Joy to the World

The Lord has come!
Let earth recieve her King
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing...

"For this reason also we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit, increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
~ Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV, ESV, edited)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
~ Romans 15:13 (NIV)

"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
~ Luke 15:8-10 (NIV)

On His Blindness

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."

-- John Milton

The voice of truth...

I say, "It's impossible".
God says: "All things are possible".

(Luke 18:27)

I say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest".

(Matt 11:28-20)

I say, "Nobody really loves me".
God says: "I love you".

(John 3:16- John 13:34)

I say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient."

(II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)

I say, "I can't figure things out."

God says: "I will direct your steps."

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

- - - - -

Thank You God for Your words to

me - they give me strength.

Psalm 23 (NKJV)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack).
He makes me to lie down in green pastures (of tender grass);
He leads me beside the still waters (the waters of rest).

He restores my soul.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for You are with me.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You annoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And (may it be, Lord, that) I will dwell in (Your house)
Forever.

Psalm 19 (NKJV)

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the expanse of heaven shows the work of His hands.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their sound has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tabernacle (tent) for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circut to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 27 (NKJV)

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? ... Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavillion; in the secret place of his tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my ememies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face LORD, I will seek." [May You] not hide Your face from me, [or] turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will [pick me up]/take care of me.

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path... Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait (in faith) on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD!