A Love Song to My Jesus

A Love Song to My Jesus

The wind brushing through the trees,

The birds chirping their songs with glee,

Ripples journeying across the water’s surface,

Hazy mountains in the distance,

A crisp, clear sky colored an inspired blue.

A brilliant tribute of blues, browns, and greens.

The humming bird at the feeder,

Two squirrels running along the branches,

A puppy searching for the perfect stick,

Sun shining down on my face.

Praise! Praise the Father! Praise the Son!

Praise the Spirit! Three in one.

Stars twinkle their lights in delight,

The moon sighs a gentle lullaby

Bidding heavy eyelids to rest.

Tides come and go in perfect rhythm,

Hearts beat out life life life.

Motions set to action by a Divine Love.

A new beginning

It's hard to imagine that something that I've been waiting for for what seems like a lifetime has finally arrived! The reality is that I have only been waiting for this to happen since May 2009, but it feels like much longer. Last Friday, January 29th 2010, was my last day working at Automated Horizons, Inc. After working there for two years in various jobs and learning a lot about computers (and lawyers), I'm done. It was an interesting time for me, an in-between time of doing something, but not what I really wanted to be doing.

Behold the power of specific prayer and praying in God's will: This summer I prayed for a house to live in and a job in a church. I asked specifically if my good friend Lewis could buy a house and rent it to me. I asked specifically if I could be the secretary of a church. Ladies and Germs, both of those things have happened!! Lewis bought the house that he now rents to me and two other wonderful Godly Women (SWOGs) and on Monday I start my new job as secretary to Genesis Community Church! It's hard to imagine getting something that you pray for, not because of a lack of faith, but just because when we do get our prayers answered, most of the time we are so busy being happy about it that we forget that this was something we actually prayed for! People are dumb sometimes. :-)

Another thing I would never have imagined (and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it) is the thought of staying in Roanoke, Va for this long! This was clearly not my choice. I had grand schemes of going off to the UK and not coming back for a long time. Not because I wanted to get away from anything or anyone, but just to go off and "have my own adventure". The idea of staying here just didn't really appeal to me at all. It started to feel like such a "small town" with small minded people with bad grammar. But God has given me a home here, a place to belong, a family, a community of believers that I love dearly (even though I don't know all of their names yet). I would never have imagined this!

And now for something completely different:

There are some people in my life who are desperately praying for God's will in their lives, and it feels like He's taking His time answering. But know this, God does what God wants and it is always for our good and His glory. God is not going to set you up to fail, it's not how He works! God is love, but He is also wisdom. It's easy to think that God's love is like a huge umbrella that covers us from all trouble and we can just go on our way thinking that it doesn't matter what we do because God's love has us covered. Or that His love makes Him just a little blind to our faults. God's love is not a get out of jail free card. No, my friend, believe me when I say that He sees every single one of our faults and loves us anyway but that does not mean that He doesn't desire to see something given in return. His love is a gift, a free gift. There are many verses to back that up. But shouldn't such a powerful gift, if we have truly accepted it, make a change in us? If we truly love God in response to His love for us, shouldn't we have a desire to please Him with our lives? When people do something incredibly nice for us, do we not want to reciprocate? Of course we do! Well, God allowed His only Son to die a horrible death; what shall our response be?

Worthless into Precious, Part 1

by Gwen Smith

Today's Truth
"You are precious and honored in my sight..." (Isaiah 43:4a, NIV).

Friend to Friend
Last winter, I bought my daughter a really cute jacket at the mall. It's a hoodie that's made of a cuddly fabric with cream, lavender, and mint green horizontal stripes. The jacket zips up in the front and is well crafted, stylish, and simply adorable.

When I bought it, I felt like the price on the tag was a fair one, so I gladly pulled out my wallet and paid the retail amount. I was like a kid in a candy store on the way home. I fully anticipated a shriek of happiness from my little bag of beans when I gave it to her. Delightfully, I wasn't disappointed. Kennedy loved her new coat, and I was pleased with my purchase. Happy dances all around...until a week later, when I saw the same jacket in the same store at a greatly reduced price. Are you tensing up with me? Suddenly, I felt schnookered! Ripped off. Taken advantage of. As soon as I saw the red line on the price tag of the unsold coats, everything changed -- Kennedy's jacket wasn't worth what I paid for it.

When we speak of the worth of something, we often consider it a relative term - one that has shifting factors. For example: last week the cute jacket was thirty-nine dollars, and now it's nineteen ninety-nine. The jacket didn't change, but its perceived worth did.

Now, consider the worth of a woman. Are the factors that determine her value based upon variable, shifting factors or are they based upon fixed factors? Seems to be a silly question, doesn't it? Fixed, of course! But, if the answer is so glaringly obvious, why do we struggle so much as women with feeling worthless? Why do we walk around feeling like that red lined jacket? I think it's because we often allow variable earthly factors to define our worth.

What kind of variable factors?

There are so many reasons why women feel worthless:

Ø Because they've been abused (raped, molested, physically abused, verbally abused...)

Ø Because they've been told that they're worthless (by a parent, spouse, sibling, teenage child, or another...)

Ø Because of choices they've made (divorce, infidelity, abortion, promiscuity, eating disorders, addictions, uncontrolled anger...)

Ø Because they've been cheated on (infidelity, internet affair, pornography...)

Ø Because they're co-dependent (conclude their value based upon other people -- "If my husband isn't okay, I'm not okay.")

Ø Because they don't collect a paycheck (stay at home moms that have left the work force, laid off employees, displaced employees, those on disability...)

Ø Because they've battled an illness (unable to care for family, perform basic home duties, participate in ministry or Bible study like they once did, can't drive, cook...)

Unfortunately, the variable factors that we use to define our worth are endless. Many of us feel worthless. Why? We've felt ignored, invisible, insignificant, useless, undesired, ugly, unloved, or forgotten. We girls are emotional, broken in many ways. Great portions of our identity and of our personal value are wrapped into combustible packages of emotion...how we feel about this or that. The truth is, our worth has nothing to do with our feelings.

Trust me! I am not going to try to convince you that I know everything there is to know about feeling like a woman of worth. Or about being a woman of worth. I am in the trenches with you. I struggle with normal woman things. I don't live a fancy schmancy, rose-colored wonder-life. I hit the snooze button several times each morning. I pack lunches for my kids. I spend countless hours of my life each year sitting in the car pool line. It's a never-ending struggle for me to keep the laundry cleaned, and my kids often have to fish for a matching pair of socks in the clean-clothes basket. My husband is my soul mate, but is far from perfect. For that matter, Brad should win a lifetime achievement award for enduring the drama of me! And my kids bring me both great joy and great frustration on a daily basis.

Is this sounding at all familiar to you?

See -- I'm just like you, and I'm walking this faith journey right beside you. In fact, the more I know God, the less inclined I am to pretend to have life or faith figured out. Amen? I'm constantly tempted to define my worth with activities, emotions, and accomplishments. I've come to realize, however, that way of thinking is a spiritual dead end road. Scripture tells us that anything we do in our own strength or of our own goodness is of no value to God. "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6a, emphasis mine).

What I do know is this: because of Jesus Christ, I'm a woman of highest worth. Not because of anything else. I'm a grace girl. Not perfect by a long stretch. I've been changed by the unconditional love of God and restored to perfect beauty through the shed blood of Jesus. Because of love, we are His daughters, precious in His sight. In light of this, we need to set aside feelings that diminish our value, and embrace our proper identity: child of the King of Kings.

Hear this, friend: feelings of worthlessness are from Satan himself. It burns me up that the enemy has such a strong grip on God's daughters in this area. We need to associate the word worthless with the word lie. That's exactly what it is, a big, fat lie! I talk to women all the time who bend a knee to negative feelings and live defeated lives because they don't quite know how to overcome their sense of worthlessness. God wants every one of us to experience healing and have an appropriate sense of self-worth.

So let's go back to Kennedy's new coat for just a moment. Imagine walking into God's department store. There on the rack, you spy a coat that is just plain fabulous -- I mean, stop-you-in-your-tracks fabulous! One-size fits all, the tag reads. Yeah, right, you whisper under your breath. Then you flip over the price tag and it's crazy expensive. Way beyond what you could ever dream of paying...like, if you added up every dollar that ever passed through your hands -- then multiplied that by ten thousand -- that kind of expensive. Then imagine the storeowner walking over to you, slipping the coat off the rack and onto your shoulders.

"It's a perfect fit," He smiles.

"Sir," you manage with a whisper, "I could never afford such a coat. This is meant for royalty and I'm, well, just an ordinary girl."

"Oh precious woman, this coat is made especially for you, and the price has already been paid in full."

As the owner straightens the sleeves on your arms and adjusts the collar around your neck, you notice his hands...nail pierced hands. And suddenly you realize that this is the covering you were meant to wear all along.

You see, the Bible tells us that because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can be clothed with the "robe of righteousness." The apostle Paul tells us that when we are reconciled to God, we become His righteousness. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). There's no way we could ever afford or earn such a robe. But Jesus gave His life for us - He earned it for us. He paid the price and we receive the gift. Why? Because you're worth it. You are precious and highly valuable in the eyes of the One who sees. And you never, never, never have to worry about being on anyone's bargain rack again.

Let's Pray
Holy Father, I'm humbled at the very thought that I could be viewed as precious in Your eyes. Thank You for taking on my sin so that I could take on your righteousness. Please help me to see myself as You see me. Help me to thrive in Your beauty!

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
What came to your mind as you read today's devotion? Grab your journal and write about it.

Are you held captive by feelings of worthlessness? Spend a few moments in prayer and ask God to reveal truth to your heart about how He sees you.

Print or write out this verse: "I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:15-16, NASB). Set it to memory and allow it to serve as a reminder that you are precious to God.

Laugh it Up! Part 2

By Mary Southerland

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world" John 16:33 (NLT).

Not long ago, my husband said something that was profoundly simple and yet life changing for me. "My first prayer each day is my confession to God that I want everything He has for me. I want it all!" I can just see the Father's face smiling at those words from a faithful heart. Our thirst for God pleases Him. Our hunger for God's richest blessings brings Him pleasure. God wants us to thrive -- not merely survive life. A continual feast of joy -- with every breath we take -- that is His plan. Laughter and joy are treasures from God, valuable to us for many reasons.

1. Joy heals
2. Joy makes us strong
3. Joy makes the ordinary special.

4. Joy eliminates tension. Laughter and joy can take a tense situation and disarm it! When I prepared my first lesson on joy and laughter, Dan was out of town. The kids were young and bedtime was a major hurdle. I knew that several hours of study were ahead of me and was desperately trying to get both children into bed and asleep in order to complete the lesson. I had sweetly -- very sweetly - explained that I needed their help. I had made it very clear that I had to prepare a lesson and they could really help me by going to sleep. They were not cooperating! Before I go any further, let me just say I am fully aware that my behavior that night did not meet the criteria for being a successful mom. I have my moments. With each giggle and whisper from the children who were supposed to be asleep, my frustration level rose higher and higher. Finally, I marched into their rooms, hands on hips, icy stare in place and demanded silence! My son's innocent question was a show-stopper, "Mom, what is your lesson about?" Through gritted teeth, I growled, "Joy and laughter, Son." The words just dangled in mid-air, exposing my absurd heart motive. Jered looked at me. I looked at him. We both turned to look at Danna. Like a volcano erupting, laughter spilled out of our hearts, washing away the tension, while covering the circumstance with joy. When we had laughed it all out, they went to sleep and I wrote the lesson on joy - learned at the feet of my children.

Many times, tension comes when we face circumstances that are simply beyond our control. Have you noticed how little control we really do hold? How much energy we waste attempting to control that which cannot be controlled. Joy is lost in the struggle for power and supremacy, and that, my friend, is the root of a joy-less life. We battle for control of life instead of giving up control to God, the only one who can do anything about life. I often wonder how our journey would change if we realized and practiced the truth that if there is no control, there is no responsibility, so we might as well laugh!

I read of a young mother who posted this sign in her home:

TICDAABGC

"Things I Can't Do Anything About But God Can."

Underneath these words, she made a list of each circumstance and problem that she could not change. That is choosing a perspective of joy. Laughter and joy diffuse tension.

5. Joy reproduces itself.

In his book to the Romans, Paul delivers a simplistic but powerful message to each one of us, "Whoever has the gift of encouraging others should encourage. Whoever has the gift of giving to others should give freely. Anyone who has the gift of being a leader should try hard when he leads. Whoever has the gift of showing mercy to others should do so with joy" Romans 13:8 (NCV).

Joy spreads quickly! People are drawn to joy! Think with me for a moment about the people in your life who bring you joy. If you are like me, when you need encouragement or just some plain old fun, there are certain people who come to mind. What an honor! To be thought of as a "joy builder". Joy is the signature of a true believer. Because we know God, our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outer circumstances. Joy reigns within us -- solid, unchanging and eternal, flowing from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is Joy! And because He never changes, our joy is fixed. Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (NIV).

"Joyful believers have no trouble convincing people around them that Christianity is real and that Christ can transform a life. JOY is the flag that flies above the castle of their hearts, announcing that the KING is in residence." (Author unknown)

These days, I find myself avoiding the whiners who love to sneak into my life, crushing and stealing my joy. I am in the process of learning a very important truth. Here it is, friends. We set the joy level in our lives. Unspeakable and immeasurable joy is available through the presence of Jesus Christ but is set free by our choice, our "life setting." When it comes to joy, we need to be thermostats instead of thermometers! What is the joy level of your life? Maybe it is time to check that thermostat!

Let's Pray
Father, I praise You because You are the author and finisher of my faith, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega! You are my all in all, my light and my joy! Because You came, I can celebrate life. Lord, help me to feast on You and Your presence in my life.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Laugh it up, Fuzzball!

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" John 10:10 (NKJV).

Jesus lived and died so that we can experience abundant life! How often we pass over those words without stopping to grasp the amazing truth they hold. Jesus did not come so that we can merely survive life. Pagans can survive life. God's plan is for us to thrive in the midst of the days, months and years we call life. A continual feast of joy -- with every breath we take.

John 10:10 clearly states the promise of God, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (NKJV) In this verse, "abundant" literally means "going beyond; full or exuberant". In other words, an abundant life is a life filled with joy! Even in the midst of a joy-less world we can live a joy-filled life for one simple reason -- God is in control! And because He is in control, we are promised, "A cheerful heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15 NIV)

Life, my friend, should be an ongoing celebration.

Now, be honest for a moment. Is your life a continual feast, a daily celebration? Would those who know you best describe you as a person of joy? Laughter and joy are treasures from God, valuable to us for many reasons.

1. Joy heals.

Proverbs 17:22 "A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength." (NCV)

Author and speaker, Barbara Johnson, says that "One laugh = 3 Tbs. of oat bran." Hospitals and doctors in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area where developed "laughter programs". I love it! Doctors are actually prescribing laughter. Why? Because they have discovered what scripture has said for thousands of years - that laughter heals! The documented benefits of laughter are:

· Exercise for lungs
· Increased circulation
· Controlled pain
· Reduced tension
· Strengthened immune system

In other words, God created us to illustrate the truth, that if we laugh more days, we will have more days to laugh! Joy heals!

B. Joy makes us strong.

Joy -- humor -- laughter -- all cultivate inner strength that operates beyond our own human abilities. His joy in us will produce His strength through us. The joy of the Lord in us will produce His strength through us! The words of Nehemiah say it beautifully, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

A life without joy is like a car without shock absorbers. It will be jolted by every bump in the road. Laughter and joy are the shock-absorbers of life and can radically change our perspective of life and the tough times it holds.

Several years ago, one of my friends underwent a mastectomy. "Sally" was out of work for months, undergoing surgery, radiation and chemotherapy treatments. All in all, it was a horrendous ordeal! She was not known for her inner strength and, in fact, often seemed fragile and frail in her handling of tough circumstances. Sally's battle with cancer was by far the greatest challenge of her life. Anticipating her return to work, Sally's co-workers were a little tense, wondering just how this experience would affect her personally as well as her ability to handle the stress of her job. They got their answer on her first day back at work. Sally walked in, smiling, wearing a poster-board sign around her neck. On the sign was a huge black arrow pointing down. The sign read, "It was this one!" Yes, joy and laughter make us strong!

C. Joy makes the ordinary special.

Someone said, "If you have to move ten inches from where you are now to be happy, then you will never be truly happy." We need to celebrate the ordinary things in life because it is against the backdrop of the ordinary that God's work becomes extraordinary. As we celebrate the ordinary - as we celebrate the little things in life - we build a life of joy! We don't have trouble celebrating the big events in life. Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries -- are celebrations we anticipate and execute with great planning and forethought. We tend to place unrealistic expectations on these celebrations because there is no daily celebration of life.

So celebrate, my friends! Celebrate Thursdays, half birthdays, haircuts, new jeans, and report cards. Celebrate the day braces go on -- and especially the day they come off. Celebrate if Dad comes home early. Hey -- celebrate if Dad comes home!

Several years ago, my friend Sharon and her family was flying to Texas for the Christmas holidays. Before she could even begin packing, a mountain of laundry had to be done. Her sweet husband offered to help. After the first few loads, they turned on the television to watch a Christmas special. Settling into the couch sitting under a wall of windows, they folded load after load of clothes. It was midnight and Dan was bored -- a dangerous combination. The drier buzzed and out he went to retrieve the final load. He came back into the room wearing a "hat" which turned out to be a pair of her sexiest underwear. I burst out laughing -- and so did the people outside their family room windows!

Each year, their church youth decorated Christmas trees and delivered them to the older members of the congregation - a wonderful act of service. They also had a contest to see who could produce the ugliest tree, which was always delivered to the pastor's home on Christmas Eve. However, since they would be out of town on Christmas Eve, they had chosen this particular night to deliver the prized tree. Outside our windows stood youth workers, youth and the youth pastor -- laughing hysterically. (Some of them are still in counseling today!) That ordinary chore has become a favorite family story. Joy and laughter make the ordinary special.

I want it all! I want everything that God has for me! I want to celebrate life! But I often get so wrapped up in the urgent things that I lose sight of the important things. A celebratory attitude is slowly siphoned from our souls by the countless "joy robbers" the enemy sends our way. Guard your heart and mind! Refuse to surrender your God-given joy to anyone or anything. Join me this week as we celebrate Jesus! Party on!

Let's Pray
Father, I celebrate You! Thank You for bringing joy and peace into my dark world. Thank You for a love that never fails and a peace that meets every need. Help me to remember that because You are in control, I can have joy every step of the way.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

• Evaluate the joy-level in your heart and in your home.
• Identify any "joy-robbers" present in your life and make a plan to eliminate them.
• Plan a party, announcing that the flag of joy will be flying above your home from now on.
• Memorize the key verse today and make it one of your life verses.
• Answer the following question: