Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

I was wondering the other day…When the disciples learned that Jesus was going to be unjustly crucified, did they pray against it?  Did the disciples pray that Jesus would not be crucified?  Did they think that it could not possibly be the will of God because in their limited thinking, all they saw was that they were losing their Rabbi, their Master, their Friend - the Messiah. Why would God want their Messiah to be crucified?  That didn't make sense.  Even though Jesus told them over and over about His mission, His purpose - that He was to be sacrificed for the sins of the world, that He would die but be raised up again in three days - they still didn’t seem to fully accept or understand it. The disciples were privy to these glorious truths, told to them directly by Jesus Himself. Nonetheless, when Jesus actually fulfilled the Scriptures’ prophecy by His death, the disciples were heartbroken.  They were confused.  Perhaps they thought in terms of "good" and "bad"

Jesus posed this question to Andrew and his brother Simon (Peter) when they first met Him.  I believe Jesus asks the same of us today. Jesus wants us to know where our hearts are.  Some sought Him out of curiosity.  Some sought Him for healing.   But Jesus wants us to seek Him so that we will follow Him.  Stay with Him no matter what.  This is what separated the disciples from the rest of the crowd.   Following Jesus is not about a list of rules or obligations to follow.  Jesus never said, "Follow the rules."  Jesus said, "Follow Me." What's the difference?   Focus. Are we looking at what we can do - looking at the rules and trying our best to keep them?  Or are we looking at Him, seeking His Presence, to be close to Him in fellowship, acknowledging our need of Him? Jesus leads us along the straight and narrow path.  Not many are on that path.  Jesus told us that the other way is a broad path, the one that most will walk on in their lives.  But He said that that

Luke 8:26-38 I’ve read this passage before, but I saw something new in it when I read it recently.  Please click on the link above to read the story in its entirety. Jesus had performed a miracle. The result was that a man was set free from demons which had ruined his life. So why, then, were people afraid of Jesus after witnessing this miraculous event? Shouldn’t they have wanted to know Him and follow and believe in Him? Were they hiding demons of their own? Why wouldn’t they want a miracle from Jesus? Maybe they were keeping their demons around because they were profiting from them. The demons that Jesus rid the man of had destroyed his life and tortured him in many ways. But did you know that some demons “help” some to achieve wealth and fame? So although they are still demons out to ultimately destroy anyone who lets them in, there are those demons which masquerade as angels of light “promising” wealth and notoriety, if only temporarily. Perhaps those types of people were the ones

God promises to make all things new in time.  This promise is for the New Heaven and New Earth.  But it is also for here and now, when we need Him to do what only He can do for us.   He renews us.  He makes things new happen within us and around us at His will.  What a God we know and love and serve! Enjoy my latest song, "All Things New," based on Isaiah 43:19 and Revelation 21:5.  

 If you are a Christian, you are probably familiar with the term convicted, or conviction. A conviction from the Holy Spirit is there to protect us from harm.  A conviction from the Holy Spirit is God's way of leading us back to the right path. But I have noticed something that disturbs me about conviction.  I have seen the Spirit move in people's hearts to convict them of sin and what disturbs me is that they ignore it.  How do I know? I see no change in their attitude or behavior. Conviction is nothing at all like shame.  God never, no never, shames us.   So when He convicts us of a bad attitude, outright sin, or whatever else needs convicting in our lives, it is always for our own good.   It doesn't make us feel "bad."  But if not acted on through repentance, the Holy Spirit will give up.  The Holy Spirit never forces Himself on us.  He will not force us to repent, mend our ways, and humble ourselves before Him.  That is up to us.  He leaves the decision up to

It is not crazy to speak Scripture out loud to the devil. Jesus did it and Jesus was not crazy. When the enemy is after you, put him in his wretched place! He holds no power over those of us who are in Christ. He wants you to think he does. But trust me. He is scared witless of the power of Christ in you. Question is, are you walking in His power? It is only available to those who are actually walking in His Spirit. The prayer of a righteous man avails much. And we have the righteousness of Almighty Christ in us, which is the only reason why our prayers are so powerful. The devil wants to keep you on the defense, always believing that he is a threat. But when we take our rightful place on the offense in Christ, the devil is literally toast! Oh he never gives up, sad to say; especially in the lives of us who are following Jesus wholeheartedly. It’s all a matter of faith. Do we truly believe that there is power in Gods Word to defeat the devil? Or do we fear acting the religious fanatic

  My new Scripture Song based on Psalm 27:13.  Be blessed!  While you're there, don't forget to subscribe to my channel!  XO Elizabeth