I Certainly Don’t Recommend

The troubles of my heart are multiplied; Bring me out of my distresses. Psalms 25:17 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

If you want to live an easy comfortable life do not become a Christian.

A Christians life can be expected to be one filled with sorrow, pain, hardship and loneliness.

You will be filled with sorrow at the ones who reject Christ (especially those in your maternal family) and by extension ostracize you. You will not be invited to family get togethers, weddings, funerals or anniversaries. It will cut deep.

You will suffer pain of never being invited to get togethers by those you work with. You will be treated like a freak and mocked.

You will suffer loneliness as Christ takes you away from comforts of this life into service for Him. You will feel as if you are the only person in the world because everyone around you rejects you mocks you and ostracizes you. It will cost you your family, your friends, your career, maybe your health, your financial security.

You will face hardship because of what you have to surrender unto Christ (in the beginning of your walk you will not be sure if He will supply your needs).

If this sounds like to heavy of a price to pay let us look at the rewards:

You can be sure that no matter the family and friends who reject you Christ will bring to you a Christian communion that will be closer than any maternal family member or worldly friend.

No matter recession or physical injury or anything that hampers you finances Christ will always make sure you have a comfortable place to live, clothes on your back and food in your belly.

In your hardship it will bring you ever closer to Christ which will expand your love, admiration, trust and friendship with Him, which is the best treasure of them all.

It is not: is it worth giving up everything to become a Christian but rather why in the world would I desire anything but Christ in my life. Joseph a son of Jehovah

  “I didn’t go to religion to make me ‘happy.’ I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” C. S. Lewis

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah ‘Uzam (The Lord is our Strength in Trouble) for blessing me with Your Divine strength to endure and prosper (yes prosper because the prosperity is in the enlargement of our eternal love affair) during my suffering because of my association with You. I exalt You in the name of He gladly enduring the most horrible suffering for me Jesus Christ. Amen

The gift of love, the gift of joy, the gift of peace, these are the greatest gifts that can be given. They are given in abundance to all those in Christs family by our Heavenly loving  Father. May you be blessed with plentiful opportunities to share these with those around you today.

Will Guard Your

 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

I have known a lot of war in my life.

The war of worry.

This plagues me with restless nights, bad health and nervous disposition. The only way to be victorious in this war is to lay it at the feet of my Beloved Heavenly Father. He sends the Holy Spirit to reassure me, comfort me and encourage me. He reminds me that everything is in His hands and that everything will work out for my good

The war of fear.

This battle leaves me timid and restless. The only way to be victorious in this war is to lay it at the feet of my Beloved Heavenly Father. He sends the Holy Spirit to reassure me, comfort me and encourage me. He reminds me that everything is in His hands and that He will always supply for my needs.

The war of anger and hatred (this includes jealousy).

This war boils the brain so it cannot function properly. It steals all joy and love from my soul. The only way to be victorious in this war is to lay it at the feet of my Beloved Heavenly Father. He sends the Holy Spirit to reassure me, comfort me and encourage me. He reminds me that the important thing to stay focused on is that those who unjustly inflict pain or sorrow on me shall be punished by His vengeful hand.

The war of loneliness.

The feeling of being unloved and all alone. A feeling so heavy it causes physical pain in my heart and great sobbing. The only way to be victorious in this war is to lay it at the feet of my Beloved Heavenly Father. He sends the Holy Spirit to reassure me, comfort me and encourage me. He reminds me that the important thing to stay focused on is that He loves me with a love that no other can compare with. That He is always with me and has a house built with love awaiting me in His Heavenly home.

The best security system there ever can be is the one wrapped up in Jehovahs loving arms. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Gador Milchamah (The Lord is Mighty in Battle) for providing me with the weapons to defeat satan in his battle against my mind and spirit. This unbeatable weapon of course is You Holy Love. I praise You in the name of my most precious lover Jesus Christ. Amen

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love fill your heart today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

The Trail Blessings.

 

 Today I have received numerous blessings on the daily hike.

The first one was beautiful weather to go for a long hike.

Instead of going one of the normal routes the Lord directed me to a different route. While walking along the asphalt walkway there was a saying spray painted upon the pavement that was eye catching. It was photographed to be used later for this blog.

Then , the Lord guided me to a small trail up a hill. On top of the hill there was a view of the raised gardens built by some of my detractors that laughed at the design the Lord instilled upon me to build for our raised garden. Upon inspecting it, it was discovered to be all falling apart (while the Lords design is still as good as new. Both were built at the same time).

I then returned to the main trail and continued on my way.    

A short while later the Lord guided me to take a little side street. At the end of that side street, there was another side street. At the end of that side street was a trail. The trail was oh so beautiful with quaint little bridges along petite creeks. It was so beautiful. I had walked this route numerous times and never saw this trail.

As the walk continued along the main route which took me into a bush. At one point there is a resting place beside a quiet little rapids where I usually rest. The Lord opened my eyes to a little trail I never noticed before. There, along the trail was a pile of discarded patio stones in mint condition that can be used for the flower garden which will be retrieved in the spring. I know the owner of the land and he has previously informed me any treasures found back there were mine if I wanted them (that is where some of the materials to build the Lords raised garden came from). Finally, on the other side of the creek is a pile of pressure treated lumber that has been thrown out that, again, can be used in the spring for garden projects.

I find it amazing just what folks throw out.

It is funny when others ask me where I got the building material and they are informed. They think Ia am crazy but I believe in using everything to its most potential.

Jehovah supplies our tomorrows in ways as unusual as He does our todays. It causes us to marvel at Him all the more. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Jireh (God my provider) for blessing me with numerous provisions today that will be used for future projects that I know You have in store for me to accomplish in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, this spring. You constantly amaze me my Love. I praise You in the name of He who fed the four thousand Jesus Christ. Amen

Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you joy, may you be blessed with an abundance of it this every day this year.

Boy What an Answer.

This morning has begun early, waking up at one a.m. After suffering through a night of night sweats and weird dreams. I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms from cigarettes. I thanked my Beloved for them because I knew that these must occur when the poison is being eliminated from the body, having confidence that this time He will help see me through this to a successful conclusion. The very first morning devotional had these verses in them Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Isaiah 43:2 (VOICE)
When you face stormy seas I will be there with you with endurance and calm; you will not be engulfed in raging rivers. If it seems like you’re walking through fire with flames licking at your limbs, keep going; you won’t be burned.

Psalm 62:5-6 New Living Testament)
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Psalm 34:17-18 New Living Testament)
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 73:26 (New Living Testament)
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Isaiah 41:1 MSG)
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Exodus 33:14 (New Iinternational Version)
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 (New Living Testament)
Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Joshua 1:9 (New Living Testament)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Ephesians 3:16-17 (New Living Testament)
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

John 14:16-17 (NKJV)
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Psalm 5:3 (New International Version)
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 63:8 (VOICE)
My soul clings to You; Your right hand reaches down and holds me up.

Romans 8:38-39 (New Living Testament)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Boy what an answer He gave me. Prayer: Thank you my Beloved Jehovah-Mephalti (The Lord my Deliverer) for blessing me with these encouraging words that delivers me from the temptations endured during this difficult time. I exalt You in the name of He who delivers us all from sin Jesus Christ. Amen.                           

  May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

On the Alter Of

And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness]Ephesians 4:27 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Unfortunately, one of my bad dispositions is letting go of a grudge. Being more mature I have learned to place it at the feet of Jesus. He heals the wound and avenges the wrong doer.

Many times however, it is played out in my head where they are shamed while yours truly look like the hero. This childish fantasy is surely played out in all of our heads. Rather than dwell on the wound others have inflicted from personal experience, it is better to listen to old hymns that praise Jehovah. This fills the heart with joy rather than anger and bitterness.

Now of course the wound may need to be healed by going to righteous Christian councilors to help deal with the lingering pain.

Those that nurture the grudge are cultivating weeds of hate and anger which suffocate the beautiful plants of love and joy. They become mean, bitter angry old men and women in their later years.

Of course this devastating disease cause great harm to both the mental and physical body.

It also affects the relationship with Christ. Because He is love and there is hate and anger in the heart the two are not comparable.

I have seen more than a few who have sacrificed their physical and mental health on the alter of bitterness and grudges. Joseph- Anthony: Green

Prayer: PleaseYAHWEH-Ropheka (God our healer) heal the cuts both superficial and the gougingly deep ones that have been inflicted upon me.

Please empower me to concentrate on all Your loving attributes instead of foolishly wasting my time rerunning the event over in my head where I glorify myself while shaming the offender. That is such a wast of time and is very childish.

I sincerely request this in the name of He who heals all wounds Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Worry is Practical Atheism.

                                              

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

It is a disease that plagues us all. It’s name is worry.

We worry about our health, we worry about our finances, we worry about our relationships, we worry about our country. The list goes on.

When we are Christians worry is a sin. That is right, worry is a sin. It indicates we do not have faith (which means trust) in Jehovah to take care of us. Because we do not believe in His promises we are calling Jehovah a liar.

Now when we are baby Christians it is normal to have little faith because we have little experience in our walk with Christ. However, those of us that have walked with Christ for numerous years and decades that still have no trust in Him shows a lack of interpersonal relationship with Him, it is shallow.

Worry is practical atheism put into practice. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Mephalti (The Lord my Deliverer) for always delivering me from all my worries and cares. I exalt The in the name of He who fed the five thousand and delivered them from their cares in that moment Jesus Christ. Amen

May your house be filled with joy in the morning and sweet dreams at night. May it be a home where love has come to live. Joseph a son of Jehovah

The Champion Worry Wort.

 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 Holy Bible Amplified Version

I used to be the World Champion Worry Wort. You name it and I would worry about it. I swear I used to worry about if I did not fart during the day (really). It caused endless sleepless nights. It is surprising I did not have ulcers or a heart attack. The stress meter would be on overload.

As my walk with Christ slowly matured more and more was put into His capable hands, starting off small and gradually enlarging as the walk with Him became more and more secure more and more was surrendered to Him. The end result was a good nights sleep ( which is enjoyed almost every night now).

There is more and more serenity in uncertain circumstances.

There now is amazing physical, mental and spiritual health.

Now there are times when there are uncertain circumstances and or situations that arise that is completely out of my control and a panic attack begins. That is when I sprint for a Bible, a quiet place to be with my Beloved and allow Him to comfort and assure me that every thing is under control. The stress meter goes dead and the worry melts away.

“Never dwell on the tomorrow; remember, that it’s God’s and not ours.” Edward B. Pusey

Prayer: Oh a deep heartfelt Thank you my cherished Jehovah Shalom (The Lord blesses with Peace) for blessing me with peace in every aspect of my life because I know You love me, You care, You help me and guide my steps. You are always there through all my difficulties and sorrows. You are the greatest. I praise You in the name of the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.