Establish Your Thoughts!

Prov 16:1-31 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.KJV

I have been thinking a lot lately of the words that roll off my tongue. I had to ask myself do I even think about what I am saying or do I say the first thing that comes into my mind?

When I commit my mind unto the Lord, and seek Him for the words He wants me to say to someone, then I know they will be health to that person.

The words I speak should reflect the characteristics of God. They should build a person up and not tear them down. This should be the same for the words I speak to myself as well.

I am going to try with the Lord’s help to speak healing words. Words that have meaning, words that will be beneficial to others to encourage them and give them hope.

The Little foxes!

Greetings,

It is a wonderful, frosty morning here on the farm. I don't know what today holds for me, however yesterday was an interesting day. I inadvertently put some liquid dish soap into my dishwasher thinking it was dishwasher detergent. Took me almost 3 hours to get out all the soapsuds. Now I could have yelled, said some bad words and other things, however I chose to keep a pleasant attitude. In fact I used that time to visit with the Lord.

I kept thinking about the verse in the Bible of the little foxes that destroy the tender grapes.

Song of Solomon 2:15 (King James Version)
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Sometimes it seems to me it is the little foxes that strive to get me upset. I seem to handle the major things more, but then I think that usually it's not one little thing, but several bunched together that begins to wear on me. If I can take them one at a time and think what to do or ask God to help me I don't seem to get so weary.

For some people I think it's the little things all coming at them at once that causes them to act the way they do. To begin to question if God is really real. To begin to doubt, thus causing them to begin to slip away from their belief in the Lord. Watch for the little foxes and destroy them before they try to spoil your relationship with Jesus.

Remember Jesus is your load bearer. He will see you through. He is ever faithful. He is ever true. He is ever worthy to be praised, no matter what!

God Bless!

Joy

Good morning,

It is a soggy, cool morning here on the farm. I think we are in for several days of liquid sunshine (rain). I guess fall has really arrived and winter is following close behind.

It is a day to be inside sitting in front of a cozy fire, reading a good book, and munching on Grandpa Stevens' homegrown popcorn, sipping a cup of hot chocolate.

Jeremiah 31:25
For I will [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person.

I am so thankful that God refreshes the weary and restores those that are faint or filled with sorrow. He is a true friend. He loves us above everything.

III John 1:2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.

When I think of all the things God did, and yet He says above all that He wants me to prosper in all things, to be in complete health, (here is the key) even as my soul keeps well and prospers.

May you have a most blessed day!

Joy

Satisified with God's Love!

Good morning,

It is a brilliant, sunny morning here on the farm. The outside matches the inside of my heart.

I received the following note from a lady who reads my devotional blog. I wanted to share it with you, especially the verse.

Hi Joy, You bring me such joy! You are a wonderful vessel that shines forth for all to see, the love of God! Here's a verse that I love... "Satisfy me each morning with your unfailing love so that I may sing with joy and be glad all my days." Psalm 90:14. "Each morning God's love is new and He can fill us with His unfailing love. So much so that we will feel like singing and be glad for all our days in this world. How awesome is that"?

Yesterday I went to a baby shower for my great-granddaughter. I don't know about you, but there was a different feeling inside of me when each of my grandchildren were born; but with expecting a first great-grandchild it makes me examine my life to see if I am singing with joy. I ask myself what kind of heritage can I pass on to my children, grandchildren and now great grandchild that will enable them to walk with love and joy in their hearts. To view life through the eyes of Jesus. To experience joy and gladness regardless of what they might walk through in this life. I am asking God to show me how to live so I can pass that knowledge down to my family.

God is so awesome! He loves us so much! I can't begin to tell of all the wonderful things he does for me. There is truly joy and gladness in my heart and my soul sings of His love.

Have a great day!

Joy

Give God Thanks In All Things!

Greetings,

It is a wet morning here on the farm. I was watching the news last night and the weatherman said not much rain, calm warm night. It is a good thing I didn't put my trust in him. It rained hard and the wind blew, it just stormed most of the night. I was thankful I didn't have to be out in it.

I Thessalonians 5:18

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. (AMP)

This verse keeps coming to my mind, that I am to give thanks in every thing, it doesn't mean I have to be thankful for being sick, or broke or whatever, it means I need to have a good attitude and to give God praise regardless of what I am going through. He is worthy to be praised. I believe that when I am thankful and give God thanks regardless of my circumstances that God hears my grateful heart and takes me through those situations quickly.

I try from the time I get up to going to bed to work on my attitude and to give God thanks all the time. Sometimes I slip up and maybe grumble for a moment, but not for long. There is just too much bubbling joy in me to be down.

I thank God for each of you and pray you have a great day in the Lord.

ALIVE!

Good morning,

It is indeed a great morning, I AM ALIVE, WALKING, TALKING, SEEING AND HEARING! What a super way to start the day!

I trust you are also having a great morning!

The sun is shining, leaves are falling, birds are praising God and all is well on the farm. What more could a person ask for?

Proverbs 17:22

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

I come to you this morning with a happy heart to give you good medicine and a cheerful mind to promote your healing. How is your spirit today? Is it broken and drying up your bones; or is it happy and bringing life to your soul, mind, spirit and heart?
Are you rejoicing your way thru the day or complaining about everything? What is filling your mind? Good thoughts and praise, or bad thoughts and grumbling?

I don't know about you, but I want the best God has to offer and I believe that begins with a right attitude and a happy heart.

May you have a most blessed day!

God our Guide!

Good morning everyone,

I pray things are going well with all of you. I am still in Virginia with my my son, Daniel and his family. He is just getting ready to go into surgery on his knee.

It is quiet in the house at this moment. All 5 dogs are napping, cat is downstairs and I am doing my devotionals, then plan on reading more in my Bible. I am trying to get it read through this year.

I sure slept good last night with the master of the house home. The house didn't seem so empty.

Psalms 48:14

For this God, is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.

I am so thankful my God is mine for ever and ever. He will guide me (if I let Him) until I die. I can go to Him with any situation and He will see me through. When I pray He will give me clear directions, so I won't get lost. Praise the Lord!

Take care and have a most blessed day.

Joy

Praise!

Dear all,

It is another wet day here on the farm. Had a little bit of sunshine yesterday. Not sure how much we will have today, it is a good day in the Lord anyway.

I went to New to You with three ladies yesterday. We had a good time visiting about the Lord and what he is doing in our lives. We also ate lunch and just had fun. What a blessing to enjoy the day with upbeat, fun loving women. God is so good!

Psalms 37:11
But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Verse of the day
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”Proverbs 19:20-21

I am so thankful that the Lord has been guiding me and directing me in this life. As I seek Him, He will show me the way He wants me to go. He will guide my footsteps and lead me into life everlasting.

I thank God for the peace He has put into my heart, even when things are not going the greatest, there is still that peace, and a deep abiding faith that says everything is going to be ok.

I am truly blessed!

May you be blessed as you go about your day.

Joy

Everlasting Love
Fist, I didn't know it had been so long since I have posted anything. I apologize for that.
I have been really busy doing the Lord's work, but that is no excuse to leave you so long.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.

I am so thankful that the Lord loves me with an everlasting love: He will forgive me if I do something wrong, if I ask Him to. He cares about every aspect of my life. It is so awesome being submitted to someone who loves me so much.

Take care and have a great restful day!

Joy

p.s. Don't forget to tie a yellow ribbon around a tree for Brad (my grandson) in Iraq. Please pray for the Lord to protect him. Thanks

Lord my Sun and Shield!

Good rainy morning to you,

It is indeed a wet morning here on the farm. I was talking to a friend the other day and she said "I don't want it to rain, that means the sun is gone until next July". I told her to watch her mouth. She was speaking things that be not as though they were. I expect some sunshine each month.

It is going to be a great day regardless of the weather, just because the Lord my God is!

Psalms 84:11
For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows [present] grace and favor and [future] glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

I was studying this verse and the New Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives these definitions:
Walk
to move or cause to move on foot usually at a natural gait.
to follow a course of action or way of life (to walk humbly in the sight of God.

Uprightly
erect in carriage or posture.
morally correct

I guess the Lord made it pretty plain to me on how I need to walk to receive His grace and favor. Sometime I think why do I make my walk with the Lord so hard when anything I need to know is right there in His Word. I need to learn to trust Him more and follow the still small voice as He talks to me to lead me and guide me into all truth.

Have a great day!

Joy

Rest and Strength

Dear all,
I am sorry for being late this morning; I went to help Sis (Alice) get some rocks from a rental that the tenant had moved out of. She had thought there would be about 25 buckets of nice rocks that we could use in the hobby shop or Ashley could use in his pottery. Well let me tell you there was more than 25 buckets of rocks. We (there were 7 of us) picked up rocks for about 2 1/2 hours. There are more to get, we just ran out of containers to put them in.

I thank the Lord for the strength to be able to help. I know it is from him that I have the physical ability to do the stuff I need to do from day to day.

Isaiah 30:15

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

I am so thankful that the Lord gives me rest. As I wait on the Lord, he gives me confidence to know him and to walk in his ways. He gives me strength. Not just physical strength but spiritually and emotionally as well.

Praise the Lord!

Have a great day!
Joy

Sacrifice of Praise!

Hebrews 13:15
By, him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

It is easy to sing praises to God when everything is going well, when you feeling great and the finances are there to pay all your bills.
It gets harder to praise him when you don't feel good, bills are due and no funds to pay them, you just got laid off, the kids are sick, etc. But that is when you offer the sacrifice of praise to God thru your tears. When we are sincere in offering praise, He hears us and meets those needs. Sometimes not the way we expect, however, I have found His ways is much better than mine or what I figured would happen.
Praise the Lord!

Planted Deep in the Rich Soil of God's Word!

Oh me oh my....

"Is your root system based on the positive things of the Lord, love, joy, peace, faith, etc. or is your root system based on bitterness, anger, gossip, lust, etc."

Preach it woman, preach it.. woohoo! I've been reading about the "fruit of our lips." I think sometimes we forget how powerful our words are, and how displeasing some of the things we [may] say must be to the Lord. Not to mention that these things you speak of (bitterness, anger, gossip, lust, ect.) surely hinders our prayers.
The sad part is; Are some not even aware of their bitterness (ect.) because for whatever reason they feel justified? Not realizing that their root system is sick or diseased. Or worse than not realizing, but flat out ignoring the condition deep within.

Ephesians 3: 17-20
17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
I want to know the love of Christ which far surpasses mere knowledge. It is a heart knowledge that says no matter what with God in my heart I WILL BE ABLE TO STAND FIRM AND STRONG!
May God Bless You Beyond Measure!
Joy

Be A Copycat!

Ephesians 5:1-2
1 THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
I am so excited to be copying my Father. To be able to walk in His love, and to minister to others and have them minister to me is so awesome.
I want to be a sweet fragrance to Him, and to those around me. He is my everything. I stand in awe at all the wonderful blessings He has given me. He is no respecter of persons, what He does for me, He will do for you as well.
Have a most blessed day!
Joy

Keys

Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
I am learning to understand more each day about kingdom principles. It is awesome when a person begins to understand that we can bind things here on earth and have them bound in heaven as well. I believe when we bind something then that thing can's come back and haunt us again. When we loose good things into our life, then those things are loosed in heaven as well.
Praise the Lord!

WOW!

Greetings,
I spent the last 5 days at an Aglow conference in Seattle. Aglow is an international Christian women's group with women ministering to each other. We are in 169 nations. At the conference we had women from 138 nations represented. There was about 9,000 women, some men and children worshiping and praising the Lord. We had dynamic speakers, Lou Engle, Chuck Pierce, Barbara Yoder, Che Ahn, Robert Stearns, Ron Kenoly, Jane Hansen and many others. It was an awesome experience to hear theses vessels of the Lord bring messages to us about what the Word says for this day.
God is stirring up the slumbering Christians. He is getting ready to do something BIG, I am so grateful He chose me to be a part of it. How about you? Are you ready to be a part of the greatest revival to sweep this land? I am excited to see what God is going to do. If all the women take back to their countries, states and churches the Spirit of the Holy Ghost that was at that meeting in Seattle, this world is in for a mighty sweep of the FIRE of the Holy Ghost.
Praise the Lord!
God Bless you!
Joy

Right on Time God!

Good morning,

It is a beautiful day here, the sun is shinning, it is a cool 48, forecast is for rain showers, we will see.

Sometimes I don't know what to write, so I write what is in my heart at that moment. It is interesting the number of emails I get letting me know that what I wrote was very much needed by one or more persons. Thank you for sharing with me. Thank you also for keeping me in your prayers, I really appreciate that.

God is so good. He never fails, He is always right on time.

Psalms 50:23
He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.

Most people when they begin to cook use a recipes book to know how to make the cake or whatever they want to make. Contractor's use blueprints to know how to build the house or buildings; mechanics use a auto manual to know how to work on a car, I think you get the picture; God gave us His Word so we would know how to live a victorious Christian life and live in health, strength and prosperity. I don't know about you, but I need to spend more time in the Book of all Books. It is my instruction manual on how to live life!

May God Bless You Today!
Joy

He is my everything!

Good morning,

It is a rainy, fall day here this morning. When I got out of church last night it was raining. I know I am not a native duck (born in Oregon), but I enjoy the rain for the most part. So I just stood out in it for a moment and just felt the freshness on my face; and smelt the newness of it in the air.

I give God all praise, honor and glory this morning. He is my strength, my redeemer, my song in the midnight hours, my hope for the future, my source of all comfort, I could go on and on, with all the things my Lord is to me. As my mom used to say "He is my everything". I just need to grasp that and understand it with my whole heart and mind.

Psalms 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.


Have a super day!
Joy

Grace and Glory!

Greetings,

It is another beautiful day here on the farm. Cool enough to use the furnace, but still a glorious day.

Proverbs 8:35
For those whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

I am so thankful I found the Lord at an early age. He has been my constant companion, even at times when I didn't feel Him. He was always there.
Praise His Holy Name!

Psalms 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

I will walk in grace and glory. I am expecting great things from God, as He is expecting great things from me.

God's grace and glory be on you today!
Joy

Comforting Others!

It is a wonderful, crisp fall day here on the farm. I have a fountain just outside my bedroom window, listening to the water falling is restful. When I hear it I think of the "Living waters." Jesus is my living water.
I got several responses back on yesterday's devotional, seems like grandmothers or mothers can relate to each other on wanting more for their children and grandchildren. We will just have to agree to uphold them in prayer and watch God do a wonderful work in their lives.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),
4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.
When we go thru a trial or sickness or financial difficulties and the Lord has brought us out of that situation, we are not to keep it to ourselves, but pray and ask the Lord who is going thru what you have gone thru and then minister to that person God lays on your heart. Whether it is just praying for them, sending them a card, calling them or email them. I believe God will put someone in your mind who needs encouraged, be ready to comfort them as Jesus has comforted you.
Joy

No Regrets!

Good morning,

It is a cool morning here today. I had to use the furnace for a few minutes to take the chill off. It is wonderful. I love fall, when the leaves are turning orange and reds, the mornings are crisp, there's such a change in the air.

Last night in church my grandson who is our drummer, played the bass toward the end of the service. If my dress had buttons on it, I know they would have popped. He is 12. It is wonderful to see our youth being used by the Lord. They are our church of today, not the church of tomorrow.

I say I have no regrets, however I do wish I could have known my other grandchildren better. With them living most of their life on the East coast or other areas of the state, it was harder to see them. I was not very good at writing to them for which I apologize. They are in my heart and prayers, but at times would have been nice to hold them in my arms, and watch them grow into young men and women.

So how do I find a scripture to tie into the above, maybe I don't.

I will just use Psalms 107:1
O Give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

As long as I give thanks unto the Lord, and continually think on all the good times I had with my grandchildren, then the enemy can't use that to try to pull me down and get my thoughts off God. Praise the Lord!

Have a great day!
Joy

God's Blessings

Greetings in the name of our Lord,

It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Dallas. I will be leaving here shortly for church. We had two wonderful services yesterday in Cornelius.
Not only were the services great, but the food and fellowship in between was most excellent.

It is wonderful when fellow family members of the body of Christ get together for service and fellowship.

Psalms 115:1
NOT TO us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name give glory, for Your mercy and loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness!

I give God all praise and glory. His mercy and loving-kindness is beyond my comprehension. I try to figure out how great God really is and I can't even touch the very edge of the surface of His love and mercy. He is a forgiving and loving Father who holds no grudges or anger toward us; when you think about just that you should shout for joy.

Take care and have a blessed day!
Joy

Serving God in our youth!

Good morning,

Let's see how would I describe this day to you? I would say it is the day the Lord hath made. It is a beautiful, sunny day both in my heart and outside.

I made it safely to Drain and back. I am leaving in a little while to go to a youth rally in Cornelius. We have a 2:00 service, break for potluck and then have a 5:00 service. It is a wonderful day for traveling and I feel in my heart we will have remarkable services.

I am so glad the Lord has given me the opportunity to do some traveling and to meet new people in the family of God.

Today the scripture I want to share with you is found in
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
I am so thankful I began serving the Lord in my youth; actually I began serving Him in my junior years. But it seems the older I get, the more I understand Him better; the more real He becomes.

Take care and have a super day!
Joy

Thinking Good Things!

Why is it so hard to keep one's mind focused on the Lord? It seems like my mind wants to wander in a thousand different directions at once. I know that I have things in my life that needs to be thought out and dealt with, such as paying bills, buying groceries that type of thing; but what I have trouble with at times is keeping my mind off bad things that could happen to me or my kids. I keep asking god for help. Today I realized it was a mindset. Any time I started to think about bad things, I started to praise the Lord. Pretty soon my mind was focused on Him.
Do you ever struggle with keeping your thoughts in line with what the Lord wants us to dwell on? How do you cope?
Philippians 4:8 says
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.
So I guess I just need to install this verse into my memory bank and daily, moment by moment bring it to instant recall so I begin to think on the good things.
God Bless all of you!

Reverent Fear!

Proverbs 19:23 (Amplified Bible)

The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with [actual] evil.

I am thankful that God showed me, there is a healthy fear.
That fear is the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord. It leads to life and rest. When a person fears the Lord, He protects them from evil.
Praise His Holy Name.

It is wonderful to know the Lord and to have Him give me understanding of the Bible as I read it. Sometimes I can read the same verse over again at another time and get a whole new meaning to the verse. When I ask the Holy Spirit to make the Word come alive then I get something from it that helps me in my daily walk with the Lord.

I am so blessed! You can be blessed!

Have a great day!
Joy

Overcoming Fear!

Dear all,

Yesterday while my sister and I were walking our dogs, she asked me what time I got home Sunday night. I told her about 8:00, she then asked me if I had heard the gunshots. I told her no, and asked her what was going on, she told me there has been a peeping tom running around at night and someone took a shot to scare him off.
I had a hard time trying to go to sleep last night, partly because I didn't feel the greatest, and partly because my mind kept going to who might be lurking outside. I kept telling myself that God was taking care of me. In my heart I knew that He was, but I had to get the information into my mind in order to block out the other thoughts that wanted to take control. God does not give us the spirit of fear, that comes from the enemy.
Can you imagine what my thoughts were when I was in the bathroom getting ready for bed and the lights went out? What would your first thought have been? I thought no problem I have this huge flashlight right at the head of my bed, I would just get it and have light, I was also ready to pack up and go to my sister's. I asked the Lord to help me not be afraid. The lights came right back on, and then I remembered all the flashlights were still in my car from when I went to camp. So I got my dog, and we went out to the car to get flashlights. That was a real step of faith on my part, but hey with God and my dog, I felt safe.
I kept quoting the two scriptures and just had to keep my mind from entertaining thoughts that were not conducive with peace, I would not allow myself to entertain thoughts of fear. I did go to sleep, but it took awhile.
One of the things I would encourage you in is YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR! Give your fear to the Lord and have Him give you the courage to overcome it.

II Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Psalms 34:7
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.

Take care and have a blessed day!
Joy

Truth and Righteousness

Psalms 85:11
Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Isaiah 45:8
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.

What wonderful scriptures; truth shall spring out of the earth, I believe that means the Christians will speak truth and the unsaved will begin to take notice. Righteousness (God) will look down from heaven.
It is totally awesome to be serving the Lord in this time. I am excited to see what God is going to do! I want to be a part of it. I believe God is getting ready to do some amazing things, as I believe He is getting ready to say "Son, go get your bride". Get ready!

(Hallelujah!)

Good morning,

It is a beautiful morning, the sun is shinning, the birds are praising the Lord, the trees are lifting their branches in song and all is well with my soul!

Psalms 115:18
But we will bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

I will affectionately and with a grateful heart praise the Lord. He is worthy of all praise!

Oh that we would begin to praise the Lord from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same.

Take care and have a great day!

Receiving the kingdom!

Greetings,

It is going to be a warm day here today. It would be nice to have it cloud up and rain for a day or two. Guess I should be happy with the sunshine as it will rain soon enough.

I have heard several ministers talk about the "Kingdom", when you live in a kingdom (if I understand right) everyone has citizenship in the kingdom, they all have the same health insurance, and they all have equal pay. No one is treated different than the other.

Luke 12:32
Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!

The Father wants to give us the same citizenship as Jesus! We are joint heirs to everything the Father has. When we begin to understand "kingdom principles" then we can tap into all the resources of heaven. I don't know about you, but I am ready to tap into the "kingdom resources". Especially the ones that will help me grow and understand the Word better.

I am excited what the Lord is doing in our family and friends. It seems like there is a new awareness of the things of the Lord. I encourage you to read the Word and have daily visits with the Father.

Take care and may God bless you above and beyond what you have ever dreamed of.
Joy

p.s. may He wrap you tonight in a warm, cozy, snugly blanket of love.

Faint Not!

Good morning,

I was reading in my devotional by Mrs. Charles Cowman "Streams in the Desert"
The page I was reading ties into what I have been writing about being discouraged and whether god hears us when we pray; I would like to share with you a section from her book.
Psalms 27:13-14
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
FAINT NOT!
"How great the temptation at this point! How the soul sinks, the heart grows sick, and the faith staggers under the keen trials and testing which come into our lives in times of special suffering". What do you do when you feel yourself fainting in the physical? You cannot do anything. You cease from your own doings. In your faintness, you fall upon the shoulder of some strong loved one. You lean hard. You rest. You lie still and trust.
It is so when we are tempted to faint under affliction. God says that sweet word, "Be still, and know that I am God."
All God asks of you when you grow faint in the fierce fire of affliction is to be still and trust. Do not try to be strong. Just be still and know that He is God, and will sustain you and bring you through.
"Stay firm and let thine heart take courage"
Stay firm, He has not failed thee in all the past,
And will He go and leave thee to sink at last?
Nay, He said He will hide thee Beneath His wing;
And sweetly there in safety Thou mayest sing.
May our Father uphold you today in a very special way.
Joy

Jesus The Name above all Names!

Jesus! Jesus!
Just the mention of His name can heal, deliver and strengthen us. What power in a name!
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20
18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So if there is such power in the name of Jesus, and Jesus said He gave us that power and greater power even than He had why aren't we seeing more miracles and healing today?

The Lord My Refuge

Good morning from foggy, soggy Dallas,

Yes! It rained last night. I am thankful it held off until I got home. I don't like driving in it, although I know I have to at some point if I want to go anywhere. But for last night it waited until I got home from Drain, so I can be thankful.

I have been getting several emails asking for prayer, some for the ones sending the email and some for their families going through trials and physical issues, this morning I would like to share the following verses with those that are hurting, lonesome, discouraged or those that just need a pick me up.

Psalms 9: 9-11
9 The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).
10 And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity].
11 Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples His doings!
I know I've used part of this scripture in the past, but felt I needed to use it again, to emphasize that God is still our security and has not forsaken any of us. He is a loving Father and wants only the best for us. I don't know about you, but when I give Him praise things seem to go better and my day is brighter.
May God show himself to you today in a marvelous way!
God bless you!
Joy

Not a Quitter!

Good morning,
So many things have been happening, I thought about just quitting my blog. But it seems that is what I always do is start something and then if I get behind I just give up in discouragement. I decided not this time. I will pick up from here and go on with the daily devotionals.

The Lord is my helper! With Him I can determine to continue that which He birthed in my heart.

God is so awesome! He is my friend! He is my provider! He is my healer! He is my love! He is my shield to fight the enemy! He is my bright morning star! He is my warmth! He is my Savior! He is my everything; without Him I don't know what I would do. HE IS!!!!

No matter what you are going through, remember this Jesus loves you! He does know what you are going through. He will strengthen you, if you let Him. Sometimes I don't understand why I've had to go through some of the things I did, however, looking back after I made it through I can see how the Lord used that situation to not only build my trust in Him, but to use it to help someone else.

Psalms 115:11

11 You who [reverently] fear the Lord, trust in and lean on the Lord! He is their Help and their Shield.

I was trying to find the verse about using what we have gone through to help others, only I can't remember where it is found, so when I find it I will share it with you.

I just want to encourage you this morning, that no matter what you are going through, God is still there, He still cares, and He will answer your prayer. It may not be the way you want; however, He will answer.

Have a great day in the Lord!
Joy

The Power of Praise!

Good morning,
I pray you have a wonderful and blessed day!

I was thinking about the power of God while reading Mike's (Toni's my cousin, Mike is her brother) report on his grandson who was injured in a car accident last Tuesday. It is a miracle that He is alive. Even the doctors at Mayo clinic are talking about the miracles that have been happening; you see the Lord's hand in this situation so strong, people can't help but know it's the POWER of God working.

Psalms 20:13
Be exalted, Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.

When we give praise to the Father, we increase His strength and power. It enables God to work greater miracles for those we love. Why? Because when we praise Him, we bless the Father's heart and in so doing build up our faith to release the power for miracles.

Praise the Lord!
Have a great day! I am off to supervise a group of teens at our church youth camp. So say a prayer for me this week for strength, and that I would be a blessing to the teens I come into contact with.
Love in Christ,
Joy

Praise to the Name of the Lord Most High.

Greetings,

I have been thinking a lot lately about PRAISE. Doesn't it make you feel extra special when someone gives you a compliment or thank you for a good job? Doesn't it just make your day a little brighter? How do you think we make the FATHER feel when we take time during the day to give Him thanks. Sometimes I just praise Him regardless if I think He has done anything for me; because if I woke up then He had done something for me, He gave me air to breathe. Even when a person doesn't think God is doing anything for them, they are wrong. God is doing something for us at all times.

Psalms 7:17 says
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

That is my desire today and every day to give the Lord thanks and to sing His praises all the time. I will praise the Lord most High.
Not because of anything special He has done; but because of WHO HE IS!
Praise the Lord!
Have a great day!
Joy

Knowing God's Voice!

John 10:27-30

27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand.
29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand.
30 I and the Father are One.

I am so thankful Jesus made a way for us to have eternal life. No one can snatch me out of my Father's hand unless I allow them to.

I love the Lord with everything within me. Praise His Holy Name!

Praise Before the Answer Arrives!

Good morning from rainy Dallas,

It is interesting when I started the other day with the scriptures in Psalms 119:41 & 42b how much of what I've been reading since then has to do with trust and faith.
This morning I want to share with you the scripture:

John 11:41
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

Jesus prayed this prayer while Lazarus was still in the grave, and the thanksgiving precedes the miracle of resurrection. Jesus gave thanks for what He is about to receive. The gratitude breaks forth before the bounty has arrived.
The song of victory is sung before the battle has been fought. It is thanksgiving before the miracle.
Praise is really the most vital preparatory ministry to the working of the miracles. Miracles are wrought by spiritual power. Spiritual power is always proportioned to our faith.
"Nothing so pleases God in connection with our prayer and our praise, and nothing so blesses the man who prays as the praise which he offers". Rev. Henry W. Frost.
May you have a praise filled day!
Joy

Hope!

Lam 3:21-26
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
As the Lord brought this verse to my mind, I realized that what keeps us going is hope. I believe faith goes hand in hand with hope. God is telling us that it is only because of the Lord’s mercy that we are not devoured. His tenderness and kindness fail not. God wipes away our failings each night and his mercy is new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. When we let the Lord be our portion and seek him through his Word and prayer then our soul will hope in him. The next verse says the Lord is good to them that wait for him. Think of all the blessings we miss from the Lord, simply because we are not willing to wait for him. We tend to want everything now. We are a fast fix generation. The verse goes on to say to the soul that seeks him. We can again seek him through the word and prayer. It doesn’t mean getting down and saying bless me O God. Amen and expect to receive what God wants for us. It says to seek him. You can’t find him in a 20 second prayer or 20 seconds of reading of his word. Verse 26 says it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. We need to have faith that when we pray God will answer, but he also says wait quietly for his salvation. We are not to go around moaning and groaning to everyone how we have prayed about something and God just didn't listen to us. We also need to be careful of talking negative as that is not waiting and believing that God is going to do what we have asked of him.

Unyielding Strength!

Greetings,
It is with pleasure that I greet you this morning. My heart is filled with praise to my Father.

Psalms 29:11
The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

I am so thankful that my Lord knows what I have need of, He gives me strength when I am weary; hope when I am discouraged; joy going through a trial; and peace all the time. My Lord is an awesome Lord and deserves my praise all the time, not just when things are going well, but through the bad times as well.

God is not a Father to be used only when I want something, but He is my Father all the time. Some people feel the only time they need to call on God is when then are in a jam, however the Word says to ABIDE in Him. When I abide in Him then I can expect Him to answer my prayers.
God Bless You this Lord's Day!
Joy

Thirsting for God!

Greetings from beautiful, warm, sunny Dallas,

I'm on my way to Washington with Sis. I am speaking at an Aglow meeting tomorrow in Sequim so please keep me in your prayers. Then it's off to Camp Meeting for the rest of the week. I will be sending out the devotionals every morning, I expect some really super preaching, so will be passing thoughts on to you from the meetings.
Today I want to leave you with the scripture from
Psalms 42:1-2
1 AS THE hart pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God.
2 My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?
That is my desire to long for God, to drink up His Word, to daily have prayer time and communion with the Father, then I shall behold the face of God.
God Bless You Abundantly,
Joy

God Our Healer!

Good morning,
God is so awesome. Yesterday I went to a BBQ at Suzan's. She is the lovely lady I wrote to you about just a little over a month ago. The doctors said she had cancer of the colon and lungs, and had called in Hospice. When Sis and I went to see her the first time, she was laying in bed, on oxygen and not expected to live longer than a month. We visited with her, shared scripture with her and prayed with her. We have been visiting with her, but due to our family reunion hadn't been out in awhile. Yesterday she had invited some caregivers, friends who have been praying for her, Sis and myself to a BBQ.
July 1, was her birthday and she wanted to celebrate. She was told she wouldn't live to see this birthday. So in essence she was celebrating not only her birthday, but her life.

The first time Sis, and I went out, Suzan prayed and told God she didn't want to die. The verses I chose for today, reminded me of her and what she prayed.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (AMP)
14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].
15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Because Suzan knew how to pray, she went BOLDLY before the throne of grace to obtain mercy, and to find the grace she needed to help in her time of need.
Suzan hosted not only the BBQ, but opened her home to a group of friends who ministered to each other and to her yesterday in a very special way. I am so thankful I got to be a part of her LIFE party.
Have a most blessed day in the Lord!
Joy

Refuge for the Opressed

Psalms 9:9

The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation).

I am so thankful that my Lord takes care of me. He is my refuge, He is my stronghold, my place of safety.
In times of trouble He will keep me safe and protected. That includes my mind as well as the rest of me.
I Praise His Holy Name.
Have a Great day!

Psalms 3:3
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I am so thankful that God is my shield, I can know without the shadow of a doubt, He is taking care of me as I abide under His wing.
He is my glory, and makes me to walk with my head up, and my heart filled with praise.

He is my everything. I praise His Holy Name.

What Hinders you?

Galatians 5:7 (Amp. Bible)
7 You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?

This morning I was thinking again about my getting into the Word and prayer time full speed ahead; only to have other things come up and I put them first. I really want to seek God first, I want to read His Word first! I start and stop, I thought to myself after I finish this one more thing, then I will get back into a daily routine of praying and studying first thing when I get up. I've even neglected to keep my daily devotional here up on a daily basis. I felt in my heart the Lord speaking to me and asking me "if you can't commit to doing it now, how can you expect to do better later.
There will always be something requiring my attention. So if I don't establish good habits now in praying and reading the Word, what makes me think I can do it later.
The thought came to my mind "What hinders you"?
What hinders you from serving God the way He desires you to?
I pray that I come to understand that God MUST come FIRST.
My whole day goes better when I put Him first.

Bond or Free?

Happy 4th of July,
I was thinking about the meaning of this holiday. July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed, with a section about "all men are created equal". There has been a lot of lives lost through the years to maintain our freedom.
We have the freedom of speech, the freedom to worship, the freedom to vote, the list goes on, and yet how many of us take it for granted?
I was thinking of the "Christian's" freedom. I believe our "Independence Day" started with Jesus' birth, His death and resurection. The day a person asks Jesus into their life, is I believe their Independence Day. When a person begins to walk in the Liberty of the Lord, then they are truly free.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Yesterday as I was going about my day, I was carrying on a conservation with my Father. As I was talking to Him about some hurts and disappointments that has happened recently, I was asking Him to help me overcome them so I could move on and have peace and joy in my heart.
I felt Him speak to me and this is what I got from His Words, if you've been hurt or disappointed in the past or now and when you or someone else talks about it, if it still hurts you then you have not left it with me, when it no longer as the power to hurt you; then you have become victorious over it.
So today on this special holiday, I would leave you with this question
Are you free?
Have a fun and safe holiday!
Joy

Apology

It seems like I have been so busy that I've negected to keep my devotionals current. For that I apologize. I am daily having to work on doing the spiritual things before doing everything else I need to do. I am so glad my God is a loving and patient Father who not only forgives my mistakes, but keeps on working with me to put Him first in all things.

Romans 5:1-2 says
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
I am so thankful that I have access into this grace and that I can rejoice in hope for all things.
I give God all glory, honor and praise.

Giving Thanks!

I just wanted to take a moment and give God thanks for His many blessings.
Psalms 34:1
I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Praise the Lord, he watches over me and takes super care of me.
What he does for me, he will do for you if you let Him.
God Bless

Fishing for Men!

Dear all,
It is a rainy morning here. Now I won't have to water my flowers, God did it for me.
Saturday the 23rd, I was at the coast with some of my brothers and sisters. We were window gazing in Depoe Bay when my brother Chuck saw a t-shirt and said "Here's one Joy could use in her daily devotional" or something similar to that effect. After pondering on it and looking at it, I decided to use it this morning.
Luke 5:4
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
You need to realize Simon (Peter) as most of the Disciples were fishermen. It was their means of income. They had fished all night and didn't catch anything. Here comes Jesus in the morning and uses Peter's ship to teach the crowd of people. When Jesus is finished using it he tells Peter to launch out. The key here is that Peter obeyed and did what Jesus asked him to do. If he had stayed in the shallow water, he wouldn't have caught the fish.
In verse 10 the latter part Jesus told Peter, James and John "from this time forth you will catch men".
In Matthew 4:19 Jesus said
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
I dearly love to fish, but as much as I love to fish; it is more important for me to be trying to witness to people, and help them find Jesus.
Sometimes as the saying on the t-shirt I get busy taking care of the things at home or even helping others, including doing things for the Lord that I forget Jesus wants me first and foremost to be a soul winner for Him.
Have a great day fishing!
Joy

Seek Ye First!

Good morning,
It is a special day for me as it's my oldest grandson's 21st birthday. Happy birthday Brad.
Yesterday I was looking at a list of goals I had made sometime toward the end of January. Some of them I have been doing just fine with reaching; however, others that should be easy to reach I have been slack in accomplishing. Like walking, loosing weight, writing at least one hour a day, you get the idea. The two I believe are the most important are reading my Bible every day and praying every day.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:33
"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides".
I find if I don't read my bible and pray first thing in the morning, the day gets away from me before I know it and I'm too tired to pray or read.
When I put that as a top priority then my day goes better and when someone calls me to pray about something I am ready to ask God on their behalf.
How about you, did you set goals for 2007? Have you looked at them lately so see how you are measuring up? I can't believe the year is half over. There are some goals I set that I have to get busy on. At least this year I set some, and am working on them. Let me tell you, it feels good.
Take care and God Bless you above and beyond what you can conceive or imagine.
Joy

Believing When We Pray!

Good rainy morning,

Mark 11:23-24
23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.
24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
It is raining this morning. Yesterday I went to the coast with some of my family. It was supposed to be cloudy and a chance of rain. I asked God to let the rains hold off and for sunshine. It was a beautiful sunshiny day at the beach for which I give God praise. When I pray I expect God to do that which I've asked for, do you?
If His Word is true, which I believe it is, then when I go to Him in prayer, believing He will answer, then why do I get surprised when the answer comes?
I do have to remember that just like my earthly parents did, sometimes God says no to my prayer, sometimes He says wait a while and sometimes He answers YES and very quickly.
Take care and have a wonderful day!
Joy

Pleasant Places!

Greetings from sunny Dallas,
It is supposed to be raining here, however all I see is sunshine.
Yesterday my brother, sister and I went to silver Creek Falls. I marveled at the beauty and force of the water going over the cliff.
I kept praising the Lord who made the beauty for me to enjoy.
Psalms 16:6 says:
The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

I am so grateful that my loving Father gave me beautiful scenes to enjoy. He has given me a goodly and Godly heritage and I praise Him for his many blessings to me daily.
He is our God and worthy of all praise.
Have a super day!
Joy

Come and Hear!

Good morning all you great people,
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul. Psalms 66:16
I got up this morning with a song in my heart and joyful praise on my lips. The more I seek Him, the more I get to know Him, the more I want to share the love and peace only God can give. He is concerned about everything that happens to me or you. I am excited about His plans for my life. He is my everything, he is my all.
I pray he leads you and guides you and gives you a super day!
God Bless you!
Joy

Make His Praise Glorious!

Good morning,
Yesterday I had the privilege of going to the beach with two of my brothers and a sister. As far as I can remember this was the first time the four of us had ever done anything with it being just the 4 of us. I felt very special to go with them.
The Lord blessed us with a perfect day, sunshine, laughter, fun, good food, lots of reminiscing. What more could anyone ask for?

Psalms 66:2
Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise glorious!
Psalms 69:30
I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving,

I just kept walking around yesterday, offering praise to the Lord. It was a very special day sent from the Father to add to our already wonderful memories.
When I looked out across the ocean, listened to the birds giving praise, saw all the beautiful scenery, my heart was overflowing with praise to the Creator who made all things for our enjoyment.
May you have a wonderful, praise filled day in the Lord.
Joy

Fountain of Life!

Greetings in the Name of Our Lord
Psalms 36:9
For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
People search for ways to look younger all the time. Jesus is the fountain of life; find Him and you find life.
He is our light and when we walk in Him, we will no longer be in the dark but walk in the fullness of His light.
Praise the Lord.

Magnify Him with Thanksgiving!

Psalms 69:30
30 I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving,
It is my choice on how my day will go. I can praise the Lord with songs of praise and a thankful heart; or I can grumble and gripe.
I know in my heart that when I offer the sacrifice of praise to Him and magnify Him with thanksgiving I feel a whole lot better and my day goes better.
I am so blessed of the Lord that it is really hard for me not to give Him praise all day long.
Praise the Lord, for in Him is your strength, health and love!

I Will Confess and Praise the Lord!

Greeting on this the Lord's Day and Dad's Day,
Psalms 138:1-3
1 I WILL confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!
3 In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength (might and inflexibility to temptation) in my inner self.
I will give praise and honor to my Heavenly Father this wonderful Father's Day. He is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.
I praise him for his loving me, his faithfulness to me in good times and bad. I am glad God doesn't measure his faithfulness to me by my faithfulness to him. When I call to him, he answers me, he gives me strength.
He sends others to bless me and to physically uplift me. God is indeed a loving Father.
May God keep his hand on each of you and have a most blessed day.
Joy

The word is near you!

The word is near you!
Deuteronomy 30:14-16
14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.
15 See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil.
16 [If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which] I command you today, to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land into which you go to possess.
I find myself going through the day thinking on the scriptures I've learned. They are a help to me when I start thinking about all the things that seems to rob me of my joy in the Lord. I ponder the words of the Lord. He has set before me life and good, death and evil. I choose which one I will dwell on and live. I choose life and good. I am so thankful I can not only read the word, but have it dwell in my heart and mind.
I praise the Lord for his love and grace. He is my strength and my joy.
Praise His Holy Name.

Early Will I Seek Thee!

I am finding if I don't take time first thing in the morning to do my devotionals, I get busy and forget to do them.
I find that true with seeking the Lord, if I don't seek him early, it seems like I get busy and by the time I get ready to seek him it's bedtime and I'm tired.
How much better to seek him when I am fresh and ready to start the day.
His word says in Psalms 63:1
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Psalms 5:33 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
When I pray to my Father early in the morning and bring my requests to him, then I can go about my day with expectation that my prayers will be answered.
Praise the Lord.

Jesus our Anchor!

Greetings from sunny Dallas,
It is indeed a beautiful day here today. The SON is shinning down on me.
Yesterday in church my pastor's wife Sis. Bristow sang a special about "The Anchor Holds", I got to thinking about boats, and ships, the size of them determines what size of anchor will be used to keep the ship in a certain spot when it stops.
Hebrews 6:19 says
[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it--a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil (AMP)
Acts 27:29
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. KJV
In this verse they cast out 4 anchors. I am so thankful Jesus is my anchor. It doesn't matter what I am going through or how severe the storm, Jesus is able to deliver me. He gives me peace and joy even when I am hurting or afraid. I am so thankful I know him well enough that I can ask Him to take away all fear. I can live an abundant life, full of peace, joy, love and hope. Whatever God does for me He will willingly do for you.
May you have a wonderful day.
Joy

God's Deliverance!

Psalms 34:19 Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (AMP)
The KJV says Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
I am so thankful that regardless of what I am going through the Lord is right there with me. He delivers me from all affliction or evil. God is a God of love and compassion. He loves you as much as He loves me. He is not willing that any perish, but by His saving grace all can come to Him and be saved forever. I don't know how people survive without the Lord. I would be absolutely lost without Him.
Have a blessed day!

His Name Shall Endure Forever!

Good morning,
It is indeed a day to offer praise unto our Father. It doesn't matter what we are going through, God does care about us and will help us get through any situation if we allow him to be there for us.
Psalms 72:17-19
17 His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun [indeed, His name continues before the sun]. And men shall be blessed and bless themselves by Him; all nations shall call Him blessed!
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone does wondrous things!
19 Blessed be His glorious name forever; let the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!
May you have a blessed day in the Lord. May you feel the Lord in your life in a wonderful way. May he lead you and guide you and may you be filled with his glory so your whole body radiates his love for all the world to see.
God bless you!

Tearing Down Building Up

Greetings,
On June 6th I sent a devotional with the scriptures from Hosea 6:1-3. It was about God tearing down and building up. Returning unto the Lord. God binding up those that are torn and healing us.
I received the following email on that devotional, but feels it fits on an every day occasion so I asked my friend Ronda, if I could use it and got permission to share it with you today.

I wanted to share a word the Lord gave me a couple of years ago. The Lord has reminded me of this word many times when He has provided my needs or answered my prayers.

A couple of years ago, when Steve was out of town I had hurt my back so badly and I could barely move myself let along lift Colby. God provided help for me so readily and easily that I did not have to be anxious or worry how I would manage. During a devotion time, I was thanking God for providing for my needs so quickly that I didn't have to worry or be anxious. He spoke back and said something that has changed my view of answered prayer or His meeting my needs. He said" When I provide for you, meet your needs or answer your prayers, rejoice not only in what I have done for you but that I have revealed Myself to you. I desire to reveal Myself in these ways so that you may be strengthened in Me, not just have your needs met. Look beyond what I did to who I AM.

This word caused me to see that the greater thing was not the answered prayer or the need met, but rather that My Father God had revealed Himself to me, and He does it again and again through answered prayer or met needs and it strengthens us. The ways you mention in your devotion are also Him revealing Himself to us - without revelation of the knowledge of God, we perish.
Have a blessed day,
Joy

The Lord Takes Pleasure In His People!

Psalms 149:4-5
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
5 Let the saints be joyful in the glory and beauty [which God confers upon them]; let them sing for joy upon their beds.
I am so thankful that my God takes care of me. He takes pleasure in my life. God loves me and gives me victory.
Praise His Name.

Faith and Laughter!

Tears and self pity and sorrow will never release faith.

Release your faith in laughter with the confession of your faith

When fear comes keep your mouth shut.

A friend gave me these sayings last Saturday, I thought they were very wise.

We need to be reminded occasionally that "Life and death are in the power of the tongue."

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

JOY!

Greetings to all of you this beauteous Sunday morning,
I was thinking early this morning about laughter and joy, it just seems that when things are rough if you can remember to laugh you feel better. Not only do you feel better, but those around you feel better also.
I would like to give you some scriptures on joy.
Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11
Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 55:12
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.Isaiah 61:3
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

The other day while listening to a lady pray, I could feel such joy radiating from her that I opened my eyes and looked at her, she was giving praise to the Lord. She was so happy she was trying really hard not to overflow with laughter as she was praying. I could feel the laughter bubbling up in my soul. It just started spilling out. As I started to laugh, the lady began to laugh as well; there were four of us praying with hands joined together in a circle. Soon all of us was laughing in the joy of the Lord. It was a tremendous moment in time. One of the ladies had never experienced that before while praying. I am so thankful that when things get rough, God created in each of us the ability to laugh.
Prov 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Have a joyful day!
Joy

God's Words Give Light!

Psalms 119:135
129 Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].
130The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted [with eager desire], for I longed for Your commandments.
132 Look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your way to those who love Your name.
133 Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man; so will I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].
135 Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
This is my prayer this morning to know God's testimonies, to keep His commandments. To pray for understanding. That He order my steps to be in His word. He delivers me from the oppression of man. He makes His face to shine on me. I will praise the Lord. Praise to Him will be the order of my day.
Bless you O Lord.
May God lead y0u and guide you today and every day.

Fear Not!

Isaiah 43:1-5
1 BUT NOW [in spite of past judgments for Israel's sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release].
4 Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west.
He has called me by name. I am His. He will take care of me no matter what I am going through. Thank goodness I am only going through it, I don't have to stay in the hardships of life. I believe I only stay in it as long as I want to. I don't think God wants us to dwell in the trials and hard places in our life. He wants to deliver us out of it quickly. It is ourselves that stay in it longer. He said "this to will pass". I am learning to lean on Him more and expecting to be delivered out of the trials in a timely manner. I believe each trial I go through, God can show me something to help me grow, as well as use it to help someone else if I let Him.
I am so glad I serve a risen Lord. He is alive and cares about everything that pertains to me.
God Bless you!

Name!

Psalms 75:1
WE GIVE praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your [a]Name is near and they who invoke Your Name rehearse Your wonders.
Deuteronomy 12:5
But you shall seek the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His [a]Name and make His dwelling place, and there shall you come;
Footnotes:
Deuteronomy 12:5 The "Name" of God is equivalent to His gracious presence in passages such as this one. The place where God puts His Name is the place where the Lord Himself chooses to dwell. When it stands for God's presence at the sanctuary, "Name" is capitalized.
I have often wondered why sometimes Name is capitalized in the Bible. Now I know. I just thought I would share this with you.
God is so wonderful. I can't begin to express how Awesome He is. It's like wanting to paint a picture of something beautiful, even though an artist does their very best, it not quite as good as God's original.
Have a blessed day!
Joy

Wait and Expect!

Psalm 37:34 (Amplified Bible)

Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; [in the end] when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
I am so thankful the Lord keeps us and takes care of us when we listen to Him. When we get into the Word and understand what He is telling us, how much easier our lives would be. The more I read and study the Word, the more I realize God didn't want us to live a defeated life. He wants us to live a victorious life. A life filled with praise to Him. A life that is filled with abundance. A life devoted to the King.
Praise His Name.
Joy

Being Taught by The Lord!

Psalm 27:11 (KJV)
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Sometimes I want to direct God on how to lead my life. I guess I don't think He is capable of doing as good of a job as I can. However, I find if I get out of the way and trust Him when I pray for direction, He does a much better job of working things out for me than when I interfere.
I need to remember "ALL" things work together for good to them that love God. Romans 8:28a
Even when I can't see the results of trusting Him right at that moment I know deep within my heart that He is with me, leading me and guiding me. The more I seek Him and read His Word, the more His leading me becomes clear. I am amazed at the changes He has worked in me just this year alone. I know it is because I am allowing Him to have full rein of my life.
Praise His Holy Name.
Blessings on you today as you let the "Master" lead you into all truth.
Joy

What Words Comes out of Your Mouth?

Good morning to you!
It is a beautiful day here. I Praise the Lord for it.
Proverbs 4:20-23 (Amplified Bible)
20 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
A few weeks ago in Sunday School class the teacher talked about our heart. What is seeded into the heart is what comes out of the mouth. I began to examine myself to see what kind of stuff I am putting into my heart. Is it Godly things or junk? Do I desire to walk in health and healing? Do I want the blessings of the Lord in my life. Of course I do as I feel all of you do; then we need to heed the scriptures above and realize the words that come out of our mouth comes from the innermost parts of our heart.
To walk in abundance and health, we need to proclaim abundance and health. Our words need to edify the Lord so we can walk in healing and health. Out of our innermost being will flow springs of life.
Praise the Lord.
Have a super fantastic day in the Lord.
Joy

Strength For The Day!

Good morning,
It is still morning here where I live. I gave myself permission to be lazy this morning. I don't do it very often, but I just wanted to laze around this morning. I did read the Word to renew my strength.
Sometimes I get so busy doing things for others I forget to take time for me. I'm sure a lot of you are the same way, you need to take time for you.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Amplified Bible)
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.
29 He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
I am so thankful I can wait on the Lord and He will give me strength and rest. An eagle takes advantage of the wind to soar and rest it's wings. Thereby keeping their strength. I need to learn to soar more and rest in the plans God has for me.
Take care and have a restful day.
Joy

He Hears Me!

John 11:41b (KJV)
And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
I am so thankful that just as Jesus lifted His eyes to His Father, and thanked Him for hearing Him; so I can lift my eyes to the Father and thank Him for hearing me. Because of Jesus dying on the cross and rising again, I have access to the Father and know He hears me.
Praise the Lord.

God of the Living!

Matthew 22:32 (Amplified Bible)
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living!

I was reading this verse this morning and thought can God say He is the God of Joy? Am I living my life to be pleasing unto God? Am I a living walking testimony of what God can do? These are questions I began asking myself. At one time I can say I was partially a living testimony unto God. Now I can say I am striving to be all God wants me to be.
What about you? Can God say He is the God of ___________? Can you say God is foremost in your life? Do you expect God to answer your prayers without doing anything for Him? Do you believe He is the God of the living?
I am so thankful I can know without the shadow of a doubt that the God of my dad and the God of my mom and the God of dear friends and family who are now with Him is my living, loving God.
I know He is alive and that He loves me. I know He has my best interest at heart. I know as I get into His Word I will find the answers to all my needs. He is the answer.
As you go about your day ask yourself do you really believe He is the God that can help you. Do you really trust Him in everything?

May my Speech be Pleasing to you O Lord!

Ps 19:14

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. KJV

The other night at church the youth pastor spoke from Matthew 5: 14-15 about letting our light shine. He went on to ask the question
What are you advertising? What do you promote with the words that comes out of your mouth?
As I was listening to him speak, I thought about this verse in Psalms.
In studying it I believe David was saying this as a prayer unto God. He had done many things that were not right before the Lord, yet David had a repentant heart. The Bible says "He was a man after God's own heart."
The words out of my mouth should be pleasing to the Lord. Think about this if they are pleasing to the Lord, then they will be pleasing to those around me.
So if the words I speak are not pleasant to those around me, how pleasing are they to God?
The mediation (ponder, purpose, muse) of my heart should be centered on God's Word. My thoughts should be acceptable to God. Then I can say O LORD my strength and my redeemer.
God is an awesome God. Sometimes words seem so inadequate to describe the power and awesome sovereign God.
May you have a blessed day in the Lord.
Joy

Letting Go of the Past!

Greetings,

This morning I was listening to a sermon by Joel Osteen on "Letting go of the Past". Joel said "The more you dwell on the disappointments, the more you block God's blessings in your life". To receive God's mercy you have to receive God's forgiveness; or you can never go on with your life.
In thinking about Joel's comments the following verses came to mind:
Hebrews 12:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
I find in my life that as I try to walk closer to the Lord, the more unnecessary things in my life has to go to make room for HIM!
Jesus is the source of my FAITH! He is the joy of my life. He is doing a work in me and I pray He is doing a work in your life as well. I am so excited about all the things God is doing in my life. Sometimes I stand in awe of WHO HE IS and that He feels I am worthy to be one of HIS!
May the Lord God of our Fathers Bless and Keep You Today!
Joy

Twinkies and Root Beer

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?

"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~