Endurance brings JOY?

 Good morning everyone,  

  How are you doing today?  

  I am loving writing again!  It's such good therapy for me to put my thoughts in writing.  To think that there are those, out there in the world, who have the same problems that I have and who are searching for answers from God is strengthening.

  Yesterday I got to lead our neighborhood lady's Bible study.  I had been praying about what to speak on and the word ENDURANCE kept coming up. 

  I went in search of an article about endurance and I found this wonderful word on how endurance brings us JOY in the long run!  I urge you to all go and read this article if endurance is a four letter word to you.  lol    https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/you-have-need-of-endurance

  This morning THE PASSION TRANSLATION wrote about a higher way when we follow God.  It fits so perfectly with our Bible study yesterday that I decided to share it here too at this time.

  We need to remind ourselves, as we follow the Lord, that conquering our trials through faith in our loving Heavenly Father makes us stronger.  This brings us JOY.  Then we know, when the next big trial comes along, that we will be stronger when we get on the other side of it and THAT will bring us joy!  That's what faith is!

  One of the most interesting points in our study yesterday was pondering that those we love are on the same journey.  At times, we will need to encourage them as they climb their mountains.  However, at other times they may need to be reminded that God can get them through ANYTHING!  We can pray for them but they must learn endurance too.  If we try to keep them from their struggles, as parents often do, we can be stealing their joy that will come from them developing endurance in the struggle.  WOW!!!

  As I listened to the ladies share their stories yesterday of how God gave them endurance, during their most difficult trials, I saw even more how lovingly our Father leads us in the ways that we need to go.  He is pruning us of harmful/sinful patterns in our lives so we can live a life of JOY!!   How cool is that?

  So I urge you, if you're in a "When will this ever end?" time in your life, it WILL end!!  Keep clinging to the Lord, reading His word, reaching out to your friends who may not even know you're in a crisis time, and KNOW that He is working all things out for your good!

  My very favorite verse growing up as an incest victim was 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man.  God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear but will, with the temptation, provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it!"

  My prayers go out to all of you who are pushing towards joy in your life.  It's coming, dear friends, it is on the way!!

  Love always,

  Dawn 

  

Encounter God’s Heart…

A Higher Way

The privileges and blessings of the children of Israel have been passed down to all who have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ. Now, we are a part of his family, set apart ones who receive favor and righteousness all because Yahweh calls us his own. Jesus has become our Portion, our Way-Maker, our Living Example. As we walk in the light of his presence, we exude the glory he’s entrusted to us. We are favored. We have been called to a life of divine victory, uncommon peace, and exquisite joy. These are the paths we were created to walk upon, but first, we must believe it. We must set our sights on a higher way and connect our faith to the truth. All we need to live a fulfilling life is found in him.   Father, I offer you the disappointments of the past and look to you with hope and expectancy. You have destined me for a life of victory and deep-seated joy and peace. Lead me by your Holy Spirit to paths of freedom so I won’t wander in vain. In you, my victory has been sealed.   From I Hear His Whisper for Women written by Brian Simmons

Isaiah 45:25 The Passion Translation   “In YAHWEH, all of Israel’s offspring will triumph and shine!”