Good Morning Friends, 

​

I hope this message finds you in good spirits and health.

​

Every week I spend several days trying to draw nearer to God about what He wants me to share with you for the week of my devotional. Sometimes it's a slight tug at my heart over and over that leads me to my inspiration and other times it's a huge light that goes off in my spirit...that "Yes! aha moment".

Every week I always have people contact me and tell me that the message that week was just for them...and I'm so thankful I listened. 

This week the message was loud and clear for me...

​

...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

 

We live in a world today that is unlike any you and I have ever seen. So many choosing to not believe in God...focused on self pleasure and everything being about me. By taking our focus off of God we open a door that lets in so much destruction...not only in our country but in our own personal lives. 

When I was a teenager my youth director told us a simple phrase that has stuck with me my whole life:

​

JOY

​

Jesus

Others

You

​

...in that order.

​

I have always heard that in the back of my mind and tried to live that way. It is a formula that works to bring Joy into your life. It is right the opposite of the "me society" that we live in today. A society that thinks that the only thing that matters is my opinion, my feelings and what I can have. A society that has forgotten or has chosen to deny God. Oh how it breaks my heart to think about the consequences to that decision. It can be overwhelming to look at what's going on in our world and feel like you can't do anything about it.  It feels like looking at a train wreck...you know it is so terrible and destructive and you know there will be so many loss...but you can't turn your eyes away...you just feel a sickening feeling of sadness. 

Well we can choose to stay in that state of sadness or get out of the car and do what we can to help.

The train wreck of the "me society" isn't going away easily but we can do our part to help those around us focus differently. 

First we have to start with our own house...and choose who we will serve? 

It reminds me of the verse...

​

"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Matthew 7:5

​

So our first focus should be to draw closer to God... and when our focus (our relationship with God) is healthy...it is so much easier to love those around you and help them find their way...

which we have all been called to do...to be "fishers of men". Some of us have the gift of being able to search out and share God's word through witnessing and sometimes its the life we live that is a beautiful witness to those around us...it draws people in and gives us the opportunity to share with them. Whichever you feel you are called to do...start by drawing closer to God. 

​

To keep your light bright for the world to see... you have to take care of it...like a garden...if you neglect your garden (your light) it will die (fade). This world needs the Light of the Lord...and we are those candles. So take your candle and go light your world.

​

I know I have said that in the past several times...but it is so important. Our world needs the Love of the Lord and we are the only ones that can share that with them. 

​

So start by:

​

"Draw(ing) nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you". 

James 4:8

​

...so fill your cup with the word, with music, with the love of the Lords people...whatever helps you feel closer to God....and remember...

JOY (Jesus, Others, You)

​

Also remember to SMILE...such a simple thing....but one of the ONLY things you can give away that you will almost always get back :)...and it always warms your heart. 

​

​

​

 

​

​

 

​