Walking in Joy

19 02 2013

Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again-rejoice! Philippians 4:4 

DSC03410Living with a glad heart is a blessed life. Unlike what most people think I believe joy is more than an emotion. It is a conscious decision to recognize God’s blessings in our lives, both big and small. It is hard to think of God’s goodness and not express gladness and praise.

Just think, walking in joy…

  • Is a decision – This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24
  • Provides strength – a tool for endurance- The Joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10
  • Shows with a smile – A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15: 13
  • Blesses us with the desires of our Hearts – Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37: 4

In the passage for today, Paul puts double emphasis on rejoicing in the Lord. It is important for our successful living and our pleasing walk with the Lord.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!  Philippians 4:4-5 MSG


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Categories : JOY, Uncategorized

Super Love

14 02 2013

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever. John 3:16 NLV

another sunriseThe subject of love will be the focus of lots of attention today. Cards, flowers, and candy will be given and received in the name of love. It is blessing to share our love and appreciation for the people that are so special in our lives. The world received the ultimate gift of super love from our Heavenly Father, when He sent His son Jesus for you and me. This gift is available to each one of us who accepts Jesus with an open heart, mind and soul. It is a present of tremendous love that will last forever. He came that we might experience His love and an abundant life. So when considering all of the expressions of love that you might be blessed with today, consider the super gift of love that God sent to you through Jesus Christ. I invite you to accept Him in your heart today.

Dear God –

Thank you for the special gift of love you gave us through your Son Jesus Christ. I admit that I am not right with you and I want to be right with you. I ask for forgiveness for all of my sins. I accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.   I ask that you to come into my heart and to lead my life. Thank you God for saving me!

in Jesus Name,

Amen

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9


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Categories : LOVE, Uncategorized

Walk in Peace

13 02 2013

The Lord gives his people strength.   

The Lord blesses them with peace. 

Psalm 29:11 NLT

DSC00198God provides peace that surpasses understanding. It dwells in our hearts and minds when we need it most. This peace can quiet any fears, smooth out stress and provide calm in our emotions and in our thinking. Acknowledging our Great God in our situations is an assurance that our Heavenly Father is in control. He is the one that loves us and guides our steps. We thank God for His faithfulness to us and for His blessing of peace each step of the way. We are thankful for God’s peace and the joy that follows that gives us a new song for a new day.   We thank you God for our daily walk in peace.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Ephesians 3:20 NLT


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Categories : PEACE, Uncategorized

Sing a New Song

12 02 2013

Sing to the Lord a new song!   Sing to the Lord, all the earth!  Sing to the Lord! Praise his name!

Day after day announce that the Lord saves his people.  Tell people about his glory.

Tell all the nations about his miracles.  Psalm 96:1-3

DSC03343We can sing about the Great God that we serve with a new song! Sing of His might and power and how it blesses our lives in ways we could not have even imagined. We thank God for His goodness and His mercy toward the things concerning us – our health, our families and even the deepest desires of our hearts. The Lord is Great and is worthy of our praise and our song. We are so thankful for His goodness with His praises on our lips, clapping in our hands and joy in our hearts for He is our God. We are so thankful for revival, renewal and a new song.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

 Ephesians 3:20 NLT


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Categories : PRAISE, Uncategorized

The Words of My Mouth

11 02 2013

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, Psalm 19:14

DSC03061Words can be powerful. One passage describes them as having both life and death. So choosing words that are aligned with the will of God is critical. We may tempted to say things that reflect our best thinking but our thinking cannot compare to the wisdom of the Holy Father. So we ask God through His Holy Spirit to guide our words. We want the words of our mouths to reflect His will, His love, His healing, His deliverance and His peace. Our words can speak life and encouragement to a hurting world. This Psalm is a petition to the Lord that our words and our hearts would please God. We are thankful that He promised to hear our prayer and provide guidance when we need it. We speak life each day according to God’s Kingdom.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,

to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  

Ephesians 3:20 NLT


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Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Shine Bright

7 02 2013

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.   John 8:12

CaliSun1We may see so much darkness in the world today; so many people existing in despair and in need of God’s love. Sickness in minds, bodies and souls seem so pervasive. Lack of peace, harmony and even concern for our neighbors in the world seem commonplace. God sent His Son, Jesus that we might have life, in every sense of the word. We seek full life in relationship with Him, growing and developing as His children representing His love to the world. We thank God for the transformative power of His love in our lives that can be extended to others. We can use our hands, our walk, our talk to show kindness and compassion. Showing our love we become bright lights that pierce the darkness and create more and more opportunities for the light and for God’s Son Jesus to shine bright. He is the Light which is Life.


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Categories : HOPE, Uncategorized

Expect the Great!

6 02 2013

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord! Psalm 31:24 AMP

DSCF0247A definition of “Expectancy” is the state of thinking that something, especially something pleasant, will happen or be the case. As God’s children we can live in a continuous state of expectancy of His goodness and His love being extended to us. Our Father is a Great God who desires to bless those that delight themselves in Him. We have a heart full of thanksgiving for this blessing. We can expect and anticipate the goodness of God to be evident in our lives; His peace, His mercy, His love and His grace will surround each day. We praise His Holy name for all of His power and majesty and the blessing of being in relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.

O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation!

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:1-3 AMP


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Categories : ENCOURAGEMENT, Uncategorized

Laser Focus

6 02 2013

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-2

DSC02697I admire people who have the ability to focus on a goal and work toward it without getting weighed down with the challenges of living. They seem to be able to fix their eyes on their goal down the road and work diligently toward that goal no matter what comes their way. I am working on having that kind of laser focus in my life.

Our passage today is about fixing our eyes on Jesus. We have so many followers that have gone before us, leaving a trail that is encouragement to throw off every hindrance in our lives. We should avoid every sin, every distraction and each thing that will keep us from running swiftly toward our goal. Our Father did not just provide grace, mercy and salvation for us alone. He has given each one of us purpose and work to do to build His Kingdom. Now, like never before we should commit our focus and our hands to getting it done.


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Categories : PURPOSE, Uncategorized

Seeing Clearly

4 02 2013

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119: 105  

???????????????????????????????Our life’s journey is full of decisions. Knowing what path to choose or which road to take can be challenging. We can depend on our own wisdom and our best thinking but relying on that alone can lead to a wrong turn.   We may hope for a booming voice from God or even a quite whisper that tells us clearly how we should proceed. Still at times we may remain unsure where our next step should be placed.

This portion of Psalms reminds us that our God’s Word provides a lamp unto our feet. God orders the steps of the righteous. Seeking guidance from His Word and the powerful leading of the Holy Spirit can provide the clarity we are seeking. We thank God that He provides a bright light to our path. We can step out on faith knowing that our Father is there every step of the way.


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Categories : GUIDANCE, Uncategorized

Do You See What He Sees

31 01 2013

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

DSC04059A vision of what is possible may come at different phases in our lives.  In youth, we may envision our lives with an abundance to live happy, prosperous lives.  As we age and make choices, the possibilities of what we can achieve seems to get smaller or larger based our vision.  I am thankful to God who has a Kingdom view of our lives as our Creator and our Heavenly Father.  He sees all of the gifts and talents that dwell within.  He sees what lies ahead and His Holy Spirit can lead us toward the bright purpose He has for each of us.  We should each seek to see what God sees.  Knowing His love for us is great and that His purpose for us is for good.  We praise God for His love, His grace and His direction for our lives.


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Categories : PURPOSE, Uncategorized

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