HAPPY in HIS MIDST

"Give THANKS in ALL circumstances, for this is GOD's WILL for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:18 ~ It is not all black,or bleak, in the world. God created all things, He is ever present and therefore all things are not all bad, cruel and doomed. Good in many forms exists, in every cloud, in the midst of all the grey, and inside the gloom. Pain and suffering is part of life on earth as we know it. God tells us the truth, always!  "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 

As frail humans we fail to see as perfectly, as mercifully, as gracefully, as patiently as our Father does. HAPPY MOMENTS are abundant if we look for them with confident expectation. Let us NOT bypass the benefit of new beginnings and total reliance on God's will. When our team loses, when seasons change, or when our vote, our way is cancelled by the way of another, PRAISE GOD! Give thanks in ALL things for God's will is done, on earth as it is in heaven. It is AMAZING how much can get done when we do not mind who gets the credit! When the winds of time blow and toss aside our hope to get noticed, this youthful perception does not stop God's will of being done. When we endeavor to do what is right in the sight of the Lord, so that He gets the glory, then our maturity shows.

Ignorance flung about by untamed tongues that are fast to punish the unjust terror of gangs, wars, or the often times unsavory political manipulations ~ or of a polluted church member ~ when these foolish ones thrust their tongues as daggers, they pierce society with a vengence that belongs solely to our Lord Jesus.  His living word wisely warns us "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7.  On Mothers Day at our Galt community church we danced lightly through the book of Peter and we were reminded that we are beloved of God, set apart as His holy nation, for His purpose, saved by His 

amazing grace, infused by His Spirit, to walk in His ways, that we bring Him glory by what we speak, and by how we live. We are to shine His light and seek the good that is embedded in whatever the world perceives as bad.  "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." Genesis 50:20 ~ Wisdom begins when we respect the Lord's perfect word and apply it daily as we watch TV, listen to the world news and speak to our loved ones. 

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, DO NOT FEAR; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13 ~ Lord Jesus thank You for equipping me to encounter difficulties with Your lighthearted perspective.  Lord Jesus Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a lighthouse for my mind.  You are the Light of the world, and in You I rest confidently that in You there is no darkness at all.  "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you; God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5 Our sovereign Father chose us, we are His royal subjects. We were elected as God's royal priesthood, to be a holy nation, set apart to represent Him, in His power, by His supreme authority in our workplace, in our community.  We belong to God. This means we are no longer slaves to any man. He gave us His royal robe of righteousness that we may declare Who brought us out of the dark and into His eternal light. Once we were without mercy, but now we have mercy to give. Earth is not our home, we are strangers who are equipped by God to fight and win the war that is ever targeted to destroy our faith in Christ. We are charged to live such good lives, and to speak words of life among the lost that we cause them to ASK US "Why do you smile in the midst of chaos?" Simply declaring "I am blessed" no matter the circumstance is to tell the truth. Praise Jesus for He alone is worthy, He alone is responsible for our JOY.