Joy

It's a great day! The sun may not be shining and it may be the middle of winter but still you are filled with joy. Your joy does not depend on the weather or the season. It is not something that requires a special 

occasion or celebration. The joy you possess is not limited. It doesn't decrease over time or require that you replenish it. Your joy can be tapped into no matter where you are at any time.

True joy is a result of knowing and having a relationship with Jesus. He is the source of joy. Jesus doesn't require you to earn joy or do something to be the recipient of it. Joy flows abundantly from Christ as you fellowship with Him. Soon, you will come to know a joy that is like no other. You will be all filled up and beaming with joy! 

The best aspect of Christ's joy is knowing that you can reach out to Him in any situation. He will provide steadfast assurance that He is in control and has your best interest well in hand. That is the biggest joy of all.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

Abundance

 

Isn't it heartwarming when actors winning awards, athletes crossing the finish line and even some brave politicians publicly thank and give praises to God?  Wow! That to me really shows character. Sure it is easy to seek God in times of trouble or hardship but it is even more important to lift our hands and voices to Him when we are blessed and full. Abundance comes from God. He will fill your cup to overflowing when you set Him as your highest priority.

Are you acknowledging God when you are blessed? It doesn't matter the season or reason just know that your gratitude and reverence to God is always something that is important.  When all is well and life is so very full you can easily become so caught up that you forget to spend time in praise and fellowship. Do not lose focus on what matters most.

Father, thank you for all your blessing and for abundance. You are our reason for our lives and we praise you for caring for, loving and keeping us. You fill us up Lord and we love you always. 

When you are full, don't forget to be reverent to him and to serve him and to use his name alone to endorse your promises. Deuteronomy 6:13

Love You To The Moon and Back

You may be one who finds yourself intrigued by the moon. It truly is quite beautiful and mesmerizing. What about the face you can see on it when it is full? Is that something or what? The man in the moon on a clear cloudless night seems to be right there just an arm's length away. The moon is really so much further away. The distance to it from earth is 238,900 miles. That is about 10 times the distance around the earth. That is a lot of miles!

There is an expression to demonstrate just how much someone loves another expressed as "I love you the moon and back." That means I love you almost half a million miles or I love you out of this world. Wow! Now that is a lot of love and such a sweet way to communicate the vastness of it.

Loving to the moon and back is not enough when it comes to Jesus. Jesus Christ loves you way more. He was there when the moon was created and knows all about its limits. He loves you without limits. His love is infinite and never ending. He loves you to infinity and beyond! You are His pride and joy. He wants nothing more than to have you know how much he cares for you. When you do, you can't help but love Him too - beyond measure. Yes, it is true. The love relationship with Jesus is the greatest of all.

Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5

No Trespassing

The sign is up. It was posted some time ago but it is still in effect today. The perimeter has been appropriately fenced and the gate installed. The audible alarm is on and the door and window locks in place. Still, no matter what you do, and no matter how proactive you are, there are trespassers. Trespassers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They may be family, friends, neighbors and yes, even spouses. Trespassers come at all times of the year. No season is off limits. They may trespass during a holiday celebration or while you are on vacation.

Trespassers use various modes to accomplish their act. Some text, others call on the phone and many send their stinging message by way of a third party messenger or accomplice. Shock, disbelief, anger and hurt feelings typically follow the trespassers act. How could they? What were they thinking? It is hard to understand and even harder to forgive them. 

Forgiveness is a gift that you give yourself. It may seem that you are letting the trespasser off the hook but really when you forgive them you release their hold on you. Without forgiveness they hold you hostage. You are the one reeling in anger, re-thinking and re-telling the story and being stuck in their selfish and ignorant web of insensitivity.

Think about it. When you do, you may decide to change the no trespassing sign you carefully placed to one that reads "No Trespassing but if You do I Forgive You."

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18: 21-22

Is There Room?

Rise and shine! Time to start the day. Hurry and get ready. Just a few minutes to grab something to eat and time for making a lunch. Hit the road. Travel and then a full day. Back on the road heading home and a stop at the grocery store. Dinner is on and afterwards time for clean up. Time to address the family needs and get ready for bed. Lights out. Oops! Forgot something. 

Dear LORD,

Today was busy as usual. I totally lost track of the time. Forgive me but I almost forgot to thank you. That was not my intent and I feel really sorry. I saw you in the sunrise peeking over the horizon and you made me smile. I felt your hand upon me when I swerved past that car that ran the red light. I heard you in the voices of my family as they said their gentle "good nights". Thank you Jesus for always being there for me. It is my desire to love and honor you every day. I am committed to making room for you in my heart and life. Happy birthday to you Jesus. To you be the glory, praise and honor always and forever.

Amen

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7