Joy from Despair

Philippians 4:4 reminds us that sometimes the greatest joy emerges from the depths of despair.

Bear in mind that when the Apostle Paul wrote "Rejoice in the Lord always!" he was in prison, separated from everyone he loved and cared about.  In the midst of his great sorrow, God gave him joy!

Forgiving

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Luke 11:4


It's not that our forgiveness is conditional, it's just that forgiveness is a natural outpouring of being forgiven. 

Spend some time with this verse and write down your thoughts.

Listening…Forgiveness

Have you thought about how forgiveness really happens?  

 Do you view it as something you ask for and seek? 

Or is it something God comes to me giving, and I yield to (thus what we call repentance). 

Take some time to explore how you experience forgiveness. Listen to God's heart.

Open your heart and make space for God’s forgiveness and spend time in the wonderful yielded place of surrender to God.

Listening

Ask God to teach you to Listen with your Heart…

The Gift of Laughter

Psalm 100:2 says,

Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourself into His presence!


The Psalmist knows the character of God...he knows that God is creator of joy and laughter. In this passage he is telling his readers to offer laughter as a gift to the Lord.


As you talk to God, explore what it is like to "laugh" with God and offer the gift of laughter TO God.

Part of the Journey

Daily, we walk with Jesus.

He carries us sometimes, but every day we carry our cross.

Luke 9:23 says, "take up his (our) cross daily" to follow Him.

It's not pretty. 

Or easy.

It's all part of the journey.

God's Rest

Hebrews 4:3 says,

"...enter into that (God's) rest" 

What does that look like?

Spend time this moment in God's rest.