What Brings You Jesus Joy?

"But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, God is great!" Psalm 70:4

It's an unexplainable joy. One that flows through out my entire body.

This joy comes from studying and teaching God's Word. These are the top 2 things that bring me Jesus Joy! (I have a lot more, but these two really get my blood flowing)

There is not an aspect of it I dislike.

I love it all.

Every Sunday God allows me to walk into a room full of the most precious women and do this very thing, teach His Word.

But this go around, it seems to be more than that. 

These women come from all walks of life. They are crowned with wisdom. Full of Jesus beauty, and have smiles and hearts that will overwhelm you with a need to be around them.

I am challenged to dig deeper in my study and teaching, and I love it! I am challenged to go beyond myself and seek the face of God everyday. I am challenged to be a better servant. I am challenged to love, listen and learn from these precious women who have walked thousands of more steps with the Lord than I have.

I have been so challenged, so overjoyed, that Satan can't stand it. Nope, he wants none of this to be happening.

Thus the fiery arrows.

But he won't win the battle. You think he would know that by now, being that he has tried to attack previous times, and has come up short. But he is Satan and he is relentless. He will never give up.

Christ has the victory and because I am in Christ I too have the victory. We all do. Isn't that a wonderful feeling?

Do you know what else is wonderful? When God opens doors like these. You know the ones you least expect. The ones that you never thought you would do, but do, and fall madly in love doing.

That's how I feel. I am over joyed more times than I am overwhelmed (like the other day) at being called to do things for the Lord that I feel completely unqualified for.

I wonder if Paul and Timothy felt that way. Especially Timothy. He was young, intelligent, and in love with Jesus. He also had an amazing mentor who walked with him, encouraged him, and spoke wisdom into him.

I am blessed to have a couple of those myself. They are two very important people in my life, who have set an amazing example of Christ-likeness. Well okay, I really have four!

Do you have a Godly mentor?

What calling has God placed on your life that fills you with an overwhelming amount of joy?

Has the Lord recently called you into a ministry you never expected or thought you would do?

Brethren, these are exciting opportunities. We should be joyful and thankful to be found useful by the Lord.

Maybe you have become discouraged and your Jesus Joy is low.  Don't grow weary. Keep pressing on. Keep looking at what lies ahead and up. Keep seeking the face of God. Keep growing in the Word daily. Just keep on keeping on. In His timing He will place you where He knows you will be the most useful for His name and His glory.

Evaluate your motives daily. Make sure they are motives for Him and not for self. That alone is a big Jesus Joy zapper.  Keep yourself pure and your eyes and thoughts on Him so He can use you.

And when God does reveal His purpose for you in a more clear and distinct way. Make sure you praise Him, thank Him, honor Him, devote your time to serving Him and others, and always point others to Him and not yourself.

Now, to my sweet mamas, remember, your greatest ministry is your home, your family. Tending to it, is your first and most important priority. Make the Lord proud with the blessings He has given you. Find joy in serving your family and taking care of your home. Even when it seems hard, overwhelming, frustrating, tedious, and unnoticed.

It is an honor and privilege we have been given to serve the Lord in our homes and we need to always view it from His perspective and not our flesh's perspective or the worlds.

Are you fulfilling your calling at home? Are you finding joy in taking care of your family and home?

Are you looking and searching for Jesus  each and every day? Look for opportunities to share God's truth, love, and mercy with others. Use each day to serve and bless the Lord by serving and blessing your family.

Everything we do for the Lord and in His name is useful!

"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

Here are my hubbies top 5 things that bring him joy. (These are not in any particular order)

1. Providing for His family
2. Serving others
3. Fishing on a good lake
4. Christmas time (seeing our faces on Christmas morning)
5. Watching the Redskins play (He is a very proud and supportive brother! I can attest to this joy!)

    
Here are my 5, plus some (These are not in any particular order)

1. Studying God's Word
2. Teaching God's Word
3. Discipling Women
4. Serving my family
5. Fishing with my 3 boys
6. Watching the Redskins, Broncos, and Texas Tech
7. My Dave Ramsey envelopes
8. Organizing my home

 What are the top 5 (or more) things that bring you Jesus Joy?

Altar Sunday

As you head to the Altar, lay out your life before the Lord. Let Him do what only He can do.

Heal it
Mend it
Piece it back together
Fill it
Comfort it
Rescue it
Restore it
Renew it
Shape it
Mold it

I promise as you get up, He will ensure you walk away different than before.

Praise Your Great Name

"Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. 

We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! Psalm 95:6-7"

We Can't Re-Invent God's Purpose For Our Lives

Have you ever had a day when all you did was focus on yourself?

It was one of those days when the focus became on me and all the things the world and Satan say I am not. 

What usually comes with that, is a whole lot of self-doubt, complaining, poor pitiful me parties, comparing, and the huge urge to just quit.

Have you ever been there?

It is a miserable day, and not just for you, but for your family, and for any other poor soul you drug into it. 

So as I went through the entire day complaining to the Lord, feeling sorry for myself, comparing myself to her and her and her, I laid on the bed next to my hubby, and unloaded {I will spare you the details, it was a hot mess!}

After one hour of my sweet man listening, quoting Scripture, encouraging me, and challenging me, The Lord rose up and made Himself within me very clear.

We all have a purpose and a reason for our existence. To please, glorify, and honor God. To be faithful no matter how hard, how lonely, or how different we are.

And when we focus on ourselves and try to create our own purpose, we are trying to re-invent God's purpose.

And that is just plain crazy. So while I get it now, I want to hold onto it. I want to find joy in being me, the God-loving, black and white, crazy about Jesus, craft- challenged, desperate for His daily grace, me. 

The me that He created, because we all know, when we try to create our own me, misery, doubt, discouragement, and unhappiness ALWAYS follow. 

It's okay to be you. So be you, focus on Jesus, and remember, your purpose is to please Him, not you.

Jesus thank You for making me so wonderfully complex and unique. May I fulfill Your purpose and stop trying to fulfill my own. Amen

We Wish You Were Here!

I wish you were here, filling that empty chair, sharing some coffee (tea, water, whatever you prefer) with us. {Jesus and Me}

It would be so much more personal. Having face to face time, hearing God's Word together. Sharing, laughing, crying, discussing all the amazing things God has done and is doing. Hearing Him speak of His love and mercy and grace.

But instead you are here, and that is okay too. 

Because even on opposite sides, in opposite states, different countries, we can still hear His Word together. We can still talk, laugh, cry and discuss Him. 

He is everywhere. He is next to you and next to me. 

He is filling that empty chair. He is ready and waiting. 

Let's not keep Him waiting.

You are loved sweet reader! 

The Place Where Joy is Found!

Joy comes from a heart full of thankfulness.

"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7

Makeover!!

In the next couple of months Godly Gossip will have a makeover, and I would LOVE to get your input on some things you would like to see added, taken away, etc!

When You Feel Like Quitting

S-Galatians 6:9-10

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Don't Grow Weary

"So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters." Galatians 6:9-10

Do you ever have moments when you throw your hands up and say, "I quit! This isn't worth it anymore."

I have, a lot!

Although I haven't really quit, I sure did voice my frustrations on how I felt.  It's such a God thing that this particular verse came when it did, because I was recently having one of these moments with the Lord and my husband.

The funny thing is, not only did I study this verse in my quite time, but our Pastor preached on something very similar, of which my husband was sure to nudge me in Church and say, "Are you listening? Your blog!"

Yes honey, I hear you and the Lord loud and clear.

Keep writing! Keep picking up after everyone! Keep helping in the family business! Keep teaching! Keep discipling! Keep working hard! Keep serving! Keep being kind, loving and encouraging.  Keep on keeping one!

God notices, God cares, its all about Him! Keep serving Jesus by serving others! Everything we do is for His honor and His glory, not ours!

SIGH

Now for the latter part of this passage. "Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters."

Brethren, no matter how ugly someone is, keep on doing what is good and right. Hold your tongue, love on them, serve them, and pray for them.

If you have the opportunity to do good to your negative co-worker. Do it! Even if they reply with something negative.

If you have the opportunity to do good to someone struggling with sin. Do it! Pray with them, share God's Word with them, encourage them, love them.

If we will do these things, at the appropriate time we will reap a harvest of blessing. Find comfort, perseverance, joy and hope in that promise!

S-Share an encouraging word with someone who is discouraged today.

Altar Sunday

Sweet One,

 Do you have some bitterness and anger that needs to be laid at the foot of the Cross? If so, why are you still holding on to them? What are they doing for you other than making you sad, more bitter, more of a target for Satan, and unhappy?

It's okay to let go. It's okay to move forward. Jesus did! And so can you.

Are We Willing?

S-Two Choices

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A- God's Freedom

L-You Choose

"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit." Galatians 6:8

Two choices.

1. You can choose to satisfy your sinful desires and harvest the consequences of decay and death.

2. You can choose to please the Spirit and harvest everlasting life.

It's your choice, which will you choose?

In Christ we are able to please the Spirit, but are we willing?

Are we willing to die to self and live for Christ?

Are we willing to say no to the lures of the world and obey Christ?

Is pleasing Him more important than pleasing our flesh?

Whatever we plant we will reap.

Completely Committed

"Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

When we commit to the Lord, do we...

Commit with exceptions?

Commit with selfish motives?

Commit yet find or make excuses?

Committ only when it's convenient or necessary at the moment?

What are our exceptions for not being fully committed?

What are our selfish motives; attention, pride, control?

How many excuses do we make in one day? 

Do our excuses outweigh our commitment?

Why do we wait until things happen to commit our lives to the Lord?

When we commit to fully serving the Lord, there should be NO exceptions, excuses, selfishness, or done only when it's convenient or necessary.

Let's be followers who are totally and completely committed to the Lord. Not because we have to, but because He is fully and completely committed to us!! 

Realistic Expectations

Is our relationship with Christ a realistic one?

Is the time we spend in the Word a realistic one?

Do we walk away with realistic expectations of His truth?

What are your expectations in your relationship with Christ?

His are high, but with the help of the Holy Spirit are able to be fulfilled. 

You Will Always...

"You will always reap what you sow!" Galatians 6:7

Do you see the word always?

We will always reap what we sow.

If we sow laziness, we will reap poverty, homelessness, and starvation.

If we sow selfishness, we will reap, pride, jealousy, greediness, envy, etc.

If we sow anger, we will reap hurtfulness, broken families, broken hearts, and broken futures (of those we hurt)

If we sow love, we will reap, joy, fulfilled relationships, love in return, and Christ likeness.

If we sow peace, will reap contentment, goodness, unity and godliness.

If we sow worldliness, we will reap sinfulness, discontent, unhappiness, separation from Christ, etc.

If we sow doubt, we will reap confusion, being misled, frustration, discouragement,

What are you sowing? Evaluate your crop, because come harvest time, Christ will separate
the good crop from the bad.

"All right, he said. I, the Son of Man, am the farmer who plants the good seed. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. Just as the weeds are separated out and burned, so it will be at the end of the world. I, the Son of Man, will send my angels, and they will remove from my Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil, and they will throw them into the furnace and burn them. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the godly will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!" Matthew 13:37-43

Jesus reveal to each of us today what we are sowing. Help us to be more mindful and aware each day of what we sow, and show us before hand, through the power of the Holy Spirit, what we will reap from it. Amen

 

 

Sow God's Word-Reap His Blessings

S-The Two Things Not to Do

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Gift of Freedom

L-Sow God's Word-Reap His Blessings

"Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!" Galatians 6:7

Misled-to lead astray; give a wrong impression. To lead in a wrong direction or into a mistaken action or belief often by deliberate deceit.

To Ignore-to fail to give proper attention to. To dismiss as of little importance.

How often do we fail to give God the proper attention He deserves?

Are we misled by our own fleshly desires, so much so we ignore the convictions within us?

This is a tough pill to swallow, but sweet one, we are all very guilty of ignoring God and believing we can actually get away with it.

In the end, we will all be held accountable for what we have planted.

Are we reaping the benefit of sowing love, fellowship, intimacy with God, kindness, joy...

      -OR-

Are we reaping death and unhappiness, because we sowed jealousy, gossip, bitterness, selfishness, angry, pride, greed, envy, etc?

Be mindful, always, of what you sow. Don't think you can ignore God and get away with it. And don't be misled by the World and Satan.

S-Share God's Word with others so they can begin to sow the fruits of the Spirit.

Though You Slay Me

An amazing song and insert from John Piper. Let this fall all over you today, bless you, and renew your love and passion for Christ. Let it be a reminder of His control, His power, His will, His plan, His love, and His purpose for you. No matter the circumstance, the heartache, the pain, the suffering. None of it is meaningless!

Be blessed today sweet one!

Altar Sunday

In His name alone there is power! 

In His name alone there is hope!

In His name alone there is peace!

In His name alone there is protection!

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Nothing has the power to change us or save us, but Your name.

May we come to the altar praising Your great name!

Are You Taking Care of Your Pastor?

S-Take Care

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Caring for Our Pastors and Teachers of the Word.

"Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them." Galatians 6:6

They spend countless of hours serving, studying, ministering, counseling, listening, caring, praying, and teaching God's people.

Their time is rarely spent focusing on themselves, more so on the spiritual well being of God's children.

Brethren, our Pastors should be well cared for. They spend so much time investing and caring for each of us, that we should be doing more for them.

It is Biblical!

Are we taking good care of them, some extremely well, others, they deserve more. Wouldn't you agree.

We should never take our Pastors and teachers for granted. Nor should we use them only for our benefit, yet fail to take care of their needs.

Paul says over in 1 Corinthians 9:10-14-"Christian workers should be paid by those they serve. We have planted good spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask, in return, for mere food and clothing? If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have an even greater right to be supported? Yet we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it." 

We read of this command again over in 1 Timothy 5:17-"Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard @ both preaching and teaching." 

G and I have always felt very strongly about this. One of our very best friends is a Pastor, and I tell you, his love for his Church and God's people is astonishing. The time he spends investing in the lives of others has always impacted G and I in a huge way. His heart, is a heart like God's, and though he feels as though he doesn't deserve anything, brethren he does, and so do many other wonderful Pastors.

We need to be doing a better job of taking care of them. Don't you agree. Pray God will show you and your family how you can bless your Pastor. Whether it be a nice meal, money, something for their home, etc, take care of them.

S-Return the blessing you receive from your Pastor back onto him. It will not only bless him but the Lord as well.

If You Are Going to Compare Yourself, Compare Yourself to Christ!

S-Do What You Should

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Gift of Freedom

L-Personal Satisfaction

"Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." Galatians 6:4-5

It's something the Lord taught me along time ago. "Stay in your own lane! Keep your eyes on Me and work hard at what I have called you to do."

This is a lesson that many of us struggle with today. Why? Because we are always meddling in the business of others. What they are doing, trying to out do them. It's that saying, "Keeping up with the Jones'."

The desire for personal satisfaction, has been taken way out of context. The personal satisfaction Paul is speaking of here, is the personal satisfaction of serving Christ and others, working hard with the gifts God has given us, and doing what He has called us to do not what our flesh wants us to.

There is a big difference here. More times than not, we begin to compare ourselves to others. What they have, their success, their appearance, or even their shortcomings. So much so, we become consumed with trying to either be like them, be better than them, or make ourselves feel better because of their flaws. The problem is, when we act in this manner, we dishonor God. Because He sees discontentment, unhappiness, and worldliness, jealousy, and insecurity, rather than thanksgiving, praise, honor, love and joy.

At the end of our life, when we stand before the Lord, we will be evaluated for what we have done for Him and with the gifts He has given us. So if we spend more time comparing ourselves to others rather than to Him, well, it's probably not going to be a very good day for many.

Can't you just hear Christ on that day,"Well _________ I gave you so many wonderful things, filled you with some really awesome gifts, but you spent more time discontent, disappointed, and comparing yourself to others, that you missed out on My purpose for you. When you could have produced seed bearing fruit for My kingdom, you didn't. Instead you produced, insecurity, disappointment in yourself and others, you became consumed with the things of this world, you taught your children more about self than you did hard work, selflessness and Me."

Brethren, lets stay in our own lanes, lets remove anything that causes us to compare ourselves to others and what they have and are doing. Lets work hard because we love and desire to please the Lord rather than man. When we do this, we feel good at the end of the day, our hard work and love for Christ points others to Him and shows our obedience to Him. Let's stop trying to please and find praise from man. It is Christ we are to compare ourselves too, and it is Christ we are to desire praise from.

Finally, lets take responsibility for our own conduct, our own actions, our own behavior, and stop blaming others or feeling sorry for ourselves because we think someone else has it better. You have no idea what it has been like for them, where they have been, or the struggles and trials they endured to get where they are. Just stick to the lane God has placed you in. For then at the end of this life, there will be a great reward awaiting you in heaven.

S-Share your heart with God, confess to Him areas you have been lazy, compared, been jealous, envious, and have done things with the wrong motives to be praised by man rather than Him. Then let Him cleanse you, place you back in your lane, and use you to bring honor and glory to His name.

Has Your Relationship Grown Stagnant?

Has your relationship grown stagnant? Have you lost the giddiness you once had? Has your fire dimmed?

Maybe you have forgotten His goodness. Maybe you have drifted from His voice. Maybe the world has began to entice you towards itself, thus becoming more desirable than Him.

Can I share 10 things about Christ that will hopefully, through the power of the Holy Spirit, bring you back to Him?

1. He is still as passionately in love with you as He was the day He created you.
2. He still finds you beautiful.
3. He is still as kind, patient and merciful as He was the day you met Him.
4. He is still full of unfailing love, no matter how far you have drifted
5. He is completely committed and faithful to you.
6. He still surrounds you with His loving presence daily
7. He is forgiving
8. He is still protecting, helping, and meeting your daily needs
9. He is so quick to be near to you when you call out to Him
10. No matter how far you drift away, how little you put into the relationship, His arms are always open.

Turn your hearts to Jesus, let Him remind you of the love you once had. Let Him re-ignite the fire and passion within you.

"The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation." Psalm 145:9

It's an Oppurtunity!

S-To Build Up

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace

L-Share Each Other's Troubles

"Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody." Galatians 6:2-3

"They just have so many problems, how do you even begin to help someone with all those needs?"

Have these thoughts ever gone through your head?

Do you ever avoid asking specific people how they are, because you know they will unload on you, telling you all of their problems and needs? Yes, there are people like this, and brethren, even though there seems to always be a problem or a need, we still need to be listeners and helpers. Because Christ asks us too, and because He does it for us. Don't look at it as an inconvenience(that's being selfish), look at it as an opportunity to be a reflection of Christ. (His reflection is selfless)

 Think back on the last conversation you had with the Lord, did you unload on Him, asking Him for help, and telling Him all your problems, struggles, issues, etc.? What did He do? He listened and before you even realized it, Jesus was meeting your needs (Not your wants).

When a passage starts with a command, it is to be taken literally and applied literally.

This is why the Body of Christ exists. To help one another, to encourage one another, to help carry the burden's of one another.

Look what Paul says over in Romans regarding this matter. "We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong. We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself. As the Scriptures say, Those who insult you are also insulting me. Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:1-6

Sweet Ones, this all begins within our homes. If our relationship with Christ is where it should be, then our desire to please Him, will overflow onto our families and others.

Be a listener and helper to someone in need today.

S-Share the gifts God has given you to bless another of His today.