Tag: love

Christian, Encouragement, Inspiration

Choose Joy!

Highlighting Hope

Dear Fellow Believer, do you find yourself presently struggling with a particular sin? Are you tired of having skinned knees from your continuous falling? Walk in God’s grace today and allow Him to help you stand! The joy of the Lord is your strength! Let Him cleanse your wounds and bandage them so that you may be healed!

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah was speaking words of comfort to God’s people, who had just heard the Law (the 10 Commandments) being read to them and it left them feeling grieved.  The people were faced with God’s perfect standard for living, and as each line of this law that they were to keep and live by was being read aloud them, the heaviness steadily increased. I imagine those hearing the law being read must have been repeatedly thinking to themselves “broken, broken, broken” and their final thought being, “I’m guilty.”

The hearers of the Law knew they all stood condemned before God.  The Law, God’s standard, revealed this to their hearts and, therefore, they were grieved. In a moment of understandable hopeless, they are then met with words of comfort and an answer! The people were told, “but do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” God told them, despite your condition, your guilt, you can be supplied with joy, but this joy will come from the LORD, YHWH, and it will be your strength.  A despairing moment is now beaming brightly with an unwavering hope that comes from of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In John 1:17 it says, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus.” This is why we do not have to give way to despair! Friends, the joy of the LORD, Jesus Christ, is our strength!

What is this joy and how does this joy of the LORD become our strength? Joy is not contingent on our circumstances, but rather, it is the constant supplying of a spiritual peace that is completely dependent on the LORD, Jesus Christ and it is a happiness that we can have in Him. The truth is, we experience physical death because of sin, as Romans 6: 23 reminds us, “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If we were left with the Law being our only means of justification, it would cause us to be distraught, heavy and living without hope. But praise God, this is not where the story ends! Paul tells us in Romans 3:21, “BUT NOW the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for ALL who believe.”  

In Romans 3:20 Paul says, “for no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.” God’s law only reveals to us our sin and how we are separated from Him because of our sin. If we read through God’s law this very day, this very hour, we would find ourselves to be much like the people standing before Nehemiah as he read the law to them. In our minds, we too would be saying “broken, broken, broken.” And after hearing every law read, we too would come to the conclusion of “I stand guilty.” However, this very day, we are met with the very same words of comfort and an answer to our problem. Whatever you are wrestling with today in your striving for holiness, let God fight for you! God longs to look at us as well and say, “and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Have you recently experienced the joy of the Lord being your strength? If so, share in the comment section below!

Christian, Encouragement, Inspiration

Choose Joy!

Highlighting Hope

Dear Fellow Believer, do you find yourself presently struggling with a particular sin? Are you tired of having skinned knees from your continuous falling? Walk in God’s grace today and allow Him to help you stand! The joy of the Lord is your strength! Let Him cleanse your wounds and bandage them so that you may be healed!

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah was speaking words of comfort to God’s people, who had just heard the Law (the 10 Commandments) being read to them and it left them feeling grieved.  The people were faced with God’s perfect standard for living, and as each line of this law that they were to keep and live by was being read aloud them, the heaviness steadily increased. I imagine those hearing the law being read must have been repeatedly thinking to themselves “broken, broken, broken” and their final thought being, “I’m guilty.”

The hearers of the Law knew they all stood condemned before God.  The Law, God’s standard, revealed this to their hearts and, therefore, they were grieved. In a moment of understandable hopeless, they are then met with words of comfort and an answer! The people were told, “but do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” God told them, despite your condition, your guilt, you can be supplied with joy, but this joy will come from the LORD, YEWH, and it will be your strength.  A despairing moment is now beaming brightly with an unwavering hope that comes from of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In John 1:17 it says, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus.” This is why we do not have to give way to despair! Friends, the joy of the LORD, Jesus Christ, is our strength!

What is this joy and how does this joy of the LORD become our strength? Joy is not contingent on our circumstances, but rather, it is the constant supplying of a spiritual peace that is completely dependent on the LORD, Jesus Christ and it is a happiness that we can have in Him. The truth is, we experience physical death because of sin, as Romans 6: 23 reminds us, “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If we were left here to gather as the Law being our only means of justification, it would cause us to gather today distraught, heavy and without hope. But praise God, this is not where the story ends! Paul tells us in Romans 3:21, “BUT NOW the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for ALL who believe.”  

In Romans 3:20 Paul says, “for no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.” God’s law only reveals to us our sin and how we are separated from Him because of our sin. If we read through God’s law this very day, this very hour, we would find ourselves to be much like the people standing before Nehemiah as he read the law to them. In our minds, we too would be saying “broken, broken, broken.” And after hearing every law read, we too would come to the conclusion of “I stand guilty.” However, this very day, we are met with the very same words of comfort and an answer to our problem. Whatever you are wrestling with today in your striving for holiness, let God fight for you! God longs to look at us as well and say, “and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

Have you recently experienced the joy of the Lord being your strength? If so, share in the comment section below!

Christian

It Certainly is a Very Merry Christmas

Highlighting Hope

I recall having a virus when I was young that hit me pretty suddenly and settled in my joints. The excruciating pain in my joints, especially my ankles, made it impossible for me to walk for several days. I was probably in the first or second grade at the time, and the onset of this virus happened while I was at school. Thankfully my mom worked at the school that I attended and she was able to get to me quickly, put me on a rolling chair, then rolled me down the hallway, and out to her car. It’s funny how more than 30 years later I can still remember the crippling pain and my need to be carried.

The holiday season is a time of remembering and gathering with loved ones. For the Christian, its’ main purpose is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. This is to be a jovial time of year, and for many, hidden beneath the fixed smile on your face, is a heart that bares grief, hurt, sadness, or pain. The reason for these emotions residing in many hearts is multifaceted, and the holiday season tends to stir up or agitate a grieving heart. I often times have gone to scripture in my pain in order to seek truth, and while I may still find the pain in my heart to be present, I begin to find rest because God’s word carries me, and it can carry you. In our pain, we see a loving Savior who remains present and carries us when we feel as if we can no longer stand, no longer walk.

Grieving friends, friends who feel much sorrow this night, I pray that I might encourage you with God’s word so that you can remember your position before God.

 In Isaiah 49: 15, 16 we read, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

You dear friend, are not forgotten by God. While the world seems to move forward, and your pain has you feeling stagnant, you have not been forgotten by our Heavenly Father. You are ever before Him and on the very hand that holds you, you have been engraved. To be permanently remembered and seen by God is a grand truth to behold. This is a love that is greater than our minds can ever comprehend.

Psalm 139 says, “even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Pain has a way of crippling us and making it feel impossible to move forward, but with God as our guide, holding us and guiding us, we have an immeasurable amount of hope to move forward because He is the one who is carrying us through.

This great hope, these great truths that we have to claim and live by this very night are only possible because,  ‘Unto you a child is born, a Savior, and He is Christ, our Lord! He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.’ (Luke 2:11, Isaiah 9:6) While pain may be present in your heart this Christmas, worship this Savior who was born for you, who continues to live for you, who intercedes for you, and who continues to carry you! Jesus certainly is the true hope of the world and because of that we can say with certainty that it is a very Merry Christmas.

Christian

Our Wounded Hearts are Best Laid at the Feet of Jesus

Highlighting Hope

One of the verses my daughter  learned at school when she was 5 was, “Hear and increase in learning.” Proverbs 1:5. An abundance of wisdom is found in that little verse, and as I have heard her recite it over and over again, I have been reminded of how important it is to take the time to listen. Here recently, I have made a greater effort in really listening to those around me, and take to heart the stories others share.

A story shared, is piece of someone’s heart that’s being given out and that is something of great value. As I have taken greater strides in listening, I have been able to see how much we really all have in common. We have all known happiness, sorrow, acceptance, rejection, fulfillment, and emptiness…etc; and all of these we have been acquainted with through various life experiences. But in the midst of our difficulties, can we all say that we have experienced true joy and peace?

Hardships do come. The size of the hardships may vary, but they do come, often leaving wounds that require time to heal and a course of treatment. But, how we treat our wounds makes all the difference in how well those wounds heal, and improperly cared for can result in something far worse than what you started with.

Our hearts are deceitful, especially when pain is present, making us more likely to respond to our hardships foolishly. When we are heavy with burdens, God, our Heavenly Father, lovingly extends an invitation to come and give those over to Him (Matthew 11:28). Choosing to obey and follow God’s call to come to Him when our hearts are hurting and our wounds are so deep, results in a great blessing and sets us on the path of true healing.

Regardless of the burden you carry today, regardless of how deep your wounds, we have a God who heals, who extends to us a surpassing peace, blesses us with joy in the storm, and bestows upon us His constant presence in our lives! Our wounded hearts are best cared for when we lay them at the feet of Jesus; and when we lay them there and leave them there, we can be sure that we will experience His healing, His joy, and His peace!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Christian

Bearing Fruit in the Bleak of Midwinter

Highlighting Hope 
  Psalm 1:1-3:

Blessed is the man
     Who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
Or stand in the way of sinners
     Or sit in the seat of mockers.
But His delight is in the law of the Lord,
  and on His law He meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
   Whatever he does prospers.

These are some of my favorite verses in scripture. In these verses, I find comfort and I am reminded that I am desperately in need of a source outside of myself to constantly nourish me in order to produce the necessary fruit we are called to bear in every season of life. As I read these verses, a beautiful, tranquil image fills my mind. I imagine the most beautiful, crystal blue stream of water flowing peacefully. From the water’s edge and beyond is vibrant, green grass, and lush, sturdy trees. I imagine this to be a day where the sunshine provides the perfect amount of warmth. I imagine a place that I want to stay and linger. A place of perfect peace.

In a climate such as this, it would be of no surprise to see a nearby apple tree bursting with produce. So many apples fill these branches, that after you’ve had your fair share of picking, there’s still plenty of apples left hanging on the tree to prove that it is still yielding fruit in its season. What I imagine describes the perfect scenario for growth, prosperity, and abundance. Everything is just right and it seems fitting to see fruit growing from the tree.

But, what if the scenario is nothing like what has just been described? In fact, these verses never give the description that I tend to imagine in my mind’s eye as I read them. What if we are a tree planted by the stream of water but the season is in the bleak of winter? Maybe the climate is bitterly cold and the sky is a dreary grey. What if in those conditions, you were to look down stream and see in the midst of the all the grey and bitter surroundings, this same apple tree, still bursting with produce, bursting with fruit that’s good to eat. Any passerby would stop to gaze at a tree that is still producing fruit in unlikely circumstances. Anyone passing by would have to stop to look at the fruit that should not be present and wonder how it’s possible. One might even cave to the yearning to pick an apple off of that tree just to see if it’s any good, to see if it’s legit.

What we see here is a change in the circumstances and seasons. However, the one thing has remained the same, is the source that is still continuously supplying the tree. This source, the stream, is STILL present and it STILL continues to flow and supply all that is needed in every season, and thus, allowing the tree to bear much fruit in unlikely circumstances.

 In these verses, I’m reminded that our fruitfulness relies completely on the stream. Without the stream, that tree would not bear fruit, even if the circumstances surrounding it are favorable for it to do so. Jesus tells us in John 7:38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

I don’t know all of my readers. Nor do I know what season of life you may be finding yourself in today, but I do know Jesus, and from Him flows a continuous supply of living water! This living water will do more than sustain you. This living water will allow you to be fruitful, even in the bleak of midwinter.  So, I implore you to draw near to this stream of living water. Allow Jesus’ loving, faithful, and reliable supply to flow from you. Draw near to this place. Stay and linger, and you will find that it is a place of perfect peace.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last”
 John 15:16

Christian

Bearing Fruit in the Bleak of Midwinter

Highlighting Hope 
  Psalm 1:1-3:

Blessed is the man
     Who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
Or stand in the way of sinners
     Or sit in the seat of mockers.
But His delight is in the law of the Lord,
  and on His law He meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
   which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
   Whatever he does prospers.

These are some of my favorite verses in scripture. In these verses, I find comfort and I am reminded that I am desperately in need of a source outside of myself to constantly nourish me in order to produce the necessary fruit we are called to bear in every season of life. As I read these verses, a beautiful, tranquil image fills my mind. I imagine the most beautiful, crystal blue stream of water flowing peacefully. From the water’s edge and beyond is vibrant, green grass, and lush, sturdy trees. I imagine this to be a day where the sunshine provides the perfect amount of warmth. I imagine a place that I want to stay and linger. A place of perfect peace.

In a climate such as this, it would be of no surprise to see a nearby apple tree bursting with produce. So many apples fill these branches, that after you’ve had your fair share of picking, there’s still plenty of apples left hanging on the tree to prove that it is still yielding fruit in its season. What I imagine describes the perfect scenario for growth, prosperity, and abundance. Everything is just right and it seems fitting to see fruit growing from the tree.

But, what if the scenario is nothing like what has just been described? In fact, these verses never give the description that I tend to imagine in my mind’s eye as I read them. What if we are a tree planted by the stream of water but the season is in the bleak of winter? Maybe the climate is bitterly cold and the sky is a dreary grey. What if in those conditions, you were to look down stream and see in the midst of the all the grey and bitter surroundings, this same apple tree, still bursting with produce, bursting with fruit that’s good to eat. Any passerby would stop to gaze at a tree that is still producing fruit in unlikely circumstances. Anyone passing by would have to stop to look at the fruit that should not be present and wonder how it’s possible. One might even cave to the yearning to pick an apple off of that tree just to see if it’s any good, to see if it’s legit.

What we see here is a change in the circumstances and seasons. However, the one thing has remained the same, is the source that is still continuously supplying the tree. This source, the stream, is STILL present and it STILL continues to flow and supply all that is needed in every season, and thus, allowing the tree to bear much fruit in unlikely circumstances.

 In these verses, I’m reminded that our fruitfulness relies completely on the stream. Without the stream, that tree would not bear fruit, even if the circumstances surrounding it are favorable for it to do so. Jesus tells us in John 7:38, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

I don’t know all of my readers. Nor do I know what season of life you may be finding yourself in today, but I do know Jesus, and from Him flows a continuous supply of living water! This living water will do more than sustain you. This living water will allow you to be fruitful, even in the bleak of midwinter.  So, I implore you to draw near to this stream of living water. Allow Jesus’ loving, faithful, and reliable supply to flow from you. Draw near to this place. Stay and linger, and you will find that it is a place of perfect peace.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last”
 John 15:16

Christian

Our Wounded Hearts are Best Laid at the Feet of Jesus

Highlighting Hope

One of the verses my daughter  learned at school when she was 5 was, “Hear and increase in learning.” Proverbs 1:5. An abundance of wisdom is found in that little verse, and as I have heard her recite it over and over again, I have been reminded of how important it is to take the time to listen. Here recently, I have made a greater effort in really listening to those around me, and take to heart the stories others share.

A story shared, is piece of someone’s heart that’s being given out and that is something of great value. As I have taken greater strides in listening, I have been able to see how much we really all have in common. We have all known happiness, sorrow, acceptance, rejection, fulfillment, and emptiness…etc; and all of these we have been acquainted with through various life experiences. But in the midst of our difficulties, can we all say that we have experienced true joy and peace?

Hardships do come. The size of the hardships may vary, but they do come, often leaving wounds that require time to heal and a course of treatment. But, how we treat our wounds makes all the difference in how well those wounds heal, and improperly cared for can result in something far worse than what you started with.

Our hearts are deceitful, especially when pain is present, making us more likely to respond to our hardships foolishly. When we are heavy with burdens, God, our Heavenly Father, lovingly extends an invitation to come and give those over to Him (Matthew 11:28). Choosing to obey and follow God’s call to come to Him when our hearts are hurting and our wounds are so deep, results in a great blessing and sets us on the path of true healing.

Regardless of the burden you carry today, regardless of how deep your wounds, we have a God who heals, who extends to us a surpassing peace, blesses us with joy in the storm, and bestows upon us His constant presence in our lives! Our wounded hearts are best cared for when we lay them at the feet of Jesus; and when we lay them there and leave them there, we can be sure that we will experience His healing, His joy, and His peace!

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

Christian

It Certainly is a Very Merry Christmas

Highlighting Hope

I recall having a virus when I was young that hit me pretty suddenly and settled in my joints. The excruciating pain in my joints, especially my ankles, made it impossible for me to walk for several days. I was probably in the first or second grade at the time, and the onset of this virus happened while I was at school. Thankfully my mom worked at the school that I attended and she was able to get to me quickly, put me on a rolling chair, then rolled me down the hallway, and out to her car. It’s funny how more than 30 years later I can still remember the crippling pain and my need to be carried.

The holiday season is a time of remembering and gathering with loved ones. For the Christian, its’ main purpose is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. This is to be a jovial time of year, and for many, hidden beneath the fixed smile on your face, is a heart that bares grief, hurt, sadness, or pain. The reason for these emotions residing in many hearts is multifaceted, and the holiday season tends to stir up or agitate a grieving heart. I often times have gone to scripture in my pain in order to seek truth, and while I may still find the pain in my heart to be present, I begin to find rest because God’s word carries me, and it can carry you. In our pain, we see a loving Savior who remains present and carries us when we feel as if we can no longer stand, no longer walk.

Grieving friends, friends who feel much sorrow this night, I pray that I might encourage you with God’s word so that you can remember your position before God.

 In Isaiah 49: 15, 16 we read, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”

You dear friend, are not forgotten by God. While the world seems to move forward, and your pain has you feeling stagnant, you have not been forgotten by our Heavenly Father. You are ever before Him and on the very hand that holds you, you have been engraved. To be permanently remembered and seen by God is a grand truth to behold. This is a love that is greater than our minds can ever comprehend.

Psalm 139 says, “even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Pain has a way of crippling us and making it feel impossible to move forward, but with God as our guide, holding us and guiding us, we have an immeasurable amount of hope to move forward because He is the one who is carrying us through.

This great hope, these great truths that we have to claim and live by this very night are only possible because,  ‘Unto you a child is born, a Savior, and He is Christ, our Lord! He is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.’ (Luke 2:11, Isaiah 9:6) While pain may be present in your heart this Christmas, worship this Savior who was born for you, who continues to live for you, who intercedes for you, and who continues to carry you! Jesus certainly is the true hope of the world and because of that we can say with certainty that it is a very Merry Christmas.