“The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.” (Luke 2:20 MSG) “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” (Matthew 2:10 MSG) “Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage.…
Tag: joy
“Pay close attention now: I’m creating a new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos and pain are things fo the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy.” (Isaiah 65:17-18 MSG) What a verse to read on the fifth anniversary of…
“And those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with sing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10 NIV) There is a rescue underway and we’ll know it’s…
“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had seen and heard. It turned out to exactly the way they’d been told!” (Luke 2:19-20 MSG) It turns…
“I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess… Actually I don’t need anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content in my circumstances. I’m happy with little as with much, with much as will little. I’ve found the recipe for…
“You did it. You changed wild lament into hiring dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wild flowers. I’m about to burst with song; I can’t thank You enough.” (Psalm 30:11-12 MSG) What a hope-filled song! We aren’t good about…
“I have told you these things for a purpose…” (John 15:11 MSG) Wait, what things? John 15:1-10 can be condensed to a list. Jesus the Vine.His Father is the Vinedresser.Non fruit-bearing branches are removed entirely.Fruit-bearing branches are pruned to bear even more fruit.Christ longs for…
“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with sounds of joy.” (Psalm 126:1-2 NIV) Do you know what grows dim in an adult’s life? Laughter. The average four year old…
“Can you picture Me without reducing Me?” (Isaiah 46:5 MSG) Our strong tendency is to box God up into manageable proportions so we can cart Him around, make demands and stash Him in a closet when needed. We make Him just small enough to fit…
“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22 NIV) Yesterday I came across an old photo of my mom. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five…