Thirsty

I have a plant on my desk at work that (even though its right in front of me) I forget to water.  Yesterday, it was looking VERY thirsty.  The leaves were drooping and withering; it was so pitiful looking.  I thought that this time I had killed it for sure!   So, I poured some water into a pitcher and gave it a good drink, hoping and praying that it would survive...

And guess what?

Today, it looks like this! 

Yesterday, this plant reminded me of some people that I see...they are walking around lifeless and drained.  They look completely hopeless and near death.  What do they need???

  A good drink of water...

LIVING WATER

 "Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:13-14 NIV

Today I challenge you: take your pitcher of living water and pour life into those around you! 

A Song Arises from the Slimy Pit

I have put my testimony on my blog in the past...the story of my life and how God changed me into a vessel that He could use. http://smayo1013.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-testimony.html

Sometimes in the heart of the "changed" me...Satan tries to plant that seed of doubt, reminding me of the wretched person that I was before.  He wants my mind to go and dwell there, back in the slimy pit where sin abounded and there was no light.  He wants me to believe that noone wants to hear anything I have to say..or sing...because Im not holy...Im imperfect, Im sinful, Im selfish.  And if he can suceed in getting me to go back there in my mind...he can hold me back from the path that God has laid for me. 

Im sure I am not alone.  Im sure that people in ministry positions all over the globe are struggling with this very thing.  Satan says, "Who do you think you are that God could use you...have you forgotten that you ___________(fill in the blank)." 

But today I am reminding myself...and all of you...

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him."  Psalm 40:2-3

Joy

Joy = Happiness

Life, it seems, is all about chasing after joy.

But if we dont know what will bring us joy...how will we ever catch it? 

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp...

Today, Im pondering, I guess.  Wondering how someone like me, someone who loves the Lord with all of her heart, can ever have a moment without joy.  But I do.

  I let the worries of life eclipse my joy.     

 "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 Peter 1:8 NIV

Oh, that we could have uninterrupted,

 inexpressible and glorious joy!

But we can...we can find joy in every moment of every day.  I think that we are just not looking in the right place.  We dont have to chase after it...if we have Him, we already have it.  Joy comes from within.  Joy comes from Him. 

Today Im going to begin a "Joy Dare".  Ann Voscamp, author and blogger has a book titled, "1000 Gifts" (that I have not read but plan to) where she wrote down 1000 things she found joy in!  On her website, she has a link where you can download her "Joy Dare" and begin to find joy in everything around you every day for a year. 

Here is the link:  http://www.aholyexperience.com/joy-dares/

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp...

but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” 

Nathaniel Hawthorne

                                                       

Sit quietly, rest in Him, and find joy in everything around you....