Joy for the Journey

     Through good times and bad times we can glorify our God!  Look for opportunities all along your way to bring honor and glory to the King of Kings.  He is worthy of our praise!!!  When the economy is on a downturn, look for God's perfect provision and give Him the glory.  Share with one another where and how you see God working in your circumstances.  And look out...you just might be targeted for a miracle.

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.  Psalm 34:3

    In the Scriptures we find many promises that give us strength for our journey.  Paul reminds us of one of those in I Corinthians 10:13, which says "...And God is faithful;  He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  Temptation comes in a multitude of forms and at many different times and in a myriad of circumstances.  Sometimes we know it is coming and other times we are caught completely off guard.  The Word of God is a firm foundation for our lives and remembering scriptures like
I Corinthians 10:13 can be vital as we live out our faith each day.   Hide God's promises in your heart and you will be surprised how easily they come to mind when you need them.      When you are faced with a temptation, think of this Scripture immediately.  Reassure yourself first that God is faithful!   Secondly, remember that He will provide you with a way out...ALWAYS.  The temptation you face will never be too much for you to bear.  Why?  Because God's Word says so.  And you can count on His promises.  So when temptation comes, start looking for the way out, knowing that you will find it.  Then praise your heavenly Father for His faithfulness!

2 Thes. 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

  I remember sitting in church one Sunday when our son was just a few months old.  My husband was holding him and we were both staring at him with wide smiles as he smiled back at us.  After church was over, an elderly lady who was sitting behind us sweetly commented that she sure could tell we loved that baby.  She could not help but see the joy beaming from our faces.   After suffering two miscarriages and a stillborn at 23 weeks of pregnancy, we were overwhelmed with this precious gift that God had bestowed upon us.  Three and a half years later we would look into the eyes of our darling baby girl with that same love and adoration  There is nothing that either of our children could do that would lessen our love for them.
     Parents see their children through different eyes than anyone else does.  We see beauty, intelligence and everything good no matter what anyone else may see.
     Now imagine how our Heavenly Father looks at each of us.  We are His creation, created in His own image.  He sees in us beauty and hope and everything good that He created us to be.  And nothing can separate us from His abundant love.  Always remember that God looks at you through eyes of love.  You are precious in His sight!

The Father's Eyes

Our Heavenly Father looks at us from His marvelous throne above
He sees us as His own creation through precious eyes of love
Nothing can ever make this love wane or disappear
It is ever present and never will fade away through endless years
Other people look at us and see our imperfections
If they could change us they would surely make more than one correction
And when we gaze in a mirror, maybe we'd change a thing or two
For sometimes loving ourselves is the hardest thing to do
But always remember that He who made us will never take away His love
But will always be looking at His Precious One through amazing eyes of love
by Lisa Williams

Isaiah 43:4 - Since you are precious and honored in My sight and because I love you...

Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.

Romans 8:35,37-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You are precious
in His sight!

May the Word of the Lord be the light on your pathway, the hope on your journey and the song in your heart.

"If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction."

Psalm 119:92

I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. 

 Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. 

 I will praise You as long as I live,

and in Your name I will lift up my hands.  Psalm 63:2-4

   Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one time of an injustice that had been done to her in the past.  She said that she did not recall it.  The person persisted in bringing it up and asking her if she did not remember this wrong that was done to her.  Finally, she answered emphatically, "No, I distinctly remember forgetting it."  That story blows me away each time I think of it.  Clara  not only had forgiven and forgotten, but she refused to drudge it up and discuss it.  How much happier and freer we would feel if we could leave past hurts and injustices behind us for good.  Each time we bring up or dwell on something hurtful that was said or done to us, we are only hurting ourselves more and more.  We must lay down our cares at the foot of the cross and leave them there.  Living an abundant life in Christ Jesus means that we don't have to be weighed down by negativity, grudges and hurt feelings.  What a wonderful New Year's resolution...lose some weight.  Not physically, but emotionally.  Let go of things you have been hanging on to for so long.  If we forgive and forget we will feel better than ever.

Think on these Things

I'll fill my mind with joyful things and on such things I'll ponder
Negativity won't pierce my thoughts or make them wain and wander
I'll think on things that are lovely, noble, true and pure
And concentrating on these things will all my worries cure
Lord, help me not to dwell on hurtful things that are said
But leave them behind in the spirit of forgiveness and forget about them instead
For you have given me freedom to live my life this way
Let me never hold a grudge, for this is what I pray
by Lisa Williams

Phil. 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Proverbs 12:16 - A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

     Some of you may not have heard from me as often over the past several months.  Please accept my apology.  We moved in October and I fell way behind in my correspondence.  I'll get caught up soon and will do better in the New Year.  Thank you for all of the wonderful holiday wishes that have been sent to me and my family.  May God bless each and every one of you as only He can do.  You are special and you are loved! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!