Joyful Joshua =)

Commitment: One of the essential cornerstones of a happy marriage

Marriage is about choosing each other — not just on the day you get engaged or the day you say your vows, but every day for the rest of your lives.

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Rob Jenkins

Jun 28, 2014   |   1,660 views   |   262 shares

• My dad used to say there are two kinds of married people: those who are committed, and those who probably ought to be.
  He was kidding, of course. “Commitment” is sort of the definition of marriage — or at least it used to be, before people began looking at their wedding vows the way college football coaches look at their contracts.
  I recently heard a divorce attorney say on the radio that “no one goes into a marriage thinking it will end.” Maybe not — but a lot of people go into marriage thinking it COULD end, if “things don’t work out.”
  And therein lies the problem: If you start with the assumption that marriage is impermanent, it’s very likely to be.
  Why do so many people start with that assumption? Because they look around and see that it’s so. Half the people they know are divorced — including, in many cases, their own parents. So what’s the big deal?
  I’ll leave you to decide if you think it’s a big deal. But let’s assume you do, since you’re reading this column. If you truly want to have a long and happy marriage, you must put out of your mind the idea that you can always walk away.
  You can’t. That’s what “commitment” means.
  A good friend of mine was once asked by his wife that immortal question, “Why do you love me?” He replied, “Because I choose to.”
  At first, she wasn’t exactly thrilled with that answer. She wanted him to say something more romantic, about how beautiful and wonderful she is. But eventually she came to see that he was exactly right. Marriage is ultimately about choosing each other — not just on the day you get engaged or the day you say your vows, but every single day for the rest of your lives.
  Even days you don’t feel like it. Especially days you don’t feel like it.
  Note that I used the word “love” in my anecdote about commitment. That’s because, when it comes to marriage, love and commitment are essentially the same thing.
  The classic mistake young people (and sometimes older people) make when they first get married is assuming the feelings of strong affection and sexual desire they have for each other on that day — in other words, what we normally call “love” — will remain unchanged throughout their lives.
  People who have been married a long time, however, know that such feelings tend to ebb and flow and thus form a poor basis for a lasting marriage. They also understand that you’re more likely to still feel those emotions, years into the marriage, if you continue to choose each other even on days when you don’t feel them.
  In other words, most people believe that commitment follows love. But one of the secrets to a long and happy marriage is understanding that, in reality, true love follows undying commitment.

Take a Drink

Take a Drink Today's Scripture: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14, NKJV. Today's Word: In the natural, every day, we get thirsty. Water is what we need to sustain life. When we are out in the heat or exerting our bodies physically, even more water is required to keep us hydrated and functioning optimally. Spiritually, we need water every day, too. We need to refresh our hearts and minds as much as we need to refresh our bodies. Jesus said, “I am the Living Water. If you drink of Me, you will never thirst again.” During the day, we all have things that come against us spiritually. We all feel the heat, so to speak. It’s easy to get upset or stressed out, but that’s when you need to take a two-minute break and go drink of the Living Water. Get quiet and say, “God, I need You. I’m asking You, God, to help me stay strong. Help me to stay in peace.” Remember, Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy your inner thirst. Turn to Him, receive from Him, and you will find rest and refreshing for your soul. Anytime you need to, just take a drink! Prayer for Today: Father, right now I turn my heart and mind toward You and take a drink of Your living water. Thank You for filling me, for refreshing me, and for empowering me with everything I need in this life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Beware the Yeast of the Pharisees By Rick Warren — June 29, 2014

       

“Then Jesus left the Pharisees and went in the boat to the other side of the lake. His followers had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat; they had forgotten to bring more. Jesus warned them, ‘Be careful! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ His followers discussed the meaning of this, saying, ‘He said this because we have no bread.’” (Mark 8:13-16 NCV)

 

In the Bible, yeast is often a metaphor for pride and arrogance. Why? When you put yeast in dough, what does it do? It puffs it up, and if you put in too much, it blows it up.
When you’re cooking, you don’t need a lot of yeast. If you’re making bread, you don’t pour a cup of yeast in. You just need a little pinch. Just like yeast, you don’t have to have a lot of pride for it to take over quickly and get you in all kinds of problems.
Recently my wife, Kay, and I had what you might call an argument. We call it a “love match.” After that argument, I wrote down in my journal, “When I’m filled with pride, I blow things out of proportion.”
We all do this. When you’re filled with pride, you blow things out of proportion. All of a sudden, little things get you really upset. Whenever that happens, you know you’re dealing with pride. Wherever you find conflict anywhere in the world, pride is always involved.
When you’re filled with pride, when you have the yeast of the Pharisees, guess what? You can’t see life clearly. When you are prideful, you can’t see what God is doing in your life.
God wants you to beware the “yeast of the Pharisees” so that you can more closely follow him and understand how he is working a miracle in your life.

Talk It Over

• Is it possible pride has affected your relationships with other people? How so?
• Is it possible pride has kept you from developing spiritually? How so?
• What does pride look like in your life?
• In what ways has it kept you from seeing God’s plan for you?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiWrJ1QPOhc

=)

Ephesians 1:3

Who God Rewards

Who God Rewards TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6, NIV. TODAY'S WORD: Do you see God as a rewarder today? Notice this verse doesn’t say that God rewards those who “deserve” it, or those who have “earned” it. It doesn’t say that God rewards those who act perfectly and never make mistakes. No, God’s blessing isn’t based on our performance; it’s based on our faith—our belief in Him and His goodness. In fact, one verse says that He longs to be good to those who are looking for His goodness! I encourage you today to spend some time meditating on His goodness and dwelling on His faithfulness. Look for Him and expect Him to act. Spend some time reading the Psalms and begin to praise and thank Him for all He is doing. Open your eyes of faith and see all of the wonderful things He has prepared for you. Let His Word shape your thoughts, and remember, He is a rewarder! He wants to bless you today because you earnestly seek after Him! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father God, thank You for Your Word which fills my heart with faith. I believe that You are good and You are a rewarder of those who seek after You. I seek You today. I acknowledge You and thank You for revealing Yourself to me in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Provides on the Way to the Miracle

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 28, 2014

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“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NIV)

Some of you are in a rut, and it’s cold and dark and lonely. Some of you are on the road, and it’s scary and insecure, and you have no idea where you’re going or how long the journey’s going to take. And some of you are at the refinery, and the pressure is on.

No matter where you are on the way to your miracle, here are some things you need to remember:

God is all you need.

You don’t need the government or even a job. If God wants to, he can have ravens drop food on you as his way of providing. If he turns off one job opportunity, he can turn on another just as easily. Don’t trust in your bank account, which changes daily. God is all you need.

Where God guides, God provides.

If God tells you to go to Zarephath, leave now! When God gives you direction, he will provide what you need to get there.

You must trust him one day at a time.

Why? Because something like a recession isn’t going to come at you all at once. It’s going to come one day at a time.

God’s promises hinge on your obedience.

God wants you to take a step, and then he’ll show you the next step. Take that step of faith. It may not seem logical, but you do what God says because God’s way is always best.

The Bible says, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

The first step of faith is asking Jesus to take control of your life. If you’ve never done that, then pray this prayer.

Do you know Christ Jesus? If you don’t, you need to get to know him right now.

“Dear God, thank you that you love me and want to keep me from depending on other things instead of you. Forgive me for when I’ve depended on my job and other people instead of you. Thank you that you haven’t forgotten me. Lord, the days ahead may be a little scary at times, but I understand now that the path to a miracle is through uncomfortable territory. I understand now that the source of a miracle will be unexpected, so I shouldn’t try to figure it out. I should just trust you. When you tell me what to do, and it doesn’t always make sense, I will still do what you want me to do. Help me to remember that you’re all I need and that where you guide, you’ll provide. I want to learn to trust you one day at a time. I want to go your way, not my way. I want to follow you, and I ask you to save me and come into my life. I claim your promise that if I trust you, you’ll meet my needs. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

PS...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivesRYcIPsQ

Jeremiah 31:3

Great Peace

Great Peace TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble." (Psalm 119:165, NIV). TODAY'S WORD: God not only wants to give you peace, He wants to give you great peace! When you love His law, nothing can make you stumble, and you will have great peace! Great peace gives you joy when it doesn’t make sense for you to be happy. It’s peace that passes understanding. Great peace keeps you stable and strong no matter what may come against you. When you focus your attention on God’s Word and discipline yourself in the scriptures, you will hunger for more of Him. That love for His law will naturally develop. His Word will direct your path. His Word will protect you. You can always find security in His Word. Today, choose to put His Word first and have the great peace and blessing God has in store for you! PRAYER FOR TODAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives me peace. I choose to focus on Your Word today so that You can protect me and guide me. I give You praise today for working in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4

Miracles Always Come from Unexpected Sources

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 27, 2014

“‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’” (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)

Most of us have some need in our lives that we want met. And many of us try to figure how to get them fulfilled. You may be looking around saying, “Maybe God could do it that way” or “Maybe I could help God along with this” or “Maybe I could give a suggestion here.”

You’re trying to manipulate God, and it doesn’t work!

The source of a miracle will not be where you think it’s going to come from. It’s always unexpected.

God told Abraham that he was going to have a son, and that son was going to be the father of a great nation. Abraham was nearly 100 years old and had a little trouble believing God’s promise. So he took matters into his own hands and had sex with a woman who wasn’t his wife, and they had a son named Ishmael. Bu God said, “No! That’s not the one I promised. That’s the one you came up with using your plan, but that’s not my plan. My plan is I’m going to use your wife Sarah and do a miracle long after she’s capable of having children.”

The way you want to meet the need in your life is not the way God wants to meet the need in your life. Your way is second best. God’s way is always best.

If you could understand God, you’d be God. But you’re not! Let me give you a little stress reliever. Repeat this 10 times: “God is God, and I’m not.” Isaiah 55:8 says,“’My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’” (NLT).

The path to a miracle is always through uncomfortable territory. The source of a miracle always comes in an unexpected way.

So what do you do when you’re on this road? You don’t fret. You don’t fear. You don’t try to figure it out.

You just have faith. You trust God, and say, “I don’t know how God is going to do it, but he will do it.” If God tells you to do it, even if it doesn’t make sense, you do it. Even if going in that direction, or to that location, or to talk to that person doesn’t make sense, you simply obey God and do what he tells you to do. And then, you get ready for a miracle.

Talk It Over

• What are you looking at as the source of your expected miracle? Or, is there a person you’re looking to?
• How do you think God wants you to show your faith in him to provide your miracle?
• What is God telling you to do that doesn’t make sense but that you know you should obey?

Please be patient =)

Psalm 23:2

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A Proclamation =)

The Blessing of Forgiveness

The Blessing of Forgiveness TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (Psalm 32:1, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria The Bible is filled with keys to obtaining God’s promise of blessing. In Psalm 32, it says that you are blessed when your transgressions, or sins, are forgiven. See, God extends forgiveness to everyone, but we have to do our part to receive the forgiveness. We have to repent, or change our ways, with open hearts. The Bible also tells us that if we don’t forgive others, wecannot be forgiven. Is there anyone in your life today that you need to forgive? Is there someone who has hurt or wronged you? Make the decision to forgive so that you can walk in the blessing of God’s forgiveness for you. Forgiveness doesn’t condone wrong behavior. It simply releases the person from the debt they owe you so that God can release you from the debt you owe from your own transgressions. When you make the choice to forgive and allow God to heal your heart, you will be able to receive His forgiveness for you, and you will walk in His abundant blessing all the days of your life! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for the promise of blessing in my life. I open my heart to You and ask that You cleanse me of anything that isn’t pleasing to You. Search me and show me if there is any unforgiveness in my heart so that I can release it and walk in Your blessing for me today in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Path to Miracle: Goes Through Uncomfortable Territory

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 26, 2014

“Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah, ‘Go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I have commanded a widow there to take care of you.’ So Elijah went to Zarephath.” (1 Kings 17:8-10a NCV)

When you’re scared to death and vulnerable, you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t know how long it’s going to take, and you don’t know what’s going to happen when you get there, what do you do?

You remember that the path to a miracle is always through uncomfortable territory.

The Bible gives an illustration in 1 Kings 17:8-10: “Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah, ‘Go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I have commanded a widow there to take care of you.’ So Elijah went to Zarephath” (NCV).

God told Elijah to walk more than 100 miles during a drought through dangerous territory, where everyone knew who he was, and everyone knew King Ahab had a price on Elijah’s head. When Elijah finally made it to Zarephath, he met a poor widow who was going to feed him, but how could she help defend or protect him from a pagan town full of people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill him?

Miracles don’t happen when things are comfortable. Miracles happen when things are uncomfortable. Elijah didn’t say, “God, there are three things wrong with this plan. One, you’re sending me in the wrong direction. Two, you’re sending me to the wrong location. And three, you’re sending me to the wrong protection.”

Elijah just obeyed.

The path to a miracle is always through uncomfortable territory.

For instance —

• When Moses led the Israelites out of slavery to the Promised Land, they had to go through the Red Sea first.
• Before David could slay Goliath, he had to walk onto the battlefield.
• God told Jehoshaphat to put the choir before the army, and he’d win the victory. How much faith do you think that took?

Miracles never happen in your comfort zone, when everything’s great and convenient. You don’t need a miracle when everything is settled in your life. You only need a miracle when you’re on the edge, when you’re scared to death, when you’re insecure, when you can get hit at any angle.

Are you at a place right now in your life where things are a little uncomfortable — financially, emotionally, relationally, or physically? You’re a little nervous, a little on the edge, a little insecure. Congratulations. You’re on the path to a miracle!

Just like Elijah, God wants you to obey, so you can see his miracle at the end of the road.

Talk It Over

• What is God asking you to do that makes you uncomfortable?
• What do you want God to do in your life? How have you expressed your anticipation of his miracle in your life?
• Who are the people who can encourage you on the uncomfortable road you may be walking right now?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWSATpx7uzk

A date to remember =)

29 June 2014

Exam =)

Passion and Vision =)

Jeremiah 29:11 to 13

Drop Your Baggage

Drop Your Baggage TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “...let us strip off every weight that slows us down...” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria What’s happened in your past is not nearly as important as what is in your future. Where you’re going is much more significant than where you’ve been. But if you stay focused on the past, you’ll get stuck where you are. This is the reason a lot of people don’t have joy or enthusiasm for life. They’re dragging around all of this negative baggage from the past. Somebody offended them last week, and they’ve got that stuffed in their resentment bag. Last month, they lost their temper and said some things they shouldn’t have. They’ve got that in their guilt and condemnation bag. Ten years ago, they lost a loved one. They still don’t understand it. They’ve got that hurt and pain in their disappointment bag. They carry around their bag of regrets, all the things they wished they would have done differently. Life is too short to live that way. Learn to travel light. Every morning when you first get up, forgive the people that did you wrong the day before. Forgive your spouse for what they said. At the start of the day, let go of the disappointments, the setbacks from yesterday. Start every morning fresh and new. God did not create you to carry around all that baggage. Let it go and move forward in the life of blessing He has in store for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, today I choose to travel light. I choose to shake off the past, shake off disappointment and forgive those who have hurt me. Heal my heart as I release everything that would try to hold me back in Jesus’ name! Amen.

God Always Provides. It’s Your Job To Ask

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 25, 2014

“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT)

When I was a kid, any time I needed something, I’d go talk to my dad. Sometimes what I needed was expensive, but I remember that not once as a kid did I worry about where my father was going to get the money for whatever I needed. That wasn’t my job! It was my dad’s job to figure out where the money was going to come from. It was my job as a kid to simply ask.

It’s not your job to figure out how God’s going to provide. It’s your job to ask.

The Bible says in James 4:2, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (NIV).

Here’s the second key to stress management: Worry less, and ask more. Instead of worrying, pray about everything.

Romans 8:32 says, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (NLT)

If God solved your biggest problem, everything else is small by comparison. If God loved you enough to send Jesus to die for your sins, don’t you think he loves you enough to help you with your finances? Don’t you think he loves you enough to help you with your health? With your relationships? With career decisions? With closing a deal? With your deadline?

There’s no area of your life that God is not interested in. He already knows what you need, but he still wants you to ask him for it. Instead of worrying, pray about everything.

Talk It Over

• What keeps you from asking God for the things that you need?
• Why do you think God wants you to ask him for what you need when he already knows all your needs?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOW8-9meEvM

what I love =)

Move Forward

Move Forward TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18–19, ESV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Oftentimes, people get stuck in life because they’ve been hurt or betrayed, and they end up settling where they are. They allow the disappointment to keep them from the divine appointment. Don’t let that be you! Don’t let what somebody did or didn’t do for you be an excuse to live sour. Don’t let a bad break, a divorce, a betrayal or a bad childhood cause you to settle where you are. Move forward and God will pay you back. Move forward and God will vindicate you. Move forward and you’ll come into a new beginning. Nothing that has happened to you is a surprise to God. The loss of that loved one didn’t catch God off guard. The business that didn’t make it, the relationship that didn’t work out did not stop God’s plan for your life. Now, the real question is: are you going to get stuck, fall into self-pity, become bitter, let the past poison your future? Or, are you going to shake it off and move forward knowing that your best days are still up ahead? A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, thank You for being my vindicator. Thank You for making the wrong things right in my life. I know that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf, and I will move forward in the blessing You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWKZVbG9egQ

Stress Management Step 1: Don’t Worry!

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 24, 2014

“Don’t worry about anything.” (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

The number one source of stress in your life is not work. It’s worry. Work doesn’t keep you up at night; worry does.

God is very clear in the Bible what he thinks about worry. Philippians 4:6 says,“Don’t worry about anything” (NLT).

Why do you need to let go of your worry?

Worry is unreasonable for a couple of reasons. First, worry exaggerates the problem. Have you noticed if somebody says something bad about you, the more you think about it, the bigger it gets? Second, worry doesn’t work. To worry about something you can’t change is useless. And to worry about something you can change is stupid. Just go change it!

Worry is unnatural. There are no born worriers. You might think you are, but you’re not. Worry is something you learned. Since worry is unnatural, it’s also unhealthy. Your body wasn’t designed to handle worry. When people say, “I’m worried sick,” they’re telling the truth. Doctors say a lot of people could leave the hospital today if they knew how to get rid of guilt, resentment, and worry. Proverbs 14:30 says, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body” (NLT).  

Worry is unhelpful. Worry cannot change the past, and worry cannot control the future. All it does is mess up today. The only thing that worry changes is you. It makes you miserable! It’s never solved a problem. It’s unhelpful. 

Worry is unnecessary. God made you, he created you, he saved you, and he put his Spirit in you. Don’t you think he’s going to take care of your needs? There’s no need to worry.

The first step in stress management is to refuse to worry about anything. Why? Because it’s unreasonable, unnatural, unhelpful, and unnecessary.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7, “You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern” (AMP).

God personally cares about you and for your needs. You know all those things you’re stressing, anxious, and worried about? Let it go. Give it to God.

Talk It Over

• What does your worry say about how much you trust God?
• What is it you are worried about? What can you do to change it?
• How can you practically “throw your anxieties” on God?