Share Your Joy

Share Your Joy “It is unbelievable! I don’t know how this kind of wonderful thing has happened to me!” “I still don’t believe it! There must be a reasonable answer.” “Yes, your cure is miraculous. I don’t know about you, but I’m giving all the glory to God!” Who calls themselves blessed? Is it only when something extraordinary happens in our lives that we are prodded to say, “I’m blessed.” Are we as equally filled with rejoice because we woke up this morning able to talk, walk, and think? Do we call it a blessing when we are delayed 5 minutes when leaving the house and see a terrible accident having just happened? Do we call ourselves blessed when we hear of the tragedies in another’s life that is horrific? Mary told Elizabeth of her joy of her baby, Jesus, and acknowledged that God has looked with favour on her and believed that all generations will call her blessed. We have the model of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, to show us how to allow our spirit to rejoice. Share often with others what joys the gift that Jesus brings to your life so that in the generations to come others may be inclined to imitate such a rejoicing spirit. Luke 1:46-56 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

The Miracle of Grace

The Miracle of Grace “It’s your fault I didn’t do well. You always make me feel insecure about myself.” “Mom, can you help me? I can’t do this alone.” “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have found the strength if you hadn’t been with me.” It is our hope that can rely a great deal physically and emotionally on our mothers, fathers and role models. We naturally lend our hearts to faith believing they know more than we do and that they will lead us on the right path. It is our duty and honor to teach, lead and pray for those who rely on us to feel emotionally and spiritually well. Jesus once told a blind man who wanted to see, “Go your faith has made you well.” When you call on Jesus, take heart, He hears you when you call Him. It is up to you to spring up, throw off what weighs you down and go to Him. The rest is the miracle of God’s continued graces on your life. Mark 10:46-52 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Love For Eternity

Love For Eternity “If you ever say that again, I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap!” “You see what you get! It was your own foot that caused you to trip and fall.” “It was karma! You should not have been walking into that house in the first place!” “I’ll never do that again! I’ve learned my lesson!” We may be quick to judge the actions of others. We may even bring attention to our own faults. Based on our own set of values we point out the shortcomings of others and impose what we think should be their just punishment. Is our own conduct so perfect that we can easily tell others where they are blemished or spoiled? Are we people worthy of emulating? If there is a part rotting on a piece of fruit we cut it off or toss the whole thing into the trash. If we see a blood stain on a garment we deem it no longer useful for us to wear. Be rid of all that that keeps you from conducting yourself like a child of God. To quote a man named Jesus, “Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” Chances are when we are well versed in the basic rules of decency we will raise our families and conduct ourselves in a good way. When we use love as the basis of our interactions we will promote love and receive love in return. Rather than leaving fate to chance, better we live now without scalding one another in the inferno of selfishness, burning in the flame of anger and vindictiveness, charring and blistering in acts of wickedness and un-forgiveness, lest we desire to live that way for eternity. Love is like eternity in heaven. It’s very essence and purpose is to make another feel complete in love without ceasing. Mark 9:41-50 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you solemnly, he will most certainly not lose his reward. ‘But anyone who is an obstacle to bring down one of these little ones who have faith, would be better thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out. And if your foot should cause you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter into life lame, than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye should cause you to sin, tear it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell where their worm does not die nor their fire go out. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is a good thing, but if salt has become insipid, how can you season it again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.’

Forfeiting A Prize Has It's Reward

Forfeiting A Prize Has It’s Reward “I am so mad! I was first in line and when they opened they began at the end.” “Are you crazy! I’m going to help myself before I even think of helping anyone else!” “I don’t care if I have 3 computers, I won this one and I’m keeping it. Why should I give it to that kid whose parents can’t afford to buy him one!” If we are first we may be able to assure our purchase, our allotment of free goodies or perhaps even our pick of the litter. Being first should not always be at the top of our desires. Allowing someone to go in front of us should not make us feel cheated. Signing up for a free concert for the underprivileged and finding that our name is not on the list should not make us feel short changed. Being rich, famous or better off than our neighbor should not make us feel as though we are above everyone else. When you live your life as a servant of others, when you can be humble and generous, and wish well those who receive benefits you did not, you will find your heart feels as though it won a great prize. Mark 9:30-37 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Thoroughness, Faith & Prayer

Thoroughness, Faith & Prayer “Why do you ask me to pray? There is no hope. The doctors have done all they can do.” “I know you are a professional at what you do. This might be too difficult, but could you see if you know how to do this?” There is only so much that we can do with our human hands and minds. And even that is a grace from God. Asking for the impossible, requesting the simple, demanding for what seems routine all require a degree of faith. Knowing that all things are through the works and grace of God should give us patience to wait, acceptance of His will, and an opportunity to grow deeper in our faith. Jesus taught the faithless, that this kind (perhaps healing, peace, curing) can only come through prayer. When you are troubled, do what you can with thoroughness and faith, pray and leave the rest to God. Mark 9:14-29 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, 'What are you arguing about with them?' Someone from the crowd answered him, 'Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.' He answered them, 'You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.' And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.' Jesus said to him, 'If you are able!-All things can be done for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You spirit that keep this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!' After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, 'He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?' He said to them, 'This kind can come out only through prayer.'

Giving Beyond The Bare Minimum

Giving Beyond The Bare Minimum “Can you spare a dime?” “Sorry, this is my last 20 bucks.” “It can't be that you've got nowhere to go. You must have someone you can stay with.” “I won’t take no for an answer. The gift is already on its way.” When and how do you give? Do you guard and hoard what you earn or inherit? Could you give up your leisure time for the sake of a lonely or ill person? Would you offer a warm comfortable bed to a person suffering a hardship? Can you recall all the times God gave you more than you deserved? We all have much than can be shared. The surplus of our time, the unused money in our accounts and the untapped benefits of our talents are just morsels of our gifts. Sacrificing deeper than our usual financial baseline, praying for others beyond our daily prayer routines, and doing more than what is asked of us is giving out of our poverty. To give beyond the bare minimum is reward in our spirit and celebrated in Heaven. Luke 21:1-4 Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put all in she had to live on.”

Cling To Mercy

Cling To Mercy “I know you forgave me. But I can’t forgive her for all she’s put me through.” It does not matter the transgression, “forgiveness is forgiveness” no matter the size or type of offense. To forgive is not a partial act, conditional idea, or something done in due time. Forgive others from your heart with immediacy lest you delay and risk losing your opportunity allowing a loving heart to harden. God forgives us even before we blunder. If we do not CLING TO MERCY, God’s mercy may be there for us no more. Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Peace and Forgiveness Matters

Peace and Forgiveness Matters “I will never forgive you. What you have done is unforgiveable!” “I don’t care if I never speak to her again! She deserves punishment!” “I don’t have control over what you do. For me, I will let him know that all is forgiven.” To many, it seems a “no brainer” that rebuking is the appropriate response to someone who has hurt us. If God punished and did not forgive us our sins for our every wrong doing we would not know hope, have an inkling about faith, and would be ignorant about any aspect of love. Peace and love have no conditions, attachments, precursors or riders. The Holy Spirit inside you has no limitations as it is a gift to you revealed by Jesus and sent by God. God may be forgiving you a multitude of times in a day and still He promises eternity. The moment you become aware of the gift of the Holy Spirit inside you, your heart will agree that pardoning is God’s natural response to offenses. Jesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. Peace and forgiveness is fitting in all matters. John 20:19-23 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

God's Love Lives In Me

God’s Love Lives In Me "Do as I say, not as I do!” “We are not talking about me. We are talking about what YOU are doing!” With love do those things that show you are a child of God. Conduct yourself in a way that reveals your discipline in God’s word. Act quickly with forgiveness, hope and faith so that only love defines your character. May the glory that God gave Jesus, and the glory that passed from Jesus to you be received and revealed. Live so that the world may believe that God’s love lives in you. John 17: 20-26 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’

An Umbrella Of Love

An Umbrella Of Love “How could you say you love me? You kill my spirit by putting me down every chance you get!” “You are the adult! You should have protected me!” “I want to help her. But I am afraid she will reject me.” It is a basic humane responsibility of parents to protect children. It is a spouse’s vow in marriage to lift up his or her mate. It is our own moral accountability that measures love of our neighbor. Jesus showed that he protected the apostles in God’s name. So then, in the name of Jesus, we must protect our children, save from harm the spirits of our families, and care for the people of the world so that in love we may be one. We cannot change our past transgressions, but today as Jesus’ living apostles we can take steps to do only that which unites us in love. Let us care for one another under one umbrella of love. In doing so, we may know how the love and joy of Jesus can make us complete. John 17:11-19 Jesus said to the disciples, 'And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.'

Groom Your Spirit With Love

Groom Your Spirit With Love “He was appointed our leader by our community. Spending our money on himself was not part of the plan!” “I gave you an abundance of food to last you for 2 weeks. I didn’t give it to you so you could go and have a party and having nothing to sustain you until I came back!” “Don’t you think it is hypocritical to ask for something that you wouldn’t do for your sister 2 days ago!” Abusing a position of importance, being irresponsible, and blatantly self-serving are not traits that exude love. We can never love enough. Make your deeds more compassionate, your words more sensitive, and your attitude more thoughtful. We are all appointed by Jesus to bear good fruit, fruit that will last. Groom your spirit with love. A person who loves receives many blessings from God. John 15:9-17 Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

A Taste Of Joy

A Taste Of Joy “My heart was broken over my last relationship. But now I am filled with joy because you have come into my life.” “I know you feel sadness over his death. But one day you will smile again when you speak of him.” “Don’t cry for me. I’ll be back next year after school is out.” Relationships touch our emotions, school, work and caretaking may alter our living circumstances, and death of a loved one may make us feel as though we are dead ourselves. Jesus promised joy after this life. If we can live with that promise of eternity in our spirits we may have a taste of that joy in our everyday lives. Pray to God to open your eyes to adopt Jesus’ teachings. Meditate daily for peace in your life. Ceaselessly forgive others their trespasses. Acknowledge and mourn over your losses as minute as they may seem and seek the help of those who can aid in your healing. See the eyes of Christ in everyone you meet and then act with love and compassion. By the grace of God, you will know by a feeling, a split second, or for a little while, what joy is and what’s to come. That joy is revealed by the grace of the Holy Spirit inside your soul. John 16:16-20 Jesus said to his disciples, "A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me." Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying to us, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'; and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" They said, "What does he mean by this' a little while'? We do not know what he is talking about." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me'? Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy."

In The Silence And Stillness Of Your Spirit

In The Silence and Stillness Of Your Spirit “Just do as I say. You are too young to understand now. But one day you will know why I ask what I do.” “I guess I’ll have to repeat myself over and over again. Apparently you just don’t get it!” “I don’t want to hear your excuses anymore! When you are ready to change we’ll talk.” Children cannot understand what an adult can identify with because of a lack of life experiences. Spouses may seem to have blinders on because of their relationships of the past that have trained them in a particular way. Friends may not understand as well as family members the importance and depth of confidentiality and loyalty because they lack the foundation and years of bonding and familiarity with events over a lifetime. But when the day comes, when we grow into maturity, or perhaps suffer a deep loss, then we might know or better understand the spirit of the truth that is always working to reveal itself. The Holy Spirit inside you is a part of God and Jesus; the Holy Trinity. If you are the one who doesn’t get it, go to the place where mediation, prayer and love will speak to your heart. God created you. Therefore, when your hardened heart is softened, you will receive the truth that God revealed to Jesus. When will you allow your proud heart to receive the things that are being declared to you? Stop talking and rebelling. In the silence and stillness of your spirit, you will find peace, wisdom and blessings. John 16:12-15 Jesus said, 'I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.'

Your Best Interest At Heart

Your Best Interest At Heart “It is for your own good that I take the cell phone away. If I don’t do it again, what will you have learned about abusing a privilege.” “I am going to tell you the truth. And the truth will hurt, but I will stand by you, because I love you.” “Why do you keep telling me to believe in God, especially when times are tough? Right now, I don’t believe in anyone!“ We may immediately think little of those who punish us, angered toward another who we think is trying to hurt us, and betrayed by those we believe turned their backs on us. When we as humans fall short of understanding why a parent, spouse, child or friend does what he does to teach, coach and demonstrate spiritual growth, we should turn our focus immediately to our relationship with Jesus and knowledge of His teachings. If we are not foolish, our gut, the spirit of truth, speaks to us with holy precision. Jesus, the Son of God, always has our best interest at the heart of every aspect of our lives. If we choose to hear Him, He speaks with wisdom to our souls. It is to our advantage to meditate, pray and respond honorably and respectfully to the love of our teachers. We may not like what others have to say, but often their lessons, punishments and models are what Jesus put in their hearts for our benefit. John 16:5-11 Jesus said, 'Now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, "Where are you going?" But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.'

Joy Is A Gift

Joy Is A Gift “He’s got too many issues. I just can’t deal with him!” “Why do you always focus on what wrong? Can you see that there are many things in your life that are right?” “You don’t know how I feel. I’m the one who had a heart attack!” Perhaps our personal vendettas, mental scars of the past, worries and pains that are affecting our health keep us from feeling complete and joyful. Oh how the world would change if we forgave trespasses, love others by promoting their gifts rather than their faults, and accepted today for what is after we’ve done what we could to improve it. Today turn your focus on how the love of Jesus gave you the hope of eternal life and then you may discover the joy and completeness of your life as it a gift to you now. John 15:9-11 Jesus said to his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete."

Branches Of The Vine

Branches Of the Vine “We are both aiming for the same thing, just in different ways. While you are held back at the end of the line trying to help those who can’t seem to help themselves, I’ll just push my way to the front.” On the surface it may seem that we all will accomplish or overcome our individual goals, dreams, and hurdles. Yes, we may seem to reach the same finish line, but what we feel in our hearts, spirit and soul does not compare. If we strip away self-serving thoughts and put our focus on that which bears fruit for others, whatever we wish will be done for us if we are the branches of the vine of Jesus. John 15:1-8 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.