Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

"Trouble that's transformed into joy." I read this phrase in a devotional recently.  It jumped off the page as I read it. It doesn't make sense intellectually.  How can anyone find joy in their troubles? But when God Almighty transforms them, they can turn into joy.   I have experienced this for myself, albeit after I struggle for a while with it.  I could be smack dab in the middle of a very deep, perplexing, and gone-on-for-far-too-long trouble, but when I turn my attention to Christ, everything calms down.  Maybe not in the circumstance, but inside of me.  We can't always control our circumstances, can we?  The vacation that goes awry due to an unexpected hurricane.  That parent/teacher conference that catches you by surprise.  A child that you brought up to worship God, but who has chosen another path. We all have them.  Troubles, that is.  Some loom larger than others.  Some seem insurmountable.  We wish they wou...

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It's true.  God loves you. He is waiting for you to return to Him. His arms are wide open to receive you. Gone astray?  He is still there with open arms. Faith feeble?  He is still there with open arms, waiting to hug and hold you. Think you messed up too much?  He is still there with a heart full of love for you, open arms. What a comfort!  What a privilege!  What undeserved favor God shows us! Does He have every right to dismiss us?  Do pour out His wrath?  Yes! And yet! His arms are wide open for all who come to Him, aware of their need of a Savior. Please run, don't walk, to Him today.  Find rest and peace for your soul.  Find comfort and peace. Let Him love you. He longs to be with you always.  He understands.  He forgives. He loves you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have my PhD in Spiritual warfare.  This is not Christianity 101.  This is for the warriors who have been in this for decades with the Lord.   Your wounded-ness - the devil knows your Achilles heel.  He is not going after your strengths  He's going to where you've been hurt before, to reopen that wound to get you in a state of fear, anxiety, doubting God, anger - whatever it is - he only has a few tools in his toolbox that he uses over and over again, each one lousy! Recently, one Friday morning, all of these awful thoughts came at me.  I knew they were not my own thoughts, that it was a spiritual attack.  I was at work so I couldn't pray or speak the Word out loud. But in my heart I was praying, worshiping the Lord, knowing that the victory was coming. How did I know the victory was coming?  Because Christ promises to always lead us in triumph.  That doesn't mean there won't be battles; there will.  But it's a done deal.  Not...

To my readers,  Thank you for reading my blog. I hope and pray it has been an inspiration and encouragement to you to follow Jesus more closely. Did you know that I have published a devotional? I compiled selected writings from this blog and there are almost 300 pages for you to enjoy and grow from.  All of your favorite topics in one place.  Forgiveness, freedom, knowing God, the enemy's tactics in our lives, letting go, suffering well, gratitude, obedience, and so much more! With a table of contents to guide you, you can pick and choose whatever areas the Lord is working on in your life.  You will have it all at your fingertips in my devotional, “Greater is He.” It is available as a paperback for you to highlight and underline during your quiet time, or whenever you need a word from the Holy Spirit.  Or, if you prefer, you can download a copy in ebook format. It is available exclusively on Amazon.  Pick up your copy today!  And be sure to gift one to...

  Please leave me a comment if you can help. Or DM me on Facebook. These are glorious works are inspired by the Lord. 

As children of God, born again by His Spirit, because His Spirit now lives in us, we possess God's authority. Does that mean that we  have absolute authority?  Obviously, not. However, we are to call upon God's authority to win over evil.  Since God's authority is absolute - perfect and there is none higher - whenever we rebuke the enemy, Satan, invoking God's authority, the devil must flee. Why some (most?) Christians do not utilize this power is because they mistakenly look at themselves instead of God. Of course if we look at ourselves, we know (or should know!) that we are no match for the devil.  Christians also look at their own sinfulness and think that that "lessens" their authority, or right to their God-given authority, over evil. No wonder the world is in such a mess!  It starts personally, with each of us, If we are not taking authority over the devil and his work and schemes in our lives, how can we move beyond ourselves to help others? Another mi...

 

God’s overarching purpose for each of His children is that we know Him. And what a relief this is! Yes, we have “assignments” and jobs, etc. But they are not our utmost purpose. This truth should set you free. No more wondering, worrying, or confusion. As a born again child of the Most High God, your purpose is to get to know Him more deeply each day. You could be “successful” in worldly pursuits, even in ministry. But if in the process you are not knowing God better, then what’s it all for? Remember what Jesus told His disciples when they were so excited that the spirits were subject to them? He set them straight right quick! Jesus told them to instead rejoice that their names were written in heaven. In other words, don’t rejoice in your good works, even though done in God’s power. Rejoice that you are rightly related to God! Knowing God. Living with Him now and then forevermore in heaven. Our joy is to be found in Him because that’s where it is! He is joy! “Joy is the serious busines...