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I have to smile when I look at this picture of my youngest granddaughter holding this sign. My son took his only daughter shopping for some new decorations for her room. I heard he conveniently directed her to this sign. She hung it up right as you go into her room by the light switch. My son’s love for his daughter prompts him to watch over her and guard her now and in the future. Jesus is for that! Children are so special to Jesus…And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16

A long time ago, I started to keep a journal and I continue to do so. My reason for journaling is to become aware of God’s presence in my life along with His blessings. I discovered by writing down the evidence of God’s presence, or His blessings or scriptures that He brings to my mind, became a powerful defense against anxiety or fear. Journal writing is a safeguard against the enemy stealing my joy. I want to encourage those who are journaling to keep on going, and for those who are not journaling to give it a try. Please remember with God writing is not about perfection. Misspelled words don’t bother God. Journal writing is about drawing closer to God and enjoying your relationship with Him. In tough days and in good days too, you can go back to your journal and reread, remember, and rejoice.

You will fill me with joy in your presence. Acts 2:28

I’m thankful that God created in us the ability to sing. That ability doesn’t always mean having a beautiful voice. Carrying a tune is not all that important when we sing to the Lord. No matter what our singing sounds like when we praise Jesus in song the sound is absolutely beautiful to Him. What He thinks is what really counts. This new year let’s sing more. Even on the days you don’t feel like singing take a deep breath and belt out a song anyway. Our song touches the very heart of God as we sing in our suffering. I’ve found after singing a song like: Jesus Loves Me, or Victory in Jesus, or Amazing Grace, I’m reminded of God’s love and power and my stress or fear or disappointment fades. What will be your first song this year you’ll sing to Jesus?

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:7-8

Something I’ve noticed in the Bible is that more than once, when joy is mentioned some kind of pain or hardship has happened beforehand. For example, Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 To choose joy in the middle of suffering and loss is a strong affirmation of faith. The best explanation of joy that I’ve heard is “living in the reality of God’s promises.” No matter the twists and turns in life, let’s rest in the truth that God keeps His promises. Promises like: unconditional love, forgiveness, an ever-present help in trouble and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Wow! That’s the joy of the Lord!

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Hab.3:18

Here’s a picture of me with three of my “sisters in Christ.” I call these friends sisters in Christ because God our Father is the foundation of our friendship. Our goal is to hold each other accountable and grow deeper in God’s Word and live in thanksgiving and praise. Together over many years we’ve experienced lots of answered prayers, weddings, grandchildren and death of loved ones. We’ve laughed together and cried together. In good times we’ve celebrated blessings with praise and thanksgiving and in hard times we’ve given encouragement and comfort. Sisters in Christ have an unbreakable bond.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man that falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl. 4:9-10

Two of my favorite places to be is at the beach looking at the ocean and on top of a mountain looking out over the countryside. I like open places where I feel free. There’s something about elevators, caves and close quarters I don’t like. Recently I was scheduled for a MRI. Needless to say I was anxious about being confined in THE TUBE! My Bible study group, my prayer partners and my family prayed for me. Before I was even put in THE TUBE and all during the test, I felt a calmness that I knew came only from Jesus. I say all this to say…God is able to do all things on His own, yet He chooses to work through the prayers of His people.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

I don’t want to believe something that is not true. I want to know quickly what IS of God and what is NOT of God. The enemy is really good at twisting the truth and misleading us. Recently I heard a pastor speaking about the authenticity of the Bible. He said, “The Bible is the vaccine against spiritual deception.” I don’t want to be deceived and I bet you don’t either. Together let’s read and study God’s Word to know the truth so we can recognize the lie.

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4

One summer day my friend and I (who is also my prayer partner) were enjoying a beautiful summer day in a paddle boat on a lake. Enjoying the blue sky and summer breeze we decided this would be a great time to pray. At that time in my life I didn’t have any grandchildren. During our time of prayer I remember praying, “Lord, I would love to have 3 grandchildren.” Look how God answered my prayer! I got 5 grandchildren!!! I’m so thankful that God is able to do more than we ask or imagine!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20-21

In my w-a-y younger years I was a pretty fast runner. I liked to race on the school playground with my classmates. I remember watching with anticipation as I waited for the teacher to yell “Ready, set go!” I like this picture of a baseball player because he sure looks ready and set and prepared to go. He’s watching. He’s anticipating. He’s waiting. That’s the way I want to live today as I wait for Jesus to come. Now is the time for us to get ready, set and prepared to go!

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Rev. 19:7

When I was a young girl I lived on a dairy farm. We had cows, pigs, chickens and sheep. Josephine, Bertha and Oscar were the names of the lambs whose mother deserted them. To keep them from starving my sister fed them milk using a coke bottle with a nipple. She took good care of them with lots of love. I’m reminded in God’s Word how Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and refers to us as His sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15 Wow! What a good reminder that we like sheep are known by Jesus the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. He knows you, and loves you with an everlasting love. Do you know Him?