JOY IN THE BURDEN

"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation." Jeremiah 15:16-17

Beautiful and filling are the Lord's words. There are times He separates us but not always for a wilderness journey. Sometimes it is so we are filled with His burden. It is a  necessary time in His presence. Here, Jeremiah was filled with indignation; which is fury, anger and rage. He was tasting God's displeasure for sin. 

How could this be "joy and rejoicing"? After all, so many focus only on the love of God. How can this be? Simple! Knowing we are His and Him sharing His heart is enough. Have you experienced the Lord’s heart through His Word? Did it fill you with joy and rejoicing?

If we are truly in Christ, we too will carry His burden, however He sees fit. Being called by His name is the root of all joy! Remember, "joy" is greater than a feeling and deeper than the surface. God's love is balanced and it carries great weight! 

Jesus is the Word! John 1:1 tells us, 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Jesus' words should bring us great comfort as He directs us in His will. 

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:29-30

Can we be connected to Christ and not be grateful, thankful and full of joy and rejoicing? Not for long! Our focus is Him and He is all we need. Are we feasting on Him, THE Word? Are we allowing God to have His way in the journey? Most importantly, are you embracing His presence as He helps to carry the burden?

You CAN know Christ personally!

Knowing Jesus Christ personally is NOT the same as have a "touch of religion"! Surrendering ourselves to Him and His call makes all the difference. 

Enjoy a short clip to share with those who need Jesus! I hope you are blessed today and every day! Love y'all!

https://youtube.com/shorts/2haSjAZU-sI?feature=share

For more great and TRUE content, be sure to LIKE, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE!

Remember, you can strengthen your walk with Christ by daily spending time in the Word of God. (Romans 12:2).

For additional support, prayerfully consider purchasing my devotional book... 'A Walk with the King' by Michelle M James 

You can find it online at 

Barnes and Noble 

Amazon

ChristianBook.com 

Awalkwiththeking.com 

Or email me directly for a signed copy!

Mrslovinmyjesus@gmail.com 

Subscribe to my YouTube channel 

https://youtube.com/@adevotedwalk

Like to donate to this ministry 

PayPal: Mrslovinmyjesus@gmail.com or mmjames30@gmail.com 

May God bless you more and more as you GROW IN HIM! 

Women's Day - Good vs Bad Women in the Bible

Ladies in leadership or wild women?

Since it's 'Women's Day', let's look at a few ladies &  women who made a difference...

To the good:

* Queen Esther was used to save her people from wicked Haman who desires to kill them all. 

* Jael who killed Sisera to save her people from his army

* Ruth whose humble heart was granted a new beginning with Boaz 

* Mary, mother of Jesus. 

* Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist

* Mary, friend of Jesus

* Those of virtue- Proverbs 31

To the bad... 

* Eve, fell for the serpent's lies and ate the forbidden fruit then gave it to Adam

* Delilah, seduced Sampson into revealing his secret of strength 

* Jezebel, Baal worshiper who slaughtered the prophets of God. 

Moral of these lives once lived is that WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY! 

Ladies, do you know who or which you are? 

Fellas, do you know which you truly prefer?

Are we living to please ourselves or the Living God? Are we serving Him by loving others?

A Recipe for keeps!

As I ponder what to make for dinner tonight, I chuckle to myself on the results of last night's dinner. See, I found a recipe but didn't "feel" up to all the ingredients. Lol, so, I modified it. Let's just say it was a flop! 

The Lord spoke greatly to my heart in this real life lesson. He showed me that in religion this is exactly what people do. They don't "like" or "feel up to" His requirements so the pick and choose; they add to and they take away! Just like my dinner that went south, so making these changes to His plan results in the same way! 

In essence it's fun to play around with recipes, especially when it comes out great! When dealing with God's ways, it's best to leave what He says as whole and complete. 

As my husband's words ring in my ears, "Don't change the recipe next time." I share this deeper advice for you too... 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

May we not play with eternity based on our likes, dislikes and/or emotions! What God dishes out is perfect, truly a recipe for keeps!

A prayer for those affected by Toxic Train derailments

Let us pray 🙏

Father God we lift up the farmers in and around these many sudden toxic train derailments all around the USA. Stay Your mighty hand upon them and protect these families including their livelihoods, their lands and their livestock as they are providing food for many; including the train conductors and those investing these scenes which seem to continue to happen. Please uplift the first responders who are providing aid to all of these people. 

Rebuke the famines attempting to overtake our lands and the evil reach its attempting to grab within the air quality and water streams as well. 

Be glorified Father God as so much destruction and dismay is all around us. Use what the enemy has intended for evil against Your people for Yours and our good. 

Encourage Your people and uplift the weary, worried and worn. Remind us all that time is short to get right with You for Your Son is poised at the door, awaiting Your command to gather His bride. Awaken Your people, Father God.

We know nothing escapes Your watchful eye and nothing is too difficult for you. Grant Your comfort, protection and peace, for Your namesake. 

We ask and surrender all, in Jesus Christ mighty name. Amen 🙏 

#TrustGod #believe #HeIsAble #heknows #jesuschrist #jesussaves #JesusIsLord #jesuslovesyou #faith #Jesus #love #miracles #trust #lovewhereyoulive #farmers #train #trainderailment #Jesusiscoming #foodie #supplychain #Repent #peace #peaceful #peaceofmind

At wits end?

At wits end? ... Pull out that Bible and start standing on God's promises for your life! 

When kids aren't listening or misbehaving... "And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isaiah 54:13. 

When the bills start piling up and work is minimal to none... "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22. 

When health is failing... "Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me;..." Psalm 6:2. 

When the enemy starts to attack your mind... "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 

Faith in Christ + Trust & Total reliance upon His Word = peace in your life!

Every one of these verses pertains to something I'm personally dealing with! The Lord is faithful even when we are least deserving! He is seeing me through, my family, our business, our health, every aspect! The enemy loves to see chaos, panic, anxiety and enjoys playing tricks on our minds. 

If he can take our focus from Christ and put it on our situations, he knows we will not stand against Him with Truth, with the Word, in prayer and in praise! 

Ready for that "perfect peace", hit them knees and stand strong in the Word!

Known by Christ or a Grapevine Experience

I remember in my younger days a lot of people knew who I was, but not because then knew me personally; they knew me by association-- they knew others who did know me... that were close to me. 

Even still with business I encounter similar situations. Many know who I am but aren't close enough to know me personally. I'm not into popularity. No, I share this because as I pondered these things the Lord spoke to my heart. 

He brought this passage to mind: 

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23

Many know of Jesus yet very few know Him personally. Key question is: Does He know you?

He said, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14

Knowing Him is personal, a genuine relationship. Religion leads one to believe it's collective or a grapevine experience. It is not by customs, traditions nor through any other coattail experience that we are forgiven, redeemed, and set free... Come to know Christ, turn to Him. Only He has the power to save. 

Will you be a stranger saying unto Him, "Lord, Lord..." only to hear those dreaded words, "I never knew you" and be eternally cast away? I pray you are not rejected by Him.