Joy – The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy comes in the morning. We shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.

Joy is a word that is harder for some people to fulfill more than others. Some people are naturally happy. Problems seemingly roll off of them and they continuously have a positive outlook. Then others so easily get their eyes on the circumstances.

When you are more in tune with the problem than with Jesus, you will have your eyes on people and serving will be a task and not a joy.

The only people we are to have our eyes on is the one true King, Jesus. The King of kings and the Lord of lords. He makes us the head and not the tail, we are above and not beneath.

The Bible instructs us to forgive so that God can forgive us. Corrie Ten Boom knew this all too well. One day, one of the guards from the concentration camp where she had been imprisoned, came up to her after she preached a sermon years after the war. He stretched out his hand to shake hers and told her that he had been a guard at the very camp she had been held. He commented that after the war he had asked Christ into his heart and now was so glad to receive her forgiveness too.

She stood paralyzed with horrible memories of his cruelty from days gone by. She did not want to shake his hand as if all were well. She prayed, “God, I don’t have any forgiveness inside me of my own for him, so I receive your forgiveness by faith.” She stretched out her hand and took his hand. She said a rush of warmth shot through her arm and she genuinely shook his hand and forgave him.

Be encouraged to keep your eyes on Jesus, forgive and serve with joy.

I am so excited to tell you about my latest book, Within My Reach. I started writing it more than 7 years ago. I am a busy gal and I have had to squeeze time to work on my dream in all the free time I could find. I would come home after an 8 hour work day, figure out dinner, clean up the house a little and see what the girls needed help with for their homework. Then I would disappear to my quiet place and edit, write, review, re-write, proof… whatever needed to be done.

I have an awesome husband who encouraged me so much and great friends who helped me with the final editing, graphic design and cover photo. God loves to surround you with the right people who can help you accomplish what you need to do for Him. I also have a great publishing company who has been tremendous to work with.

This is my second book. I was more intimidated publishing my first one. I had to research how to do everything. It is like the question: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That is exactly how you write and self-publish a book… one detail at a time.

The end result is so rewarding. You have told a story that God told you to tell and others read it and enjoy it. They tell you that it felt like you were right there talking to them.

I don’t mean to display any pride in this accomplishment. If I had not been inspired, funded and encouraged by God every step of the way, it would still be on my computer. As far as writing, I can’t stop! It comes to me in the night, in the day, at church , driving in the car… all the time! Words of encouragement flow like a river on the inside of me. If I don’t write or speak them I will simply overflow.

You are very important to me! You are my friend either in person or in this world we call a blog. Be encouraged to pick up your dream and work on it a little at a time… One day it will be ready for the world!

You are invited to a party! The party is in heaven with all those who have gone on before us. Our Great Cloud of Witnesses are there waiting on us to celebrate!

They are waiting for the end time harvest. God is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth. For God so loved the world that He gave His son. He is very interested in your unsaved loved ones joining us all in heaven at this great party! He loves your unsaved relative more than you do. He knows the number of hairs on their head; He knit them in their mother’s womb; He watched Jesus be tortured for their salvation knowing they might never accept Him as Lord…He was willing to take that chance.

Jesus commanded us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. He taught us that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.

God is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

I am excited for this party! I could type so many names of those who have gone on before, but instead I am going to go pray for the ones still on earth, that need Him, so I will see them on that great day!

I was preparing to minister at our Women’s Bible Study and the Holy Spirit laid on my heart a phrase to share with them that really ministered to them and me. I want to share it with you: Your bondage is as a paper room.

Bondage of any form feels so permanent but it is like paper. It is very fragile when it comes in contact with the faith of a believer who is speaking the Word of God! You can walk right out of it.

Joseph was in prison but he refused to let the prison get on the inside of him. Paul and Silas were in prison and they sang praises. It was not long that they were not in prison anymore!

There are countless stories in the Word where men and women were in rough situations and it seemed like they were not going to be set free, however, God triumphantly delivered them!

And suddenly everything changed! An earthquake hit the jail and all the doors flew open and the chains were loosed; and suddenly the Red Sea parted and the children of Israel walked through on dry ground; and suddenly Lazarus walked out of the grave…

What do you need? What paper room are you in? Stay with the Word! Speak the Word! Believe the Word! It will not let you down!

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the mist of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-23 KJV.

Healing is from God; feeling good and enjoying life, pain free, is from God. Healing belongs to us.

There are hindrances put in the way of our healing that trip us up from receiving. The devil comes to do that with lies or thoughts he puts in our minds. The devil says:

“God will heal you in His good time.” The Truth is: 1 Peter 2:24 says that by the stripes of Jesus you are healed! Healed is past tense!

Devil says, “Are you sure it is God’s will for you to be healed?” The Truth is: Jesus answered a Centurian and said, “I will come and heal your servant!” Yes, it is God’s will to heal you.

Devil says, “That thing you did wrong, God will not heal you now! It does not matter that you asked for forgiveness!” The Truth is: 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Also, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The devil taunts us, “If God wanted you to be healed He would have already healed you when you prayed!” The Truth is: John 14:13, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” You were healed the moment you asked in faith. If you are experiencing nagging symptoms that does not mean you are not healed.

The devil says, “This pain will never go away.” The Truth is: Revelation 21:4,”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.”

The devil says, “God put this sickness on you to teach you something good you needed to learn from Him!” The Truth is: Isaiah 53:5, “But he (Jesus) was wounded for our trangressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

“You are going to die from this!” The Truth is: Psalm 118:17, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”

Let me ask you a question: If you think that any of the above italicized statements were from the Lord, then can you find in the Bible where Jesus said any of those statements to the sick?

I can find Jesus saying, “Let it be unto you according to your faith.” He said, “Daughter your faith has made the whole.” He said, “I have come to do the works the Father has sent me to do.” He said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” “Be not afraid, only believe.” Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” Psalm 118:17, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.”

Sweet Friend! God wants you well! He wants you pain free! His Son took this sickness on the cross for you! Ask Him to heal you and receive it! This is not a “teaching blog” that has not been lived out… I have lived these Scriptures! I have hung my healing on them many times and watched them work!

“Jesus is a dear friend always waiting to fellowship with us.” That is a quote from a mentor of mine.

She has travelled all over the world teaching and preaching the name of Jesus. When anyone speaks of her their one constant theme is her love of Jesus. Because of her friendship with the Master her prayer life is rich and genuine.

She taught that God will answer the prayer of a saint who is in faith and praying according to His Word. Her relationship with the Lord is one anyone could follow. She makes it very easy to step in line with her to follow Him. When I went to Bible School she was an instructor. She held a class after school about prayer and she would lead us in prayer. Her prayer was for the precious fruit of the earth, for laborers to be sent into the harvest, for nations to repent and sinners to know Christ.

She was confident and her prayers were filled with Scripture. Her prayers were not uncertain, doubtful or insecure. She prayed boldly and confidently and led us right into the Throne Room of God. Her boldness dripped with love for Jesus. When the class was over the room was so full of the presence of God no one wanted to leave.

We can pray that way too. When we have Jesus living in our hearts we can come boldly to His throne and ask for things according to His Word. He wants us to do that. He wants to fellowship with us!

Our being led by God is not usually taking leaps but baby steps. We think that to walk with God it should be something new and earth changing everyday. We assume boring and simple tasks can’t be God’s leading. He is in the big and extravagant and exciting because… well, He is God! However, being faithful to do what He has asked you to do, in the season you are in, is just as much following the leading of God as preaching to thousands!

Most often following His leading is not a whole new big event.. usually it is a step the Holy Spirit has been nudging us to do for a while. It might be as simple as going next door to a neighbor’s house with a plate of cookies.. the thought is not new, it has been there a while, we have not acted on it because we did not realize it was from God.

There are times the path may seem uneventful but when we are obedient He always opens doors of opportunity for us we could not have opened for ourselves. He loves to surprise us with “and suddenly!” To be in line for the “and suddenly He opened a door for us” we must first be where He wants us to be standing. We think, “God where are you? When, Lord, when?” He is asking us, “Have you been faithful with the little things I have asked you to do?”

So, enjoy new enthusiasm for old tasks, do them with joy, inspiring all around you to be their best in Him and promotion is on it’s way… you won’t have to look for it because it will find you!

I have a father and mother who have always loved me and cheered me on. What a gift I have been given! They have believed in me my whole life. Mom and Dad raised us in church. They raised us to trust Jesus at all times. They lived their faith at home.

Your Father God loves you so much! Your view of God is most likely how you viewed your earthly father as a child. If you had a father that was difficult you will have to transform your mind to believe what the Word says about your Heavenly Father. You will not grow in God past your love and forgiveness you have towards your earthly father.

It is amazing how much that relationship affects your relationships now. God is completely faithful. God is love. God is forgiving. God is trustworthy. God is merciful. God provides for your needs. God loves to heal you.

If you have been wondering why God felt distant or that there was a wall between you and Him then make sure you are walking in forgiveness with all men. Then if that is taken care of and you still feel He is distant I recommend a good hearty dose of the Word and specifically focusing on Scripture that helps you comprehend how wonderful He truly is! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the character of God to you.

We must trust the Lord. Pure trust is like a little child who is instantly calm just by holding hands with a trusted adult even in the middle of a scary situation. They know the adult they are with is going to take good care of them. There are times in life we are affected by tragedy. We must roll that care over onto Him. We must take His hand and know He is near.

One day while flying on a plane with my, then, little girl we were ready to take off. This disturbed her. She was in the seat by the window with her seatbelt on. Once the engines started she put her blanket over her head. She just sat there still as a statue. However, when she felt movement a tiny hand reached out quickly from under the blanket to take my hand. Once I firmly took her little hand in mine she calmly relaxed.

So, let’s put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit with one hand and take the Master’s hand in the other.. we have some work to do and places to go! We can see by looking around us the Lord is coming back shortly! Don’t be afraid but trust!

In my latest book, Within My Reach, which will be available soon, there is a devotion entitled, Trusty Brown Bible. It is a short fictitious story about a mother who has two little children but is also called to be a prayer warrior. She starts off just building a prayer relationship with God beyond her own personal needs. She wonders if her prayers are really doing any good until one day one of her old High School friends calls her for a visit. Just as the visit was finishing the old friend reveals her husband has left her and she knows no one else who prays.

Over time the young mom finds new confidence in the Lord that her prayers are potent. She has new determination to pray for things the Lord lays on her heart that are well beyond her sphere of influence. As her prayer time develops it reaches into war-torn countries she will never visit in person, but on her knees, she prays for peace and the comfort of families caught in the middle of war.

As we grow in the Lord our prayer time takes on much of the same pattern. When our faith in Him grows we find ourselves asking Him, “Lord, what is on your heart today?” Our prayers travel the globe for Him. We pray for laborers to be sent into the harvest, we pray for war-torn countries to find peace, we pray for evangelical outreaches to be a success and then there are times we just pray in the Spirit. The Lord will be the only one who will have the final count on what prayer has accomplished through the years.

Please do not underestimate your prayers. Please do not stop praying for nations, ministers and ministries that God has laid on your heart. Your prayers are succeeding in the matter for which God sent it and accomplishing what He desires.