Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5-6a)

God is always paying attention to what’s going on in our world. He’s right there whether things are going well or whether they’re going badly. Our job in all of this is to keep our eyes on Him and not on what’s happening around us. Psalm 91:14-15 says, “Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

We might be surprised by the things that happen to us, but none of it is a surprise to our heavenly Father. Nothing slips past Him. Nothing comes into our lives without His permission. God is always in control and as soon as we accept that, the sooner our peace and joy are restored.

Whether you’re facing a small problem or a major crisis, remember that God knows all about it. He will see you through and He will never abandon you. Never doubt that Your Lord is in control.

Blessings,

Simplicity can mean freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. It may also refer to a simple living lifestyle.

While visiting with our child’s doctor this week words that were spoken have been resounding. I have been meditating on the word, “Simple”! Keeping it simple for my child! How true this is for our child, and for us as parents. Learning to keep it simple allows us to be free from the hardships that come our way. All too often I must de-clutter and simplify my life, now I must simplify my child’s life. This brings so much into perspective; as parents we get so bombarded with ads for our children during this season. All too often we are focused on the physical while all the while missing the (necessary) spiritual. So this season I want to chew on the word, ‘Simple’. Focusing on what’s most important and looking away from what is least important. For me, it is spending time with my family, rather than too busy living life. There is no price for this, but the rewards are great!

Today I want to encourage you while in the midst of life’s challenges, keep it simple, fret not, trust and obey, for there is no better way. Be blessed in the Lord today!

• Hebrew 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

So many people are really struggling for all kinds of reasons. They are faced with personal and work-related challenges. Chances are, you are dealing with your own challenges. Continue to trust the Lord. He will do His part. Your part is to keep on trusting Him. Continue to bombard Heaven’s door with your prayers. Believe that God is still performing miracles. He hears your cries and He will answer.

Rejoice in hope;

be patient in affliction;

be persistent in prayer.

-Romans 12:12

Blessings,

Joyce

Sometimes life’s circumstances can make you feel as if you have nothing to be joyful about. The world talks so much about “being happy” that we confuse happiness with having joy. There’s a big difference. Happiness is based on how you feel, but joy is

Everlasting

So the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:11)

Great

And there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:8)

Full

And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4)

Abundant

. . .that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. (2 Corinthians 8:2)

Unspeakable

. . .Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. . .(1 Peter 1:8)

Even if it feels like the walls of your life are coming down all around you, you can still have joy. Happiness is fleeting but as long as you have Jesus, you can be joyful. Rejoice in the Lord, always!

Blessings,

Joyce

Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18

Bearing up this part of the armor and all its parts are vital in the believers walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. May you find that bearing the armor daily will become necessary for your spiritual growth and strength.

Fasten the belt of Truth: Have you ever wondered why the belt represents truth?

A belt fastens on, holds up, keeps on and puts on! So in order to have this belt of truth we must be putting it on, around and about us!  It signifies strength and dignity.

Breastplate of righteousness: How about this part of the armor? A breastplate is something that protects and guards the heart and secures all understanding. It must be worn wisely to guard our emotions, our thoughts, and our all.

Shod feet with preparation of the gospel: Have you thought about this verse and what the shod feet represent? Shoes and feet are two key words here. We walk, we run, we may even kick at times, but in preparing our walk with the gospel of peace we must not grow weary, faint or even stop. We should not stand still on bare feet, but be shod, equipped and prepared with the gospel of peace.

Shield of faith – to quench the flaming arrows: Have you thought about the protection of a shield? This is a powerful representation for us in the time of warfare. This part of the armor protects the person’s most vulnerable spots like the heart, and center core of the body, soul and spirit. We must be ready with our shield, because our enemy can be anywhere waiting to wound us at anytime, but Praise God for the shield of faith.  

Hebrews 11:1 states “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Helmet of Salvation: Protecting our head is a vital part where there is wisdom and knowledge. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 6:10)

Sword of the Spirit – Word of God: This part of the armor reaches the very core of the person’s heart, soul and mind. It is imperative that we study the Word of God to equip ourselves daily! Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active… 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Rhema: Greek, an utterance, a matter, a topic; form the primary verb rheo, which is to flow or run as water, a portin of grace.

I am so thankful for His spoken word today!

Matthew 4:4 “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Isaiah 55:10-11 “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.”

Luke 1:38 “Be it unto me according to your word“.

Joshua 10:1-43 tells the story of the Amorites and their anger towards Gibeon. The Amorites were angry because the Gibeonites made a treaty with Israel, the Amorites wanted to punish them. After marching all night, Joshua and his army went to the rescue. In a miracle, God answered Joshua’s prayer by prolonging daylight so that they could be destroy the Amorites.

On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”

So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!

The Lord is still performing miracles on behalf of His children. As the Lord fought for Israel, He will also fight for you. Never forget that the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s!

Blessings,

Joyce