joyofdestiny

Depend on Jesus First

2010-04-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

After receiving a thoughtful comment about hard work, passion and depending on God, it is good to have a clear understanding on what is of paramount priority. Dependence upon God must come first. This is the premise of salvation. Jesus has already done the hard work for us by taking upon Himself our sins while on the cross. We must believe in His work on the cross. However, after our salvation, we are rewarded by our works in Christ. Your vital union with Christ lays the foundation for any work God calls you to. Anything you do for Jesus is passionate when you do it because you love Him. Let passion for Jesus fuel the joy in your heart in all the work He calls you to.

We are saved through faith. We are rewarded by our works in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the Crux of all belief, salvation, work and reward. When your works are premised upon salvation, you will naturally depend upon Jesus knowing that without Him, you cannot perform what He calls you to do. Then your works will produce much fruit. You can work and be very busy, but if your work is done in the carnal flesh and not in submission to His Spirit, it will not produce everlasting fruit.

Jesus blesses you every time you obey His Word and His voice in your heart. The little kind word you give someone when you're feeling cranky or quiet act of kindness you show when no on is looking is always acknowledged by Him. Salvation literally changes the meaning of work as we know it. Because with Jesus, whatever you do, you do for Him. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

No New Year's Resolution

2010-01-11T17:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,
Happy and Blessed New Year! Some years ago, my friend Melissa asked me to begin the new year with a 3 day fast. That precious time of prayer and fast brought me so much closer to the Lord that it has become an annual staple for the beginning of each new year. What I have found is that I cannot make good on any new year resolution. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 No matter how strong my intentions are, I fall short of following through on my word. Isn't it wonderful that God always keeps His Word! So I have changed my approach. I trust in God's Word and not my own.

Only God can bring my new year resolution to pass by His Word and not mine. I simply have to want it. This year the Holy Spirit visited me on January 1 as I began my 3 day fast with a very clear Word: Full Surrender. He wants me to fully surrender everything to Him and hold on to nothing for myself. The Holy Spirit fell on my filling me with a complete peace enabling me to let go of everything. He did it and not me! Secondly, He reminded me He has given me His authority, but not control. The only thing I have control over is myself. Thirdly, he will bless me with congruency so that my feelings, thoughts, emotions and behavior all line up with His will as I honestly express them. Fourth, I asked for His joy. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be my disciple. Nehemiah 8:10; Luke 14:33

What New Year's Resolution did you make? Might it be something only He can make good on for you by His Word?

New Blog Location

2008-09-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

Due to heavy load in the previous blog, we have changed to new blog. http://www.joyofdestiny.com/blog/