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!