Finding Joy...

So, next week is the second week of Advent. I have never really done anything for Advent or even though about it until a couple weeks ago when Dan King of bibledude.net asked for volunteers to write a little for one week of Advent.  Divine providence gave me "Joy", literally, metaphorically, and figuratively. Here it is:

Read:

Psalms 16

Psalms 30

Isaiah 35:1-10

Luke 1:39-56

Romans 15:13

1 Peter 1:3-9

Pray:

           Joy comes from hope. Without hope, there can be no joy. With hope, there is rejoicing, and the greater the hope, the greater rejoicing.

            In the presence of God we find our “fullness of joy” (Ps 16:11). Is it any wonder why the coming of Immanuel – “God with Us” –causes such rejoicing? Should we not leap for joy as John did when he first came into the presence of Jesus? Absolutely! Certainly! Believers should be the most joy-filled people on the planet. We should be rejoicing with every breath we take.

             Joy comes from the overwhelming hope that comes from being redeemed, rescued, and adopted as a child of the Living God. Joy comes from the realization that we have been given not what we deserve, but what we don’t deserve, an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven”. Our rejoicing is with “joy is inexpressible and filled with glory” because we believe. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

            The glory filled inexpressible joy is there, but I wonder what is keeping it from coming out? Circumstances? Stuff? Fear? Pride? Anger? Bitterness? Loneliness? Hunger? Thirst? Sickness? Sorrow?

            Oh please Lord:

Remind me that my hope is in only You, and I will rejoice!

Remind me that nothing can separate me from You (Romans 8:38), and I will rejoice!

Serve:

            Someone once told me that when I felt low, I should do something for someone. Guess what? It works. In the simple economy of God, God is our hope, we rejoice in our hope, and we find even more joy in sharing that hope with others. Joy is multiplied and magnified in serving others. Serving others is like pushing your joy through a giant Back to the Future sized amplifier. Even the littlest amount going in will result in an overwhelming, knock you off your feet and across the room amount of joy coming out. Don’t be scared, it is just joy. Revel in it, rejoice in your joy, maybe dance a little, sing a little louder, give glory to God, and then serve again. 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 NASB

 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us”. Matt 1:23 HCSB

Guaranteed Failure in 5 Easy Steps...

So, this past Sunday I heard a very insightful sermon provided by Dr. Jody Duncan. It was taken from 1 Samuel 13 and I condensed it down to these 5 simple steps. 

How to guarantee failure as a leader, or father, or believer, or just as a person in five easy steps:

1. Dont do what you know you are supposed to do.
2. Let circumstances dictate your actions.
3. Put yourself above the law.
4. Refuse to repent.
5. When those who are telling you the truth walk away, let them go.

It really is that simple. 

It is also pretty simple to change these five steps to failure into five steps to help avoid failure:

1. Do what you know you are supposed to do.
2. Let scripture and the Holy Spirit dictate your actions, not your circumstances.
3. Don't allow yourself to think you are above the law and have people around to hold you accountable.
4. When confronted about your sin, repent, repent, repent.
5. Keep the truth tellers close.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Col 3:12-13 NASB

Make a Difference in ONE Life!

What is your holy discontent? What is your God-given passion on this earth? You know, that one thing that MOVES you to action, that brings you to tears, and causes you to lose sleep? We have a passion, a yearning to see justice for the fatherless! "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." - Isaiah 1:17

2011 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

It's that time of year again. Holiday music rings through your speaker systems. Decorations light up your street corners. Families gather together.It's the season of love, joy and family.  

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during this season of giving, we often forget to give to those who NEED it most! This year give differently. Give FAMILY to the 147 million orphans worldwide who dream of belonging. Give HOPE to children living on the streets whose only Christmas wish is survival.

What if, this year, your family gave a gift to those who need it most? A gift that won't fit under the tree? 

Would you consider making a difference in ONE LIFE...

•  Help a child break free from gripping poverty.

•  Give the love of Jesus through Christian mentors.

•  Give a future to an orphan's caregiver.

This year join Lifesong for Orphans in giving a gift with purpose. A gift that will speak Jesus to a child. Introducing Lifesong's 2011 Gifts of Purpose Catalog. 

NOW, for even more exciting news....

In Ethiopia, children need an education to break free from gripping poverty. Public schools are lacking, so kids are left behind without the  HOPE of an education or future. Our current Lifesong school is not only giving by teaching these children about Jesus, but also feeding 350 hungry children 2 meals each day. We currently have a need to build a 12-room expansion to our existing school... please join us to make a difference in a child's life.

As of last night, we have a generous donor that has stepped up to MATCH all donations to the Ziway and Adami Tulu Schools in Ethiopia between now and December 31st... up to $130,000!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited? What a GENEROUS way to make the most of your giving and bless the children and families in these communities! Let me tell you first hand, these schools NEED to be expanded... these children NEED an education... they NEED to be fed each day... they NEED to hear about Jesus! Lets give HOPE to these precious children in Ethiopia!

Would you join us in prayer as we seek to make the need known?

MAKE A MATCHED DONATION NOW! ***You can use the link above to make a matched donation OR select any of the Hope Ethiopia options below. 

Gift of $30 cares for 2 children for 1 month.

Gift in Honor of

Gift of $525 cares for 35 children for 1 month.

Gift in Honor of

Gift of $1,500 furnishes one classroom.

Gift in Honor of

Also, don't forget that you can give a gift in honor of a loved one this holiday season!