Tag Archives: cindyrooy

Are We Like Ants? – Cindy Rooy

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…God sits high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants. Isaiah 40:22 The Message

The room was overrun by tiny black ants. Along the wall, I observed two long lines where the miniscule insects ran next to each other but in opposite directions. They must not have good eyesight for they kept bumping into each other while traveling along the same path. Some swerved by their obstacle while others got turned around and continued in the direction they just came from. I can never find the beginning or end of those ant lines. Where do they go and what do they do when they get there? Their lives seem so limited; they have no idea that the world is much larger than their environment. Then it occurred to me that God and His heavenly hosts may think the same about humans.

Like ants, we are busy and on the move in different directions. When we encounter others, sometimes we get turned around and take a wrong path. Our busyness and self-centeredness can make us oblivious to anything outside of what we see or experience. Are we aware of the invisible spiritual world all around us or is it “out of sight, out of mind?”

The apostle Paul tells us that life is more than meets the eye. He wrote that everything in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, was created by God. Our temporary world that we daily encounter is microscopic compared to what God has created, which we cannot observe. Do we live our lives mindful of the spiritual world – a world where God clearly reigns and angels serve Him? This invisible world exists and it’s active and attentive to us.

If we ever see a procession of ants around the house, we should be reminded of our place and purpose in God’s immense world, and self-evaluate if our chosen path is headed in the right direction. Then, perhaps, we could call our pest control service.

Seek the spiritual life in Christ.

Cindy Rooy is a columnist in three Tennessee newspapers and has been published in a few devotional books including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. She is the author of Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, a six-week Bible study that is suitable for small groups or individual work. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy enjoys a writing and speaking ministry. Visit her Web site at www.cindyrooy.com.

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T’was the Day Before Christmas – Cindy Rooy

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T’was the day before Christmas and all through the town
People are stirring with both smiles and frowns.
Workers quit early and the traffic is heavy,
Everyone is anticipating and getting ready.

Consumers are still shopping in every open store;
They bought some presents but they still need more.
The radio plays songs about snowmen and cheer,
The TV airs shows about Santa and reindeer.

The stockings are hung, is the tree fake or real?
Decorations are displayed; it’s all a big deal.
The tables are set and the food is prepared,
Parties will soon start and laughs will be shared.

Yet, who is mindful what this time is about?
An angel appeared and then too many to count.
Praising God while bringing great news of joy:
Christ the Lord is sent as a baby boy.

Now that’s reason to celebrate and make a big fuss,
The Messiah was born and His name is Jesus.
For God loved the world and gave His dear Son.
Believe, salvation is ours; have faith for He has won!

The holiday busyness will eventually cease;
However, Jesus’ birth brought us lasting peace.
So honor our hero when the season is here,
Glorify Jesus! Remember, His return is near.

Cindy Rooy is a columnist in three Tennessee newspapers and has been published in a few devotional books including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. She is the author of Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, a six-week Bible study that is suitable for small groups or individual work. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy enjoys a writing and speaking ministry. Visit her Web site at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Trusting God Through Troubles and Tears
By Cindy Rooy

Divorce, unemployment, accidents, cancer, addictions, war, disabilities, loneliness…why do we have so many heartaches and problems? Why does God allow bad things to happen to His children?

In Trusting God Through Troubles & Tears, author Cindy Rooy guides us on an inspiring journey exploring three of God’s attributes to prove His trustworthiness. She presents ways to develop one’s faith in God and reveals the benefits of trusting Him. This practical study features nine biblical reasons why God allows pain and adversity in our lives.

The book’s relevant topic is applicable for men and women, teens to seniors, and designed for individual study and small groups. Each of the six chapters contains five encouraging lessons plus group discussion questions. Written in conversational style, the lessons include personal stories, questions, activities, Bible reading, prayer suggestions, and space for journaling. This six-week workbook is ideal for short-term and summertime Bible studies.

Publisher: Cross Books
ISBN 13: 978-1615070701

Wise Men Still Worship Jesus – Cindy Rooy

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The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20 NIV

Do you wish your friends and acquaintances a “Merry Christmas” or “Happy holidays?” An increasing amount of retailers have been instructing their employees not to say “Merry Christmas” to the customers. Christianity so intimidates some people that they strive to eliminate anything linked to Jesus Christ, including the word Christmas. Now, even the decorations associated with Christmas are being called “holiday trees” and “holiday décor,” and people attend “holiday parties.”

Have you noticed, with each passing year, the increased opposition to Christianity? Secularism has taken residence in many people’s hearts. Christmas Day has evolved into a season that involves many festivities without spiritual relevance. Stores play their non-religious seasonal songs months in advance, and “Black Friday” (Christmas) sales begin before Thanksgiving. Santa Clauses are portrayed everywhere. Commercialism and worldliness are crowding out the religious observance of this special day.

Satan probably laughs as many people today try to be politically correct and avoid saying anything religious on a religious holiday. He schemes to undermine the significance of Jesus Christ being born of a virgin and the Holy Spirit. He diverts people’s attention away from the truth of Jesus being the promised Messiah. The angel of the Lord told Joseph to name Mary’s baby “Jesus” because He would save His people from their sins. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, came to earth for a purpose.

What is your focus as you observe Christmas? Do you teach your little ones that Jesus is the giver of good gifts or that Santa Claus is? This season, let’s acknowledge and celebrate the biblical facts of Christmas. God’s angels visibly and audibly proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ birth. Shepherds visited Jesus and spread the word while glorifying and praising God. Wise men searched for and found Jesus, bowed down and worshiped Him, and presented gifts to Him.

Let’s remember to honor the birth and life of Jesus Christ through our celebrative gatherings, gifts, songs, praise and worship. May your Christ-filled Christmas be joyful!

Cindy Rooy is a columnist in three Tennessee newspapers and has been published in a few devotional books including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. She is the author of Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, a six-week Bible study that is suitable for small groups or individual work. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy enjoys a writing and speaking ministry. Visit her Web site at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Do You Exaggerate? by Cindy Rooy

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You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14 NIV

It is humorous to hear children or fishermen embellish their stories with exaggerations. When I was young, my dad used to correct me in his own humorous way by saying, “I told you a million times, don’t exaggerate!” Unfortunately, exaggerations distort the truth and can lead to problems. This happened with the spies that Moses sent into Canaan. Ten of the twelve scouts reported the impossibility of Israel defeating the giants living there. They claimed Israel was grasshopper-sized compared to the Canaanites. The other two spies – Joshua and Caleb – magnified God instead of the crisis. They argued that the Lord would give Israel the victory and remembered how He had helped them in the past. God rewarded Joshua and Caleb’s faith; they were the only scouts who entered the Promised Land.

How often do we magnify our problems and minimize God’s power? Do we focus on the adversity instead of the One who can help us? We sometimes view our troubles with an attitude of defeat – a result of our limited perception. When we dwell on our difficulties, we become depressed or absorbed in self-pity, and our minds exaggerate the situation into hopelessness. This occurs because we forget how big our God is. We fail to remember that God does the impossible.

Believers who trust in God’s supreme power are not easily overwhelmed. They acknowledge God is in control over every situation. He created our bodies so He can heal them. He knows our innermost thoughts and can give insight or guidance. He is aware of our physical and spiritual needs and can fill them. When a problem is compared to God, let’s remember that God is always bigger!

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember that Your power can overcome any problem, Amen.

Cindy Rooy is a columnist in two Tennessee newspapers and has been published in a few devotional books including Faith & FINANCES. She is the author of Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, a six-week Bible study that is suitable for small groups or individual work. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy enjoys a writing and speaking ministry. Visit her Web site at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Unemployed Again – Cindy Rooy

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Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV

Here we go again. Although it is nice to have the summer off, I prefer my husband to be employed. I used to worry about running out of money, but not anymore. We’ve had remarkable experiences in seeing God provide for us. This is our fifth occurrence of unemployment with no idea where the next job will be. And God has been faithful to us every time.

Many years ago, we read in the Bible that God wants us to tithe and to trust that He will take care of our needs. He even told us to test Him – so we did. The result was a confirmation that our Lord is completely trustworthy. When we tithe faithfully, give cheerfully to special causes (offerings), and believe that God is in control, we will be amazed how He comes through for us when the circumstances are unfavorable. In every time of unemployment, God provided enough money to pay our bills and gave us another job before we had to withdraw from our meager savings.

Remembering how God has taken care of us in the past encourages us to depend on Him in our present. I have learned that money doesn’t buy happiness and that you cannot out-give God. Our Lord is the giver of all good gifts, even joy and peace during difficult situations.

While we hope for local work, we’re also looking nationally. Once again, I fear moving away from our church, home, and friends. Whatever God has planned for our lives, I trust Him to supply all of our needs and continue to provide for us financially…just like He has in our past. I’ve wondered why we seem to be in this position so often. Perhaps the Lord is giving us yet another opportunity to witness about His power and provision.

Do you trust God with your monetary and material needs? How has He demonstrated His faithfulness in your life?

Cindy Rooy is the author of a six-week Bible study, Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, and a contributing author in several devotional books, including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy is a religion columnist for three newspapers and an inspirational speaker. For more information, visit Cindy’s website at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Hot Tea – Cindy Rooy

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But David found strength in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel30:6 NIV

I enjoy solving the newspaper’s puzzles. One day’s cryptoquote answer was an anonymous saying: “Take a lesson from tea: its real strength comes out when it gets into hot water.” When was the last time the strength of your faith was tested? If your strength is compared to tea, how flavorful would your cup be?

Like tea’s flavor, our strength emerges when we’re in hot water. The hotter the water and the longer the tea remains in it, the stronger the flavor becomes. Stressful situations require strength. How quickly does our teabag split open and we fall apart? Do we pretend we’re strong or do we have that inner strength which comes from the Lord? The more trials we go through, the more our strength is tested and proved. Some families seem to have so many adversities in their lives, you wonder how they persevere. When asked, they all have the same answer – God, who gives them the strength to get through each and every difficulty, day by day.

David and his men returned to find their temporary home burned and their families taken captive. They wept till they had no strength left. To add to David’s misery, his men talked about stoning him. But David found strength in his God. After turning to the Lord, David received not only strength, but direction, followed by a victory in battle. David recovered every person and possession, and acquired more. Whenever life devastates us, do we turn to the One who can strengthen us and change our circumstances?

Through trials, one’s inner strength and faith is observed by others like a tea’s color that permeates the water. Are you perceived as a witness or a whiner? Do you persevere with prayer or pity yourself? Do you gain confidence in God with every situation He helps you through?

Let’s continually pray for the Lord to strengthen us when we experience difficulties and as we serve Him. May our cup of tea always be rich in flavor.

Cindy Rooy is the author of a six-week Bible study, Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, and a contributing author in several devotional books, including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy is a religion columnist for three newspapers and an inspirational speaker. For more information visit Cindy’s website at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Channeled Tithing – Cindy Rooy

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“… and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Genesis 28:22

Does God ever have fun? Does He enjoy surprising His children with gifts?

Watching sports and movies helps my husband and I unwind and often provides our entertainment. We acquired a tiny, hand-me-down, black and white TV when we were married. We appreciated having that set, but longed for a new 25” color console television. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford one.

As we debated using our tithing money, Jim resolved to remain faithful in giving the church 10% of our paychecks. He kept praying for ways to make additional money and eventually an opportunity presented itself at work. The executives’ cars were being auctioned off. If Jim could get one particular car, he would do some body work and resell it at a profit. He submitted his bid and was notified the next day that he won.

Hours later, an executive informed Jim that the car used to be his and he wanted to keep it. The man was out of town and missed the bidding, but offered Jim $200 for the right to purchase the car in his place.

After thinking about it, Jim declined the offer. We needed more than double that amount to pay for our TV. Surprised, the executive asked why we rejected his proposal and Jim revealed our plans for the kind of television we desired.

“Let me get this straight. You don’t even want this car but are buying it to make a profit in order to purchase a TV?”

“Yep,” responded my husband.

“Would you please follow me to my office? I have something you’ll be interested in.” Jim accompanied the man to the top floor and watched him remove from his desk drawer a portfolio of color console TVs. Giving it to Jim he said, “If you let me buy that car with your bid, you can have your choice of one of these televisions. All you have to do is come to the warehouse to pick it up.” His brother was a Zenith dealer.

We loved our new TV and learned that the principle of giving to God found in Malachi is still true today. God not only blesses those who trust and obey Him, He is creative in surprising us.

I doubt God watches television but He does channel His gifts to us when we are faithful. How has God gifted you for tithing?

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Cindy Rooy is the author of a six-week Bible study, Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, and a contributing author in several devotional books, including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy is a religion columnist for three newspapers and an inspirational speaker. For more information visit Cindy’s website at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Remember When…. Cindy Rooy

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“I will proclaim what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:17

50 First Dates is a movie in which Drew Barrymore plays a girl who, after an accident, lives with amnesia. Every morning she believes it’s her father’s birthday. To help her move on and catch up to the present day, her eventual husband videotaped important events in her life while she wrote in a journal.

As my memory gradually fades, I become more optimistic about this idea of journaling. Recently, I was challenged to write down all the times the Lord has intervened in my life – including answers to prayers or help that was unmistakably from Him. I spent days recollecting my past and God’s involvement in my life. Stunned by my spiritual amnesia, I realized how much I had forgotten. I was no better than the Israelites who failed to remember that the Lord parted the Red Sea for them.

I questioned myself with: What events in my life had to be more than a coincidence? What accidents did I narrowly escape? When did God answer my prayer? As I reviewed my growing list and realized how God has been active throughout my life, I felt awed and humbled.

Have you written your list? If your memory is as bad as mine, ask God to help you recall all of His interventions. By keeping the list handy, events can be added when they are remembered and as they occur.

However, God wants us to do more than remember. He wants us to share our stories with other people. When we are alert for occasions to testify, it is amazing how often the opportunity presents itself. Talking about the Lord’s help, healing, and peace remind us how loving and powerful He is. It encourages others and glorifies God when we make known what He has done for us. That’s why God will help us remember His activity in our lives. It also makes us more mindful of and thankful for our blessings. As the song lyrics suggest, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done.”

So what has God done for you lately?

Cindy Rooy is the author of a six-week Bible study, Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, and a contributing author in several devotional books, including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy is a religion columnist for three newspapers and an inspirational speaker. For more information visit Cindy’s website at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions

Inner Rage — Cindy Rooy

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“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”
Romans 7:15

Just the mention of my media company’s name triggers hostility in me. Spending a hefty monthly fee for telephone, internet and TV service and having all 3 inoperable not only frustrates me but angers me. I mean dead, nothing, zilch for 10 days with a no-show technician. The many pleas for technical service are useless. At first I felt helpless, but that feeling transformed into exasperation. Rage and vengeance unexpectedly surfaced. I thought the Holy Spirit would have prevented those harmful feelings from emerging; I’m supposed to be controlled by the Spirit, not by my sinful nature. Perhaps the Spirit within us is ready to be called on, not taken for granted.

I hate how my negative emotions affect me physically. My body was on fire, my heart raced, tears formed, and I couldn’t sleep which allowed me to contemplate as I stewed. Why didn’t I have better self-control? Where were my love, joy, peace, and patience?

I realize I should have immediately released my anxiety to God in prayer. I forgot about Philippians 4:6-7. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Why didn’t it occur to me to pray and ask God for help before the problem escalated?

It is ironic that I’ve just written a Bible study about trusting God through troubles and tears. I am being tested and need to practice what I preach! Therefore, while praying for peace and a quick return of those services, I will trust God who allowed this predicament for a reason.

I’m grateful that our “light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out-weighs them all.” This trouble does not seem light or momentary, but it will be nothing compared to what Jesus has waiting for me. In the meantime, I am still a work in progress.

Cindy Rooy is the author of a six-week Bible study, Trusting God Through Trouble & Tears, and a contributing author in several devotional books, including Faith & FINANCES and The Upper Room. A wife and mother of three grown children, Cindy is a religion columnist for three newspapers and an inspirational speaker. For more information visit Cindy’s website at www.cindyrooy.com. Read Cindy’s devotions