Category: joy

Posted on

Our Beautiful Lord

When I woke this morning, I was weary. My body ached and I felt weak. I felt vulnerable; there was only one thing to do.

Focus on my beautiful Lord and Savior.

“ With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

“So we should be thankful because we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And because we are thankful, we should worship God in a way that will please him.” Hebrews 12:28 ERV

I thank Him for saving me, for His healing, joy, hope, peace, strength, rest, forgiveness, adoption, kindness, patience and understanding. In my thankfulness I heard the melody and the lyrics of this praise song.

Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.

Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with Holy fear.

I want to take your word and shine it all around.
But first help me to just, live it Lord.
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown.
For my reward is giving glory to you.

Oh Lord, you’re beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me. by Keith Green

And then this one:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

You see, when we rise each day we have a choice. We can look at our circumstances and the day ahead through our own understanding and conditioning or we can see it through the eyes of Christ who has called us to be victorious, overcomers, always triumphant through Him.

Today, I chose the latter. I choose to look into the face of my beautiful Savior and draw my strength from Him.

I pray you will do the same!

Posted on

Practice Joy

As I watch the sun peaking through the eucalyptus trees I am practicing joy.

The fishing boats are headed out with great hopes of catches of albacore. Me, I’m just joyful for another day on the water and the nature the Lord has placed around us.

The best way to practice joy is to start the day by thanking the Lord for another sunrise, knowing He has planned our day, filled with good things.

One of my favorite joy verses is Psalms 16:11.

“You have shown me the path to life,and you make me glad by being near to me.Sitting at your right side,I will always be joyful.” CEV


“ My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

In the King James version, it says “Count it all joy”. Really, count it joy when you fall into temptations?

Yes, because the joy comes from knowing that you’re not in this alone! God has promised to never leave us or forsake us, that means we are in His presence and in His presence there is fullness of joy!

Joy in knowing that we aren’t operating under our own power or our own wisdom, joy to know that He has created us to be victorious! When I realize all of that, I am growing and maturing, becoming the more Christ-like .

In John 16, Jesus was talking with his disciples the night before His crucifixion. He was giving them last minute instructions. He told them that they would all abandon Him and that He would be alone but He quickly added that the Father would be with Him so He wouldn’t really be alone. (In His presence is fullness of joy)!

He then told the disciples that they would have troubles in this world. Not as big as the crucifixion but troubles all the same. His next words may have seem strange to them, He said “Be of good cheer (find joy), for I have overcome the world”. Jesus had just told them how he was overcoming the trials in His life – He wasn’t looking for the support of friends and followers but He was simply looking to the One who would never leave or forsake, the Father and in the Father’s presence is victory and fullness of joy.

I am determined that I will have a joy-filled day. I will keep my mind focused on the Father and in His presence I will have fullness of joy!

I will practice joy!

Posted on

A Day of Praise

It’s Monday and you know what that means don’t you? It’s another wonderful day to praise the Lord for His love and goodness.

Join in with me.

“The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.” Psalm 18:46

“We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.” Psalm 20:5

“In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” Psalm 62:7

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.” Psalm 70:4

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

Count your blessings this morning – the Lord covers us with His love.

I’m not through praising yet, but I will quit and let you continue on with your praises too!

Posted on

Recipe for a Good Day

The thing I’m learning in my quest to make good sour dough bread is measurement. There’s the starter and then the flour and water that you use to feed it. Measurement is important to my success.

The correct measurement is important to so many things, especially to our success in our spiritual growth. This morning, I will share what I feel is the recipe for a good day.

Here are the ingredients required: praise, trust, prayer, dependence and contentment and the end result will be peace and joy.


“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 KJV

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:8 KJV

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

“ I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:11-13 CEV

and the final ingredient is joy

“You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness.  Being at your right side will make me happy forever.” Psalm 16:11 ERV

Being in the presence of the Lord we will have all we need to live right, to live successfully. Equal parts of praise, trust, dependence, prayer, peace, contentment and joy are the perfect recipe for a good day.

Mix up a big batch of it each day and enjoy the result!

Posted on

Praying With A Heavy Heart

This morning, I came to my prayer time and sat silent for almost an hour. There were no words, only a heavy heart for my family and friends, for those I do not know, for our world.

There has been so much tragedy, unrest, so many anxious moments, so many disasters. Yet in all of it there is a peace that only God can give.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 ERV

These are the words of Jesus. John the Baptist said of Him, “He came to take away the sins of the world”. If anyone knew what it was like to carry a heavy load it was Jesus. Daily He was moved with compassion as He met the needs of those searching for a miracle.

He healed the lame, the leper, the blind, all manner of sickness and disease. He had compassion on those who were broken-hearted, imprisoned by demonic forces, and those held captive by betrayal and fear.

At night he would separate Himself and go away to pray. His heart would ache as He prayed for those who were rejecting the goodness of God and the love His Father had for the world.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.” Matthew 23:37 ERV

The Lord knows the heaviness of a broken heart and He desires to carry your load. His desire is to give you rest.

“ Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV

Yes, with Jesus as our high priest we can come freely to God’s throne and find grace, mercy, and kindness to help in our time of need.

As I sat still, in the silence, the heaviness lifted and I knew my prayer time was complete. My heart was filled with hope and my mind was filled with song.

“My life is in You, Lord
My strength is in You, Lord
My hope is in You, Lord
In You, it’s in You

I will praise You with all of my life
I will praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All of my hope is in You”

Let me leave you with this. “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”!

Posted on

How Not to Start the Day

My day started out a bit unusual. I got up started the coffee, opened the screen door to let in the cool morning air and sat down to read my Bible and pray. In very short order, I heard thumping on the patio, I opened the curtain and stepped out on the deck to see three javelina running across the pavers and two at the bottom of the steps.

I chased them off but they were in no great hurry to leave. It’s frustrating because they like to eat our plants and flowers.

Let me tell you, it doesn’t leave me in a very “spiritual” state of mind.

I heard in my heart, “Seriously Kristi, you’re going to let some wild javelina ruin the start of your day?”. I almost did. I was ready to start murmuring.

The Apostle Paul warns us about murmuring.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Philippians 2:14 CEV

” Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 13 You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations. 14 My friends, you must keep away from idols.” I Corinthians 10:12-14 CEV

We face the same kind of temptations as they early Christians did. Murmuring because we think things should be better; we’re being mistreated; everyone else has it better than us. Murmuring because we have wild animals eating our flowers – sounds pretty silly doesn’t it.

Then we are also tempted to worship idols, no, not the gold and stone statues but the idols of fame, success, pleasure, education, relationships. Any of these can draw us away for serving the Lord.

However the good news is this. God knows about these temptations and He has given us the power to resist them and escape their grasp.

Jesus didn’t come to make us miserable – not at all.

“A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV

“ Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. 34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself.” Matthew 6:31-34 CEV

Seems pretty silly to murmur about the small upsets of life. They take our eyes off the many blessings that God has given us. Don’t give the day over to complaining.

God gives us victory over complaints; it’s called praise. He promises to provide all we need. Take Him at His word!

Posted on

Hold On to Joy

The joy I feel each morning is almost inexpressible! God is SO faithful, SO good, SO precious!

Life’s experiences do not diminish the goodness of my Father God but do serve to illuminate it. Since God is unchangeable, He is always loving, always gracious, always giving, always faithful, always just and always merciful, our devotion and love toward Him should never be based on our circumstances but on who He is.

He doesn’t bring adversary to test us but when adversary comes if we remember who He is we will come through it victorious because of our faithful God!

Don’t let the enemy steal your joy with distracting cares and anxious moments. Wake up each morning praising the God and Father who has led you in the past, is walking ahead of you in your present and preparing a glorious future for you!

” I will praise you, LORD! You saved me from the grave and kept my enemies from celebrating my death. 2 I prayed to you, LORD God, and you healed me, 3 saving me from death and the grave.

4 Your faithful people, LORD, will praise you with songs and honor your holy name. 5 Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.

6 I was carefree and thought, ‘I’ll never be shaken!’ 7 You, LORD, were my friend, and you made me strong as a mighty mountain. But when you hid your face, I was crushed.

8 I prayed to you, LORD, and in my prayer I said, 9 ‘What good will it do you if I am in the grave? Once I have turned to dust, how can I praise you or tell how loyal you are? 10 Have pity, LORD! Help!’

11 You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. No longer am I sad and wearing sackcloth. 12 I thank you from my heart, and I will never stop singing your praises, my LORD and my God.” Psalm 30 ERV

Our joy is found in the faithfulness of the Lord. We trust Him, we depend on Him. He is trustworthy. Never will He abandon us or desert us in our dark moments. He brings light to illuminate the path that we should walk.

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

Hold on to your joy because the joy of the Lord gives you strength.

Posted on

God Is Greater

Yesterday I told you the story about our grandson and the fear he experienced in the swimming pool. He is now a good swimmer, advancing quickly in his abilities at swim lessons and his confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.

This is the kind of confidence that comes from knowledge and experience. That’s also how faith in Christ comes, through knowledge and experience.

Have you ever wondered why the Apostle James says we are “to count it all joy when we fall into different kinds of trials”? Joyful in a trial? Are you kidding me?

“My Christian brothers, you should be happy when you have all kinds of tests. 3 You know these prove your faith. It helps you not to give up. 4 Learn well how to wait so you will be strong and complete and in need of nothing.

5 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 1:2-5 NLV

What if David had never faced Goliath, Daniel hadn’t experienced the lions’ den, Peter only sailed on smooth seas and Paul never faced any jail time?

Without their testimonies of the Father’s faithfulness, power, deliverance and grace we would be void of examples of His promises to save and protect. Each of these men faced hardship and each of them trusted God through those trials. They grew in wisdom and faith.

When trials come, and they will, we can face them joyfully knowing that our heavenly Father promises to bring us through. We will be stronger in faith, trusting Him.

God is greater than the trial, greater than the storm and He has promised to never leave us or abandon us.

“My dear children, you belong to God, so you have already defeated these false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 ERV

“I know the Lord is great! Our Lord is greater than all the gods!” Psalm 135:5 ERV

Come to the Father in times of trial. Find courage, find hope, find joy. God is greater!

Posted on

In Everything

I saw this picture and it immediately brought a smile to my face. But what has that got to do with our teaching this morning?

Everything. Yes, everything. God wants us to have thankful, joyful hearts.

“In everything give thanks. This is what God wants you to do because of Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 NLV

There’s a big difference between giving thanks IN everything and FOR everything.

We can give thanks IN every situation and circumstance because our eyes are on the Lord, and we can trust Him to be an EVER-PRESENT HELP in times of trouble.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

More qualifiers for our conduct in every situation.

Don’t worry about ANYTHING!

Pray about EVERYTHING!

BELONG to Christ, be blessed with PEACE

Kind of sounds like Jesus’ own words in the boat that was storm-tossed at sea.

“But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’” Mark 4:38-40 ESV

We will have storms and trials. We will face situations and circumstances beyond our control but instead of being weighted down with worry and fear we are admonished to place them in the control of the One who brings peace. We place our faith in Him!

“Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are?” Matthew 6:25-26 ERV

At this Easter season, with our attention focused on the horrible way Jesus was treated leading up to the crucifixion, we wonder how He could experience such a horrible death. How was He able to go through it all without lashing out?

“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:2-3 ERV

Think about Jesus! Don’t worry – put a smile on your face and know that God loves you and will bring you through anything and in everything He will give you peace!

Posted on

Do Your Best

Do your best!

Have you ever said that to your kids, a friend, your spouse or even encouraged yourself to “do your best”? I know you have.

Each time we do something we should be doing our best – even if it’s washing the dishes, cleaning house, working in the garden, preparing a meal and it goes without saying that we should be doing our jobs to the best of our ability.

And what if you were God?

Do you think that He does anything less than His best? I found myself praying that this morning, “Father, do your best.” In praying for my kids and grandkids, my friends and relatives, I don’t always know the details of what they need and so this morning I was just praying that the Father would do His best in their lives today.

I hope that’s ok with you. Some of you need healing, some financial blessing, some need joy, others need rest, some need encouragement while others need a project (to feel helpful). Some need to be free from bitterness, others free from guilt. Some just need a hug and to hear I love you.

So again my prayer is “Father, do your best”. And then I was reminded of these verses – it’s the Father doing His best!

“If you will obey the Lord your God, all these blessings will come to you and be yours:

3 ‘He will bless you in the city and in the field. 4 He will bless you and give you many children. He will bless your land and give you good crops. He will bless your animals and let them have many babies. He will bless you with calves and lambs.

5 He will bless your baskets and pans and fill them with food. 6 He will bless you at all times in everything you do.

7 The Lord will help you defeat your enemies who come to fight against you. Your enemies will come against you one way, but they will run away from you seven different ways! 8 The Lord will bless you and fill your barns. He will bless everything you do. The Lord your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you. 9 If you follow the Lord your God and obey his commands, he will do what he promised. ‘” Deuteronomy 28:1-9 ERV

Thank you, Father, for blessing my friends with Your best today!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress