Category: James

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Thankful for Memories

Dave and I are in the mountains. We came up to the Flagstaff area yesterday and will be here through Monday. My cell signal is really weak but I wanted to share with you a special memory from my high school years. One that I am thankful for!

The campground we are staying in is right near a lake I visited often the summer between my eighth grade and freshman years. My dad was working construction on a road job and so our family moved into a small, I mean twenty-one foot long small, travel trailer. On weekends we would go fishing as often as possible and one of the lakes we frequented was Lake Mary.

We also began attending a small Baptist church in Flagstaff and they had a great youth group. My sister and I made friends and we participated in quite a few of the youth group activities. One of those activities was water skiing at this very lake. It was here I learned to water ski.

Neither of these experiences – the fishing and the water skiing – were life changing but they were memory makers that make me smile and I am grateful for them. Focusing on these events kept me from dwelling on some of the less enjoyable moments and have etched joy into that summer.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

These memories were God’s kiss of blessing to me. I don’t dwell in the past but I am thankful for good memories, little ways that I now see were God saying “I’m here and I am bringing blessing into your life.

Now we are here with our daughter and son-in-law and maybe someday they will bring their grandchildren to this area and tell them this is where Besta learned to water ski and they will laugh when they think of me trying to do that.

What joyful, good and perfect gift memory is coming to your mind? Write it down, share it with a friend, a family member. Let them enjoy a little part of your heart. In doing so you will share a blessing and most of all you will share the Father’s heart, a heart of blessing and bringing good things to His children with someone you love.

“I will remember the kind things the Lord has done, and I will remember to praise him.
The Lord has given many good things  to the family of Israel. He has been very kind to us. He has shown us mercy.” Isaiah 63:7 ERV

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It’s Not Rocket Science!

Dave and I are just about finished with remodeling our fifth-wheel camping trailer. It’s a 2007 and was complete with beige floor, beige walls, beige window shades and valances and lots of oak and/or faux oak cabinetry. Just not us!

This summer while in the mountains for three weeks we decided to give it a facelift. We started working on it in mid September and here we are finishing up the final detail – the curtains. But not just any curtains. Dave had an idea to use copper tubing for the curtain rods, they’re beautiful. However, it is half-inch tubing so the grommets we planned to use to place the curtains have to be three-quarter-inch so they can slide freely. That size is not standard so we had to special order the grommets and the grommet setting tool.

Now that they have arrived and we are home from our trip to Yuma we got right on it yesterday morning. However…there was a communication situation. Dave is a genius at unique design. He sees things in his head and just builds it – no blueprints, no sketches. I, on the other hand, have followed patterns/recipes all my life – cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing.

We came to the project with the same concept but different ways of communicating the measurements and the allowance for fullness that would make the curtains fit perfectly. It was then I said to Dave, “I think rocket science is easier than this”. We both laughed but I made a decision, someone needs to be in charge, I would listen to his direction.

Isn’t it that way with life? Someone has to be in charge. If not we have conflict and disorder. Confusion in the ranks.

Sometimes it’s hard to relinquish the authority that we feel should be ours. It’s humbling to let someone else take the reins.

Children are taught to obey their parents, younger people are told to submit to their elders (like teachers, instructors, authority figures), wives are to submit to their husbands and husbands are to submit to the Lord.

We all are to submit to the Lord. He is the final authority. He has given us creative ability, talents, particular traits that others don’t have and we excel in what He has designed for us but still He is the ultimate authority.

“But the kindness God shows is greater. As the Scripture says, “God is against the proud, but he is kind to the humble.” 7 So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives. You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure. 9 Be sad, be sorry, and cry! Change your laughter into crying. Change your joy into sadness. 10 Be humble before the Lord, and he will make you great.” James 4:6-10 ERV

The world tells us to stand our ground, ascert our authority, defend our rights but that goes opposite to the instruction we receive from the Lord. Satan was full of pride, he said he would set his throne above the Most High God and so pride began.

When we submit ourselves to God and to His word He will make us great! He’s never made a mistake, told a lie or been wrong. If we listen to His leading and follow His instruction we will succeed.

It’s not rocket science!

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Making Good Choices

Yesterday I spent a lot of time talking about making good choices. It’s a lesson we all deal with on a daily basis.

We can’t force people to make good choices. It has to be a decision of the heart.

Our day is filled with choices. Do we rise early or over sleep? Do we eat a good breakfast or skip it entirely? Do we speed down the highway or stay within the limits of the law? Are we intolerant and lose our temper or patient and self-controlled? All are choices we make and we can blame no one for the consequences – we are responsible.

Moses had led over a million people through the desert for forty years and at the end of his life he gave them this instruction:

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy…19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:15-19 NLT

I know it seems elementary, almost remedial, but making right choices is a real sign of maturity. Life – death, blessing – curses, (here’a clue, right answer, choose life) Choosing to forgive, letting kindness be our guide, saying no to indulgences that bring pleasure for a moment but devastating consequences for weeks and years to come takes maturity.

One of the greatest gifts the Lord has given us is free will, the ability to make our own choices. We aren’t puppets or robots, we have the ability to think wisely and make proper decisions.

Have you ever been outside on a very dark night, in unfamiliar territory? We experience that alot when we go camping. The right choice in situations like that is to grab a flashlight. It has kept me from tripping over logs or getting off the path and stepping into a hole on numerous occasions. I could just stumble along, that would be my choice, however it wouldn’t be a good one.

When we need guidance and wisdom, which we all do, we have this promise from the Lord.

“Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps,  a light that shows the path I should take.
106 Your laws are good and fair. I have promised to obey them, and I will keep my promise.” Psalm 119:105-106 ERV

Before you make a choice today, consider the consequences and then ask God for wisdom. He’ll be glad to give it.

“If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:5 NLV

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Making A Way

I recently had a conversation with a friend who said “I know God is going to work things out, I just don’t see how”. I have been there so many times…more times than I am comfortable with but each one of those situations has bolstered my faith when the next circumstance comes.

Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when we can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort. He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with us or those we love!

“Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV

Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.

Noah had no idea how long he would be in the ark. David collected five stones for his sling; he didn’t know the first one would kill the giant. Joseph served thirteen years as a slave in Egypt before he was promoted. Paul was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned, but he said those were light afflictions and that God’s grace was sufficient in every situation.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:13 NLT

In Sunday’s worship service we sang the song “Way Maker”. The lyrics in that song that mean the most to me are these: “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working, Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working, You never stop, You never stop working, You never stop, You never stop working”.

God never stops working – He makes a way for us. God will lead us into victory. Thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ…” II Corinthians 2:14

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Not Sugar But Gold

For years now, a dear friend of mine and I share a saying whenever we are out in the rain. We say “I’m not made of sugar, I won’t melt”.

That saying quickly came to mind last night as I heard a young man talking about the circumstances of 2020. He said that his life, like all of ours, has been greatly impacted by social distancing requirements. He’s an entertainer and all of his concerts were canceled from March forward and into 2021. He said that even though the rains fall he will stand strong; he will sing, praising God in the pouring rain.

To paraphrase, I’m not made of sugar, I won’t melt.

As I sat there thinking about his words the Lord reminded me of His Word.

“Fire is used to make gold and silver pure, but a person’s heart is made pure by the Lord.” Proverbs 17:3 ERV

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 NLT

How we handle the tough situations in life says a lot about us. Do we fall apart and wallow in self-pity and despair? Or are we like this young man and sing praises to God in the downpour? We voice our fears and disappointments to the Father in prayer. Jesus did that in the Garden of Gethsemane but then He stood up and went forward knowing that God was by His side. We have His promise that He will never leave us – in fact, He takes us through.

Dave and I had a dear friend who was an amateur metallurgist. He studied the process of refining gold. I remember him telling me about it. Let me give you a brief overview. Once gold ore is brought from the ground it is crushed and the non essential elements are washed away. The gold then goes through several refining steps. It is acid washed, heated, the impurities are skimmed off and then heated again until the gold is in its purest form. What is removed is the impurity. The refined gold increases in value.

When we go through trials and difficulties we are also being refined. Our faith is being purified. The dross or non essential elements are being removed. God doesn’t leave us during the these times, in fact, He is there to bring us through victoriously.

Both James and Peter taught the Christians in the first century to stand strong in spite of troubles. Their writings have much to say about daily living, interpersonal relationships and hardships. Their words of instruction came from the Lord and we can learn so much from what they taught.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 NLT

“These troubles test your faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes.

8 You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained.” I Peter 3:7-8 ERV

We need to remain joyful in tough situations. How? By knowing that God hasn’t abandon us, but He stands with us to give us strength and we come out better, perfect and complete by placing our trust in Him.

So, when the rains come remember we aren’t made of sugar, we won’t melt. It’s a time for joy. We are more valuable than gold that has been refined in the fire!

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Work in Progress

Have you ever been in an area where new commercial buildings are being constructed? It’s interesting how they print the signage that shows you what’s coming complete with sidewalks, flowers, trees and fountains. These images are called renderings.

I remember when our children were little and there was some construction going on in downtown Scottsdale. We had been driving past this one building for months. On this particular day the kids were so excited. “Look Momma, it’s finished!” The equipment was gone, and it looked like businesses could start moving in. Construction was done but the building wasn’t finished.

Since I was a home-schooling mom we were able to stop long enough to look at the image on the sign and I was able to ask the kids to point out the differences between the building and the image. It didn’t take them long for them to tell me there were no trees, no flowers, no grass, the fountain had no water. No, it wasn’t “finished”.

That was the day these verses came alive to me.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:2-3

“We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right sideof God’s throne! 3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.” Hebrews 12:2-3 CEV

I came to see Jesus as the architect of my faith. He is the one who designed faith, he put that design down on paper (the Bible) and it is He who is overseeing the project of faith through to completion. Faith is trusting in and relying on what God’s word says.

My life is the building that is under construction. Each day the process continues; some days I can become discouraged by the lack of visible progress but if I keep my eyes on Jesus and how he is working in my life, if I see how he endured the ridicule and hardships then I can keep going until the construction is complete.

Here on earth we have some contractors that skimp on the design, run out of money before the project is complete or abandon the project entirely. God isn’t like that. He’s well-financed and has the patience to see us through to completion.

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.” James 1:2-4 ERV

Now there are some words we don’t like to hear: trouble, patience, suffering. But that’s exactly why we look to Jesus. He put up with trouble – the religious leaders set out to trip him up and destroy his ministry on a daily basis. He suffered ridicule from his own family and was even betrayed by those closest to him. But his patience (persistence) brought Him through to victory. When we follow His example our end result will be good – we’ll be mature and we’ll look like what God designed us to be!

Are we complete yet? No! Some of us are further along in the construction process than others. That should be an encouragement! Keep looking at Jesus; he’ll make sure that we look like the rendering, we are his workmanship.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 CEV

It won’t be long now and we’ll be finished!

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Crying? I’m Not Crying!

A while back the strangest thing happened. Dave and I were sitting in the living room watching a movie and we both started having problems with allergies, or at least that’s what I am claiming.

We both began to get the sniffles and my eyes started to water. Ok, let’s face it – it wasn’t allergies at all, it was the movie. It had me crying. I highly recommend watching the movie or reading the book, Same Kind of Different As Me.

This based on a true story movie tells of the relationship between a well-to-do woman and a down-and-out man. She lives in a big fancy house and he lives on the streets. Their story is one we can all learn from.

This movie portrays how we fall in to the trap of judging others just by their outward appearance. My, that has been going on for a very long time.

When the Lord sent Samuel out to find a king for Israel he went to David’s father and  he looked for a tall, muscular, mature man. However, God had different criteria.

“When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the man who the Lord has chosen.’ 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Eliab is tall and handsome, but don’t judge by things like that. God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. Eliab is not the right man’…12 Jesse sent someone to get his youngest son. This son was a good-looking, healthy young man. He was very handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Get up and anoint him. He is the one.’” I Samuel 16:6-12 ERV

Jesse, David’s father, hadn’t even considered that his youngest son was qualified or good enough to meet with Samuel. David was left out with the sheep when the priest came to dinner. But God knew who He wanted, he was looking for someone with a heart for Him.

Jesus never looked at a man or woman’s appearance or their occupation when He was here on earth. He followed his Father’s example and associated with those who had opened their hearts to God. It didn’t matter that they were fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes and others of low esteem.

James, the brother of Jesus, gave this instruction in the book of the Bible he wrote.

“My dear brothers and sisters, you are believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. So don’t treat some people better than others. 2 Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing very nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes. 3 You show special attention to the person wearing nice clothes…5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters. God chose the poor people in the world to be rich in faith. He chose them to receive the kingdom God promised to those who love him…8 One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ If you obey this law, you are doing right. 9 But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law.” James 2:1-9 ERV

I will tell you that I was convicted by that movie. I felt great compassion for the people who were playing the roles. This is a true story but I had to honestly ask myself if I would have reacted with the same loving heart that they did. I pray I would have.

I find myself asking the Lord to show me areas in my life where I need to grow and change. Then I sit down to relax for an evening and watch a movie and God shows up and teaches me a life lesson.

The same loving God has blessed each person on this earth with air to breathe and the sun that shines. He sees a divine purpose in each of us.

We may be different but He loves us all the same!

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Lord, It’s Hard To Be Humble

For the last month or two I have been reading the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. If anyone ever tells you that “God could never want or use you – just look at all the stuff you have done” I would tell you to have them read I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles. Those kings were a piece of work. Not a humble one in the bunch – oh, they may have started out that way or ended up that way but everyone of them had a battle with ego.

The Bible is filled with promises for those who are humble. Psalm 138:6 says that the Lord takes care of the humble. He gives honor and wisdom to the humble. Proverbs 11:2, 15:33

What does humility look like?

It looks like Jesus. He gave up all the glory of heaven and His place at the right hand of God the Father to come to earth. There was no room for pride in His life.

Jesus played with children, gave comfort to the grieving, befriended rough and burly fisherman, spent His time with the lepers, lame, blind and societies outcasts. He never compromised His deity but He never lorded His position over those He was teaching.

The Apostle Paul gave this instruction to Christians in the early church.

“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 ERV

A humble person doesn’t need to be in the limelight. They help make others look good and feel elevated. A humble person is one who encourages others, someone who isn’t afraid to get in and help out where needed. They don’t need the praise of others, they do the right thing because it’s right.

“All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say, “God opposes proud people, but he helps everyone who is humble.” 6 Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:5-7

God helps those who are humble. A meek or humble person will be misunderstood and even be treated wrongly. Look at Jesus, he was despised and hated by the religious rulers of his day because He didn’t measure up to their ideals. He ate with sinners, showed compassion to harlots, healed on the Sabbath. In the face of their objections, He continued on.

Isn’t it better to be humble and know we are pleasing God than to measure up to all of societies ideals and expectations? Yes, it is. When our lifestyle reflects humility we may offend some, we may be passed over because we don’t have the “leadership” skills necessary. If that’s the case, so be it.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV

I love that verse! The Lord will lift us up. Our loving Father will pick us up in His arms and give us a big hug. Or He’ll come in and wrap His arm around our shoulder and encourage us to continue on with what we’re doing. We’re acting like Him.

Thank  you Father for coming to our aid and taking our cares. We rely on you.

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Broke is Broke

When we first moved into our house we noticed that one of the bedroom windows had a rock chip in it. Yes, the bedroom window. We figured it must have been someone working with a weed eater and a small rock was pitched up and hit the window. The window was shattered so we didn’t think too much about it at the time.

However, broke is broke! We should have asked for it to be replaced. You see we have dual pain windows and that chip released the seal between the panes, the gas escaped and now the view through the window is cloudy.

Broke is broke and sin is sin!

With God there is no big or little sin, it’s sin. Look at the two brothers in the story of the prodigal son. The younger son in the story was guilty of some pretty “big” things while the older son looked respectable but he was obviously holding bitterness in his heart toward his younger brother and his father. Which do you think was worse?

Neither! Sin is sin. Kind of like my broken window; if a brick had shattered it or the little chip cracked it and broke the seal the result was the same. The window was broken.

“One law rules over all other laws. This royal law is found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ If you obey this law, you are doing right. 9 But if you are treating one person as more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God’s law. 10 You might follow all of God’s law. But if you fail to obey only one command, you are guilty of breaking all the commands in that law.” James 2:8-10 ERV

The Old Testament teaches us that God hates gossip and murder yet we find one more socially acceptable than the other. Sin is sin and we are all guilty.  The penalty for sin is not based on a sliding scale.

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 NLT

“When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 ERV

Jesus words were so powerful when he spoke to the Pharisees about the adulterous woman. They felt superior to this obviously sinful woman but they were willing to overlook their own sins of deception and self-righteousness.

“They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 The Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stood up and said, “Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the first stone at her.” 8 Then Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground.” John 8:6-8 ERV

How many times have we played the role of the Pharisees or the older brother? We condemn “the idiot driver”, the person holding up the line, the unintelligent cashier, the negligent phone representative, the ill-informed newscaster or worst of all, the person with an opposite viewpoint than ours.

What they are doing may certainly be wrong but when we judge our attitude about the situation is equally as wrong. We are to do all that we do from a loving and compassionate heart.

Since God sees all sin the same, He makes the payment for that sin the same.

“So that one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people. But in the same way, Christ did something so good that it makes all people right with God. And that brings them true life.” Romans 5:18 ERV

We have forgiveness, payment for our sin, with the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That sacrifice is available to all – we simply need to receive it!

“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 KJV

I’m so glad that God doesn’t grade on a curve but He accepts us all. It’s not based on what we’ve done but on what Jesus did!

Now that’s called grace!!!

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No Need to Hide

Are you crazy or delusional? You can’t be happy all the time! Really?

You’ve got your head stuck in the sand – you just need a good dose of reality!

Ever heard those kind of comments – I have! But what people are really saying is “what gives you the right to be so happy when I am so upset?”.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.” Philippians 4:4 ERV

There’s a difference between happiness and joy, or at least there is to me. Happiness is our positive reaction to external circumstances. Joy is a character trait that comes from within. Happiness is an emotion that fluctuates; joy is a stabilizing confidence.

I choose to be joyful. I choose to see that God has more in store for me that I can fathom; I see God’s love sustaining me no matter what the circumstances are in my life and so I chose to be filled with joy!

I like me better when I’m joyful. I don’t like being grumpy or aggravated. I just don’t. Those conditions tell me that I’m looking at me. I’d rather look at God the Father and be reminded of His amazing love.

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 AMP

We need to practice being JOY FILLED! I went to bed last night humming a praise song that we sang Sunday morning and the words are still in my heart this morning. It is the reason I choose to be joyful regardless of the circumstances. 

You're my champion 
Giants fall when You stand 
Undefeated Every battle You've won 
I am who You say I am 
You've crowned me with confidence 
I'm seated in the heavenly places 
Undefeated with the one who has conquered it all.
Source: "You are My Champion" Lyrics: Dante Bowe

Fill up your joy reservoir and as you go throughout the day. Share it with others. When asked why you are smiling so much or why you’re so happy, let people know that “God loves me” and that’s more than enough reason to be glad. Joy comes from knowing Jesus is always with us and He has faced any struggle, any trial, any circumstance that would try to destroy us. He is greater than Covid, He is greater than social distancing. He has conquered it all and because of that I am filled with confidence. Confidence of who I am in Christ!

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

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