Joy

Last Wednesday, our Bible Study Group, Suited stared a new study called Fight back with Joy. It is simply A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! First, let me say - I LOVE doing life with these women!  They make my heart happy and fill me with JOY to be in their space!  We have such a real group of crazy women......just that night, 2 girls were in the floor working on their self-defense skills, we talked about sore boobs, burp out loud, jig around and just act goofy! They get a kick out of us in the Heavenlys!  :)

Here are my people (with a few missing links).....we had just let our red balloons go into the gorgeous sky, proclaiming "Joyful Are We!"

So this study....it is one of those studies, that will stick with you for the rest of your life....it is a life changing study - chains will be broken - wounds will be healed - JOY will be found!  We have been introduced to "Joy Bombs".......we bomb each other with Joy and we enjoy seeing each other recognize the Joy Bombs that God drops on us! It seems like most people have a hard time recognizing joy in the mist of trial and hard times.....I know I was once that way and can still be that way.  But if we will open our eyes wide and just look around, you will see joy in all things, in all circumstances!  Stop and smell the roses......stop and feel the joy! Just this past week, I was bombed with a phone call from a precious friend that I had not talked to in months - baby boy made the soccer team at his new school - my coffee this morning was awesome - I had extra quiet time this morning - had a mini-date with my man - made some great contacts regarding Human Trafficking - kisses from puppies - the clouds today are amazing!  All of this coming from a woman who once couldn't see much good in anything.....my anxiety ridden, twisted mind, wouldn't let me see good.  Gosh I was a miserable human! Thank you, Lord for rescue and healing and helping me to see Joy! The question last week was.....How do we abide (my word this year) in God and therefore experience His joy at all times?  It seems so hard and complicated - - when it really isn't.... ABIDE in His Word - Make the time to pick up the Living Word and spend time in it.....you don't have to spend hours and you don't have to read an entire book at a time.  Block off 15 or 30 minutes - pick 1 chapter and read it - really read it.  I promise you that the time you spend will grow and you will crave spending time in the Word......this = abiding!   Speak God to others and to ourselves -  God is truth - God is love - God is forgiveness - God is understanding - God is accepting - God is comfort - God is a shelter in hard times - there is NO END to what God is in our lives!  We tend to speak bad things to ourselves and to others (I know I do).  This means we are to speak of these things to ourselves AND others!  God loves me - God has forgiven me - God is my Shelter - God loves you - God has forgiven you - God is your shelter during this hard time. Bear much fruit - We must use the talents and gifts that God has blessed us with to make a difference in this world, in others lives.  This can be anything from....making that phone call or taking a meal to stepping out in faith to be part of something bigger than yourself, like Human Trafficking.  Fruit is the result of the good things that we do. Care for His presence in us - When you repent and give your life to Christ, His Spirit takes up residence inside you, just as He promised..... Ezekiel 36:27 ~ "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." 2 Timothy 1:14 ~ Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. Romans 8:11 ~ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Care for His Presence in us.....I believe care means to be in tune with, to hear and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and also not do anything in our lives that would grieve the Holy Spirit. Be a thankful people - this one couldn't be more clear.....BE THANKFUL - you have what you have because the blessings of our Father have been poured out on you! Begin your prayers with thanking Him for what He has done for you, before reciting your list of wants and needs.  I wonder.....when we are thankful people, does that cause God to drop more joy bombs on us? If you make it a point to do all of these things, you will be ABIDING!! There is no better place to be!