True Joy

True joy...inner joy...comes from our relationship with Jesus not our circumstances in this life. Life happenings can bring us joy for a time but invariably things happen that change our feelings. But true joy...everlasting joy...springs up from within and nothing can take that from us. Not loss...pain...sickness...nothing can take it away!! True joy is more than a feeling...it's a gift from God...a never ending way of life when He is the One whom bestows it...gives it...too you! 

Joy...Joy...unquenchable joy
Given us by the Lord through love
Joy...Joy...undeniable joy
When we are filled with His love
Joy...Joy...such amazing joy
Dropped down from the Lord up above
Joy...Joy...awesome joy
Falls on us as sweet rain from above

"until we see JESUS...face to face"

Come Holy Spirit

Except for the sound of the crickets the night is quiet and calm where I am. Though not so much that way in my thoughts. I am a bit on the edge and have been all day.  For me the calmness will only come when I read the Word...listen to worship music...and actually worship the Lord while doing these things. Oh...and writing...it helps to just pen my thoughts and feelings down.
The Lord brings peace to us in the midst of our troubles. And I am thankful.

So, while trying to sort out for myself the things that are putting me on the edge...I took a break and picked up a magazine! In the story a line from Steel Magnolias was quoted..

"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

Well, I have to say that tears and emotion aren't even "words" I like. Not to mention actual things I like! But...God used that one line to speak this to me...


Hold on to the moment when you are able to find laughter in the midst of your tears...don't ever take it lightly. Why? Because to reach the point where you find the laughter you first have to fight through all the heaviness...the pain...the reason you are filled with the tears. So when you can once again tell the stories and release the pain...laughter will surely flow back in to you. Then, when the laughter comes allow it to flow through you because I think it is a gift from God. To have laughter, and let it flow out of you, is a by product of having allowed the Holy Spirit to apply the salve...the healing balm...to your mind, heart and soul for the hurt/adversity you carry in your heart.

Ask the Holy Spirit to come. To fill you with Him.

Come Holy Spirit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR0uTNwIqOY

All We Will Ever Need

In the light of His presence...the wholeness of His healing...the comfort of His love...we find sweet amazing grace...strength to face our fears...peace that passes all understanding.  In our brokenness He comes and shows us that He really is all we will ever need.  When we are tired...He grants us rest.  When we are broken...He is our joy.  When we are weak...He gives us strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.

You need to become deeply rooted in Him so that whatever comes your way...

You. Will. Not. Be. Shaken...ever!

Colossians 2:6-7
⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], ⁷ having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.


Psalm 16:8
I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
My defense and my strong tower; I will not be shaken or disheartened.

So praise Him today and always!  For He is our Lord...our Savior...Jesus.  He has made us new and alive in Him and someday we will be with Him...

"until we see JESUS...face to face"



 

 

"I Am Here"

Sometimes the pain is great
We think too much to bear
But then we hear the Lord
He whispers "I am here."
I'm here right in the midst
Of all your heartache and your pain
Your sickness and your fear
Just come to Me and cling
Let Me take it all
The pain and misery
Turn to Me just now
Lay it down for Me
Enter in My rest
Come humbly now and stay
Nestle in find comfort
Find peace in Me today
I'll take your pain and heal you
Body mind and soul
Enter in just now
My rest will make you whole
I love you oh My child
More than your heart can know
Fall in My arms again
My love will make you whole

Pursue

If you don't pursue the things that draw you in close to the Lord you will die a little bit more each day. You need to press in close...keep your focus...breathe in deeply His love for you so your soul will become...and stay...alive with Him always. If you don't keep all that is good and true...JESUS...alive in your life your faith will begin to melt away like the snow on a warm winters day. If you are weak...no...when you are weak...bow your head low and call on the Lord. Focus on Him...read His word...press in.

Hebrews 4:12-13
12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.

"until we see JESUS...face to face"

Thoughts On A Friday

There is one thing I know for sure today...

The enemy of our soul lies to us...continuously.  As long as we keep believing...even living by his lies...he will keep feeding them to us and reinforcing them every chance he gets!  The enemy lies to us to try to keep us defeated.  I will never forget what a friend use to always tell me when I was letting satan get the best of me...actually it's a picture I carry in my mind of what to do.  Satan is a snake...so I put his head under my foot, stomp on it, then twist/grind him into the ground.  Of course that comes with telling him to get away from me and standing on the promises of the Word.  Jesus defeated satan and is stronger than him in every way.  We just need to believe and trust in the Lord.  The enemy is always doing his best to fill our head with lies...but the Lord fills our heart and minds with truths which allows us to defeat satan.  The only question is...which one will you believe?

This whole thought process this morning happened because I was reading Psalm 62 about waiting quietly before God and how our soul finds rest in God alone. We can be stressed and let the enemy fill our soul and mind with fear and unrest or...we can wait quietly before the Lord giving Him our fears/distress and know that He is our refuge.  Hide ourselves in the Lord and satan can't touch us!  In my current thought process this morning...by doing this I am effectively putting the enemies head under my foot...stomping on it...twisting it...into the ground!  Defeating him through Jesus. 

Psalm 62:5-8 NLT

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Because of Jesus

Easter...such an amazing day!

But before that day...

Jesus was betrayed...beaten beyond recognition...made to walk through an immense crowd carrying His own cross...spat upon...mocked...had a crown of thorns placed on His head and then shoved down into it...hung on the cross with nails (spikes) driven through His feet and wrists...suffered agonies we can't even imagine...all for me...and all for you. 

It isn't just a story or a fairy tale that scribes penned down from their imaginations...no...it is real life and Jesus lived it for us. I'm not going to relate to you everything that happened because you can surely read it for yourself...and you should.  But I do want to tell you something that I have found out for myself about that cross...His cross...the one Jesus bled and died on so that we could live fully and forever. 

As Christians we can go to the Lord in prayer asking forgiveness for our sins...anytime...and we can leave our burdens there. A burden is something we carry that is heavy on our hearts...it can weigh us down so deeply that we can't even breathe at times.  I know from experience that getting to the cross at times is hard!  We are human...flesh and blood...and the surrendering of oneself can be a process you have to learn...and you must!  You need to completely abandon yourself at the cross.  Place all your hurts...needs...wants...everything...leave them all at the foot of the cross and walk away.  Then ask Jesus to come in and do the work inside of you that needs done...change you from the inside out! Hard...so hard...but so amazingly worth the pain.  Because the pain turns into peace...joy...and knowing that you will be okay. 

Because of JESUS...all because of HIM!

So on this Easter weekend pick up your bible...read.  Start with the betrayal and read through to the resurrection. Jesus rose from death and came out of that tomb and lives today! You can live today as well...it's up to you.

Luke 22 through 24
An excellent read!

"until we see JESUS...face to face"

A Box End Wrench

Dementia...it's a hard fact.  When someone you love has it...well honestly...it just plainly sucks. 
For a long time I have known the day would come when he didn't know me any longer.  Yes...many times he says he does but really all he knows is my voice...not me. 

About two weeks ago it all started changing quickly.  We were talking and I asked..."Do you know who I am?"  "Yes...you're Chelle."  "But who am I to you?"  "I don't know."  Then before hanging up the phone, no matter how many times I said, "I love you"...he would not say it back.  First time ever....hard...

From the time I was very small he took me everywhere he went.  We worked on his logging truck when it broke down.  He would be under it and would ask me for a certain tool..."Hand me a 1/4inch box end wrench" he would say.  And I did.  I knew what everything in his toolboxes were.  I loved him so much...because he loved me so much...I wanted to know everything he knew and spend all the time I could with him.  We went to the parts stores...tire shops...picked up the logs at the landing in the woods...took them to the mills.  He also taught me how to fish...for bass mainly...and I loved it...and too hunt. 

These were the best times of my life.  When I wasn't in school I hung out with him as much as possible.  Hunting weekends...fishing weekends...time spent having donuts and coffee...lunch on a boat and coffee...lunch on a hillside and coffee...playing spades all night and coffee...watching tv all night and coffee.  Yes...this is where my love for coffee all started...with my Dad.  Yet now...he couldn't care less about coffee. 

So tonight I'm having a bit of a hard time wrapping my mind around it all.  Though you know the day is coming when your heart will want to fall out of your chest because he doesn't know you...you really don't know what it will be like.  Well...It's something you keep experiencing again and again. 

Oh...what I wouldn't give for a box end wrench...a donut...and a cup of coffee...

What I know for now is...

What is broken here on earth will one day be restored in heaven.  We all will be made whole...mind body and soul. For now...while we are still on this earth in our broken bodies...the best thing we can do is run to Jesus with all of this.  He alone can help us through the hard times of life.  Right now I can't even think of any scriptures to add...but the Lord knows my heart.

"until we see JESUS...face to face"







 

Is Your All On The Altar

This morning I woke up with a song.  An old song that I don't remember hearing for years now. 

Is Your All On The Altar by Elisha A Hoffman, 1900

Chorus;

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

That was playing in my thoughts over and over until I finally had to get up and find it on You Tube.
I remember it well from my childhood and up into teenage years.  Oh, how I wish I hadn't wasted all those years of my life...and many more. 

I know it was the Lord speaking to me this morning with this song.  Have I given Him my all?  Have I laid it all down at His feet?  Does He have total control of me...my heart...soul...mind?  Oh, such questions and thoughts this morning. 

Have I yielded it all to Him?  I could tell you but my answers don't really matter for you...only the way you answer those questions for yourself does. 

Peace...sweet rest...feeling and knowing the presence of the Lord as He is with you daily...always.
Yielding is so very important and so very hard at times.  I think this morning there is some pensiveness within me...knowing what I know.  The thoughts within our own selves...about our own selves...can probably all be marked with a little sadness about where we have been and where we need to be. 

As I get ready to go out and meet one more day of life there is great consideration of what I will do with what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me this morning.  Can I...no will I...lay it all down and yield Him my body...my soul...my every thought and will.  Or will I just pick up where I ended yesterday...

A question we all need to ask of ourselves.  Peace...sweet rest...found only in Him.  What will our decision be?

Psalm 86:1
Bend down , O Lord and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need your help.

86:11
Teach me Your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor You.

Let Go Of The Fear

It's hard at times to lay bare our souls to others and yet...we know that when the LORD has called us to do so...we must. 

Fears...common ground for us all even when my fears are different from your fears.  Common ground because no matter what the fear they all bring on the same destruction to our bodies...our minds...our souls. 

If we are following Christ we know that our Lord...our God...is taking care of us.  He never sleeps nor does He slumber.  He is right in the middle of everyone of our lives with us.  We know this...that He is here guiding and protecting and that He will never leave us and yet...here we are letting ourselves be shaken by the circumstances that surround us.  We let fear of the illness that plagues us...fear of the lack of finances...fear of being alone...fear of what's gong on in the world around us...fear of this and fear of that...take over every fiber of our being until fear is all we think about.  Though at times fear will and does strike right to our very core...we have a remedy to it all.

JESUS!

Even though we may have things...life...tearing at us from all sides...GOD...our LORD...He is our refuge.  Our very present help in times of trouble.  The Lord is our Rock of protection, our fortress where we can hide and be safe.  He covers us with His feathers and we can hide under His wings of protection and know the safety that is ours.  With Him we have nothing to fear because we are His!  Right there...wherever we are in life...in the middle of our every situation...He will never leave us nor forsake us.  You just need to be strong and courageous because the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go and through whatever problem you are having,  He will watch over you and never...Ever...leave your side!  Right up to the end of your life when that time comes.  We have the assurance of all of this through His Word.  Just depend on the Lord and don't allow yourself to be shaken to your core. 

So many thoughts and scriptures running through my mind this morning and I can't even begin to tell you where to find them all.  But as I am sitting here with my bible open I looked and saw this verse highlighted...

Psalm 31:14 NLT

But I am trusting You, O Lord, saying, "YOU are my GOD!"

When David wrote this he was in the midst of adversity...where he often was.  Yet he knew that God was in control.  He just needed to trust.  As followers and believers in the Lord...we know that as well.  We just need to read His Word and become as close to the Lord as we can.  Let our faith become rock solid in Him.  Walk and talk with Him on a continual basis.  Don't fail or falter in your faith.  Place your trust in Him and Him alone.  Believe...believe...believe...in all that He has done for you when He died on the cross for you. 

Let. Fear. Go. because GOD. Has. Got. You!!  In the midst of it all...

Here is a list of a few scriptures to read;

Deut. 31:6-8
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 91:5 ~ 46:1 ~ 31:14
Joshua 1:9
Proverbs 3:5-5

Help me Lord to let things go.  The fear that sometimes washes over and wants to overtake me.  Bind me up in You Lord.  Help me to turn over all of my fears to You as I humbly come and fall on my face at Your feet.  Let me feel Your love and protection all around me as I come into Your embrace knowing, and believing, that You are in control of my life.  You hold me in Your hands and You will never let me go.  Thank You Lord for all that You have done and saved me from.  In Jesus name...Amen...Amen...Amen....

Let Him Breathe On Me

Let Him breathe on me
Let Him breathe on me
Let the breath of God
Now breathe on me
Let Him breathe on me
Let Him breathe on me
Let the breath of God
Now breathe on me

This is an old chorus we used to sing in church when I was just a child.  I love the words to it because now as a child of God it has real meaning to me. If you don't know it...or even if you do...find it on You Tube.  I'm sure it will touch your heart.

This morning while I was trying to do my devotions this song was running through my thoughts.  I noticed it and yet not really because I was concentrating on what I was reading.  Then suddenly...with more force...I heard that song quite clear as it moved to the forefront in my mind.  So I stopped reading and let the song take over.  Suddenly I realized that it was the Holy Spirit wanting me to listen...really listen...and hear the words. 

When things in your life have you stressed to the point of not being able to keep your thoughts on what is good...the Lord and all He's done for you...and your peace seems to be failing a bit...the Lord will do what He has to so He can get your attention.  For me many times it's a song.  I love music and what He was saying to me was simply...

Stop.  Lean into the Lord and give Him control of all the situations that are tying you up in knots.  Let Him breathe life onto and into you...clear to your very soul.  Give Him all your worries and concerns.  He loves you with a love like no other you have known.

Psalms 55:22  Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.

Zephaniah 3:17  The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love.

Tonight let the Holy Spirit breathe on you and into you.  Let Him breathe life to you.

Jesus...Priority

Sitting with my bible open in front of me...coffee beside...trying desperately to get my act together. 
It's been a rough week.  But then it always is whenever I decide to do something out of the ordinary that is spiritually good for me.  And we all know why that is...who that is.  So words to myself today...

Get it together and silence every thought that is not from the Lord!

So as I turn the pages on my bible I stop at Isaiah 55...highlighted with notes written.  So many good things in this chapter!  It reminds me to come...fall at His feet!  Drink in His Word...promises...He will give me strength!  Open my ears...Listen!  Above all...Seek HIM...JESUS!  Feed my/your soul with Him...what He gives to me/us!  Don't let yourself waste away by not coming to restore and refresh yourself in Him daily! 

We are told in verse 6:Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.
verse 8:"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord, "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

We gain our strength by reading the Word and spending time with the Lord.  Do it daily...multiple times daily.  You may not be able to physically sit down and read and pray but you can whisper a prayer...in your heart even...as you go about your day.  Even just mention His name...JESUS.  Oh, the comfort...joy...peace you will find by just doing that one simple thing...keeping in contact with the Lord through just a whisper! 

We are as close as we want to be.  JESUS...make Him your priority.