Overflowing With Joy

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7 

  

  I sat the doctor's office smiling. Across from me was a small child singing. She was perhaps five or six years old. Filled with joy and happiness, she was making up songs about whatever popped into her head. Everything was worthy of a song to her. 

  Jesus admonished His followers to be as children, and as I looked at the joyful child, I knew that was exactly what He was talking about. Before we grew old, and became filled with concerns and cares, life was exciting. Life was filled with promise, and every happy thought filled us with joy and singing.  

  Happiness is contagious and joy spreads. As followers of Jesus Christ we have every reason to be happy, and His Holy Spirit stirs joy in our hearts. Joyfully contagious Christians is what we should always aspire to. Filled to overflowing with childlike joy and singing, what happy Christians we would become. 

  While there is much in life that steals our joy and makes us feel defeated, if we could rediscover that child inside of us that was so excited to ride a bike, or fly a kite, to lay down on the warm grass on a sunny summer day and just watch the billowy clouds float past. Such a one abides in joy and happiness, making songs and allowing smiles to flow as easily as breathing. 

  As adults we often find life hard and filled with endless challenges, yet there is more to life than worries and cares. If we have no joy in life then we are doing it wrong. 

  Remember when you were a child without cares or fears? Remember how little things made you so happy then? Jesus would have us return to that simple faith and ready joy. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, too often cares and worries drive joy far from our hearts. Restore our joy, and put happy songs back upon our lips. Amen. 

Seeking The Lamb Of God

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Luke 2:15-16 

  

  When Jesus was born angels announced His birth to shepherds who were guarding their sheep in nearby fields. That had to be an astounding night. Surrounded by their sheep and darkness, suddenly the sky was filled with light, an angel illuminated by the glory of God spoke to them, explaining that the Savior of the world had arrived as a child in a nearby stable. 

  Of course, they were shocked and terrified. Nothing remotely like this had ever occurred in their lives. And then not just one, but a chorus of angels appeared and praised God before these humble shepherds. The shepherds left their sheep, and went seeking the Lamb of God. 

  What a night for those shepherds, and what an experience to meet the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world in a humble stable in Bethlehem. It was an experience they would never forget. 

  Jesus arrived here not as a commander of armies, nor as a King sitting upon a throne, but as a baby boy in the humblest of circumstances. He put on the mantle of humility to become our Lord of glory.  

  What about you? Have you ever sought out the Lamb of God? Have you ever gone looking for, or called out to the God who came to earth? 

  

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ.” ---Pascal 

  

  Jesus came to earth to fill a void in our lives. We are creatures made for a Creator. It is important that we seek him, come to Him just as we are from cities or fields, from our humble circumstances or exalted positions on this earth. We all need Jesus, and we need not look hard to find Him. No other Person can meet the need of the human soul. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, people still seek for You, looking to fill their pain-filled lives, their wounded souls and broken spirits. On the darkest night of their soul help them to find the light that is You, Jesus, the Lamb of God. Amen. 

The News

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. Colossians 4:7 

  

  There are certain times and seasons of the year when I reduce my intake of news. When I’m feeling particularly gloomy, or am enduring a very bad season with my health, I eliminate or reduce my news intake. 

  Generally, I like to keep up with the daily news headlines. I will watch perhaps fifteen minutes of television news each day, and read news at online web sites. Yet nearly all the news today is bad news. Infused with political prejudices, biases, and endless negative reporting. Much of the news is not worth reading or watching today.  

  When I was young anyone could turn the news on the major television networks and they would all essentially have the same stories and similar reporting. But today you must find a network whose particular slant on the news you agree with, for each of them have liberal or conservative opinions and view everything through the lens of their biases. Television news in has fallen from its once lofty place of respect. 

  Truth moves on a sliding scale today. You have to constantly question whether you are even hearing the truth at all. But thankfully, we do have a source of truth. 

  How wonderful that God’s truth never changes. What a blessing and relief that the Good News of Jesus Christ remains steadfast, dependable, and life changing. 

  As Christians we have so many reasons to be joyful, positive, and inspired. We have God’s Holy Book to guide us, His Spirit within us, and His angels watching over us. The Good News of the Gospel is a truth that never grows old, or depressing, or limited to vain biases. 

  There is “News” and then there is “Good News”. Fasting from the negative news of the world is a good practice. But the Good News of Jesus Christ and the life changing salvation He offers us is something we should always have at hand, ready to share, and fully enjoy at every opportunity. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, negativity news swirls around us and hate causes so much grief in this world. Keep us on fire for You Lord and Your Word. Fill us with truth and Good News. And help us to share that Good News with others. Amen. 

Dealing With Bad News

They will have no fear of bad news; 

  their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 

  

  I have a medication that I have taken for years. It is critical to my health. Several manufacturers make the pill, but so far, I have only found one version from one manufacturer that doesn’t make me sick. Thankfully, a local pharmacy has carried that brand for years, but recently when I picked up my prescription, I noticed it was different. The local pharmacy no longer carried the exact medication I depended upon.  

  When you have had many setbacks, and are to the point you expect bad news on a regular basis, a defeated mentality can begin to take over. Disappointments can add up and you begin to feel overwhelmed by the burdens you carry. It is not always the largest challenges that weigh us down, but often an accumulation of small disappointments that push us under with their increasing weight. 

  Bad news needs an antidote. Hope, faith, and encouragement from the Lord, especially through His Word the Holy Bible, these will give us strength to face any bad news whether large or small. 

  We can get fatigued from fighting one battle right after another. We seek rest only to find additional problems and challenges awaiting us. A source of strength is needed. Our first thought should be to go to the Lord in prayer, and then to read His Word. We can also share our burdens with fellow believers who then join us in prayer for solutions to our problems.  

  In all of our challenges, and with every new piece of bad news, we need to present these to the Lord. He is our strength, our deliverer, and the Lord and Master of our life. He will provide. He will make a way. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, bad news can bring us to our knees with fear and doubt, with worry and dread. Help us to recall the many times You have helped us in the past, and we know that you will help us yet again. We need never fear bad news because You are with us and meet our needs. Amen. 

Quiet Desperation

O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: 

Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; 

For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. Psalm 88:2-3 (KJV) 

  

  I can think of many times in my life that I would not have survived if not for the Lord. When I hear of tragedies, deaths, horrible accidents, and those who gave up to despair, I know that if not for Jesus it could have been me. 

  What if the Lord had not had His Hand upon me at a young age? Some of my friends growing up went to jail or prison. Some that I talked and laughed with ended their youthful lives early. We were similar in many respects. We went to the same school, lived in the same neighborhood, and played the same games. 

  It is hard to imagine what is in the heart, or what goes through the mind of another. 

  

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” ---Henry David Thoreau 

  

  Yet we all have struggles in common though they may differ in our individual experiences. 

  What makes the difference in who survives and who succumbs to difficulty? I believe it is directly tied to who has the Lord in their life and who does not know there is a Lord they can turn to in their troubles and trials. 

  When you have no strength left, how do you go on? You find new strength in Jesus. You call upon Him, depend upon Him, and find peace and help in knowing and relying on Jesus. 

  Whatever you are facing right now you need to know that you are not alone. You have a friend in Jesus. You may be weak, weary, and have no strength left. Yet if you call upon the Lord you will find new strength in Him. You are not as desperate and helpless as you feel. Not when Jesus is in your life. If He is not in your life, then call upon Him. Ask Jesus into your heart and into your life. Leave your desperation behind as you find victory in Jesus Christ. 

  Prayer: Lord Jesus, life throws many obstacles in our path. At times we feel scared and desperate. Help us to never forget that we have help and hope in You. Amen. 

Faith Is The Antidote To Fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 

  

  I have always liked the following acronym for Fear: 

  

False 

Evidence 

Appearing 

Real 

  

  So many times throughout my life I have worried and been fearful needlessly. It was indeed false evidence that appeared real. 

  Our imaginations often leap to the worst possible outcome. We naturally think about the most awful thing that could happen to us. It takes real discipline to overcome our foolish imaginations. 

   

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) 

  

  When our emotions carry our thoughts away, we need to anchor our thinking with truth and knowledge. Wisdom and reason are our friends when our fears run amok. 

  Yet the greatest antidote to fear is faith. Nothing destroys fear quicker than faith placed in the power, provision, and deliverance of a caring God and ever-present Savior. 

  Our thoughts can drift into unhealthy territory quickly. Anxiety can fill us and lead us away from our Anchor and Hope. But reading and focusing upon scripture, meditating upon certain Bible verses, and always praying in fearful circumstances are important practices for the believer. 

  Ultimately, overcoming our fears depends upon trust in God. Igniting our faith in the Lord gives us the strength to overcome our fears. Remember your faith, and also remember that faith in faith is useless. Our faith is in Jesus. He is the object of our faith and when we focus upon Him, we have the antidote to our fear. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, fears often come against us, and circumstances can cause fear to run amok. We need You. We trust in You. And we have faith that You will take us past our fears and into Your peace. Amen.