All Joy, No Stress

All Joy, No Stress

by | Sep 15, 2022 | God, Joy

I heard the words to a song one morning this week “All joy, no stress.” I didn’t even know the artist’s name, but those words clung to me like a dryer sheet on a dry-fit shirt. I couldn’t get the prior day’s mistake — or oversight — off my mind. I went to bed worried and woke up the same way.

My friends and I recorded a Facebook live video to tell people about my book’s progress. Not wanting to stuff myself in jeans, I put on my most comfortable skirt. We positioned the camera so people could only view our waist up. Or so we thought.

I didn’t even think about my skirt since it wasn’t in the camera screen. To my horror and dismay, my skirt — and top of my legs were clearly “on screen.” How could I have let that happen? In all my years of training, I should have known better.

Here I was, sharing what God had done in my life while showing way too much leg! My friends tried to encourage me, saying it wasn’t that bad and that no one would notice. (Thank God for friends!) But I wasn’t convinced.

The true test? My mom. Of course, she noticed. It still makes me shudder. I want to crawl in a hole.

Joy in all circumstances

So, the song lyrics seemed to mock me that morning. After all, my book focuses on having joy in all circumstances. I, however, was far from “All joy. No stress.”

That’s just like God, isn’t it? I had anxiety in droves. He sent me a song to release me from that worry.

I just had to grab hold of that joy, even when I wanted to stay in that hole and pretend the embarrassing moment didn’t happen.

What about you? Have you been there? Has God spoken to you through a song? A scripture? Or through a friend’s voice of reason?

We can find joy through any circumstance. Even when our own weakness, neglect or oversight is to blame.

I’ve got to tell you. I had a hard time keeping my anxiety from ruining my day. That would have been truly a waste. My stress served no purpose. I had to give it to the Lord.

All joy. No stress. Let’s try to live that way today. Let’s not waste the day by allowing our anxiety to get the better of us.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17:22

Everybody needs a Barnabas

Everybody needs a Barnabas

by | Sep 9, 2022 | Blessing, Determination, Obedience

Everybody needs a Barnabas in their life.

Paul (formerly Saul) had led the great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, dedicating himself to destroying Christians. Newly converted, he offered to help those he had recently persecuted. Those leaders, in turn, refused to accept him as a brother in the Lord. In fact, they were still hiding from him.

Except for one.

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. Acts 9:26-27

Barnabas vouched for Paul. He bravely brought Paul in and introduced him to the brothers.

How did Barnabas know he could trust Paul? No doubt he had heard from believers who had suffered under Paul’s persecution.

Focusing on the future

While the other disciples focused on Paul’s past, Barnabas looked beyond to Paul’s future. He saw God’s work in him and how he could be used to accomplish God’s purpose.

Barnabas had a godly reputation, being described as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” (Acts 11:24) He had compassion for the poor, was a man of faith, and was obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. His character displayed a grateful, compassionate and loving heart.

Recently, I have been working day and night getting ready to launch a book. I have learned so much but at the same time, I still know so little regarding this process. Fortunately, I have people in my corner — my Barnabas band — that I can call on. Although they probably want to run and hide when they see me coming, they stick around. I am thankful for their presence in my life.

Transformed by brotherly love

Sometimes opening up to someone new is risky. If we get too close, we run the risk of being hurt or rejected. Barnabas didn’t think like this. He saw the best in the situation and welcomed Paul in. Paul may have been transformed spiritually on the road to Damascus, but he was also transformed by brotherly love. Barnabas played a role in starting Paul’s ministry.

Strong in his faith, Barnabas practiced what he believed. He was a respected leader and engaged in the ministry of the church. Barnabas’ ministry gave Paul an “in” into the disciple circle. Paul’s ministry changed the ancient world.

We need people like Barnabas in our lives. Not only that, but we also need to be a Barnabas to someone else. God has a plan to use us too, I’m sure of it. Let’s be a Barnabas and reach out to someone in need today.

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:7

Trust and obey

Trust and obey

by | Sep 1, 2022 | God, Obedience

Our puppy eats socks. Not only has he swallowed one, but two. After the first time, we were so grateful because it came back up after a week. We try to protect him from himself – shutting all the doors to bathrooms and bedrooms. Most of the time he just rips the socks to shreds when he finds them. Certainly, he wouldn’t do it again.

But three weeks later, he looked at my son Parker in defiance and swallowed the second sock whole.

Again.

That time, I thought surely, we would end up at the vet with an obstruction. But three days later, the sock came back up . . . and out. Thank you, Lord.

Sadly, we rebel too. We participate in activities we know aren’t good for us. We involve ourselves in pursuits we know we should avoid. After all, disobeying God was mankind’s original sin. Many times, we seek the approval of others and trust our own wisdom over God’s. We do this not once, but often multiple times. 

These are just a few examples. I expect you can think of many more.

Rebellion usually ends in hurt and pain.

God really does know what’s best for us. After all, He gave us instructions through His Word to protect us from ourselves. It would be wise on our part to trust Him, obey Him and save ourselves some pain.

So far, the puppy only tries to steal socks, but I wouldn’t put it past him to steal other items. In fact, be sure to hold on to any loose clothing should you ever drop by my house. The canine thief prowls around just waiting.

Dare to live in faith

Dare to live in faith

by | Aug 25, 2022 | Belief, Faith, Trust

The season is upon me.

The season of deep reflection and wet, burning eyes. The season of remembrance and while not as intense as it once was, a season of grief and loneliness.

When August begins, so do thoughts about the upcoming anniversary of my husband’s collapse and death five days later. On the heels of that week in September, his birthday month of October approaches. We celebrate Matthew for the man, the father, the husband, the son and the brother he was.

Of course, the holiday season follows October, bringing with it all the events we now celebrate without him. Until January rolls around, life just seems out of kilter.

Faith in action

It is during this season I must decide whether my faith is real or not. It is a true test of my faith.

In my head, I know that since Adam’s entrance on earth, God has never failed anyone who places their trust in Him. In my heart, I know He loves and cares for me more than any human ever has or ever will.

The book of Hebrews reminds me that faith is believing and acting on something I cannot see. It describes stories of how people responded to God in faith. These stories encourage us to have faith in our situations too.

They remind me that my story and my future are not based on what I can see, but what I cannot see. And that is God.

Faith depends on Jesus

Faith fully depends on Christ.

As A. W. Tozer shares in his devotional book Mornings with Tozer, “How many professing Christians boast in the Lord but watch carefully that they never get caught fully depending on Him?”

I don’t want to live my life with a “way out” in case Jesus fails. I want to depend fully on the One who gave His life for me.

I pray all of us will “get caught” fully depending on Jesus.

Dare to live for Jesus. Fully depend on Him in your tears, with your memories, with your loneliness and grief, and as you celebrate life’s moments.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

What do you do with betrayal?

What do you do with betrayal?

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Forgiveness, Obedience, Trust

The rooster crowed, and his heart sank. How could he do the very thing he said he would never do? He had vowed he would lay down his life for Jesus. On that fateful evening, Peter denied he knew Him.

Lord of the second chance

What did Jesus do? Scripture never says He brought up Peter’s betrayal again. The Bible does say that Jesus gave him another chance to stand up for Him. He knew Peter’s heart and told him to feed his sheep. Jesus trusted Peter with those He loved.

Other Bible characters come to mind – Jonah, David, Samson to name a few. They all picked themselves back up and honored God with their lives.

Sometimes it’s hard to hand out second chances. But isn’t that what Jesus does for us? 

We may not think the “small” sins we commit hurt anyone else, but they usually do. As believers, going in the opposite direction from what God tells us to do betrays the one who loves us unconditionally.

If you don’t yet know Christ, salvation is that second chance from God.     

Seek forgiveness and receive peace

I know of someone who had an affair, destroying not only her own marriage but the other marriage in the relationship as well. Eight years later, she found Jesus. He forgave her and saved her, but He also prompted her to ask forgiveness from the other person impacted by her sin. That step of faith gave her the peace that comes from receiving forgiveness.

That’s what God does with betrayal. He forgives and allows a way for restoration and forgiveness. And He calls us to forgive and allow that person to earn our trust once more.

Has someone hurt you recently? Betrayed you?

Let’s learn from Jesus’ response to Peter. Forgive.

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