Joy

The bible talks about "Joy" over one hundred times in the bible......

Colosssians 1:11

May you be strengthened  with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation- be in constant prayer.

James 1:2

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.

1 Peter 1:8

Though you have not seen him, you love him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressive and filled with glory.

2 Corinthians 8:2

For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of  joy, their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

What steals our joy?

Is it just part of Adam's sin?

What gives us joy?

What takes it away?

As long as we are in this world- our flesh will moan and groan.

Nothing will be wrong- but..... or is something wrong.

Even the world moans in pain.

We are not home yet....

Yet we moan for joy- we look everywhere for joy.

Cant you hear someone calling, " Joy, Where are you?"

Joy comes in the morning

Joy is everlasting

Joy can only come from God.

If we are saved and on our way to spend an eternal life with our father- then why do we beg for joy? We should be jumping up and down- Crying- Weeping- Thanking God for Joy!

Joy cannot be bought or even earned...... Joys comes from God.

JUST ASK

Spend time with our Lord

Pray without ceasing

Read his word.

Why do we make things so complicated?

Joy is a gift

Joy is free

Ask for Joy unspeakable and full of glory

Go to bed- claiming Joy

Wake up and claim Joy

In all ways acknowledge him

What will I chose today?

I choose Joy

I will see Joy in all things- in all ways- in all circumstances.

Pray for Joy- it is the second fruit of the spirit after Love-

With a Joyful heart-

Amy

The road less traveled

The road less traveled.................which path do I take?

God has me on a journey............Seeking Him who died for us. Desiring Him who rose for us.

Knowing I am nothing more than, "jars of clay." (weak)

I often pray for a life that points upward to God but am I being transformed?  Transformed into His likeness?

 We live in an upside down world....... where down is up and up is down.

The world is full of so many paths.........but which path is our designation?

Do I turn to the right or to the left?

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.      ( Isaiah 30:21)

Wanting so badly to be on the path that enables me to recognize my death unto sin!

Maybe it's me with my self-centered self afraid...................afraid to die!

I think about the changes seen in the shell we call our body...............and how it breaks down. I take in  the words of Billy Graham in the Sunday newspaper:

"......No one ever taught me how I ought to live the years before I die. I wish they had...."

I have been looking back at my life.  It is a different season now after the prayer retreat.

Seeing paths in my past that would have been better........not for my comfort or ease but paths that would have been wiser.............. more grace.......more love, less rules!

     Some of the scales are continuing to fall from my eyes daily...........but again I grieve because I sometimes wonder;

"do I truly want to see?"

 God is leading me..........to a road less traveled........... one where you listen more.........sit alone in silence more............live life with less words.  I still cry out in the stillness........more of the easy Lord!   I say I want more of Him...........but am I willing to take the road less traveled! The one where it may be harder to climb..... the one that could cause more scrapes and bruises.

Will He carry me when the burden gets heavy?  The road less traveled is steep and dangerous.

Is the King of Kings urging me to step out in faith? I want to learn the things He has for me.......but at what cost? Less comfort?  Less money?  Less rest?  Is the steep and dangerous harder than I care to try?

Where is my trust? My faith? Is it all just hope?

My feet may be weary...........my heart may ache.............but there is a God in heaven who wants to take the wheel if I will let him.

"Remember that you have only one soul; that you only have one death to die; that you only have one life, which is short and has to be lived by  you alone; and that there is only one glory, which is ETERNAL!

Teresa of Avila

all of grace,

Robbie