A prayer to lead!

A prayer for my dear friend and husband - "Father, give him the strength to be everything he's called to be. Oh Father, show him the way to lead me. Won't you lead him? May he lead me with strong hands and stand up when I can't. Don't let him leave me hungry for love; chasing things that he could give up. May he show me he's willing to fight; that I'm still the love of his life. So we can call this our home, teach him to lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone."

It is vital that our husbands receive our prayerful support. I encourage you to make intercession for him a priority. Lift him up before the Lord and pray that he will adopt the character and attitude of Christ. If you find that you have the desire to pray for him but don't quite know where to start, or feel you don't have the right words, I highly recommend and encourage you to get the book "Praying God's Will for My Husband" by Lee Roberts. You can buy it off amazon.com for $10.19. My sister in law gave me a copy when we were first married and it is something that I love referring to!! Praying scripture is always a good thing!! 

"...at all times, they ought to pray and not lose heart." Luke 18:1

"Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:24

"Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; may Your good spirit lead me on level ground." Psalm 143:10

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:5

"Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it." Psalm 119:35

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray..." James 5:13

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Find Joy in Him, Beloved! 

The Marriage Dance!

Hello Friend! I'm sorry to have been absent from you for so long. Busyness is no excuse, so let's jump right in, shall we?! ;)

I'd like to share something that I have been struggling with lately and pray that it's of some encouragement to you no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. The scripture passage I'm focusing on is 1 Peter 3:1-6 and it speaks to Wives. So ladies, here we go! I urge you to read it over quickly before reading further. 

I needed this study to remind myself of my wifely role and I'm praying that, through meditating on it and relying on my Heavenly Father, He will refine me to reflect His likeness within my marriage. Please bare with me as I am mostly writing these words to myself, hoping that unity occurs between my head & heart. 

Women: submission and modesty (v.1-6)

    A. Submission reflects Jesus (v.1-2)

         Men & Women are not unequal, they just have very different roles. There must be one leader. Consider a dance. If there were two leaders, how would they create the perfect harmony of a waltz? If dancing partners took the same steps, it wouldn't be a dance; it would be absolute chaos! Both share equal importance in order to establish synchronicity. So it is within a marriage. The husband (intended leader) will proceed with confidence when he feels loved, respected, and supported by his wife (intended follower). 

    B. Modesty displays true beauty (v.3-4)

        - a gentle, quiet spirit. What is it that you're putting on display? 

    C. Holy women hope in God (v.5-6) 

        If there's a problem with her husband, it's God's problem to fix...not hers. Still follow your man. He was placed over you by God. Regardless of how your spouse acts, your job in marriage is to reflect Christ.

Ephesians 5:21-24 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." 

Personal Perspective:  Sticking with the "dancing couple" analogy.

Submit to your spouse, not because they earn or deserve it, but because you reverence Christ and He is always deserving. Love your spouse with the same love that you've been shown. "Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34. God designed marriage to be a tangible way for us to experience and share His love. 

I believe the main reason discord occurs in a marriage is FEAR. When you allow fear to establish a foothold, it causes you to doubt that your partner will take the "right steps". Fear of being mislead causes you to try and take the lead in a dance you DO NOT know and don't have the moves for. 

I believe fear is also why we often jerk the "spiritual ladder" out from under our spouse. Ladies, as long as you try to manage your spouse through your expectations, you're parenting him. You're not here to reprimand him or be his spiritual conscience. Even though you don't witness your husband spending time in the Word, hear him pray, attend church, or see him taking the spiritual initiative in your home, it doesn't give you the right to judge the closeness of his relationship with God. Fact is, if you don't trust your husband, then you don't trust God. Who's to say that the "wrong steps" your husband takes won't lead you both in the right direction? You cannot know! You must trust that the Lord is ALWAYS in control. He designed "your dance" to work perfectly by establishing your individual roles. 

Your husband belongs to God and he will be responsible to God for his actions, or lack thereof. You are not responsible for your husband's spiritual state. Even when he's not being a "good" leader (in your eyes), God does not expect you, nor did He create you with the ability, to step up and "be the man". If your husband's not doing a good enough job, don't you think your Savior will step in, correct him, and save you?! Jesus loves you and your family more than your spouse ever could. Mark 10:9 says "What God has joined together, let no man separate." 
NO MAN includes your man!! 

You would be foolish to try and "lead this dance". If you do, you will cause the "maybe's" to become "surety's". Meaning that...what you fear might happen surely will, if you step in & take charge. Now I'll agree that we have a very important part to play in being our husband's "help meet". But have you ever tried to prematurely "help" your husband with anything? It comes across as disrespectful and is a major blow to his ego. Wait until he needs your help. It might even mean letting your husband fall, but you have to accept that possibility and fall with him in order to help him back up, continue your "dance", and point him back to Christ for spiritual instruction. 

I urge you to focus on taking the steps God intended for you and Fear Not! Your Savior will catch you, Darlin'! Your "marriage dance" will be beautiful and harmonious once you see that you're dancing with the Lord by following your husband's lead. 

You'll never experience a flawless dance with your spouse, 

but you can enjoy a fearless one together!  

Truth to memorize and hold to:

"...they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." 1 Peter 3:1-2

"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still." Exodus 14:14 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

"Let them praise His name with dancing..." Psalm 149:3

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

     

Power through Prayer:

I pray that we will not insist on our "rights", but surrender them. 

I pray that our inappropriate steps will not cause our husbands to stumble. 

I pray for strength to deny fear a foothold. 

I pray for our total surrender to God's perfect plan. 

I pray that we will allow the Lord to direct and our husbands to lead, as we fearlessly follow! 

I'd like to leave you with a beautiful song I heard recently.  

It's amazing how the Lord knows exactly what we need to hear and when.

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Blessings Await the Right Choices!

James 1:12-15

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

From the very beginning, we see blame shifting is a natural, human tendency. In Genesis 3:12-13, when Adam and Eve ate the fruit off the tree of knowledge of good & evil, the Lord confronts them and they make excuses instead of owning up to their sin. Eve says, "the spent deceived me" and Adam not only blames Eve, but also God..."the woman You gave me..."

Friend, you and I will never overcome our sin until we own up to it. We will never experience victory until we accept responsibility. God is NEVER at fault for our sin. Often times, we think "well, if He had just made the circumstances a little easier to bare, then I wouldn't have sinned." Wrong!

Don't blame God! God DOES NOT tempt; He tests. Testing challenges us to grow and only produces good results. Tempting is enticement to ensnare & cause harm. Isaiah 6:3, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty..." God cannot be evil. It is not in His nature. 1 John 1:5, "...God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." God and sin are as opposite as left & right; day & night; life & death... He would never intentionally put you in harms way or set you up to fail. “If that's so, then why have the tree in the garden at all, knowing they'd be tempted by it's fruit & eat it?”...

Great question! Here's the way I see it... The tree was a gift; a test. We are made in the image of God, created differently than all other living things. He created us with the ability to make moral choices. Without the tree being accessible and the ability to choose, we would be no different than an animal; just existing. God wanted more for us than to merely exist. He wants us to live! He chose us and He wanted us to choose Him. He desires to teach us how to live correctly and wants to bless us when we chose to do it His way…the right way!! In Genesis 22:1-2, we see that the Lord tests Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Why would the Lord do that?! We see the reason in verses 16-18. The Lord wanted to bless Abraham abundantly. God was testing his faith and Abraham chose to obey, thus reaping the benefits of following the Lord. What if Abraham had decided against sacrificing his son? He would not have been blessed with countless descendants or become the father of a great nation. The Scriptures probably wouldn’t even have mentioned Abraham had he made a different choice.

If we choose to do the wrong thing, we will suffer the consequences. If we choose to do the right thing, we will enjoy the many blessings that follow! Everything the Lord has done in our lives has been for our good. Granted those things may still be painful for us to endure, but He is GOOD, and good only produces good. He stretches us to strengthen us. Psalm 145:9 says it best, "The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

Temptation comes from 3 sources: the devil, the world, and our flesh. We are the major source of our own problem. Lust is a desire for anything that God has prohibited. Romans 7:21-25..."So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” The Lord provides you a way to escape…flee…RUN!!  Do not dwell in temptation or you will succumb to its lusts.  Take a look at Joseph in Genesis 39. He was attendant to his Egyptian master and was entrusted with the care of Potiphar’s household & all he owned. Potiphar’s wife started taking a liking to Joseph and threw herself at him numerous times, grabbing him and telling him to sleep with her. You think it was easy for him to continually say “No” to? Doubtful! I think it would be incredibly hard for any man to resist this seductress. And when his “No!” wasn’t good enough for her, he escaped her clutches and ran(v.12)!! He physically ran! If he had remained with her and tried to endure the continual tempting, it eventually would’ve been beyond his ability to bare and he would’ve fallen. Running was the only way he could “endure” the temptation.

You might be wondering, "But if my faith in God has secured a spot for me in heaven, then why can't I live it up here on earth & do whatever I want?" As believers, sin won't damn us to hell, but it can end our lives prematurely. Ezekiel 18:26-27..."If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life."  Consider the end result and all of the bad things that happen when we engage in sin; DEATH of our earthly bodies, which belong to Jesus Christ. Read these passages and notice a trend. James 1:15; 2:12-26; 3:13-4:4; 5:15. We are free from the penalty of sin(eternal death), but not the consequences(earthly death).

Take responsibility for your wrongdoings and hold to this promise, Friends.  1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The first step to overcoming sin is confessing the hold it has on your life. Embrace the goodness of God! Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Our Lord has SO many great things in store for you!! Please let Him teach you how to live so that you may be blessed beyond measure! Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

The Art of Prayer!

Does praying come easy to you, Friend? Where does it rank on your list of priorities? Do you often find it difficult to pray? Maybe you don't know how to go about it, or maybe you feel so "out of sync" spiritually or guilt ridden that you can't find sufficient words to lay before the Lord. To be honest, I often struggle with my prayer life. Being a pregnant Mama of twin 2 year olds & the wife of a night duty police officer, in our house prayer is defined as a brief blessing on the work day, mealtimes & bedtimes. I confess, I even find it difficult to pray & intercede for people that I love & am responsible for. I used to think, in my faulty way, "If I can't give the Lord my all, then I have nothing to say." Sad...Sad way to think, because I've robbed myself and others the many joys and blessings that come from connecting to the Creator on a daily basis. I come to find that my nothing is everything to the God I serve! Even if  all I have to give at the end of a busy day are mere leftovers, He'll take it and make the moments between us beautiful!

I encourage you to ponder this passage with me & see how it applies to your life. 

The Lost Art of Prayer

"Brothers, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25

In the hustle and bustle of life today people don't take time to pray. There are laymen who will give their money, but they will not give themselves to prayer. There are plenty of preachers who will preach on the need of revival and the spread of the Kingdom of God. But there are many who will do that without prayer which makes all the preaching worthless. To many people, prayer is out of date; almost a lost art. The greatest benefactor that this age could have is the person who will bring the preachers and the church back to prayer. 

"I want to take time for You, God, because I can't go a day without You."

- The Power of Prayer

Do you agree in seeing prayer as a lost art? Isn't it sad to recognize the slow fade? We've been given a great power and have allowed it to slip away from us unnoticed. I don't know about you, but I'm ashamed of myself. How could I let a priceless treasure escape me? The Lord has given us a way to connect with Him on an intimate level, and so many of us choose to disregard it. Some would say, "I'm not deliberately choosing to disregard it, I just don't think about it." Sorry Friend, but the truth of it is, if your prayer life's not  thriving, it's dying. 

If you're hesitant to pray because you are unsure of how to go about it, let me share a couple of hints with you. Prayer seems to come easier when taking a kneeling position. Humbly bowing before the King always helps put things in proper perspective. Remember the "how to" of prayer by recalling this acronym: 

CAST 

C - Confession - before the Lord can hear your prayers & commune with you, sin must be confessed. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me." Psalm.66:18

A - Adoration - tell your Master how wonderful He is. The Psalms are full of worship & adoration. Recite them aloud to Him! "Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty," Psalm 104:1

S - Supplication - bring your requests to Your Savior. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

T - Thanksgiving - Thank & praise your Heavenly Father for the wonderful things He has done & is doing. "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign." Revelation 11:17

It also brings to mind a simple song that is dear to me; my prayers often end in humming its sweet tune. 

"I cast all my cares upon You.

I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet; 

And anytime I don't know what to do, 

I will cast all my cares upon You."

Prayer should be one of the easiest, most natural things for us as believers to do. Whether by yourself or in a group, we should be striving to lift our voices to the Lord anytime an opportunity presents itself. I encourage you to have courage enough to seize those moments! My prayer for us is that we strive to be prayer warriors and make the art of prayer as natural as breathing. I commit to praying for you, Friend and ask that you do the same for me. 

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith."

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Find Joy in Him, Beloved! 

Shhh! Listen!

"Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

As you walk with God, He is concerned about the words that come out of your mouth - the things that you share, confess, affirm, and speak into the lives of others. It is a good thing to ask the Holy Spirit to be a guardian of your speech. The Bible tells us that we should be more involved with listening than we are with speaking (James 1:19). It is freeing to know that God doesn't ask you to speak all the time, talk about everything, and have an opinion about everything. God does, however, give you great encouragement to speak things that are good, things that build others up, things that are bathed in grace, and things that come from His heart directly to yours. 

- His Footsteps, My Pathway

"Every time you speak, your mind and heart are on parade." You know, I have been one of the opinion that sharing everything was a good thing because it makes you transparent. However, after meditating on this, I clearly need to readjust my thought process, because I truly believe that if that transparency does not give a clear representation of Christ, than it's best to be silent. Zeno, a Greek Philosopher, puts it like this, "The reason we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may hear more and speak less." The world is full of those who would speak their minds, and we are all prone to doing so. Sadly, if we are not actively surrendering ourselves to the Lord, the things we speak may be corrupt and damaging to others. Matthew 12:34 says, "...the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." 

God's Word on the subject:

- "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." Psalm 139:4

- "And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell." James 3:6

- "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." James 3:5

- "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

- "A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin." Proverbs 26:28

- "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out." Proverbs 10:31

- "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Proverbs 10:19

- "The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

- "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:2

- "Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent." Proverbs 17:28

- "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." Proverbs 21:23

- "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." Luke 6:45

- "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

- "For the mind that is set on flesh is hostile to God..." Romans 8:7

- "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." 1 Corinthians 14:15

Dear Friend, I am among the worst of those that prattle on mindlessly, so this challenge is moreso for myself than you.

Challenge: 

1) Shhhhh! "Although the tongue weighs very little, few people are able to hold it." Do not make public speaking a habit. The world does not need to be aware of every defining detail of your being. When you feel you must speak, avoid the word "I", use as few words as possible, be encouraging and make sure that people hear what Jesus Christ has to say through you. May they see your devotion to the Lord and your love of others. We have been given a tongue so that we can make the Word of the Lord a priority. His opinion is all that matters! If they can't see or hear Christ in your speech, they should not be listening to you at all!! 

2) Listen well and often!! "The first step to wisdom is silence; the second is listening." Make a habit of really hearing what others have to say and learn from them; learn about them. When you hear what they have to say, consider carefully if (not when or how) you should respond; always pray before you do. Teach yourself to shut your mouth tight & open your ears wide. Take a lesson from the silent; even those without a voice thrive in relationships! "You can win more friends with your ears than with your mouth."  I'll bet you'd be surprised how much more you can learn about someone, and how much deeper you can go, if you'll practice being mute! What a valuable lesson we'd learn if we only spoke when talked to directly or asked a specific question.

How to speak without words:  It's said that 90% of communication is non-verbal. Consider this. 

"There are many ways that you can speak good things into the lives of others without ever saying a word. You can speak with the "face" of approval, with the "eyes" of understanding, with the "ears" of alertness, with the "smile" of delight, with the "tone" of kindness, with the "spirit" of compassion, with the "heart" of love, with the "hands" of mercy, with the "embrace" of acceptance, with the "handshake" of companionship, with the "glance" of interest, with the "tears" of comfort, with the "nod" of affirmation, and with the "touch" of tenderness."

- His Footsteps, My Pathway

My prayer(s) for us: 

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths." Psalm 25:4 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

"Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3

My hope for us: "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue." 
2 Samuel 23:2

Find Joy in Him, Beloved! 

Let us...!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 

Your "Let" Responsibilities

- Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

- My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

- Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:19)

- Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. (1 Peter 4:16)

- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)

- His Footsteps, My Pathway

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Christ is all, and in all!

Hello sweet Friend! I wanted to share a passage that I've been dwelling on lately. I am not sure where you are in your walk, but I do hope it speaks to you as it has me. 

Colossians 3:1-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices  and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.   And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

There are so many amazing things to meditate on in this passage. I have made bold the portions that mean the most to me at this time in life. I encourage you to do the same & pray over the things the Lord brings to mind. It is not easy to lay aside our earthy nature and set our hearts & minds on things above, but with Christ, "who is our life" anything is possible. If nothing else, remember "Christ is all, and in all." Be thankful! 

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Choose Joy!

"In your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11

I know of no greater need today than the need for joy. Unexplainable, contagious joy. Outrageous joy! When that kind of joy comes aboard our ship of life, it brings things with it - like enthusiasm for life, determination to hang in there, and a strong desire to be of encouragement to others. Such qualities make our voyage bearable when we hit the open seas and encounter high waves of hardship that tend to demoralize and paralyze. There is nothing better than a joyful attitude when we face the challenges life throws at us. 

-  Wisdom For The Way

It is not easy to be joyful amid our own difficult circumstances, let alone be an encouragement to others. Thankfully, we have the ability to draw from the Lord's strength when we are weak, but it means stepping out beyond ourselves and realizing how our lives at this moment are impacting the world and influencing others for Jesus Christ! Beware of the many thieves of joy. Personal gain, comparison, discontentment...

In order to secure a joyful spirit we must remain saturated in the scripture. 

James 1:2 - "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials."

John 15:11 - "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and  that your joy may be made full."

Philippians 4:11 - "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in." 

1 Timothy 6:6 - "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 

Colossians 1:11 - "Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously. 

Psalm 23:1 - "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want."

Philippians 2:2 - "then make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose."

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." 

Find Joy in Him, Beloved! 

With Him, you belong!

Hello Friend! Each of us goes through "highlights" & "lowlights" in life; times of struggle and times of victory. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us that there's "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." At times, I am sure you feel alone. I want to remind you of your worth. Jesus Christ knows your name, knows your every thought, sees each tear that falls, and hears you when you call. When it feels like no one on earth cares, look to the Lord's embrace!! He will comfort your heart!!



Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

He chose you!!

Hello sweet Friend, 
I'd like to share some things we've been learning in our walk through Romans. The section of the passage is chapter 8, verses 28-39.
1. God will use everything for your good(v.28)
2. God will finish what He started(v.29-30)
3. God will not allow anything to separate you from Him(v.31-39)
    - No enemy(v.31-32) can separate you because God is for us; He has already given us what's most precious to Him. He already paid the ultimate, infinite price for you. 
    - No accusation(v.33-34). "For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." Revelation 12:10. The Judge, your Father has already decided in your favor...the verdict has already been delivered. Your Attorney, the Son, has already paid your penalty...He pleads on His own merit. "It's done! I already paid for it." -Jesus. No accusation of sin can prosecute or convict. 
     - No persecution(v.35-37) "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2Corinthians 12:10; "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2Timothy 3:12
     - Nor any other created thing(v.38-39) This covers everything else! "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him." Colossians 1:16


You could not save yourself; therefore there is nothing you can do to forfeit your salvation, because it has always belonged to Jesus. You are eternally secure because Jesus Christ chose you!! Does the purchased item have the right or ability to argue with the One that purchased it?! 
Eternal salvation means your salvation is:
1. Beyond your power to give up(Rom.8:39)
2. An irrevocable change of nature. 1Peter 1:3 - "New birth into a living hope"(you can't undo birth); "NEW creation. The old is gone!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
3. Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 - "when you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of His glory." You bear His tattoo! 
4. Based on His choice; not ours. John 10:27-29 - "no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father has given them to me..." God our Father gave you to Jesus. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10. "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will." Ephesians 1:4-5. 
What a Joy it is to know that we can never walk away because we are eternally embraced by Emmanuel! 

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!!

Much needed encouragement!

I apologize for my absence, Friend. April was quite the blur for my family; birthdays, illness, travel... Phew! Well, now I'm back & in need of some uplifting!

FEEBLE PRAYER

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

Our Lord warns us against feeble prayer. This means that we must possess enough enthusiasm to carry us through the severe and long periods of pleading prayer. Fire makes one alert, vigilant, and brings one out as more than a conqueror. 

The atmosphere about us is too heavily charged with resisting forces for lifeless prayers to make any progress. It takes heat, fervency and fire to push through to the heavens where God dwells with His saints. 

Fervency before God counts in the hour of prayer and finds a speedy and rich reward at God's hands. 

- The Power of Prayer

UNLIMITED RESOURCES

He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. Matthew 14:19

As you look around, the needs that you see are often great and overwhelming. Your own resources seem so small, and your own abilities seem so limited to meet such great needs. 

If you tried to quench the thirst of others out of your own fountain, no one would be satisfied; if you tried to feed the hungry with your own bread, no one would be made full; if you tried to reassure others with your own thoughts, no one would be comforted; if you tried to bring meaning to the lives of others with your own plans, no one would be fulfilled. 

Jesus asks you to give all that you have to Him. As you place your life in His hands, He will break you as bread, multiply you, and use you to meet the needs of others with His unlimited resources. 

- His Footsteps, My Pathway

Both excerpts are so insightful and helpful. I made bold the words that are sinking in deep for me. I confess that I am guilty of thinking I can do these things within my limited means and it's just not so. All we know is our own small way of thinking. It is natural to think that offering all we can to others will be sufficient, but crucial to understand that it will never be enough if Jesus Christ is not the source. Philippians 4:13 says "we can do all things through Christ". Give yourself to Him and He will use you for His glory! 

Find Joy in Him Beloved!

Jesus Died and AROSE!

"In Christ Alone" is my favorite song! Last night while watching this video, I bawled! Haven't cried like that in a long time. It was honestly refreshing. I saw "The Passion of the Christ" in the theater with my younger sister when it was first released, and it was difficult to watch, but powerful, and incredibly moving! As time goes by, the knowing of what Christ Jesus did for me separates from the emotion behind it. I will always know that Jesus died for me, but when the torture that He suffered is before my eyes, I see my name etched in His flesh. I may not have been alive the day my Savior died, but He carried me with Him as He bore the cross to Calvary. 

Yes, Easter is a time to celebrate Christ's resurrection from the dead, but reflecting on how He died is just as important as rejoicing in His return! "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)  There is no death comparable to Christ's. Do you realize all that Jesus went through for you, Friend? It goes beyond simply knowing. Imagine being in the crowd that day. True, it's awful to think about, but it IS necessary because we MUST live chained to both, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!! "If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection." (Romans 6:5)  Do not think it was not easy for Him. He was every bit as human as you & I; He felt every lash of the whip & every prick of the thorn. He suffered, beyond the point of all imaginable and unimaginable pain. Realize how severe His suffering, and know that He chose to endure it so that you wouldn't have to!!

This is what I know to be true of the God I serve, and it's still SO hard for me to comprehend...    If I was the only person on earth and drove the nails into His hands myself, HE STILL WOULD'VE CHOSEN TO DIE FOR ME!! And the same is true for you! He took your place, Friend! He loves each and every one of us with this matchless, endless love. How can people not love Him back?! Wouldn't you want to?! 

This is hard to watch, but seeing a glimpse of what Jesus went through for you and me, helps keep us close to Him. 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

 Jesus rose a Victor over death and HE LIVES!! He is worthy to be praised, worshiped and adored!! Rejoice with me, Friends! We serve a Risen Savior and share in His victory!! 

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 

1Corinthians 15:57

Oh how He loves you and me!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!! 

Untitled Hymn

Wanted to share one of my all time favorites with you, Friend! It's a great reminder that through it all, Jesus is our constant! Enjoy!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Cuckoo!

Hello sweet Friend! How much do you know about the Cuckoo? We've named a clock after this bird. My great grandmother (amazing woman who is now with the Lord) used to have one, and every half hour & hour, the little bird perched in the rafters of her clock would abruptly exit it's tiny chamber and call out "Cuckoo!!!" repeatedly until we were all acutely aware of the time! I always wondered why she had, what I thought was, such an annoying contraption. Rather than hearing "cuckoo!" I always heard, "Your life is ticking away! Just wanted to remind you!" Well, here's what I've since found out about the bird within the clock, and why it was so named.

When a mother cuckoo needs to lay her egg, she doesn't build her own nest. You see, she has no intention of caring for or raising her baby. Instead, she lays her egg among the others, in the nest of another bird & flies away. When the baby cuckoo hatches, it usually shoves all the other eggs out of the nest, keeping for itself, all of the food & attention from its new Mother. I found this shocking! You'd think the original mother bird could've at least written a note of warning..."I've left you with a greedy li'l booger that will make your life miserable! Be prepared for disaster! Oh, and thanks for doing this so I don't have to." This baby bird is not a creature that goes out of its way to make others feel wanted or welcome. Quite the contrary. I just have to post a few pictures of this because they speak louder than words.

Here's the newly hatched little rascal putting the other eggs on its back & tossing them out of the nest.

Here's the growing cuckoo trying to remain squeezed into the nest while still being fed by its adopted mother. 

I have to admit, it makes me chuckle. :) 

 I just can't get over the nature of this bird...ridiculously comical!

Scary that we too can be guilty of assuming a similar position of entitlement in life. 

Often times, I see myself as kindred to this baby cuckoo. I am loud and obnoxious, and I'm sure I cast others aside while focusing too much on all that concerns me.
See this:

Sometimes, that big squawking, odious bird...yeah that's me! Sad to say, the nature of it comes naturally. I'm sure folks know when I've got my "all about me" attitude goin' on. Now unlike the cuckoo on the wall awaiting the gears to trip it into action, I have no excuse. My purpose is opposite that of the cuckoo. Acting as such is not the way to win friends & influence people and it certainly isn't a clear representation of Christ.

If we live as we are called, then we must constantly battle against our "cuckoo" moments. Here are some scripture passages that can help.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24
"I have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Luke 9:23-24
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30
"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." Romans 12:3
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourself." Philippians 2:3

Friends, let's strive to be Christlike, not Cuckoos! Make room in your life for others, and put forth effort to ensure they know you care!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Notice Him!

Now when she had said this she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. John 20:14

"It's hard to imagine someone looking at Jesus and not knowing it is Jesus. Yet that is what happened to Mary. She didn't recognize Him because Jesus appeared to Mary in a way that was unfamiliar to her. Is Jesus working in your life in unfamiliar ways? Do not assume that He will work in a certain way, or at a certain time according to your expectations. When you bring a need to Him, you may not always recognize how He is answering your prayer. His answers may appear to be coincidental or circumstantial, but always remember that He often uses ordinary people and everyday events to work in supernatural ways."

- His Footsteps, My Pathway

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways." Isaiah 55:8

We tend to be so fixated on awaiting Jesus' "answers" to our prayers that we miss His daily workings in our lives. How will we notice the Lord without training our eyes to see Him in the simple things. Often times, Jesus Christ works miracles in big way, and it is unmistakably His Handiwork; but He performs small miracles all the time and sadly, they go unnoticed, because we're too busy expecting something awesome & extraordinary! Friend, I urge you to notice the subtle wonder that surrounds you, for in it lives the goodness and closeness of God!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!  

"...in much patience, in tribulation, in needs, in distress." 2 Corinthians 6:4

When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel. 

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-7. 

- My Utmost For His Highest: March 6th

Dive in & keep swimming!!

Hello Friend,
As it is the beginning of a new month, I just want to encourage those of you that aren't already reading through the Bible in a year with us, to jump right in! There's no time like the present! You will find links to our location in the Word of God to the right of the screen next to the corresponding date.

For those of you that are interested in chronologically reading through the Scriptures in a year, but want to start from the beginning, just click on this link & starting today, March 1st, you can begin your journey in Genesis, where it all began.
http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/niv1984/cmar01.htm
Enjoy digging deeper!

Find joy in Him, Beloved!

A beautiful reminder!

DaySpring E-Cards
Encourage someone today, Friend!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Pray!

Have you ever lost something of value and been beside yourself when you could not find it anywhere? That happens to me quite a bit, especially with my Mommy brain. I usually get to a point of despair before praying about finding my lost item. But when I finally bring my simple concern before the Lord, He seems to comfort me and take an interest in helping me locate that which was important to me, because I usually end up finding it shortly after talking with Him about it. I love that I serve a Master that is concerned about everything that concerns me and I love that I can connect with Him through prayer! I love the promise in Mark 11:24 that states, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

God's promises are dependent on our prayers. The promises are planted in us, appropriated by us, and held in the arms of faith by prayer. Prayer gives the promises their efficiency and utilizes them. Prayer puts the promises to practical and present uses. Promises, like the rain, are general. Prayer embodies, participates, and locates them for personal use. The promises, like electricity, may sparkle and dazzle and yet remain useless for good until these dynamic, life-giving currents are chained by prayer and become mighty forces that move and bless. - The Power of Prayer

I love the expression "chained by prayer". We should be in a constant state of communion with Lord, reverencing Him, and inviting Him to be Master of our lives. We do this through prayer! Talk with God as you would your father and friend. Cultivate a childlike faith and believe that He cares about every aspect of your life. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER IN A POWERFUL WAY!!

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

A Day for the Heart!

Dear Friend, today is a day dedicated to love. I don't know where you are or who you are with, but I pray that you are being embraced in a warm hug by someone you love. I pray that your heart is full and that you feel incredibly special. I also pray that if this Valentines Day wasn't everything you hoped it would be, that you remember where love began. Jesus Christ is the source of love and if you feel like you have no one, please remember, He knows your name and loves you beyond measure. Christ's love cannot be outranked by human emotion, nor can it dwindle. YOU are SO dear to His heart and He adores you! 

So make Christ your Sweet Valentine, as He has made you His!! He will hold you in His loving arms for eternity!! Love to you!

"...I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to Myself." Jeremiah 31:3

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

Mountain Top or Valley?!

"Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths." Psalm 25:4

"You learn things from God in the narrow valley that you cannot learn on the mountain top. 
On the mountain top you learn that He is the God of glory and power; in the valley you learn that He is the God of all comfort and consolation. 
On the mountain top you learn that He is the God who reigns; in the valley you learn that He is the God who bore your grief and carried your sorrows. 
On the mountain top you learn that He is the God of justice and righteousness; in the valley you learn that He is the God of tender mercies and boundless grace. 
On the mountain top you learn that He is the God of strength and wholeness; in the valley you learn that He is the God of healing and restoration." 

His Footsteps, My Pathway

Where have you been residing lately, Friend? The mountain top or the valley? I've been in the valley; and it is there that the Lord resides with me. It is hard sometimes, but He is there through it all! He is faithful and trustworthy!

Here's a song of encouragement that was a blessing to me. 

Find Joy in Him, Beloved! 

The Shadow!

Something to think about...

"In the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver." Isaiah 49:2
"In the shadow - each of us must go there sometimes. The glare of the sunlight is too bright, and our eyes become injured...fear not! It is in the shadow of God's hand. He is leading you and there are lessons that can be learned only where He leads. The photograph of His face can only be developed in a dark room. But do not assume that He pushed you aside...O shadowed, isolated one, remember how closely the quiver is tied to the warrior. It is always within easy reach of His hand and jealously protected. In some realms of nature, shadows or darkness are the places of greatest growth...The shadows provide a service that the sunlight does not. The starry beauty of the sky cannot be seen at its peak until the shadows of night slip over the sky...there are beautiful flowers that bloom in the shade that will never bloom in the sun. Florists now have their evening primrose as well as their morning glory." Streams in the Desert by L.B.Cowman

Do not fear what you cannot see, Friend. The Lord is with you! See the Him in the dark times as well. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!

At Peace!

Friend, in my prayers for you, I feel led to encourage a state of peace. Naturally, there is much on our minds and many things weighing on our hearts. The world we live in is extremely loud and it constantly leaves us worrying & wondering "What if...? Should I...? When...? How should I proceed?". When you have a question in/about life, where do you go for the answer? We are a people that are rarely at peace. There are not many that are comfortable with being still. Waiting is one of the most difficult things to do in today's day and age. I ask you friend, what is it like to be at peace? Have you ever experienced God's perfect peace? Do you dwell in it?

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27  

I am sure that you have had to face uncertain times, now or in the past. There is always some risk involved in any decision, but rest assured, that where God leads, His perfect peace will follow. 

"God is a God of peace. Peace is a powerful signature of His work within your life. The absence of His peace is a good indicator that you need to examine your heart and allow Him to show you why His peace has been disturbed. Every work of grace that God performs on your behalf, every work of His Spirit that He does in your heart, and every revelation that comes to you from His Word will be marked by peace. Do you need to make an important decision? God's peace will be in the answer. Do you need to take a new step of faith? God's peace will move you on. Are you going through a difficult situation? God's peace will keep you steady through the storm." 

Remember Friend, the life we live is not about us and what we should do, it's about God and what He has done...IS DOING! "I have been crucified with Christ; It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20). Focus on God and He will reveal what He would have you do. He's not in the business of keeping secrets. Ask Him in earnest, "Father, how can I best serve You? What would You have me do?" then wait patiently for the answer; let Him lead.
Peace follows God's will and you are His will. Be at peace, Dear One.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Find Joy in Him, Beloved!