Joy for the Journey

As Christmas approaches may we remember what is important in life.  Faith, family and friends are at the top of the list.  May we draw near to those we love and let them know just how much they mean to us.  Most importantly may we draw near to God who sent us the greatest gift that has ever been given...Jesus Christ, His Son and our Saviour.  Let us embrace His plan for us and be thankful.  May we shout Glory to God in the Highest!  Merry Christmas to all and a blessed New Year.  Lisa

Philippians 2:9  "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name."

Even though my illness does not allow me to be out much, I can still enjoy God's amazing handiwork right from my front yard or my window.  The hillside across from our house is so colorful this fall that at a short glance it looks as if it is on fire.  Maybe it is because of my illness and confinement that I notice the beauty around me so frequently.  I check out the changes in the leaves every morning when I get up.  Yes, they do change daily.  You see I must go at a much slower pace than the average person.  So the beauty of nature seems to call out to me and I usually hear and have time to stop and smell the proverbial roses.  God teaches me so much through the magnificence of His creation.  So today as you go throughout your day, take time to enjoy the beauty around you and thank God for it.  As Job 37:14 says, "..stop and consider God's wonders."

October, 2008 Joy for the Journey Newsletter

     "...the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit."  Romans 5:5  Think back over your journey with the Lord and contemplate the many ways you have changed.  The closer we are to God and the more time we spend in His Word and in prayer, the more changes we begin to notice.  Has your heart softened toward people that you held a long time grudge toward?  Do you surprise yourself at times when you stay calm and peaceful in situations that once would have made you very angry?  If you are wondering how that has happened, just read Romans 5:5.  Through God's Holy Spirit He has filled your heart with His love and it just can't stay contained.  It is shed abroad wherever you go.  The more we draw near to our God, the more uncomfortable we feel in the world.  You may squirm now when you hear the Lord's name used in vain or cringe when you hear unkind words spoken.  Yes, the Lord through His Holy Spirit is transforming you into His likeness.  God is creating a masterpiece in each one of us and He will not stop until the day of completion.  Don't you just love the new work that the Potter is creating in you?  I think you are terrific!  Keep growing and glowing!!!

 

A Change in You

I've really seen a change in you and I like what I see

Your soft and gentle spirit make quite an impression on me

Every time I see you, a smile on my face just appears

I feel so much better whenever you are near

For you show me kindness and lift me up when I am feeling down

You turn my thoughts toward things above and point me to higher ground

Often I've wondered how could anyone ever grow so sweet

But I know that it's all the time that you've spent at Jesus feet

You feed on God's Word and talk to Him every night and day

And now I know that it's the love of God that makes you act this way

His love fills every corner of your great big heart

And that love shines everywhere you go and never will depart

You are more and more like Jesus and you're growing all the time

His love is shed abroad in your heart and it has spilled over to mine

by Lisa Williams

II Corinthians 2:14 - But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the frangrance of the knowledge of Him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

II Corinthians 3:18 - And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

John 14:23 - Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

James 3:8 - Come near to God and He will come near to you.

 

Keep Growing and Glowing!

 

As I watched the coverage on TV of hurricane Ike, the following scripture came to mind.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;  the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." Isaiah 43:2-3

My thoughts went to those people in the path of this tremendous storm who may not know the Lord. They must have felt overwhelmed and hopeless at times.  Where do you find hope and peace when you don't reach for the hand of the Lord?  God is the One who brings true peace to your heart when the storms of life hit.  He never leaves us or forsakes us.  Meditate on the following verses and be encouraged:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.  Psalms 46:1-3

Sometimes God stills the storm; sometimes He stills the child and lets the storm rage.

 

"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

 

I just wanted to remind everyone today that life through Christ is abundant and wonderful!  But what does that mean?  It means that we can feel peace in the midst of uncertainty, joy in times of sorrow,  and hope when situations seem hopeless.  There is life, freedom and security in Jesus Christ.  Have a blessed day as you bask in the warm glow of His love.

 

 

 

God has a perfect plan for each one of us and we can trust in Him fully.  This plan was put in place before you were even born.  Nothing will surprise Him.  Thank God for His Divine Plan and pray that your will be aligned with His will.  When things don't go the way you expected them to go, believe that God is doing what is best for you in every situation.  May He bless you richly as you wait for His plan to unfold. 

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 29:11 

"...the joy of the Lord is my strength."  Neh. 8:10

During these many years of illness, I believe that the joy of the Lord has carried me through many tough days.  The joy that we can have as a child of God is so uplifting, even to the point of carrying us high above our circumstances.  Rejoice in the awesome power and majesty of the King of Kings and all He has done and will do in your life.  Expect to see glimpses of His glory each and every day as you bask in His precious love. 

 

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 18:28 which says, "...my God turns my darkness into light." 

God can shine His Light upon you no matter how dark your world may seem.  Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances, look for His Light and move towards it.  Let it warm your soul and refresh your spirit.  God redeems our lives from the pit and gives us joy even in the valleys.  So today rejoice in the Lord and receive the light.

 

Joy for the Journey

Vol. 32 July, 2008

How I love to read the writings of the apostle Paul. One of my favorite passages is Phil. 3:13-14 (NIV). It says "...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Notice the word and phrase "straining" and "press on". There words indicate action and to me they imply intense action. Isn't this the kind of Christian walk that we want to have, actively striving for the prize for which God has called us? Instead of straining the King James Version uses the words "reaching forth". The Greek word for this means to stretch forward. I picture a runner making that last stretch to reach the finish line before his competitors. We need this kind of straining on our spiritual journey. It needs to involve effort and focus to seek that which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. Life can distract us and make us lose our focus. It is so easy to get caught up in trying to make ends meet or raising children or beginning a career. But in His sermon on the mount, after a discussion of our material needs, Jesus said "But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteous- ness, and all these things will be given to you as well." So press on, Dear One, and set your eyes on the prize.

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Philippians 3:12-14 - Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

II Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Keep pressing on!

When you wake up each morning and look toward the sun

May joy fill your heart once your day has begun

For the Lord has created this brand new day

Rejoice in Him as His blessings are displayed

     Each day is a gift from God to be unwrapped and savored.  May we make the most of every day and use them all for His glory.  Expect to see God today; and when night falls, remember all He has done and thank Him profusely.  Be blessed and refreshed today!