JOYFUL!!!

“Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of Love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to the sun above!
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the Light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee!
Earth and Heaven reflect Thy rays!
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise!
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea!
Singing bird and flowing fountain,
Call us to rejoice in thee!!!!!!!”

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The power of PRAISE!

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5-6)

Sometimes the only way out of a foggy valley is the thing that, at the time, we feel least capable of doing.  But when we press through, and remind ourselves of the good things He has done in our lives, and praise Him, we often find ourselves rising above the gloom and depression — and joy breaks through.

JOYFUL JOYFUL!!!!!!!!

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of Glory, Lord of Love!
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to the sun above!
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the Light of day!

LIFE is supposed to stand out!

The whole thing about true, God-infused, blood-bought LIFE is that it stands out.  It’s supposed to — not in a show-off sort of way, but in a VIBRANT way.  This world is full of death and dying.  And the only hope these “living dead” have is if those who are ALIVE allow the LIFE that is in them to break out and be experienced.

Jesus said:  “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.   Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
SHARE GOD’S LOVE WITH THOSE AROUND YOU!!
DARE TO LIVE OUT THE GLORIOUS LIFE JESUS PURCHASED FOR YOU!!!

In Your Presence, oh God!

The only way to overcome the debilitating fear that is presently being poured out on the Earth and gripping humanity, is to abide in the Presence of God.

“You will fill me with joy in Your Presence,” (Psalm 16:11)

I had a dream recently in which I was surrounded by devastation, as far as my eyes could see.  But in the midst of it all, I was safe.  And throughout the dream, I heard the lyrics of a song being sung:

“In Your Presence oh God, there is fullness of joy!
At Your right hand oh God, there are pleasures evermore!”

I want to encourage everyone to do whatever is necessary to daily experience the tangible Presence of God.  Pray, fast, worship, cry out, what ever it takes.  Now is the time to press in for more of Him.  And as we do, even though the world will be troubled and in chaos, we will not only be protected, but we will actually flourish:

“Arise, shine , for your Light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and His glory appears over you.”
(Isaiah 60:1-2)