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

DRY BONES COME ALIVE!

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

As I look at our once blessed Nation who trusted in God, it now looks like a bunch of dry bones that desperately needs to come alive!

Lauren Daigle sings the song, “Come Alive (Dry Bones),” with the same conviction that I feel to the depths of my soul. She reminds me of how we were on fire for Jesus in the early 70’s “Jesus People, days.”  

Many are cynical whose hearts have become cold.  Don’t become disheartened at the state of our country or discouraged when so much of the world has crept into our churches.

Repentance! Restoration! Revival!

Revival begins with you!  Repent and be restored.  Revival will follow.

Put Jesus back on the throne of your hearts and lives in every area.  Who is Lord of your life?  Who do you serve?  Do you live your life merely going through the motions of religiously going to church because you’re supposed to?  Or are you passionately seeking the Lord and following after Him with your whole heart?  We should be so on fire for God that our lives directly affect the church and our community.  It’s imperative for us to have a right relationship with the Lord!

I’ve known the Lord since I was 14 and the passion in my heart for Him burns just as brightly today as it did when I was newly born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. 

To the church I say, “Wake up!”  To the dry bones I say, “Come alive!” 

Ezekiel 37:4 (NIV) “Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!  This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones:  I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.  I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life.  Then you will know that I am the Lord.”’  Read the whole chapter.

Revelation 3:3 (NIV) “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.  I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up!  Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent.  But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Read the whole chapter.

Joshua 24:15 (NIV) “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

PICTURE: Waimea Canyon Waterfall, Kauai

SONG: Lauren Daigle- Come Alive (Dry Bones)- Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jLj8QMkNsI

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

READY OR NOT HERE I COME

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Jesus is coming back!  Are you ready?  Is your lamp full of oil and shining brightly?

When we read the parable of the ten virgins, we find that five were ready and five were not.

Jesus tells us to be ready because we don’t know when he’s coming. 

Live like Jesus is coming back at any time!    

Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV) “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.  At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!’  Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’  “’No,” they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.  Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’  “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.  “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’  “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

PICTURE: Kauai

SONG: The More I Seek You – Gateway Worship, Kari Jobe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qPyZt5VSJo

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

JOY COMES

By Cindy Bice

Aloha!

I’m aware of so many precious people who are hurting from broken hearts, devastation, and loss.   My heart aches for you in your pain and suffering.  You may not be able see it now, but know that eventually joy comes.

Real life is not always wonderful and fun.  It can be devastating and the answers you seek may be tragic and bleak.  What do you do when there’s no hope in sight and the hurt and pain won’t go away?

Turn to Jesus.  He understands more than you know and He is with you through the storms of life.  It may be more than you can bare right now.  The Lord will help you to put one foot in front of the other as you go through the grief process.  God loves you and is with you every step of the way.

If you find yourself in the eye of the storm that’s raging in your life today, hold fast to the anchor of your soul, Jesus Christ.  He knows every tear you’ve cried and is close to those who are brokenhearted.  Let the Lord comfort you with the Holy Spirit.

Tomorrow will come and it will be a new day.  God’s never ending mercy and grace are right there waiting to see you through another day.

Eventually, you will feel the joy of the Lord in your heart.  His joy will be your strength.  Yes, you will grieve the loss of your loved ones.  You will miss them because they were a part of you.

Know that joy comes even in the midst of your pain.

How do you live through such pain and suffering?  One day at a time. One step at a time. Allow yourself time to grieve.  Draw near to the Lord.  Eventually, “Joy Comes.”

Good Grief: 50^th Anniversary Edition by Granger E. Westberg  https://www.amazon.com/Good-Grief-Anniversary-Granger-Westberg/dp/0800697812

Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

Psalm 56:8 (NKJV) “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?”

Psalm 34:18 (NIV) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Isaiah 53:3 (NLT) “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”

Psalm 139:10 (NKJV) “Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

PICTURE: Kauai Coffee Plantation

SONG: Ryan Stevenson – Eye of the Storm (Feat. GabeReal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYy1f6VjDHU

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

CLEAN HEART

By Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Our heart is vital to our lives and is so very important the Lord instructs us to guard it above all else!

The heart can be strong, fragile, and even deceitful.  How do you inspect it? How do you make it clean? How do we keep it strong and protect it?

Listen to yourself talk and what you’re saying.  The words coming out of your mouth are good indicators of how your heart is doing.

There are a lot of folks with hurting hearts and you will be aware of it when you pay attention to what they’re saying.  Don’t be critical of others.  Love them where they’re at.  We all need the hope that is found in Jesus!  Pointing the finger at others is an indicator of where your heart is.

Are your words full of fear, doubt, and unbelief?  Do you find yourself complaining, speaking unkind, mean, hurtful, critical, demeaning, and judgmental words? It’s time to have your heart cleaned and renewed.

Repent and ask the Lord to create a clean heart in you.  Be prepared to see the ugly parts you didn’t realize were there when He gets the Holy Ghost flashlight shining into every aspect of your heart.  It’s a good thing.  Get rid of the fear that has gripped you for years and be filled with faith in Jesus as the way maker in your life.

One way to make your heart strong is by reading the Bible. We live what we believe.  If you want to live as a true believer of Jesus, you need to know what’s in the Book!  You will discover powerful scriptures that will encourage your heart when at its lowest.  How can you stand when you don’t have the word to stand on?  Put it in your heart.  God will bring it back to your remembrance when you need it.

What you think about and listen to will eventually get into your heart and take root if you don’t guard against it.  Think “Happy thoughts!”  Meditate on the word of God!  Let Jesus fill your heart with peace.

How often do you repent and inspect your heart?  As often as it takes. Daily choose Jesus!  You can have a clean heart today!

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  who can know it?”

Psalm 51:10 (KJV) “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Matthew 5:8 (NIV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Luke 6:45 (NIV) “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Psalm 19:14 (NKJV) “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

PICTURE: Kauai Light House

SONG: Keith Green – Create in Me a Clean Heart  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv16YUTCp9U

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

HAPPY THOUGHTS

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Happy thoughts anyone? Sometimes all you need to do is change your perspective to see the silver lining in the dark clouds.  I hope you have “Happy Thoughts” today and from now on!

I’ve made a mental habit of “looking at the brighter side of life.”  Keeping an optimistic attitude is something everyone can do no matter what you are going through.  You face life square in the face having a God perspective.  You can train yourself by making a mental adjustment every time you are faced with overwhelming odds.

Colonel Chesty Puller encouraged his men during the Korean Conflict when told they were surrounded he said, “That simplifies things.” My husband had met the radio man who said that after they noticed they were surrounded, he got on the radio and said, “Retreat.”  Chesty Puller grabbed him by the front of the shirt and said, “We never retreat.  We are going to advance to the rear.”

Remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness in your life and answered prayers.   God is great and mighty!  Resilience comes from having a living faith in the almighty God and trusting in Jesus with your whole heart.  For the Christian, you will face death one day, but then there’s eternal life.

It can rain on your parade, but are you going to cry or are you going to dance?  You may cry at first, and then you might as well go ahead and dance.

What do you think about?  We all have thoughts everyday all day long.  If you don’t have happy thoughts, you may need to readjust what you are thinking about and change your perspective.

Ask the Lord what you need to change to have happy thoughts.

Take time this week to purposely examine your attitude and decide to think happy thoughts.

Have a great day every day!  “Happy thoughts everyone!”

Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

SONG: Great Are You Lord, Casting Crown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJLi94JztEg

PICTURE: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

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 KIND

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

A little bit of kindness goes a long way.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

You can have a horrible day and a small kindness can put a smile on your face and let you know there’s still hope for mankind.

Before you rush through your busy day, remind yourself to be kind.  You never know what others are facing and when you purposefully show kindness, you are bringing hope and light to those around you.  This is a powerful, yet simple way, to be the Lord’s hand extended to others.

Be kind to your family, friends, co-workers, church members, and strangers.  Watch their expressions change when you are genuinely kind.

My mama always told me to be sweet. Even though she’s been gone since I was 36, I still remind myself to be sweet.

It feels good to hold a door open for an elderly person or express your appreciation to a sales person.  We all have experienced ugly people who snap, push, and who just aren’t nice.  My flesh cringes and I have to choose how I’m going to react.  You are the boss of your emotions and actions.  You may need to pause and take a breath and then be kind.  Choose the higher road.  It will be beneficial to you and those you are being kind to.

One of the traits I found very desirable in my husband when we were dating was his kindness.  He’s kind and thoughtful to everyone!  His Grandmother shared this scripture with him and it sure worked for me!

Proverbs 19:21 (TLB) “Kindness makes a man attractive.  And it is better to be poor than dishonest.”

Being kind is like sharing a gift without expectations.  Go ahead and make someone’s day by being kind.

SONG: From The Inside Out – Seventh Day Slumberhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCOu0HY0omg

PICTURE: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

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

CRY UNCLE

by Cindy Bice

Aloha!

Do you remember, as a child, playing a game called, “Cry Uncle?” When playing the game, an older sibling may have tickled or tortured you until you would feel helpless and the only way for it to stop was to “cry uncle.”

Recently, while working on an outdoor paint project, I was so challenged, I thought of naming this Devotion, “Cry Uncle!”

Real life can seem to crush us so much that we want to “Cry Uncle,” to make it stop.  Life is not a game and we can’t make it stop so what do you do?

Every situation is different.  I’m speaking to those who have prayed and believed God, but the heavens seem like brass and their situations haven’t changed.

The one thing that brought me peace when my mom died was that God is sovereign.  Our days are numbered and when it’s our time to go, the Lord calls us home.

The Lord is with you.  Although we want to rebuke every storm, sometimes they don’t go away. God knows all that you are facing. The Holy Spirit is our comforter. Jesus is our Hope.

Jesus was probably feeling pretty destitute when Peter denied Him, Judas sold him, and He had to bare the cross he was crucified on.

Matthew 6:9-3 (KJV) “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.”

When God doesn’t answer the way you want Him to, rather than pull away, draw close to Him.  He cares for you more than you could ever imagine.

SONG: Oceans (where Feet May Fail) – Hillsong United https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJJJkiRukY

PICTURE:  Waimea Canyon, Kauai with rooster and waterfall

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

RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

by Cindy Bice

Picture the cross.  Our relationship with the Lord (the vertical line) directly affects our relationship with any and everybody else (the horizontal line).

It’s a wonderful blessing to know the creator of the universe personally!  From the beginning of time, God desired relationship with us!  With the fall of Adam and Eve, we all are born into sin.  None of us are worthy.  Our best is as filthy rags.

Thankfully, God saw beyond our sinful nature and never gave up on us!  He sent Jesus to make a way for us to be restored and to be in right relationship with Him.  When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, having repented of your sins, the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all unrighteousness and it’s at that moment you are reborn.

It’s a privilege to be a Christian!  We also must be responsible in our walk with God!  I encourage you to put your hand in the hand of the Lord, your Creator.  You’re not alone in this crazy world.  You have a friend in Jesus.  He will never leave or forsake you!  He is with you in the good times and in the bad.

We are created with a void that only Jesus can fill.  When your heart is right with the Lord, and Jesus fills that void, then you will truly be satisfied and content.  No one else can fill or satisfy that empty place in your heart. Only Jesus will satisfy and complete us.

When I was a little girl, my mom would hold my hand when we would cross the street and at other times.  As I grew up, I didn’t have to hold her hand, but still enjoyed walking with her and our relationship grew into adulthood.  She was my confidant.

The Lord is the Good Shepherd and would leave the 99 for one lost sheep.  Turn to Jesus now and let Him fill your heart with His perfect peace.  His arms are open wide and He’s waiting for you to turn to Him.  Simply repent of your sins and receive His forgiveness.  Welcome to the family!

1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

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.”

Isaiah 64:6 (NLT) “We are all infected and impure with sin.  When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.  Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.”

Romans 3:25-26 (NIV) “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith.  He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”

SONG: Tell your heart to beat again (Lyrics) by: Danny Gokey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F77v41jbOYs

PICTURE:  Kilauea Light House on Kauai

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