Good morning...
I have prepared this post in advance. This is because Mustafa and I will be away on a mini vacation. Our plan is to visit the Hearst Castle. By the time you read this we will have gone...planned for Wednesday. I wanted to have the posts all ready because I would like to be able to just hit publish rather than spending an hour or more every night when we are away. Have a thankful Thursday.
This devotional was written by Brother Thomas Ukwute who provided the scripture and Jody Ward who did the devotional part. The name of the devotional is "Joy Always Returns" based on the scripture that says mourning may happen but, joy comes in the morning.
I have prepared this post in advance. This is because Mustafa and I will be away on a mini vacation. Our plan is to visit the Hearst Castle. By the time you read this we will have gone...planned for Wednesday. I wanted to have the posts all ready because I would like to be able to just hit publish rather than spending an hour or more every night when we are away. Have a thankful Thursday.
This devotional was written by Brother Thomas Ukwute who provided the scripture and Jody Ward who did the devotional part. The name of the devotional is "Joy Always Returns" based on the scripture that says mourning may happen but, joy comes in the morning.
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For His anger is only momentary, lasting only a little while.
His wrath is fleeting and brief, like a second of time in our lives. But His
love and kindness lasts our whole lifetime and in His favor there is life. We
are sustained in His goodness and across the span of our lives, there is only
love.
Life’s challenges are the key to discovering
the treasures our Heavenly Father has hidden in our lives. Don’t run away from
them. Instead, wait on Him to guide you through.
Today's Devotional
"Joy Always Returns"
written by
Brother Thomas Ukwate and Jody Ward
For His anger is only momentary, lasting only a little while.
His wrath is fleeting and brief, like a second of time in our lives. But His
love and kindness lasts our whole lifetime and in His favor there is life. We
are sustained in His goodness and across the span of our lives, there is only
love.
Our tears may flow in the darkness and go on all night.
Sorrow and weeping may stay overnight, and we may have to endure it. But our
joy returns with the morning. With the dawn, comes a shout of joy and we will
celebrate with the bright light of day. The nights of crying have given way to
days of laughter.
Psalm 30.5-6
Life’s challenges are the key to discovering
the treasures our Heavenly Father has hidden in our lives. Don’t run away from
them. Instead, wait on Him to guide you through.
You
cannot enjoy the fruit of a kernel until you crack the shell. You cannot use
the grain without removing the chaff. The kernel must suffer momentarily in
order to be enjoyed. The grain must undergo trauma in order to be used.
Face uncertain situations with courage and
endure through painful times with faith in the unfailing power of the Almighty
God. By doing this, you will be a testimony, not just to those close to you,
but even to the nations of the world!
Remember, that no matter how the earth quakes
underneath your feet, or how your life feels like shifting sand, His
everlasting arm is what is holding you in place and you will never be moved. (See Psalm 136:12).
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Picture of Jesus
This picture is called Laughing Jesus
"Have you ever pictured Jesus laughing? Now, I know that you have pictured him in your mind's eye preaching, praying, rebuking sinners — even suffering and dying, but what about him laughing? Yes, I've heard people speak about the cultural humor in some of his parables, but I had just never imagined him laughing out loud because something struck him as being funny. Yet, isn't that one of the most basic things that makes up our humanity? I believe that Jesus knew how to laugh and did so! I also believe that he fully expects us to do so also.
Notice a couple of Old Testament scriptures with me that emphasize this point.
Notice a couple of Old Testament scriptures with me that emphasize this point.
- This one, about God, is often repeated as he looks at the rebellious hearts of the nations trying to oppose him with their meager power! "But the one who rules in heaven laughs" (Psalm 2:4 NLT).
- And this one is just about a good philosophy of life. "A cheerful heart is a good medicine"(Proverbs 17:22).
- Then there is the naming of Isaac — the name Isaac means "laughter" — since both Abraham and Sarah both laughed at having a child in their old age (Genesis 21:6).
This article was written by Russ Lawerence and was posted on the website of HeartLight
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Kid's Letters To God
| Dear God: | Could you please make my legs be strong? I want to play like the other kids. They tease me so please make them stop. |
| Dear God: | Do you throw the lightening down at us? It scares me a lot when it goes BOOM. Please stop it. |
| Dear God: | I love Jesse a lot. When I told him, he pushed me down and made me cry. Mommy says he must like me too. What do you think? |
| Dear God: | Molly got new pink shoes, and I want them. Is that bad? I won't steal them or anything, but would you send me some too? |
| Dear God: | I hate it when Daddy drinks his beer. He smells awful. Then he sleeps. He gets mean and yells at me a lot. Did you make up beer? Why? |
| Dear God: | When I get big I want to play basketball. Maybe you could make my skin black so I can play better. Also, make me really tall, too. |
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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Am presently facing surgery plus an arm injury so this devotion was really a good one to remind me to keep everything in perspective. God will get me through this and I pray I will keep a joyful outlook.
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