The Sweetness of His Presence

The Sweetness of His Presence

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters, He refreshes my soul." Psalm 23:2-3.

Beside Still Waters...Water is such a precious infinite resource that assures a calming and serene source of peace. Is it any wonder that King David, a man of war, penned these beautiful words? David knew that God was the source of His comfort. It is unspeakably wonderful that God would unconditionally set his favor on us. Today, this time-honored solution gives us comfort when we are unsettled. It calls us to "stillness." I often imagine myself in green pastures, beside still waters and I always sense the sweet presence of Jesus. The sweetness of God's presence is like a gentle breeze that caresses the soul, a warmth that envelops the heart. It is the quiet assurance that we are never alone. In the sweetness of His presence you will hear a soft whisper of grace and feel a tender touch of eternity. This speaks life into our weary Spirit. In this hectic, busy, noisy world we live in today, we so often have need to go to the source that will gently calm our troubled spirit. I encourage you to journey with me to this beautiful place of rest and be refreshed and encouraged by the sweetness of His presence. "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11. 

"He will tend His flock like a Shepard; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom and gently lead them..." Isaiah 40:11.

"Knowing God is to know his sweetness. Being loved by God means being enveloped in his sweetness."

Sweetest Blessings,

Jo 

 

There's a Little Girl In Every Grown Women (Finding Joy in Your Journey)

There's a Little Girl In Every Grown Women 

(Finding Joy in Your Journey)

"These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you , and that your joy may be full." John 15:11.

Finding Joy...We often hear our childhood shaped who we are as adults. I believe this to be true. Good, bad, or downright ugly! Many were blessed with idloic childhoods while others had difficult childhoods that shaped who they became as an adult. The difference is in the life choices we made. From my earliest memory to my seasoned years, I have always seen life through rose colored glasses. I still love the innocence of babies and the smell of puppies breath. I still love the color of pink and the smell of jasmine. I still love tea parties and cookies. I still believe in prince charming. I married one! Do I see myself aging? Of course I do... but today I choose to find beauty in my age. It is a gift from the Lord. It is special! Has life tainted my youthful memories? Not one bit! Sometimes, when life feels off balance, I take a moment and journey back to the sweet days of my youth and I am reminded that I still love the same things, and they are good. The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of life and everything to do with the focus of our life. Joy does not happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it everyday. It's the simple things that create joy. God created us that way. And it is good! 

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22:23.

"Live beyond "What If" find joy in "What Is."

Sweetest Blessings,

Jo

 

The Wonder of God's Blessings

The Wonder of God's Blessings

"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13.

The Wonder of God's Blessings... I've been on a daily mission to count my blessings and not my woes. I have to admit, some day's it seems like my woes overshadow my blessings. I wonder if we are so used to blessings that we often glaze over the many blessings that our Heavenly Father gifts us with each day?  After all, "Every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17.) We can never reach the full measure of the meaning of blessings without recognizing God's hand in our blessings. All blessings are the touch of His hand upon our life and the breath of His presence that leaves a sweet fragrance of His loving care. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a gift of His grace. To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us. The truth of the matter is, all God's children are Divinely blessed. But, know this, we are also blessed to be a blessing. Blessings should be a circle of love that creates ripples like a spring that bubbles forth and never ceases. Today, be a blessing to someone as a way of thanking God for all the many blessings He blesses you with. The next time someone says, "God bless you," you can reply, "To God be all the glory!" This is the Wonder of His Blessings.

"The Lord bless you and keep you ; the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26.

Sweetest Blessings'

Jo

"Blessings are like gentle raindrops that fall upon our lives, bringing joy, wonder, and gratitude."