Joy

This is the third week of Advent - Joy.  While looking for a graphic to post on our church Facebook page, I came across the one above.  It hit me because yesterday I was speaking with a colleague who also traveled the journey of infertility.  We talked about how difficult it was, but continuing in faith and finding something in the midst of it.  We couldn't really describe it.  She used the word "contentment", but I think we both knew it was more than being content.  Then this morning, I saw this and knew what it was we were trying to describe - it is joy.  Joy does not equate to happiness; oh, quite the contrary.  We both spoke of the indescribable sorrow we have felt, but in the midst of the deepest sorrow, you can still find joy.  Joy then does provide contentment and peace in the situation because joy does not come from ourselves.  It only comes from the One in whom we have faith - Jesus Christ.

So during this Advent season, ponder on what you can find joy in during difficult times. Ponder while you're waiting for an answer on the One who has the Master plan for your life.  Think on the Child in whom's arrival we're preparing to celebrate, and why He was sent here.  

Planted

Bro. Larry Hufhand preached at our church this past Sunday.  He has been doing a series for us about Psalm 1.  This Sunday he focused on verse 3, and a word jumped out at me.  It was the word "planted".  Let's see what verse 3 says:

He shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

This word struck a cord with me because according to the Dictionary, planted is a verb that means "To place or set (seeds, for example) in the ground to grow."  That is a very intentional act.  If you are the "blessed man" that is being talked about in this first chapter of Psalms, and you can deduct if you think you fall into this category by reading the first two verses, you have been intentionally placed in the spot you are in right now by God to serve a specific purpose.  This should be very encouraging!  Sometimes we go through trials that are not of our own doing, but we can always know that there is absolutely a specific purpose behind it!  That is pretty awesome to know!

Now, what sometimes happens is we don't like where God plants us, so we uproot ourselves and move to where we think we should be.  Been there, done that, and hope to not do it again because it never works out.  We need to bloom where we've been planted!

So as we go through our week this week, let's take a look in the mirror to see if we are living a life God can bless.  If we are, then praise God for where He has planted you.

Trials

Was reading in first Peter today and a little gold nugget popped out at me.  Take a look at this:

Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:6-7

Praise God for our trialed or tried faith!  Look at this passage grammatically, especially verse 7.  Our tried faith is much more precious that gold…not just any faith – tried faith.  Faith that has been through the fire and has come through it still bringing praise, honor, and glory to Jesus.  That is the faith that is highly valuable to God, so the next time you go through the valley or a deep trail, just know to stand strong and keep your faith.  When you come through the other side, your faith will be stronger and highly valued by God.

Have a glorious Friday!

Relocating

This past summer I saw this sign down in Nashville, IN.  It really made an impression on me.  I thought, “That’s where I want our camp to permanently reside.  Camp Joy.”  You can see by the sign it's been around for a long time - since the beginning.

At church we learned this acronym:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

To have true Joy, you have to focus on these three things and in this order.  My problem was my Joy was thrown into a word scramble.

For a while (too long), I've been living in camp O.J.  Trying first to please everyone else and finding time for Jesus too, but sometimes he’s second to pleasing everyone else.  There are several problems with this camp, and that’s why I finally decided to move. 

First, you cannot please everyone all of the time.  In fact, there are some people you can never please.  Also, trying to people please is not pleasing to God.  Our primary focus should always be on glorifying Him and knowing Him more intimately.  The extent of our responsibilities to Others is to love them as ourselves, forgive them as God has forgiven us, and extend to them the lovingkindness that God has shown us.

Second, when we try to people please, it always removes Jesus from the top spot.  Thus, JOY turns into OJY or even just OJ.

Thirdly, you cannot eliminate the Y.  Yes, you do need to focus on Jesus and Others first, but you have to take care of yourself.  When you remove the Y, it affects your self-care, emotional health, motivation, and esteem.  Plus, too much O.J. ends up making you very acidic – bitter.  How is that glorifying to God?  How can that be a great testimony to others?  It can’t be, so I knew I had to get out!  Seeing this sign reinforced it.  It was as if God said, “Hey, why don’t you join me again in Camp Joy?  You've been in Camp O.J. too long.”

So here I am slowly moving back in to Camp Joy.  You’d think it would be an easy move, but it’s not.  Bad habits are hard to break, but I’m getting there and asking for continued Grace and Lovingkindness along the way.

Do you reside in Camp Joy or do you find yourself residing in a different camp?  If you reside in a different camp, take a good look in the mirror and start today making the changes necessary to relocate with me to Camp Joy.  I guarantee it will be the best move you ever made!

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads.  They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  ~Isaiah 35:10

Enjoying Grace

Why did I name my blog Enjoying Grace?  After all, for the first few years of its existence it was called Ponderings.  That was its name without a vision or purpose when I first discovered I enjoy writing and needed a place to put these writings.  Over the past few years I’ve started feeling more of a calling to turn it into something more...a place to share my faith, so I found the need to rename it to reflect more of where I am on my spiritual walk.  Therefore, the blog became Enjoying Grace.

But still why the name Enjoying Grace?  When you look up grace, it has several definitions.  The first one is “elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.”  Well I can tell you, that definitely is not a descriptor of me or my blog, but let’s jump to definitions 4: “a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior” and 5: “mercy, clemency, pardon”.  Now that’s what I’m enjoying!  I am finally enjoying the favor, mercy, clemency, and pardon of My Lord!

I finally learned not to let Satan drag me down with guilt of my past sins.  God does not want that for me or any Christian.  In fact, Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgression from us.”  That is amazing to think about!  God removed my sin as far from me as the east is from the west.  Now, that is far!  It proves that He wants us free from our past, and if we sin now, He sends the Holy Spirit to convict our hearts to repentance.  Even with that, it’s not guilt, its conviction.  They are two completely different things.  Conviction leads to repentance.  Guilt leads nowhere.  2 Corinthians explains it well.  It says in chapter 7, verse 10, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

So my message to every Christian is to enjoy the Grace that has been bestowed to you by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  Psalm 13:5 tells us, “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”  That is what we should do!  When you lose the guilt, it leaves you free to completely love Christ for who He is.  It puts you in a place to truly appreciate what God did for you.  It opens your heart and mind to hear the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice.   It truly is a beautiful place to be!

So if you are a Christian, pray in Christ’s name for the devil’s influence of guilt over past sins to be removed from your life today.  Pray asking for the fruits of the Spirit so you can truly enjoy grace!

If you are not a Christian and feel conviction in your heart to repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, pray the following prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.  I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I trust and follow you as Lord and Savior.  Guide my life and help me to do your will.  In your name, Amen.

If you accepted Christ, please let us know so we can pray for your new walk as a Christian.  Also, make sure to find a home church so you have support of other Christians in your life.  The Christian walk is not easy, but it is blessed!