Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. ~ Proverbs 3:13
How do you define joy? Is joy an emotion, or an it be a state of mind? Joy can come in the rare form of crazy laughter; having your children thank you for all your hard work; having a date night with the love of your life, or simply in the form of a hug after a messed up and ugly week. Joy can come in all kinds of forms, but how about everlasting joy? According to God's word, joy comes from wisdom and understanding. What is wisdom? Wisdom is good sense/judgment (Merriam-Webster) along with the ability to discern. People are generally joyful when they have the ability, or foresight to make good choices and decisions based on sound judgment and common sense. In other words, joyful are the people who can live in peace with their decisions instead of utter chaos that indecisiveness, confusion and inconsistency can breed on an unsettled mind. When I can go to bed at night knowing that I know for sure that I made good decisions based on sound biblical principals, I can sleep soundly, but when I make decisions for my life based on the world's beliefs, I usually end up awake and disheartened. It is crucial that we spend time trusting God and looking for his wisdom. And don't ever look to someone else on this earth to make you happy; if you're looking for a spouse, your children, a friend to make you happy, you will ultimately be discouraged and disappointed. You can only find true joy from Jesus; your Creator; the rest of us are just as human as you are and can't be expected to fulfill other's needs all the time. Real wisdom comes in seeking your happiness, contentment and fulfillment from Jesus Christ. Period. That is the only way to have joy that can thrive uninterrupted no matter the circumstances you are facing. Fools listen to the world and often live in a self-induced hell on earth while they look for wisdom in all the wrong places, or from all the wrong people leaving them joyless and hopeless. Let's help show what real joy looks like as we lean on Jesus and ask him for the understanding of all things that only He can give. Need some joy today? Ask God to fill you up! ~
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Say Thank You
But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives the ability to produce wealth and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today. ~ Deuteronomy 8:18
As our lives present us with amazing opportunities, we often pat ourselves on our back thinking we are hot stuff. We easily come to God when things aren't going our way, but when things are going well, we forget to give thanks to the One who provides us all - famine, or fame. It is part of our entitled attitude and worldly views that makes us feel like we deserve everything good in life, or at least everything that our neighbor has. God has made hundreds of promises to those who love Him and obey His commands and providing for us in ways we could not have imagined is just one of the numerous ways He shows his blessing when He is pleased with his obedient children. But just as much as most blessings from God are obvious; the smaller, day to day, or dare I say even hard trials, may often be blessings in disguise that we do not see, or understand until days, weeks, even years later. We did nothing to deserve His providence and goodness; it is something that can not be earned; it's a free gift to those who love Him and because of His faithfulness and grace. Unfortunalty, we forget to give God the grand thanks He deserves and instead puff up our chests thinking of our own greatness. God has give you many gifts, blessings, and provision. Make sure you give Him the praise and glory. Don't think to highly of your self-centered mindedness; it is not done by you, but by Him. Be good stewards, use your manners, and say Thank You Jesus! ~
As our lives present us with amazing opportunities, we often pat ourselves on our back thinking we are hot stuff. We easily come to God when things aren't going our way, but when things are going well, we forget to give thanks to the One who provides us all - famine, or fame. It is part of our entitled attitude and worldly views that makes us feel like we deserve everything good in life, or at least everything that our neighbor has. God has made hundreds of promises to those who love Him and obey His commands and providing for us in ways we could not have imagined is just one of the numerous ways He shows his blessing when He is pleased with his obedient children. But just as much as most blessings from God are obvious; the smaller, day to day, or dare I say even hard trials, may often be blessings in disguise that we do not see, or understand until days, weeks, even years later. We did nothing to deserve His providence and goodness; it is something that can not be earned; it's a free gift to those who love Him and because of His faithfulness and grace. Unfortunalty, we forget to give God the grand thanks He deserves and instead puff up our chests thinking of our own greatness. God has give you many gifts, blessings, and provision. Make sure you give Him the praise and glory. Don't think to highly of your self-centered mindedness; it is not done by you, but by Him. Be good stewards, use your manners, and say Thank You Jesus! ~
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Wicked Men
A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways. ~ Proverbs 21:29
Why do people get so defensive when they are caught "in the wrong"? Because they know they have been caught in their deceitful ways and so they become boisterous and loud defending their choices and actions. We often play the "blame game" and start starring down those we want to point fingers at in an attempt to take eyes off of us. We often do and say hurtful things in this life without thinking the consequences all the way through. We often beat ourselves up after it's to late and try to find ways to smooth over the tasteless offense. It would behoove us to think before we do, or say anything at all to make sure our human ideas and thoughts are in His standards. I watched an episode of Jo Frost: The Nanny, where she told this mom that in all situations that are out of control, you need to throw up a hefty S.O.S. (stop, observe, and step back in). This idea has stuck with me (not so good at it, but I am working on it) not only for parenting our two teenage sons, but to stop myself from gossipping, stop myself in making decisions without thinking first, and stopping myself in my attitude towards certain people and in certain situations. It's a great concept to use before we get ourselves into any wicked situation. Any situation at all, actually. I want to strive to be the humble, thoughtful, God-fearing woman God has created me to be; not the boisterous, bold and thoughtlessly wicked one the devil would love to win over. Let's think before we act and speak. ~
Why do people get so defensive when they are caught "in the wrong"? Because they know they have been caught in their deceitful ways and so they become boisterous and loud defending their choices and actions. We often play the "blame game" and start starring down those we want to point fingers at in an attempt to take eyes off of us. We often do and say hurtful things in this life without thinking the consequences all the way through. We often beat ourselves up after it's to late and try to find ways to smooth over the tasteless offense. It would behoove us to think before we do, or say anything at all to make sure our human ideas and thoughts are in His standards. I watched an episode of Jo Frost: The Nanny, where she told this mom that in all situations that are out of control, you need to throw up a hefty S.O.S. (stop, observe, and step back in). This idea has stuck with me (not so good at it, but I am working on it) not only for parenting our two teenage sons, but to stop myself from gossipping, stop myself in making decisions without thinking first, and stopping myself in my attitude towards certain people and in certain situations. It's a great concept to use before we get ourselves into any wicked situation. Any situation at all, actually. I want to strive to be the humble, thoughtful, God-fearing woman God has created me to be; not the boisterous, bold and thoughtlessly wicked one the devil would love to win over. Let's think before we act and speak. ~
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