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)

How do you face another day? Do you look forward to it with joyful anticipation or do you think, oh no! Not another day.

Just as I have a choice as to what I’m going to wear for the day, I have a choice as to what my attitude will be. I can put on the glasses of pessimism or hope.

When we put on the glasses of pessimism, we see fear and despair, distortion, things are littered with “what ifs” and “if onlys.” But with the glasses of hope, we have faith and a pleasant perspective of the future. After all I serve a God of hope, not of despair. What a difference it makes when you put on the glasses of hope.

 Lord, You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Questions: How can you put on glasses of hope today? What can you do when faced with pessimism?

 Well, we know that the word of God is very important, but like seed without water it lies dormant until we add the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why sometimes God’s written word can seem dull and makes no sense to us. To be able to properly read and understand the word we need to realize that it is a spiritual language, and can only be understood by the Spirit. It is the Spirit who teaches us and causes the word to come to life for us, as we surrender and invite him to fill and control us (1 John 2:27).

Don’t just be satisfied with having “knowledge” about what the bible says, add the Holy Spirit and move from words to power.  A seed is just a seed until you add water – but once you do… life starts to burst forth, food, trees, babies! God’s word is seed (Luke 8:11). We need to take the seed of the word, plant it in our lives, and by the power of the Holy Spirit expect a crop of hope, joy, healing, saved loved ones, healed relationships, victory, and success. Don’t settle for just knowing God’s word, add the water of the Spirit, and expect to “experience” everything promised to us through it.

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24

Are you struggling to hear from God this Christmas? Let us pray for you.

“God …through us, spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

The smell of Christmas turkey baking in the oven permeated every corner of the house. Walking in from outside the fragrance was welcoming. The smell alone created an appetite and an expectation. Did you know that you permeate the circle you live in with a fragrance? Oh, it’s not your perfume or your after shave. No, the Bible tells us, “…God …through us, spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

As you go through this special day, whether it is a flurry of activity with friends and family or a quiet day of reflection, you are taking the fragrance of Christ with you into your circle.

The celebration of the birth of Jesus is sometimes pushed to the background amid the food and gifts of the day. Yet you bring the fragrance of Him with you as you interact with those around you. You can bring acceptance and love, gentleness and kindness. You can bring an unselfish spirit and an embracing warmth. You can bring the very things His birth brought to you!

Somewhere in your circle there may be one for whom this day is difficult. Seek that person out and give away some of the love Jesus gave you. Create a hunger for Him in those around you by sharing the fragrance of Jesus.

Simply ask for His Holy Spirit to fill you today with power from Him so you can share that fragrance of His loving care. Share His gentle love today and, as the old saying goes, “if necessary, use words”.

Father God,
I want to say a special “Thank You” today for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. Thank you that knowing Him can change a life! Help me today to have a heart full of the abundance of all Jesus is, love and gentleness, acceptance and caring. Help me to be filled today with these things, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that the fragrance of Christ will permeate wherever You have me today! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Question: How will you celebrate Jesus today?

As you prepare for Christmas, keep this recipe for joy close at hand.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’” (Luke 2:10)

Jesus’ coming to earth was good news! His birth would bring joy to all people because He would reconcile them to God. Therefore, this Christmas, let us remember that Jesus came to bring joy. Not just the joy of giving and the joy of spending time with loved ones, but the joy of having our sins forgiven, the joy of a life committed to God, the joy of having a purpose on earth and an eternal home in heaven.

There are many things that steal our joy – things like selfishness, busyness, and unrealistic expectations. Even though it’s Christmas time, we can find ourselves lacking joy. If your joy seems to have been drained away, recall Jesus’ words regarding the way to joy.

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10, 11)

Our obedience to God and His ways is what gladdens our hearts. When we are in right relationship with Jesus, He gives us joy. King David knew that sin kept him from experiencing God’s pleasure. When he repented of his wrongdoing, he asked God to “[r]estore to me the joy of your salvation”. (Psalm 51:12)

Let Jesus bring you joy this Christmas by surrendering yourself completely to Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy I can have when I am reconciled to You. Show me any area of my life where I have not been obedient to You, that I might turn from it and walk in Your ways. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Amen.

Questions: Is this a different way for you to look at joy? If so, how has it changed your perspective? When have you experienced a restoration of joy after you confessed your sin?

Keep learning! Take the second lesson in our advent series: Emmanuel, God with us.

“For unto us a child is born …and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6 & 7)

As I re-juggled my “to do” list of Christmas preparations my thoughts bounced around the changes that have come and how Christmas will be somewhat different this year.  Changes…good changes, challenging changes, hard changes…the interesting mosaic of life. It’s different for all of us, yet we all share in that changing landscape of life. Sometimes finding joy in the changes is easy…sometimes very challenging.

As I pondered the changes in my life, and in our world, I thought about Christmas and the birth of Baby Jesus.  Sometimes that manger scene seems so irrelevant and so far removed from day to day life. Yet an old verse in the Bible brought freshness to my soul this week as I pondered how the Baby Jesus impacts my life today.  It truly gives new cause for joy. Listen…

“For unto us a child is born …and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6 & 7)

Any need you have in life and in the changing landscape of your mosaic can be answered by this Jesus.  If you need wisdom or strength He will be your Counselor; if you need a mountain moved, He is your Mighty God. If you need comfort, forgiveness and gentle healing, He is your everlasting Father; and if your heart is anxious and troubled He will be Peace to you.  Jesus….our rock and our hope! Jesus … our cause for joy!

Let your heart pause with thankfulness as you prepare for Christmas.  Look at the manger scene with the fresh wonder of all He is to you. Let joy seep into the changes of your life.  No need, no change that you face will not be encompassed by all He is so much more than just a baby! Invite Him into your changes! Let joy fill your soul.

Prayer & reflection

Heavenly Father,
Fill my heart with the fresh wonder of what that first Christmas means for me… today.  Thank you that today or in the future, any need I have can be encompassed by You, Jesus. Let joy flood into my soul as I lean on You to be my Wonderful Counselor, my Mighty God, my Everlasting Father and my Prince of Peace!  Help me to look with expectation to what You will do in my life… and fill me with Your joy!
In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Question: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace – which of the names of God do you most relate to today? Which one do you need more of in your life?

“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’”
(Luke 2:18-20)

Imagine the shepherds from the first Christmas night going home and trying to get some sleep after having a visitation from angels. They had just witnessed a message from God after the 400 “silent years” without a divine announcement. There is a beautiful pattern to everything that the heavenly Father does. He gave His Christmas message about the Great Shepherd to a group of shepherds. And He sent the Lamb of God to be born amongst lambs in a manger.

Likewise Jesus talked with His disciples about joy before His crucifixion. It was important that His followers hear the key to joy that night, because the next day would be the unhappiest of their lives. Joy and happiness are not the same. Happiness depends on outward circumstances, but joy comes from within, it is unrelated to our circumstances. In John 15:11, the Lord said to His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Because of Jesus’ relationship with the Father, He had pure and complete joy in spite of what was to come.

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Since it is a permanent gift from God, we cannot lose it, but we can choose to give it up by disobeying His commands. Sin squeezes the power and joy of the Holy Spirit from our life. Repentance will reopen the floodgate. Our Father created the perfect way for us to experience joy in relationship to Him. It is an offer that He makes to each one of us.

“And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You!” (Isaiah 64:7)

God is reachable and tangible. In fact, throughout the scriptures we see God reaching out towards His people and continually drawing them to Him in a real way. From Genesis through Revelation God makes Himself known. The question is not whether God wants contact with us, but whether we have awakened our spirit man, our inner man, to God and are rousing ourselves to take hold of Him.

The term, “stir up” literally means to “awaken, arouse and revive”. Now, more than ever, there is a cry within the heart of people to know God. They are sincerely reaching out and grabbing hold of God so that He becomes a reality in their lives.

I want to encourage you that any time you read about God in His nature, begin to ponder on whether or not you have experienced Him those ways. As your read about God as your Jehovah Jireh, ask yourself how you have experienced Him as your Provider. The same goes for God as Your Righteousness, Healer, Peace, Joy, Lover, and so forth. Begin asking God to take you deeper into Himself in those ways.

In the season that we are living in there is a mandate to stir ourselves up to take hold of God. The world has a strong pull. It is always easier to be brought down than to raise the standard. It takes less effort to remain complacent rather than seeking God and desiring His manifest presence and glory within our lives. But it is not nearly as fulfilling.

The book of Mathew says that the Kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. There are times we need to be an aggressive people, warring for His promises to become reality within us, and within the earth. One of those promises is in Hebrews 11:6 which says that God rewards those who seek Him.

Let’s wake ourselves up to God in a real way. Let us seek Him and surrender our spirits to His Spirit so we may know Him more deeply and rise up as His glorious people throughout the earth.

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you want to be so real to me. I yield myself and all that I am to you. Make Yourself known to me, oh God. Breathe on me and take me deeper into yourself, so I may dwell and abide in You. Holy Spirit, teach me and guide me, drawing me even closer into Your presence and glory. Amen.

Question: How are you experiencing God in new and exciting ways?

How can we pray for you today?

“I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

My day had started badly, but as I turned to God’s living word, I found just what I needed written in the pages of the Psalms:

Psalm 126:5 – “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them.” God was gently reminding me that through all the difficult places I walk his plans and purpose would be fulfilled. His comfort and peace surrounded me as I continued my day.

After delivering a friend to the ferry terminal I had time to stop at a quaint sea-side town for the first time. I discovered a delightful mix beside the bay’s blue water; boats with tall masts, crying gulls circling over-head and attractive gift stores with bright beach wear hanging in open doorways along the sidewalk.

One store that I wandered into had a mix of every kind of new age philosophy available in the form of books and CD’s, ornaments, jewellery, and gifts. Over the entrance was written:  Dragon Horse – a candy store for the spirit.

The living God doesn’t sugar-coat us with a warm array of trinkets to entice us to follow him. His way isn’t an exploration of self discovery and fulfillment. Rather, his path may be uncertain or even painful at times unearthing deep wounds that need healing before we can move forward.

Following the God of John 14:6 appears to be a ridiculous choice to those who can give you with an ample supply of alternatives. But the way of the cross is narrow for a reason. It’s the only way to forgiveness, healing, wholeness and freedom. True peace and joy comes through Him.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) He is the living God who will walk with you every day in whatever circumstance you find yourself and He will faithfully guide you. He will never let you down.

Prayer – Thank you God for sending Jesus, your only son to die on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life and fill me with the presence of your Holy Spirit, then teach me how to follow your path for my life. Amen.

Question – Have you come to God by way of the cross?

Are you tired of a defeated Christian life? Take this Study.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4)!

How can we have love, peace, joy, and victory in our lives? Well, God’s Word tells us to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And when we are filled with the Spirit, we not only have love, peace, and joy, we have the beautiful qualities of patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We can be filled with the Spirit, and continue to be so by following these Scriptural instructions:

Repent: Of anything–actions, attitudes, words, bad habits–anything that might stand between you and the peace and joy of the Lord.  True acknowledgment of sin and sorrow over it releases its hold over you and your life. (See James 4:8-10)

Surrender To God: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in views of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and please to God—which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).

Ask God’s Forgiveness Whenever You Err: To keep Christ’s peace and joy, don’t ever let anything come between you and Him. (See 1 John 1:9)

Forgive: God, Yourself, Others:  Ask the Lord to reveal to you if there is anyone who has ever done you ill whom you need to forgive; and with His help, forgive that person. Do  this to exorcise the ghosts in your past that may rise up periodically to haunt you and hurt your life and relationships.  Do this to have peace with God, yourself, and others.  (See Luke 11:4, Mark 11:25-26, Ephesians 4:32.)

Trust in The Lord In Everything: Be anxious about nothing (Philippians 4:4-8).

Begin Your Day by Rejoicing in the Lord praising and thanking Him (Psalm 34:1).  Enjoy life to the fullest!  Report to the Lord for duty each morning, willing to serve Him however He may wish, in whatever He may want to do through you, in ministering to others, in being His light to your world.

Whenever Something Gets you Down, Praise The Lord (even and especially when you don’t feel like it).  This will lift you out of the dungeon of despair (Acts 16:25-26).  It worked for Paul and Silas; and it works for me every time!

Control Your Thoughts: Bring every thought into obedience to Christ (1 Corinthians 10:5). Be on guard against our enemy Satan and his devious devices.  Study            Ephesians 4:26-5:11, Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8.

Serve the Lord: He has given you a gift or gifts–and talents–with which to serve Him, His people, and others for His glory.  Seek His guidance.

Read: Psalms 23, 34, 37, 51; Matthew 5 to 7; John 14 to 17; Romans 6, 7, 8, and 12; Galatians 5; Book of Ephesians; Philippians 4–until you fully understand what it is to die to self and walk in the Spirit.

Memorize: Psalms 23 and 34; Proverbs 3:5-8; Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 6:9-15, 31-33; Luke 10:17; John 10:27-28; Romans 5:8, 6:11; 8:18, 28; 10:9-13; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 10:13, 31; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 12:9-10; Galatians 2:20, 4:7, 6:2; Ephesians 2:8-10, 4:32, 6:10-18; Philippians 1:6, 3:13-14, 4:4-8, 11, 13; Colossians 3:2-3; 2 Timothy 1:7, 12; Hebrews 4:15-16; 1 John 1:9, 4:4, 18-21.

Lord, give me your incredible joy, peace, and victory! Amen

Questions: We’re only human. How can we consistently have Christ’s joy, peace, and victory? How can we find time to do all the things we need to do to have Christ’s joy and peace?

Is your heart heavy today? We have mentors ready to talk and pray with you .

“COME unto me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest … for your souls” (Matthew 11:28).

Are you feeling parked in your faith and not moving forward as you would like? Take some time today to respond to God’s invitation to come to Him and find His rest.

In our busy days we often try to commune with God on the run. Carve out 20 minutes today to sit quietly and allow your heart to draw near to God through the following verses of truth. He will draw near to you. It’s a promise you can count on.

1. C – CAST your concerns: 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your cares on Him for He cares for you.” Bring Him your unanswered question/self-pity/disappointment/ your distracted life.

2. O – OPEN your heart: Philippians 4:6/7 “Don’t worry about anything but pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.” Ask for His truth to penetrate your heart and mind and open your heart completely, with all your doubts and reservations, to Him.

3. M – MAKE REQUEST: Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Lay aside your own best thinking and ask God to give you what He knows you need today. Thank Him for His mercy and grace in your time of need.

4. E – EXPECT:  Romans 15:13 “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.” Let His peace and joy flow over you and spill out to those around you.

Lord God, today I want to sit in Your presence and let Your love settle over me. I need to draw near and feel Your presence and Your love. Speak to my heart as I allow each one of these verses to steep into my heart. Thank you that You are all I need today. I pray this in the strong name of Jesus, amen.

Questions: Are you feeling like your faith is not growing and you are stuck?  What does the scripture mean when it says to cast all our cares on Him?