25 Days of PURE JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Drink up because November’s serving is almost gone!  But there’s plenty more being stirred up for the Christmas season!

             This week we’ve talked about making the upcoming Christmas holidays a time of celebration rather than just going through the motions.  We want to focus on the true JOY we should find in the season instead of dreading all the extra tasks that come with the holidays.  Instead of being stressed, we want to be BLESSED by making choices that inspire others and bring peace and joy to our own hearts.  How can we accomplish that tall order?

            We can’t in our own strength! But “we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us”. (Philippians 4:13)

• Even in our planning of holiday events, parties and meals, we can ask for God’s strength and wisdom.
• When we find ourselves rushing from one event to the other, instead of panicking, we can take the time to pray as we drive or ride to each event….asking God to remind us of WHY we are celebrating this season.
• When you stress over how many gifts you have to buy and how little money you have to spend, pray for God’s wisdom to help you come up with an appropriate, meaningful gift that doesn’t cost much….or maybe nothing at all…except your time and creativity!

Let’s commit to making this Christmas season one of sweet peace and joy; one of celebrating our Savior and drinking in the “exceeding love and joy” of our Father.

            25 days and counting 'til Christmas Day!  Let’s make certain that every day overflows with the JOY of the Jesus!!!

Speak Words of Christmas JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Share the JOY of the Lord and remind all those you see about the JOY that can be found in the Christmas season!

            During this Christmas season, let’s pay close attention to the words that come from our mouths, because whether we realize it or not, people are listening and following our example!  Are you a JOYful example?  If we profess to be Christians, we should be filled with JOY because we have the best reason in the world to be joyful!  ESPECIALLY at this time of year!

·        Instead of complaining about all we have to do to get ready for the holidays, we should be rejoicing & praising the Lord for His gift of love in the form of Jesus. Luke 1:14 - "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

·        Rather than dreading the season we should meditate on WHY we are celebrating and thank God for His goodness and mercy.  Matthew 1:21 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."

·        When we find ourselves getting tired and weary of all the plans for the Christmas season, let’s stop and remember the sacrifice that was made on our behalf.  Philippians 2:8 speaks of Jesus and his attitude: “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!”

Yes, friend…we have every reason to be cheerfully anticipating the Christmas season. Let’s remember to speak words of joyful celebration.

                        I’m getting excited about Christmas, aren’t you?  Nothing can take the place of genuine Christmas JOY!   

JOYfully Blessed...Not Hopelessly Stressed!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  When the JOY of the Lord is in your heart and in your thoughts, then you are on the right track to being ready for the Christmas season.

            We know that if we’re not careful we’ll get caught up in the “stresses” of the holidays and miss the “blessings” that God has prepared for us.  This week I want to encourage you to prevent some of the stress by examining your priorities. Some things we truly can do without and other things we can approach a little differently to cut down on our stress level. Take stock of what you really want for your holiday season and do something about it!

            What’s more important to you?  Is it….

• The number of Christmas presents you buy or the quality time spent with those you love?
• Is it the amount of money you spend on gifts and decorations or is it the resources you share to help  someone in need?
• Do you have to “keep up with the Jones” and give your kids the latest gadget or toy…or do you value more the time with your children teaching them about the love and JOY of  Jesus (and celebrating His birth)?

          When we take the time to get our priorities straight, we can face the holiday with a renewed love for the Lord and we will see Christmas in a different light.  Godly wisdom will help us to see what’s truly important and we’ll be “too blessed to be stressed”!

      I'm praying that each of our hearts will be focused on the Christmas JOY that comes from celebrating he birth of a baby named Jesus born more than 2000 years ago.

Good News of Great JOY: JESUS!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Savor the flavor…and prepare your heart and your thoughts for the beauty of Christmas.

             Christmas is right around the corner.  28 days to be exact! Before the rush begins, let’s determine to make this Christmas season different…in a good way!  Here are three simple suggestions:

1.      Find at least 10 minutes in the day to ponder the reason for the season.  There are many good devotional books and Christmas inspirational stories we can find.  Of course, the BEST book of all is the Holy Bible. Reading the story of Jesus’ birth never gets old.

2.      Decide to do one thing during the Christmas season that you have not done before.  Think about the people God has brought into your life who might need a helping hand….maybe to help them in some way to prepare for Christmas.  What a great way to show the JOY of the Jesus by sharing His love in this way.

3.      Find a good children’s book that tells the story of the first Christmas and read it to a child or group of children.  Teachers and parents are always looking for volunteers…at school, at church or at home.  What memories you’ll be making for those little ones!  And you will receive a blessing of JOY in return!  

Hopefully, these simple suggestions will spark your creativity and help you to think of new ways to share bits of JOY throughout the holidays.  Don’t get stressed! Instead be BLESSED with the opportunities God places before you.

            As Luke 2: 10 tells us: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.”

Savor the JOY of JESUS!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Drinking a generous portion daily helps to get your heart ready for the holidays!

            Do you look forward to Christmas or do you dread the holidays?  There are several reasons I’ve heard people give as to why they don’t look forward to Christmas.

Reasons such as:

• Too many memories of those who are no longer with us. We grieve for what used to be.
• Some say they dread the shopping and…the bills that come because of that shopping.
• Others complain that Christmas has become too commercial and people miss the real meaning we are celebrating.
• And the fact is, we often do get so busy with parties, activities and gatherings that we’re exhausted by the time Christmas Day gets here!

Those are all pretty good reasons and each one holds much truth.  But I’d like to issue a challenge for this upcoming Christmas season:  Let’s SAVOR the JOY of JESUS!  Let’s drink in every drop of joy that comes from celebrating His goodness. Bask in the love of God for sending His Son to earth in the form of a newborn baby…knowing that He would sacrifice His very life to save you and me and give us eternal life!  Isaiah 9:6 says:  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”

       Don’t dread the holiday season! CELEBRATE it…one moment at a time!  Get ready for a peaceful, JOYful Christmas season!

Sing Unto the LORD a JOYful Noise of Praise!

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Hope your Thanksgiving Day was a blessed day and that you will continue to praise the Lord for all of His JOYful blessings!

            As I searched the scriptures for our “servings of JOY JUICE” this week, I had such a good time reading passages of praise, thanks and joy.  It was difficult to select just a few to share throughout the week, because they ALL are so good.  What a great way to start each day….not just around Thanksgiving….but every day!  If we would read just one short passage of “praise” scripture daily, I truly believe we’d be more grateful and more joyful!

            Today, I’d like to share with you the passage from Psalm 95:1-6:
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)

            As Thanksgiving week comes to a close, let us choose to be THANKFUL every day of the year.  Commit to reading verses of praise every day and let your heart be transformed into one of gratitude and JOY!

             Sing unto the Lord a joyful noise of praise!

Have a JOYfully Blessed THANKSGIVING DAY!

            Have you had your THANKSGIVING serving of JOY JUICE today?  Here’s hoping that your glass overflows with the blessings of JOY.

            Whether our day is filled with lots of food, fun and family or if we find ourselves alone this Thanksgiving Day, we can still give thanks to our Father, the Giver of JOYful blessings.  In the words of Dotti Rambo, in her song “I Call Him Lord”, we find a beautiful description of the One who deserves all of our praise and gratitude……at Thanksgiving and every other day of the year!

Master, Redeemer, Savior of the world.
Wonderful, Counselor, Bright Morning Star.
Lily of the valley, Provider, and Friend,
He was yesterday, He'll be tomorrow, Beginning and End.

Jehovah, Messiah, Mighty God and King.
Bread of Life, lasting words of love that I sing.
Light and darkness, Door to heaven, my home in the sky,
The Fountain of Living Water that never shall run dry.

But the angel called Him Jesus, born of a virgin.
Mary called Him Jesus, but I call Him Lord.

            My Thanksgiving prayer for you is that you’ll feel God’s loving arms around you as you count your blessings on this Thanksgiving Day.  And may Psalm 145:7 be a reality in our lives: “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

           Have a JOYfully blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Give Thanks (& Have a JOYful Heart) in ALL Things!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If you began your morning with praise to the Heavenly Father, I can guarantee that He served you an extra sweet serving of JOY!

            Over and over again in the Bible we are reminded that we should give thanks to God.  And this season of the year….Thanksgiving….we are prompted at every turn to “Be Thankful”.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

            HOW can we give thanks in ALL circumstances?  Just over this past year I have witnessed many things in my life and in the lives of many friends and acquaintances that are really difficult to give thanks for:

• Diagnosis of cancer
• Death of a family member
• Betrayal of a friend
• Hurricane Sandy
• Fire that destroyed someone’s home
• A tragic automobile accident
• SIDS…Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

 The list could go on and on.  Is it possible to “give thanks in ALL these circumstances”?  The key word is “IN” not “FOR”.  We are not thankful FOR these things happening.  God knows that!  He knows our hurting hearts.  But we can be thankful IN these things because GOD IS ALWAYS THERE WITH US to give us His strength.  Jesus promised in  2 Corinthians 12:9  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

           This Thanksgiving and in all the days to come, let’s approach the Throne of Grace with thankful hearts IN all circumstances. 

Praise the LORD...JOYfully!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Praise the LORD for your continual serving of His joy!

            Psalm 106:1 is a wonderful verse to mediate on this Thanksgiving week. It says: “Praise the LORD.  Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever.”

·        Why are we to praise the LORD?  Because He is God!

·        Why are we to praise the LORD?  Because he is good!

·        Why are we to praise the LORD?  Because his love endures forever!

          Even in natural disasters such as Hurricane Sandy, we are to praise the LORD. Even in the heartache of crushing loss and complete devastation, God still loves. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. But some might ask: How can we say He is “good” when He allows bad things to happen?

            Writer Henry Morris gives this answer:

          “We ourselves do not establish the standards of what is right. Only the Creator of all reality can do that. We need to settle it, in our minds and hearts, whether we understand it or not, that whatever God does is, by definition, right. Having settled this by faith, we are then free to seek for ways in which we can profit spiritually from the sufferings in life, as well as the blessings.”

            As we seek the blessings amidst our losses and search for wisdom in things we don’t understand, let’s thank God one revelation at a time. We might be amazed at the JOY we will find.

            Let’s continue to pray for the victims of disaster and those who are hurting; and let’s never forget to praise the LORD….for HE IS GOOD and HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!  "The JOY of the LORD is our strength!" Nehemiah 8:10

JOY and Gratitude = A Blessed Thanksgiving

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Thankfully, many of you have; and thankfully, there’s always plenty for us to share!

            It’s hard to believe that another Thanksgiving is already here!  It truly seems that time passes so much more quickly the older we get. As a little girl I thought the holidays would NEVER come.  But today, it’s as if it were only a couple of weeks ago that we were sitting down to our last Thanksgiving feast.

            I’m not complaining!  I love this season of the year.  (But then, I love every season!)  Thanksgiving is a special time of reflection; a time of basking in the awesomeness of our God Who has poured out blessings beyond measure!  And though there are tough times we’ve had to face, we can always see blessings, too.

·        Just to be able to wake up each morning and have a roof over our head is a blessing.

·        If you have a job, you should be thankful.

·        Good health is many times taken for granted.

·        Family and friends are extra special blessings on my list!

·        But the blessing of all blessings, the one at the very top of our list should be the love of God.  He loved each of us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to live and die a sacrificial death…for us.  Can anything ever surpass that kind of love?  NEVER!

During this Thanksgiving week, be sure to praise the Lord for your blessings.    As Psalm 107:1 reminds us: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

             JOY and GRATITUDE go hand in hand, so share both with others today!

His Secret Purpose.....of JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Rest assured that God has prepared a special serving with you in mind! Don’t pass it up and miss His purpose for you.

            From the very beginning, God had a specific purpose for you and me.  Listen to the beautiful way Ann Voskamp writes about it in her book One Thousand Gifts:

“His intent, since He bent low and breathed His life into the dust of our lungs, since He kissed us into being, has never been to slyly orchestrate our ruin.  He does have surprising, secret purposes.  I open a Bible and His plans, startling, lie there barefaced.  It’s hard to believe it, when I read it, and I have to come back to it many times, feel long across those words, make sure they are real.  His love letter forever silences any doubts. As 1 Corinthians 2:7 says: ‘His secret purpose framed from the very beginning is to bring us to our full glory’.”

            That one scripture alone should encourage us.  Even if we find ourselves in a place of deep sorrow and pain, discouragement or depression, we can lean on His “everlasting arms”—knowing that there is a “secret purpose framed from the very beginning” of time.  God desires to bring each of us to our FULL GLORY!  And I’m double-sure that includes abundant JOY!

            Open your heart, whether sorrowful or satisfied, and get ready for Him to strengthen, sustain and fill you with His peace and JOY.

Radical Gratitude and JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Be intentional about turning up that glass full this morning and drink in every drop of JOY this day has to offer!  Remember that: “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24.

            Canadian author Ann Voskamp encourages us to enjoy our life to the fullest.  Sure, we’re going to experience loss and pain…and it’s certainly okay (even therapeutic) to “lament the losses” as she so eloquently writes.  She reminds her readers that “poetry” can come from the difficult times---if we allow God to embrace us with His love and fill us with His wisdom.

            Another nugget of Godly advice this author shares that we should intentionally embrace a lifestyle of radical gratitude.  What does she mean by radical gratitude?  I’m sure I’ve found the best definition in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  Look at Paul’s words and tell me if you agree.

“Be JOYful ALWAYS; pray CONTINUALLY; give thanks in ALL circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ.”

            Now, if that’s not RADICAL, I don’t know what is!  We have to be intentional about making these kinds of choices.  No one can MAKE you “rejoice” or “pray” or “give thanks”.  But with God’s strength and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can  be RADICALLY changed!

            May your heart be overflowing with so much JOY and GRATITUDE that you spill out onto everyone in your path!

Turn the Pain into Poetry of JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  There’s something JOYfully poetic about seeing life through the eyes of our Creator!

            Only when we give every part of our lives to God, relinquishing control of even those tender spots that bring pain; only when we acknowledge that God is sovereign and loves us, even when it seems things don’t make sense; only when we allow Him to “turn our pain into poetry” can we experience the joy and peace that Paul speaks of in Philippians.  That peace the “passes all understanding” is available to each of us!  Why choose to stay “stuck” in the mire of discouragement, self-pity and worry?

Philippians 4:6-8 admonishes us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

           

            When we accept that incomprehensible peace and allow it to envelope us in it’s loving arms, we can sense the “poetry that comes from the pain” (as author Ann Voskamp puts it.)  Many strong Christians will testify of going through horrendous circumstances, but they would not change them if they could because they grew so much closer to the Lord.  And with that close relationship comes sweet peace and JOY~

            Whatever the pain that comes our way, God can turn it into poetry that will be here to stay!

        

Be Clothed in JOY!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  With every sip, count your blessings!

            Do you know how to fully enjoy your life, right where you are….regardless of stage of life, circumstances or hardships?  Author Ann Voskamp tells us how she has determined to do just that! Her “plan” is tried and tested.  She says that we should:

1.      Biblically lament our losses

2.      Turn our pain into poetry

3.      Intentionally embrace a lifestyle of radical gratitude.

Let’s take a close look at number one on her list: "Biblically lament our losses."

All of us experience the heartache of loss---death of a loved one, end of a relationship, even job change or retirement can bring a sense of loss. We are not to deny the pain.  We should, instead, embrace it as a part of the process of life.  It’s therapeutic and comforting to share our heart’s deepest sorrows with a support system of friends and family.

            Scripture tells us in Galatians 6:2 to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  This is how we “Biblically lament our losses.” Allow others to help you carry that burden by sharing your hurt and sorrow with them.  Then, one day you will reciprocate.

             Open your heart to Christ… and remember the verse in Psalm 30:11 “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”

Dare to Live Fully....with JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Wake up and smell the sweet aroma of your blessings!

            One my former working colleagues used to say: "I’m too blessed to be stressed!"  I agree!  When I think of my many blessings, JOY bubbles up in my heart!   I’m blessed with a dear family, special friends and lots of joy in the form of grandchildren!  I’m blessed with good health and this stage of life to be a part of a ministry that shares God’s joy with others.

             What about you?  Have you tried to count your blessings lately?  Though none of us are at the exact same stage of life or set of circumstances, one thing holds true for each us: We all have blessings! Some times we get distracted from seeing our blessings because we get caught up in the busyness and challenges of daily life.  BUT….if we will look for them, I can promise you…blessings are there!

            One of my blessings in the form of a dear friend…that Proverbs kind of friend…the one who “sticketh closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24 (or sister in this case)….Well this JOYful blessing of a friend gave me a new book the other day.  There was no special occasion, no celebration or fanfare or specific reason.  She just knew I’d love the book….and, wow, was she ever right!

            One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is chocked full of reasons to experience the JOY of the Lord.  And listen to the subtitle: “Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are!”  

            May each of us be challenged to look past our daily difficulties and choose to live fully in the JOY of the LORD…RIGHT WHERE WE ARE!

Put Your HOPE in Christ...and Find JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Don’t be afraid; it’s filled with only the purest of ingredients…..concentrated hope and love….which, when stirred together, makes a great, tasty serving of JOY.

            We’ve talked a lot lately about the subject of HOPE!  All of us need hope, don’t we?  Problems and discouragement aren’t particular with who they keep company!  All of us have to face the enemy of hopelessness at one point or another.

            I read just the other day that hope is both a noun and verb. How true! Writer Karen Cook explains that “hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen.” (noun) But it is also the action (verb) of putting your faith in that hope….and moving forward!

At times….hope can be a little scary!  Anytime we put our faith in something “unseen”, it can be a bit unnerving.  That’s why a strong faith in God is so important!  As Hebrews 11 tells us, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

When you begin to doubt how strong your faith is; when you need a “hope boost”, go to the eleventh chapter of Hebrews and see the “Hall of Fame for Faith”! These people put their hope in God…and God was faithful in EVERY instance!  If He did this in “Bible times”, He will do it for us today.  For you see, our God does NOT change!  He is a God of HOPE!

           

Put your hope in Christ and savor the sweet taste of JOY! 

JOY...Does the Body Good!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If you want a healthy lifestyle, this is where to start: With your daily recommended serving of JOY and HOPE!

            In 1997 the American Heart Association reported a remarkable finding.  From years of research, they concluded that people who experienced high levels of despair and hopelessness had a 20 % greater occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD) than did optimistic people.  Researcher Susan Everson stated: “This is the same magnitude of increased risk that one sees in comparing a pack-a-day smoker to a non-smoker.”

            Do you get the picture?  God calls us to choose HOPE and FAITH. No, we can’t control most of the circumstances that come into our lives.  But we can choose our reaction to them!  We will experience problems and difficulties, but…as children of God,  we can lay our burdens at the foot of the Cross!

How many times do we have to read or hear “The JOY of the LORD is our strength”(Nehemiah 8:10) until we truly believe it and apply that truth to our lives?  The faithful, Christian walk contributes to overall good health, for God gives us a legitimate basis for hope.  And with that hope…..comes JOY!  ABUNDANT JOY in Him!

            Have a double dose of JOY JUICE!  It does the body good…as well as our heart and soul!

Fishing for Hope? Bait Your Hook with JOY!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s just the thing to take with you everywhere….even on your next fishing trip!

            Are you a fisherman?  I’ll confess…I’m not!  I can’t bait a hook, throw a rod or take a fish off the line.  But I do like to see that little sinker bob when a fish is nibbling on the hook! There is a hopeful anticipation of what might be about to happen!

            One real fisherman said, “It is better to fish hopefully than to catch fish.”  I think he was referring to the excitement & anticipation that hope can bring! Even if the fish simply nibbles on your hook and goes away, you have the hope that he will come back.

            The Bible teaches us that the Christian life is “hope experienced”.  A “hopeless Christian” is really a contradiction in terms. As children of God, we have THE reason for HOPE. His name is JESUS!  Even in this crazy, mix-up, sinful world…..we have hope because we know we are here on this earth for only a little while!  Our life’s a “mist”, a “vapor” as the Bible says in James.   But our hope lies in the truth that we will spend ETERNITY with Christ!  Scoop that up in your JOY net!

            Romans 15:13 is my prayer for each of us today:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!”

            Let’s go “hope-fishing ”!  Bait your heart for the greatest “catch of the day”… JOY and HOPE in JESUS!

Soar on Wings Like Eagles; Run....with JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  When you drink in your daily serving, your day will be filled with hope in the Lord….as well as JOY!

I have many “favorite passages” of scripture, but one that I really love at this stage of life is found in Isaiah 40: 30-31.  It says:

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.”

            All of us…no matter what our age…get tired! Young, old or somewhere in between, the busyness of our days sometimes siphons our physical strength! It’s also true that when we are going through emotional turmoil, we lack energy and vitality. But did you hear what the previous verses said? 

            As Christians we have HOPE!  Hope in the Lord!  He will renew us mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually if we allow Him!  My Bible footnote explains:

"Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us to rise above life’s distractions and difficulties.  Trusting helps us to be prepared when he speaks to us.  Then we will be patient when he asks us to wait and expect him to fulfill the promises found in his Word."

            Today, my friend, I'm hoping and praying that you will “soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary” as you accept His joy & share it with others.

             

Christ...Our JOYful HOPE!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  I HOPE you have….because JOY in the Lord brings a special kind of HOPE!

            Most of us would admit that we have been through periods of time when we have experienced “hopelessness”.  It’s like being in a deep pit and you can’t see the way out.  Despair and anxiety are your constant companions.  It’s not a place we like to visit, much less stay for very long.  But the sad thing is…..many people live there!

            Do you?  Is your life in such turmoil that you stay discouraged and defeated?   How do we “leave that place”?  Even when unexpected, heart-breaking circumstances arise, we do have a choice about whether to “park” and stay there, or ask God to take the wheel and navigate us to the next place.

            The choice is between God’s way & our way.  Our way is often filled with hopelessness because we don’t have all the answers.  God’s way is ALWAYS filled with HOPE for HE is ALL KNOWING, ALL POWERFUL and HIS LOVE IS EVERLASTING!

            As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 33:18:

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love ... 

            Choose today to leave the state of “Hopelessness” and come to live in the place  of God’s love…a haven of HOPE and JOY!         

         Leave “hopelessness” behind and choose Christ, our JOYful HOPE!   

           

Clean Hands and A Pure Heart....of JOY!

         Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Too weak to lift your glass this morning?  Never fear!  God is near!

            James 4:8 says: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”  So often that’s where we put a period and we forget that there is more to that verse.  YES, it is true that God will come near to us as we seek to be closer to him; but the rest of the verse if SO important, too.

Let’s read the verse in it’s entirety: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

When we draw near to God, we enter into His presence as sinners.  The verse says, “Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts.”  If we rely on our own strength to do this, we will never be clean enough.  But the good news is that we don’t have to depend on ourselves.  Our own righteousness will NEVER be enough but GOD’s righteousness in us is ALWAYS enough!

            So how do we obey the command to “Cleanse our hands and purify our hearts?” By assertively directing our heart away from trusting our own performance; and believing that it is only by the righteousness of God that we are worthy to draw near to Him.  We should praise and thank God for His grace, freely given to each of us by a loving God.  Only HE can make us clean and pure. 

            What JOY it is to know that because of Him, we can have clean hands and a pure heart!