Show Notes: [00:00] Remember when we went to, um, to get our certificate of ordination in Houston, we went together to do that. There's this, this was spoken and this I think is on my ordination papers. That is to, if not, it was spoken over us and Isaiah 61:1-4. 
     When Jesus got up to start his ministry in the synagogue, it may have been in maybe Matthew or I don't think Mark showed this, but they, the people's voice speaks with such authority. But He got up and He said, I've got to read this. I love it.  
     "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
     Show Notes: [01:31] Hallelujah. That we might be called trees of righteousness. The planting of our Lord, though he might be glorified, so everything that he's saying that God is doing is doing through him. We have that too, that we might glorify the Lord in everything that we do and what I just read. I'm telling you, I used to say when, when I spoke a lot back in my younger days, I would say if we don't have that in the church, then we have nothing because that is what we base our walk on those things in Isaiah 61, that's how Jesus started his ministry in the synagogue. Of course they didn't receive him. You think they're going gonna receive you? Probably not. They'll think you're crazy. You've gone off the deep end and we're just doing what the Lord says, what Jesus said. Oh my goodness. 
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Visit our website: www.realtalkwithjoanieandcindy.com, JoanieBuchanan.org and CindyHyde.com
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Or click this link anchor.fm/realtalkjoanieandcindy to listen to this short podcast.

You Could Be The One by Cindy Hyde

Jesus said, "I give you all power and all authority over all the power that the enemy has." (Luke 10:9). You have both power and authority as believers. That's what we are supposed to walk in - His power and I thought, well, we're supposed to walk in His power but do we? We have the ability to walk in it if we would just step out in faith and do it. There's a sick and dying world out there and you can be the one who is the hands and the feet of Jesus.

You can be the one that lays hands on people and see them be healed. I love the end of Mark 16, verses 15-21. Jesus was talking to His disciples and right before He ascends, He was giving them the last instructions that he wanted them to have before He left them. And what does he tell them?

"These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; ...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 17-18 WEB

All believers, signs, and wonders will follow all those who believe, they will speak with new tongues, they will cast out devils. They will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. That's our legacy! It's our job description! It is our mandate! Go Preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, deliver the captives, set the captives free, heal the brokenhearted. So, in doing that, when you first step out into obedience, you start trying to do those things and the Lord will work with you just like He did His disciples.

I know Joanie has shared about an evangelistic spirit that came upon her when she was young. I didn't have that. I was more the shy one. But through the power of the Gospel, and Joanie just shared it with you: Christ, born of a virgin, died on a cross, lived a holy life. The son of God. He was crucified and resurrected. By His stripes, we are healed. The stripes that He bore upon His back were for our healing. And I love the fact that by His blood, the blood of Jesus, we can be set free and healed from everything. He's not just a Healer, He is healing.

If you're listening to our programs and you would like to support Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy Media Ministry, you can give through paypal.me/healingcenter. Your donations are tax deductible and very much appreciated.
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Joanie and I enjoy bringing motivational and inspirational programming to you. If you'd like to hear more programs you can listen to our podcasts on iTunes, Google Play, Anchor, Spotify, iHeartRadio, BlogTalkRadio… and our website www.realtalkwithjoanieandcindy.com.

​What is a legacy? 

Have you thought much about a legacy? About the legacy you are leaving your loved ones? What legacy would you like to leave for them? If you want to leave a legacy leave a godly one.
 
“A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children’s children.” (Proverbs 13:22 AMP)
 
A legacy is an inheritance, not so much financial in this blog and podcast but a spiritual legacy of love, respect, morality, and goodness. A legacy is the story of your life. The daily living writes the story of your legacy. 
 
Brian Dodd has a great explanation. “A legacy is not a resume or list of accomplishments. A legacy is the imprint you leave on the future. As a result, we all have a legacy. And we will leave our legacy either by default or design."
​
How to leave a godly legacy
 
According to the Word of God you can leave a godly legacy by adhering to this Scripture. The Lord gives us instructions for living. It is no different when it comes to leaving a legacy. 
 
And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NLT)
 
Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 12:28 ESV)
 
We will not keep them from our children; we will tell the next generation about the Lord‘s power and his great deeds and the wonderful things he has done. (Psalms 78:4 GNB) One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4 ESV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV) And when you fight the good fight, finish the race and have kept the faith you have assured a godly legacy for those you leave behind.

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Thank you for listening to today's episode of Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy. This faith-based podcast has been brought to you by their sponsor the East Texas Healing Center. Connect with Joanie and Cindy at realtalkwithjoanieandcindy.com. Sign up for their inspiring newsletter to receive a free eBook, access free materials, great resources, and the show note highlights of today's episode. Love this episode? Head on over to iTunes, iHeartRadio or Google play to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. You can listen on the go! Until next time, be blessed!
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Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an inspirational and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde.  Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, coaches, counselors, media personalities, ministers, and motivational speakers who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today to Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center. 
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Listen to our podcast about Deborah.

10 Characteristics of a Godly Leader

Deborah displayed the characteristics of a Godly leader in every area of her life. Here are 10 of those characteristics. We can learn to develop these characteristics in our own lives. 

1. Deborah had an intimate relationship with God.
2. She was faithful to serve God and His people.
3. She was obedient to do God's will instead of her own.
4. She walked in wisdom and always sought direction and guidance from God.
5. She was a gifted administrator.
6. She was an anointed mediator.
7. She was a warrior.
8. She made herself available for God's purposes and His plans.
9. She brought success to battle as she moved in God's timing.
10. She was humble, grateful, and thankful.​

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Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an inspirational and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde.  Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, coaches, counselors, media personalities, ministers, and motivational speakers who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today to Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center. 
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 #CindyHyde #RealTalkwithJoanieandCindy  #JoanieBuchanan#Deborah #JudgeofIsrael #WomenoftheBible #Prophetess 

Show Note Highlights from our interview with "Brain Trainer" Donesa Walker from LearningRx.

Joanie: 01:35 How did you get started in this? 
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Donesa: 01:47 Well, right now I  Learning Rx and we do brain training. So what we do is work on changing lives one person at a time by training brains. And that's kind of unique whenever they say, "What do you do for a living?" I say, "I'm a brain trainer."

Donesa: 02:12 Brain training is a lot of what we do to help people realize their full potential. Um, people who have struggled for a long time with learning differences and memory, focus attention, um, you know, dyslexia, reading issues, math issues, ADD, any of those types of things as well as older adults, who struggle with maybe memory issues, you know, as we age, those things happen to us. 

Donesa: 03:53 Scripture tells us this, that we practice something when we work it out, when we sharpen it up, that is going to get better and this is true in our lives and memory is just like that. Memory has to be works and if we've gotten a little bit lazy and reliant on technology, then that happens. For example, when there weren't cell phones around and people had to memorize telephone numbers and so you did, you memorize telephone numbers to call people, but now, we don't have to. We just put them into our cell phones and so we've gotten a little bit reliant on technology and while there's been benefits from the technology. There's also the deficiencies that occur because we have let that take some of the load and that load is necessary for our brain to work our memory out. 

Donesa: 05:40 Well, one of the things that I'm reflecting on this type of a thing that affects our brains because Scripture is very clear on what it expects us to do. It tells us that we should find that attitude, to count our blessings, to make sure that we actually measure those things that have happened in our past and weigh them. So over and over throughout Scripture, it tells us about our attitude and it talks to us about having a attitude of thankfulness, to be content with what we have, and so over and over those messages are there, but understanding that there's science that backs up the Scripture or Scripture that backs up the science, however you want it to go. 

Donesa: 06:30 The facts are there. That brain actually grows dendrites. It actually becomes stronger and better from you having an attitude of gratitude. So when you're thankful you actually breed thankfulness. So your attitude actually changes from that. And in some recent studies, they actually looked at how the brain changed and what the effect was on the body. It reduced stress. It lowered blood pressure and these are big factors for people. It actually helps in overall health and reducing anxiety. These are all studies that they have done and they've seen that having that attitude of gratitude and being very thankful for your blessings actually made people rewardable.
 
In other words, when you felt thankful about something, you were more likely to be kind and when we have an era of incivility that we have right now where so many people are ugly and unkind to each other then it is a way of changing our culture just by starting with that small step of being thankful. 

Donesa: 08:03 It's so important that we train our children to be thankful when they are very, very young. Train them not only to say thank you, but to write thank you notes. Take the time. Taking the time to say thank you in writing is a big deal because it actually encodes that to the brain. When you're writing, that's a mechanism that actually encodes to your brain. And so it's really important that parents start instilling that at a young age. We get too busy and we think, oh, I'm just going to shoot off a quick text, or I'm a send a quick email and we forget that gratefulness can actually be bred in our children by just doing the exact act that they need to do of writing a thank you note. Very simple.

Donesa: 09:28 So when we talk about that attitude of gratitude, when we talk about sharing our thankfulness, then our brain actually becomes healthier and it reflects into our body. And that's what we were saying. So some of the things that we want people to understand, it's not only writing the thank you notes, but taking the time to be forethoughtful. In other words, thinking about it before the thoughtfulness act, before you do it, and as we come into this season of Thanksgiving and Christmas, the season of giving, it's a good time for us to start thinking about thoughtfulness and being very forethoughtful of that. So making sure that we plan for thoughtfulness. And that's a skill that many people don't have is to plan in advance for thoughtfulness. 

Donesa: 10:27 So I am going to give a gift. What? How is this gift going to be perceived? What is this gift? You know? What is the message that I'm sending with this gift? A lot of times we run about just grabbing something to get it, just to say we did it and step doing, taking the time and this is more powerful than you realize in the brain and it can be very, very special to a person and mean a lot of things because you did take the time to think about the gifts that you were giving. 

Donesa: 11:43 Right. And if you make it a plan of thoughtfulness, so you just sit on it and it only takes a little bit. But if you sit down and you actually plan one small thing you can do with thoughtfulness each day or kindness each day for someone. Or if you make a plan of, I'm going to think about so and so's gift for Christmas on this day and what I'm going to get for them and I'm going to plan for that rather than I'm just going to grab something to throw in a box to say I got something. Then you can have a big difference and see what happens in this time, you see this happening a lot is people run out and get give gift cards. I don't know what to get them. I don't know what I'm just going to give them this. Not that you know a gift card is not valuable because it is and not that it isn't appreciated because very often it is appreciated. 

Donesa: 12:34 But on the flip side, a thoughtful gift can come with a thoughtful word and those words are very powerful. Scripture tells us that Word was powerful and in fact the Word was the Word was very powerful and so for us to understand how important it is for us physically and in our body to know that you can make your physical body healthier by being thankful and thoughtful in advance, and this is fruit of the spirit. These are fruits of the Spirit. You're actually embodying those fruits of the spirit into your life. So how do you grow fruit? You grow fruit from a seed and that seed has to reap and so in order to grow it, you have to plan it and that means you have to plan in advance and put it in and you have to water it and you have to, you know, all of those things and God does this into our life. He gives us these gifts, these talents, these abilities, and we have to use them and a spirit of thankfulness and kindness to others so that we can ultimately grow those fruits into our lives. 

Donesa: 14:42 Donesa: 03:06 The phone number you can call is 318-797-8523. Or you can go online to www.LearningRx.com/Shrevesport and you can see my bio there and see what we do everyday there and I'd be more than happy to interact with anyone. The email is Shrevesport.LALearningRx.net. 

Donesa: 16:19 And so, um, you know, attention issues, again, being deliberate about how you go about addressing those issues is, is the key. So if you're going to address any issue that you have learning issues first, you need to know what that root cause is and that's one of the things we do with our testing as we look at that root cause and being able to establish what that root cause is and know why that's happening is, is a huge benefit to anyone knowing that you can do that.

Donesa: 16:51 And we, we actually have opportunity now for that. If anyone is interested in testing and finding out what your skills are. Um, we actually do have a grant from the Gibson Research Institute right now and that gives some research institute allows us to bless people with, um, testing to find out what their skillset is. And so if anyone is interested in that again, just email me and I will send you a link or go to our facebook page and post on the facebook page or send us a message that you would like to take advantage of that. And we can definitely make that available to you because it is important that you understand what is causing those weak skills and what can you do about it. 

Donesa: 17:46 Yeah, there's quite a few things that can cause attention issues. One of the primary things that we see, again, I'm not on a technology attack, but I'm one of those primary things that we do see is people who used too much of the Internet and the television that they're inundating your body with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 10 minutes from the age of a child and for an adult, no more than one 80 minutes a day. So no more than three hours a day of streaming media. And let's be honest, all of us are doing more than that. And so we're training attentional issues into our brain. And one of the biggest ways, especially as we age, is that TV, being on an hour before bedtime, your television should not be on all the way up to you go to sleep because it's not good for your brain. 

Donesa: 18:41 And yet many of us are guilty of doing that, sometimes I'm even guilty of that myself. I'm watching the news late or something. And then trying to drift off. Um, so if you are a news watcher and he liked to watch that late night news, then you need to turn it off after the news and read for a few minutes to allow your brain to change gears and go to sleep in a proper manner. Just, it's very dangerous. Then there is magnesium deficiency. So magnesium is an essential element for our body and for our blood. And most of us are not eating the foods that are rich in magnesium. And if we are the, uh, eating some of those foods, they're not rich enough. The soil that they were made in is not rich enough. So adding epsom salt baths is very important because it can actually allow magnesium to again to go in through your skin and help you or magnesium lotions or supplements. 

Donesa: 19:36 85% of Americans are magnesium deficient. So that's an easy way that you can do that. And while I'm not a doctor at all, I do know that we can benefit from having good nutritional health. Um, so that our brains can get the things that we need, you know, so those are two primary easy ways. And the third one is water, just drinking enough water. Short term memory loss, um, which is a component of attention issues as actually number one reason for short term memory loss is dehydration. And we're supposed to be drinking half of our body weight in ounces of water a day. So if you weigh 200 pounds, you should be drinking 100 ounces of water a day to maintain your brain. That's not to grow, that's to maintain and brain needs that, that's fuel for your brain and fuel for your body. 

Donesa: 20:29 So it's really important that you are taking in enough fluid and as we age, we don't want to go have to go to the bathroom so much. And so we choose not to drink as much and that perpetuates the memory loss which perpetuates forgetting to drink, which perpetuates... Kinda like that old little book if you give a mouse a cookie. Well in this case, if you drink the water and you go kind of that situation, it's really important though. 

Donesa: 21:39 There was just a question earlier about what age we can start working. And we start working with children is our really of age four and there is no limit on age. So one of the great things about how God created us as he created something called neuroplasticity, which means that our brain can change at any age. So the old saying that you cannot teach a new, an old dog new tricks is no longer accurate. The old dogs can learn new tricks. Yes, it may take the old dog a little bit longer to learn those new tricks, but that old dog can't learn new tricks. 

Donesa: 22:13 And so, the plasticity of our brain allows us to retrain our brain at any age. And this is a particularly important when you've had health issues or you've had a lot of, uh, medical issues that have given you a lot of medicines that are called brain fog, chemo, that sort of thing. My mother went through chemo and so I understand what it is like to, to have your body filled with chemicals that keep you from being able to be as sharp or pain medication that really limits your ability. So a lot of people think, well, I've just lost that because of my age or I've lost that because of medication but that's actually not true. You actually can retrain your brain at any age and some of the easiest ways to do it. Um, our, our simple little exercises that you can do to work your brain out. 

Donesa: 23:09 It can be as simple as just recalling important things. So, um, if you're Scripturally wanting to recall things recall the fruits of the Spirit. I know a lot of people will say, I need sing to be able to do that. Recall those things that, that you learned. Recall it to your memory. And again, referencing back to scripture tells us that if we placed this in our hearts and in our mind, if we placed the Word in our heart and our mind and it will always be there for us to recall. That's very true and a really great author who has has a infinite amount of wisdom in this area in particular is Dr Caroline Leaf. If you haven't heard of Caroline Leaf she has a fabulous book called Switch On Your Brain and that actually talks about the ability to turn on your brain and use the Scriptural principles that God put into place in our bodies and in our brain to turn on the positive and turn off the negative. And that's really important. Um, so that's a good resource, you know, to reach there. 

Donesa: 24:57 Well, I think we're essentially, we're spiritual creatures. That's how God created us. And as spiritual creatures that spiritual world has power over this carcass, this body that we are in right now. Because this body changes and ages and fades away. But, but we are eternal. And because of that, you know, that, that each thought being a part of us, we need to realize that it has effect on this carnal body. That's right. 

Donesa: 27:00 It is. It's very biblical and those are powerful words and it has such an effect on, on our brains. And what I really like about this is the reciprocity. What are really like is the fact that your brain reciprocate what you put into it. So when you, when you do acts of kindness and acts of thoughtfulness and, and you count your blessing, then your brain actually rewards your body. Your brain actually has a reward center in it and it's kind of jumping up and cheering. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! And so you wanted to do more of that, do kind things, then you're, you're, you automatically get rewarded in your reward center and then your brain wants you to do more kinds of things, and so it reciprocates and we know that that is super powerful as he reached out and you touch other people because kindness flows. I mean there's all kinds of networks out there. Pay it Forward Networks that the kindness of Spirit of God, the Spirit of blood and the Spirit of God flows through that and that's one of His gifts. 

Donesa: 28:10 That's one of His fruits and you're in our lives and so we want to be able to do that. In fact, in First Corinthians 13, this is the greatest thing that we can have is love. It's better thing else. And so if we have love, it doesn't matter how many good deeds you do, if you don't do it out of love then you do it purposefully. And so if we want to do that with, you know, with the love and the heart of Jesus, then it actually it enhances our ability to go forward and enhances our, our brain and our life. 

Donesa: 31:36 Correct. Because if you do an attitude just out of I've got to get it done. It goes back to what we were talking about. Just giving a gift just to get it done. And it does not reward you. Your brain doesn't grow from that. It doesn't benefit from that to benefit from it. You actually, and you're not doing it for the purpose of benefit, but out of love, purposeful and thoughtful intent means that you think about it. You take time to think about it and, and you know, in this day and age of where we're, you know, rushing around just trying to get so much done we forget about the thoughtfulness in that, in that piece, and when people don't reciprocate what you're doing, if you're doing it for reciprocal purpose, then you defeat the whole purpose. You were supposed to be doing it for the benefit of love. That's what it is, is just for love. 

Donesa: 32:26 I like that saying that your, your attitude determines your altitude. I want to go and all determined on where your attitude is. If you got a bad attitude about it, then not gonna go very high. But if you have a good attitude, it can take you places. And so I think that your attitude and how you approach it, it's what I've always told my kids. If you think positive about it and you have a good attitude about it, you can take you further than if you have a negative attitude and you, you are mindset against it or your frustrated constantly with it. Because the negative breeds the negative and the positive breeds the positive. So you put in what you want to get out to try to. 

Donesa: 33:58 You can do something about that forgetfulness. Just got to be grateful. You got to go ahead and be deliberate about training your memory, start getting your memory app and get your memory activities and be deliberate about doing it and you can get it better, right? 
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Thank you for listening to today's episode of Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy. This faith-based podcast has been brought to you by their sponsor the East Texas Healing Center. Connect with Joanie and Cindy at realtalkwithjoanieandcindy.com. Sign up for their inspiring newsletter to receive a free eBook, access free materials, great resources, and the show note highlights of today's episode. Love this episode? Head on over to iTunes, iHeartRadio or Google play to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. You can listen on the go! Until next time, be blessed!
                                                                        ###
Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an inspirational and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde.  Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, coaches, counselors, media personalities, ministers, and motivational speakers who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today to Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center. 
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#JoanieBuchanan #RealTalkwithJoanieandCindy #CindyHyde #DeborahJudgeofIsrael #WomenoftheBible #Prophetess ​

​Abigail’s story is short but powerful. She was a beautiful, wise, and virtuous woman. She was the wife of Nabal. His name portrayed his character “Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal[c] is his name, and folly is with him…” (I Samuel 25:25 WEB). Her actions teach us how we as women can be honorable and humble of spirit.
1 Samuel 25:3 Now the name of the man was #Nabal and the name of his wife #Abigail. This woman was intelligent and had a beautiful face, but the man was surly and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb. (WEB)

David and 600 of his men were camped about Nabal’s property. They watched over Nabal’s flocks and shepherds so that not one of his flock went missing. David was honorable in his actions toward Nabal but as we can see from the next part of the story Nabal did not return the honor bestowed upon him. Let this be a lesson for us all.

I Samuel 25:4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. 5 David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. 6 Tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. 7 Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t harm them, neither was there anything missing from them, all the while they were in Carmel. 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore, let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come on a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.’” 

The story continues with Nabal's refusal to supply food for David and his men who were on the run from King Saul (v 10-11). Abigail had the presence of mind, the wisdom, and the understanding that David was more than a vagabond, more than a fugitive. He was going to be a king. Perhaps she knew his story. Perhaps she knew the prophecies about David. Regardless, this wise, discerning, generous and righteous woman honored David as she acted swiftly to prepare a huge meal of five sheep, 200 loaves of bread, wine, and she was even thoughtful enough to bring dessert to them (v18). Abigail had a servant’s heart which lead her to prepare such a feast for David and his men and deliver it to them. Her humble and sincere request from David was to put the blame on her for Nabal’s refusal of David’s request and to spare her husband. She honored David once again her humble and respectful words, (v 28-31)

“For Yahweh will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights Yahweh’s battles. Evil will not be found in you all your days. 29 Though men may rise up to pursue you, and to seek your soul, yet the soul of my lord will be bound in the bundle of life with Yahweh your God. He will sling out the souls of your enemies, as from the hollow of a sling. 30 It will come to pass, when Yahweh has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you prince over Israel, 31 that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When Yahweh has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.”

David not only heard her but also granted her request (v 35). He spared Nabal and his household. Abigail did not let Nabal know what she was doing at the time. She did tell him the next morning after he had sobered up. His response? He went into a rage. Nabal's “heart died within him, and he became as a stone” (v. 37). We must always be careful and dutiful to help God’s chosen ones any time we get the opportunity to do so.

Abigail was blessed 1,000-fold for her generosity, her humility, and her respect towards David. When David got news of the death of Nabal he sent for her to become his wife (v40). Abigail became the 3rd wife of David before he became a king.  
Although Abigail’s story is short there are many lessons the Lord gives us through her story. I will share three of them.

1. Humble yourself. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Abigail) (Mt. 23:12)
2. Don’t be prideful. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Nabal)  (Proverbs 16:18 WEB)
3. Give as much and as often as you can. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 WEB). (Abigail received the running over abundance because of her generosity.)

​Touching on one more aspect of Abigail’s life, she was married to a “churlish” and evil man who was a drunkard. The Lord had a plan to move Abigail to safety. You should also pray and consider getting help if you are in a relationship that is abusive. Don’t stay because you think you can change them, or because you think they will get better. Only God can change the heart of another. Find a place of safety where you can flourish and become the woman God created you to be. You deserve to live in peace and abundance.

What other life lessons did you get from this post? I would love to hear what you come up with.

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Cindy Hyde, MA is a published author, blogger, media personality, ordained minister, pastoral counselor, certified professional life coach, and CEO and founder of The East Texas Healing Center. Over the course of her career, Cindy has become known as a trusted partner among those who are serious about overcoming life’s struggles, walking in victory, and living successfully. She currently lives in Nacogdoches, TX with her husband Michael and their spoiled poodle Quincy. Connect with Cindy at cindyhyde.com, fb.me/cindyhyde, @cindyhyde, www.easttexashealingcenter.org  
 
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#RealTalkwithJoaneiandCindy #JoanieBuchanan #CindyHyde #Podcast #WOTG #WomenoftheBible #GodlyWomen #God #Jesus #Abigail #Nabal #2Samuel25 #KingDavid #Catering #Alcoholic #AbusiveRelationships #GetHelp #StaySafe #ProtectYourself #YouDeserveBetter #WorldEnglishBible #WEB #HumbleYourself

Her name means “Honey Bee”
Key Scriptures is Judges 4-5
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In the Book of Judges Chapters 4 and 5, Deborah the 4th Judge of Israel and the only female Judge mentioned in the bible, and the wife of Lapidot. Deborah was a prophetess who summoned Barak to battle against an army of invaders when they are threatened by the Canaanites.  After the battle she wrote a victory song which is part of the book of Judges.

Her vision of the world around her was shaped not by the political situation of day but by her relationship with God.  Though women in the ancient world did not usually become political leaders, Deborah was just the leader Israel needed---a prophetess who heard God and believed him, whose courage aroused the people, to throw off foreign oppression.

In the time of the judges when Israel had turned away from God in civil disorder. Deborah come forward   to the challenge. As her wisdom in making judgment became known God spoke to Deborah, she immediately responded by calling Barak to lead the people in battle against their oppressor of 20 years. Barak was reluctant to go without Deborah which revealed Israel’s lack of strong male leadership. For 40 years the people prospered under her leadership.  She lead with prayer, word of encouragement, and by her presence. He adversary lost his army, his honour, and his life. She was not the only female prophet but the only female to hold the title of Judge in Israel.

Interesting, when Deborah described herself, she didn’t use terms like prophet or leader or general or any other term of influence and power. She described herself as ‘a mother in Israel” Her position was not only mother to her own children but to the children of Israel.

Israel had forgotten who they were and Deborah reminded them and led them in victory over their enemies,  and her demonstration of peace was known throughout all Israel.

You may not have a position of authority---however, you can be a mother to your children and the children in your neighborhood. And direct them in the right direction.  If you will pray to God He can show you righteous direction for yourself and others. We must take a look at Deborah and ask what we can do to give right counsel and lead others into victory in direction God leads. Deborah found a song that encouraged her faith and gave that song to the nation.
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Joanie Buchanan is a Christian author and speaker, Bible teacher, minister, radio and television host, blogger, and a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She has been in ministry for more than 40 years. She and her husband Denver have pastored churches across the nation and have traveled extensively sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joanie is passionate about teaching the Word of God and does so with enthusiasm and wisdom. She promotes Christian recording artists. When Joanie is not traveling or writing, she is enjoying time with her family and friends. She currently resides in Branson, MO with her devoted husband and son, Matt. Joanie's book, Spending Time with Joanie is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble her website. joaniebuchanan.org, amazon.com/author/joaniebuchanan, 
fb.me/joaniebyrdbuchanan, @joaniebuchanan, Spending Time With Joanie
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Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an inspirational and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde.  Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, coaches, counselors, media personalities, ministers, and motivational speakers who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today to Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center. 
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#JoanieBuchanan #RealTalkwithJoanieandCindy #CindyHyde #DeborahJudgeofIsrael #WomenoftheBible #Prophetess 
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When we started recording the first few Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy radio shows over three years ago we had no idea where the journey into the media ministry would take us. We just celebrated our 3rd anniversary in June. We have enjoyed doing every program for you.  
   During the past few months the Lord has impressed on us to step out and launch this ministry far and wide and that He would "enlarged our territory..." (I Chronicles 4:10). This is exactly what He has done. 
   First, we launched Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy on Blog Talk Radio which is the world’s largest online talk radio and podcast hosting platform. Soon after that we had the opportunity to broadcast our radio shows on WOTG Radio Network.
   Over the past three months we submitted our podcasts to Google Play, iHeartRadio, and iTunes. We are excited to announce we are approved on all of them. That means you can easily download our inspirational, encouraging, motivational podcasts and listen to them on the go or in the comfort of your own home when you have the opportunity to do so. We know you will enjoy our podcasts and radio shows. 
   We have also been busy enlarging our online presence social media territory. We created our new website www.realtalkwithjoanieandcindy.com, we have new banners, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter @RTJoanieCindy, Instagram, GooglePlus and Tumbler.  
   In addition, our podcasts are now on ReverbNation, SoundCloud, Spreaker, Spotify, and YouTube. 
   We were just informed that Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is now syndicated on WOTG Radio Network and all its affiliates. 
   One last thing, we have launched Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy Blog where you can read informative blogs about the programs we record, show notes, news, and updates. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive your free eBook from Joanie and Cindy. Please connect with us by leaving a message.
   We are both so thankful to God for opening all these doors for us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world! (Mark 16:15)
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Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an inspirational and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde.  Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, coaches, counselors, media personalities, ministers, and motivational speakers who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today to Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center. 
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  #RealtalkwithJoanieandCindy #JoanieBuchanan #CindyHyde

Moabite widow finds favor with God and you can too. Ruth married into a Jewish family who worshipped the God of Israel. Her faith in God was proven when she followed her mother-in-law and left everyone and everything she knew behind in Moab. The favor of God was unleashed upon her when she said Naomi's God would be her God. 
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What is the favor of God and how can you get it?
Many seek to be favored by God, many want God’s favor but do not know exactly what that is or how to go about getting it. Let’s look at God’s favor on Ruth’s life and then let’s find out how we too can obtain and walk in God’s favor.

What exactly is the favor of God?
It is the tangible evidence of God’s approval. It is His delight in you being demonstrated through His unconditional love for you. God’s favor is a display of His kindness, generosity, and goodwill that is far beyond the expected. It is preferential treatment. It is Royal favor with the King. The more we please God, the more He favors us with spiritual blessings and of course material blessings.
 
How can we obtain the favor of God?
To obtain the favor of God we must first know that grace is unmerited or undeserved favor. Grace means favor, blessing or kindness. Those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). They know the favor of God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but those who have saving faith in God’s Son are declared righteous (Romans 4:5; Philippians 3:9) and live in God’s favor. “In His favour is life…” declares the psalmist (Psalm 30:5). The answer to “how can I obtain the favor of God” is “believe in the Lord Jesus.”
     We can obtain the favor of God like Ruth did by following her example. Ruth found favor with God when she said to her mother-in-law Naomi and we can make the same declarations and the same commitment to follow God. "…where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; (Ruth 1:16).
     Ruth also found favor with God when she gleaned among the ears of grain in the field of Boaz. Her reputation of a woman of integrity spread throughout Bethlehem and he heard of it and showered her with favor. Boaz said, “Don’t go to glean in another field, and don’t go from here, but stay here close to my maidens.” He went on to let her know she was now under his protection and that he would provide for her. This is exactly what God does for us when we walk in His favor.
     Ruth found favor through her obedience. Naomi gave her specific instructions which she followed. The very next day Boaz was settling the matter of kinsman-redeemer for Ruth and Naomi. God’s favor provided her a husband, a wealthy husband, a leader, a businessman, a man who loved and served God.
     Ruth’s story of favor does not end there either. “Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son.” (Ruth 4:13 WEB).
     But wait, the favor of God still rests upon Ruth and her genealogy. Her son was King David’s grandfather and ultimately Jesus Christ was born of her lineage. Just think, the Messiah was from her bloodline. Ruth was blessed to be in the lineage of royalty.
     We cannot help but see the favor of God all through her life. God took a poor, hurting widow, an outcast of Israel, and healed her, brought her great love and great fame. In every way possible God demonstrated His love for her.
     Ruth was brave, faithful, grateful, loyal, loving, respectful, committed, and remained humble as the Lord showered her with blessings. This is how to walk in the favor of God – by following her example.
     "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:3).
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Listen to our discussion on the first chapter of the Book of Ruth Chapter 1.
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You can also read Joanie Buchanan's blog about the Book of Ruth. 
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Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an encouraging, inspirational, and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde. You can listen to their podcasts and read their blogs at Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy. Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, motivational speakers, ministers, radio personalities, counselors, and coaches who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life please help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today. Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center. 
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 #JoanieBuchanan #CindyHyde #RealtalkwithJoanieandCindy
​#Favor #FindingtheFavorofGod #Grace #Ruth #GodsFavor

The book of Ruth is named after one of its main characters, a young woman of Moab, the great-grandmother of David and an ancestress of Jesus (4:21-22; Matthew 1:1, 5). The only other Biblical book bearing the name of a woman is Esther.

The story is set in the time of the judges, a time characterized in the book of Judges as a period of religious and moral degeneracy, national disunity and frequent foreign oppression. The book of Ruth reflects a time of peace between Israel and Moab (Jdg. 3:12-30).

Naomi has been compared to a female Job. She lost everything: home, husband, and sons—and even more than Job did—her livelihood. She joined the position of Israel’s deprived members: the poor and the widowed. She cried out in her grief and God had already been working behind the scenes. The book reveals the magnitude of God’s grace—He accepted Ruth into His chosen people and honored her with a role in continuing the family line into which His appointed king, David, and later His Son, Jesus, would be born.

The Book of Ruth (her name means friendship) is very special to me. Each time I teach this book I learn something new. This book is not just about Ruth, Naomi and Boaz. It is also a beautiful picture of our Kinsmen-Redeemer Jesus Christ. If Boaz is a picture of Jesus Christ and Ruth is a picture of His gentile bride then we should look at what in Ruth pleases Boaz so much that he would call her a ‘woman of excellence’? Isn’t that the way Jesus would like to see us!

Ruth was a dedicated and committed young woman. She was willing to leave Moab and her family to follow the true God.
 
Was it by chance that Ruth followed Naomi to Bethlem "the house of bread" and then ended up working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech (Ruth’s Father-in-law) (Ruth 2:3)? Absolutely not. God was at work divinely preparing for Ruth’s and Naomi’s provisions and well-being for the present and for their future.  
 
The story points forward to David. David points forward to Jesus. And Jesus points forward to the resurrection of our mortal bodies Romans 8:23 when "death will be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."   
 
Let us not forget that God is at work, divinely orchestrating events to bring about His purpose for our lives. If you have studied this book you can see this plan of God unfold and it gives us great faith and encouragement that God watches over us ever when we make mistakes.  He is there.
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You can visit Joanie's website at JoanieBuchanan.org
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We just finished a study on the Book of Ruth you can listen to them on our Real Talk website on the Media Page or you can find them on Spreaker. 
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You can also read Cindy Hyde's blog about a moabite woman finding favor with God and how you can find that same favor for you life.
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Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy is an encouraging, inspirational, and motivational faith-based podcast with co-hosts Joanie Buchanan and Cindy Hyde. You can listen to their podcasts and read their blogs at Real Talk with Joanie and Cindy. Joanie and Cindy are both Christian authors, motivational speakers, ministers, radio personalities, counselors, and coaches who share their love for God and His Word with practical applications that help bring hope and healing to their listeners. They are listener supported. If their ministry has touched your life please help them carry the Gospel around the world by donating today. Paypal.me/healingcenter Your donations are tax deductible through The East Texas Healing Center.