Joy

1 John 1: 4-10

 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

This morning I was reflecting on a time when I was so deceived by the ways of this world that I could not even comprehend the simple truth, that I was a sinner. I remember always justifying my behavior with one excuse after another, and blaming someone or something else always made me feel better about myself because it took the responsibility off of me for my own actions and behaviors.

Occasionally I will still fall backward into this type of sinful behavior, and the result is that I lose my joy. So how do I recapture the fullness of joy that my sinful attitude steals from me? 

Usually confession is a good place for me to start. There is freedom when I acknowledge that only the blood of Jesus can forgive, cleanse and purify me of all unrighteousness, because in my own strength I constantly fail to live up to God's moral standards. So I thank God that He is in control and that I don't have to be.  I also thank God for opening my eyes and allowing His word to have meaning in my life. Thank You Jesus for saving me from the darkness.

Psalm 119: 164,165

Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. 

Footsteps

Recently I heard a question that penetrated deep into my heart, mind and soul, so I decided to ask the Lord this two part question during my daily devotional's and Bible study times.

The question: Who are You Lord and what can I learn about You today?

Psalm 119:129-152

• His statutes are wonderful.
  
• The unfolding of His words gives light and understanding to the simple. 
• He turns to and has mercy on those who love His name. 
• He directs our footsteps according to His word.
• He let's no sin rule over us.
• He redeems us from the oppression of men, that we may obey His precepts.
• He shine's His face upon His servants and teaches them His decrees.
• He is righteous.
• His laws are right.
• His statutes are righteous and trustworthy.
• His righteousness is everlasting and His law is true.
• He established His statutes to last forever.

When I look at who God is, I remember who I am in Him.

Thank You Lord for showing me the right perspective today. 

Amen

Running Away Again

Another re-run in running. As I stated previously, my motto has always been that when the going gets tuff, don't just walk, run away! However now that I am a follower and believer of Jesus Christ, the problem is this, Jesus will not let me run anymore. Try as I might to run, fight, argue, kick and scream, or rebel Jesus just keeps bringing me back to the people, places, things, or situations that I do not want to deal with. 

Usually after the dust settles, and I find myself left with nowhere to run but into Jesus' arms, I always see how great our God is and that He is always there waiting for me to humble myself so that He can once again lift me up. I fall, He picks me up. I fail, He is faithful to complete the work that He has begun in me. 

Lately it has been more difficult for me to face the truth about myself and where I am going wrong, and when I do face up to the truth I find that admitting and confessing it before God is a lot easier for me than actually admitting it to another human being and repenting from the behavior or sin in itself. I don't know about you, but I am pretty stubborn and resistant to change, and I know that eventually Jesus is going to change me whether I agree to do it His way or not. I do find that His way is usually a lot easier than the way that I would usually choose, so why not surrender?

So in my attempt to encourage may I suggest that if there is something or someone that you are running from...STOP! Wait for the Lord. Surrender. For some time now that is all that I seem to be hearing, wait for the Lord, and honestly I have the tendency to get a little angry when I hear it over and over and over again, but I was reminded last night that Gods ways are not my ways, His thoughts are not my thoughts, His words are not my words, and His timing is not my timing. He alone is God. 

In closing, I love the Lord and I know that He loves me. I thank Him for His grace and His life changing word and I pray that I never lose the desire to know His love more deeply. My prayer...Lord may we grow to love as You have loved us. Amen.

 

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.