JOY!

I asked the Lord to give me a verse for 2013. He gave me three!

Be joyful always

Pray continually

Give thanks in all circumstances

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus -

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Joy – Now that is an interesting word. Here are a few definitions and synonyms:

blissful, chuffed [British], delighted, gratified, happy, glad, joyous, pleased, satisfied, thankful, tickled

  “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires”

“the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying”;

I like that word: Chuffed!

So, since I “take” after my father who certainly enjoyed life but tended to be on the quiet side and at times a tad melancholy this directive to be "joyful always" seemed a bit much. However, “with God nothing is impossible”! I opened my Bible and found multiple verses containing joy, joyful, rejoice etc. Pretty encouraging!

These three verses really stood out.

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him;

and even though you do not see him now,

you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:28 (Psalm 16:11)

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' 

Joy is given to us by God Himself.
Joy is the result of knowing Jesus! And look at the description in 1 Peter – inexpressible and glorious!
Joy is ours when we are in His Presence! Joy is ours as we trust in God!
Joy is the result of overflowing with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Lord, I receive this joy gladly!

Lord, I decide to dwell in God and His riches in Christ Jesus.

Lord, let me show a difference in my outlook, my words and my face . . . always! After all, "with God all things are possible"!

See how all three verses in 1 Thessalonians tie together? But I am getting ahead of myself . . .next blog . . .

PRAY continually!

I Care for you . . .

TRUST ME -

give ME your anxieties, worries and concerns

THANK ME - 

for taking and bearing your burdens and cares

Find your refuge in ME . . .

You received ME as Savior

Live in ME as LORD – keep your eyes on ME

Be rooted and built up in ME as you place your trust in ME

Grow stronger with My strength by placing your faith in ME

your heart will overflow with thankfulness!

For I care – faithfully, eternally, dearly – for you!!!!!

Colossians 2:6-7

Psalm 147:8

1Peter 5:7

Holding my right hand . . .

I am always with You! You are holding my right hand . . . Psalm 73:23

“Keep your eyes on Me” we hear the Lord whisper. “Don’t let go of my hand”
We live in His Presence and are:

 guided by God Himself!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel – Psalm 16:7

 guarded by God Himself!

I have set the Lord always before me

because He is at my right hand

I will not be shaken – Psalm 16:8

(Soldiers defending another would naturally stand on the right -

our God defends us!)

 gladdened by God Himself!

therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices,

I will rest secure – Psalm 16:9

In other words, as we live in His Presence – no matter what the circumstances we can be glad, rejoice and sing because we are guided, guarded and gladdened by our God!

Me or . . .

 A conversation in the car this morning . . .

“I can’t let go!”
“I will be there for you”
“It’s my backup . . . if I let go I will have nothing . . . “
“If you let go you will hold on to me.”
“I know that . . .I just want to hang on to this, too.”
“Tell me about your Daddy.”
“What? umm, He was special. He loved me. He was always there for me.  I felt safe when he was there, I knew he would do anything to protect me.”
“Did you have what you needed, food, clothes, home, warmth in cold weather, cool in summer?”
“Daddy made sure I was taken care of, he wanted to do so much more, but I was never without. I knew he loved me and his just being there was enough. I knew if I needed something, he would do his utmost to provide.”
“You said your daddy loved you, so do I – unconditionally, faithfully, eternally.”
“I know, thank you”
“You said your daddy provided for you, so do I – I promise to meet your needs, I always keep my promises. I love to surprise you with special gifts you don't expect – like last week”
“You did surprise me, thank you, again!”
“You said your daddy made you feel safe and that he would do anything to protect you.”
“Yes, my daddy loved me . . .”
“I love you . . .I died for you so that you would be eternally protected by me . . .”
“Father?”
“yes, my dear one”
“I am so sorry. (tears flowing now – sobbing) Here, you take this . . . I asked you to show me a deeper relationship with you and I see now this was in the way. I can’t hang on to this and you. . . I am still afraid.”
“I have you, dear one. My arms are holding you and I never get tired of holding you. You are precious to me. I will never let you go. Disappointment, loss, hurt, worry – these will all come again and again, but I am holding you. Keep giving them all to me - trusting me. I am growing you into the chosen, holy, dearly loved mature child of God I already see. I am pleased with you, you make me sing with joy. You are mine!”

Chosen, holy and dearly loved!

Colossians 3:12

WE are chosen by GOD!

Hand picked by the God of the Universe

Selected specifically by the King of Kings

WE are HOLY!

Cleansed by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross

Pure and without blemish in God’s sight

We are DEARLY LOVED!!!!

not just loved BUT DEARLY LOVED!

Cherished

Unconditionally loved

precious in God’s sight

He rejoices and sings over us!

A great way to start the day!!!!!!     

Chosen, holy and dearly loved!

FEAR!

Fear!

Even the word is frightening - the unknown, the what ifs, the darkness.

This fear enters our hearts, feasts on our energy, our peace and our life, not leaving a crumb behind – only darkness, despair, and paralyzing dread.

Recently I heard:               

F – false   

E  -  evidence

A – appearing

R – real        

Fear comes from so many sources. If we drill down to the center of the source we find: 

Taking our eyes off Jesus

Not believing HE is who HE says He is

Believing Satan’s false whispers

Wanting our way – not God’s, no matter the consequences

 

God promises:

Perfect love casts out fear – 1 John 4:18

What time I am afraid I will trust in YOU! – Psalm 56:3

I have plans for you – Jeremiah 29:11

I love you with an everlasting love -  Jeremiah 31:3

I know the end from the beginning -  Isaiah 46:10

The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world – 1 John 4:4

I will never leave you – Hebrews 13:5

Do not be afraid – for I am with you – Isaiah 43:5

Fear and Anxiety but a thought away . . .

Trusting, faith, waiting – being still – all so foreign in today’s lifestyle.

Our peace comes and goes as the sun shines or the wind blows.

We believe the lie – this world  and how it operates is our reality. We have to deal with it’s unexpected problems, its loudness and distractions, its sorrows and its disappointments by ourselves.

Fear and anxiety are but a thought away - 

Jesus reaches out and touches our shoulder.

He gently turns our face to look fully at Him.

He speaks to us lovingly – reminds us of His continual Presence.

His light baths us, infusing us with His beauty, peace and love.

“Trust ME”

“Put your faith in ME”

“Wait for ME”

“Be still and know I am GOD”