Joy Killer or Builder

 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 

Each day we have the opportunity to either be a "Joy" killer or builder to those around us. For some of us it will depend on our personalities and for others it will depend upon the circumstances. Romans 8:28 tells us that everything will work out for the good if we give it (the problem) and us (doing His will). 

Joy can be killed in us and in others around us by negativity, criticism and bad behavior. Joy can be built in us and in others around us by being positive, building each other up and trusting God in all our circumstances.

The scriptures are full of God's promises that no matter what is said to us or no matter what the circumstances that He (God) is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think within us according to Ephesians 3:20.

Joy comes when I let go of control for my life and give God the control. 

My prayer: Lord, please forgive me for killing any "JOY" in myself or those around me with my attitude or words and please help me to always be a "JOY" builder instead. 

This picture was taken by our office.

Don’t Be Afraid

  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:9-10

When God pushes you to the edge of difficulty,

Trust Him fully,

Because two things can happen:

Either He'll catch you when you fall,

or He will teach you how to fly!

~Author Unknown 

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms us instead. Fear grips our hearts and minds when we least expect it.  It can overcome us, paralyze us and depress us. Thank God for Jesus!

Pastor Tullian’s message posted on a picture I took of the bay at sunset in Sarasota, Florida.

Growing Faith

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

How do I grow my faith? The scriptures tell us by reading God's Word! It seems so simple and yet Satan finds ways to talk us out of doing something so simple as reading. Our lives get bogged down with stuff to do, people to see, places to go. Some of those things are good things too. We should never be so busy that we do not take time to read our Bibles.

The enemy is out to destroy our minds and we need the guidance of the scriptures to keep that from happening. How many times do you find your thoughts and mind saturated with negative thought processes? Prayer and scriptures are needed to fight that negativity so our minds can be used for something more useful in life.

When our faith increases then our life is more useful. We can grow spiritually and recognize when our hearts and minds are under attack. We need to protect our thoughts and trust God to take care of everything in our life. That will bring peace that is beyond our comprehension. If we are only taking in the negative of life then our life will produce negativity. Let's saturate our hearts and mind with the Word of God! It brings good things.....

                 Peace is not the absence of conflict, but of inner conflict.

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. Joshua 1:88