I got up this morning about 6:00 and went directly to our big window in our bedroom and looked through a little splace between our drapes and there staring so brightly at me in the was the morning star, Venus, what a treat!!!  I had just been praying to and thinking about God!

I googled about the "morning star" and it lead me to 2 Peter 1:19 -
"...as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

"Christ is the "morning star" and when he returns, he will shine in his full glory.  Until that day we have Scripture as a light and the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture for us and guide us as we seek the truth."
- Life Application Study Guide

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
     he leads me beside quiet waters,
     he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
     for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
     through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
     in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
     all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

   

Nehemiah 8:10
"... the joy of the Lord is your strength."

John 16:22
"... no one will take away your joy."

Psalm 16:11
"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."


"Joy isn't something that can be taken away.  It is a gift from God to you and is your strength.  Yet joy can also be something we can give away without even realizing it.  Even when challenges are in front of you , when it feels like the world is closing in, God promises He will give you joy.  No person and circumstance can take that joy away from you.  Remember, joy is God's gift to you."
~ Joel Osteen

Just Help

Wednesday, June 21st, 2017

Read Matthew 7:9-12

Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you.

- Matthew 7:1-2 (CEB)

My wife and I were enjoying our ride together when we passed a man holding a sign that read, “Will Work for Food.” Later, we saw him getting into a car. Cynically, I wondered aloud what he was going to do with the money he had collected that day. But my wife asked me to follow him so we could also give him some money.

He pulled into a gas station and bought only $2.00 worth of gasoline. My wife and I quickly agreed that I should talk with him. He indicated that he had lost his job, had not been able to find work for over six months, and that he was trying to feed his family. I told him that we would like to help him in the name of Christ.

While I filled his car with gasoline, my wife went with the man and bought some food for his family. As we parted, my wife and I gave him more money and a copy of The Upper Room. Then we prayed together.

Through my wife, God taught me a lesson. Since that day I’ve been less judgmental and more accepting of others. How that man used the gifts we gave him was between him and God. I learned that it is not my place to judge but to help.

This devotional is from http://devotional.upperroom.org/

Matthew 28:20
"... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."


This is what my Study Bible says about this scripture.  "How is Jesus with us?  Jesus was with the disciples physically until he ascended into heaven, and then spiritually through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit would be Jesus' presence that would never leave them.  Jesus continues to be with us today through his Spirit."

Throughout the day pray..."Jesus, keep me aware of your presence."

The devotional I read every morning, Jesus Always by Sarah Young, she says "The more of Jesus you have in your life - through staying close to Him - the more joyful you will be and the more He can bless others through you."  I reelee believe that!!!

Romans 8:26-27
"The Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."


This morning, I wondering how to tell my younger sister about the Holy Spirit and just happened to run across the scriptures in my Study Bible when looking for another scripture and this is how it explained the verses.  "As a believer, you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems.  Even when you don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers.  With God helping you to pray, you don't need to be afraid to come before Him.  Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in accordance with the will of God.  Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will do what is best."

Deuteronomy 31:18
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

God is your companion who will never leave you, he is a boundless source of Joy!  There is good to be found in every day because of God's constant presence and steadfast love.  He is always there holding you by your right hand.  God is your Joy!!!

John 16:24
"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

With Jesus as your Savior and Lord,  you have the unique privilege of speaking directly with your heavenly Father through Him.  God wants you to come confidently into His presence through Christ and to talk to Him about everything.  He is intensely interested in you and your needs.  He is!!!

Isaiah 26:3-4
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you."


We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but with God we can know perfect peace even in turmoil.  When we are devoted to him, our whole attitude is steady and stable.  Supported by God's unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken.  Through my experience, keep your thoughts on and your trust in God if you want peace!!!

Psalm 91:4
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge: his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

So remember always, God is our shelter, a place to go to when we are afraid.  He will protect you and keep you safe.  All you have to do is just trust in God and have faith!