Frowning Providence = Ultimate Happiness

I’ve come across the following quote a few times in the past week and it’s just too good not to share… I pray you're encouraged!

“If, in His loving plan you have to bow before what appears to be a frowning providence, you can be sure that He’s got your ultimate happiness at heart. He’s working to free you from your worries, not by giving freedom from trouble, but by arranging circumstances so that as you go through them you’ll experience the truth that He is everything He says He is.” - Elyse Fitzpatrick

Psalm 94:19, 22- “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul...the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.”

Faithful Shepherd

“There is nowhere we can go that He has not been there before us… We walk always in the shadow of His presence and His care… for the Shepherd doesn’t call His sheep to unfamiliar pasture- He has promised that, where we are, we will also find Him there.” –B.J. Hoff

Have you recently seen Christ in your circumstances? Do you see Him at work when things don’t go as planned? How about when running late and stuck in traffic?....

Isn’t it comforting to know that God is Sovereign over ALL circumstances (relationships, work, finances, etc.)?! It bring much joy to my soul when I remember that He’s graciously ordained every step we take even if it’s not an easy step. The best part about it all is that every circumstance we walk through whether easy or hard, all serve two purposes… they are for our GOOD and God’s GLORY!

Something that has helped me keep my gaze on Christ in the midst of stressful circumstances is quoting Psalm 118:24- “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Every time I quote that scripture verse I’m freshly encouraged and reminded of God’s Sovereignty over all circumstances. I’m reminded to take a step back and find the good in the stressful moments rather than complaining about the circumstance.

Let’s learn to be grateful for ALL God has provided for us (even troubled circumstances) and remember that “THIS is the day that the Lord has made…Let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!”

True and Lasting Joy

"Saving faith is the confidence that if you sell all you have and forsake all sinful pleasures, the hidden treasure of holy joy will satisfy your deepest desires. Saving faith is the heartfelt conviction not only that Christ is reliable, but also that He is desirable. It is the confidence that He will come through with His promises and that what He promises is more to be desired than all the world." -John Piper

Wow! The quote above sure has gotten me thinking! How about you? Is there anything in your life that you’re treasuring more than Christ? Let’s stop and ask ourselves.... Is there anything in my life that would be/is difficult for me to give up? (Car, money, internet, house, cell phone, TV, etc.) Would I be ok if I had to sell everything I have right now? Is Christ more than enough for me?

Godliness is great gain; but only when accompanied by contentment! We should crave things that glorify God, not the things that bring satisfaction to the world, for they are slight and momentary compared to the glory of eternity. It is very easy to come up with reasons and excuses of why the sins of greed and materialism don’t apply to us. But whenever we think getting something material, or getting more of it, will answer our life’s needs, we lack this contentment. Whenever we are deeply grieved at material loss, we lack this contentment. Whenever we get an inordinate pleasure from buying or having some material thing, we lack this contentment. A heart of contentment begins with seeing our material possessions and resources in an eternal perspective. The desire to be rich can really only be satisfied in Jesus Christ, and satisfied with spiritual riches rather than material ones. Everything else falls short. God has commanded us not to be conformed to the world (Romans 12:2). If there is something that we’re treasuring more than Christ, let’s stop and repent and ask God to help us find Christ as the GREATEST joy of our heart.

1 John 2:15-17- “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is form the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Take all I am, Lord, and all that I cling to
You are my Savior I owe everything to
Take all the treasures that lie in my storehouse
They cannot follow when I enter Your house

Take all my cravings for vain recognition
Fleshly indulgence and worldly ambition
Iwant so much Lord to make You the focus
To serve You in secret and never be noticed

Take all my hunger for all that’s forbidden
Every desire and sin I keep hidden
Search me and know me I want to bring to You
A life that is holy and sanctified through You

Rich Dalmas- SG Music

For This is The Will of The Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The verse above has been playing over and over again in my head recently. As I’ve meditated on it God has been good to show me areas I’ve been lacking in. I pray you find the following breakdown helpful. I know I’ve been convicted!

“Rejoice ALWAYS” This is a very clear command. There is no option set forth. It doesn’t say rejoice when we feel like it. It says rejoice always! Rejoice in all situations! We are to rejoice every second of our days whether we want to or not. For “this is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24) As I mentioned yesterday, something I’ve been learning recently is as I delight in the Lord, I find joy in all the daily tasks of life and what a difference it makes in my days! It’s not just an “I’m in a good mood joy”, but a lasting joy from the Lord!

Philippians 4:4- Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, REJOICE!”

“Pray without ceasing” So many times I’ve been convicted of my lack of faith when praying. There have been times when praying that I’ve doubted God is really listening or that He would even want to answer my prayers, especially if it’s something I’ve been praying about for a long time. BUT God is always kind to extend grace and remind me that I am to pray without ceasing! We are to trust that God will heal, trust that He will provide, trust that all His ways and timing is perfect and have faith for the things that we cannot see. We are to walk by faith, not by sight! (2 Corinthians 5:7) Father forgive me for the times I haven’t trusted in Your Sovereignty and the times I haven’t been faithful to pray without ceasing! Thank you for the grace you extend to me over and over again every time I fail to walk by faith.

“Give thanks in ALL circumstances” This is pretty clear! We are to give thanks in every single circumstance of life; even the ones we think are bad. Something I try to remind myself of daily is even when I think something isn’t going well (Sitting in traffic, bad day at work, car breaks down, etc.) God does! He has planned out every step we take! He has ordained that we face difficult circumstances because they are for our good and His glory and we are to give thanks and rejoice through them!

“For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” It isn’t very often that I think of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks as something the Lord wills. I’ve thought/think about them quite a bit but haven’t thought much about when we don’t rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks at all times it is going against the will of the Lord. Thank you Lord for revealing this to me!

Here is the last bunch of ski trip pictures... Hope you've enjoyed them!

I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, where?...

Down in my heart, where? Down in my heart, I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my, where? down in my heart to stay. And I'm so happy, so very happy, I've got the love of Jesus in my hhheeaarrt...Ok I'm done! =) In doing all this meditating on joy, I got a flash back of pre school days in children's ministry. Oh what fun those days where! I pray wherever you are today, you are finding the joy of the Lord as your strength! Sorry for the length of this post, I just kept coming across more and more to share on this topic.

Nehemiah 8:10- “For this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 51:12- “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Psalm 66:1-2- “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name.”

Psalm 92:4- “For you O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”

Proverbs 10:28- “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectations of the wicked will perish.”

Proverbs 12:20- “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”

John 15:11- “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

“Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is not an attitude on chance or circumstances. It is the deep and abiding confidence that, regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, or disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of the eternal well-being established by God’s grace in salvation. Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest; most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God.”-John MacArthur

Galatians 5:2- “The fruit of the spirit is JOY!”

Philippians 2:2- “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and in one mind.”

James 1:2- “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”

1 Peter 1:8- “Though you have not seen him, you love him, though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with joy.”

Psalm 98:4- “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Proverbs 17:22- “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones.”

Philippians 4:4- “Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, REJOICE.”

Habakuk 3:17-19- “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength…”

Psalm 37:4, 23- “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart…The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his ways.”

Psalm 5:11- “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”

Psalm 13:5- “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

Psalm 35:27- “Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!’”

Psalm 70:4- “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you.”

Psalm 119:15-16- “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Romans 5:2-3- "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produced endurance."

John Piper say’s, “knowing God is the key to being happy in God.” We need to remember daily that to have our joy in the Lord is not just a gift, it’s a command!

My Heart Exults in The Lord

1 Samuel 2:1-2-"My heart EXALTS the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I REJOICE in Your salvation. There is NONE holy like the Lord; there is none besides YOU; there is NO rock like our God."

Amen! I absolutely LOVE this prayer! What a great example Hannah is in these verses as she offered up her son to the Lord. Oh how I desire for my life to reflect upon this prayer! I pray that my heart may exalt in the Lord every second of my days. May my strength be found in the Lord every time I am weak and weary. May I rejoice daily of my Salvation and thank my savior for choosing me, a wretched sinner that is SO undeserving of His grace and love towards me. May I remember daily that there is no other rock like our God! Oh Father, I am humbled and in awe of Your GREAT love for me!

Psalm 5:11- But let all who take refuge in You REJOICE; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may EXULT in You."

Delighting in God’s Commandments

Today I was reading in Psalm 119 and came across Verses 47-48, “For I find my delight in your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.”

I was convicted… I had to ask myself the question, “Do I delight in God’s commandments? Or do I complain about God’s commandments?”

Exodus 12:13-“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and Keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

These verses do not say to choose when I will delight in God’s commandments or ask me what commandments I would like to delight in. They clearly state that we are to obey God’s commandments for they are “the whole duty of man.” I know there are many days that I don’t thank God for the commandments He has set for us. His commandments are not “burdensome” They are for, “everyone who has been born of God” and “it is the duty of man to delight in His commandments!”

1 John 5:3-“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

Father, forgive me for the times I have failed to delight in your precious commandments! May I be one to, “Lift up my hands to your commandments and delight in your statutes.”

Quest For Joy

I’ve been doing quite a bit of studying on the topic of Joy and I’ve found a lot of helpful insite from the Desiring God website. You’ll probably be seeing a lot on this topic for the next week or two. Everything I’ve been reading is outstanding!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

1) God created us for his glory

"Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth,... whom I created for my glory" (Isaiah 43:6-7)

God made us to magnify his greatness - the way telescopes magnify stars. He created us to put his goodness and truth and beauty and wisdom and justice on display. The greatest display of God's glory comes from deep delight in all that he is. This means that God gets the praise and we get the pleasure. God created us so that he is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

2) Every human should live for God's glory

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If God made us for his glory, it is clear that we should live for his glory. Our duty comes from his design. So our first obligation is to show God's value by being satisfied with all that he is for us. This is the essence of loving God (Matthew 22:37) and trusting him (1 John 5:3-4) and being thankful to him (Psalm 100:2-4) It is the root of all true obedience, especially loving others (Colossians 1:4-5).

3) All of us have failed to glorify God as we should

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

What does it mean to "fall short of the glory of God?" It means that none of us has trusted and treasured God the way we should. We have not been satisfied with his greatness and walked in his ways. We have sought our satisfaction in other things, and treated them as more valuable than God, which is the essence of idolatry (Romans 1:21-23). Since sin came into the world we have all been deeply resistant to having God as our all-satisfying treasure (Ephesians 2:3). This is an appalling offense to the greatness of God (Jeremiah 2:12-13).

4) All of us are subject to God's just condemnation

"The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23).

We have all belittled the glory of God. How? By preferring other things above him. By our ingratitude, distrust and disobedience. So God is just in shutting us out from the enjoyment of his glory forever. "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

5) God sent his only son Jesus to provide eternal life and joy

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy 1:15)

The good news is that Christ died for sinners like us. And he rose physically from the dead to validate the saving power of his death and to open the gates of eternal life and joy (1 Corinthians 15:20). This means God can acquit guilty sinners and still be just (Romans 3:25-26). "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). Coming home to God is where all deep and lasting satisfaction is found.

6) The benefits purchased by the death of Christ belong to those who repent and trust him

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out" (Acts 3:19). "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

"Repent" means to turn from all the deceitful promises of sin. "Faith" means being satisfied with all that God promises to be for us in Jesus. "He who believes in me," Jesus says, "shall never thirst" (John 6:35). We do not earn our salvation. We cannot merit it (Romans 4:4-5). It is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is a free gift (Romans 3:24). We will have it if we cherish it above all things (Matthew 13:44). When we do that, God's aim in creation is accomplished: He is glorified in us and we are satisfied in him - forever.

Joy In My Morning

The song below titled, "Joy In My Morning" from Sovereign Grace Ministries new album titled, "Come Weary Saints" has been very encouraging to me the last couple of days. It's such a great reminder of God's faithfulness in my life through stressful days and days where there isn't much joy.





When darkness falls
Temptations call
And all around me seems undone
You hear my pleas
Supply my needs
And tell me of Your wondrous love

You are the joy in my morning
You’re my song of praise
Just like the new day dawning
Flooding my world with grace

Though trials come
And every one
Can take me further from Your truth
You calm my fears
Dry all my tears
And draw me closer, Lord, to You

In You there’s no shadow of turning
Constant in all Your ways
You’re growing my faith and I’m learning to lean
On You all of my days

Father, as I am still going through days that aren't the easiest to get through, I pray that you would continue to increase my joy in this season of life you have oradained for me to be in. Grant me the strength to get through each and every day trusting in your sovereign and pefect plan for my life. May you be the joy in my morning each and every day!

A Decision Has Been Made

For those of you who don’t know where I work, I work at a Brusters ice cream shop managing it for my dad. When my dad asked me to work for him it was hard for me to find joy agreeing to it. Mainly because I had my heart set on doing something in the field of interior decorating. I agreed to help get the business up and running until the first of the year.

Well… the Lord has changed my heart. My dad asked me a few weeks ago if I was going to be sticking around or leaving at the first of the year. Like I said above, at first, the idea of taking this job did not sound too fun to me. In fact, I didn’t like the idea at all! I didn’t find any joy in it what so ever! After going to many conferences the Lord has changed my heart! He showed me that my call right now is to be serving my family even though I don’t have my dream job. Sooo…. a few days ago I told my dad to count me in, I told him that as far as I know I’m going to be sticking around for as long as the Lord wills. Not only am I excited about serving my family but, it has been bringing me joy! What a testimony of God’s steadfast grace!

The Lord has been so faithful to answer my prayers as to where He wanted me in the season of life I’m in. I’m SO grateful to God for all He has and is doing in my life.

Thank you everyone who has faithfully been praying for me! The Lord has definitely answered your prayers. Glory is to God for all He has done!

I’ve included a picture of my dad, grandfather, and I, with the Bruce himself while in PA for our training….. Until Monday, have a great weekend! Oh, and GO GATORS!!!!




Heavenly Father, I am once again in awe of your steadfast love and mercy. Thank you for your faithfulness to answer my prayers and for turning my mourning into dancing. You alone deserve all the glory forever!

Daily Bible Verse:

Psalm 30:11-12- “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Cultivating a Joyful Heart Part 2

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. John Piper says, “If this is true, that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, then look what is at stake in the pursuit of joy. The glory of God is at stake. If we say that pursuing joy is not essential, we are saying that glorifying God is not essential.”

Wow! “If we say that pursuing joy is not essential, we are saying that glorifying God is not essential.” This was an eye opener for me. I had never thought of the fact that when I think pursuing joy is not essential, that means that ultimately I’m not glorifying God.

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

John Piper has once again reminded me that, “God created me so that I might spend eternity glorifying him forever. He also says that, “being satisfied in God is our calling and duty.”

How often have I failed to be delightfully satisfied in God. I have recently found that to get through life there is nothing more important then to have the joy of the Lord as my strength!

Father I pray that you would grant me the grace to have a long and lasting joy in you. I pray that I would be fulfilled by your grace with eyes fixed on the cross daily. Help me to realize that there is no reality more breathtaking then your son Jesus Christ!

Daily Bible Verse....

Psalm 66:1-2-“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!”

Cultivating a Joyful Heart part 1

If you’re like me, finding the joy of the Lord to be my strength can be difficult at times, especially when I’m in a busy season of life or just in a season of needing to trust God for the unknown.

John MacArthur has helped me realized how important it is to cultivate a joyful heart. He say’s…..

“Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is not an attitude on chance or circumstances. It is the deep and abiding confidence that, regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, or disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of the eternal well-being established by God’s grace in salvation. Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest; most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God.”

When he said “regardless of one’s circumstances” I was convicted! It was like a dagger going right into my heart. How often have I failed to cultivate a joyful heart in the midst of trying times.

John Piper say’s that “Knowing God is the key to being happy in God.” I need to be reminded daily that to have my joy in the Lord is not just a gift, it’s a command!

Daily Bible Verse:

Psalm 51:12-"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."