The Joy of the Lord

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Niehemiah 8:10, NKJV)

For the last 2 weeks, I've been fighting a battle with depression. Though it's been hard and I've had times where I've just wanted to throw in the towel, I've refused. I've refused to sink down to Satan's level. He wants me to be depressed constantly, he wants me not to look up to the Lord. After all, he knows that when I look to God, I'll be renewed in my spirit. Our text tells us not to sorrow, that the joy of the Lord is our strength. I've said several times over the last 2 weeks that "I don't have any strength left." And I don't. If I try to do it in my own strength, I'll fail; I'll be tired and weary of the fight. While I'm still battling right now, I choose to say that, "yes Lord you're my strength and I trust You to get me out of this pit." Do you have something you're facing today? Maybe it's not depression. Maybe it's unemployment. Maybe it's abuse. Maybe it's loneliness. Let me tell you ladies, the joy of the Lord is your strength. While your problems won't go away, they'll surely be easier to bare.

Lord thank You for giving us Your strength when we're tired and Thank You that we have You to call on when noone else is around. Lord we love You and we praise You.weary of this journey.

Part of the Plan!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)

It happened without reasonable explanation. It was a God-thing, no question! Let e take you back. Picture the day before Thanksgiving of 2011, excepting a seemingly ordenary friend request on facebook. But, it was anything but ordenary...it was extraordenary! From that point, that friendship has turned into something I will treasure for the rest of my life. When we finally got to meet in person for the first time just over 2 months ago, that sealed it for us both. My point to this story? My point is that God knew before either of us that we were going to be introduced on facebook by a mutual friend, who in turn has changed both of our lives. He knew that over the months after Thanksgiving, we'd need one another's love and support like never before. Do you have someone in your life that you know without a shadow of a doubt that God placed them there? You can't explain it, but they're there each time you need a friend? Ladies, let me encourage you that if you don't have someone like that in your life; ask God to send you that special friend you can call on at any time of the day or night.

Lord, thank you so much for the friends you've placed in my life. Thank you that it was by devine appointment that they're placed there. I ask for each of my readers that you send a special person that they can call friend and know they can call on her at any time. Thank You Lord! Amen.

He Loved!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, New King James Version)

As children, this is one of the first verses we learn. We are taught to memorize it in Sunday School, and sometimes we're rewarded for how well we have it committed to our memory. But, do we really comprehend it? Do we really grasp the truth of its words? I really don't think we do. I don't think we get it. It's such a familiar verse that we say it as if we're going to Wal-Mart to pick up a box of cleenex. But ladies, there's such power in those words. I once heart a teacher quote the verse in this way:

"For God so loved me! that He gave His only begotten Son."

Do you know what that says to me when I think of the words in these terms? It says that if I had been the only one, He would've went to the cross anyway. He would've laid down His life for me. He would've let them pierce his hands and feet with the nails just so I could be free for all of eternity. Wow! Do you have goosebumps yet? I know I do. Ladies, let us remember today the truth and power in the words of this verse.

Father, thank You that if I would've been the only one, You still would've went. I can't praise You enough for that fact. My words aren't adequate enough for you. Lord we love You and we praise You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Captive or Courageous?

A guest post by Susan Stilwell.

I'm afraid of snakes. I hate them. Slithery, creepy, tongue-flipping... Eww. I know they serve a purpose in the food chain, but in my opinion those links in the chain can be lopped off.

Snakes aren't my only fear, unfortunately. If I let my mind wander, it will ricochet with "what ifs" that swing from the normal (rejection by those I love) to the bizarre (meteor landing on my head).

I love this quote by Nelson Mandela:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

When fear rises within me, it doesn't have to take me captive. God's Word reminds me:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

His Word also commands me:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

~Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

I can choose the things I let into my mind. Snakes, rejection and meteors? Or beaches, friendships and sunshine?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and for Your Spirit. We thank you that we don't have to be taken captive by our fears, but that You give us what we need to conquer them. Help us to hide Your Word in our hearts so we can be transformed and walk in Your strength.

Who Likes to Suffer?

ThatI may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (Phillippians 3:10, New King James Version)

Do you like to suffer? I know I don't. When we started out on this journey however, we knew there'd be suffering along the way. We want to know Christ in a more intimate way, but we don't want the suffering to get there. We want to be closer to Him, but we don't necessarily like the path He may take us on. Remember, He didn't say it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it. Ladies, if Jesus could go to the cross to suffer on our behalf, how much more should our suffering mean? Our suffering may mean saving someone the harship of making our mistakes. It may mean saving someone else's life. Let me assure you, whatever you're going through today, it's not in vain. God has a purpose in it.

Lord, I ask you to be with my readers today in their trials. Let them know that the suffering they're facing isn't in vain. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Under the Shadow

 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." (Psalm 91:1-2, New King James Version)

In my Bible, the heading is "safety of Abiding in the Presence of God. What a great comfort, that we're abiding in His presence. When I think of this verse, I picture a mother bird protecting her babies. What is she protecting them from? She's protecting from all harm; she's protecting them from the pestilence that want to cause harm to them. That's the same way with God when it comes to His children. Not only is He protecting us, but this verse says "You are my fortress and my God, in You do I place my trust." That means that David was placing his trust in noone else! Do you need to place your trust in Him and Him alone? Let me encourage you to do that. It's very simple to do. He didn't make it complicated. All you have to do is repeat a simple prayer.

Dear Lord thank You for what you did on the cross. I commit (or recommit) to putting my trust in You and in You alone. Help me do that daily. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ladies, I can promise you that He'll give you the strength to place your trust in Him and in no other.



******I wanted to let everyone know that due to my visual impairment, I am unable to respond to the comments you leave on this blog. I do assure you however that I read each one you leave and they're a tremendous blessing to me. Thank you for stopping by!

Unconditional Love

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. (Jerimah 31:3, New King James Version

"I love you under these conditions. I'll love you if you do this certain thing." Those were the words that Carrol heard from someone close to her. You see, this was based on a condition. She'd get the love if she...

That was a human being's kind of love. The love that God has for us is much more than that. His love is unconditional and without stipulation. Do you need to be reminded of God's unconditional love for you today? Unlike the person that told Carrol she'd receive their love if she did a certain thing, God stands ready and waiting to offer His love. He was so ready and willing that He hung on a cross to display it! Wow, what wonderous love is this! Let me encourage you, as we near Resurection Sunday, if you've never experienced that unconditional love; take hold of it and run with it!

Lord we thank You today for offering us such sweet love. You tell us it's unconditional if we'll just humbly come to You. Thank You Lord for being so willing to offer us that love. Lord we love You and we praise You. Amen.

******Names have been changed******

Take Up Your Cross

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23, New King James Version)

This is Jesus speaking, and he gives us a choice. He says that "if" you want to follow me, here's the things you'll have to do. This isn't an easy verse to do. Sometimes, we don't like the cross He gives us to bare. We want something different, but He says "take up your cross." That means whatever that cross may be. Another part that we really don't like to do is to deny ourselves. We're so self-obsorbed at times, that to think we have to deny ourselves isn't very appealing. But, in order to follow Christ, we have to do what He's commanded. If we don't, there will be consequences. And the consequences won't be pleasant. Do you need to take up your cross and follow Him today? Perhaps you need to do that for the first time. I invite you to do that. It won't be easy, but it will be the greatest decision you'll ever make.

Father, help us all to take up our cross, deny ourselves and follow You. Help us to do it in a more intimate way. Draw us closer to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.


******Last week, I had the privelege of giving away an autographed copy of my friend Edie Melson's new book, "Fighting Fear: Winning the War At Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle. I'm proud to say the winner of the book is...Susan Stilwell! Susan, just email me your address and the book will be on its way! jamiebritt2006@gmail.com

Take My Hand

Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139:10, New King James Version)

"I can do it!" Those are often the words we hear from a very determined toddler who wants to do thing by themselves. As adults, we try to get to take our hand so we can help them and make sure they don't hurt themselves. They want that control. It's the same way with God. We want control of the situation. We think we know what's best, and let's face it, each time we try to do it we fall on our face. We want control, but it doesn't work that way. The Lord tells us to give up that control and let Him handle it. Now is it just me or is that hard for us to do? I want to pull God along to show Him that "Lord I really do know what's best!" He shows me quickly that I don't have a clue! Do you need to give up control today? Maybe of a relationship, maybe materal things. Whatever it is, let me encourage you to give God full control. He will never steer you wrong!

Father, help us give our lives fully over to You. Give us the strength to give up that control. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Broken and Spilled Out

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. (Mark 14:3, New King James Version)

My mind goes in some strange places at times. But, sometimes the strange places are the beautiful places. Just as Mary poured this very expenseve perfume on her Savior, I have another picture. Picture this in your mind with me. Picture a much more dramatic seen taking place. I picture the cross, and I can see Him hanging there. Just as Mary poured the perfume, I can see the blood pouring-spilling from His body. I think it wasn't coming out in little drops like we dab on ourselves, I think it was probably gushing. That blood was gushing out for you and for me. Do you have goosebumps yet? I know I do. Why did Mary pour out the perfume? She did it to show her love for her Savior. Why did Jesus go to that cross and that blood flowed out of Him? He did it to show His love for us. He did it as a payment that we all should've paid, but He knew we couldn't pay the price. We'll never be able to pay the price. As we come to Easter, let's take time to not only remember the sacrifice He made, but let's take the time to say "thank You Lord" for what He did so willingly. I want to end this week with the words to a song.

"I will remember,
I will remember,
I will remember the works of Your hands,
I will stop, and give You praise,
I will rememberYour faithfullness."

Father, thank You so much for going to the cross so willingly. Thank You for paying the debt that we should've paid but You knew we couldn't pay it. May we never forget or take for granted what you did for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.


*****I have a prize to give away this week! For those that leave a comment beneith this post, (emails don't count) you will be entered into a drawing to win an autographed copy of my friend Edie Melson's new Book, "Fighting Fear: Winning the War At Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle." This is a great devotional for the families of our military who have gone to serve our country. The deadline to enter is Saturday, March 31. The winner will be announced next Monday!

He's Always There

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, New King James Version)

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here for you always." Those were the words  that Nan spoke to me in an email for the millionth time. You see, the weekend before we'd been together constantly. When it was time for us to go our separate ways, the enemy started throwing my past up at me. "It's happened before, she's the same way. You'll be treated the same, don't listen to her." In my heart I knew Nan wasn't going anywhere, but my head was a jumble of thoughts and accusations from the enemy. Sometimes, it's the same way with God. Our heart knws He'll never leave nor forsake us, but in our head...well, it's a different story. Our heart says, "Lord I know you're there" but our head says, "I'm all alone." Let me tell you ladies, that's not true. We're not alone. I know Nan isn't going anywhere; I know our friendship is lifelong. More than that though, I know that God isn't leaving my side. Nan may fail me, but He never will! Do you need to be reassured of His nearness to you? Let me encourage you to do what I do. When my head tries to be filled with the thoughts of being left alone, outloud I say "no!!!!!!!"

Father, thank You for your constant reassurance of being there for us. Thank You that we don't have to ever wonder if You're with us, because you will be there for us always. Lord please show my friends that You'll never leave them. Lord, we love You and we praise You. Amen.

Do You Need His Touch?

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (Mark 5:25-34, New King James Version)

This woman needed His touch! Ladies, can you imagine having the bloodflow for 12 years and not having any relief from it whatsoever? Not only that, but she wasn't allowed to be with others. She couldn't go into town, she couldn't go to worship. She was completely cast out because she was considered unclean. This lady was so desperate for the touch of Jesus, she was willing to do whatever it took to get to Him. Are you that desperate today? Are you desperate for Jesus to come in, cleanse you and make you new again? He will do that, if we only ask. You may need His touch of comfort. He'll give it. You may need a touch of peace, a touch of grace. He's there to provide whatever you need. Ladies, call out to Him. Ask for the touch. All this lady did was touch the hymn of His garment, and she was never the same! He changed her life forever and He'll do the same for you! When she touched Him, he wanted to set something straight with her. He wanted her to know, it wasn't His garment that healed her. It was her faith and belief that " Jesus can do this for me!" All you need to do today is have faith and belief that, yes Jesus can do whatever you need Him to do !Not only can He do it, He wants to do it. Let me encourag you ladies, just ask. That's all she did, and her life was changed.

Father, whatever my readers need today, I pray You'll touch them right at the point of their need. Your Word says that you'll supply all of our needs. I ask You to supply the need of peace, comfort, and grace to these ladies today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Are You in Need of a New Perspective?

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42, New King James Version)

Ok, to say that Martha needed a new perspective was putting it mildly. When she couldn't get her sister to help her in the kitchen, she commenced to do what children do whenanother child does something to agravate them.   She tattled! There was an aspect here though that she wasn't seeing. With Mary ignoring her not-so-suttle hints to help her prepare the meal, she was missing the more important thing. She was missing the worship. She was missing the worship of the Savior. Mary knew what was important. Nothing, not even her sister's atempts for her assistance compelled in comparrison to the thing that the Lord seeks. He seeks worshipers, not busy little machines. I love what Jesus says in a later verse, "Martha, Martha, you are troubled and worried about many things. But Mary has done the right thing and it will not be taken away from her." I believe that Martha got a new perspective that day. Ladies, the next time you have a guest in your home, think of it as Jesus entering your home. Would you be more interested in preparing just the right meal, or would you bow on your knees in worship? Jesus would've been happy if Martha would've given him a hotdog on a bun, just as long as he could've had her worship. Let me encourage you, worship the Lord instead of making sure every little detail is perfect. He's not interested in a perfectionest,He's interested in a worshiper. So, let's worship before we work.

 Lord, help us to realize the importance of worship and not busyness. Help us get back to the worship of You. In Jesus Name Amen.

Beneath the Cross

A guest post by Edie Melson

Last Easter I found myself huddled beneath the cross where Jesus hung dying.

Now, for those of you that know me, that’s not as strange as it seems. I love the theater; I even majored in costume design for a time in college. But now, my favorite theater is found in the church. I love being involved in church dramas. For me, the Bible comes alive when it’s being portrayed on the stage.

I do have to confess that I don’t like being one of those onstage – hence the major in costume design. I absolutely hate being in front of a large group of people. I’ve found my place, though. I love being part of the stage crew and that’s what I was doing last Easter.

So, last Easter I huddled beneath the cross while Jesus hung suffering. I was dressed all in black, trying to make myself as small as possible so I wouldn’t detract from the actor portraying Christ. But as I crouched there, I heard his groans and watched him writhe in agony. I heard the cry of the crowds and felt my heart chilled by their impassive faces as they observed the drama.

Was this the way it had been 2000 years ago? The question in my mind transported me to ancient Jerusalem as my heart flooded with parallels. It was no longer just a drama on stage, Jesus’ agony and sacrifice became real in a way I could never have imagined.

The black I wore represented my sin and my invisibility to God in my wretchedness.

My silence, while necessary and expected during the performance, stung me with the resemblance of real life. The world expects me to be silent about the cross, or at least tasteful. And so often I comply, remaining quiet instead of speaking out.

Finally my attempt to remain hidden reminded me that while the world might not see me as I really am, Jesus had a perfect view of me while he hung suffering.

Yes, last Easter I found myself huddled at the base of the cross where Jesus hung dying.

And I will never be the same.

Coming Home

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (Luke 15:20, New King James Version)

Just a few weeks ago, I received a welcome like this son must've received. Standing outside of a restaurant, I waited to be embraced by a group of friends, who over time have become family. While standing in that parking lot receiving warms hugs of welcome, I could picture the father of that lost son standing in anticipation. Like the group of friends I was embracing, it didn't matter how long the son had strayed. He was still welcomed home. Ladies, that's the Lord's cry for each of us. "my child, come home. Come home...where you belong." Have you strayed away from the Lord? Do you feel like you've went too far for Him to save you? Let me assure you, no place is to far. He stand ready and waiting to embrace you and say, "welcome home my child."

Father, thank you for welcoming us home. Thank You Lord that when we feel we've strayed to far, it's never to far from Your hand of mercy, grace and love. I pray for each reader. Bring her back to You...bring her back closer than she was before. In Jesus Name, amen.