Rejoice Always

A few weeks ago I was on my way to an evening church service on Monday night. I had worked that day and was exhausted. Just to prove the point that I was exhausted, Rebecca drove us there because I was too tired to drive. We had both had long, wearying days, and both were complaining a bit. I was so tired I didn't feel like I could handle her problems as well as my own (i.e. I can complain, but I can't handle you complain - oh dear, you probably can't really handle me complaining so well at the moment either), and so I suggested that we both just keep quiet for a bit. Suddenly I had a thought to sing. Mind you, I didn't exactly feel like singing or praising God, but I thought I would give it a go. I sang one line, "Rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice." Suddenly my spirits lifted. I didn't feel so down or worn out. I suddenly felt like the air must have cleared, and started talking as so, and realised that I was the only one who felt the difference.

The others had not had the moment of lifting that I had in my Spirit. They didn't lift Him above, and their feelings did not change. In the moment I lifted God above my feelings, my feelings changed. Yet previously I was the tiredest and grumpiest of the lot!

God says many times in His word to rejoice always, and to give thanks in all things. I would suggest that this is for more reason than "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." This is because as we praise Him, we are lifted up with Him. He lifts us up above the circumstances that weigh us down. In worship we are "casting our burdens (cares) upon Him".

And lest I make this sound dreary, rejoicing in the Lord is praising Him! It is joyful, and even if you don't feel joyful when you first make the choice to worship Him rejoice, and see how His joy (which is your strength) can make a difference.

"If I be lifted up... I will draw all men unto me."

"If I be Lifted Up"

Jesus said, "If I be lifted up...I will draw all men unto me."

Maybe the reason the church is having trouble drawing people to Him is because we aren't lifting Him up and letting Him do the drawing.

Asking Advice From Whom?

I wrote this for someone (haha do that a lot these days) however I decided against actually saying it to them in that context. I realise though, that there are probably a lot of people out there who don't know how to look for an appropriate person to ask advice from. This is for you.

Remember not to disregard younger people's advice, and don't just accept older One's advice simply because they are older or younger. ;) Weigh it up against scripture, and take all advice with a pinch of salt. Something I use as a guide with advice is simply who knows what they are talking about.

i.e. I don't take political advice from people who's worldview I don't agree with, and who don't really know the topic. - I take political advice from people who's worldview is similar to mine and who are strong believers in apologetics, study their topic, know their Bible and are likely to know more than I do. I don't take take Biblical advice from people who don't even know who "Ruth" was in the Bible. I ask for advice from people who can spit out the references as fast as you can fire the questions of where was that scripture found, and who understand what they mean, and don't read their own agenda into scripture. I don't take advice on relationships from people who are messed up, but from people who have many godly relationships, and know the godly worldview. (That worldview is incredibly important!) Hopefully you get the idea.

Coping

"God won't give us more than we can handle" God has seen it all. He can handle anything. The reason we can't cope is because we don't "cast all our cares upon Him" and let Him carry our burdens.

What Does Love Look Like?

So many people are confused about love. They think they know what it is, but really they don't. The following was written for someone who proved they didn't know what love was about.

I'll tell you the truth about love.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not rude. Love is not puffed up. Love does not seek it's own (good). Love does not rejoice when it hears of other's shortfalls but rejoices in the truth. Love endures all things. Love believes all things. Love hopes.

Love looks like the friend that stays up until 3 in the morning talking to, and praying for the discouraged friend.

Love puts aside it's own feelings to help their friend who is grief stricken/broken hearted.

Love cares for the least. Love reaches out to the workplace outcast. Love talks to the person who no-one talks to. Love loves the unlovely.

Love forgives the "unforgivable".

Love protects. Love puts himself/herself between you and trouble.

Love defends a friend who's been shot.

Love doesn't leave when things get hard. Love doesn't leave at all. In fact love says, I don't care what you do or say, you can't make me stop loving you.

Love doesn't betray.

Love doesn't lead someone on. Love doesn't go around seeing how many hearts they can break.

Love is a refuge and a haven.

Love lays down it's life.

Love gives, and gives, and keeps on giving. Mostly in secret, but it can't be hidden, because love just keeps giving.

God is Love.

Love never fails.

Love the Least

I've decided to do some short posts of two line sort of wisdom instead of always having to have a long explanation. I figure I'm more likely to post then, and even though it is simple it's still good.

Love the least. - You never know what affect your actions will have. You probably won't see results immediately, and sometimes you may never see results, but do it anyway.

John 13:35 (NKJV)
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Unseen Affect of Your Prayers

I posted this origionally on a facebook group that was just people who are praying for their future spouse. After getting asked by the admin if they could send it to everyone in the group as a message, I thought it might be good enough to post here as a reminder to all of you too. :) I hope it blesses you!


I just want to remind you all that even though you probably can't see any results from praying for someone - especially if they aren't in your life at the moment, your prayers can be having an affect beyond what you would think they are. It can get discouraging to pray for someone and not be seeing results, but don't give up!

An example of this: Many years ago, when I was still a child I got quite upset about something, and was crying to God about it. (I don't remember what - just that I was pretty distressed.) While I was still crying and praying, He opened my eyes, and I could see and hear the worship leader from church praying for me...

Now she probably had no idea why God put on her heart to pray for me, and I never said anything about it to her for years, but God knew...

You might not have any idea why you get woken up at some rediculous hour to pray or why God suddenly drops in your spirit that so and so needs prayer, but they probably need it. ;)

Personally some time ago there were a few months where the Holy Spirit kept telling me to pray for my future husband - there and then. I have no idea what he was going through, but God knew what he was facing.

On the flip side, I know that there have been times that he has been praying for me when I needed it. I know that there have been times God has acted on my behalf as a direct answer to his prayers, and I've very grateful for that.

While I may not know who I'm going to marry yet, at least I know I'm gonna marry a praying man. :D