God Restores Our Joy After Deep Sadness

Real joy often comes on the heels of deep sadness and heartbreak.

Last November, we lost our sweet pug, Big T, after 15 years. We were heartbroken and the day he passed, I wrote a blog article about how God mends our broken heart. 

Through tears, I expressed my sadness and grief, and wondered if I’d ever stop crying or missing my little buddy.

And Big T was the star of our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever. Thousands grieved and cried along with us.

Big T brought so much joy into our lives. Still, I know God is my source of real joy. God not only mends our broken heart, but He also wants to restore our joy.

And guess what? We picked up a new pug puppy last week. Winston is 9 weeks old and a tiny bundle of puppy energy and joy. We’re thankful to give him a forever home. He’s not replacing Big T. Instead, Winston’s a reminder of the blessings God allows in our earthly lives. 

Because real joy comes from deep within us and stems directly from a personal relationship with the Lord Himself. 

After deep sadness, we can find deep joy. Because real joy comes from a personal relationship with the Lord. Click To Tweet

Rejoicing After Deep Sadness

Isn’t it amazing how God tenderly cares for us? The Lord stays near to the brokenhearted—throughout the entire grieving and healing process—then He restores our joy.

You see, God wants to bring a smile back to our face. But it’s more than that. He wants to bring joy back to our heart. 

J – Journey to rejoicing. 

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Christ is with you and for you and in you

Do you believe Christ is with you and for you and in you?

These are promises in God’s Word.

But if I’m honest, there are times that believing any one of them is not easy for me. Like when hardships and difficult situations come my way.

And I’ve learned it is not “if” but “when” life turns topsy-turvy without any warning. 

Still, these promises never change and always remain true.

So let’s look at what the Bible says.

Christ is with you.

Even though it’s not easy to admit out loud, sometimes it doesn’t seem like Christ is really with me. I may feel alone when I’m by myself or when loved ones are around.

Friend, this is a lie from the enemy of our souls. Because we belong to Christ.

The Lord promises He is with us. And it all started with prophecy that the virgin would bear a child, Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Isaiah 7:14) 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1b-2 (ESV)

And at the great commission, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (ESV)

Do you believe Christ is with you and for you and in you? When we belong to Christ, the Bible gives us these promises to carry us through life's ups and downs. Click To Tweet

Christ is for you.

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Searching for Extravagant Love? Look to God

Searching for extravagant love? 

Many of you know my story. As a little girl, my father was absent from my life for a few years. And his absence caused me to wonder, Am I lovable? 

To further confuse my young heart, my dad came back into my life as a self-proclaimed atheist.

Then I questioned, Is there a God? And, does God love me?

At 16, I heard the gospel. Jesus Christ, sent by His Father, died on a cross for me and loved me completely. The love I craved. I became a daughter of the Most High God.

 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 1 John 3:1a (ESV) 

You see, I was looking for extravagant love, I just didn’t know it. So let’s discuss how God loves us extravagantly. 

Extravagant Love in God

(1.) God IS love. 

Love is not only something God does, but also who He is. God loved us so much, He gave His only Son to give us eternal life.

Love is not only something God does, but also who He is. God loved us so much, He gave His only Son to give us eternal life. Click To Tweet

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV) 

May we never get over how much God loved the world—you and me—and the great sacrifice He made to show His love.

(2.) Extravagant love gives all. 

Searching for extravagant love? It’s found at Calvary’s cross, purchased for us by the blood of Jesus.

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10 Amazing Benefits When We’re on Team Jesus

We live in a time of ample opportunity for choosing a team to represent. Sports and reality shows afford us a team choice. And with the Super Bowl coming up, fans are choosing sides.

But life also boils down to choosing sides on spiritual matters.

As believers, we can stay loyal to Jesus or other gods—things the world offers us.

Amazing Benefits

(1.) Jesus wrote the playbook. In Christ dwells truth and knowledge of all things.

Culture attempts to set the boundary lines for marriage, sex, godliness, and who we worship. It’s time to draw a line in the sand, admit we’re on team Jesus, and make no apologies.

Culture attempts to set the boundary lines for marriage, sex, godliness, and who we worship. It’s time to draw a line in the sand, admit we’re on team Jesus, and make no apologies. Click To Tweet

This makes Jesus best suited to call all the plays in our life. “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28 a (ESV)

(2.) Jesus embodies perfection. Whether in sports, music, talents, or career, the old adage says, “Practice makes perfect.” But practice never made anyone perfect, only better. The bottom line?

Nobody bats a thousand except Jesus. His ways and Word are perfect (see Psalm 18:30).

(3.) Jesus never sits on the sidelines. He is never absent from our lives. Even if we don’t see the hand of Christ in our circumstances, we trust His plan.

Jesus is the Goal

(4.) Jesus defends His team. He guards us against our main opponent, Satan—not a worthy opponent. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!

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How God Provides the Best Refuge for Our Soul

She flew away as her wings took flight when I opened our front door. Inside the edge of my wreath, I found the beginnings of her nest. I realized our constant door activity was a risk to any eggs she’d lay and their refuge.

So I acted quickly in taking my wreath down to force this mama bird to build her home elsewhere. 

A few days later, high on the River Birch branch inside our courtyard, I spotted a newly built nest.

I imagined her nesting, then caring for her babies through feeding and protecting them as a refuge from storms and predators. 

Life has a way of weighing heavy on our soul. But God provides a secure refuge with the rest and renewal we need most.

Life has a way of weighing heavy on our soul. But God provides a secure refuge with the rest and renewal we need most. Click To Tweet

Look at Jesus’s words in Matthew 23.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Verses 37, ESV)

Our redeemer wants to gather us under His wings—if we are willing. Then these blessings follow.

Refuge Under God’s Wings

Like the hen gathers her brood to protect them from harm, the Lord’s wings provide protection and security during stormy seasons and the enemy’s harmful intent.

Psalm 91 describes our refuge. 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Verses 1-2, ESV) 

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