Monday, April 29, 2013
Count it all Joy
Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most
unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering with tears in its
eyes.
Scripture:
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJV)
Joy is more than just a word. Joy is an emotion that everyone would like to experience at some level. Many believe that joy can only be found in the greatest of life’s moments. However, many more will tell you that joy can be found in those little moments that are always so unexpected.
As a parent, my children have given me some of my greatest moments of joy. The moment that I first laid eyes on them, filled me with a joy so powerful, words couldn’t even begin to explain. And with each accomplishment they achieved, once again I would experience unspeakable joy.
When I fell in love, just spending time with that special person fills my heart with joy. The simple things that we do together are joyous because I enjoy those moments of happiness that spring from simply being in each other’s company bring.
Even when my heart is heavy, I can go to church and receive a word from that man or woman of God that I know was meant just for me that renews my spirit and fills me with a new sense of joy, hope and happiness. What many of you may not know is that I work at a funeral home. I see families broken by the death of a loved one. The tears are many but so is the joy and laughter. The tears are caused by grief and the laughter is generated by sweet memories and love. And for those family members who know that their loved one has gone home to Christ, they rejoice in the knowledge that their loved ones are at peace AND in joy with the Lord.
So no matter what you are faced with remember, weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Father, when trouble comes my way, help me to learn to trust in You. Lord, sometimes we forget that You are our ever present help in the time of trouble. Thank You Lord, for being there when we need You. Lord, when we begin to falter and start to worry about our problems, help us to remember to be still and pray. When the problems of life seem to overwhelm us, help us to remember You are right there with us. God help us to realize that weeping may endure for a night, and that sometimes it is necessary for trouble to assail us so that we can see You power and Your glory, manifested in our lives. Lord, We ask for strength today. The strength to stand and fight the good fight of faith yet another day. Lord, grant us peace today. Your peace that passes all understanding. Lord, fill our hearts with Your love. Your love that is not our selfish definition, but the love of Christ Jesus, that strengthens us. Now Lord, we come together on one accord to pray for one another. For no matter how heavy our cross seems, we recognize that we are blessed beyond our own imaginations. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ. Bless our loved ones who have not come to know You yet. But most of all, we Bless Your holy name. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJV)
Joy is more than just a word. Joy is an emotion that everyone would like to experience at some level. Many believe that joy can only be found in the greatest of life’s moments. However, many more will tell you that joy can be found in those little moments that are always so unexpected.
As a parent, my children have given me some of my greatest moments of joy. The moment that I first laid eyes on them, filled me with a joy so powerful, words couldn’t even begin to explain. And with each accomplishment they achieved, once again I would experience unspeakable joy.
When I fell in love, just spending time with that special person fills my heart with joy. The simple things that we do together are joyous because I enjoy those moments of happiness that spring from simply being in each other’s company bring.
Even when my heart is heavy, I can go to church and receive a word from that man or woman of God that I know was meant just for me that renews my spirit and fills me with a new sense of joy, hope and happiness. What many of you may not know is that I work at a funeral home. I see families broken by the death of a loved one. The tears are many but so is the joy and laughter. The tears are caused by grief and the laughter is generated by sweet memories and love. And for those family members who know that their loved one has gone home to Christ, they rejoice in the knowledge that their loved ones are at peace AND in joy with the Lord.
So no matter what you are faced with remember, weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning.
Be blessed
Prayer:
Father, when trouble comes my way, help me to learn to trust in You. Lord, sometimes we forget that You are our ever present help in the time of trouble. Thank You Lord, for being there when we need You. Lord, when we begin to falter and start to worry about our problems, help us to remember to be still and pray. When the problems of life seem to overwhelm us, help us to remember You are right there with us. God help us to realize that weeping may endure for a night, and that sometimes it is necessary for trouble to assail us so that we can see You power and Your glory, manifested in our lives. Lord, We ask for strength today. The strength to stand and fight the good fight of faith yet another day. Lord, grant us peace today. Your peace that passes all understanding. Lord, fill our hearts with Your love. Your love that is not our selfish definition, but the love of Christ Jesus, that strengthens us. Now Lord, we come together on one accord to pray for one another. For no matter how heavy our cross seems, we recognize that we are blessed beyond our own imaginations. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ. Bless our loved ones who have not come to know You yet. But most of all, we Bless Your holy name. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Let it Go and Leave it Behind
Forgiveness means letting go of the past. ~ Gerald
Jampolsky
Scripture:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
Saints, why is it when something is going bad, we start thinking about all the bad that has happened in our past? Why is it that when we get upset with someone, we think about how they made us angry in the past? Why is it that when we think we are failing, we think about all of the failures of our past?
Why is it that we often times remember the pain that old relationships have caused us when dealing with problems in our new relationships? Why is it that we can't forgive ourselves for our past and still beat ourselves up about mistakes that we made a long time ago? Saints, learn to leave the past where it belongs. In the past. Learn to forgive and move on. Learn to let go and move on. Learn to forgive yourselves for your past sins because God already forgave you the moment that you asked.
In today's word God speaks about letting go and seeing what he is doing in your lives right now! God's word speaks about how he is able to make a way in the desert and steams in the wasteland. In other words, he has the power to make a change in your lives no matter how desolate the situation seems to you if you would JUST LET IT GO AND LEAVE IT BEHIND!
But most of all, trust in Him and look ahead and not behind.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
El Shaddai, You who are All Mighty, all Powerful, my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Father, help me to let go of my past and walk into my blessings of today. Lord, help me to let go of my sins of yesterday and embrace the forgiveness that You have in Your heart for me. Lord, I am weak. I seek Your strength and ask that You would help me to be still and listen to Your word so that I may be able to gather a renewed strength and purpose even in the wilderness. Lord, I am like Elijah, in a desert situation but know that my help and my blessings are still being provided by You. Thank You Lord. Lord, help me to let go and let God. Use me today Lord to be a blessing to someone else. Touch me Lord, just to let me know that You are still walking with me. Have mercy Lord, our needs and our afflictions are too many to name, but we know that You know what those needs are and we ask that You would bless us according to Your tender mercies. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus, in whose name we pray. Glory Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.
Scripture:
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19
Saints, why is it when something is going bad, we start thinking about all the bad that has happened in our past? Why is it that when we get upset with someone, we think about how they made us angry in the past? Why is it that when we think we are failing, we think about all of the failures of our past?
Why is it that we often times remember the pain that old relationships have caused us when dealing with problems in our new relationships? Why is it that we can't forgive ourselves for our past and still beat ourselves up about mistakes that we made a long time ago? Saints, learn to leave the past where it belongs. In the past. Learn to forgive and move on. Learn to let go and move on. Learn to forgive yourselves for your past sins because God already forgave you the moment that you asked.
In today's word God speaks about letting go and seeing what he is doing in your lives right now! God's word speaks about how he is able to make a way in the desert and steams in the wasteland. In other words, he has the power to make a change in your lives no matter how desolate the situation seems to you if you would JUST LET IT GO AND LEAVE IT BEHIND!
But most of all, trust in Him and look ahead and not behind.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
El Shaddai, You who are All Mighty, all Powerful, my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Father, help me to let go of my past and walk into my blessings of today. Lord, help me to let go of my sins of yesterday and embrace the forgiveness that You have in Your heart for me. Lord, I am weak. I seek Your strength and ask that You would help me to be still and listen to Your word so that I may be able to gather a renewed strength and purpose even in the wilderness. Lord, I am like Elijah, in a desert situation but know that my help and my blessings are still being provided by You. Thank You Lord. Lord, help me to let go and let God. Use me today Lord to be a blessing to someone else. Touch me Lord, just to let me know that You are still walking with me. Have mercy Lord, our needs and our afflictions are too many to name, but we know that You know what those needs are and we ask that You would bless us according to Your tender mercies. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus, in whose name we pray. Glory Hallelujah, Praise God, Amen.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Can You Stand the Rain?
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.” ~ Unknown
Scripture:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Last week as I drove to work, I observed the situation around me. There were accidents on the highways, dirt and debris strewn about because of the falling rain, and people running for cover. I am reminded that rain is a necessary process in the cycle of life. You see, it's springtime and the rain is needed to wash away the debris of winter and prepare the ground for the coming planting season. Sometimes though, we can get a little too much rain. The rain may come in torrents, washing away those things that are freshly planted or the old foliage whose roots are no longer strong enough to hold it in place.
How strong are your roots? Are you new to the faith and have not yet developed strong enough roots in Christ to hold you in place when the storms of life come along? Or are you so old and set in your spiritual life that you no longer gain the nourishment from the word that keeps your roots healthy enough to stay firmly planted in the rain?
So again Saints, I ask, Can You Stand the Rain?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hollowed it be thy name. May those things that You have predestined in our lives come to fruition according to thy will and thy tender mercies. Oh Lord, we are weak, but You are strong. Touch us Lord, strengthening us for the coming storms in our lives. Lord, some of us are in the midst of our storm even as we pray. Magnify Your presence in our lives that we may gain the fortitude to stand, be strong, and hold on even when it's seems that we may be washed away at any given moment. Hide us Lord, under the wings of Your protection when it begins to seem like our roots are not strong enough to withstand even one more drop of rain. May we always know when to seek Your guidance and protection in the midst of our personal storms. Now Lord, help us to remember that the rain and the storms don't last always. But that there is sunshine and joy in the coming morning. Father, continue to touch and bless Your saints this morning. Extending just a little more grace for those who are need this morning. Keep our troops safe and their families wrapped securely in the knowledge that You are with them even in the midst of the desert. Father God we give You praise, adoration, and all of our hearts this day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Scripture:
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Last week as I drove to work, I observed the situation around me. There were accidents on the highways, dirt and debris strewn about because of the falling rain, and people running for cover. I am reminded that rain is a necessary process in the cycle of life. You see, it's springtime and the rain is needed to wash away the debris of winter and prepare the ground for the coming planting season. Sometimes though, we can get a little too much rain. The rain may come in torrents, washing away those things that are freshly planted or the old foliage whose roots are no longer strong enough to hold it in place.
How strong are your roots? Are you new to the faith and have not yet developed strong enough roots in Christ to hold you in place when the storms of life come along? Or are you so old and set in your spiritual life that you no longer gain the nourishment from the word that keeps your roots healthy enough to stay firmly planted in the rain?
So again Saints, I ask, Can You Stand the Rain?
Be Blessed
Prayer:
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hollowed it be thy name. May those things that You have predestined in our lives come to fruition according to thy will and thy tender mercies. Oh Lord, we are weak, but You are strong. Touch us Lord, strengthening us for the coming storms in our lives. Lord, some of us are in the midst of our storm even as we pray. Magnify Your presence in our lives that we may gain the fortitude to stand, be strong, and hold on even when it's seems that we may be washed away at any given moment. Hide us Lord, under the wings of Your protection when it begins to seem like our roots are not strong enough to withstand even one more drop of rain. May we always know when to seek Your guidance and protection in the midst of our personal storms. Now Lord, help us to remember that the rain and the storms don't last always. But that there is sunshine and joy in the coming morning. Father, continue to touch and bless Your saints this morning. Extending just a little more grace for those who are need this morning. Keep our troops safe and their families wrapped securely in the knowledge that You are with them even in the midst of the desert. Father God we give You praise, adoration, and all of our hearts this day. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
There is Value in the Valley
As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of
Jesus both in front of you and beside you. ~ Charles
Stanley
Scripture:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (Or through the darkest valley) I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-5 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful book by Iyanla Vanzant, titled, “There is Value in the Value.” It was a very motivational book about how going through a valley has its benefits. Now the dictionary defines a valley as; A broad area of low-lying land situated between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing along its bottom.
Many Christians will talk about a valley experience. A valley experience can mean that you are at a low point in your life. A valley experience could be the loss of a job, loss of loved one, financial difficulties, Strife in your relationships, or a wayward spouse or child. A valley experience can even be a life threatening illness. Each and everyone one of us will at some point in our lives, go through a valley experience.
However, as Ms. Vanzant so eloquently reminds us, there is value in the valley. What this means is that sometimes, being in a valley can actually benefit us. Going through a valley is just a journey from one point to another. While we may not actually enjoy the journey, there are many things that can be learned along the way.
For example, if we take the time and look around our valley, we often see things in our lives more clearly. Maybe that relationship we fought so hard to keep wasn’t really the type of relationship God wanted us to be in. Maybe the job that we lost actually prevented us from spending time with our loved ones and actually stressed us out to the point that we couldn’t really enjoy the prosperity that it brought. And as strange as it may sound, sometimes we create our own financial difficulties by not trusting God with our finances and seeking possessions that don’t necessarily bring us happiness.
Whatever valley you may be in right now, take the time and learn from it. It may be a lesson in humility and obedience. When you are at a low point in your life, always remember to look up.
Learn to appreciate all of your blessings in the valley.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
I love the Lord. He heard my cry. And even as I walk through the valleys of life, He is with me always. Goodness and mercy are at my side. He covers and protects me in the blood of the Lamb. Thank You Lord. Father we come asking that You would give us the strength, the peace and the patience to make it through whatever valley we may go through this day. We come asking that even as we find ourselves in the valley, we know that we are never alone. Lord, as I look around me and see others in the valley with me, may something that I do or say; encourage them to stay their course. Father, I ask that You would touch my brothers and sisters who find themselves in that valley. Lord, let them know that they too are never alone. Thank You Father for allowing us to come before Your throne of grace one more time. Thank You Father, for listening to us, one more time. Thank You Lord, for blessing us, one more time. Praise His name, saints of God. Lord, we lift Your name on high. We sing songs of praise even in the valley low. We will sing songs of praise, when we reach our mountain top. Thank You Lord, Bless You Lord. Hallelujah, praise God. Amen.
Scripture:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (Or through the darkest valley) I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-5 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful book by Iyanla Vanzant, titled, “There is Value in the Value.” It was a very motivational book about how going through a valley has its benefits. Now the dictionary defines a valley as; A broad area of low-lying land situated between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing along its bottom.
Many Christians will talk about a valley experience. A valley experience can mean that you are at a low point in your life. A valley experience could be the loss of a job, loss of loved one, financial difficulties, Strife in your relationships, or a wayward spouse or child. A valley experience can even be a life threatening illness. Each and everyone one of us will at some point in our lives, go through a valley experience.
However, as Ms. Vanzant so eloquently reminds us, there is value in the valley. What this means is that sometimes, being in a valley can actually benefit us. Going through a valley is just a journey from one point to another. While we may not actually enjoy the journey, there are many things that can be learned along the way.
For example, if we take the time and look around our valley, we often see things in our lives more clearly. Maybe that relationship we fought so hard to keep wasn’t really the type of relationship God wanted us to be in. Maybe the job that we lost actually prevented us from spending time with our loved ones and actually stressed us out to the point that we couldn’t really enjoy the prosperity that it brought. And as strange as it may sound, sometimes we create our own financial difficulties by not trusting God with our finances and seeking possessions that don’t necessarily bring us happiness.
Whatever valley you may be in right now, take the time and learn from it. It may be a lesson in humility and obedience. When you are at a low point in your life, always remember to look up.
Learn to appreciate all of your blessings in the valley.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
I love the Lord. He heard my cry. And even as I walk through the valleys of life, He is with me always. Goodness and mercy are at my side. He covers and protects me in the blood of the Lamb. Thank You Lord. Father we come asking that You would give us the strength, the peace and the patience to make it through whatever valley we may go through this day. We come asking that even as we find ourselves in the valley, we know that we are never alone. Lord, as I look around me and see others in the valley with me, may something that I do or say; encourage them to stay their course. Father, I ask that You would touch my brothers and sisters who find themselves in that valley. Lord, let them know that they too are never alone. Thank You Father for allowing us to come before Your throne of grace one more time. Thank You Father, for listening to us, one more time. Thank You Lord, for blessing us, one more time. Praise His name, saints of God. Lord, we lift Your name on high. We sing songs of praise even in the valley low. We will sing songs of praise, when we reach our mountain top. Thank You Lord, Bless You Lord. Hallelujah, praise God. Amen.
