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FORGIVENESS

To forgive means: to pardon or absolve of wrongdoing-to cancel a debt-to give up resentment-to stop blaming or wanting to punish someone for a wrong action, mistake or injury they have done to you or you yourself have done.

The person who has hurt us does not have to say he is sorry, for us to give him forgiveness. Forgiveness does not depend on whether the person being forgiven deserves it; but it is a choice made that is an act of obedience to God’s Word. We are commanded to forgive. Mark 1:25-26 reads “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses.” We need to release-let go of, the hold someone has on us and give it to God.

Forgiveness does not change what happened or take the situation totally out of our mind. Instead, it changes the way we remember it, causing less pain. Forgiveness is something we do for ourselves. To forgive does not mean we are accepting or condoning what they did or we think it was ok, but rather forgiving sets ME free, releasing ME from the hurt. If we don’t forgive what happened, we are held hostage. We can’t go into our future because we are holding on to the past. We are stuck!

Unforgiveness poisons anyone who holds on to it, causing bitterness-anger-the desire for revenge. It is impossible to be bitter and get better at the same time.       We have to make the choice to forgive others and not give those hurtful words or actions the permission to make us not want to forgive.

Unforgiveness zaps us of energy and strength to do the service God has planned for our lives. When you release a person, by forgiving them, it is not because they deserve it, but because YOU deserve to be released from that hurt they have caused. Forgiveness doesn’t mean the other person is right. It means YOU are right with God. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

The person who has hurt you has freewill just as you do. You cannot control them, but you can control your thoughts and your free will to forgive. When we forgive a person who has never even asked for it, we are releasing that hold the person has on us that is strangling the very breath we are breathing. If we do not forgive, we leave our hearts open to the attacks of the devil. 

Forgiveness is difficult because the pain is real. When someone hurts us, our natural instinct is often to protect ourselves, hold onto resentment or wait until the other person makes things right. Jesus calls us to something better. He calls us to forgive, not because the hurt didn’t matter, and not because the other person has earned it, but because we have been forgiven by God. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 

Jesus understands what it feels like to be hurt by others. He experienced betrayal, rejection, mockery, physical pain and deep emotional pain. Look at what He said as He hung on that horrible cross. Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.” If Jesus can forgive all those hurts, how come I can’t forgive when I have been hurt. Jesus suffered, He understands our hurt completely. When we bring our pain to Jesus, we will find comfort, compassion, strength and the ability to forgive others.

There is not enough space to tell all that happened, but I had a time when I had to forgive my brother-in-law. He wanted me to convince my husband to meet him in the middle of nowhere, so he could give my husband his inheritance when their mother passed away. I refused, because my brother-in-law had threatened my husband many times. Well, when I told him no, he threatened to kill me. He never apologized. He never admitted he had done anything wrong. He never asked for forgiveness from me or my husband. But I HAD to forgive him. The reason I had to do that was for ME, for my well-being, to guard my heart-to not let him control me and my mind and to be in obedience to God. Forgiveness is to free me of the hurt, not the other person. If we don’t release ourselves from lack of forgiveness, it will rule our hearts and minds. Basically, the devil moves into our thoughts and heart.

I don’t know why, but it is always harder to forgive myself than another. I find myself praying and continuing to ask God for the same forgiveness over and over. We continue to punish ourselves because we feel we have not received God’s gift of forgiveness. But God forgives us the first time we ask. When we keep holding onto what we can’t forgive ourselves of, it is like continuously picking at a scab. It will not heal. We will never truly forgive ourselves, if we don’t remember God’s promise of forgiveness. Not forgiving things in our past will never free us of the past, only keep us stuck there. If you don’t forgive yourself, you will teach your children that they can’t make mistakes.  If we don’t forgive ourselves, we are not going to ever move forward, because it will be like a weight is around our ankle holding us back.

I want to point out, it is possible and very important, to forgive someone fully and still set healthy boundaries. There are so many who are suffering abuse of one sort or the other and need to get out of the situation they are in. With my situation with my brother-in-law, I had to forgive him, not for him but for ME.      But I didn’t have to talk on phone to him-I didn’t have to be where he was-I didn’t ever have to see him again-trust him-not let him hurt me, my husband or my kids anymore. It is hard to forgive someone when they don’t ask for our forgiveness. Nowhere in scripture does it tell us that they have to ask for forgiveness, before we forgive them.

Forgiveness and trust are not always the same thing. That is why we have to set up those boundaries. Forgiveness can be given immediately but trust is rebuilt over time. Trust cannot be forced, because it requires the offender to prove themselves. The only person who we can truly trust is God. Holding onto hurt and not forgiving, often keeps us trapped in anger and pain. Forgiveness, on the other hand, opens the door to healing, freedom and peace for ourselves. When we remember how much God has forgiven us, we find the strength to forgive others. Loving like Jesus means extending the same grace and mercy we have received. It is not easy. But it is commanded. Me forgiving my brother-in-law had nothing to do with me trusting him.

You will know you have truly forgiven a person when you genuinely want the best in life for them and can sincerely pray for God to bless them.

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive our trespasses.”

Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

Till next time!

                                             Keela

JUBAL’S MUSIC

Genesis 4:21 reads “His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute.”

Have you ever heard of Jubal? His father was Lamech. (This is not the same Lamech mentioned in Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles 1 and in genealogies to Christ in Luke 3. This Lamech practiced polygamy and boasted about murder.) Jubal had a brother named Jabal. (When I saw that, I laughed and thought of my one first cousin (yes, I only had one) whose name was Keena. When my grandmother would call for one of us, we both went. Now as a grandmother whose first four older grandkids names start with an A, I understand the confusion my poor grandmother had.) Jubal is in the genealogy of the family of Cain, who killed his brother, Abel. Jubal’s genealogy was marked by violence.

Jubal was never mentioned again in scripture. Just mentioned that he existed, created and used the talents he had been given. Most of Scripture is about quiet lives, ordinary callings and people who fulfilled their God guided purpose, in the life season they were in.

Maybe, Jubal lived in a family who thought that nothing good could come from Cain’s lineage. The world did not look anything like the garden of Eden, where it had all started. But here was Jubal, who created and picked up an instrument and made music with it.

We don’t have any idea if he struggled with the weight of his genealogy. There is a lot we don’t know about this man, but we know that he did not feel insignificant, because of his past family’s history. He created, picked up a harp and flute and did what he could. He didn’t wait for perfect conditions in his life to use his gifts. He didn’t let his families past hold him back. He didn’t put his calling on hold waiting until everything made sense. He just started. Took step 1. Some might say they will retire before they concentrate on working for the Lord. Is there a certainty that they will live until retirement age?

We can’t see the entire picture of our lives, but we need to get busy and do what we can now. Jubal’s example to us is to be faithful in the present, in the time that is right in front of us. Jubal’s smaller story is just mentioned quickly in the larger story of Cain killing Abel. God doesn’t ask us to see our whole story on this earth, before we obey Him. God just wants us to actively trust Him and serve Him today.

God’s timing is not like our timing. God moves in ways that don’t make sense to us. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. But in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” He uses the different seasons in our lives to prepare us for our future. Those are not wasted seasons but times for us to grow deep in our faith to God.

Our world today shows us we only matter, if we are in the spotlight. But God tells us we do matter and are valuable, in the every day happenings. We are all loved and significant in God’s eyes. Luke 12:7 reads “…the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Psalm 56:8 reads “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle…”  

Jubal became the father of music. Think of David who played the harp and soothed king Saul’s soul. (1 Samuel 16:23) Jubal started music that had beautiful effects for the future. His work did not change the world. His gifts didn’t show the path to our Savior Christ. But for those who love to play instruments and love music, he did create something very important.

We don’t have to see what God is using us for in this life. The point is we just need to have complete trust in Him in the waiting and serve Him today. Since I am older now, I can see that God has used my different seasons of life for a specific purpose at that time and for a reason for my future. We need to use what we have in each stage of our lives to serve the Lord and fulfill our purpose. We might not think our life is of any significance or what we are doing of any consequence. But God has a mission for you, even though you can’t see it. We don’t have to understand. We just have to have faith that God’s timing is perfect and for our good. We just have to keep on putting one foot in front of the other, trusting God that He is with us and helping us along our path. Doing the best that we can!

As far as I can find, Jubal is never mentioned again. We don’t know how long he lived-what type of person he was-if he had any children-nothing else. But we do know that he created music through the harp and the flute. (You might turn to this passage and look at his brother and half-brothers. They were also very talented like Jubal was. You might also notice that these verses name their mother’s names and sister by name. Something very rare at this time in Bible history to list women’s names. Just some things I noticed and for you to think about.)

The point of this blog, is for us to see that God counts us important, even when we don’t think we are of any significance. We can’t see our future and what it contains. God may be using this season in our lives to prepare us for God’s purpose for us in the future. Maybe, our lives have several purposes. We don’t know for sure, but we have to trust and continue to have faith: in God’s timing-in our waiting-in our difficult circumstances-in what we think are unanswered prayers-in the mundane every day happenings. Whatever age you are now, use it for service to God and keep the faith that your future holds the unseen joy of a home with God.

We are not insignificant to God. God created Jubal, who had a talent to create music! Jubal is only mentioned in two sentences in the Bible. But look at what he accomplished. We need to trust God in the waiting. Our purpose may feel unclear and our impact seems so small and insignificant. We fit into God’s plans, even when we don’t see it or realize it. We serve Him in the quiet, simple moments of every day.

Had you ever noticed before, the name of Jubal and that he was the father of music? I sure hadn’t. But we sure have now!

Till next time!

                                            Keela

THE HATS OF GRIEF

There are many hats of grief. So many different reasons for grieving. Our congregation has many “sizes, shapes and styles” right now. We have people who are fighting against the hard word of cancer. We have a precious saint who goes to dialysis three times a week, waiting for a transplant. We have a woman grieving the loss of her husband. Me, grieving the loss of my dad, who passed away a couple of months ago. One member, the loss of a precious pet. One family who is grieving the loss of the husband’s job and the many bills piling up and no fathomable way to pay them. Many who have lost their ability to, go even one day, without pain. Several who have become “prisoners” in their home because of age. Many who are still grieving the loss of a child. Others are going through the grief of depression. Some, because of storms, property is lost. Another is grieving because of bullying. One of my personal griefs today is for, my daughter, Navy son-in-law and family, who lost everything they owned in a semi-moving truck fire, as it was moving them to the complete other side of the U.S. (From Virginia to the state of Washington.) They arrived safely, but only with what their two cars could hold and what was on their backs. She is trying to set up their new home and every day brings another precious treasure that has been lost in the ashes. Right now, she is making lists and lists of all that was on that truck, for the insurance. It is reliving that fire every day! She is only spending an hour a day, because it is so painful to spend more than that.  (I want to say here, thank you for all of you who have helped them. They will be ok. Their faith in God is strong! But please keep them in your prayers!)

Even though it has been almost 17 years since I lost my husband, at times it seems like yesterday. Other times a lifetime ago. Today, while writing this, I am reminded he would have turned 75 today. The quote, below, I read on the ‘We Are Widow Warriors’ post, on Facebook. If you are experiencing the fact of losing your husband, I recommend it highly.  Below is a quote from it that made so much sense and is so true. If you are experiencing ANY type of grief, it will help you to understand all the emotions that are running through your heart right now. (I want to point out that it is ok to be feeling these emotions.)

“Grief has many physical symptoms. What we feel in our heart, our body feels too. You are not imaging it.

• Exhaustion-Deep, overwhelming tiredness that rest doesn’t always fix.
• Sleep Problems-Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
• Headaches-Tension and stress can cause frequent or lasting headaches.
• Body Aches-Grief can show up as unexplained pain.
• Stomach Issues-Nausea, loss of appetite, butterflies, or a heavy feeling.
• Weakened Immune System-You may get sick more easily.
• Chest Tightness-That heavy, aching feeling in your chest.
• Shortness of Breath-Grief can take your breath away.
• Heart Palpitations-Your heart may race for no clear reason.
• Brain Fog-Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.

Your body is not weak. It is carrying a very heavy load. Be gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can.”

 Those of us who are grieving for ANY cause, are on a new journey we have never been on before. Our lives are changed forever. Grief isn’t just missing what was. It’s learning to live without what will never be. We need God given courage to keep on taking one foot in front of the other. Below are some verses from the Bible that help us remember that God is right by our side and helping us through the pain and loss.

Joshua 1:9 “…Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” and verses 13-14 “I would have lost heart unless I believed in the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”

Psalm 34:17-18 “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

There are so many passages in the Old and New Testaments to give us assurance that God is by our side, helping us walk and sometimes crawl, through the devastations of this life. Have faith in God even when it feels so hard, because the answers to your prayers are no! When you don’t understand why these things happen, keep your hope in God’s promises. When we ask why, reach out in trust to God. When we feel like giving up and just want to fall into the world and its seemingly easy answers to the pain, keep your faith in God! God has not changed. He has been with us in the past, present and will be in the future!

Look up the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3. They still had to go through the intense fire, but yet God was with them in it. God has never promised us “an easy ride” on this earth! We will have struggles on this earth. When we go through these trials, we see our faith and trust in God actually making us stronger-giving us peace-helping us to breathe through the struggle.

Hang in there, especially if your grief is fresh and raw. Sometimes, all we can do is to take one step at a time. But remember, God is the only way to forge ahead into the future. John 16:33 reads “…in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  

‘At my lowest, God is my hope. At my darkest, God is my light. At my weakest, God is my strength. At my saddest, God is my comforter.’ -Kelly’s Treehouse-

Grief is a personal journey. It doesn’t have to be like any one else’s or in the same time frame. Hang on! The only way to get through each step is to lean on God and His promises! It is normal to isolate and not reach out. I have wanted to stay “in my bubble.” I understand! That is ok. But, don’t stay there. Try to reach out to someone who will listen, keep your words to themselves and help you through the rawness. There are many types of Christian grief groups out there. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to them. But also, remember, reach out to God for His help. Dust off your Bible and read how God consoles the grieving.

 I will leave you with the verse I turn to, for help, when I go through grief or when someone reaches out to me, in their pain.                            

 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Grief never totally goes away. But does become softer.  Be graceful to yourself to let yourself grieve, in your own way. Never give up! You will find happiness in this life again. Keep the joy of the Lord in your heart. Turn to God. With trust, faith, hope and love in the Lord, you can walk through the grief journey you are on. May God bless you on your journey of the “different hats of grief!”

Till next time!

                                       Keela

TOTAL LOSS

“Deemed a total loss.” Those were the words we knew were a fact, but dreaded just the same. My daughter, her Navy husband, my four grandkids and my two grand-dogs, have been on a cross-country journey to their new home in (Whidbey Island), Oak Harbor, Washington. They have been stationed in Norfolk, Virginia for about 15 years. This is their first move. Unusual, but has been a true blessing for them. He just got back from an eleven-month deployment on the USS Gerald Ford. They have been just getting acclimated to having husband-dad home once again. Then, they must head out in two cars, four kids and two dogs. They have been going to places and family all along their route. They were so blessed by God to be with family here in Missouri when they got the devastating news.

The semi-moving truck with all their possessions, left before they did. While they were at my sons and daughter-in-law’s house, they got the terrible news. The truck with everything they had, except what was in their two cars they were driving and what was on their backs, had caught fire and everything was disintegrated into ashes!

Yes, we know that all that was just stuff and, and more importantly, they are all safe! But even so, it is hard to digest. When they sent the picture of the truck, to them, it became real. While they were here for a couple of days, my daughter started thinking of some of the things that were incinerated, in the fire and water: the quilt my grandmother had hand stitched, the silverware that his grandma had just given them, the buffet that had been my great-aunts and then my mother’s and then hers. She had spent a long-time refinishing that and she loved it so much. Now, all gone. Plus, so many other things that she will think about, once they get to their destination and try to “set up” their new home. She was feeling guilty that she had told their 7-year-old that there was just not enough room in the car for all her stuffies that meant so much to her little heart. Now, all gone!

They have turned to God for comfort and trust! They have God in the middle of their lives. Earthly items do not last, but God’s presence and heavenly treasures stay with us forever. God is the only way to true peace! In John 16:33, Jesus is talking and reads “…in Me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

I have started thinking of some verses in the Bible the good Lord has given us to bring our hearts and minds back into focus.  I remember Job in the Old Testament and all he lost. Job 1:21 reads, “…Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Philippians 4: 11 reads, “…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” The Apostle Paul wrote that worldly status and material gains pale in comparison to knowing Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 reads, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Instead of panicking or worrying over what is missing or broken or burned up, believers are encouraged to bring every concern to God through prayer and thanksgiving. He will provide all of their needs. (Philippians 4:19) God is the only way to reframe a person’s reality of loss through complete peace, trust and faith. There are not many Bible verses about losing actual material things, but it does focus on letting go of earthly wealth, finding contentment without possessions, and trusting in God as an eternal provider rather than relying on temporary riches.

I know all these verses exist. I have memorized some of them. The shock is raw right now. The reality has bitten hard! The fact of having nothing to start a new life in a new state, new school district, new life totally across the United States, is fearful. Below is what my daughter wrote. It is so good! I am sharing with her permission.

“Just about every single thought feels overwhelming at the moment. Trying to breathe in the goodness, while figuring out the logistics of the rubble. Continuing on our planned route seems overwhelming, but it’s holding space for joy bursts. Please pray for our courage, patience and strength as we take these next shaky steps forward.”  -Ashley-

Keep this precious family, (who mean so much to this momma and nana), in your continuous prayers for their safety, as they continue on their long journey. And continued prayers, when they arrive at their new home, that they will be taken care of there. Also, for my four grandkids, as they start a new school and all that entails.

God is holding, engraving them in the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16) He is walking right beside them. (Psalm 16:8) God cares so much for them, even keeping track of their sorrows, even holding their tears. (Psalm 56:8)

In heartaches of my heart, events that seem so hard and unbelievable, a verse I personally turn to in God’s Word is, Isaiah 41:10.

“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Please pray for their mental, physical and spiritual health. This is so raw and fresh right now. Please pray for them as they start their new life, new school, new job, new chapter in their lives. Yes, all their earthly possessions in the moving truck, were lost to the fire-a total loss, but God is still good and still on His throne. He will continue to hold them up and give their hearts peace to keep on, keeping on! Thank you for your much needed prayers!

Till next time!

                                                          Keela

In and Of the Lord

PHILIPPIANS 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice.”

NEHEMIAH 8:10 “…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The last blog I posted, I talked about my gallbladder surgery. Since then, two weeks after my surgery, my brother and I went to Oklahoma City to visit our 95-year-old aunt. Our cousin felt we needed to go see her, because she was not doing well. Two days after we got home, our dad passed away. A very difficult five weeks.

My 92-year-old dad had been in the hospital for a couple of weeks, with a bad UTI. After leaving the hospital he became bed ridden, not even able to sit without support. About four months before his death, he had been living with me for a year and half. It became evident, in February of this year, that my 70-year-old body and mind just could not take care of him anymore. His leg muscles had muscle atrophy because, after he fell October 12^th of the year before, he was afraid he was going to fall again; so, he did not get up and move around very often. I just could not lift him safely for either one of us or attend to his needs.

Before he went to the hospital for the UTI, he had been living in a long-term care facility where he had made his new home. We surrounded him with pictures of his family and John Wayne. (He was a huge western fan, especially of John Wayne!)  Before he became bedridden, he taught a Bible class there. The nurses helped him get into his scooter and he went to where they met. He also, talked to the people who were helping him, about the Lord.

In the middle of the sorrow of losing him, the thought came into my mind of feeling guilty or to blame myself for his passing, because he should have been still in my home, not in the facility. 1 Peter 5:6 reads “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The devil was trying to sneak into my mind and heart, even when I was in the middle of my sorrow. No, I do not blame myself for him not living with me or for his passing. I do not have any regrets. I took care of him the best I could. I am thankful for that time he lived with me, even though it was extremely hard and he was demanding; but I am happy and thankful for that special time.

In Nehemiah 8:10, the priest, Ezra had read the Law. The people listened to the words from the Lord. The people, in verse 6 of that chapter, lifted up their hands, bowed their heads and worshipped God. Verse 9 says, “…all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.” They mourned because all of the Law had not been kept. Verse 10 says Nehemiah, Ezra, “…and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; (the feast of Trumpets) do not mourn nor weep.” They told them to go celebrate, because that day was holy to the Lord.  Then Nehemiah said “…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” This joy of the Lord is the joy that springs up in our hearts because of our relationship to the Lord. The joy was not based on how many possessions they had or what they had done or not done, but how gracious God had been to them. The true joy! When we have as our goal to know more about the Lord, the by-product is His joy.

I am so happy when I get to be with any of my grandkids. They are scattered, in different areas now. Can I say I am joyful when I get to be with them? Yes. But the joy that is of and in the Lord is so much more. The happiness that happens on this earth is not the joy the Bible talks about. The Bible joy is because we know that we have a heavenly home waiting for us one day-because we know that God loves us no matter what or who we are-because God gives us grace-because God has given us the assurance and hope of eternal life-because we know that God sent His only Son to earth to die for us. The happiness-joy, we feel here on earth is external or of this world. The joy of and in the Lord is internal-of the heart and soul. True joy comes from the Lord, not from anything on this earth.

The verse above in Philippians, says to rejoice “in the Lord.” The verse in Nehemiah, says we get strength because our joy is “of the Lord.” The key to get joy in both these verses is, the Lord! When we have that type of joy, we can go through difficulties of this earth and still have joy. The joy of Christians is not based on agreeable circumstances. We can have this kind of joy whether we are: grieving-having to move from our home because of foreclosure-in bodily pain-feeling left out and alone-worried about the outcome of tests and pending surgery-worried you will fall because of your age-loss of your job and so many other pains of this earth. Instead, it is based on our relationship to God.

When Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16). They had been beaten-clothes torn off-feet secured in stocks-put in inner prison and yet, they were joyful. Prisons in Bible times were not anything like our prisons these days. Prisons were harsh-heavy chains-poor sanitation-extreme darkness and they relied on family or friends for basic food needs. “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them.” (verse 25) They were in one of the worst places on earth, just because they were teaching about Jesus. But yet, they were singing and praying. They were even teaching the other prisoners and the jailor through their singing and praying. They had the joy in and of the Lord! They knew that their circumstances on this earth were not important, but rather their hope and joy of what was coming when they left this earth!  

Hebrews 12:2 tells us, talking about Jesus, “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus endured so much hate and pain on this earth, but His attention was not on the worldly agonies of the Cross, but on the crown; not on the suffering, but the reward. In the same way, we need to not focus on the pain of this earth, but the joy of the promises of our Lord!

Even though I grieve losing my dad to death, I can still hold onto the joy of and in the Lord, because I have faith in the promises God has given us of a future; a joyful resting place with Him. That is where my dad is now. He is experiencing that amazing joy of and in the Lord, with a home in heaven with God. As tears roll down my cheeks while writing this, and I walk on this path of grief, I am joyful that I have that promise too! That, is my God given strength through the Lord’s joy! Praise God!

Till next time!

                                                 Keela

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”