Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”

But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:12-13, 15, 17, 26)

Have you ever been guilty of looking back to the good old days, wishing you were still there? There’s nothing wrong with remembering the good times in our lives. It’s only a problem when we get stuck in our past, like Lot’s wife.

We can continually look back in two ways. First, we can get stuck thinking about how good things used to be. We say things to ourselves like: “Remember when I used to have this, go there, have that, live there, etc.?” When too much focus is placed on how good things used to be compared to how they are now, we can become almost frozen in place and stop moving ahead with our lives. The truth of the matter is, those days are gone and we can’t get them back. But, what we can do is look at where we are now and begin from there. We might not see the next step, but in faith keep stepping anyway. And, if by chance we fall, Jesus will be there to catch us.

The second way of lilving in the past is focusing on how bad things used to be. With that kind of mindset, we can talk ourselves out of being thankful for our present blessings and the future ones to come. Too often we allow our past to shape our lives today. Dr. Johnetta B. Cole says,

“Let history and past experience instruct rather than determine your destination.”

No matter how bad it used to be, you’re still here - praise God! So, stop and consider all the things you did right and how to dupicate those experiences again. Next, take a look at what went wrong and decide what you can do the next time to get a different result. The lessons from our past can help us live in the present and plan a better future.

No matter what the circumstances, keep your eyes on Jesus. Looking back can get you stuck in circumstances you were never meant to be stuck in. But looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith can help you to move forward into your destiny.

Blessings,

Joyce

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

We hear and read about true love waiting, but do we truly know how much love is being poured out over our life from a loving God? The love of God desires that we return to Him if we have strayed from His love. (Revelation 2:3-5) If we have never known the love of God, now is the time to seek Him while we may still be found (Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near).

Whom is our love and complete devotion being poured into? Is it something that has substance or something that is fleeting? The love of God is unconditional and should be our first love. (1 John 4:19 We love God, because He first loved us)  The world’s love is a synthetic love, one without substance; it’s a love that is fleeting and fickle. This is the kind of love that can be torn from us at any given time, and trampled on by others.

However, God’s love is not set upon our emotions or feelings, but it’s a complete and eternal love. He is waiting on us to call upon Him and come to Him. Will you return to your first love if you have strayed? Will you commit your life to Him if you have not? What has separated us from Him? What has kept us from committing our life to Him? He sacrificed His only begotten Son that that we might life and have it more abundantly. (Romans 5:8 But God demonstrate his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us).

Dear Lord, may we commit our lives afresh and anew to you today. We ask sweet Jesus that you would come into our hearts and draw us to your side. Forgive us where we have failed You and lead us in the way of truth and life as we commit anew unto You. Thank you for the gift of eternal life through your Son Jesus Christ, may we accept this gift and walk in freedom al the days of our lives. Help us to We ask this in Jesus Name! Amen!

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. (Psalm 25:4-6)

Recently, a friend told me about a fictional movie she’d seen on television. The story was about several women who had been abducted. Their captor never physically tormented them. His plan was to see how long it would take for them to lose hope. Once they lost their hope, then they would die.

Even though this story was not true, it does have some truth in it. Just as the fictional captor in the movie wanted his victims to give up, our Enemy counts on us giving up, too. We won’t die a physical death, but when we lose hope, we can die spiritually.

Jesus came that you would have an abundant life. You can have hope for a better day because He lives in you. So, when the Enemy tries to steal your joy and kill your hope, stand on the word of God.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:17-18)

. . .but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. (Micah 7:6-8)

David said about him: ” ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. (Acts 2:25-27)

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:11-12)

Blessings,

Joyce

This past Sunday, I looked into the bright and curious faces of my Sunday School students as I began teaching a lesson whose premise was, “God knows you, loves you and accepts you.” After class, I was reminded that it was a lesson for all of us. The Bible is clear that God knows us completely.

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Psalm 139:1-6)

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. (Psalm 139:13-18)

We can try to avoid telling God our problems, fears and concerns, but He already knows all about them and still loves us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship.” We are His masterpiece. We can not even begin to measure how often God thinks about us. We are loved unconditionally. The Almighty God loves us completely. He forgives our sins and loves us in spite of them. Realize that God knows all about you and still loves you.

Blessings,

Joyce

The book of Isaiah 54:1 states we should sing; ‘Sing, O barren, for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, says the Lord.’  

Today many women suffer with infertility, the sadness and sorrow of not bearing a child can be great. It can be years even a lifetime of pain that turns one bitter. I ask how one rejoices in the pain and sorrow of being barren. Just as Hannah in the Bible “as she surrendered to the priest the fruit of her womb, Hannah jubilantly sang, ‘The barren hath borne seven.’ (1 Samuel 2:5) Oh Hannah! Whatever do you mean? You have no abundance - only one, and even he has been torn from you. Hannah’s vow of surrender unleashed the power of God.

We can treat this as a burden, struggling in our sorrow or we can allow love to unfold and give praise to God allowing it to become the beautiful experience he intends it to be, turning the bitterness into sweetness. God knows our deepest pain with barrenness and He understands. He wants us to rejoice in it and sing, for many are the children of the barren woman.

Can you imagine what that must have been like for Hannah, to surrender the one child given to her? I am sure Hannah gave no place to bitterness and pain, just praise and thanksgiving. Allow God to heal the wound of your heart if you are one who is struggling with this pain. God will restore you and bring complete peace in this situation, He will turn it around if you let Him. Whether through the miracle of adoption, volunteering at crisis centers, hospital wards, local libraries or nurseries; there is a place for the wounded heart. Let’s sing and rejoice as Hannah did!

Find peace in this. Psalm 71:23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

1.)  A key: We should realize that all of our benefits and blessings in life come from the Lord. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. 

2.) A key: Learning to not put all of our expectations on life, our husbands, children, family or friends, but we should know that we can give our expectations to God… how often we expect others to perform in a way we think they should. When we look to others rather than seeking God we set ourselves up for disappointment, but when we look to the Lord we can see what matters more clearly. Psalm 5:3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up.

3.) A key to: Learn contentment with godliness helps us to cultivate a thankful heart. When we realize that stuff and things will always compete for our attention and our relationship with God; we must void ourselves of stuff; take time to be still and wait upon the Lord. Psalm 37:7  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

4.) A key in knowing: God is Sovereign, He knows us all too well, and we must always remember that what God allows in our life is for our benefit and our personal growth; (look at the life of Job) all things work together for good… Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God, that is, for those who are called according to his purpose, all things are working together for good.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)

By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
“Why are you spending so much time on this one?”
And the Lord answered, “Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart
–and she will do everything
with only two hands.”

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
“Only two hands!? No way!
And that’s just on the standard model?
That’s too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish.”

“But I won’t,” the Lord protested.
“I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18-hour days.”

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
“But you have made her so soft, Lord.”

“She is soft,” the Lord agreed,
“but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.”

“Will she be able to think?”, asked the angel.

The Lord replied,
“Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate.”

The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman’s cheek.
“Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.”

“That’s not a leak,” the Lord corrected, “that’s a tear!”

“What’s the tear for?” the angel asked.

The Lord said, “The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride.”

The angel was impressed. “You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing.”

And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don’t take “no” for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

However, if there is one tiny flaw in women, it is that they forget their worth.
-Author unknown

Blessings,

Joyce

Proverbs 25:11 states: A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 

Words fitly spoken in this verse are as a beautiful piece of fruit wrapped in the most gorgeous setting of silver. It’s presented to the hearer by the speaker as a priceless gift set before a King. Do we choose our words wisely with an appropriate manner giving into account our words spoken? During the course of a day it breaks my heart to hear others speak unfit words, and they do not realize what consequences these words bring to those around them to include them. Words spoken over a co-worker, spouse, family member, son, daughter, neighbor or even about themselves. These words can cut down a person, destroy a person, but when spoken fitly it can help restore, revive and rebuild a person.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

A virtuous woman chooses her words wisely and brings kindness to those in her home. A kind word can change a heart and bring encouragement to those in her life.

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

A short story from years ago: there was an unkind word spoken by another about the many moves we were making in the earliest part of our marriage. In my heart of hearts I knew that it did not matter how many homes we lived in, how grand, how small, how fancy or plain a home may appear, it was not the walls that made our home, but what built this home was the love that dwelt within those walls. Now many years later it is a blessing to see how true it is to have a solid foundation within the home built upon the rock. It is so important to speak words of kindness and exhortation rather than destruction. Help build a life today and speak a word of love.

Hebrews 3:13 Encourage one another everyday while you have the opportunity.