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!!