Category: Greater Joy

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“You Have Filled My Heart With Greater Joy” Psalm 4:7

True joy is so much more than “happy thoughts”. “Happy thoughts” won’t sustain you in the long run. True joy is always the fruit of refinement. How powerful that our Savior (our very demonstration of love!) allowed Himself to be broken to give us an example of leaving in-not running from pain.He knew what we always need to know-pain comes before the deep peace of joy.Would we recognize “greater joy” if it came easier? Could we understand greater joy without greater pain? Probably not.The pattern was set by Jesus-cross before crown. Both valued, both transformative, both available. May we ask God for just for small happiness but for greater joy!

 

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Exfoliate Your Life-NEW & IMPROVED!

MAYBE IT’S TURNING 40, I really don’t know.  In my twenties, I noticed clothing & hair styles.  Now, in my early forties, I notice skin.  How clear is her complexion?  How many wrinkles does she have?  Does she look older than me? Or, worse does she look younger than me?

Years ago, I gave it up in one word… GENETICS.  It’s not Beauty Products!  It’s just plain old genetics… you play the cards you are dealt… what your mama looks like, you will look like.

Now, I still take care of my skin… I appropriately cleanse and moisturize.  But, the one thing I did this year was that word none of us knew before 1998… I EXFOLIATE. 

To EXFOLIATE is “to wash your face in such a manner as to remove old dead skin cells”…so that fresh & renewed skin can show through and say, “World, look , I’m 29! I am young..ignore those neck wrinkles!”

 

What do I mean by all this?  I’ll tell you that I do notice-my skin seems clearer & cleaner and generally feels better. I wonder… 

 HOW DO YOU “EXFOLIATE YOUR LIFE”?

  • Wash your face..…Cleanse yourself of any (and all) hidden sin and plain old “you know what you are doing is wrong” stuff. Forgive where you need to forgive, confess when you need to confess.This applies to people and God. ONLY heavenly soap can do the trick. (I John 1:9)

  • Exfoliate.…this is the next step of the process. Some exfoliating products can actually hurt your face the first time you use them. Why? Because there are little granules in the product DESIGNED to do just that…hurt you to heal you. Those rough granules smooth the dead skin away. 

    How can that apply to our lives?  What things is God using in my life to “exfoliate” my life? These things hurt-they sting. Yet,my faith is a whole lot smoother when He’s done. (Isa. 43:19)

  • Moisturize.… My skin needs moisture. My favorite products are those that “keep on moisturizing even while you sleep”.  Isn’t that amazing? My soul needs moisture. No dry, crispy faith for me! But, it needs water…living water. (The Book of John!) Water that keeps on flowing and bubbling up over in my soul. I not only need (but must have to survive) that constant reapplication of His Word. For me, every morning and every evening. This product actually delivers!

TONIGHT,as your prepare for bed and “do your routine”, I pray it brings blessing. As the soap cleanses, as deadness is washed away, and refreshment comes ONLY from Him, I pray God makes this ritual worshipful.