It did not start out this way.

What looks like a lost cause can be made new. Jesus can show you how.  

2 Timothy chapter 1 verses 9 and 10.

It is God who saved us and chose us for His Holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was His plan long before the world began---to show His love and kindness to us through Christ. And now He has made all of this plain to us by the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, who broke the power of death and showed us the way of everlasting life through trusting Him. 

You did not have any idea what was going to happen, when you reached out to God in your times of trials and troubles. The outcome was knowing it is God who did this to you and a joyful love that can only come from Christ and the Holy Spirit.

   What is your story about? Is it happiness, sadness, grief and frustration? Does it have something to do with relationships, death or financial struggles? 

   Would it not be nice if each day was filled with joy? Even in the midst of all that goes on around you, it is possible to know an inner joy that can never be taken from you. It all starts with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

   Psalms chapter 112 says, "Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in Him are blessed beyond expression." 

   The only way you will ever know if that statement is true or not is to reach out to God seeking Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But what does that mean to you? 

   Our desires are strong. It is in our want for something that we can find strength and power. You form a plan, and follow through with it. You try hard to stay your course, doing things that you might never have done before. You are determined, even in the midst of temptation. 

   It is so easy to take the paths of pleasure. It is easy to let the sparkly things of this world pull you into a hole that does not let you see the reality of joy. The more you get the more you worry. The more that  becomes rusted and wasted. The more you watch closely so that no one will try to take what you have got. Your health is affected. Your mind is restless. Your life becomes a mess. 

   It is nice when we have a focus. A goal to reach, one that we do not fluff off because we see results and live in the joy of those results. There is no better goal than reaching out for your peace. Securing your future forever. Finally being able to hold onto something that wants the best for you and will never give you false intentions or misleading's. 

   In Psalms chapter 103 we find the words of King David. These words apply to us today. "I bless the Holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things He does for me. He forgives all my sins. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagles!"

   We will never be free from the battles of life but we can be with God as Jesus stands right there along side us, filling us with the love of God's Holy Spirit. You did not have anyone with you before, at least no one who would do for you what God can. Jesus teaches us how to survive and to be aware of putting ourselves in harms way. He teaches us through the power of God's saving grace to look to God for salvation. It is by His love for us that we see Him as our Father who watches over our every step, protecting us from harm. 

   In Matthew chapter 11, Jesus says, "Wear My yoke---for it fits perfectly---and let Me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens."

   When you are happy and at peace with how everything in your life is going then there is no need for worry or stress. But that is only short lived for we are dragged into troubles. We cannot escape them. Either created by our own doing or by others, our lives face troubles no matter how hard we work to keep them away. 

   God knows this and because He is all powerful, and has a love for humans, He wants to give us a good life. And we can have that when we take down our pride and see Him as He is. He is God Almighty. He wants to help you, He wants to give you a good life, He wants you to love Him and hold on closely to Him, trusting Him for everything. 

   Psalms chapter 34 says, "If you belong to the Lord, reverence Him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing." Wow! What a promise!

   It continues to say, "Let me teach you the importance of trusting and fearing the Lord. Do you want a long, good life? Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from lying. Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good. Try to live in peace with everyone; work hard at it. Yes the Lord hears the good man when he calls to Him for help, and saves him out of all his troubles. The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; He rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins. The good man does not escape all troubles----he has them too. But the Lord helps him in each and every one. God even protects him from accidents."

   He knows those who love Him and are working hard to stay close to Him. Psalms chapter 42 says, "Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God! I am standing here depressed and gloomy, but I will meditate upon Your kindness. O God my Rock, I cry, why have You forsaken me? Why must I suffer these attacks from my enemies? Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound; again and again they scoff. O my soul, do not be discouraged. Do not be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall have plenty of reason to praise him for all that He will do. He is my help! He is my God!"

   You may have followed your own ways and watched the struggles and the hard times come and go. But now you have come to God and trust in Him to be with you always. He has sent Jesus to you and He has brought the Holy Spirit into your life, a joy that you cannot dismiss or ever want to go without.

   Thank you Father for Jesus. There once was an emptiness, but now You are with me always. Forever my joy! 😊     

      

Romans chapter 12 verse 2.

Do not copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you.  

Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 11-13.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen. You will find Me when you seek Me, if you look for Me in earnest. Yes, says the Lord, I will be found by you, and I will end your slavery and restore your fortunes.

Matthew chapter 7 verses 13 and 14.

Jesus said to them, "Heaven can be entered only through a narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and it's gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose it's easy way. But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it."