Make a window!!!

The confinement exhausts you with the endless echo of self-absorption. ~Beth Moore (Get Out of that Pit devo day 4)

Many things can define a pit but self absorption has got to be the shovel for digging it deeper and deeper. Lord, give me a window and the heart to see outside my own disappointments and find ways to not only see others but minister to them.


To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:27
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”
—Isaiah 42:6
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
—Nehemiah 8:10
May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
—Romans 15:13 amp

Clearly, his word to me today is about looking past myself and being a blessing to those with whom I come in contact. ❤ Yessir. I will listen. I will trust. And I will obey.  And I am quite confident I will also find peace. 

I love you too!
❤jj

New Clothes!!!! ❤

“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.” (Matthew 9:16, 17 NLT)

What "stinkiness" am I accustomed to that I'm dragging around with me without even realizing?  Lord, bring it to light today. And help me to let go. First thoughts.... perfectionism? people-pleasing? need for praise (co-dependence)?.....  Lord I wanna show off the new clothes you bought me! ❤ Help me to be keenly aware when I'm dragging my old duds outta the dumpster.


As I read Sarah Young's devo, I was astounded at the thought of two things... 1)how I view my circumstances and 2)self-fulfilling prophecy. Lord help me to receive the new clothes you have afforded me. I live this picture you've given me in my mind of you helping me get dressed the way I would help my own small children before they are capable of dressing themselves. Thank you Lord. 

November 12
This is a time of abundance in your life. Your cup runneth overwith blessings. After plodding uphill for many weeks, you are now traipsing through lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine. I want you to enjoy to the full this time of ease and refreshment. I delight in providing it for you.
Sometimes My children hesitate to receive My good gifts with open hands. Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don’t deserve to be so richly blessed. This is nonsense-thinking, because no one deserves anything from Me. My kingdom is not about earning and deserving; it’s about believing and receiving.
When a child of Mine balks at accepting My gifts, I am deeply grieved. When you receive My abundant blessings with a grateful heart, I rejoice. My pleasure in giving and your pleasure in receiving flow together in joyous harmony.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
—Psalm 23:5 kjv
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
—John 3:16
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
—Luke 11:9–10
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
—Romans 8:32


Thank you for Your care and concern for me and for covering and clothing me with Your Righteousness!. :')

I love you too!
❤jj

Do I REALLY want out?

Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” (John 5:3, 5, 6 NLT)

What are my excuses/reasons/habits that keep me landing in the same pit? Is my "sacrificing" for my kids a "pit"? Am I shooting myself in the foot by not doing whatever it takes to give to them my time and money?  In my mind I can't imagine being happy NOT doing that. But I drain myself physically and financially doing that.

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. (Galatians 5:1, 4, 5 NLT)

Lord help me understand the difference between discipline and ritualistic legalism. Help me live a disciplined life that is truly free from bondage and legalism. Bless me Lors that I may bless others including my children. This isn't even the "pit" I originally thought I'd be confronting but it sure is what's in my face this morning. Lord help me to be truly free. Thank you for the freedom that is mine to be had in You!

I love you too!
❤jj

Strange Step.... But I'll Follow

Another 40 day calling.... And an interesting fast. Obedience. Truly my desire. To be obedient. So. I follow.

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, (Psalms 61:2 NLT)

When Christ said, "Come, follow me," inherent in his invitation to come was the equivalent invitation to leave. The laws of physics tell you that if you try to get one place without leaving another, you're in for a pretty severe stretch. And you can only do the splits so long. ~Beth Moore (Get Out of that Pit devo Day 1)

Am I ready to leave?  Am I truly ready to leave?  My idea of happy ever after keeps me in a sad pit. Am I truly ready to leave that?

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay. (Psalms 40:9-11, 13-17 NLT)

HE will allow who He desires to see His work in my life. The right ones will see the strength He has given me. And they will be drawn not only to me but to Him. And my joy will be full because of it. Not because of some "ever after" I have conjured up. But because of the life He provides for me.

Dear Lord, all I wanna do is what you want me to do. Help me to do that completely. And help the right people see that and comprehend it and celebrate it. Lead me away from where I'm not supposed to be and TO the promised land you have created for me. I take this step 1 in faith. Make my path clear and bless my obedience in order that I might bless others in the way I have been blessed! Thank you and.....
I love you too!
❤jj