I began to praise the Lord at that point. I put on some praise music and began to dance before Him. I didn't care that my children were watching. In fact, they joined in because mom was so happy!!!
I recently started a thread at my online community for Christian women about the Fruit of the Spirit- Joy. One of the ladies at the group made this profound statement:
What our God doesn't do when facing adversity is become doubtful, fearful, or anxious. He also never falls into discouragement, despair, depression, or self pity.
...this really made me think. I thought about all of the many times this past year that I have been doubtful and fearful and anxious and fell into discouragement and despair and depression and self pity.
Wow.
I have been a mess...and all because I did not understand how crucial the JOY of the Lord is in my life.
It was recently- about a month ago, that the Lord jolted me into reality.
As I was pacing about my house with a frown in my spirit, complaining and nagging and nit picking about what was NOT right about my current situation, He sat me down and convicted me of the Truth of His LOVE.I felt ashamed to have been complaining when all along He loves me so much and is willing to give me His best.
Only, I must be patient for these things.
He wants us to have the desire of our hearts, but only when we delight ourselves in HIM first and foremost.
With delighting ourselves in Him, comes the spirit of Joy.
I danced and danced and danced until those nasty chains of depression and bitterness and anger fell off my spirit.
I danced and danced until tears streamed down my face in gratitude for what Christ has done.
I am reminded that only through Christ and in Jesus-Yeshua the Messiah, can I find any true joy.
His JOY becomes our strength in times of weakness and keeps us strong even in the good times.
Demetria, I just LOVE this site....how it looks, the colors, how it navigates, all the various topics - what a wealth of info to glean from! I just discovered it when I was on Twitter. I connected with you a couple years ago on your other site, Christian Ladies Connect.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good post. I enjoy dancing before God, too, and love your study of the Jewish roots. We've always celebrated the Messianic passover. Aren't the feasts fun? :) What's amazing is how they so clearly point to Jesus.
I also enjoyed hearing about your homeschooling journey and was very impressed how you're incorporating technology into your homeschool, as well as Charlotte Mason and more natural methods. Love all your pics!
Great work on this site! God is doing amazing things through your life -Jesus clearly shines through you on this site!
Beth, you are so encouraging, and yes I definitely remember our connection! If I recall correctly we have even conversed by phone a time or two...
ReplyDeleteI have been checking out your site! (I bookmarked it in Delicious a few months back) and finally came back to it this afternoon...it is WONDERFUL! I really like how you have incorporated YouTube into your ministry-- gives me a little extra boost in that direction as well.
Yes, you are very right about the Messianic passover pointing to Jesus. I dont understand why I haven't truly discovered this awesomeness of our roots through the olive tree until now.
I will be catching up with you on BethJones.net!