A Ray Of Morning Light

I was asking the Lord this morning to help me to love His Word.  I had just awakened and I knew I needed to read my Bible before I started the day, but my heart just wasn't in it. 

I remembered a time several years ago when I read the 119^th Psalm every day for a month.  It was an exercise I chose to do.  I don’t remember the reason, but the outcome was that I literally fell in love with God’s Word.  Just like the Psalmist, I loved God’s word.  It was my life, my passion, my love!

So this morning, I opened to Psalm 119 and started reading.  I won’t say it took my mind off of everything that I wanted to get done today and engulfed me with joy, but it did remind me that I depend on God for everything.  His Word gives strength to my soul.  It keeps me going when otherwise I would dissolve in a puddle of hopelessness.

Thank you God for Your Word.  It really is a light shining in the darkness, a ray of hope, a joy and peace, food for my heart.  Thank YOU!!!

photo credit: Will Montague via photopin cc

Fear --- What? Why?

  The Lord is my light and my salvation —

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

This verse from the Psalms has always been a favorite of mine.  In fact, this entire Psalm is one that I consider one of my "life's" Psalms.

 

There have been times when I've been afraid, frustrated, down or depressed that this particular verse has come to "rescue" me by helping me re-focus on the One who is my shelter, my protector, the light of my life even in times of darkness inside.

 

I pray: 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?

I shall fear no one!" (my response, sometimes weak)

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

I shall not fear anyone or anything!" (response, growing stronger)

It's good to have the Word of God resident in our souls.  It's encouraging and inspiring.   It rises up to be a shield around us, a staff to lean on, a light at the end of our tunnel-vision.  When the Lord brings it up, it's to encourage us and it invokes a response.  When we speak it aloud, it somehow encourages us even more, like the Bible says "Faith comes by hearing."  Speaking God's word, waters the faith seed planted in our souls.  When we respond to God's word with our own, we are bound to it in such a way that the fruit it produces in our lives grows and grows and can never be destroyed.

Thanks God!

God of hope, joy & peace

The last few days have been an adventure you might say.  An adventure in learning, accepting and trusting in God --- our God, the Lord God Almighty --- who gives us hope and joy and peace, no matter what we see around us.  This is what I've learned.  (I sure hope I've learned it. LOL)

"No matter what we see, no matter what we hear, no matter what it seems is happening all around us, we can be comforted by this assurance.  When we trust God, He makes everything work together for our good."  I know that may sound glib to some and like "Christianese" to others, but it's really true. 

If the enemy means it for our harm, God will work it for our good just like Joseph told his brothers "What you intended for my harm, God meant for good."  If it's God working in our lives, then we know He always does what's best for us and all those involved. 

So, no matter where the situation arises or whether it's God or our enemy creating it, we can know with confidence and true hope that either way, it will work out for our good.

Be assured!  Stand strong!  Take courage!  Believe and be filled with joy and peace and "abound in hope" by the power of the Holy Spirit!

And by the way ... thank you for your prayers!!!

Hugs,

Joy

Yesterday, I had this particular scripture in mind, John 14:27.  I wanted to do it in calligraphy so I looked it up in several (15 or more) different Bible translations to see which one I wanted to use.  I read and re-read the scripture and the surrounding text over and over.  I couldn't choose one.  

I picked up my calligraphy pen and started to write.  Moments later, the words that you see in the above picture came out. 

Although, I used a font here instead of hand written calligraphy, the message remains the same. 

Enjoy!  Invite Jesus' peace to surround you and concentrate on loving Him.