The Mind of God in Color

Relinquish

Joyce — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:23:55 +0000

As I prepare to start anew, I need to clean out , discard, throw away. For as the saying goes, “less is more.” If I am going to begin again then I need to relinquish my excess baggage. How many times in life do we try to start afresh or do we wish to create a new start; but in so doing we lug around all of our yesterdays with us. We pack it away — we store it — we build bigger barns!

In the books of Joshua and Judges we read time and time again where the Israelites were commanded to go forth and take possession of the land; but in so doing they were given specific instructions to destroy the false gods completely once they had taken possession of the land given to them by God. How many times did Israel go in and take the land but they did not remove or destroy all of the false gods / idols from the towns and villages where they were to dwell according to God’ plan?

So it is with us. We make well - intended plans to move forward — start afresh — but we continue to carry our old baggage - our yesterdays around with us. You know — just in case….

We need to clean out — cast aside — get rid of — give away — throw away — break free from the bondage’s of the past that have such a strong hold on us. Take some time and read through the books of Joshua and Judges and see for yourself how holding on to what God commands us to clean out and get rid of — see how it keeps us from having a truly meaningful and lasting and life-altering relationship with Him. See how it keeps Israel from having blessing upon blessing from God from being poured out on to them.

God is watching us and He wants to bless us over and above our wildest dreams.

Judges 10:16 Then they (Israel) cleaned house of the foreign gods and worshipped only GOD. And GOD took Israel’s troubles to heart.

We Americans have so many foreign / false gods — we just don’t realize it. Look around your home — really take a good look — what is holding us from having that total and complete relationship with our Maker? I know where I am headed; I am back to cleaning out and throwing out and removing those false gods — as for me “GOD is my GOD and GOD takes Joyce’s troubles to heart.

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

Where did you set your invitation?

Joyce — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:23:57 +0000

Luke 14: 12-24 “When you give al luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The Parable of the Great Banquet
When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was prepaing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me. “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his sevant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ “

Remember: It is by invite that we have been called and chosen and He has given us His grace and forgiveness; lest we forget and we become puffed up in our minds and hearts that it is by anythng we have done or accomplished or think that it is by anything that we know. Now just where did I set that invite — I have a banquet to get to?

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off …….

There is No One like our God

Joyce — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:53:13 +0000

Greater things are yet to come

Greater things are yet to be done

Greater things are still to come

Greater things are still to be done

Haggai 2:9 “This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish: a place in which I will hand out wholenss and holiness. Decree of GOD-of the-Angel-Armies.”

NIV Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘ And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

Five Minutes After…

Joyce — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 02:30:38 +0000

(This article taken from the Moody Monthly — published over 50 years ago.)

It may be a moment, or after months of waiting, but soon I shall stand before my Lord. Then in an instant all things will appear in new perspective.

Suddenly the things I thought important — tomorrow’s tasks, the plans for the dinner at my church, my success or failure in pleasing those around me — these will matter not at all. And the things to which I gave but little thought — the word about Christ to the man next door, the moment (how short it was) of earnest prayer for the Lord’s work in far-off lands, the confessing and forsaking of that secret sin — will stand as real and enduring.

Five minutes after I’m in heaven I’ll be overwhelmed by the truths I’ve known but somehow never grasped. I’ll realize then that it’s what I am in Christ that comes first with God, and that when I am right with Him, I do the things which please Him.

I’ll sense that it was not just how much I gave that mattered, but how I gave — and how much I withheld. In heaven I’ll wish with all my heart that I could reclaim a thousandth part of the time I’ve let slip through my fingers, that I could call back those countless conversations which could have glorified my Lord — but didn’t.

Five minutes after I’m in heaven, I believe I’ll wish with all my heart that I had risen more faithfully to read the Word of God and wait on Him in prayer — that I might have known Him while still on earth as He wanted me to know Him.

A thousand thoughts will press upon me, and though overwhelmed by the grace which admits me to my heavenly home, I’ll wonder at my aimless earthly life. I’ll wish… If one may wish in heaven — but it will be too late.

Heaven is real and hell is real, and eternity is but a breath away. Soon we shall be in the presence of the Lord we claim to serve. Why should we live as though salvation were a dream — as though we did not know?

”To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

There may yet be a little time. A new year dawns before us. God help us to live now in the light of a real tomorrow!

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

Lucky Me

Joyce — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:27:46 +0000

I just received a card in the mail today from my youngest daughter; she is working and living in New York City. She is 26 years of age and is fulfilling her dreams and life’s ambitions.

On the front page of the card is written, “To have you for a mom is to have hope and strength and tremendous love always on my side.

Then written on the inside of the card are the words, “Lucky me.”

The card is just beautiful and it is so meaningful and I am treasuring it with all of my heart. However, as I sit back in my chair and reflect on these words I am reminded of past years while I was raising her and our other three children. I am mindful of the God who instilled me with that hope, that strength, that tremendous love that my daughter sees in me. And it is He (God) who is, who was, and who always will be by my side. It is He who I have turned to for guidance and direction — especially during the earlier and formidable years of teaching, training, and raising of our four children.

As I turn through the pages in the Scriptures I find in Romans 15:13 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.

No wonder her card states, “to have you for a mom is to have hope.” According to the previous scripture that we have just shared, as God fills one with hope we then overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. This hope overflows from us down on through our children or out to others that we have shared our lives with or others that we have come in contact with. What a tremendous love God pours out on us who turn to Him and seek Him for continual guidance. I am a living witness to the Living God of the bible.

In 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 we read: Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. Verses 16-18 state: But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Now there is something we can all partake in and share with our children, our families, our friends, our co-workers, our churches, and our neighbors. Let your face radiate the Lord’s glory. Read the scriptures and fill your mind and heart with God’s hope. Go ahead — blow the dust off that bible — God gives freely to those who seek Him. Some day you too may receive a card in the mail letting you know that your hope has overflowed.

Lucky me!

You bet. But luck has nothing to do with it. Living a life in the presence of God, acknowledging God, seeking God, believing God, praising God, growing in the faith of God, etc. Now that’s the LOVE that is always on my side and that is the LOVE that I give and pass on to my daughter and to all of my children, my grandchildren, my family, and to all those who wish. Psalm 9:10 Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.

Until the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

To Run A Country

Joyce — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:40:58 +0000

Is this any way to run a country? Listening to the news this past month or so, one couldn’t help but hear the choice of verbiage (slang words) our top seated Politicians of the U.S.A. freely chose to use during their public appearances and speeches. I guess I wasn’t aware that all of the gentlemen and ladies of the United States of America had left the country.

Everyday we are given opportunity to repent and change of our ways and turn back to our Maker. Let us continue to pray for the leaders of this great nation — may they remember “The Maker of Heaven and Earth” “That God Rules” “He is King of Kings” “He is Eternal”and that they (the politicians) like we (mere men and women) are but dust and it is to dust that we shall return. It is only through Jesus Christ that we have salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life. To purposely chose to live a life without our Maker — one will find that answer in the Bible.

Psalm 58:1-11

Is this any way to run a country? Is there an honest politician in the house? Behind the scenes you brew cauldrons of evil, behind closed doors you make deals with demons. The wicked crawl from the wrong side of the cradle, their first words out of the womb are lies. Poison, lethal rattlesnake poison, drips from their forked tongues — Deaf to threats, deaf to charm, decades of wax is built up in their ears. God, smash their teeth to bits, leave them toothless tigers. Let their lives be buckets of water spilled, all that’s left, a damp stain in the sand. Let them be trampled grass worn smooth by the traffic. Let them dissolve into snail slime, be a miscarried fetus that never sees sunlight. Before what they cook up is half-done, God, throw it out with the garbage! The righteous will call up their friends when they see the wicked get their reward, Serve up their blood in goblets as they toast one another, Everyone cheering, “It’s worth it to play by the rules! God’s handing out trophies and tending the earth!” (The Message)

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

His Grace is Sufficient

Joyce — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:43:51 +0000

I want to be more than people say that I am. I want to be more than people think that I am. Today I have spent time reflecting on things that have been said about me throughout my life. Actually I have been thinking about the negative things that have been said about me either to my face or amongst others. No I am not having a pity party nor am I feeling sorry for myself. I am just reflecting and considering how I have changed and matured through the years and how I might continue to improve on the changes and/or feelings that I am still experiencing and dealing with as I continue moving forward in this walk of life.

It is difficult to look at hurtful and not-so-nice compliments that are directed at oneself; but at the same time — I have found that it has made me stop dead in my tracks and take a good hard look at what is around me, what I have been engaged in, or what was I thinking, or where I was heading at the time that such statements were made.

Hurtful and spiteful remarks affect people and with me — these remarks have stayed a lifetime. In most cases I have gravitated away from the individuals who have made the remarks, but nonetheless the words that they have spoken have had lasting effects. Like now for instance today I am reflecting on how I have changed throughout the years and how and in what ways can I continue to become a better person. I am contemplating on how can I improve my thought process before I speak. How can I develop a better outlook on and toward others? How can I become more understanding? How can I broaden my knowledge of different cultures, races, religions, etc.? And if I have done or achieved these things, then how can I take it to the next level?

I have read and have come to understand that God crossed all boundaries. He created the entire universe. He created us in His own image in His own likeness. I can expect no less from myself than to learn to think and act like Him — the Maker of All. I want to be better. I want to do better. I want to please God; for when one pleases God — All is made right.

So much to work on So much to do and So little time to do it. Sorry for those who have spoken ill of me. God has picked me up and has meant it all to my good. His Grace is sufficient and I will rest in the LORD’s arms.

Psalms 94:16-19 Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against the evildoers? If the LORD had not helped me, I would have gone quickly to the land of silence. I said, “I am falling” but Your constant love, O LORD, held me up. Whenever I am anxious and worried, You comfort me and make me glad.

Is anyone listening? Have you experienced anything like this during your life? If you are reading this, please comment and share your thoughts.

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

From Where Does My Help Come?

Joyce — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:56:30 +0000

Have you ever wondered if help is on the way? Or is help ever going to come? Or how did we get into this predicament that we find ourselves in? Or how did life get so tangled up and so busy? What is causing this sudden rush of earnestness, of unrest, of no end in sight; and who is this author of multi-tasking anyways? It is like one has lost their way - their map - their compass for navigating through life’s unsettled seas. Who pulled the rug out from beneath our feet? Who pulled the plug on simplicity on peace of mind on rest assured? It is like grabbing for a throw line in the dark - or looking for a star on a cloudy night - or watching for an exit ramp on a busy interstate in a torrential down pour. Life is coming up fast while at the same time life is on a constant move all around us.

So I ask, “from where does my help come? Psalm 121 states, “I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you — the LORD is our shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day; nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm– He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

I am tired and I need some much needed rest; however, once again God has come to my aide and restores my soul. Oh tomorrow may be another busy day with another busy to-do list; but tonight, God is watching over me. It is through His Word that I am able to find rest and contentment. I cannot say that I understand all nor do I know all; but this I do know — that the Living God is in control and He is watching over my life. With that comfort and reassurance, I will be able to truly sleep soundly and get some much needed rest. Our God is an Awesome God and He reigns from Heaven Above — Our God is an Awesome God!

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

In the Stillness of Life

Joyce — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:11:55 +0000

Psalm 1:3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, Whatever he does prospers.

What an interesting concept. “Like a tree planted by streams of water…”

At all times — whether busy or at rest, in abundance or in want, in stress or in calm, in agreement or in disagreement, even in the stillness of our lives — we are to be trees planted by the running streams of life. Streams are moving and flowing and running over with abundance and are teaming with life. Trees - on the other hand - are tall and stunning and their roots reach deep down into the earths forage; the roots search out, they seek, and when they find they drink in the nourishment that is provided by the streams of water.

That’s right — at any station of life that we find ourselves in even when we don’t have much to say or when we don’t have much to share or when we aren’t the ‘life of the party’ at any particular time –we are to be standing by the streams of water. God replenishes us. He is our nourishment, our sustain-er,our provider. That means we are to be at the meetings, we are to be at His Church, we are to be at the Bible Study, we are to be at that place of service.

A tree that yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither….. Did we catch that. “Yields its fruit in season”. The fruit will come; but conditions and circumstances must be in order (this is God’s doing). We must be hanging out by the streams — no matter how long it takes — no matter how tired we get — no matter what our opinions. God is in control and God will prepare us for a good work; but it will be in His time and it will be for His glory — so that no man may boast. Ephesians 2:9

Is God near to you? Do you feel his presence? Is He active in your life? Perhaps you believe that something in life is amiss? It is only natural for a man to challenge and/or question authority. Are you standing too far from the waters edge? God like a stream is always on the move, always providing nourishment, He does not slumber, He does not sleep. Psalm 121: 4 indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Move back to the waters’ edge, stop and plant yourself for awhile, let your roots reach deep down and fill yourself with the Living Waters that God so freely provides. John 7:37b-38 “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Drink in the fullness of God. Remember what the Psalmist wrote, “Whatever he does prospers.”

Trust and believe in God. He is in control. He sees the whole picture. He is the beginning and the end. The Alpha and the Omega.

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….

Take the Plunge!

Joyce — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:06:41 +0000

I heard someone say around the time of the New Year, ” 2009 - Not so fine; 2010 - Begin again.”

At any given time in our lives we have the opportunity or the chance to start again — begin afresh. That was it — I was sold. I was going to start afresh. This time I would step out of my comfort zone and do something that I would not normally do, risk a little, live daringly, take a somewhat small chance, and that is exactly what I did.

My husband and I live in the Northwestern part of Pennsylvania and we had decided to spend New Years Eve 2010 in New York City visiting with our daughter and her companion. After we had arrived in New York City and settled in to our daughter’s apartment we spent the evening hours of New Year’s Eve touring some of Central Park and taking in some of the sights in that part of Manhattan. The following day was New Years day and we had made plans to head off to Coney Island to “take the plunge.” Yes we took the plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean and by doing so we became part of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club 2010. It was exuberant, exhilarating, and completely out of context of anything I have ever done in my life. It was frigid, fun, and I had to admit — I felt 10 years younger — with all of the hype and excitement of the huge crowd that came to participate, to cheer us on, and to witness this momentous event.

But there is more. This past Holiday I was given a gift — the Moravian Daily Texts 2010. It is a Devotional Guide for Every Day. So if truth be told, this is truly where my New Year began — before the Atlantic plunge — I plunged into the Devotional Text. It contains daily devotions, prayers, short hymns, and scripture readings and biblical verses. It is truly an inspirational and thought provoking way to begin ones day –let alone one’s new year. Now stay with me here. I began the New Year with a Plunge into the Devotional Text and then a Plunge into the Atlantic; however, it gets even better.

After arriving back home in Pennsylvania, I had previously signed up for a class entitled “The Inheritance” which is a Beth Moore DVD Study which began for me on Wednesday, January 6. Beth’s teaching is taking us on a journey throughout the bible showing us the various places and readings indicating our future Inheritance in Heaven and also our current Inheritance and promises while here on planet earth. This is a very warm and promising plunge and did I mention huge! And now for my next plunge. Our Church had previously scheduled a 21-day Daniel Fast to begin on Sunday, January the 10th. My husband and I both had made plans to be participants before the new year began so we were mentally prepared to begin this devotion / physical cleansing.

The first day of the fast began after the noon meal with a liquid fast for 24 hours (real 100% natural juices and water.) Starting on the second day after the noon meal begins the meals or the types of food that Daniel would have consumed when he refused to eat the Kings delicacies in the Book of Daniel. One may google the Daniel Fast to find more information on what all it pertains to or read the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament of your Bible. This is our third year at starting the new year with the Daniel Fast. The devotion to God, the cleansing of the body, and the blessings received from God during and after the fast make this a very worthy testament to begin a New Year.

So what are you waiting for? Take the Plunge! The year is early — make a new start. Begin again — Start anew — Start afresh.

The Atlantic was fun, cold, frigid, exciting, and exhilarating. The Devotional Text, The Inheritance DVD Study, and the Daniel Fast are warm, meaningful, enriching, and larger than life itself. Psalm 84:5 Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

And to think that the year has just begun? I wonder what my next plunge / pilgrimage will be?

Till the next time, this is the Voice of Joyce signing off…….