May You Have Joy

 

      There are seasons of sadness, seasons of the unknown, and, thankfully, seasons of great joy. Holding a new-born baby, experiencing deep love, finding a cure, or experiencing a miracle. I pray your life will have many joy-filled moments.

 Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

     As believers, we are to live with each other through it all, just as Jesus lives through it all with us.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.  Romans 12:15

     I pray that each of you will have times of great joy over this year. And when you do I rejoice with you. May joy come to you in the morning and cause you to dance!

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.  Psalm 30:11

     Never forget God is preparing a place for you and me. Joy awaits in eternity. (John 14:1-4 and Hebrews 11:16.)

Jesus,

Thank you for the moments of joy that fill our hearts. Bless us with those moments this year and remind us to stop, cherish and hold them close when they come to us. Thank You for the promises of hope and joy in our heavenly home.

Amen

Will see you back here on January 21^st.

God's Perfect Love

 

     The examples of God working through lives are endless and they are eternal. The Spirit-filled life is one of abundance, deep joy and peace. The blessings of God act as stepping stones to guide us on the path ahead. As our trust and faith grow, as we rely more and more on the secure foundation of Christ, we can walk in hope and show the world around us that everything in life brings us to the One thing we need. It is Christ.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19

     The words in the verse above give us strength. We have an anchor for our souls, where it matters most, firm and secure, always hopeful. We can enter the very throne-room of heaven with anything and everything and He is there. Jesus experienced every single emotion, every single temptation, every tribulation we will encounter. He felt every sin, felt the agony of each disease, suffered the pain and loss of being separate from His Father in heaven for the first time. He knows. He has been there.

     Life is precious and fragile. It is exhilarating and frightening. It is filled with happiness and sadness, with hope and despair, and with Christ, we will get through it all in triumph. He has overcome death for us! There is no more fear with Him. His perfect love is forever.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

     His mysterious ways will remain until that glorious day we walk through heaven’s door forever. All of our questions will be set to rest, all of our hopes realized, all of our fears unfounded, all uncertainty gone, no more pain, no more tears, only perfect love forever. Keep that foundation of faith with you each unsteady step of the way. The anchor of Christ is secure and it is lasting.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

Lord,

Whatever life holds, You hold us. Our fear keeps us from trusting You. Our worries about tomorrow rob us of the joys of today. Be with us wherever we go. You promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Your perfect love will stay with us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

God's Peace and Joy

 

     When we can’t find an answer, when we don’t know how to get through the grief, or how to help a loved one, or what to do next, we can place our complete trust in Jesus. He has the answers. He knows the way through. He has the words of comfort for us to heal. He sees the next step and the one after that. There are millions of testimonies in history, up to the present day, reminding us and teaching us that God works through everything.

     The apostle Paul wrote several of his epistles from a dark, dank, smelly jail cell in Rome. He was chained to a guard at all times. All of these prison epistles are filled with gratitude to God, with an understanding that even then, the good news of the gospel would be preached. He was filled with joy.

     He and his other Christian cellmates sang songs of praise and joy, stunning their captors and other prisoners. The book of Philippians is shares  deep joy,  peace that passes all understanding, and the call for believers to shine as stars.  Here are a few verses to take with you today.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:15

Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again. Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

     The verses in the book of Philippians are worth reading time and time again. Put some to memory and take them out when you are feeling anxious, weak and overwhelmed. No matter the circumstances in our lives, God is there. Continue to shine like stars in this warped generation, to rejoice always! God is good, all the time and He remains on the throne. Stay filled with His peace and joy as we continue to marvel at His mysterious ways. Maybe, just maybe, this time in your life will be used for our God.

Lord,

Thank You for the examples of faith both in Scripture and in life. Teach us by example to rely on Your great love and strength to get us through life, all of it with peace and joy, always striving to shine with Your glory.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

The Magnitude of God

 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond searching out! Romans 11:33

     When we sit in wonder and awe at the scope and magnitude of our Creator God, it is simply miraculous that His plans include us. Let this verse help you relax in His strength and care today. He is in all things around us and He has absolute control.

For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen Romans 11:36

     All things. That includes you and me, the spinning of the globe, the sunrise and the sunset, the ocean waves and the breeze. All from Him. All through Him. All for Him.

     Placing our very lives in His hands is not easy. We want control. As humans it becomes difficult to keep our peace as we question the future of the planet, as we obsess over government or rulers, as we fret about our daily activities, our vulnerability, our weakness. God uses them all. Ultimately, the end of the earth, as we know it, will be in His hands and eternity will be ours. Focus on the things that please God. Focus on His beloved Son. And focus on the things of the heart.

     Above all else, our faith pleases God. His mysterious ways will not be completely understood by us right now, but we know we have a secure foundation.

And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Lord,

How wonderful are Your ways! Keep us strong in faith and trust, looking to You for everything we need in our lives. You are the author and finisher of our faith and the ruler of the heavens and the earth. Give us peace today as we leave it all in Your capable hands.

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Mysterious Ways

 

     As we live out our lives, we will never completely understand the mysterious ways of God. He weaves people, circumstances, places, even our words into His timing and for His purposes. There are times we are obedient and understand what He desires from us and what to do for and with the people and opportunities He places before us.

     Most times, I believe, we won’t realize the impact we have made through the Holy Spirit until eternity. When we use our spiritual gifts and ask the Spirit to guide us, He will work through us.

     Listen to the lyrics of the Beatle’s song, “In My Life.” This song speaks of people moving in and out of our lives Some have died and some remain, as we hold affection for them all. Have you had an old friend pop back into your life? Have you been able to thank someone for making a difference in your life? Has someone told you how much you mean to them? Has a word spoken at the right time meant so much?

     Think back over your life and smile as you remember those that have meant something to you. A parent, a teacher, a friend, a spouse?  Could it have been a stranger you encountered along the way? Thank God for those people and ask Him how He can use you in the same ways.

     Let’s be ready for His call. The most unexpected encounters may be the very ones God has in mind to change a life through us with His presence, with His promises, with His love. Don’t try to figure it all out. He works good through the toughest times and brings blessings in the most mysterious ways. He also says He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.  I can relate to that! (1 Corinthians 1:27)

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7

Father,

We love the journey we are on with You. Open our eyes to Your ways, but keep us peace-filled when we don’t understand. Your ways are so much higher than ours. We thank You for the people and the places we find through Your lead.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Heavenly Light

 

     Try to imagine the radiance of heaven. Picture the glimmering new city of Jerusalem, the spectrum of colors beyond anything the human eye has seen, the sea of glass, the trees producing new fruit each month, no more night, no more sorrow, no more pain, surrounded by pure light.  (Revelation 21)

    Humans cannot experience the full glory of God and live. Even with God’s back turned to him while hiding in the crevice of a rock and with God’s hand over that crevice, Moses’ whole countenance changed.

     Reflecting the light of Christ is just a small part of the unimaginable glory of heaven! Let’s keep that in mind when we stumble, fall and pick ourselves back up again and again throughout our lives. There is a future filled with forever light!

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:12

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its light. Revelations 21:23

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light and they will reign forever and ever.  Revelations 22:5

Dear Father,

We thank you for the light of Christ, the light of the world, the light of our hearts and the light of heaven. Show us how to shine with His light throughout our earthly lives. One day we will witness Your full glory. Let that always bring hope. Bring that hope to those who grieve.

In Jesus name

Amen

 

A New Day

 

     A new year, new beginnings, a fresh start. As you ponder the year ahead, rather than those typical resolutions we make over and over again, how about a fresh start spiritually, a turning back or taking a closer look at Jesus?

     If you haven’t met Jesus and are looking for a new start, He is waiting for you. He is watching you, waiting to welcome you into His tender care. Keep seeking. Jesus changes everything.

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

     Is He knocking at the door of your heart?

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with Me. Revelation 3:20

   God is love. God is light. As believers we are children of the light. We no longer live in darkness. I could use a little extra light right now. How about you?

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:5

     How blessed we are to be called children of God! We have been drawn to the light of Christ. We have been drawn to hear His Gospel. Our souls have been renewed. The Holy Spirit within us continues to draw us to the pure light and love of Jesus. I pray you hear these words and take them in. As believers, God continues to work in us. We are continually being sanctified, made more and more into the image of Christ.

     Only a miracle-working God could take lumps of clay like you and me and mold us into something new. His love and light have turned my world upside down and I only grow deeper in my love for Jesus as the years drop away, one by one. Each day brings us closer to our heavenly home and each day on earth can draw us closer to the transforming light of Christ.

Dear Jesus,

We no longer walk in the dark. You have shown us the light of the world. It is You. The darkness no longer has power over us. We are Your children today, tomorrow and forever. Bring many this year to believe in Your birth, life, death and resurrection.

Amen