Tag Archives: joy

Defiant Joy – Book Review

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Here are some thoughts I had as I read this excellent book, Defiant Joy by Jennifer Michelle Greenberg.

We enjoy so many blessings in this life. So many… Ephesians 1:3-23 gives us a nearly exhaustive list and these are only an example of the joy that will come when we get to heaven. God said so. It will be so!

We cannot make our own joy. It’s just not possible. We must understand that God gifts us with joy, His joy. I was able to find more than 150 Bible verses about joy. Every one of them connects to God! One in particular stands out to me – The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

It has become very obvious to me that tears and joy often go together. Have you ever cried in response to joy, to worship, to intense happiness? I would venture to say that all of us have. Legitimate tears are a real sign that God lives in us.

Are you convinced that God really loves us? The conviction of God’s love for His children is absolutely necessary to understanding His joy and how it is given to us. Absolute certainty in His love and joy is where we find total rest.

The evil one, satan, loves to undermine our joy. He is a real expert at this. He does not want us to understand that our faith is the foundation of understanding joy. He will do everything in his power to undermine our faith. That includes waging war against our joy.

When all is said and done, when Jesus returns or we draw our final breath we can know, without question, that God is the foundation and giver of joy.

This book is more than worth your time. It was helpful to me in so many ways. I have a better understanding of so many of the stories in the Word and how they apply to this walk I’ve chosen with Jesus. Do you like books that are full of connections? This one is for you! I highly recommend reading this. I know I’ll be reading it again and again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have Fun!

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Have a joyful, happy, cheerful, day!

I can hear God saying words like this. I don’t think He wants us to have just a good day. He put joy, happiness, good cheer, gladness into our hearts for a reason. He really wants us to enjoy all the goodness He created.

How? Do things that make you totally aware of the awesome world and people around you.

Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Go for a hike. Watch a good movie. Dance to your favorite praise song. Sing at the top of your voice. Make tea, grab some cookies to go with, and spend some time with your neighbor.

Abba, Father, help us let go of our concerns and have some fun.

He Hears Us

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I find it amazing that the One and Only God hears me!

Not only hears me but wants to hear me. He wants to know every delight, every problem, everything! That’s pretty incredible when I consider that the Creator and Master of all that is, was, and ever will be thinks I am worthy of His attention. The King of Kings stretches out His hand to me, grabs hold, and says, “Let’s talk. Tell me everything.”

Abba, Father, hear me today. Hear my joys, my sorrows, my needs, my wants… I Need Your Presence!

Be sure to click on I Need Your Presence.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

How Can I Be More Like Jesus?

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If you’re much like me you’ve given a lot of thought to becoming more like Jesus. To emulate (copy) another person’s characteristics is the greatest compliment you can give them.  One of the ways to do that is to know His attributes.  Now to do them all would take an entire library so I’ve selected just a few to consider.

Cross

 

 

LOVE  Doing what is best for others without expecting anything in return.                             1 Corinthians 13:4:7-8

JOY  Real happiness in every part of God’s creation.  Nehemiah 8:10

PEACE  A sense of tranquility which is a result of resting in His Spirit.  John 14:7

PATIENCE  Accepting all situations, even the really difficult ones, as part of God’s plan.  Ephesians 4:2

KINDNESS  A loving attitude toward all.  Ephesians 4:32

CONTENTMENT  Accepting God’s provision in whatever measure He gives. 2 Timothy 6:6-7

HOLINESS  Set apart to join Him in His activities.  2 Corinthians 7:3

SENSITIVITY  Opening our hearts and minds to compassion for those around us.  Romans 12:5

JUST  Doing what is right. Romans 2:11

SUBMISSION  Yielding to God’s authority in all things. Ephesians 5:21

GRACE  God’s free and undeserved favor.  2 Corinthians 12:9

There are so many more than these.  It’s interesting that each of us, through the Holy Spirit, has them all.  It really is our choice whether or not we let them shine through and out.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Joy

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God so loved the world...

Quote by Paul Thigpen in Discipleship Journal

I remember coming home one afternoon to discover that the kitchen I had worked so hard to clean only a few hours before was now a terrible wreck.  My young daughter had obviously been busy “cooking,” and the ingredients were scattered, along with dirty bowls and utensils, across the counters and floor.  I was not happy with the situation.

Then, as I looked a little more closely at the mess, I spied a tiny note on the table, clumsily written and smeared with chocolaty fingerprints.  The message was short–“I’m makin sumthin 4 you, Dad”–and it was signed, “Your Angel.”

In the midst of that disarray, and despite my irritation, joy suddenly sprang up in my heart, sweet and pure.  My attention had been redirected from the problem to the little girl I loved.  As I encountered her in that brief note, I delighted in her.  With her simple goodness in focus, I could take pleasure in seeing her hand at work in a situation that seemed otherwise disastrous.

It is so important, especially during this busy Season, to remember that those handmade gifts, given from the heart, are much more valuable than anything else we receive.

Enjoy your gifts this year!

Marie