Category Archives: Joy Is Contagious!

Rejoice–The Lord Blesses??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #405

14 Friday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Blessed by God, Blessings from the Psalms, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Delight of my heart, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus Wept--You can too!, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Joy Is Contagious!, Rejoice IN The Lord, Religion isn't enough?, Relying on self or Jesus?

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Rejoice–The Lord Blesses??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #405

Just a brief word this morning to encourage our hearts.  While the world goes crazy around us, remember that our God still reigns, and when we are born again by the blood of The Lamb, we will reign with Him!  We win!  Yet we don’t have to wait until eternity, we can praise and rejoice in His blessings every day—today—and today—and today—and all of our todays here on this earth!

“Bless the LORD,

O my soul:

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD,

O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

who crowneth thee with

lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

so that thy youth is renewed

like the eagle’s…

… 10 He hath not dealt with us

after our sins;

nor rewarded us

according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth,

so great is his mercy

toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

so far hath he removed our transgressions

from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children,

so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame;

he remembereth that we are dust.”  Portions of Psalm 103:1-14

May we spend time today rehearsing the goodness of our God!  We are so blessed, and I encourage you to list the blessings of God to you even today!  The list is endless, but we so often let the trials of this life distract us from the goodness of our God!  First and foremost for all who will come to Him is Jesus Christ our Lord!  I am so grateful that He saved me from my sin and made me a new creation in Himself!  I praise Him for the joys of loving and serving Him.  I invite you to come to Him in repentance of your sin and trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin and mine at Calvary!  But praise God from whom all blessings flow, Jesus didn’t stay in that tomb, but it is empty!  If you hear the tug of Jesus at your heart’s door, I pray that you’ll bow before Him and call on Him and He will answer.  I’m praying for you!

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Joy Of The Lord??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #318

27 Monday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus is our peace, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy of The Lord!, Joy To The World?, SIN, Sin IS the issue, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Tuned In To Jesus, Turn to God's Word, Victorious Living, Victory IN Jesus!, Walking by Faith or Sight?, Walking With Jesus, Well Done Thou good and faithful servant!, What's coming out of your heart., What's coming out of YOUR mouth?, Where your treasure is--Your heart is!, Who's in your heart?, Whole Earth Is Filled with HIS Glory, Whose Side Are You On?, YOU Can do ALL things through Jesus

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Joy Of The Lord???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #318

“And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha,

and Ezra the priest the scribe,

and the Levites that taught the people,

said unto all the people,

This day is holy unto the LORD your God;

mourn not, nor weep.

For all the people wept,

when they heard the words of the law

10 Then he said unto them,

Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,

and send portions unto them

for whom nothing is prepared:

for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying,

Hold your peace,

for the day is holy;

neither be ye grieved.”  Nehemiah 8:9-11

While many of us are familiar with part of this passage, “the joy of the LORD is your strength”, the context is often overlooked, and that is what I want to share briefly with you this morning.

We do have an assured “joy of the LORD” and what Nehemiah, Ezra and the other leaders of Israel/Judah who had returned to Jerusalem after the 70-years in Babylon, wanted to remind the people of was that their toil in rebuilding was to be a holy encouragement to them!  They were weeping and experiencing great grief over the loss of Solomon’s temple because of their sin.  And while we can go back and read Ezra and Nehemiah in their totality and see that the people still had issues with sin,  their leaders were calling them in this passage to rejoice in The Lord and what He has done for them in this return!

Many of us have suffered through the rubble of life and there are times that the grief is overwhelming when we see the results and consequences of our sinful, selfish, fleshly choices!  But when we have repented of our sin and failure before our God, we can get up and press on in this “joy of the LORD” which truly “is your strength”!  God has made it clear in His Word that when we repent—He will forgive.  John makes this clear in his first letter.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him,

and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.

2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you,

that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world.”  1 John 1:6-2:2

In closing I just want to encourage you and myself to remember that God says what He means, and He means what He says; and when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin, we can be born again to new life in Jesus, and forgiveness of our sins.  But what so many of us forget, is that we are continuing to walk in a sinful world, and it does rub off on us—yet we have

“an advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins:

and not for ours only,

but also for the sins

of the whole world”!

So, the question is one we all have to answer; have I been born again and received Jesus’ payment of my sin debt.  I’ll leave you with a couple of passages that make it simple and true.

“For all have sinned,

and come short

of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

I pray that you will find and grow in Jesus’ knowing that “the joy of the LORD is your strength”!

Amen and Amen!!!

Wonderful Counselor??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #304

18 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Christmas Lights, Christmas Ponderings, Cleansed from all sin, JESUS, Jesus call, Jesus Is Alive, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus--our all in all, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Joy Is Contagious!, Judgment Is Coming, Just Jesus!, Justified by Jesus, Wonderful Counselor!, Worship Him!, You can't get yesterday back!

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Wonderful Counselor???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #304

 

Well, it’s nice to have my typing finger back on duty (well at least better duty—I can type a bit better with it!!), so we’ll continue our look at Isaiah 9:6-7.

“For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counsellor,

The mighty God,

The everlasting Father,

The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David,

and upon his kingdom,

to order it,

and to establish it

with judgment

and with justice

from henceforth even for ever.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts

will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah declared that the “son is given”, and we know that Jesus is that son; the one who came through the “zeal of the LORD of hosts”, and Jesus cleansed the temple the first time in this very zeal.

“And said unto them that sold doves,

Take these things hence;

make not my Father’s house

an house of merchandise.

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written,

The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

18 Then answered the Jews and said unto him,

What sign shewest thou unto us,

seeing that thou doest these things?

19 Jesus answered and said unto them,

Destroy this temple,

and in three days

I will raise it up.”  John 2:16-19

Note that Jesus acts not only in the “zeal of the LORD” (See Psalm 69:99) as He cleanses the temple of the sellers and merchandisers, He also made reference to His resurrection, as He declared His ability to raise up the temple in three days, if they destroyed it; but the obtuse leaders thought this a most ridiculous claim, not understanding that He meant His body that would be offered as the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”!   Even as the angel told Joseph, “He shall save His people from their sin…” in Matthew 1:21.  This Jesus, laid in a manger at His birth, would lay down His life to be nailed to a cross to pay for the sin of the world.  This one whom Isaiah told us would be the “Wonderful Counselor”!  And oh, what a counselor He is!

Jesus was, is and ever shall be our wonderful counselor, for He is God; not only God, but God who laid down His life for my sin and yours!  And while He counseled the disciples and followers in all God’s ways and the fact that He was and is the fulfillment of the promises of God, including Isaiah 9:6.  Not only that but He gave us a gift that would meet our needs as His children when He left and ascended to heaven until His return; He gave us His own Holy Spirit.  And don’t miss what Jesus called him as he prepared His disciples for His death, resurrection and His departure to heaven till His return.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

27 Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth,

give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:25-27

Don’t let the “money changers” around us cause you distress, the Wonderful Counselor has given us of Himself by giving His Holy Spirit to walk with us, with all who come to Him in repentance and faith/trust/belief in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin—my sin and yours!  It’s why He came!  It’s why He can counsel us, all mankind, who will come to Him, not just at Christmas time but any day!  Every day He is calling men, women, boys and girls to come to Himself, the Wonderful Counselor for salvation, eternal life, abundant life.  Won’t you consider Jesus during these days of celebrating His birth?  If you don’t know Him, you can call upon Him today!  If you do know Him, you can draw closer to Him today!  I’ll simply close with His invitation to you!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world

to condemn the world;

but that the world through him

might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him

 is not condemned:

but he that believeth not

is condemned already,

because he hath not believed

in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation,

 that light is come into the world,

and men loved darkness rather than light,

because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:16-19

The Wonderful Counselor will never steer you wrong, I’ve walked with Him for nigh unto 50 years, and He’s never failed me; even when I fail Him miserably, He is ever near to counsel me back into the right way!  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test!  Life or condemnation—it is your choice!!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

Amen and Amen!!!

A Christmas Fortnight??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #300

14 Saturday Dec 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, By Him We Live, By His Grace, Christ IS Alive!, Christmas, Christmas IS Jesus, Christmas IS?, Come to Jesus, Come To Worship HIM, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Knows, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy To The World?, Judgment Is Coming, NOT the world's wisdom, Now is the time...., Ready or NOT Here Jesus Comes!, Real Beauty, Redemption Through HIS Blood, That They May Know, The Babe born KING, The Gospel, The greatest gift!!!, The Joy of The Lord!, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT Reigneth!, The manger leads to the cross, The Manger To The Cross, The Name of Jesus?

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A Christmas Fortnight???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #300

Continuing the reposts for Christmas due to my injured finger.

Bible Ballistics: BBs #121 A Christmas Fortnight-Cardinals and Christmas Cactus?

I love the wonderful creation of God: the trees, grass, clouds and the sunshine, the rain and snow– all wonders of God’s amazing creation.  And two of my favorite things sing the joy of Christmas to my heart: a joy of the Father’s handiwork in this awesome world — “cardinals” and “Christmas Cactus”.  They just sing “Glory to God” to my heart.  I love watching the cardinals at my feeders, and at the window where I watch them, the lovely cactus blooming–which God made so lovely– to bring joy to our hearts.  That it puts out it’s lovely pink flowers at this wondrous time of year—in winter—is a reminder that even death brings life!!!  The deadness of winter and the deadness of “sin” can receive new life.

Jesus came that we might have life.  Do you see it?  Paul reminds us of the reality in Romans 1:16-20,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

to every one that believeth;

to the Jew first,

and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed

from faith to faith:

as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

against all ungodliness

and unrighteousness

of men,

who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God

is manifest in them;

for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him

from the creation of the world

are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made,

even his eternal power and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse:”

The ‘just shall live by faith’!!!  Faith in the great corner stone—Jesus!!  We don’t believe because we are “JUST”, but we are made just because we have believed in what Jesus came to do:  to be born of a virgin, to live a sinless life in a sinful world with a body of flesh, to die for sins he didn’t commit, to be buried and to rise again, so that we would know that it is Jesus, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Col. 1:14)

This is why I celebrate HIS coming to earth as a baby boy.  Not just the story but also the person of Jesus Christ–who came for me, and for YOU.  He who was, is and ever will be the only way—He said so Himself in response to Thomas’ question in John 14:5-6:

“Thomas saith unto him,

Lord, we know not whither thou goest;

and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  One way—Only One Way!!!

Peter reiterated this in response to those questioning the miracle of the lame man in Acts 4.

Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”

No other way but Jesus.  The Lord who created my lovely cardinals, who makes the lovely cactus bloom in winter—that Lord and creator came as a baby to die on a cross for YOU!!!  Won’t you take heart from the beauty and look to the wonderful creator who came to give you real LIFE?  I pray that you’ll find Him in Christmas!!!  I also pray that those of us, who already know Him personally, will take joy and pleasure in Him and all of His beauty in creation.  Today and every day—He reminds us of His power and love!

Amen and Amen!!!

The Blessing Of Friendship??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #225

29 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Building up or Tearing down?, Friends, Friendship, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, Inspiring Others, Intercessors, Iron Sharpening Iron, Iron Sharpens Iron, Is Small Insignificant?, It's Your Choice, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy of The Lord!, Joy To The World?, The Word

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The Blessing Of Friendship??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #225

 

I had a lovely day out with a friend yesterday, and as I sat down this morning to write, I couldn’t help but feel led to share just a few thoughts on friendship.  As my friend and I were talking over our lunch, I shared some things about my past, before I was saved and how unkind I could be—a smart alec by nature and environment–but God brought conviction to my heart many years ago, that my heart needed to be controlled more by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit than the smart alec that my fleshly habit inclines to.  Not to say that I don’t try to make a comical or timely remark when given the chance, but I try to keep it kind and friendly not snarky (as they say now—who knew that was a word?).  We talked about things that I used to do and be before I was saved and she couldn’t believe that was me, and I had to reassure her that Jesus had made the difference, and what grieves me the most was the influence that I was in the negative rather than the positive.  Oh, what a difference Jesus makes in my life!  How about you?  Has Jesus made a difference in you?  Do others see Jesus or your flesh most often?

“He that handleth a matter wisely

shall find good:

and whoso trusteth in the LORD,

happy is he.

21 The wise in heart

shall be called prudent:

and the sweetness of the lips

increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life

unto him that hath it:

but the instruction of fools

is folly.

23 The heart of the wise

 teacheth his mouth,

and addeth learning

to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

sweet to the soul,

and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:20-25

As I was looking up verse 25 above, I was reading and this is one of those places in the Proverbs what has a lengthy flow of thought, and I just had to share this passage instead of just verse 25; for wisdom and kindness are linked hand in hand, and friendship can come out of kindness and compassion.  I have found new friends through the years, just by sharing Jesus, or wisdom from God’s Word, or just a smile and a word of positive encouragement.  Don’t miss acquiring a new friend by being more concerned about winning, rushing or ignoring others than by taking time to share a smile, or a wave, or a word of positive encouragement to a stranger!  It’s much better to share a positive word than always to be thinking of yourself and hurting an innocent recipient out of our unconcern.  How hard is to say kind things to a clerk, a cashier, an attendant, a co-worker whom you may not know well, a new neighbor, a child playing outside as you walk?

“A froward man

soweth strife:

and a whisperer

separateth chief friends.”  Proverbs 16:28

“He that covereth a transgression

seeketh love;

but he that repeateth a matter

separateth very friends.”  Proverbs 17:9

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”  Proverbs 17:17

A friend is a treasure rare; and I have been abundantly blessed with dear friends through the years, and while many have gone before me into Jesus’ presence, I am still encouraged by the things God blessed us to share—mostly time, and Jesus, and being family!

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh

closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”  Proverbs 27:5-6

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:

so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend

by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

Friends are not only an opportunity to bless others, but to receive blessing, grace, wisdom and a point of view outside of our own; and that is so often of immeasurable importance.  It’s one of the things that we can share as friends, helping each other see another side of what God wants us to know.  Even teachers learn from their students—I surely have; and I thank God for that!  The Proverb says it better than I can!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Yet, while all of these things are of great import, there is one thing better, and to me, that is to be called the “Friend of God”!  May it ever be so—thank YOU JESUS!

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,

Abraham believed God,

and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:

and he was called

the Friend of God.”  James 2:23

Yet there is a danger in friendship—choosing to be the wrong friend to the wrong people, which James also warns us about.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.”  James 4:4

So, my friends choose wisely, while the choice is yours to make, remember there is a consequence.  And it may be coming very soon.  Will you choose to be a “Friend of God” in Jesus, or will you be found to be “the enemy of God”?  As I said, the choice is yours but choose wisely for there is a test!  Have you heard the voice of Jesus?  He’s calling to you!  Is He knocking at your door?  It’s your call!

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

 if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!