A merry heart does good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22).

“A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17: 22 AMP)

During this Christmas season many people suffer from depression because of illnesses, the death of a loved one and many other reasons.

As I was meditating on this hoping to give a promising word from God, He reminded me of an article I read several years ago. I do not remember the name or the author of the article, but it was the story of a man who had cancer and was given four weeks to live. His doctors told him to go home and prepare to die.

He was bedridden and depressed. One day he decided that if he were going to die he wanted to go out laughing.

He made a decision. He loved watching Laurel and Hardy movies and the Three Stooggies.  So, he bought all of these he could find. Anytime he was not sleeping, he was watching these programs and laughing out loud.. He filled his mind with laughter. At the end of four weeks the man walked out of his house healed.

The article did not say whether the man was a believer or not. However; I have learned that God’s word is true and it works for believers and non-believer, just like the law of gravity.

This man made a vital choice. It is based on Philippians 4:8 (AMP), “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”

As you spend time with the Lord today I would like to encourage you to sit in His presence. Ask Him to wrap His loving arms around you. Then meditate on His goodness, His blessings and the very fact that He loves you more than you can even imagine. You are accepted in Christ. Lay in His arms as a lover lies in the arms of his beloved. Continually tell yourself that God really loves you, just as you are. You are accepted not because of what you can or have done, but because God has chosen to love you. Take some time today to rejoice, laugh and enjoy this day that the Lord has made. It is His gift to you. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” Psalm 100:4

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” Psalm 100:4

Preparing our table for communion includes preparing our hearts.

During this past Thanksgiving I became so busy with getting things together for a family Thanksgiving I did not take the time to prepare my heart. In so doing I noticed an emptiness after the crowd left. 

Not understanding what had happened I sought the Lord. In His mercy He reminded me that I had missed the whole idea of Thanksgiving, not only to be thankful, but to give thanks to God for all the many blessings He gives me each and every day.  I have since repented of this, and I pray I never forget to give thanks to God and others each day. It opens up the gates of heaven.

James 1:17 (VOICE) “Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows.”

As I meditate on the fact that every good thing in my life is a gift from my heavenly Father, I begin to count my blessings, as the old hymn says, name them one by one - the love of my family, home, provisions, sunshine, grass, trees, birds, fresh air, etc. Then, I remember the love that never ends and is freely given to this one, who felt like a failure, love that has healed a wounded soul, love that offers me eternal life. And it is all because Jesus went to the cross for you and me. He paid for my sins and yours. We just have to ask Him into our lives and ask Him to forgive us.

It only takes a moment to prepare my heart with thanksgiving for the presence of a Holy God.

Today I celebrate this holy time of communion with my beloved knowing that by accepting His love and sacrifice on the cross, He is mine and I am His. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Nothing can separate us from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39)

Romans 8:38 begins with “I am convinced…” Convinced: means to be completely certain about something. When we are convinced about something, nothing will change our mind.

“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 AMP)

Recently we buried a beloved aunt. She was always kind and her faith was steadfast, no matter what she went through. I miss her, but my memories of her are precious and reassuring that I will see her again one day.

Her grandson preached her funeral from Romans 8:38 reminding us that if we belong to God through Jesus the Christ, then nothing will ever separate us from our love-relationship with our loving Father.

God’s love reaches each of us through the cross of Christ. This love is unfathomable and can only be received through believing in Jesus and the finished work He accomplished on the cross. (John 3:16-18) It is never-ending. He never withdraws His love because we mess up. He loves us because He chooses to love us, not because we are good enough.

If you are in need of love today, Jesus’ love will fill you in ways no man or woman can. Just ask Him.

If you already know Him, take some time and ask Him to fill you with more of His love. Sometimes we just need a special hug from someone who loves us to remind us that we are loved.

His unearned love is freely offered to everyone who will believe and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

If you do not know Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to invite Him into your heart and celebrate the eternal love-life He gives you when you receive Him as Savior.

Communion is like that. It is when we take time to communicate with the lover of our soul. We love on Him as He loves on us.

Blessings on your day!

Karen

Jesus, the name above all names (Philippians 2:9)

Today we begin studying the names of Jesus. Just as the names of God reveals His nature, character and attributes, so too the names of Jesus reveal the Messiah to us.

The lyrics to the song Jesus, Name Above All Names says it well. Take a few moments and meditate on these proclamations of Jesus.

Jesus, name above all names

Beautiful Savior, glorious Lord.

Emmanuel, God is with us.

Blessed Redeemer, Living word

Father God bestowed the name of Jesus (Yeshua, in Hebrew) with its meaning of “the Salvation of God” on His beloved Son. Jesus is His name, and this name is the person of Jesus Himself. He is the Word of God, and He is the written Word of God. They are inseparable. Think on this. It may be deeper than you first think.

In Philippians 2:9-11 (AMP) Paul tells us that “He (Jesus) humbled Himself by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus is the most powerful name in all existence. At His name all the angels in heaven, all the demons in hell and every creature, man or beast will bow to the King of kings.

Many say they will not bow to Jesus the Christ, but there will come a time where there will be no choice. His Kingdom is being established on the earth, but at His return it will be completely fulfilled.

As you partake of communion today ponder these things in your heart. Then praise Him and celebrate His name.

As a believer in Jesus, He has given us His name. Our name belongs to Jesus and His belongs to us. The more we know and experience Jesus, the more we become like Him. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen