the joy of the Lord

February 19, 2014 by kim golds

~ Listen while you read, please! ~

The joy of the Lord will be my strength
I will not falter, I will not faint
He is my Shepherd, I am not afraid
The joy of the Lord is my strength

The joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord, the joy of the Lord is my strength

The joy of the Lord will be my strength
He will uphold me all of my days
I am surrounded by mercy and grace
And the joy of the Lord is my strength

The joy of the Lord will be my strength
And I will not waiver, walking by faith
He will be strong to deliver me safe
And the joy of the Lord is my strength

~ Singer, Songwriter – Twila Paris ~

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♬ ♪ The joy of the Lord will be my strength, I will not falter I will not faint ♪ ♬…. “But Lord, how can that be? I don’t like my circumstances! How can I be joyful in the midst of the toughest of places.” This is the question I have asked God in some of my most difficult of circumstances.

I have survived a domestically violent first marriage. I have walked through 2 ½ years of unemployment. I have had a son in need of healing from a seizure/sleep disorder and you know what I have found? Even when I don’t like my circumstances, it IS possible to find joy! However it is ONLY found in God. And it is NOT based on my circumstances. It is only found when you have your eyes focused on Him and take them off of your circumstances.

Here are a few things God promises in the midst of difficult times:

WHAT THE ENEMY INTENDED FOR EVIL
GOD WILL TURN IT FOR YOUR GOOD

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Isaiah 54:17
…No weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Some of my toughest circumstances are among some of my most powerful testimonies. God has been faithful in each and every one of them. Sisters, He is ALWAYS faithful!!! As long as you have God, you have ALL that you need to get through ANY storm that may come your way. Will you choose to trust Him in the midst of it? When you choose Him, this is what He promises:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

I am living proof that the peace of God which surpasses ALL understanding is very real!!! I have experienced it firsthand in the toughest of places.

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Heavenly Father, I pray for my sisters reading this and ask that they would choose to take their eyes off their circumstances and instead choose to fix their eyes upon Jesus and “look full in His wonderful face and <then> the things of this world will grow strangely dim.” And then they can sing just like the song says, Lord, ‘The joy of the Lord will be my strength and I will not waiver, walking by faith! He will be strong to deliver me safe and the joy of the Lord is my strength!’ In Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!!

A Daughter’s Worth: Week 12 – Living with Optimism

This is our last week with “A Daughter’s Worth” bible study. I hope you have enjoyed this study, as much as we have! Sometimes online Bible studies can be kind of pressing, especially when you have such a busy schedule. But, one thing that I have learned is that putting God first and foremost, in all things, is an absolute necessity in order for everything else in my life to run smoothly.

The Word tells us to seek Him first and all things will be added unto us. That means first thing every day, we should be making time for God. We should be seeking God in our daily schedules, tests, extra-curricular activities, church functions, sports, and more. If God hasn’t called us to it, we cannot expect Him to bless it.

This week, in Week 12 of A Daughter’s Worth, we will discuss “Living with Optimism” and what that means. This may be the end of this study, but it’s a very important part of this book! I hope you will take the time to read it, meditate on what you’ve read, and spend time with God.

Here is your schedule for the week:

On Monday, Diane will discuss giving honor to God.

On Tuesday, Teresa will discuss recognizing the holiness of God.

On Wednesday, Jordan will discuss receiving happiness from God.

On Thursday, Tonya will discuss resting in the hope of God.

On Friday, Edwina will discuss looking forward to Heaven with God.

And then to close the week off, Coleen will have a special message for us. So be sure to stay tuned!

Be sure to check back soon because we will be announcing what’s next for GCH:decaf SOON!!!

Now a word from Miss Morgan:

Hey girls this is our last week, which is crazy; but this week we will be talking about how we should give God glory and that we should know the holiness that God has. God also will give us happiness, which we should learn to accept, and to always have the Joy of the Lord with us.

Lastly we will also be talking about resting in the hope of the Lord, and that we should always look forward to Heaven and living with God forever. It’s weird thinking this life will end, but we will live FOREVER in Heaven with God, which is amazing. I love you girls!!

Before Morgan and I close for today, I want to ask you if you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, we invite you today to ask Him into your heart. Please pray with us:

Lord Jesus, I come to You today and ask You to be my Lord and Savior. I have learned who You are through this bible study Lord, and I want to know You personally. So today, Lord, I confess the sins that I have in my heart, and I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I ask You now to come into my life, as my personal Lord and Savior. AMEN!

If you prayed this prayer with Morgan and I, would you send us an email? We’d like to pray with you. You can reach us at GCH_decaf@girlfriendscoffeehour.com.

We love you, so does He!

Have a GREAT week everyone!

Morgan & Christi