On the road with Jesus…

(Devotion by David Jeremiah)

 

For seasoned travelers, the anticipation of a trip often outstrips the reality. Travel brochures never show the things that can go wrong, like airport delays, long lines, overbooked hotels, pick pockets, rainy weather, or bad food—to name a few.

Paul might have felt that way during his trip to Rome. After all, he was ditched at sea when his ship went down. But as the Book of Acts closes, we see him happily at work, sharing the Gospel with all he met.

When we're traveling with Jesus, we'll never be disappointed.

Cheerfulness keeps breaking in. We have our travel documents in the Bible, and a brochure of the final destination in Revelation 21-22. We have the Holy Spirit as a guide, and a straight and narrow path.

We'll not be disappointed with our accommodations as we abide in Christ.

Nor with our guidebook as we read His Word. Nor with our daily itinerary as we do His will. Nor even with our travel companions as we love His church.

And our final destination? We're heaven-bound pilgrims. We are just going over Jordan. We are just going over home.

 

Father, I thank you for the hope that is found in you.  Help us to remember you are always there, right beside us each step of the road before you.  Let our hearts be always heaven bound, and our joy be found only in you.

Please join us today over at Penny’s for more Word filled posts!

A Sweet Delight!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Beth Moore Satellite Simulcast conference here in my city.  One of my dearest friends, Cyndy, made plans to spend the night and attend the event with me. Over 90,000 people participated, including many from oversees.

Oh, what a refreshing, relaxing and really going deep into the Word time it was! 

I can’t imagine that anyone who attending the event was not changed and challenged by the revelation God used Beth to bring forth.

  I thought I would share the 7 key points that we covered in our study of Psalm 37, and the final commission she gave as we concluded the conference.

 

Key Points from Psalm 37 to meditate upon:

1. Nothing dictates our lives like our desires.
2. Beneath the desires of our heart is the heart of our desires.
3. Delighting in God adapts our desires into inevitabilities.
4. Nothing external can steal our right to delight.
5. To make room for delight we’ve got to commit.
6. Nothing is passive about patiently waiting for desire to turn into delight.
7. Till faith becomes sight, trust God and do good.

Those concepts are a lot to think about!

And now the commission Beth gave us:

My Dear Sister,

 
God has not overlooked you
He has not ignored you
He hears every petition
And intimately knows
The heart beneath it.

Give Him full access
To all your longings
Pray every single day
To become a person who delights in Him.

When delight seems to disappear remember to check your JAW!

• “J” - Are you jealous?
• “A” - Are you angry?
• “W” - Are you worried?

Roll it all on Jesus
He's strong enough to carry it
Big enough to handle it.
Trust God with all your heart
Now leave this place
And go into the world
And do some GOOD

I was hardly able to utter a word through that commission as tears continuously fell; I was just so choked up!  It was a moment forever sealed in my heart.

What a gift Beth Moore is to the body of Christ!

I'll be starting a Beth Moore series on The Book of Esther later this week with a group of sisters in a daytime study group!  I'm just sooooooooooooo excited! I can hardly wait to get started!

WFW

Welcome to Word Filled Wednesday...I am delighted to be your hostess today!

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word (no famous quotes or other literature — only the beautiful Word of our God) through photo’s & a Bible verse!
MckLinky is below so you can join us.

Learn to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary moment!

Before Jesus fed the five thousand He told His disciples (who had already decided to send the crowd away to find their own food), “You give them something to eat” (Lk. 9:13 NIV).

They replied, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages!” (Mk 6:37 NIV). That’s when Jesus asked, “How many loaves do you have?…Go and see” (Mk 6:38).

He challenged them to look for the extraordinary, in the ordinary moment. When you do that, you invite God into your situation – and with God all things are possible!

They already had the solution; they just didn’t see it. When you consult with God you begin to see things in a new light, and find answers you never dreamed possible. So before you go any further - stop and pray: “Father, show me what I’m not seeing.”

Opportunities for blessing are constantly coming your way – or passing you right by.

The Joyful Journey

 

Each of us here are on a journey; a journey through life.

In this verse we find a wonderful promise that God can be trusted to guide us along this journey.  While we may often face difficulties and hardships, we are reassured that joy will still be ours because of God presence.

Finally, at the end of our journey, when we stand at the very right hand of God, we will inherit the greatest promise of all, eternal life and pleasures for evermore.

I’m so blessed that Jesus has given us a guide book to directs our steps along this path on Earth.

 

Join us today for more Word filled posts at Chrissy’s Critty Joy

Side by Side

My husband and I just arrived home last night from an awesome getaway trip to New York.

We really had a great time and many wonderful memories were made.

On that note, I choose this verse because of something “extra special” that also happened during our visit to New York.

Five years ago I came across a Caringbridge site for one of the most adorable, blue-eyed boy, named Timmy.

 

As it turned out Timmy had a tumor that was very similar to my son’s. Timmy had been bravely fighting a very hard battle, and when I met him, they had just found out that he had relapsed. 

His mom Susan was journaling daily about all the family was going through on this most difficult journey.

After reading only one post, I was captivated.  Her love for Timmy drew me in immediately.  In the midst of these challenging days in her own life, Susan often showed so much care for many other families, including mine. 

 It was very easy to love her and her precious son Timmy.

Our friendship grew over the years as we continued to stay in touch.  I felt so close to Susan and learned a lot as I watched the way she dealt with all the things no mother should ever have to deal with.  She was such an example to me and countless others.

I prayed for the opportunity to one-day get to meet her in person.

Well, my dream came true this past Sunday night while we were in New York. When we walked in the restaurant and hugged for the first time, it felt as though I had known her all of my life. We talked, and talked, and talked some more. The bond that Christ had formed between us was so strong.

Truly this was the highlight of my trip.

When we take time to care for others, often out of our own need, the blessings are quickly returned. I felt so much compassion for Susan, and yet each time I went to encourage her, I left encouraged myself.

I love you Susan. God has truly given me a special treasure in you!

 

I’m especially excited this WFW,  a very near and dear friend to my heart is our gracious host.  Hop on over to Lori’s, All You Have to Give.  I promise you a blessing is waiting for you! 

A smile is worth a thousand words!

Genuine joy in the Lord witnesses more effectively then any sermon!  When the peace and joy Jesus gives dwell in our hearts, eternal life and love shine through.

My precious grandson had his first real “boo boo” the other day.

 And no one was rejoicing for sure. 

But in the midst of the  tears and pain, came a smile that could break anyone’s heart.  Praise God he is going to be fine. 

Lord, let me rejoice in your presence always, and let me radiate your joy and love for all  the world to see.  Amen.

Please join us today over at Penny’s  today for more WFW posts! 

Love Me Tender

 

When I found out that Marriage Monday was coming this week, I thought, how perfect!   With our anniversary around the corner and a trip to New York in a few days, I will have all kinds of wonderful ideas to write about.

Romance was in the air.

 

What a perfect time it would be to tell you about my awesome husband.  I wanted you all to know that he is such a caring, kind and considerate, thoughtful and giving person.

I even thought it would be a great time to share some secrets to having a great marriage.  After all 31 years, 5 sons and 4 grandchildren, I should at least qualify to speak on the subject of how to have a great marriage.

 Correct? 

And then, this happened:  I think you know what I mean...

Wow, now this totally changed things for me and I thought, hmmm, what can I write about now?  Thank goodness today our topic is wide open! We were instructed to post our thoughts on whatever facet of marriage that was on our hearts .

So, today I would like to share with you some guidelines I read once that we have found useful in our marriage.  I pray they will encourage you to continue keep your marriage and family before the Lord.

♥  You are blessed to have each other each and everyday, enjoy those blessings.

♥  Always say “I Love You” every day to each other – no matter what!

♥  Love each other unconditionally.

♥  Laugh, laugh, and laugh! Laughter brings you closer to each other. Have      fun, enjoy life; your spouse is your best friend.

♥  Don’t ever go to bed angry.  Get things resolved quickly.

♥  Respect each other.

♥  Say thank you to your spouse when they do something special, no matter how small it may be.

♥  There are no perfect humans; and there are no perfect spouses.  Be willing to forgive and forget.

♥  Communicate, communicate, and communicate! Communication is the key to a healthy relationship and a healthy marriage.

♥ Your spouse comes first and always first; before your job, your family members and your friends.

 

Oh, and by the way, we recently discovered the “communication” tip came in real handy the other day!  We got things patched up, and we are very excited to be able to celebrate the gift God give us 32 years ago.

Sometimes making up is the best part of a disagreement!

 

Rick,  you are the greatest gift God has ever given me.

 Look out New York, here we come!

Please join us today over at my precious friend Chrysalis blog for more Marriage Monday.