"I love the LORD, for He heard my voice" (Ps. 116:1)
"We love (God) because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
"I love you, O LORD, my strength." (Ps. 18:1)
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Pet. 1:8)
"Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." (John 21:17)
Yes Lord, I love you! You have my heart.
.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Happiness
Today I thought I'd post an excerpt from my book ("Grace In Time Of Need"). This chapter is about something I need to be reminded of often.
I hope it will be an encouraging reminder for you today too.
Blessings,
-Joanna
Happiness
When I was a kid, we used to sing a song about happiness that went something like…Happiness is catching a firefly, eating a pizza, five shiny marbles…. I guess as children it’s easy to find happiness in little things like fireflies and marbles.
I was a cheerful, optimistic kid, always seeing the rainbow in the storm clouds. Time and circumstances can change us though. After several years of non-stop trial, with no light at the end of the tunnel, I eventually lost all optimism. I had to work hard to find any cheer. Not that I wanted to be a gloomy, pessimistic person, but continual pain and hardship take their toll on everyone, even natural optimists.
One day I looked up and realized I couldn’t remember the last time I was happy – not just cheerful, but really, truly happy. It kind of scared me. I had concluded years before that God’s main goal for me wasn’t that I’d be happy but that I’d be transformed to be more like Jesus. I had accepted that. I knew pursuing happiness above all else results in more misery. Still, something inside me mourned that my life had gone by for so long without experiencing happiness.
For me, happiness was always connected with my circumstances. But if that’s what made me happy, I knew I’d have to say good-bye to happiness for a long time because my circumstances weren’t going to change any time soon.
One week as I read through Psalms, it seemed every Psalm had some reference to being glad. I was used to verses telling me to rejoice and praise God – that I could do, by His grace. Now I saw those other words, the ones telling me to be glad. That stopped me in my tracks. I actually tried to ignore it. Still, every day I read a Psalm, and every day there it was – God’s Word telling me to be glad!
"Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" (Ps. 32:11)
I couldn’t take it anymore. I said, “Lord, you know how awful my circumstances are. I’ve accepted them as part of your sovereign plan. I’ve even given thanks for what you’re doing through them. I’ve experienced your peace and joy, knowing that I’m in your hands. But, please don’t ask me to give up my “right” to be sad. Please don’t ask me to be glad in the midst of this!”
I didn’t hear any audible response to my plea, and I continued to struggle in my heart. At last I told God that if He wanted me to be glad, He’d have to do it because I just couldn’t.
Later that week I was at the beach. As I stared out at the waves, I saw a group of dolphins close to shore. It looked like they were body-surfing. They would jump as a wave crested and “ride” it in before going under again. They seemed to be having so much fun! It was incredible! I know dolphins are supposed to be friendly, fun-loving creatures, but I’d never seen anything like this before.
Then I heard God whisper, “Can’t you be like those dolphins? Can’t you be happy in the ocean of my love?”
I began to cry. I had been mourning so much over my painful circumstances that I’d missed God calling me to a deeper level of happiness than I had ever experienced. 1 Peter 1:8 says, "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...." Even though we can’t see Jesus, we know Him. And knowing Him is the only source of inexpressible joy – of gladness – of genuine and lasting happiness.
I believe God does want us to be happy, but not with the shallow earthly happiness we experience from pleasant circumstances. He wants to give us His heaven-sent happiness – the kind that comes from knowing Him closely. His happiness comes from realizing that, like the dolphins, though we still have troubles, we are surrounded by an ocean of God’s love! Nothing can ever change that. So nothing can ever take away our happiness in Him.
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Ps. 90:14)
.
I hope it will be an encouraging reminder for you today too.
Blessings,
-Joanna
Happiness
When I was a kid, we used to sing a song about happiness that went something like…Happiness is catching a firefly, eating a pizza, five shiny marbles…. I guess as children it’s easy to find happiness in little things like fireflies and marbles.
I was a cheerful, optimistic kid, always seeing the rainbow in the storm clouds. Time and circumstances can change us though. After several years of non-stop trial, with no light at the end of the tunnel, I eventually lost all optimism. I had to work hard to find any cheer. Not that I wanted to be a gloomy, pessimistic person, but continual pain and hardship take their toll on everyone, even natural optimists.
One day I looked up and realized I couldn’t remember the last time I was happy – not just cheerful, but really, truly happy. It kind of scared me. I had concluded years before that God’s main goal for me wasn’t that I’d be happy but that I’d be transformed to be more like Jesus. I had accepted that. I knew pursuing happiness above all else results in more misery. Still, something inside me mourned that my life had gone by for so long without experiencing happiness.
For me, happiness was always connected with my circumstances. But if that’s what made me happy, I knew I’d have to say good-bye to happiness for a long time because my circumstances weren’t going to change any time soon.
One week as I read through Psalms, it seemed every Psalm had some reference to being glad. I was used to verses telling me to rejoice and praise God – that I could do, by His grace. Now I saw those other words, the ones telling me to be glad. That stopped me in my tracks. I actually tried to ignore it. Still, every day I read a Psalm, and every day there it was – God’s Word telling me to be glad!
"Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" (Ps. 32:11)
I couldn’t take it anymore. I said, “Lord, you know how awful my circumstances are. I’ve accepted them as part of your sovereign plan. I’ve even given thanks for what you’re doing through them. I’ve experienced your peace and joy, knowing that I’m in your hands. But, please don’t ask me to give up my “right” to be sad. Please don’t ask me to be glad in the midst of this!”
I didn’t hear any audible response to my plea, and I continued to struggle in my heart. At last I told God that if He wanted me to be glad, He’d have to do it because I just couldn’t.
Later that week I was at the beach. As I stared out at the waves, I saw a group of dolphins close to shore. It looked like they were body-surfing. They would jump as a wave crested and “ride” it in before going under again. They seemed to be having so much fun! It was incredible! I know dolphins are supposed to be friendly, fun-loving creatures, but I’d never seen anything like this before.
Then I heard God whisper, “Can’t you be like those dolphins? Can’t you be happy in the ocean of my love?”
I began to cry. I had been mourning so much over my painful circumstances that I’d missed God calling me to a deeper level of happiness than I had ever experienced. 1 Peter 1:8 says, "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy...." Even though we can’t see Jesus, we know Him. And knowing Him is the only source of inexpressible joy – of gladness – of genuine and lasting happiness.
I believe God does want us to be happy, but not with the shallow earthly happiness we experience from pleasant circumstances. He wants to give us His heaven-sent happiness – the kind that comes from knowing Him closely. His happiness comes from realizing that, like the dolphins, though we still have troubles, we are surrounded by an ocean of God’s love! Nothing can ever change that. So nothing can ever take away our happiness in Him.
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Ps. 90:14)
.
Monday, February 14, 2011
LOVE
I confess, Valentines Day is not one of my favoite holidays. But this year I took some time to think through all the verses I know by memory about God's love. Let me tell you, it was a beautiful exercise!
God has told us so many times, over and over again, about His love -- His unfailing, everlasting, unconditional, surpassing, satisfying, perfect...(there are more adjectives in the Bible, but I'll stop with those)...LOVE!
Perhaps if we spent a little more time meditating on His love for us, we wouldn't spend quite so much time unconsciously looking for other things to satisfy our hearts.
And when we come to that place where we have nothing else, perhaps our eyes will finally see that God's Love is truly all we need.
I could never say it better than George Matheson, in the words of one of my favorite hymns:
"O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be."
Happy Valentines Day, my friends. You are dearly loved!
Blessings,
-Joanna
God has told us so many times, over and over again, about His love -- His unfailing, everlasting, unconditional, surpassing, satisfying, perfect...(there are more adjectives in the Bible, but I'll stop with those)...LOVE!
Perhaps if we spent a little more time meditating on His love for us, we wouldn't spend quite so much time unconsciously looking for other things to satisfy our hearts.
And when we come to that place where we have nothing else, perhaps our eyes will finally see that God's Love is truly all we need.
I could never say it better than George Matheson, in the words of one of my favorite hymns:
"O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be."
Happy Valentines Day, my friends. You are dearly loved!
Blessings,
-Joanna
Friday, February 4, 2011
Signs
As human beings, corrupted by the sinful nature, faith does not come naturally to us. It is only a supernatural act of God that enables us to believe in things we cannot see.
Faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) At the same time, I think God often gives us 'signs' to confirm, strengthen, and encourage our faith.
For me, there are three basic 'signs' that I love to remember.
1) Creation is the sign of God's existence.
Anyone who spends even a few minutes studying nature must soon conclude that the vastness and intracacies of creation never could have just "happened." There must be a Creator who designed and made all these marvelous things!
Paul expressed this idea that God's existence is evident in His creation in the book of Romans.
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Rom. 1:20)
Whenever you feel doubts creep in and wonder if God is there, just step outside and look around. You will see everywhere the sign of His existence.
2) The cross is the sign of God's love for us.
Also in Romans, Paul wrote this:
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)
Only a powerful, divine love could have kept Jesus on that cross...taking my punishment, enduring the pain I deserved, laying down His life for me.
If I ever start to feel like maybe God doesn't love me, all I have to do is look at the cross. There I see the greatest possible sign reminding me that, indeed, I am deeply loved.
3) The resurrection is the sign of God's goodness.
In 1 Corinthians Paul wrote,
"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Cor. 15:19)
If this life is all there is, then we can easily argue that God is not good. There's too much pain, heartache, injustice, and suffering in this world to justify a good God.
But the resurrection is our guarantee that this is just a temporary residence. For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior, we have the promise of an eternity of perfection with Him! The resurrection reminds us that one day God will make all things right. Every injustice will be taken care of, every evil destroyed.
In light of Jesus' resurrection, death is no longer an enemy, but a gift. Because of the resurrection, we are not stuck in this sin-cursed world forever. We won't just "disappear" when our bodies die. No, we will be brought into a new life - we will be made perfect!
The message of the resurrection often leads me to weep with joy! It is so full of meaning and gives us many precious promises to hold onto.
Anytime you wonder about God's goodness, spend a few minutes meditating on the resurrection. I guarantee it will completely change your outlook!
I think it is incredibly gracious of God to give us different 'signs' to remind us of what we know is true, to encourage us to press on in faith.
In Psalm 86:17 David wrote,
"Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me."
Daivd didn't ask for a sign for himself. No, he had already received God's help and comfort by faith. Instead he asked that God would give a 'sign' for his enemies to see.
Those who don't know Jesus have many of the same 'signs' we do - creation, the Bible, etc. But perhaps what they need is one more 'sign' - again described by Paul.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory...." (2 Cor. 3:18a)
Read that verse again slowly.
We are a 'sign' to others of God's glory! Isn't that an amazing thought? Praise God for this awesome privilege!
May you be encouraged today by the 'signs' God has given you. And may you be a 'sign' to those around you of our glorious God!
Question:
What other 'signs' have you seen that encourage your faith in various aspects of God's character and work?
.
Faith is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1) At the same time, I think God often gives us 'signs' to confirm, strengthen, and encourage our faith.
For me, there are three basic 'signs' that I love to remember.
1) Creation is the sign of God's existence.
Anyone who spends even a few minutes studying nature must soon conclude that the vastness and intracacies of creation never could have just "happened." There must be a Creator who designed and made all these marvelous things!
Paul expressed this idea that God's existence is evident in His creation in the book of Romans.
"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." (Rom. 1:20)
Whenever you feel doubts creep in and wonder if God is there, just step outside and look around. You will see everywhere the sign of His existence.
2) The cross is the sign of God's love for us.
Also in Romans, Paul wrote this:
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8)
Only a powerful, divine love could have kept Jesus on that cross...taking my punishment, enduring the pain I deserved, laying down His life for me.
If I ever start to feel like maybe God doesn't love me, all I have to do is look at the cross. There I see the greatest possible sign reminding me that, indeed, I am deeply loved.
3) The resurrection is the sign of God's goodness.
In 1 Corinthians Paul wrote,
"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." (1 Cor. 15:19)
If this life is all there is, then we can easily argue that God is not good. There's too much pain, heartache, injustice, and suffering in this world to justify a good God.
But the resurrection is our guarantee that this is just a temporary residence. For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior, we have the promise of an eternity of perfection with Him! The resurrection reminds us that one day God will make all things right. Every injustice will be taken care of, every evil destroyed.
In light of Jesus' resurrection, death is no longer an enemy, but a gift. Because of the resurrection, we are not stuck in this sin-cursed world forever. We won't just "disappear" when our bodies die. No, we will be brought into a new life - we will be made perfect!
The message of the resurrection often leads me to weep with joy! It is so full of meaning and gives us many precious promises to hold onto.
Anytime you wonder about God's goodness, spend a few minutes meditating on the resurrection. I guarantee it will completely change your outlook!
I think it is incredibly gracious of God to give us different 'signs' to remind us of what we know is true, to encourage us to press on in faith.
In Psalm 86:17 David wrote,
"Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me."
Daivd didn't ask for a sign for himself. No, he had already received God's help and comfort by faith. Instead he asked that God would give a 'sign' for his enemies to see.
Those who don't know Jesus have many of the same 'signs' we do - creation, the Bible, etc. But perhaps what they need is one more 'sign' - again described by Paul.
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory...." (2 Cor. 3:18a)
Read that verse again slowly.
We are a 'sign' to others of God's glory! Isn't that an amazing thought? Praise God for this awesome privilege!
May you be encouraged today by the 'signs' God has given you. And may you be a 'sign' to those around you of our glorious God!
Question:
What other 'signs' have you seen that encourage your faith in various aspects of God's character and work?
.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Satisfied
Psalm 63 is one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible. I read it often and continue to pray that God will make my heart more like David's.
Today when I read this passage once again, the Lord directed my attention especially to the concept in verse 5.
"(v.3) Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you... (v.5) My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."
David's soul was satisfied in the love of God, "as with the richest of foods".
To me this presents a picture of someone so "stuffed" from a good meal that they couldn't possibly eat another bite. They are so full that they don't want or need anything more.
Am I that way with God?
Am I so full of His love for me that there's not even a single empty crevice inside me?
Am I truly satisfied in Him so there's nothing left in me crying for somethig else to satisfy me?
Honestly, this seems impossible to me. But Jesus said, "With God all things are possible." (Matt.19:26)
So...
I don't have to be healthy...to be satisfied in my soul.
I don't have to be married...to be satisfied in my soul.
I don't have to be productive...to be satisfied in my soul.
and on and on...
My soul can be satisfied - completely full and overflowing - in the love of my God.
Oh Lord, make it so.
Amen.
Today when I read this passage once again, the Lord directed my attention especially to the concept in verse 5.
"(v.3) Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you... (v.5) My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."
David's soul was satisfied in the love of God, "as with the richest of foods".
To me this presents a picture of someone so "stuffed" from a good meal that they couldn't possibly eat another bite. They are so full that they don't want or need anything more.
Am I that way with God?
Am I so full of His love for me that there's not even a single empty crevice inside me?
Am I truly satisfied in Him so there's nothing left in me crying for somethig else to satisfy me?
Honestly, this seems impossible to me. But Jesus said, "With God all things are possible." (Matt.19:26)
So...
I don't have to be healthy...to be satisfied in my soul.
I don't have to be married...to be satisfied in my soul.
I don't have to be productive...to be satisfied in my soul.
and on and on...
My soul can be satisfied - completely full and overflowing - in the love of my God.
Oh Lord, make it so.
Amen.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
the Changer
In John White's series, "The Archives of Anthropos" (similar to the Chronicles of Narnia books), he talks about the "Unchanging Changer" - his description of God.
I loved this concept when I read the books, but I don't think it really hit me until today.
- Only GOD can change things...anything, all things. -
I think intellectually I knew I couldn't change circumtances, but somehow I was still trying to change others, to change myself, to "change the world."
The reality is I can't change circumstances.
I can't change other people.
I can't even change myself.
Oh, I can try. I can exert my willpower and do things a little differently for a period of time. But I can't truly CHANGE myself.
Only GOD can change me. Only God can change my circumstances. Only God can change other people.
Isn't it fascinating that the only person who can change things is the One who never changes?
On the one hand this concept is frustrating. I have to learn to accept this truth - I can't change a thing.
On the other hand, this is freeing - I can ask God to change all things! -- me, circumstances, other people...anything!
And I can trust Him to change what HE wants to change in the way HE wants to change it and in the time HE wants to change it.
He has been patiently working over years and years to change me. He will continue patiently working to change other people over the years. He will change circumstances as He knows is best.
And one day He will make everything right and there will be no more need for change ever again! Hallelujah!
The Unchanging Changer is our Rock, our Hope, our GOD.
Amen.
I loved this concept when I read the books, but I don't think it really hit me until today.
- Only GOD can change things...anything, all things. -
I think intellectually I knew I couldn't change circumtances, but somehow I was still trying to change others, to change myself, to "change the world."
The reality is I can't change circumstances.
I can't change other people.
I can't even change myself.
Oh, I can try. I can exert my willpower and do things a little differently for a period of time. But I can't truly CHANGE myself.
Only GOD can change me. Only God can change my circumstances. Only God can change other people.
Isn't it fascinating that the only person who can change things is the One who never changes?
On the one hand this concept is frustrating. I have to learn to accept this truth - I can't change a thing.
On the other hand, this is freeing - I can ask God to change all things! -- me, circumstances, other people...anything!
And I can trust Him to change what HE wants to change in the way HE wants to change it and in the time HE wants to change it.
He has been patiently working over years and years to change me. He will continue patiently working to change other people over the years. He will change circumstances as He knows is best.
And one day He will make everything right and there will be no more need for change ever again! Hallelujah!
The Unchanging Changer is our Rock, our Hope, our GOD.
Amen.
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