Joy

My middle name is Joy.

It's funny. As a child, I tended to be the grumpier one amongst my siblings. My dad even used to call me "Grumpy" after one of the dwarves from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. (What a lovely nickname, right?) :P

As I grew older, I grew out of some... (Wish I could say all) of my grumpiness. Let's face it - I still have grumpy days... We all do! Admit it, you get grumpy sometimes. I'm not saying you're not allowed to be grumpy. We're only human. But what think ye about joy?

One of my favourite scripture verses is in Nehemiah 8:10, which says "The joy of the Lord is my strength".

The joy of the Lord.

When trials come, I want that joy to remain. Rejoicing in Christ Jesus, having full assurance of faith that all things will work together for good.

I think that's what being a follower of God is about. Focusing more on our Lord and less on the things of the world that try to tear us apart. When we turn our eyes on Jesus, the things of the world don't seem so overwhelming.When we focus on serving Him and serving the people He has placed around us, we are investing in something greater than ourselves.

In the book of Nehemiah, Jewish people were returning to Israel, and Nehemiah helped lead the excursion to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. They faced a lot of opposition. But they pressed on. At times, the builders even had to hold a weapon in one hand while they worked. Not quite ideal, is it? It meant that the wall took a longer time to rebuild than they first expected. However, they continued to make progress, no matter how slow that progress was. And that is always, always better than no progress whatsoever.

The enemy is constantly at work, trying to steal our joy. He can't steal our salvation, so he does his best to take our joy and make us question the importance of, well, anything and everything pertaining to the Word of God. You tell that old devil NO. Guard the door, lock him out. You will absolutely face rough days, storms, trials, sufferings, you name it. But don't let your joy be stolen. Keep the sword raised - the Word of God - as it is our greatest weapon to combat the enemy's attacks.

Having joy doesn't mean you're always smiling and laughing. I think it means that despite the hardships we face, we keep pressing on in faith, believing that all is well because our Lord is Lord over all. Having the joy of the Lord is about resting in the assurance of His goodness.

Rejoice! For He is good.

A Good, Square Gospel Meal

And that’s what’s the matter with the church. You got to have a good, square, Gospel meal, about every day. If you don’t, you’re going to be [anemic]. You’re going to get run down. Taking a lot of God’s vitamins out of His Word, [...] certainly does bring up the Spirit of you, and makes you feel refreshed and renewed.

    56-0728 - Making The Valley Full Of Ditches 

    Rev. William Marrion Branham

It's so important to get into the Word every day! The Bible is not just a collection of writings, it's the inspired Word of God--anointed, and relevant to everyone who reads it with an open, prayerful heart.

A Few of My Favourite Books!

Books.

Where would I be without books? They were my security and friends growing up. They were my escape when I felt uncomfortable, bored, sad, or angry. They were also my companions in quiet, happy hours. There wasn't any other activity I looked forward to more than reading.

Some of my favourite authors:

1. Lucy Maud Montgomery - 

• The Anne of Green Gables series: my favourite book growing up was Anne of Green Gables. I loved Anne and her vivacious, imaginative spirit.
• Emily of New Moon trilogy: this is a trilogy I could read over and over and never get tired of. I feel all the emotions reading these books! While I loved Anne, I could connect with Emily just a little more.
• The Blue Castle: I didn't read this until my first year in college. I started reading it and it immediately caught my attention because I could relate to the main character so much--the way she felt in the beginning of the story. Blue, and disheartened with the world. But as the story progressed, it turned into such a beautiful, refreshing story that made me smile and laugh. It's definitely amongst my very favourite novels. I've re-read the book multiple times now.
• The Story Girl, The Golden Road: Each book is more of a collection of stories about the Avonlea kids' shenanigans. Very, very funny and entertaining.

I just adore Montgomery's writing style, her sense of humour, and how she so captures the essence of love and family. You might consider her books to be old-fashioned, but old or not, they are absolutely lovely stories I wish I could read more of!

2. Frances Hodgson Burnett - 

• The Secret Garden - I have lost count of how many times I've read this sweet book. I never got tired of reading it. You know how sometimes when you revisit a book you loved when you were little, all the "magic" that you remember from the book isn't there anymore? Not with The Secret Garden! This is a timeless story for me.
• The Little Princess - Another sweet story. I used to imagine what it would be like being the main character and the sorts of things I would encounter.

3. Laura Ingalls Wilder

• The Little House on the Prairie Series! - I loved these books! Especially On the Banks of Plum Creek. My imagination just soared with these books. I liked to imagine what it would have been like to be a pioneer. Living in a sod house, or a wooden cabin, in the covered wagon under the stars... These books are timeless. I wish all children could enjoy them as much as I did.

4. Jane Austen

• Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion - all great, historical Regency-era novels you can escape into.

5. Catherine Marshall

• Christy - I love this book so much! It's so real. Interspersed with suffering and heartache, but also love, faith, and endurance.

There are just so many great novels and authors out there! Part two coming up. :) 

Lonely? | On Life and Social Media

I have had a rather rough couple of weeks. I just can't seem to shake out of feeling lonely and unmotivated.

Last week was my birthday. I wasn't going to see my family until the weekend, so I didn't do anything to celebrate the day, not that it mattered to me all that much. I don't have any friends where I'm currently living, so going out with friends was out of the question as well. Last year's situation was similar, but I baked myself a cake, as well as took myself shopping. This year I wasn't interested in doing that. (When I arrived home on Saturday, my mom had cooked a delicious dinner, and ordered my favourite cake. I love my family.)

When you're alone, it just makes you appreciate more those who actually make an effort to be a part of your life. Those who remember you on your birthday and send you a text or video message. Those who, when you finally get to see them, are truly glad to see you.

When you're alone, you also tend to overthink. You think about your acquaintances, and former friends and wonder what they are doing with their lives. You question everything that has led up to this point and wonder what had gone so wrong that neither one of you can even bring yourself to "like" one another's photo or say hello on social media (never mind getting together).

And then you realize that social media is mostly a facade. It's a tool people use to make themselves appear sophisticated or fun, or even spiritual. Years ago I stopped using Facebook the way I did previously. I realized that a lot of people used it as a way to get self-gratification. I admit even I felt good when people "liked" my posts and interacted with me. But I realized that it wasn't healthy for me. I began to analyze people and worry about what others are thinking or saying about me. It just wasn't good for my mental health. I stopped posting personal statuses or pictures. I even deactivated my account several times. Somehow, I always end up back on the site. These days my feed has turned into a mixture of cooking videos, funny memes, scripture, and the occasional personal post from several people on my friends list... not the most exciting, but it's not depressing, either. Until I start overthinking again.

It's a never ending cycle.

I realize that the more time I spend on social media, the more depressed I feel. Why do I feel such an urge all the time to check Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube? To be honest, it wouldn't even affect me much if I leave these sites for a year! Most of my "friends" or followers wouldn't even miss my presence.

I guess it just all boils down to our humanity. Each one of us want to feel needed and appreciated. We are constantly looking for ways to feel gratified.

Social media can't satisfy us.

That hole inside you, that longing to feel whole, can only be filled by one thing. And that is God's presence.

I know that only one thing can make me feel satisfied--getting closer to Jesus and being His friend. I remember on days when I just felt so, so lonely, I prayed to God to send me someone. A friend. A BEST friend. Right after praying that I realized and acknowledged that I shouldn't seek a better friend than what Jesus should be to me. Sometimes I have to remind myself this.

Jesus. Jesus is my best Friend. I will find fulfillment in Him and Him alone.

He will never leave me.
He will never forsake me.
He will be with me always. Until the end of the world.

When you find yourself feeling lonely, overwhelmed, and sad... take time off social media. Get alone with God. Pray and seek Him. I read a quote that said

"Sometimes loneliness is God's cry for time with you".

Time spent alone with God is never wasted.

This week I'm going to stay off social media and turn my attention to what actually matters.

The Lord Leads His People

"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them lights; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." Exodus 13:21,22

The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is an incredible testimony of the hand of God and how He shields and protects His people.

Exodus 14:10 tells us that Pharaoh, after letting the Israelites leave Egypt, changed his mind and pursued after the former slaves. "The Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord."

The Israelites asked Moses why he would take them out of bondage only to let them die in the wilderness like this.

They had forgotten the promise. Actually, it was not merely a promise that God gave to protect them -- God's presence was with them, in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. One needed only to look up to see evidence of God's faithfulness. He never left them. Yet the Israelites chose to look upon Moses' humanity, and the seeming dead-end they had arrived at.

Too often people look to others to lead them. They watch the lives of successful people and strive to be like them. This, especially in ministry, is a grave error. We should never follow popularity. Eventually you will realize that these people that are placed on such high pedestals are only human. They don't have super-power abilities. You might arrive at a situation where you will feel stuck. There's no way out. As individuals, we must seek God first and look to him for guidance and assurance. When you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, he will place the right people in your path. 

When you have a Holy Ghost-filled pastor, follow him and support him because he's a man of God, chosen to shepherd the congregation. He will be a man that seeks the Lord's guidance and follows the will of God in all things. 

But don't expect him to be perfect. As a human, he will have faults, too. And they have a heavy load to carry. Instead of becoming judgemental, do what you should--put your hand to the plow with him, and help to carry the load. Pray. Pray for him and all the believers daily. Support the ministry. Be present. Be kind. Be a blessing.

Moses was just a man. If he had tried to use his own ability to lead the people, he would have failed. Actually, he already tried that once, as a younger man. It only resulted in one dead Egyptian, and Moses escaping to the desert for his life. Only when the Lord called him and filled him with His power was Moses able to return to Egypt after 40 long years. He did not follow his own agenda this time, but God's will only. He didn't make one move until God instructed him.

God lives in and among His people. If we look to Him always, we will not fail. The Holy Spirit will lead us all the way across the Red sea, through the wilderness, into the Promised Land, and His Presence will never leave us in any battle or strife. 

He has given us the Word as our sword of Truth. With it we can defeat any and all of our enemies. We have overcoming power through the blood of Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of His Spirit within us.

One day He's coming for us, and we shall reign with him in that beautiful, eternal city, where the light of His Glory shall never be snuffed out. Do not fear. Trust Him.

Look up.

Jesus Stills the Storm

 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:25-41)

This story about how Jesus calmed a tempest can be taken so many ways. It demonstrates the power of God, touches on the importance of having faith, and teaches a lesson on trusting God even in the middle of life's storms. Whatever trial you may be facing, we serve a God who has the power to bring calm into the chaos.

There are times in your life you will face a situation where you feel you cannot handle it anymore. You become fearful, believing that there's no way out. Never forget that Jesus is with you. He was with the disciples on that fateful day--fast asleep. Jesus, the King of Peace, was unworried about the storm because he knew it had no power to take their lives. The disciples on the other hand, gave in to the thought that they were about to perish.

It's interesting to note that they did not even wake Jesus until the ship was full of water. No doubt they tried everything else first--bailing out the water that the crashing waves deposited into the ship. Perhaps they fussed with the sails, or tossed out barrels and supplies, trying to lighten the load so the ship wouldn't capsize. 

In the chaos, they must have forgotten about Jesus. Or maybe they thought Jesus was working right along with them until they realized, with great amazement, that He was asleep! The disciples must have looked at one another and thought How could anyone sleep at a time like this?!

They said "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Don't you care that we are about to die?

Jesus immediately arose and commanded the wind and sea to be still. And there was a great calm. Afterwards he asked them why they were so fearful, and how it was that they had no faith.

Wow. That should speak to us all at any level. If we say that we have faith, then we must also demonstrate that we have no fear about what man or any other external force can do to us. When we have given our lives to Jesus, we should never forget to dwell daily, and through any situation, in His perfect peace.  

He will never leave us nor forsake us. When we call upon Him, we realize that He has been right there with us all along. In fact, He should be the One to whom we turn first. Don't make Him a last resort.

 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I'm so glad that I serve a King who has overcome all things. 

This is a beautiful song about our cries being heard by our Master Jesus.

He knows your voice
Lift your hands, it's time to rejoice
Child, your cries have awoken the Master!

Seasons

To say we've had an unusually winter is not an exaggeration. It hasn't gotten terribly cold, and most of the snowfall we received barely even stayed for longer than a few days. We've even had multiple Spring-like days in January and February! (...This is CANADA I'm talking about! Okay, Southern Ontario, farthest away from the northern parts of Canada, but still... all those stereotypes of polar bears and igloos are so funny to me. Haha.)

Now we've hit the month of March, which means 3 weeks until it's *officially* Spring! Wouldn't it be hilarious if we are suddenly assaulted by the worst snowstorms of the season?

In past winters, it seemed like Father Winter was not going down without a fight, lasting even until the end of April. This year it seemed as if Autumn lasted longer, and Spring has arrived earlier.

Oftentimes we use the natural seasons to type the physical and spiritual seasons in our own lives. We think of the winter season as symbolic of old age or the rough trials we might face in which we feel deserted, alone, and stagnant.

During the Winter season, nothing grows. Everything looks dead. There is beauty still, however, in the bright snow, and the abundance of it. To see this beauty you might have to leave the city, as in the city is where snow turns to slush, dirty and polluted, pushed and shovelled and manipulated into piles mixed with dirt and pebbles.

It's the same in your spiritual season. You might feel that there is no spiritual growth or maturity happening. You become blinded to any beauty that could be derived from your situation until you learn to shift your perspective, and metaphorically leave the city with its pollution and slush, and wander thoughtfully in the quiet woods where you can contemplate the unaltered, unmanipulated beauty of snow piled gently in wind-blown drifts, or hugging against tree trunks and branches. The quietness of the air, and the delicate puffs of breath meeting the cold. There is always something, no matter how small it is, to marvel about and thank God for.

The winter season is a time for hibernation. A time for rest, quietness and contemplation. If you live in a country where you experience all four seasons, you know without a doubt that the winter season is not everlasting. In due time, Spring comes again. Everything that laid dormant suddenly will spring back into life. There is growth and colour, and warmth.

Instead of allowing yourself to become weary in your winter season, instead remain hopeful. Use the season as an opportunity for self-reflection. I'm not talking about the natural Winter, but of those times you may come across trouble and fear and depression threaten to overcome you. Rise above them. The tough season is proof that something wonderful is going to follow.

Sometimes the winter season doesn't last long. Other times it seems to last forever. But Spring ALWAYS comes again.

Dorcas // Women of the Bible

Dorcas, The Generous Disciple

"Dorcas is named for the gazelle, a small, graceful and swift antelope known for its radiant, glowing eyes. Dorcas (Gk.) or Tabitha (Heb. or Aram.) was apparently well named. Dorcas, a Hellenist or Jewess who lived among the Greeks and spoke the Greek language, had become a Christian. Luke, the author of Acts calls her a Christian "disciple," the first and only time in the New Testament this title is used to describe a woman.

Dorcas lived in Joppa, a beautiful city situated on the Mediterranean coast, thirty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. Being a seacoast city, Joppa saw numerous husbands and fathers depart into the dangers of perilous waters. Many men never returned from the sea, and they left behind them bereaved and destitute widows and orphans. Dorcas had a heart for the Lord. She had loving eyes that saw another’s most urgent need.

With skilled fingers, this disciple put her faith into everyday action. She stitched beautiful garments (see Pr 31:13,20) and distributed them generously to the city’s widows and children, the most pitiful victims of shipwrecks and storms. Joppa's residents loved Dorcas for her continual humble but worthwhile deeds of kindness and charity.

After Dorcas became sick and died, her grieving friends prepared her body for burial, then sent two men to nearby Lydda to fetch the apostle Peter. Peter came quickly. When he entered the upper chamber where the lifeless body lay, he saw the many widows wearing the garments Dorcas had sewn. Asking them to leave, Peter knelt and prayed. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” Taking her hand, Peter lifted her up and called her beloved friends to welcome her back to life.

What a celebration that must have been! The seacoast city of Joppa was no longer the same after Dorcas returned to life. Upon hearing and seeing the miracle of the living Dorcas, many turned to the Lord and believed. No doubt this generous disciple, gifted with skilled fingers and a heart for the Lord, picked up her needle and thread and continued her compassionate and benevolent ministry to all who lived around her.

How often does a woman offer the most meaningful service to God by doing what seems to be the least important thing to the world?"

See Acts 9:36-42

*****

This was in my devotions tonight. It inspired me and I wanted to post it here.

I want to become a woman of God like Dorcas (Tabitha). To have a character of such humility, faith and generosity. Even if we don't possess great skill or riches, if we allow God to use what little we can offer, it will be more than enough.

Have you ever heard the saying... "Little is much when God is in it"?

Well, I sure believe that!

Reaping What You Sow

That was the topic of the sermon at church yesterday. It is a familiar phrase; I'm sure we've all heard it said, and perhaps even said it ourselves. But how often do people actually think about it?

Like the man who sowed good seed in the parable of Matthew 13:24-30, we too have to sow good seed. Not literal seeds -- but seeds of faith. When we sow spiritual things, we will in turn reap spiritual things. For example, time with God could be something you 'sow'. Only good can come from time spent with God: you will reap peace, guidance, deliverance, strength... and on and on and on.

You cannot be a successful Christian if you don't discipline yourself. If you become lazy in sowing, you will never get closer to the Lord and grow in the knowledge of Him. If you desire your life to bear fruit (the wheat to mature), you must put in the effort.

It is so easy to let things slide, but today is the time to make the decision to put God first, above anything else. I want to grow in my faith, to draw closer to my Jesus. No, I'm not perfect. But I'm surrendering my desires into His hands.

"Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." ~Psalm 37:4

The desire of my heart is just to know Him more.

Oh, I just feel so blessed to know and feel His love. He loves me so much. He loves you. Let's invite the Holy Spirit to take full control of every single aspect of our lives. I want to be in the Presence of the S-O-N-light, growing and maturing, being watered and washed by the Water of the Word. The precious streams of living Waters!


I love you Lord! Thank You for your love. Thank you for blessing us far more than we deserve. Thank You for calling us, for inviting us into Your Presence. May we enter in boldly, surrendering all the burdens and cares that weigh us down. 

For all my family and friends that are going through a rough season, I pray that Your Peace will cover them. Envelop them into Your love, and carry them through these trials. Increase their faith, that they will put all their trust in You and believe that all things will work together for good.

Come, Holy Spirit. We need You more than ever before. Lead us and guide us in all things. May we stop looking at the things behind us and instead look ahead, looking to You, Lord Jesus. May we keep our eyes on You. 

Have Your way, Lord. You know every need and every heart's desire. May You be the ruler of our hearts. Thank you for your mercy and grace.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"Be Not Conformed..." | A Child of God

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love this quotation, because it's true. 

We live in a world that is constantly, non-stop, trying to feed us with lies about how we should dress, talk, and act. Whenever something is deemed new and trendy, a majority of the population jumps onto the bandwagon, wanting to fit in with their peers and appear fashionable.

As children of God, we are called not to conform to society's norms. 

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1&2)

No matter the outside pressure, and even the ridicule, our purpose is not to fit in with the world and its ways. Because the world promotes ungodliness--we are bombarded daily with material that, if we allow them to, can take us away from a true, sincere commitment to our King.

Movies, music, books, any and all daily habits that are not edifying for the mind and body are things that, even if they might appear to some to be miniscule issues, we must thoroughly examine and consider with caution.

To live a Christian life, we must "present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God"... To be holy is to be dedicated or consecrated to God; sacred, sanctified. The sanctification process does not happen in the snap of a finger. It is that, a process of cleansing and purifying. When you dedicate your life to God's hands, you also have to allow Him to sanctify your heart, mind, habits--everything. This ultimately makes a way for His Spirit to dwell within us.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16&17)

The Lord will not dwell in a temple that is contaminated with unholy things.
It's so important for us to seek Him daily, and ask Him to search our hearts, as written in the Psalms:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23&24)

I just feel so blessed and overwhelmed that He has given us His Holy Spirit to dwell among us and within us. Instead of conforming to the world, we are becoming One with Christ. Abiding in Him, and He abiding in us. That is the true reflection of self... Allowing our God and Creator to shine through us, perfecting us and molding a character that radiates love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22&23). By His grace we can glorify His Name from our hearts to the heavens.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:19&20)

"Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. 

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens."

(Lamentations 3:40&41)

Rivers in the Desert

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

This verse always inspires me every time I read it. It is a reminder of God's promise to provide for His people even in a dry and weary land.

Sometimes where I am it feels like a desert wilderness. Spiritually, and sometimes physically -- in terms of location and distance from like-minded individuals. Sometimes life feels dry. When once you were going strong, drinking up from the seemingly never-ending supply of laughter and joy, you now can barely put one step in front of the other, parched and panting for relief--the heat of varying trials and disappointments beating down mercilessly.

At least, it feels like it at times.

I have been reminded that life can't always be near-perfect. Another scripture that I think back to is in the book of James, chapter 1, verses 3-4: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."  It is through our trials that we are molded to reflect a godly character. Trials test us, to see how strong our anchor is. Will your faith waver, or will you continue to put your faith in the One you profess to have surrendered your heart and life to? Hard times are not designed to beat you up and turn you into a bitter, hopeless individual. No, their purpose is to allow you to fully surrender, and prove your trust in God. Holding on to the Lord and His precious promises will instead bring to light the qualities that reflect the character of Christ:

In 2 Peter 1:

Add to your faith virtue... to virtue, knowledge

to knowledge, temperance; to temperance patience;

to patience, godliness; to godliness brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness, charity... 

The Lord will indeed finish the work He has begun. When you're seemingly wandering in a desert land, don't lose hope. There is a promise that the Lord WILL do a new thing... making a way in the wilderness -- leading us through--, and creating rivers in the desert.

We will not die in the desert. The Lord promised to pour out His Spirit... RIVERS... living water flowing through His people, springing up from old wells!

If you give up now, you will never know what it's like to feel that revival and renewal after hard trials. A rejuvenation that is sweeter than anything we've tasted beforehand. Oh yes, I'm trusting in God's Word and looking forward to a wonderful outpouring of His glory upon His chosen people.

His Spirit has never left us. As with the Israelites in the desert, when the Pillar of Fire gave them light by night, and the Pillar of Cloud gave them shade in the day, the Lord has been watching over us, protecting us through it all. Many of the Israelites gave up on the Lord, despite the obvious evidence of His grace and favour. Do not blind your eyes to the Truth that is in front of us: The Lord surely is with His people, and will never leave nor forsake us. So don't you ever give up on Him!

With that wonderful promise in mind, we can overcome all obstacles and all attacks on the mind. For that's where the greatest battle is fought... in the mind. If you allow yourself to stay in a dry place, you will surely wither up and die... Let your thoughts be directed towards heavenly things. Read His Word. Pray daily. He will strengthen us!

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law". Galatians 5: 22-23 

Reflections and Resolutions

The first day of 2017 is drawing to a close, and I thought I would stop and reflect a little on this past year, and think about what this new year may have in store.

I guess most people would list their adventures and accomplishments. 2016 was not a particularly adventurous year for me. Adventure doesn't seem to come my way, and I haven't had much opportunity to seek it out. The questions stands if the opportunity to go on an "adventure" arises, would I grab at the chance?

Because... to be honest, I've never really been the kind of person to step out of my comfort zone too often. At the end of the day, I like the simplicity of it all. Routine. Home. Family. But I also know that it is from our experiences and the trials that go along with them that we learn important life lessons. I want to be ready should the Lord have an assignment for me to do... and if it will be a growing experience, a lesson I can learn from, then I don't want to hold back.

My greatest desire for this year is to draw closer to the Lord Jesus. I want to be diligent in reading and studying the Word, and seeking His face daily. There is nothing that strengthens me more than to be in His Presence, feeling His peace and laying my burdens down at my Lord's feet.

Too many times we allow life's worries and cares, the everyday routines and schedules, and all the other distractions that are thrown our way (and sometimes, distractions we ourselves seek out) to take priority over the time we should be allotting for communion with the Lord. I am so guilty of this, and I feel its effects. None of us can be overcomers if we don't surrender all our cares to the Lord, who has overcome all things. We can't see positive changes if we don't pray about all things. Scripture instructs us to "pray without ceasing", and we know that the Lord cares for us all.

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Matthew 6:26

We need to take everything before the Lord, and ask Him to lead and guide us daily. For it is His desire to help and bless us, to demonstrate His love and care. I don't want to live even one day without surrendering myself to His will and guidance.

I want to fall deeper in love with Jesus.
I want to be filled with His love, to overflowing, and demonstrate this love to those around me.
I want people to know I'm a Christian by my actions.
I want my life to be a blessing.
I want to be a willing, living, vessel for the Lord to use in His service.

I just want this new year to be a year of positive change, and spiritual growth. For myself and for my loved ones.

Lord, have your way!