MORNING HAS BROKEN

But the Lord said to Samuel,
Look not on his countenance,
or on the height of his stature.
I have refused him:
for the Lord sees not as man sees;
for man looks on the outward appearance;
the Lord looks on the heart.

 

 

 

Be careful, then
before you pass judgement.
Do you want other people
judging you?
Do you know enough
about someone else
to cast stones?
Is it your business anyway?
God knows what’s up
with each of us.
He is fully aware
of the verbal bully,
the shrinking violet,
the bombastic know-it-all.
God knows where
we’ve chosen to hunker down
in the greater scheme of life.
Let your guide be God.
He knows the way.
There are rules to follow:
love God with all your heart
and all your mind,
and the second
is important, too,
love your neighbor.
A third woven throughout
God’s word and his Son’s message
is simply this, be kind.

Based on 1 Samuel 16:7

Be Transformed

 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

I am a believer. I know when one thinks negative thoughts negative events seem to pop everywhere. When you think positive thoughts… well, negative events pop up then, too. In this verse, are we being reminded that this world – with its multiple problems – is here, right now, our unwanted reality check. Are we required to be burdened by that? Burdened, no; called to be responsible and responsive, yes. To be that servant citizen, believers are transformed by the promise that in all times and places God is present, which leads one to ask, "What can I, as a believer, do to make the world a better place?"

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Grace

LOST AND FOUND

I lost my ife
to Grace’s gift,
no longer alone am I.

Known, remembered and redeemed
my Lord, my Master
heard my cry.

Found now on
Glory’s shore
seeing Christ I'm lost no more.


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Trust

.

Trust in the Lord

And lean not on your understanding

Be strong, banish fear and doubt. Remember the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

The road ahead is unknown for all of us. Some take the path of least resistance; others beat out a new path. The choices are ours to make. Choose to be courageous and extraordinary, after all that is the way God made you. Different from everyone else and particularly gifted to fulfill a role in life only you can fill.

Being courageous does not mean being foolish. Trying to climb a mountain without proper training is likely to be a disaster. Climbing with the right equipment and instruction can lead to an exciting adventure.

“I am weak,” does not mean, “I am helpless.” God gives us the ability to do whatever is set before us. He is with us through the trials and setbacks. God is in our corner whether we succeed or fail. Each is a lesson learned as we head on down the road, ready for new experiences, fearless and trusting. 

Five trust affirmations from the Book of Psalms:

• Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 NIV
• But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 NIV
• The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 NIV
• 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 NIV
• ...in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11 NIV

Oswald Chambers, a teacher and speaker in the early 20th century, and author of "My Utmost for His Highest," wrote, "I have to learn that the aim in life is God's, not mine. God is using me from His great personal standpoint, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him, and never say – Lord, this gives me such heart-ache.... He simply asks me to have implicit faith in Himself and in His goodness."

When I have that heartache, the question of why, I am reminded that trust can be my only response. The road ahead is sometimes rocky, sometimes difficult, often challenging, that doesn't mean I shouldn't walk down it trusting full out that I have the Lord of all in my corner.
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If you would like to receive notification of updates to Joy in the Morning, please enter your e-mail under the "follow by e-mail" box in the upper right column. This blog is written by a mature (in age only) and imperfect Christian who loves the Lord. Please like and share if you find this message inspiring. Bible verses are from BibleGateway.com

 

Forgiveness

Forgiveness equals renewal

But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:4

Failure and forgiveness. How many times must we forgive our neighbor and ourselves? Seven times? Jesus said more than that: seventy-seven times. Perhaps this is an illustration of forgiveness beyond the mere act. It is to recognize that we are dependent not on ourselves, but on God. We cannot see into the heart of another but God can. He does not condemn; we condemn ourselves when we don't forgive because instead of following forgiveness with actions we continue to behave in the same old way. Jesus also said to go and sin no more. When we fully engage with Christ and his message to us we take forgiveness to another level and begin to live according to his example. We become renewed.

Trust

The Big Picture

The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. Psalm 37:18:

See yourself through God’s eyes, a beloved child. Trust Him. When we love ourselves as God loves us our lives are fuller. We are able to handle whatever comes our way. God’s plan isn’t just in the here and now. Heaven is our home. Our lives on this earth are limited to a span of years that is miniscule in the span of all time. What we do while we are here is more significant than how we look or what we have. Be productive, live a vibrant life and serve others. You will be overjoyed to see what God does with your efforts.

Focus of thanks giving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100: 4-5

Thanksgiving Day is not the beginning of the insane shopping season that Christmas has become. It is a day to recognize our blessings and give thanks. With the frenzy to sell more and be first to do it, Thanksgiving has become more about who can get the doors open first and have the biggest bait and switch hooks to lure buyers in. I can’t imagine anything more daunting than shopping on Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday, be it in a brick and mortar building or online. I admire the shop owners who adamantly remained closed Thursday so their employees could spend time with family. There are some essential services that require people to work every day. Retail stores hardly qualify.

Thanksgiving goes on throughout the year, not just the officially dedicated day. When we forget to be thankful we also forget to acknowledge the source of everything we have. Our blessings abound year around. Giving God glory, praise and thanksgiving are part and parcel of who we are and what we have. His blessings determine the richness of our lives whether we’re living in a mansion on in more humble circumstances. Our actions and behavior are a reflection of whose we are, not what we have. By sharing what we have through giving to the church or charities or by our caring attention to the needs of others, we are showing our gratitude. Sharing glorifies God and makes the most of who he made us to be.