Joy and peace is mine

One of the biggest things that has held me back from receiving the joy and peace offered to me through salvation in Christ is how I hurt people in my past. How can I receive joy and peace when people I had a hand in damaging are still hurting? That’s not fair. I should hurt with them. And I do hurt with them. It is just now my pain feels different. It feels shared. Like Jesus is right there with me. He suffered through pain He didn’t deserve so He could be there to take pain I do deserve. I look forward with joy and peace because I see what God saved me from. I know He will do the same for those I hurt, damaged, or directed down a wrong path. I do my part in saying I am sorry. He does His part by working in their hearts to give forgiveness and no longer use their pain as a reason to keep sinning. Exactly what He did for me is what He will do for them. God knew exactly what I would do and He put these people in my life anyway. He has a plan. He wants them, too. I will accept that joy and peace because I trust Him. I will accept it because me walking around in a defeated, sorrowful way will not lead one soul to my Father that heals. I want you to see the work God has done in me. I want you to see the Christ that saved me. I want you to see the Spirit that moves in me daily. That joy and peace is mine. I don’t deserve it but I inherited it the moment I submitted my life to the salvation offered by Christ. It is my inheritance and I fully accept it! You can inherit it as well. Pray for the power of God that redeems, resurrects, and relieves! There is more to life than this punishment you are doling out to yourself. You don’t have to live like this anymore. Let today be the day.

Ezekiel 36:33

“Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt.

Lord, I pray over every soul that reads this. If they don’t know you, I pray that soul becomes so restless without You they have no choice but to give in. I pray if this soul does know you but still living in their punishment that they accept the inheritance You have offered. For the souls that have reached this level of joy and peace I pray You shine on them so others can find them and be led to You. In Christ name, Amen

Trust in Him

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Trust in Him. How do you find joy and peace even when all things around you are spinning out of control? Trust in Him. Is this always easy, no. It gets faster though. The peace comes quicker each time you remember to Trust in Him. A new habit is formed and instead of drowning in the sea, you reach out and grab Jesus’ hand. Trials in life are not a test. It is endurance training. It creates muscle memory for your heart. The storm rages…how quick will you go back to your training and Trust in Him. You’ll train until it is an automatic response and then you’ll train some more to keep the endurance you have gained. Through this training you find peace and joy. So much so that it makes hope overflow from you to others. So, let things spin out of control. You were never in control to begin with. Stand up, throw your arms out and spin around in joy! You have the Holy Spirit as your personal trainer. The cost? Just believe…and…Trust in Him.

Joy of Conviction

Does conviction scare you? It used to scare me, too. I used to read bible verses and feel it and think “oh great, here is something else I do wrong. Just another thing that makes me a big ol disappointment.” I am forever grateful that God kept showing me His love and giving me words of encouragement thru sermons and bible studies. I am forever thankful that God answered my prayers for wisdom and to understand Him better. Now when I feel conviction I push aside condemnation and become excited for the next change God is going to make in me. When I felt condemned I felt that I was the one that had to change it. I worried over it. Tried with my own might to change. Then I learned more and more about how God really works. About how much He really loves me. And as long as I keep my heart turned towards Him and practice my faith in Him fully trusting Him, then change comes on its own. Do you know your Father like that? In this world we learn it is hard to trust people. But God is not people. Learn Him. Love Him. And you will find your joy in His conviction as well.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.