.

There are times when we all feel overwhelmed and are tempted to give up hope.  It’s at those times we discover how close God is and how much He truly cares!God has a way of meeting us right where we are and ministers to us in a very personal way that speaks directly into our situations.  He may use songs, hymns, scriptures, prayers, a sermon, or thoughtful words from a friend.

God has met me at critical times in my life and I’m so very thankful!  Drawclose to God in times of devastation.  Psalms 23:4 He promised to be with us.  The responses we make in those times can directly impact others’ lives.  Acts 7-9Just look at Stephen and the profound life changing impact that was made onSaul’s life!

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

“God’s Colorful Expressions”

We know the sun is shining even when all you see are dark clouds.  Eventually the storm begins to pass and you see the sun’s rays shining through. Even in our darkest hour, God is with us.  He is speaking to us and continually communicating with colorful expressions!   Even when we mess up, He still desires a relationship with us.  God loves us so much that He continually reaches out to us in communicating using colorful expressions.   As we learn to know and recognize His voice, we will realize He was there all the time!

Don’t limit God and put Him in a box!  Look at the many different ways He communicated with those in the Bible!  Our extraordinary God is creative and miraculous!  Genesis 6:13-21 God told Noah to build an ARK even though it had never rained before.  Exodus 3 God spoke to Moses in the form of a BURNING BUSH.  Genesis 37-50 He spoke to Joseph through many DREAMS.  God also gives people VISIONS.  Look at Ezekiel and Daniel in the Old Testament and Paul and John in the New Testament.  Luke 1 He used an ANGEL to announce the birth of Jesus.

God speaks to us in many ways communicating His love for us.  Do you only expect to hear God on Sundays?  That’s a good start, but what about everyday anywhere at any time?  1 Corinthians 2 We read about how God leads and guides us by His Spirit.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  The Holy Spirit reveals God to us like a light bulb being turned on.  1 Corinthians 2:10-12

Hearing from God is essential in knowing what God has for you!  God is faithful and He will speak His word to us and give us understanding by His Spirit!  He’s not limited in any way.  Expect God to reveal Himself to you in colorful ways by His Spirit through His word.

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

“The Ways God Speaks”

Is it important to read the Bible?  Emphatically, “YES!”  It’s imperative to know what God says to be able to understand and discern what He’s saying to us. The Word is a solid foundation and a filter by which we measure everything we hear. One of the ladies said, “it’s vital to me; In Him I live and move and have my being.” Acts 17:28

Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”  Hisword is like a spiritual flashlight that when read and applied shines clearly the way to go.  We find in Isaiah 40:8 “the word of our God endures forever.” Psalm119:11 “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Knowing and having the word deep in our hearts can keep us.

Look at Jesus when he was tempted by satan.  Jesus overcame satan’s temptations and misused scriptures by understanding and knowing the scriptures.   God’s word is truth.  Jesus is the truth.  John 14:6 “Jesus said unto him, I am the way the truth and the life: No one cometh to the Father, but by me.” John 8:32 “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The Bible is God’s love letter to us!  We can personally know the Creator of the Universe!  Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  He is with us always.  He cares about us and desires a closer walk with us than we could even imagine!  When we read the word, He writes it in our hearts and the more we read, the more we understand.

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

“God’s Voice Surprises”

Have you ever been completely surprised?  Sometimes we’re surprised by whatGod says, how he says it, and through whom it is said.  Moses was probably quite surprised when God spoke to him through a burning bush.   He saw his own inadequacies, like a speech impediment and felt inadequate to lead God’s people.   God saw him as a leader who would deliver His people.  I’m glad Moses listened!

When you look at yourself and others, you see the frailness of humanity.  If we’re not careful, we will view God with the same nearsightedness and put limits on Him.  Dare to open your eyes to see yourself not as you are, but as the way God sees, loves, and knows you!   Listen to His voice in every situation in your life and you may be in for a few wonderful surprises!

In review:

The first four chapters were on “Hearing God’s Voice.” 1. Creates 2. Invites 3. Exposes, and 4. Surprises. 

Mark 4:9 “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”  God is speaking, let’slisten!  Welcome God into every room of your heart.  Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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

“God’s Voice Exposes”

Last Tuesday Christy shared a beautiful picture of a yellow tree she photographed for her bonus activity (a portrait of God’s creation) We are given many opportunities to respond to His voice inviting us.

“The relationship between God and a man is more private and intimate than any possible relation between two fellow creatures,” by: C. S. Lewis.

We’ve learned that God’s voice creates, invites, and today we learned that “God’s voice EXPOSES.”  When His voices exposes something in our hearts,God desires to bring us to wholeness in our relationship with Him and others. Quite often God will speak to us and it will be like a light shining in our hearts exposing everything.  It’s important that we listen to Him.

Have you ever watched mystery movies or played mystery games?  They keep you guessing and searching for clues trying to figure out who done it! Following God is the greatest adventure and it can have an element of mystery too.  1 Timothy 3:16 a “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness…” God wants us to “ask, seek, and knock!”  He wants to revealHimself to us.  He also searches our hearts.  Psalms 139:23   “Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and our ears open to hear His voice!  He knows us better than we know ourselves and wants a personal relationship with each of us.

If you have to miss a lesson, you can find it here on this blog.

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