**Feel free to print for personal use only**
I encourage you to read the daily passage in context. You can find it here.
I had a really great plan for part 3 of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. I intended to talk about how sovereign God is, how He is Jehovah-rapha, the God Who Heals. I was get all deeply theological on you with passages that talk about how God comforts those who are grieving and how Jesus wept. Ya’ll, it was gonna be good.
But there was a problem. I couldn’t write it. I tried and tried and tried. I forced some stuff out and it was all true and good but it wasn’t what was on my heart. I don’t want to write things for the sake of having something written. That’s not my style. I’ve been trying to write part 3 for several weeks now and although my plan was a good one, I decided to scrap the whole idea and do something different.
But there was a problem. I couldn’t think of anything else to write. Instead I got a tune stuck in my head that I couldn’t get out. I hate it when that happens, especially when I can’t remember the words, just the tune. Google doesn’t know what I mean when I type in “bum bum bum bu duh duh duh bum bum de dah.” So I’ve spent all day humming this song, trying to remember what the words are, trying to think of something else to write, trying to take care of a newborn, trying to pay attention to a toddler, trying to not fall asleep, trying to remember to eat. Finally at bedtime, that’s 10 hours after I intended to publish part 3, I lay down with my daughter to read a bedtime story, sing a song, and pray like we do every night. When we got to the song part, I suddenly knew the words to my “bum bum bum bu duh duh duh bum bum de dah” song! I started singing it and even though my daughter had never heard it before, she was singing along by the second verse.
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart to stayAnd I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the joy of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the joy of Jesus in my heart!
Go ahead, sing along! You know you wanna. Get up, dance around, sing about the joy of Jesus!
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart to stayAnd I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart!
Are you still sitting? If you are, you better stop it right now. I write that in my best mom voice so you know I’m for reals. Get up! Sing along!
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart to stayAnd I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the peace of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happySo very happy
I’ve got the peace of Jesus in my heart!I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart!
Where?
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart to stayAnd I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the joy of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the joy of Jesus in my heart!
I really really wanted to get all cerebral on you. I wanted to write about grand things and deep things and hard things. Simple things were not on my mind at all. But in times of grief grand, deep, hard things are not what we need. We need peace. We need joy. We need love. We need Jesus.
I know now why I had so much trouble writing this post. Today, looking back at the grief I was feeling this time last year, I can take comfort in the fact that God cares for those who are grieving. I can understand that God is sovereign, today. But last year, that wouldn’t have helped me one bit. It would have been a lot of words that would have gone in one ear and out the other. I just needed some peace that passed understanding. I needed joy in the midst of sorrow. I’m so thankful that my Jesus showed up in that moment because joy, peace, and love are absolutely impossible without Him.
Psalm 28:6-7
6 Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Today’s post is from a friend of a friend who is currently serving the Lord in Madagascar. Her name is Kristen Evans and she is currently the children’s director at a church there. I love following her story on Facebook and on her blog. I hope you are encouraged by her story!
Stories from Mada
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
I remember when I first heard this song, I would have it on repeat. These words became so real to me. And it’s still my prayer. I want God to take me deeper than my feet could ever wonder.
I want to live a life where I realize my total dependence on Him.
And maybe that’s why my move to Madagascar for missions was such a big leap of faith for me. It was a time where God called me to be brave. Because I knew that moving to a third world country where I did not know the language would have to be because of Him and through Him. I couldn’t do it on my own.
And so I stepped out upon the waters.
It hasn’t always been easy. There have been moments where I have tried to do things on my own. Times where I have worried about things that were far beyond my control. But it’s in those moments that His presence draws me back to Him. And that’s where I want to be.
Because in those times of trusting, I find peace. I find rest. I find strength. And I realize that it’s not about me. And that’s okay. Because I know that it’s all about Him. And it’s all because of Him.
And so I keep walking upon the waters, as crazy as they might be.
Today, I want to encourage you to take the leap of faith. Trust in His perfect will. Step out upon the waters. I promise that you won’t be disappointed!
-Kristen
P.S. The song mentioned above is Oceans by Hillsong United. I highly recommend it! Also, you can follow my blog at www.mission2mada.com and hear all about my experiences in Madagascar. 🙂
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
Hello friends! Welcome back to Weekly Challenge! We’re talking about Fruits of the Spirit right now and today’s topic is peace. Our verse says that God is not a God of disorder but of peace. That tells me that disorder and peace are at odds with each other. Therefore order and peace go hand in hand. This is an excellent time to look at order because about right now, you’re forgetting or giving up your New Years Resolution. Order will help you achieve those goals. Being more organized may even be one of your goals! Take a small step this week. Keep going!
Last week we talked about joy. Your challenge was to set the verse to a tune and sing it to yourself four times. Bonus points if you sung it someone else! Tell me how you did with last week’s challenge in the comments below. Did it help you stay joyful? As always, feel free to print the cards for your personal use. Remember to post this week’s verse in a location you’ll see daily!
Topic:
Peace
Definition:
N. freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 14:33a For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
Challenge:
Organize a part of your life that is unorganized.
Continue to memorize Galatians 5:22-23
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Mom's Going to Madagascar 