Today's blog isn't anything ground breaking. I am just blessed and amazed at the way God hears me.
The way He hears my problems, my cries, and my prayers.
The biggest thing I've been stressing about was like the main topic of the church service this week.
I'm sure you can all relate to times when it felt like God didn't hear you. When you're like, "God, where are you in this? Do you see this? What do I do?"
*Sheepishly look here* And it always comes back to trust and faith in Him.
But what blessed me the most out of that wasn't the actual lesson.
It was the fact that God hears me.
And He answered me.
When you step back, stop stressing, and focus on Him, then you start to see it. But not until then. Unfortunately for all my fellow stressers.
He hears me.
Has anyone else had any cool God-moments? Where they were like, "Wow, You heard me!" If you have, I'd love to hear about them!
---Joy
Sunday, April 14, 2013
"More Than Just Bread"
Today our "snack" is more like, when you go to a restaurant, and you
can't make up your mind which appetizer to get, so, you go for the
sampler with a little bit of all your favorites. Today He put together a
sampler for us. I hope you'll enjoy the selection!
It started as I was reading in Luke 4:4 "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." These six words caught my eye and I started to think about them. Next, I wasn't planning on it as I had asked Him earlier if I could do Old Testament today, He brought me to Hebrews 11 where three other verses others caught my eye.
We will start with Enoch. We find him in Gen. 5:18-24. So here is a guy who gets to have all of seven verses. Six of which are mostly talking about the begats of his life, you know, his dad, his son. Only one of the seven verses really gives us any insight as to why he gets to be in the well know, "Hall of Fame" or "Faith" chapter, Hebrews 11.
So other than, his father, his son, and his age, this is what we know about him ... "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." vs. 24
Hebrews 11: 5 gives us a little more insight. It says ... "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."
So now we also know, that he had faith. That he walked with God. That he was not found anymore because God translated him to heaven so that he would not see death.That he had a great testimony. We also now know that God took him because he was pleased with him.
I looked up Enoch's name and it simply means; initiated. God translated or initiated Enoch into heaven because he pleased Him! God enjoyed his company!
The next verse, Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Now we know that he pleased God because of his faith. Enoch believed that God would do what he said He would. He trusted God to be and to do what He said He would! He had faith and he pleased God because he daily trusted in and lived by every word of God!
In the next verse Noah caught my eye with this ..."By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house... Heb. 11:7
Genesis 6:8,9 says, But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord ... Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." In 18 we see God telling him He will establish a covenant with him. In verse 22 it says, "Thus Noah did; according to all God commanded him, so he did."
The thing that jumped out at me were the words, being warned of God. That means God told him about what he was about to do and Noah believed Him and acted on it even though it scared him and was something he'd never seen before.He believed in the outcome of those words and because of that he saved his family!
Again, we see the phrase, "walked with God." We also see him described as a just man. What that means is it was his daily habit to talk with God, to listen to God, and to obey God. Bible says, "the just shall live by faith,What that means is the just shall live by every word of God!
The last thing he showed me ...By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward ... for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Heb.11:24-27
Moses chose to align himself with God! He chose to let go of the things of the world believing in the promise of a greater reward!
We too can choose to have faith!
FAITH COMES BY HEARING, HEARING BY THE WORD OF THE LORD! Romans 10:17
Faith is only possible if you first hear His words. There is a reason why Jesus was always saying, "He who has ears to hear let him hear."
Faith means choosing to not just live by bread alone but to live by EVERY Word that God speaks!
It started as I was reading in Luke 4:4 "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." These six words caught my eye and I started to think about them. Next, I wasn't planning on it as I had asked Him earlier if I could do Old Testament today, He brought me to Hebrews 11 where three other verses others caught my eye.
We will start with Enoch. We find him in Gen. 5:18-24. So here is a guy who gets to have all of seven verses. Six of which are mostly talking about the begats of his life, you know, his dad, his son. Only one of the seven verses really gives us any insight as to why he gets to be in the well know, "Hall of Fame" or "Faith" chapter, Hebrews 11.
So other than, his father, his son, and his age, this is what we know about him ... "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." vs. 24
Hebrews 11: 5 gives us a little more insight. It says ... "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God."
So now we also know, that he had faith. That he walked with God. That he was not found anymore because God translated him to heaven so that he would not see death.That he had a great testimony. We also now know that God took him because he was pleased with him.
I looked up Enoch's name and it simply means; initiated. God translated or initiated Enoch into heaven because he pleased Him! God enjoyed his company!
The next verse, Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Now we know that he pleased God because of his faith. Enoch believed that God would do what he said He would. He trusted God to be and to do what He said He would! He had faith and he pleased God because he daily trusted in and lived by every word of God!
In the next verse Noah caught my eye with this ..."By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house... Heb. 11:7
Genesis 6:8,9 says, But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord ... Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." In 18 we see God telling him He will establish a covenant with him. In verse 22 it says, "Thus Noah did; according to all God commanded him, so he did."
The thing that jumped out at me were the words, being warned of God. That means God told him about what he was about to do and Noah believed Him and acted on it even though it scared him and was something he'd never seen before.He believed in the outcome of those words and because of that he saved his family!
Again, we see the phrase, "walked with God." We also see him described as a just man. What that means is it was his daily habit to talk with God, to listen to God, and to obey God. Bible says, "the just shall live by faith,What that means is the just shall live by every word of God!
The last thing he showed me ...By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward ... for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. Heb.11:24-27
Moses chose to align himself with God! He chose to let go of the things of the world believing in the promise of a greater reward!
We too can choose to have faith!
FAITH COMES BY HEARING, HEARING BY THE WORD OF THE LORD! Romans 10:17
Faith is only possible if you first hear His words. There is a reason why Jesus was always saying, "He who has ears to hear let him hear."
Faith means choosing to not just live by bread alone but to live by EVERY Word that God speaks!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Bad Day Blues
For everyone who has had a bad day, week, or year.
For everyone stuck between a rock and a hard place.
For everyone torn apart by fights and quarrels and anger.
For everyone tormented by the past.
For everyone in fear of the future.
And for everyone who is weighed down with all of that and more.
You are not, nor have you ever been alone.
And God has never left your side.
There may be no right answer for what you're going through. There may be no easy solution, but God is there.
Cast your cares on God. He can handle it. Give Him your bad days and heartaches.
He cares for you.
You've heard this before, but it's like saying, "I love you." You can't ever hear it too much.
God cares for you.
And He wants to take your cares FROM you.
---Joy
For everyone stuck between a rock and a hard place.
For everyone torn apart by fights and quarrels and anger.
For everyone tormented by the past.
For everyone in fear of the future.
And for everyone who is weighed down with all of that and more.
You are not, nor have you ever been alone.
And God has never left your side.
There may be no right answer for what you're going through. There may be no easy solution, but God is there.
Cast your cares on God. He can handle it. Give Him your bad days and heartaches.
He cares for you.
You've heard this before, but it's like saying, "I love you." You can't ever hear it too much.
God cares for you.
And He wants to take your cares FROM you.
---Joy
Friday, April 12, 2013
"Nevertheless Moments"
... Now when He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. Luke 5:4-11
When Simon said, "Nevertheless at your word," he was really saying, "Fine, just because its you asking I'll do it." I wouldn't be surprised if a heavy sigh and or an eye roll had accompanied it! He only obeyed because it was Jesus. He in no way thought fish were a possibility. We know this because he asked Jesus to forgive him and it said that he and all who were with him were all astonished at the catch.
Why? Why do we see the word nevertheless? Jesus was just asking him to fish. He wasn't asking him to do anything hard. So, why the attitude. Why wasn't he jumping in with a positive response, anticipating the outcome. Why? Because he did what we sometimes do, prejudge the outcome based on our own thoughts and experience. Simon thought he was a fisherman and based on his knowledge he felt it was pointless to cast his net!
Jesus knew they hadn't caught anything all night. He knew they had been toiling and he wanted to bless them. I think it was His good pleasure to overwhelm them with the outcome!
Jesus took this "nevertheless" moment and renewed their calling. They thought they were experienced fishermen and Jesus thought of them as "fishers of men!"
Note: Remember that He can accomplish astonishing results even in the midst of our "nevertheless" attitudes. Trust that His thoughts are not our thoughts and at HIS WORD, CAST OUT YOUR NET!
When Simon said, "Nevertheless at your word," he was really saying, "Fine, just because its you asking I'll do it." I wouldn't be surprised if a heavy sigh and or an eye roll had accompanied it! He only obeyed because it was Jesus. He in no way thought fish were a possibility. We know this because he asked Jesus to forgive him and it said that he and all who were with him were all astonished at the catch.
Why? Why do we see the word nevertheless? Jesus was just asking him to fish. He wasn't asking him to do anything hard. So, why the attitude. Why wasn't he jumping in with a positive response, anticipating the outcome. Why? Because he did what we sometimes do, prejudge the outcome based on our own thoughts and experience. Simon thought he was a fisherman and based on his knowledge he felt it was pointless to cast his net!
Jesus knew they hadn't caught anything all night. He knew they had been toiling and he wanted to bless them. I think it was His good pleasure to overwhelm them with the outcome!
Jesus took this "nevertheless" moment and renewed their calling. They thought they were experienced fishermen and Jesus thought of them as "fishers of men!"
Note: Remember that He can accomplish astonishing results even in the midst of our "nevertheless" attitudes. Trust that His thoughts are not our thoughts and at HIS WORD, CAST OUT YOUR NET!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Why Does He Get To Do This And I Don't??
"But, but, it's not fair, why can they do this, and I can't?"
One of my biggest arguments with my mother while I was growing up.
Be honest, we have all used that line.
Probably more often then we realize.
How often do we use this line with GOD?
"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day." Proverbs 23:17
His answer is simple: Don't envy them. Focus on ME.
When we focus on HIM, we don't think about THEM.
Getting mad or envious about what they "get away with," doesn't help us spiritually.
Focusing on GOD does.
---Joy
One of my biggest arguments with my mother while I was growing up.
Be honest, we have all used that line.
Probably more often then we realize.
How often do we use this line with GOD?
"Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day." Proverbs 23:17
His answer is simple: Don't envy them. Focus on ME.
When we focus on HIM, we don't think about THEM.
Getting mad or envious about what they "get away with," doesn't help us spiritually.
Focusing on GOD does.
---Joy
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
"More + Less = More"
"... Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
When John spoke these words they were meant to reassure his disciples that it was okay that Jesus's popularity was increasing. He felt joy that Jesus's reputation was growing beyond his own. He proceeded to explain more to them about who Jesus was and why He was sent. He ended the conversation with them by saying "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36
He used a four letter word here that we need to take note of. "He must increase, I must decrease." the word must means; - be obliged to; should (expressing necessity.)
More of Jesus, less of me was a concept that John was declaring to be a necessity to those he was closest to. So, is it a concept we that we should take heed to?
I pray that as believers this is also our desire and that we too might know the joy that comes when the daily cry of our heart is like our Saviour's, "Not my will but thy will be done!"
Monday, April 8, 2013
Say Hello To Spring Horses.
I thought this was a cool verse. "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD." Proverbs 21:31
Today was a beautiful day outside. I drove with the window down, with the spring air assaulting my face with it's wonderful, warm, chilly scent.
I love the spring.
It is such an awesome season. Everything in nature is preparing for summer. It's making ready.
Spring preparing for summer is a lot like the horse being made ready for battle.
Preparation.
The season where you are being made ready.
Guys, we are the horse, we are the spring. We are in the preparation time. The preparation time before being used by God. Before the final game. Before the end of all time.
You.
Here.
Now.
This is spring.
Prepare yourselves.
---Joy
Today was a beautiful day outside. I drove with the window down, with the spring air assaulting my face with it's wonderful, warm, chilly scent.
I love the spring.
It is such an awesome season. Everything in nature is preparing for summer. It's making ready.
Spring preparing for summer is a lot like the horse being made ready for battle.
Preparation.
The season where you are being made ready.
Guys, we are the horse, we are the spring. We are in the preparation time. The preparation time before being used by God. Before the final game. Before the end of all time.
You.
Here.
Now.
This is spring.
Prepare yourselves.
---Joy
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