THE PRIZE

 

I am taking time with God alone and He is giving me a message.

I started with a Prayer.

My father who art in heaven hallowed your name

Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord as things transpire here on earth,

Help me to interpret things with your heavenly wisdom. What is the best questions I should ask of you

Father right now? Why is this happening? No, but what are you using this all for. Transforming and training me to go down your path and your ways. My desire is to please you Father. Your love is perfect. Why review this past again? I have glanced at this past with much prayer and consideration.  Laying down at the cross, the orphan spirit, the abandoned child, the rejection. I am aware Father that your perfect love is what we need, your zoe life,  substance, peace here in life. No human beings can give me happiness. Seeking you to be my perfect abba Father. 

As I prayed this I hear in my head “Press on for the prize”, I look for the verses by following the word “prize”  the verses in 1 Corinthians 9 come to mind.  Paul talks about preaching the gospel as his primary matter of existence. Verse 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 24-27 Running for the prize. Being qualified. Paul gives us direction as how to deal with the past.

The explanation of righteousness and everything in the past, losing all things. Verse 8- “I consider them “Rubbish”, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Col. 3:13-“Brothers (sisters) I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do :  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!

 ONE THING…here it is again. Pressing forward.

I am armored in the Lord Jesus Christ. Asking him what now. 

My soul is satisfied in Christ alone. I reconciled to Christ when I was 26. My mission was to raise my children in the word and that the Holy Spirit would lead them, for them to live for Christ and He will direct our paths when we trust in Him. No friend, husband, wife, cousin, aunt, step-sister, child, co-workers, animals, neighbor can do that. NO ONE.

Anyone who puts things before Christ will struggle.

What’s next…

I am waiting on the Lord.

 I remember when my mom died. I was kneeling on a stone path on a rural road and crying, really God this is the end of the story. Really no manifestation of healing for my mom on earth. It’s all happening in heaven? Crying. I called a friend that prayed  over me and said, “Lord we grieve differently, do not let the spirit of grief come over her. Let your spirit come and comfort her now.” I stopped crying and realized this truth. Our home does not reside here on earth. It is in heaven. Glory! Glory be my mom stands in glory with the glorious King Jesus!

People do not satisfy, but we give that job over to Christ and join in His work. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

Letting the process go…giving it to Christ Jesus at the foot of the cross…waiting on Him…being still….

 

Elaine

COURAGE? 2022

 

My word for 2021 was JOY! God in divine ways showed me that would be the word and he gave me a fresh message that confirmed over and over that would be the word for the past year. He even brought me to a point where I got a lovely puppy named JOY!

 

Now in this season he started showing me courage. It all started with the revelation from the word. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer or take courage”! When He revealed himself to the disciples in Mark 6:50. He took them from feeding the 5000 to saying, “get immediately in the boat.”  He removed them fast from going over (processing it over with those around) the miracle with the crowd where the reactions could have been all over the place. He wanted them removed. He had them get in a boat assuring them to go to other side. 

Immediately has emphasis in the Greek. Jesus the one who promises us peace did not take them to a peaceful situation. He took them to a STORM! They were terrified. They needed to remember the miracle that just occurred. Jesus was always in the business of discipling. Stretching them. Teaching them. Training them. He cared about their hearts. He saw that hearts. “Their hearts were hardened.”  

As we look throughout the Bible Moses, Joseph, Esther, Ruth…to name a few, had to have COURAGE=be of good cheer to get through tough times. We today must take the word as truth and not change it, progressively reinterpret it, rewrite it to fit our lifestyles. So dangerous. We must take courage and stand up for truth. We go through things and it brings us to be courageous. In 2022 the word is courage. I keep asking the Lord is that the word confirm it. It started rereading the boat story, to the example of faith Fathers (rereading their stories) to last night a conservative news corespondent blurted out very boldly, “Where is our courage? We need to have courage! He said, “The fraternal twin of courage is faith!”  I can’t make this stuff up. I watch, wait, listen for God to reveal what we must know. 

The other thing God is showing me is the Greek word “life” is Zoe. In 2022 we strongly must remember that we need zoe life. John 10:10. The thief came to steal and destroy, (Jesus did not come to steal, destroy) he came that we may have Zoe life, and have it abundantly. The first Adam was born with Zoe life and he gave it away by taking from the tree of knowledge. From that day forward all things God said would point to the return of Zoe life through Jesus Christ death and resurrection. Zoe life is all encompassing Jesus teachings, time, healing, forgiveness, and eternal hope. 

To live is to grow in His Zoe life. 

So I say at Christmas and celebrating New Year  we lift our glass and say, “Be of good cheer (courage), Zoe life in 2022”!

Love how God works. He is faithful to show himself true. 

Beware our hard copy bibles will be essential in the future. Because men  and women are trying to take out or rewrite what doesn’t fit their lifestyle. Explain it away with a narrative of cultural ancient context that will change the original narrative, of marriage, family, sin, salvation (many ways to heaven), control, virgin birth and heaven and hell. 

A women wrote me her article of courage on a day when I was being challenged. I needed courage. It was so timely. I heard in my head only the words of Jesus. Be of good cheer, courage! I couldn't think other thoughts but what I needed to be courageous. I had a peace that passes all understanding go through a tough time.

You are a women of the word. I remember a way the word JOY was confirmed. I was at church on January 3 rd. Walking around at a all church time of prayer where you find someone and you pray for each other a girl approached me and said she felt led to pray over me, I said “Oh I am Elaine and she said my name is JOY!” Lol! God is good!! I cried. I was humbled to tears and prayer! I can’t make this up. 

I believe more moments of courage will come. It will be a reminder of peace.

BE OF GOOD CHEER-

 When things get tough, when you keep going despite hard times...

Jesus said it best, It is I, be of good cheer...take courage!

Do you believe Jesus?

Jesus said!

I am writing fresh lessons I am reminded from the word.

1 Thessalonians 1

I love that Paul always starts his message with grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is saying I am greeting you with grace. To me it starts a fresh with I want to live this for myself and I want to extend it to all the believing brother and sisters (he refers to the audience as brothers and sisters). He wants peace. He want others to live amongst each other as the Father communed with us He wants that unity in the body. We can only live in grace and peace if we abide with Jesus. 

When having issues in life. We must filter them through the word, Jesus. How he wants us to live, being holy.  Not a door-mat or goody-goody. But set apart as a child of God.

This is a powerful reminder for us all. How do we do this? Emotions are high! My inside is rocked!

Good things this happened now, because I think God is always preparing us for the future. Maybe we will even have higher emotions. We have to set aside the emotion with God. Cry! Rant! Be sad! Feel it with Him!

Jesus felt things with God in Gethsemane! Then dealt with the matter in spirit and truth.

How are you doing? God asks, "How are you doing?" Tell Him really how you are doing!

Cry! Say, "NOT GOOD". Be honest!

Be honest. repent, tell the truth to HIM!

Jesus came that we may have LIFE!

LIFE as in time! 

In the greek zoe is life! Eternal. The soul separated from materialism and circumstances. This life is only in Him. The first Adam was born with Zoe life but three it away when he took control and ate of from the tree of knowledge. From that day forward life pointed to the new for a savior. Jesus came to give us this ZOE LIFE. 

The thief came to rob and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have life=zoe and have it abundantly. He is not robbing us or destroying us, but saving us from destruction of life and no eternal life later. He gives us what we are lacking her on earth and forgiveness then when we take our last breath we are ushered into eternal life with Christ. He lives! He wants you to have more life, that equals perspective from Him as we pray and seek Him with our whole heart. 

The baby Jesus teaches us this from HIS miraculous birth.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

JOY-THE POWER OF SAYING "NO"

God, where are you? 

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. Revelation 2:17

This came to me as I have been continually hearing this verse in my head.

It makes me wonder what I am listening to. This speaks to the churches, but I am part of the body of Christ so each of us are responsible to listen. Really listen!

I hear a verse pop up in my head. Do I go read it, the before and after? Do I understand? In these days I keep hearing church members giving advice. Where are they getting their advice from? Modern day psychology? Some new developed program? What is going on people? Wake up! How do you give advice if the spirit has not spoken. Please church listen and wait on the Lord. Watch. Do not give advice that fits the worlds needs of today, but offer to pray. Offer to listen, but be careful.

Friend if you are on the receiving end of the advice, don't take it, unless you listen...listen to the Holy Spirit.

Please friends this is so dangerous in these times, when it comes to government, medical issues, school issues, career issues, family issues, addiction issues...and so on...

Watch and listen to what the Spirit says! 

I hear the voice of the enemy crowding out the gentle voice of our Father who art in heaven.

Be careful!

Today I said "NO" to listening to anyone. Good intentioned anyone. People who I have known for a long time. I HAVE BEEN GIVING MY GOD GIVEN POWER AWAY! Have you been feeling weak? Maybe it is because you to have given to much of your power to others advice and the NEWS!

Please friend PUT ON your armor.

Believe! 

Jesus could have said what he wanted, but He said ONLY WHAT THE FATHER TOLD HIM TO SAY! 

Wake up and say no, empower the Spirit in your life. He wants to be your daily manna.

    

Jesus could have had a lot to say, but He guaranteed He only said what God told Him to say. 

The manna is what God's word!

Ask God to show you if you are really listening! Don't listen to anyone, unless you are listening to Jesus. You have received the grace of the Holy Spirit.

JOY-THEN THE LORD SAID...

 Oh why so downcast my soul!

The Lord said....(he told Elijah to go over look a mountain)

to me go for a bike ride...(this scripture came to me as I listened to the song, TURN YOUR EYES by Natalie Grant)

Track with me please.

He allows me to rest outdoors but He is in the gentle whisper..."What are you doing?"

What are we doing? I ask you and me. What are we doing? Are we trying to figure "It" all out?

Here is the good news! We can't figure it all out, but he can!

Stop arguing in your head, are you captivating your thoughts

it's been years,

how much longer

this is horrible (really, I don't think so)

is it going to get better, maybe this is just how it is and how people react and maybe you are accepting people the way they are. Habits, cycles can be broken.

GOD BREAKS CYCLES. HE IS A CYCLE BREAKER! Do we believe! 

yes! Come Lord Jesus-come

I hear:

why does the pattern have to be abnormal? Why can't it be just what it is? Everyone handles things differently.

Everyone has their way. stop judging and let go!

GOD: LET ME HANDLE IT.

Will you let me handle it?

Love God, be in the waiting room and be a good girl or boy!

JOY-THE RIGHT PATH

WAIT! STOP! That willow tree and the purple flowers is so gorgeous.

It reminds me of my childhood when I would swing on the branches of tree. FREE! FREE! FREE!

I love this childhood memory, I picture me hanging on, run, leap and swing! Fun! Whee! (I could hold my weight back then and the branches could too!)    

lol!

I have to explain: I was on my bike ride and I had the choice to take the path left or right. You know I stopped and got teary eyed. I had decision to make and prayed and was not sure. I am sure you have done rationalized or reason that tends to confuse the decision. But in this moment I prayed and said, "God please just help me to go the right way which will bring me joy." Now I can't explain but I it was , "Go left." Then this beautiful scene appeared. I need to mention also I heard within me, "You will meet someone along the way." Sure enough right after this scene I met a man on the path. I told him my childhood memory of the willow trees. He looked as if someone had not talked to him in a while. Then he walked on...I questioned the small talk but then I knew just that small conversation made a difference for this man.

The human spirit need contact and small talk with others. It lifts up the spirit. I felt deep within me again that this happened for a reason and I will never know what the effects of that encounter would be. I leave that for God. I did meet another man who was working on his lawn. Small talk again. I have to say he had a long extension cord from his house out to the front of his lawn in which he could play his boom box. Yes! The news was on and it was reporting something I had been concerned about. Interesting Godcidence! I knew that was a sign to follow through with a phone call I was feeling prompted to make regarding that news report!

See God is working things together for those who love Him. According to HIs purposes. Wait. Listen. be quiet. If you are a follower you know deep down which way to go. Trust God with the promptings. Stop asking so many about what to do. Just do what you know deep down. Trust the Lord with all your heart. Let Him build your confidence. Then trust yourself.

the bible says:

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so."

REMEMBER TODAY, GOD SAID! NOT ELAINE BUT GOD!

JOY-

I recently got a dog! Guess what I named her?

If you guessed JOY, you are right!

I take her for a ride in the car, we are going for a JOY ride!

I wrote a sign in my house saying "JOY has arrived!"

We are on a JOY adventure.

I walk into my art class and another lady said she got a puppy and she named her GRACE. She declared, "We needed some grace in our house." To which I responded, "We needed joy." We laughed! I said, "Now we need some hope!" 

In walks another lady and says, "I believe we never met my name is Hope!" I kid you not it was only seconds after I said we needed, hope!

Truly crazy?!

JOY-STEADFAST

 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffereed a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." NIV 

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." KJV

"In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation." NLT

1 Peter 5:10

I want to be steadfast...the journey one day began.

After completing the use of the word steadfast and its meaning this is how the verse when expanded could read.

Expanded look at the verse after the study:  And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself, restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast, (established, He will lay a basis, or erect, consolidate, a foundation, substruction.)

My conclusion is: Jesus revealed God’s grace for us. He loved us so much that He calls us to this eternal hope for rich purposes. We have momentary troubles, but we all need to know, after the troubles He promises to restore us, makes us strong. Most importantly, we must be so sure that we believe at the core of our being there is a foundation established that no trouble or storm of life can destroy. When a storm is approaching, we REST ASSURED that God has prepared us, laid a basis for, a foundation of rock so strong nothing, I mean nothing can cancel that plan. The world is cancelling all sorts of worldly things that we have grown to depend on, things that we cannot even take into eternal glory with us, things that are not in the core foundation of God’s foundation of truth, from the beginning of time. The Lords asks us, Do you realize He’s got this?! You’ve got all you need to exist.

YOU DO NOT NEED ANYTHING ELSE UNLESS HE SAYS SO!

 Psalm 57:7 

"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast" NIV

"My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident." NLT

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed.

The psalmist JOY overflows and he continues I will sing and give praise (make music).

This word of the soul brings us JOY and always gives us a sense of confidence.

JOY-DON'T JUDGE ME-ONE THING I KNOW

 "Don't judge me", I forced the words out in the middle of a hysterical laugh. I said this to a young gentlemen as I got to the window at the McDonalds drive-up. LOL! I had just waited in a line hyper focused on the  CRUMBL COOKIE box sitting in the passenger seat next to me. Like a dog waiting for a treat I was dreaming of biting into one of the deluxe cookie. I rolled the car through the speaker where I would have ordered, taking pictures of the box and content to send to my family members via text, for I knew I had beat them all by getting to the newly opened shop! I was so excited to brag that I missed the speaker and my order. 

I woke up to the reality of what I had done and all I could do is laugh hysterically. Thus when I got to the window I could pay for nothing because I had not ordered. The boy responded with a laugh, "I won't judge." I just had to come clean that I truly was in line yet forgot to order, "Can I order now?" "Sure", the boy graciously accepted my order and I paid.

Do I even ask you if you have ever done this?

"It is such a Lainey thing to do", declared all my family members!

Maybe a better question to get to the point. If you were given the opportunity to do anything in the world you wanted, what would you choose to do?

I am constantly writing about our fast paced lives filled with many choices. Like the amount of stores, restaurants, baked good shops and travel destinations.

David the psalmist wrote, "ONE THING I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4."

David the man after God's heart sums up his existence by this catchy opener "ONE THING". This has got a grip on me since I read it a week ago. In fact I woke up last night with the phrase on repeat in my head. 

I'm sure you know someone who died recently, end of life situations is always a wake up call!

We must not race through the grieving process with out asking ourselves, "Death, what is after that?"

#eternitymatters

#crumblcookies is fun! God gave us fun! 

BUT

ONE THING, sums up what really matters.

Pray with me: Lord help me to put things in perspective with "One Thing." 

Don't get crumbled up in the lies that a job, food, travel, bigger house, better car etc. really really matters in the end.

JOY-BREAKING POINT

There are so many catch phrases racing in my mind right now for these days.

My plate is full.

I am at my breaking point.

I want to give up.

There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

Are you kidding me?

One more thing and I may pop!

It's the straw that broke the camels back.

We won't take it off-the joy of the Lord is my strength

Put on strength

joy

love and

don't take it off!

 “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (ESV).  Romans 13:14"

Abiding in Christ and pleasing Him first.

Stop the breaking point with this spiritual truth, "Put on!"

The only way things happen. 

JOY-HEALTH

 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

I head out on a walk with this on my mind. My goal; to draw near to God. 

Friends, my sin begins to bubble up. My examination begins. But guess what? It is not scary! I am at peace...I am walking with Jesus...I trust what He wants to do in me. It is not fearful...it is wonderful. I love Him. I trust Him. I surrender to Him.

I heard a sermon right before I left and the speaker said. "Love is always....

So Jesus is always on your side and loves you.

I left talking to the Lord about searching me and Love always is patient...Love always is generous.

Am I always generous with my love.  "Love begets forgetfulness of self and forgetfulness of self is health."

There are 15 love attributes that is written in 1 Corinthians 13. Today I will stick on these two...Patience and Generous. 

Another thing I would like to share is a another speaker I listened to said, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips those He calls."

It is always good to stand on the word of the Lord. 

It brings health to your body, mind and soul!

The joy ride continues with celebration! Nehemiah finished the wall and the people declare, "because they now understood the words that had been made known to them." Nehemiah 8:12-13

The Israelites were so overjoyed at the festival of booths, they found branches and built themselves booths on their own roofs, or courtyards, slept in them for 7 days to remind them of their exile journey where they lived in booths and walked with God. "They had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great!" Nehemiah 8:17

Finally at the dedication of the wall, "And on the that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The woman and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be hear far away." Nehemiah 12:43

Friends just imagine such a celebration being heard here on earth far away. We need a revival of this magnitude!

Never have we experienced anything in life better than knowing Jesus and his words!

Generously God always extends understanding when we focus on HIM!

JOY- WAITING ROOM

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...we have them daily don't we? Those decisions can wreak havoc on us...ugh...some would say they are paralyze me...they control my thoughts...they won't let me find joy...the hold me back...a big UGH!

How do we make them stop!!

Put yourself in a time out, put on a dunce or dumb hat and cry?

Maybe we should make it a comedic moment. The idea of a dunce hat came from a comedian who puts on the cone hat and makes fun of those who are slow to get things.

But in these days I would like to suggest what God taught me. I had a decision that kept creeping up on me and the decision did not need to be made for months. So either I was going to waste the next two months, days, hours and precious seconds trying to...surmise with all of my imagination thinking or I am going to GIVE IT TO GOD and ask for HELP!

Humbly I write my prayers these days. Help what do I do?

Then...the tune comes to mind...strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord...You go Chris Tomlin. You go Chris using scripture to let us know Our God will reign forever, He is the everlasting God...He won't faint...He won't grow weary (of me)...We will wait upon the Lord...we wait upon the Lord...My strong deliverer...defender of the weak...you lift us...you lift us up like eagles. 

It comes from Isaiah 40:31-"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Come on sing it with me. Find it. Play it! Don't faint on me watch!

Next day.

I open a email called "You'll Get Through this." by Max Lucado. You go Max.

God using the saints to help me find a Remedy. I use the word Remedy because that is the word that constantly comes to mind since the Pandemic struck us all down. Lord what is the remedy? Oh Lord show yourself strong and bless us with a remedy just as you did for King Hezekiah! God used another saint in the beginning of the Pandemic to preach on the King H. and his abrupt shock of an illness. (Wait, I am getting off topic...this is enough for you to know on that for now).

Getting back to Max...in the article he gives an analogy of him in a waiting room where he sits strangled with many thoughts of what's on the other side of the door once he is called.

Imagination thinking!

Dilemma...sit and over think something or sit in joy? Crossroad.

There is a clear path based on all that I have learned in scripture....walk, see, talk with Jesus a gentle and humble, creator of my soul, who loves me and wants to give me rest for my soul. Soul talk!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Give me that soul talk Lord! He does. With the song and this message of Max sitting in a waiting room. What do you do in a waiting room?

So I ask you? What do you do in a waiting room?

Live out what God teaches us.

2 Cor. 10:5-captivate every thought in obedience to Christ. In Obedience to Christ I will give my time to Him. 

This is not legalism...I am talking about realism...real life with a real Jesus who gave us the Holy Spirit to have life to the full. With that said that does not mean a uninterrupted life with messy situations...it mean help...help to get through things.

Rest in HIM!

During this time I read three times (that's a practice I recommend) each time observing what stands out in the verse. The final time of reciting the verse wait on the Lord for a message. 

This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. NIV Jeremiah 6:16.

When I closed my eyes and read this verse

clearly with all confidence I did not see a choice. I saw blackness and in that blackness I saw this bright glowing path and it led in true peace. This was not a shaming forceful path. This was a illuminated path that led to joy, peace and hope for my soul.

Each part of that path is full of wisdom. Look, see, ask, good way, walk...result...rest.

Do you have rest?

Check it out...you pray and find out!

JOY-ABSOLUTE TRUST IN GOD

 I was sitting in the parking lot of the medical center second guessing, should I go in to get lab work done on my blood . It was going to be a cost out of my pocket so this action weighed even heavier on my mind. I prayed and felt the Holy Spirit direct me to the check with the MD and he directed me to go to the lab. It was almost 12n and I had fasted for the test. I was doubting the whole decision,  had I really heard from God?

Oh gosh! I heard the arguments firing in my head. Are you trusting God with your health? What a waste of money! One person even said to me why are you going to the MD, you can not trust DR.'s today (conspiracy that they are all against us and have a global agenda to derail all of America on a path of mind control). Will I be conforming to the world and their agenda or is this really even an agenda and is the whole medical world (everyone) part of this one world global agenda? (I honestly and humbly add this thought because I believe the division in the world is real and the pressure to conform to certain thoughts is tremendous. It is in the Christian realm as much as the secular. Don't judge, because I believe there is truth on both sides and we need Jesus to speak first because it is such a confusing time!)

Obedience, come and see, listen....pop in my head! Where did those words come from?

All are invitations from Jesus...my master, my teacher, my creator, my lover of my soul!

(I am typing very fast right, not because of the caffeine I had, but because I can not wait to impart the bottom line of this story to you!)

I pray.

I wait a moment.

Phone a reliable friend and go over this situation for confirmation. She agrees, go in! Go in!

Enter in! Come on in! All Jesus' invitations!

I shut out the outside voices and reach for the Prince of Peace!

I enter...filled with peace. I sit and roll up my sleeve and wait for the needle, looking away I see a strip of stickers ready to be given out to the children as a reward for sitting still. Which sticker do I gravitate to? Mickey Mouse. I know my grandkids would relate to playful Mickey Mouse. I just paused and looked up the character qualities of Mickey and it says...enjoys adventure, but his personality is calm and kind. He is optimistic, brave, and lovable. Hmmm. I was drawn to the character qualities that I admire about Jesus. Upon completion of the blood draw...I ask for the stickers...one for each grandchild and one for me.

I left in peace. Thanking God for the friend on the phone, the efficient service, the nurse, the Mickey sticker, the day, my life. Praying for good results and Jesus constant care while waiting for the results.

My mind wandered to where do I go next. I end up in at a resale shop in the book section looking for a new summer read and I notice a lady and we talk and the conversation leads to spiritual things. We acknowledge we are Christians. Another lady interrupts politely, wants to be included in the conversation, however, she is searching for what we already had...a relationship with Christ. She had be prepped by another and was ready for commitment. The conversation was salted with personal testimony, scripture, listening, identifying loneliness, empathy and especially love. We parted with a prayer of surrender and scripture written down and assurance that the women owned a bible to look up the scripture. What a joy!

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with JOY in your presence." Acts. 2:28

You know what...this type of Holy conversation with a stranger has not happened in a while.

The very next day I was it happened again this time with the new prospective Dentist I was visiting.

JOY down in my heart!

Even when I doubt, consider, struggle. Jesus is faithful to always keep to His promise of faithfulness. He won't let go, He won't leave me alone, He won't dismiss me even though I have dismissed Him.

Teary eyed now as I review these last days of experiences...God uses Dr.'s to alleviate us from guessing, God uses trustworthy friends, God shows Himself in conversations. He blesses us with moments to see Him at work. When we turn from our own head wandering, knowledge and listen, go and see....we are given assurance and confirmation that He is alive, living and active and there will be a path to follow and everyone in the world is not out to get us. Even if a MD is leaning toward the other side of purpose to live...God can still cause them to use their education to help us with our physical health. 

Bottom line...(here it friends...right after Jesus ascension into heaven the book of Acts records...relationship...Holy Spirit...community. HELP! A way out! Here on earth and finally someday in glorious reunion for eternity with HIM.

Don't isolate! LIVE! Live in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, which God promised upon HIS ascension into HEAVEN! He will return and take us back with HIM. Until then...do not dismiss your PERSONAL JOURNEY. Do not allow others to speak into your journey...the Holy Spirit can use others. He will help you decipher Him verses the flesh. Watch out for the intruders...even people close to you...your time spent with Jesus can never be wasted. It confirms the flame within you that works to guide you.

Be led by the HOLY SPIRIT, do not let others tell you or scare you into believing differently. A person who knows you and that you are seeking the Lord will not discount your own listening and what you are hearing. We must be careful in this time, but we must trust our relationship with Christ. Grow in the power of the word....Absolutely Trust in God and that means HIs words!

 

JOY

 I was thinking back to March of 2020 at the moment when I first saw a person get out of their car in the parking lot of the grocery store and they were wearing a mask. Can you believe it? I will never wear a mask. This person was being so extreme. 

Little by little I saw people wearing masks not because they had to but because they wanted to. I resisted and yelped, no way not me.

Very quickly the mandates were made by the IL governor, the lockdowns started, we were in QUARANTINE!

No matter the opinion of the mask to where or not where it has been a whole year. Am I dreaming, can this be happening still?

Such confusing times we live in. The crazy saying, "History always repeats itself", rings true.

JOY-JESUS THE REBUILDER

 When I moved I was fighting against the grief of leaving the place I lived for over thirty years. When I thought of starting over it seemed to be exciting and maddening at the same time. 

Have you ever felt like reconstruction of your life was apparent?

Nehemiah had a considerable awareness when he found the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. 

When he heard these things, he sat down and wept. For some day he mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4.

His prayer was answered just as mine is being answered. Things began to fall in place. People, kings gave Nehemiah favor and the resources to rebuild quickly came and a plan fell in place. 

Upon the completion and the Israelites continually saw this provision and the journey of the rebuild they remained close to God and felt his presence. He told the people, "Do not grieve for the JOY of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

We need not grow weary because Jesus rebuilds and strengthens us with JOY.

Lord help me to rebuild with you. Amen.

JOY-SING! REJOICE! CELEBRATE! WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE.

The water dripping down the window formed a cross, so odd yes, but it caught my eye.

It's Holy Week and there it even looked as if there were two streaks next to the cross and to me represented the two thieves next Jesus. 
I grabbed my camera and took a picture of it. Here it is:

Fascinating. 

God reminding me, I AM HERE. Stay close to the cross daily and learn from the creator Jesus, who is gentle and humble at heart. He loves you!

The foundation of the temple had not been laid. The resources came and the Israelites went to work laying the floor. As they worked with praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

"He is good; His love to Israel endures forever."

"And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord and shouted for a JOY, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of JOY from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away!" Ezra 3:11-13😊😊

When I witness the sightings of God and I find myself rejoicing! I pray I just don't miss the sightings!

I am loving this JOY ride as I witness the Israelites having a right relationship with God and they rejoice. Shout for JOY! They are aware!

Friends, do you want to experience this. It is the practice of gratitude. It is simply put JOY! Grace is radically and JOYFULLY God-centered.

Prayer:

Father in heaven thank you for taking me on this JOY ride. I am enjoying the sightings I am seeing! Amen.

 

At the completion of the temple the people of Israel celebrated the dedication of the house of God with JOY! For seven days they celebrated with JOY the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with JOY by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house f God, the God of Israel.

JOY ALWAYS follows when you are in communion with God! A right relationship is always JOY!

Ezra continues, "For seven days they celebrated with joy." Ezra 6:22

"The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him." Ezra 7:6

JOY-GREAT JOY IN JERUSALEM

 King Hezekiah had much to rejoice about in his reign. So the service of the temple of the Lord was reestablished. Hezekiah and the people rejoiced at what God had brought about for His people, because it was done so quickly.

I love that God did restored joy so quickly to the Israelites. There obedience and willingness to draw near to God brought peace among their nation. 

Hezekiah only asked that the people come back to the Lord the God of their fathers. A very loud crowd assembles in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Rejoicing they sang to the Lord every day, accompanied by the Lord's instruments of praise. They rejoiced so much so that they agreed to stay seven more days; so for another seven days they celebrated joyfully. 

The entire assembly of Judah rejoiced, along with the priests and Levites and all who had assembled from Israel, even others from different lands. There was GREAT JOY IN JERUSALEM. Since the days of Solomon (maybe the time they rejoiced over the temple building, I wrote about recently) there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 

The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them for their prayer reached heaven his holy dwelling place. 

How amazing that we can know because of this story that our prayers reach heaven God's holy dwelling place. 

Expect peace in your land when we faithfully follow Christ. Troubles come and go but the Lord is steady and reliable.

As we come to Easter. Let us remember events that happened surrounding the death of Jesus.

Before, during, after.

Each part of the story is valuable and relevant for our everyday life. As we look at the characters, what they were doing, what was going on in the culture, what Jesus accomplished with the disciples all play the part of the story. Jesus surrounded himself with women who evangelized and proclaimed the His coming. All worth noting for us today.

Let's pray:  Father in heaven may your kingdom come again. May we see the daily will for our life. May we walk faithfully with you. Amen.

JOY-INEXPERIENCED

 Isolation can lead to not only loneliness, feeling worthless, lack of hope. When no positive words are spoken by those around you it can fester or make your thoughts worse. Have you ever experienced that?

This is a whole inner chamber of work that can only be filled by one. I am being serious. Going for a walk, meditation, work-out high helps a bit, but really it's keeping on track with what God says about life through His son Jesus. I speak from my inexperience that now I have learned to experience. Inner workings of your soul in the form of  time management. Time management can be hard for me. Maybe you can identify with this picture in my head...picture a ball of yarn, each strand wound around becomes a hard messy ball. It doesn't form anything. If you took the yarn apart and orderly began to make something it will make sense. Hmmm...am I confusing you?

But if each strand had part of this verse on it and we took them and put them together in order it will sense of what God says about life and time.

One strand....I meet Jesus at the cross, I look up and listen to the story of the cross and the reason it happened. Another strand...you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

Significant to note the word SET! Next strand...set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

There is that word SET again. Set your heart, Set your mind. But how? 

Next strand...for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. I'm hidden...concealed, kept secret. I'm His hidden secret. Picture you are hidden with Jesus and He is directing and giving order to this messy strand. 

The strands are starting to make something. The strands put in order have the words...LET HIM all over it. Let Him...fill you up...feed you...let Him speak to you...show you...guide you...let Him care for the world...let Him care for you...let Him love you. Will you just let Him? I think I will have to draw this and get back to you so it will make it clearer.

When I am hidden with Him I am a new creation, When He comes back I will appear with Him in glory. Hallelujah! Amen. 

Prayer: Lord I will let you! Help me to not take back control. Amen.

Joy journey continue...1 Chronicles 29 the word JOY appears two times. Rejoice appears twice. David is told by the Lord that His INEXPERIENCED SON, Solomon will be made the next King and he will build the temple for the Lord. Yikes. NOT King David! But Why? That is a messy ball of yarn. Yet David excepts the architectural plans for the temple. He presents it to Solomon, saying, "The Lord will not fail you. He will will present the courage, materials, money and people to get the temple done. He takes the messy ball of yarn (temple dream, ideas) and pulls out each strand (plan, detail) he gives it to the inexperienced  young man, Solomon (In 1 Chronicles 29:1 he calls Solomon inexperienced). King David explains this to the people and they REJOICED at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also REJOICED greatly! (CELEBRATE!) God fulfills the plans, materials, money, volunteers and David cries out, " I have seen with JOY HOW WILLINGLY YOUR PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE HAVE GIVEN TO YOU! Oh Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. The people ate and drank with great JOY in the presence of the Lord that day.

The story of now and the story of David merge to tell us to LET HIM! Give him control. Can you do that? In fact He wants to unwind the string and make something beautiful.

Nothing is easy, but us inexperienced people have the ball of yarn and God will pull out each strand and make sense of the ball. He will bring it to something. He will help you to flourish. Really!

JOY-BY THE POWER OF THE CROSS

 It was a blue sky day and I walking on a mile long loop at a forest preserve. It was spring and the path was either drenching wet, at some point maybe to deep for my boots, snowy, or dry. I breathed deep determined to finish the loop despite the changes in the path. I almost slipped at one point but held my ground. Do you know what its like when you have to look at each step you take? It really feels as if I missing out of the surroundings because I have to cautiously look but oh how glorious when you come to a stretch that is smooth and safe. I can rest and just take in the warmth and sights in. That was my chance to find joy no matter what I came upon.

Isn't life just like that where you can be tossed to and fro? I just want the path to be smooth and really I don't want to twist an ankle. I was thinking about this as I walked. Walking, believing you are strong, you have a brain to consider the steps. More importantly you know Christ is with you in Spirit.  Or do you remember that in the moments? 

In my JOY journey I how David in 1 Chronicles 15 had been preparing to bring the Ark to the place God instructed Him. God arranged a procession where the Levite priests who lead the way and all the Israelites would follow and also He appointed singers to sing JOYFUL songs accompanied by musical instruments. When they were walking they sang thanks to the Lord; Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord REJOICE! Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and JOY in his dwelling place. Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for JOY before the Lord. 

The first time they took the Ark it didn't work because they did not follow God's instructions. Now they did and it was JOYFUL. 

Prayer:  Help us to not get entangled emotionally when paths are rough. Let us remember you are with us and will guide us in your JOY and strength. Amen.

Triumphing over evil powers and authorities by the power of the cross.

JOY-EXUBERANT HILARITY-JOY

Have you ever done a job or project with the right people and materials? The project came together on time and smoothly? You were overjoyed! Right?

Then you would connect with King David in 1 Chronicles 12. Here we find people volunteering to come along side of David for what ever he needs. In fact the Spirit came upon Amasai he said, "We are yours, O David. Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you." More and more men came forward. It was such an outpouring of God's anointing on David. 

God is so gracious friends! He provided for David and it benefited them all. Why am I writing this? The  Israelites all recognized this provision and celebrate. 1 Chronicles 12:40 "There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel!" Get this, in the original Greek the word joy used here means-state of joyful exuberance, hilarity! Oh How I could see them laughing and celebrating in their time of connection with God.

Prayer: Lord help me to have taste and see the blessed out pouring of the Holy Spirit. May we experience this exuberant joy! Help me experience what the Israelites experienced. I am so grateful. Amen.

Find God's exuberant hilarity and Joy! Keep praying!

COME ON IN

 

Hi greetings, I want to share something that is happening in 2021! JOY!

After the Thanksgiving holiday, my husband bought a wooden 2X4 sign with the word “JOY” on it to put on our front porch. Mmmmm…not what I wanted but Okay, I guess. Hesitantly I kept it.

The word JOY is suddenly being given to me in cards…someone who sent me a JOY song…besides the Christmas carol, JOY to the World is playing in stores and on the radio…mmm…is something going on here? This is the time of the year where I begin to get a word or catch phrase to do a Christmas card and sometimes it leads into a word for the New Year. Could this be the word? Feeling like, such a small word, really?

On Christmas Eve, I asked God to confirm the word “JOY” for 2021. As I am laying in bed, reading a devotion entitled, COME ON IN, I notice that the word JOY is mentioned eight times! True JOY entered the world as a baby, as the angels profoundly proclaimed JOY TO THE WORLD. Jesus is Joy! All through that night I was filled with the Spirit and feeling so elated with the feeling that this word for the year felt confirmed. Filled with confidence and courage, I recorded a video for Instagram on Christmas restating and inviting followers to COME ON IN for 2021 to the majestic baby born, JOY! The verse used in the Devo was “John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” 

In the midst of all the Christmas prepping, decorating, baking, dealing with the invasion of the virus in 2020, the true meaning of Christmas, highlights my Christmas Eve, filled with fresh perspective, “Hold on to God's promise that He will appear to us all as JOY! Wow the beauty of it all! The journey is confirmed as people have unknowingly sent me the word Joy. At one day at church, someone taps me on the shoulder and says, "I want to pray for you, what's your name?" I reply, “Elaine and your name?" She says, “JOY!” Friend, I cannot make this stuff up! I am overfilled with JOY!

As I tell this story to another friend, she tells me of her trial and how this story encourages her to be strong for 2021 and for what is ahead. Her thoughts take on a new direction, the path changes from doom and gloom to JOY and HOPE! She sent me a bracelet with the word, JOY on it! Joyful is my Father in heaven to let this story continue. To pass it on and tell others of this adventure. Yes, it is becoming an adventure. I love a good adventure!

One night I awoke excited about the joy journey, semi dreaming…A sunny day accompanied with the perfect temperature, I am aboard a European train car (European train cars have huge windows), the sky was blue, and with the windows open, my hair blowing, I was yelling, “COME ON IN!”  Join the adventure, a joy ride, with Jesus there is JOY. #jesusjoy 

The next morning, I hop out of bed and do not want to forget the dream, I quickly gathered my art supplies, as I grabbed into the cabinet, an old 2019 calendar falls out. Where it came from and why I still had it, I do not remember. But the artwork on it is exactly what I was picturing in my head. The only difference was instead of a train car, this artist had passengers on an airplane. After drawing many cars and passengers, I asked God, “What's next?” The vision increases with idea possibly, badges, stickers, mmm…for now it became a laminated doodle of a person yelling out the train car, “COME ON IN”! Funny I customized some with the people I know who for sure would join the adventure. You can see them on my Instagram or down below on this stationery (thanks to my hubby for designing it…big hug to him).  Next, I felt called to look up the word "JOY" in the Bible. In short, but not really in short, (check out my blog, elainejames.blogspot.com) I have been praying and blogging what to write as I view the use of the word JOY. The idea is to inspire us to dig deeper for perspective and meaning in 2021. God new exactly what to put on my plate for the year, a JOYOUS FOCUS! We have a lot of time in 2021, so will you join me in looking up the JOY verses with me, read my insight and journal your own? Each time my circumstances start to get me stirred with worry, overload, I stop, remember, in 2021, my sanity will come from the certainty I received by accepting, Jesus as my Savior. This word search will saturate us with His truth about JOY and the result, will make us steadfast and grounded to deal with everyday life, REJOICING! Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete.” Request your laminated picture so you too can remember, you joined the adventure!

Friend, COME ON IN, BE COMPLETE! With all the JOY Jesus has given me I write this. Blessings, joy, favor to you!

Elaine

JOY WITH THE KIDS

 

 

I was asked to be the chaplain at a local homeschool and in the invitation, it read "make up your own content and ideas!" Well, I accepted the invitation and yes, I have ideas, like JOY!

 

The title of the message: COME ON IN 

Was 2020 a weird year? Were your activities cancelled? Vacation cancelled? School cancelled? Were friendships difficult? Was quarantine difficult with your siblings? Parents? Were there days you did not feel like getting out of bed? I gave the each of the kids a balloon, and every time they answered with "yes" they had blown a little more air into it. Mine got so full, so I popped it with a pin and the loud “POP” scared the kids! "Why did you do that?!" they screamed. I said, "Because you answered 'yes' so much, it looked like you were going to pop! Don’t you feel like popping?" They yelled, “Yes! Give me the pin!”

 

This is the result of 2020 and we are on track to continue in the grumbling and complaining if we do not do something.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life-in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and REJOICE with all of you. So you too should be glad and REJOICE with me. Philippians 2:14-18 NIV”

Back in the Bible we read of troubles, years ago there was the Great Depression, England had the bomb threats where the students had to walk around with gas masks, we had the threat of nuclear bombs here so people built do-it-yourself bomb shelters in their backyard. Everyone has stories of troubles! What are we to do?

Let’s look to our friend Jesus for answers.

Jesus came into the world as a baby. And when He was thirty, He revealed himself to twelve friends that He called His disciples. They were learning from Jesus. In Matthew 11, it reads "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matt. 11:2-6, NIV) Verse 6 in the AMPLIFIED says this, “And blessed (joyful, favored by God) is he who does not take offense at Me (accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation).”

 

Do you hear and see? Joyful are you that accepts the Messiah and trusts in His message of salvation. THAT IS COMPLETE JOY!

 

Later, Jesus says, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth (I openly and JOYFULLY acknowledge Your great wisdom), that You have hidden these things (these spiritual truths) from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants (to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose). Matt. 11:25 AMP” 

I titled the Journey,  “COME ON IN”

From Jesus birth till death He always invited people to COME ON IN.

Jesus invited us to “Come to me (come on in) all who are burdened, tired, exhausted, overwhelmed, suffering, grieving (add your suffering)…and I will give you real rest, come walk with me hear and see, I created you, I love you, I am gentle and humble at heart and I will give you salvation, forgiveness of sins, life on earth and when you take your last breath eternity with me, real rest for your soul.”  

The Joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10 

Further report on this teaching. What a joy!

“Today we received a text from the mom of an 8th grade student at Life Christian Co-School. It's about Elaine. 🙂💙 Here it is:

 

Hello ladies,  hoping you're enjoying winter break. No need to respond to this now at all, I'm sure you are busy and enjoying some free time... but I  am sending this now anyway because otherwise I will forget LOL

 

A couple weeks ago there was someone who filled in for the pastor for chapel. I forget her name, but Ava really liked her a lot.    She was telling a story about how God was working in her life to bring joy to her every day. She also made little cards to hand out to the kids to carry around to remind them of the joy that Jesus brings. That story really resonated with Ava, and she has been excitedly repeating this teaching to us a few times now. Our college daughter also delighted in this story and was wondering if she could get one of the handmade cards herself?  Wondering if you can provide an email contact for this lovely woman so I can communicate with her how she impacted my girls and also ask for another card?”

 MY RESPONSE:  OF COURSE, COME ON IN!

I continue to focus on 2021 by knowing the truth of Jesus and His word. It is going to keep me sane. Truth keeps us sane. Its journey continues and the stories are compiling. I created a photo album and will continue to post the sightings of JOY!

Will you “COME ON IN”? Laminated train cars with passengers are available upon requests. It is a reminder to continue in JOY for 2021 and to commit to finding joy in the Bible and exploring the full complete definition as Jesus says, “YOUR JOY MAY BE COMPLETE.” I pray that this is true for you this year.

JOY-EITHER YOU SEE IT OR DON'T

Have you ever been in a situation where maybe you thought someone was the right person for something? The something being, a partner, a co-worker, job...something like that.  You may have not done the research and just backed the person without really knowing.  There is those that just believe they are right for the job and those that really look into it and say, nope they are wrong. In some cases one may stand alone knowing its wrong and handful of others believe they are right, But if you really looked into it and know it's wrong, and try to fix it and realize you can not, the person or persons who didn't check it out still want them in the job...you have to wait till they quit the job or get moved, or with a relationship you have to set boundaries. Sometimes other may see it first and begin to warn you or help you to see, but the truth is you either you see or don't!

I think you get the picture, it's complicated!

I have been on a journey through the bible find studying the word JOY.

Let me explain by looking at the next sighting of JOY-

Judges 9;19 "if then you have acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today, may Abimelech be your joy, and may you be his, too!"

A quick back track to the story. (ask google to pronounce Abimelech) 

Gideon had just told the Israelites, "I will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you." Judge 8:23 

The Israelites wanted a ruler. Abimelech, the not so good son of Jerub-Baal, who is the son of Gideon who said he will not rule and then dies, takes it upon himself to kill all 70 children of Jerub-Baal and he becomes ruler. The people of Shechem go along with this disgrace, because their desire for a king out weighs just seeking and listening to God.  The people wanted  a leader and overlooked a bad guy just to get the job done. Plus Abimelech fooled them into believing in him. The people did not see!

Guess what? God is not a puppeteer, he gives us free will! 

One of the seventy, Jotham, escapes and lives, he knows Abimelech is bad. He almost got killed like his brothers. He then goes to a mountaintop and yells out a warning, "Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelech king? Have you been fair? Remember that my father fought for you and risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. But today you have revolted against my father's family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelech, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you.  But if thats what you want, my he be your JOY!" Judges 9:7-20

He shouts out a parable with the meaning of warning them it won't be good if they stay with Abimelech, and finishes with, "if that's what you want, may he be your JOY!" Jotham escapes his brother and for three years Abimelech governs over Israel. After THREE YEARS, God goes on to send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who act treacherously against Abimelech. God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal and His sons might be avenged and on the citizens of Shechem, who had help him murder the brothers. Abimelech dies in the ambush.

Why am I telling you this? When we wait on the Lord, have a right relationship with God you SEE IT! 

You see what's wrong and you are able to escape just as Jotham did. In fact we are taught when Jesus comes on the scene.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But When you are tempted, He will provide a way of escape, so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV  He provides! Trust God with a situation, when you can't convince others it's wrong. You see it, but they don't. You have to give it to God. He has to take care of it. 

My opening thought, either you see it or don't. It is a right relationship with Christ that you see what is going on and He will help you get through it or with stand it.

Let's pray: Father I am so blessed to be near you, open my eyes and ears to be aware of what is going on and let me believe, have confidence and boldness to stand firm. My JOY is complete. Amen

With Christ, you are complete! He is enough to see you through hard times. He will control and he says vengeance is mine. He can handle it, will you give it over to him and gain true JOY. God teaches the seeing while you wait for things to be made right.

JOY-TAKE PATIENCE

 COME ON IN! The journey continues!

Devastation comes in many ways today. When I know a person I have met, Christian women, who is loosing a business next month, a business she joyfully, owned and operated, I grieve with her. Do you personally know someone, who has lost someone? It continues to cause us all to look forward and not give up. We must find reasons to go on.

Friends the next sighting of the word JOY- comes in Deuteronomy, under the chapter title, Commands Concerning Festivals. God was giving commands for the Festivals asking the Israelites to listen, if they do the festivals as He said, "they will REJOICE before the Lord at the place He will choose them to dwell. Dt. 16:11. Be JOYFUL at your Feast, you and all your family, for your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your JOY will be complete. (complete used again, meaning in having a right relationship with God you will experience, JOY!) In Deuteronomy God not only was giving His commands but asking them to remember the past and how he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Remember yet also, move forward, set up the new and in the midst of the precious relationship He will help them experience the JOY of being complete. 

This brings me back to my opening story. The devastation of change; God is saying, walk forward with me. I will give you JOY in my strength. Today, if you feel like saying, "I can't". Stop! Remember and move forward in, "I can with you Christ!" Sticking by God, praying, God will walk us all to the next step. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 

Prayer heavenly Father help me to remember REJOICING each day is possible only with YOU! Amen.

God will bless you with the ability to be patient and of course, have JOY, because you are complete with him!

The devil may say you are not complete, you may feel ungrounded. FRIENDS STOP WITH ME AND SAY "I am grounded in Christ, therefore, I am grounded, patiend, joyful in hope!

"Be JOYFUL in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer!" Romans 12:12

JOY-UNSTOPPABLE

I don't know about you but I love a good sunset...when I see a beautiful skyline I get crazy! The days in winter here in the Midwest get hard to bear, so my husband I have been taking off to find the sunset at an overlook near my home. I really can not explain this pause but it is so JOY FILLED!

Getting back to my Journey of the word JOY. 

The next time JOY appears in the bible, Leviticus 9:23-24, "Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for JOY and fell facedown.

Moses, got a word from the Lord that today the Lord would appear to the people. He got Aaron, his sons, elders of Israel and got them ready to present a sacrifice offering. The whole assembly stood by Moses as he stated, "This is what the Lord has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you." 

How beautiful that they obeyed and the fired consumed the offering and that is how the glory of the Lord appeared. Today we have the whole bible to read and see the glory of the Lord. The assembly was filled with JOY! When we seek God with our whole heart, he allows us to see His glory! Amen!

I believe that is why the sunset brings me such JOY. In the skyline line the glory of the Lord appears. He created the sunrise and sunset, therefore it is so like Him to allow us to be consumed.

Prayer: Father start a fire, sweep the world, and allow us to all to see the glory of the Lord.

When you seek God, it is Unstoppable JOY!

The last precious words of Jesus before going to the cross, "Father I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." 

I long for the world to see Him in all his glory and power.

JOY: Reacting in the flesh

The joy sightings have continued to come, two of my Christmas cards I received had the word JOY printed big on the them with photo attached. That is always cool! I shared with the one friend and she took some joy doodles. She realizes now that she chose the card before she knew she was going take the JOY ride. 

As I have written. In the beginning the world was created and it was good. No use of the word JOY until Genesis 31:27, "Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with JOY and singing to the music of timbrels and harps? 

Laban and Jacob, two leaders who want control of their lives. Laban gives two of his daughters to Jacob in marriage. The first was trickery, as Jacob worked seven years to marry Rachel, yet the father, Laban, gives him Leah (Jacob agreed to for Rachel). In fact Jacob did a Hallmark move, he served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. (What a line from a Hallmark movie). Even though tricked he works another seven years to marry the love of his life, Rachel.  On the story goes with Jacob giving up twenty years of his life, full of trickery and all sorts of abuse and lies, God steps in and increase Jacob's skill to obtain wealth, enough for him to go off and start anew with his wives, children, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys. 

Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you. Genesis 31:3" Truth and confidence in the Lord, God commands, Jacob and his wives agree they must leave. Unity! God ordained order. God's strength, JOY! Jacob's wisdom from the Lord allows him to not let emotion guide him into this decision to leave without a good-bye, but the Lord His God was enough. Heaven Reigns! Enough! A command is a command and Jacob heard and listened. 

Laban races after Jacob and family for three days and the Lord appears to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad. Genesis 31:24" This wasn't Laban's God yet he heeded this advice. Whether he was serious he catches up to the family and states he would have thrown a party filled with JOY! 

In the end God does bring Laban and Jacob to a covenant of separation of peace. God did this, He worked it out! JOY!

When I started out writing about the first time JOY appeared in the bible, I didn't know what to expect, but here is what I learned through this story, and it brings me such JOY! God was present through the Abrahamic covenant, the promise of a nation out of his blood line, God watched over Jacob, God gave him strength to work twenty years under abusive situations, God grew him in wisdom enough so that Jacob developed ears to hear. This ability gave him skill to tend to flock (grow strong goats and lambs), and finally to know when to leave. God took the emotion out and replaced it with truth, honor, valor and finally a sense of JOY that gave Jacob the strength to leave.

Jesus is with you and I today, if we have taken the important step to regard the relationship of Jesus Christ sacred and JOY filled life giving. 

 

This is a life situation that could happen today, someone working for a father-in-law in a company or job setting, with cheating, being lied to, deception, abuse. So we can pay attention and learn.

This story expresses what I have been hearing and seeing with my own eyes and ears, God will provide, move in the Spirit and not in the flesh. What comes of that holy obedience! JOY! God's JOY!

JOY RIDE, JOY JOURNEY, COME ON IN, JOIN JOY

 The pandemic! The pandemic! To remain in it stuck for one more moment! Ugh Right?

The election and all the division! The election and all the arguments and sides taken! Dissension!

I got a facebook message it's title, "Understanding What is Happening in America: A Christians response"!

Really there are people out there trying to figure out the truth! 

The article tries to explain the above things we need to understand. It's a lot to take in! I sat as I read it wondering, if I am going to understand this It would be like a full time job, at least for me.

I have been following some since the pandemic started, that means since March of 2020 and I am now at January of 2021. That's 10 months of my life. Is this my job? Am I getting paid to figure this all out with my limited mind and resources and social media and main stream news? No!

I got a prayer box from a friend for Christmas. I have gotten them before and regifted them (sorry who every got one from me) because I thought, if I do this box I would be participating in a some kind of new age hoax, I write the prayer and it gets answered...voila! 

But this time as I looked at the box I began to see the holy benefit of doing the prayer box. So every thought that is a question in my head I wrote to God. I included my confessions and my intercessions. I felt a sense of release. Like I really gave it to God and said, "Here please deal with these or at least help me make some sense." 

A release! Do you need a release? From the moment we become Christians we talk our talk with are friends in Christ, "I gave it to God, I'm trusting God with it (the it being my concerns)." Then we proceed to hold each other accountable so we don't take back the control. You know the game, right, I don't have to explain the give and take back game we act in the flesh.

The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak! Listen! This box worked because when I think the thought of one of those prayers I begin to take it back and then it happens...I picture the box, the paper and I say to myself....you gave it to Him. 

In the past months I have been praying for things and then citing when it is answered (most likely the way I want it to, right, wink, wink) I will move on. Well the pandemic, the division in our country, my cough... is not gone away yet! So what next! Then the verse came...the mind controlled by the Spirit is LIFE AND PEACE Romans 8:6b.

Friends we can't keep waiting, trying to get what is going on. That is a full time job. For me I am asking what can be my reason to get up, a focus, a project with God. Fill my mind with you Jesus, things from above. Focus! it's the the hard thing for me now. My husband calls jumping around to all the information whirling around, "Squirreling". Like a squirrel I'm unfocused.

The remedy oh God, the remedy for my worried sick soul!

In a word...God changed the atmosphere and began to create. That is where I will begin. In a word each fabric of our earth and sky appeared and you know what...it was good, very good.

My word for the year "Joy"! The adventure of it all! I am wired for adventures, It's in my DNA or personality...at least that is what the test results of my personality test say! How do I go on this ride in the Spirit? I was dreaming this ride...seriously...I saw the free spirit within me come out for the ride. The ride led by the flesh will be confusing, dreadful...feel like death. That matches up with scripture...living according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desires, but those who live accordance with the Spirit  have their minds set on what the Spirit desires Romans 8:5.

Life would be better being led by the Spirit. As I slept and dreamed all this, I saw I came to an intersection where I can merge with the Spirit and the ride begins. The Joy Ride! Being led by the Spirit. Laying down my desires and letting Him lead. 

I saw myself on a train, playful, childlike, the boxcar window open wide, it is a beautiful day, son/sun out, not a cloud in the sky, the temperature is perfect, my head out of the window, my hair blissfully flowing in the wind, joyfully saying, "Come on in! Climb aboard! The ride will not always be easy but the crowd and the leader will see us through! Let's go! Are you coming?"

I was grabbing my art supplies as the idea for this art project grows, and a 2019 calendar fell out amongst my stuff. Why did I keep it? The art design is exactly the style of the picture I had in my head of myself going along in the train. I giggle! So perfect!

It gives me confidence, I can do this! Admittedly, I had been giving time to understanding the above, what's going on America stuff, and the battle was real, but this time I stopped, put down my phone, and asked myself, what do I choose? I choose, Joy!

For all those trying to figure it out, I am not trying to say you are wrong, I am saying for me to glance but figure it all, is not going to happen, things are changing daily and I can't wait anymore. (It being the world troubles) The Spirit has a better plan. I simply ask you to write your desires down and pray over them. Getting at an intersection of my way vs. Spirit's way is a good place. I am praying that I will lean on Him and stay on His path. 

I am reminded of the world crisis's. Age old stories of change and agendas, even wars vying to destroy the plan of God for us. Review biblical history and then our American history or even world history and you will see the challenge-follow the Spirit. Put God as your first love. When a country, king, leader does not do that...it is trouble. I didn't say that...God said it. The verse in Romans explain it.

Without Christ...it's impossible.

So a Christian response run to Christ...Christ represents true JOY!

I looked up JOY in my concordance and will begin in the begin and move forward. Where is joy used in the bible. I will let you know how this unfolds.

I designed a doodled picture of the me or others in a train car riding, yelling, "Come on In." Joy to the world is Jesus. He will be my way to 2021, how about you?

Can others join in on the Joy ride? I hope you do! I will send you personal train car. All I ask is you for you to look up verses of Joy in the bible daily. There are over 400 and then in you journal begin to record and pray what these verses mean to you and how they translate for you today. My prayer is that this will help you focus for 2021. Every time you start to fret. Think did I look up my verse for today. You can google Joy bible verses. Go one at a time. Let me know how you are doing. If you start seeing joy catch phrases or joy articles, anything. Share them with me. I am making a photo album of them.

GOING FOR A JOY RIDE

The timing of the old cards that I sent to my then boyfriend in High School (now my husband of 36 years) happen to show itself. Wink! Wink! As I began to look through them I observed,

1. the artist design or signature style, the words they use to endear us the recipient of the card.

2. my sediments written in the card.

3. me trying to picture myself where I was at the time, what I was talking about. A examination of myself growth. (Menopause brain is not going to help me with the answer remembering)

4. I am questioning my affection for notes and sometimes heartfelt, gushy sentiment. 

I don't know about you, but over the years as I skim over my life I find clues of lost dreams or even dreams started that I did not realize were even the starting of dreams. This is one of those moments. I know this because I prayed for ideas of what to do at this time. Lord fill me with focus and purpose. I remembered that I got an order to make some of my art cards. And then the cards of my younger years appear. I must be confident that this is the path started long ago and is coming to pass. Not, sure what that is all about, but for sure time will tell.

 One thing after another doesn't make sense. Things continue and there seems no change or you turn a corner and there is disappointment and things did not happen the way you REALLY thought they would or should go. You ponder.

I feel as the virus continues to challenge us where to go, what to do and there seems a glimmer of light squeaking through and maybe a bigger light will pour in. The bigger light is a wish that things would go back as it was, but it just ain't happening. Yah, I wrote ain't, kind of with a little disgust.

Been going through Philippians, which I came to discover is divine, because Paul's journey of joy is expressed to the people of Philippi.

Paul finds JOY over the proclamation of the gospel, JOY IN GOSPEL PROCLAMATION.

Paul finds JOY in being a servant of Christ and setting an example to the people of Philippi He dreams about the bliss of being with Jesus one day, yet, for then he remained. Strong words express it is necessary for him to remain in the body. His strong convictions, "I will continue with all of you for your progress and JOY in the faith. He has a pep rally -"Through my being with you again your JOY in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me Philippians 1:26." 

Yes, a little arrogant of Paul, but yet to me it is refreshing, because his convictions of his calling confirms he woke up, saw, believed, listened continued to please God and seek to put Him first. 

We could cry out asking, "Who is worth of this calling, to fulfill the work of this time?" Let's ask God how to participate or fit in God's plan. Sometimes I want the manual of the future to be written so I could read and do what it says, but that is not how God works. 

The JOY comes in the anticipation and trusting! Truly, do we believe that. 

Let's pray for the times and our daily answers and abilities to, "What do I do today? Let me follow the JOY!"

The word for the year, "Joy"! It encapsulates me! It challenges me to look! Look for my sweet Jesus. To listen for my sweet Jesus. It is a fine tuning time, but in my schedule it has been far to long. Yet! I am realizing, this dependence and waiting is the "Joy"! The joy in which I am told to have in sweet Jesus.

My sighting was completed yesterday when I got this bracelet in the mail. A sweet friend, whom I invited to get on this JOY RIDE with me, sent it to me! You see JOY changes you once you choose it and you can not go back! Well you could go back, but most assuredly God is starting a revolution, just as Paul did. Paul made a decision to stand by the Philippians, with full conviction he wrote the letters to pull them out from temptations to go back. 

Church wake up! We have to be there for each other. Once someone joins the ride we can't let them go. We have to ask God for the strength to love, follow, see, listen, understanding-so we can help each other. It's with JOY that we proceed.