Tag Archive | joy

Decisions

May19

Warning: this is a long one.

Testimony:
I know you have been there, where you are faced with a circumstance you don’t know how to handle. In your carnal (fleshly) mind you think of a quick, rash decision. But . . . God.

Recently I was faced with a circumstance that made me angry. It brought me to tears. I cried out to the Lord for help. The next few events happened without my really being aware until I looked back over my day and saw the trail of guidance my Lord left for me.

I received a phone call asking for assistance if I could. I did. This godly, prayer warrior woman, without her even knowing, revealed that I needed to persevere. I needed to continue to pray, pray, pray. I needed to trust the Lord.

Before and after this encounter I had received a few texts from another friend regarding scripture references from a Bible Study she attended. It is here where God moved in a miraculous way and I can admit I am so glad that I am human and in the hands of my Lord.

I was given Psalm 53:7-12
This is not what I looked up and read, but this is:

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53:7‭-‬12 NASB

Not Psalm but Isaiah. My Lord Jesus faced life oppressed and afflicted and didn’t open His mouth. He had a mission to fulfill no matter the cost. Who am I to expect a perfect life when the perfect One suffered?

Oops, or was it really? It wasn’t Psalm 53, but 52:7-12 and again I was looking in Isaiah.

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When the Lord restores Zion. Break forth, shout joyfully together, You waste places of Jerusalem; For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, That all the ends of the earth may see The salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there, Touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, You who carry the vessels of the Lord. But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:7‭-‬12 NASB

God has made a way! He reigns! He will comfort! I am redeemed! Salvation is mine! Victory is coming!!

Again, another change. God at work. Psalm 51:10-12 but I read, again, Isaiah.

Was it not You who dried up the sea, The waters of the great deep; Who made the depths of the sea a pathway For the redeemed to cross over? So the ransomed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies And of the son of man who is made like grass, That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth, That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, As he makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?
Isaiah 51:10‭-‬13 NASB

Praise God, I have something to look forward to, hope. My God is mightier than any circumstance so I will persevere until His return or He takes me home.

God’s word is so amazing and I would not want to neglect the Psalms that were sent to me. God is an amazing, wonderful, loving, caring God who is always a prayer away.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Psalms 51:10‭-‬12 NASB

🌹“Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abundance of his riches And was strong in his evil desire.” But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones. Psalms 52:7‭-‬9 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

I’m Alive!!!

Apr27

The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty (Shaddai) gives me life.
Job 33:4 NASB

Not only has God given me life, He has given me LIFE!!!! A life eternal. A life of being cared for, taught, led, protected. A life of peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness.

So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45 NASB

🌹 God has given me His Spirit. His own Holy Spirit. What more could I desire?

Is the Holy Spirit alive in you?

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Jesus

Mar16

Joy of the Lord is my Strength.
Everthing Created by Him, For Him
Savior
Unity
Sacrifice

(Joy)  Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 NASB

(Everything)  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16 NASB

(Savior)  to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:25 NASB

(Unity)  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
John 17:23 NASB

(Sacrifice)  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 NASB

🌹Praise and glory to our glorious Lord Jesus Christ!

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon 

Holy One in Our Midst

Dec20

Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 12:6 NASB

As Sunday, the 25th of December, is celebrated in many countries around the world, I wondered how many are experiencing the Holy One of Israel in their midst. How many will be crying aloud and shouting for joy as we celebrate the coming of Christ in the flesh?

Shout for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it; For the Lord has redeemed Jacob And in Israel He shows forth His glory.
Isaiah 44:23 NASB

Jesus did it! He came to redeem and He shows forth His glory in every redeemed child of His. Is that not something to shout joyfully about? All God’s creation rejoicing together over the great things He has done!!

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
Isaiah 43:1‭, ‬3a NASB

Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them.
Psalms 69:34 NASB

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy Before the Lord, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.
Psalms 96:11‭-‬13 NASB

O Holy One of Israel, I will shout for joy and in triumph! I will rejoice and exult in the Holy One with all my heart! You, Lord have taken away Your judgments against me. Hallelujah to the King of Israel, my Lord!! Abide in our midst; so we need not fear any more. Glory to the Holy One in our midst! Jesus is His name! Amen.
Zephaniah 3:14‭-‬15 NASB

🌹Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
Zechariah 2:10‭-‬11 NASB
“Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.”
Zechariah 2:13 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Dry Bones?

Nov17

Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
Ezekiel 37:5‭-‬6 NASB

I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life,
Ezekiel 37:14a NASB

Wouldn’t it be wonderful for God to use us to make His name known? One day everyone will know that God is Lord! His name will be known despite us!

I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord.” ’
Ezekiel 38:23 NASB

“My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.
Ezekiel 39:7 NASB

🌹Do we want to miss out on the joy, the intimacy, the awe and wonder of God’s work, the strength, peace, and understanding of the Holy One? Are we shining the Light, Jesus, in the world or are we dry bones needing revived?
I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord.” ’
Ezekiel 38:23 NASB
Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Work of Your Hands

Nov3

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
Psalms 92:4 NASB

🌹O Lord my God, You have made me glad by what You have done. Many, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward me; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count. Only through You Jesus can I be saved. I give thanks to Your holy name and glory in Your praise. The works of Your hands are truth and justice; Your commandments are sure. I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Work in me Lord God. Transform me for Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Psalms 40:5/Psalms 106:47/Psalms 111:7 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

1 John 1:3-4

Aug3

what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.
1 John 1:3-4 NASB

Joy made complete. What is joy made complete?
When the fellowship I have with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ is shared with you — my family, my neighbors, my co-workers, anyone who knows and loves Jesus as I do. That is why I share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I came to the realization of my need for Christ at the age of 15. At that time I thought myself a Christian. I went to church. I was a good, polite and moral young lady. At 11 I took a class to learn how to be a Christian and was baptized. I was now good to go.  .  . live as I wanted to. I had a place reserved for me in Heaven. No Hell for me.
Until God set me straight at 15 with a movie called, “A Theif in the Night”. That movie shook my world and made it clear that living a Christian life is more than having a mansion reserved for me in heaven. Or a happy life or being a moral person. The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  – Proverbs 1:7 NASB
The fear of eternal condemnation woke me up to my need for Christ. My need of a relationship with Him. It has not always been easy but it has all been worth the journey since I bowed before my Savior Jesus Christ at my bedside at the age of 15 and gave my life to Him, making Him Lord of my life.
Now I am reminded that,  “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

Lord God, my Father, I thank You for that faithful, fateful night You called me to salvation, a true salvation. I thank You for not giving up on me but continually perfecting Your workmanship in me, Your creation over the years. I am grateful for the hard times that have strengthened me, making me more dependent on You. I thank You for the times of rejoicing because  of the good work You are doing in me and through me. I thank You faithful God for calling me into fellowship with Your Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. May I never stop speaking about what I have heard or seen of Your mighty work unto salvation. And I pray, Lord God that You would use this testimony to touch lives for salvation, which is Your will, and for Your glory!! In Jesus name, amen.
Ephesians 2:10/1 Corinthians 1:9/Acts 4:20 NASB

🌹But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
John 5:34 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:29-30

Jun21

Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Philippians 2:29‭-‬30 NASB

Lord God, we all are in need of You. You equip us to be faithful workers for Your kingdom cause. Working together we can accomplish this. As there are areas of deficiency in all of us, You complete what is deficient in one by equipping another to come alongside. Thank You God for the body of Christ working together, even at the risk of life, for Your kingdom cause.
Lord, I pray for the equipping of Your saints for the work of Christ to the encouragement of the saints and to Your glory. In the name of Jesus, amen.


🌹But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Exult, Rejoice

Aug4

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,
YET I WILL EXULT IN THE LORD, I WILL REJOICE  IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION.
Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬18 NASB

Though the world is falling down around you, will your peace, your treasure, your joy, still be in the God of your salvation?
Will you still exult (to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant) in the Lord?

🌹This is only possible through a trusting, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? Seek Him.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

My Salvation

Jul2

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”

Therefore you will joyously draw water      From the springs of salvation.

An ever flowing spring of salvation pouring out in thankfulness to God for His wonderful gift. A gift that can not be contained.

And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.”

The name above ALL names! The name of Jesus, through whom salvation comes, that can’t be kept quiet. Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess.

Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; Let this be known throughout the earth.

Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 12:2‭-‬6 NASB

🌹Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.
1 Samuel 12:24 NASB

To God be the glory for the things He had done.

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon