When I can’t make sense of the world, or my little world comes crashing in, I find refuge in God’s word and in His magnificent creation.

Today I offer you a photo of a nearby pasture taken an hour before sunset when the light was pure gold.  For me, as I gaze again with both the eye of the moment and my mind’s eye, I sense peace.  “The peace that passes understanding.”   I know that peace.  It can be found in God and His everlasting Word.

 

Golden Sunset with a peaceful pasture

 

Today I really only have a few words of my own.  Instead the words I share with you are His Words….Words that will bring each of us Comfort & Joy.

Psalm 46:1 NIV: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIrV : Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who gives tender love. All comfort comes from him. He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves have received comfort from God. We share the sufferings of Christ. We also share his comfort.

 

Today, many of us are still reeling from the unthinkable event in Connecticut.

What can we do?  What must we do?

Whether we want to believe it or not, we live in dark perilous times.
Many times we feel helpless unless we can do something.

There are three things we can/must do:

 

1. Pray

Many times it seems that when there isn’t anything else to do, then we pray.  Let us not discount the power of prayer nor the frequency and fervency of our prayers.  We taught ‘our’ kids the verse from James from the NIrV Kids’ Study Bible.  Believe it when I say that your prayer can be the difference between life and death.

James 5:16 b NIrV : The prayer of a godly person is powerful. It makes things happen.

Ephesians 6:18  :  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT :  Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

 

2 Put on the full armor of God.  Daily.

Ephesians 6:10-17 tells us exactly what to do:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

 The atrocity in Newtown is just a glimpse of the war in the heavenlies which we cannot see. The darkness seeks to overcome the light.  John 1:5  NLT: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.  (If you can, read John 1:1-18 to understand more about this light.)   Do not fear.  Jesus said in John 16:33b  “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

3. Praise the Name of Jesus and…

Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.   1 Thessalonians 5:18 GW

Let us keep in mind that no matter how dark, how evil, how unthinkable the distress….when we give thanks and praise his name we WILL have JOY.  God inhabits the praises of his people.  Need more of him?  Praise him?  The result will be joy.  Unthinkable joy.  Those around you will not understand.  But the joy that results will be like the light that permeates the darkness.   Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.   from 1 Peter 3:15.   Yes…you…in turn blessing people into the Kingdom.

One day there will be no more sorrow or tears.  In the meantime….Pray, Put on God’s armor, and Praise the Name of Jesus.  By doing just that, you will shine like the stars in the universe, bringing light to all who need it.  (see Daniel 12:3)  

 

Joy Day!

Please join me in giving thanks.  Count just seven from the past week.

I’m thankful for…

  1. A table surrounded by friends and a delicious meal.
  2. Holding my first virtual Christmas House Tour.
  3. For an amazing increase in traffic to my blog in only a few days.
  4. An amazingly supportive husband.
  5. Catching up with several dear long distance friends.
  6. Lighting the candle of JOY and thinking about Mary and the message of the angel she treasured in her heart.
  7. Hearing the still small voice of a great big God.

Now it’s your turn!  “Praise the Lord and See it Happen” was sung by Michael and Stormie Omartian a very long time ago.  I loved the song and the title.  Join me in a song of praise to our amazing God!  Please leave your offering of gratitude in the “Share Your Thoughts” section below.  I love to read your words and reply to every comment.

 

With love, prayer, and thanksgiving…

Diane

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Comments

  1. What a beautiful, peaceful photo. I am heartbroken over the violence against innocent children and women. But all I can do is pray, and look to Jesus, who is the giver of hope. Praying!

    • Diane says

      Barbie, I’m reminded of James 5:16…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Pray is the most powerful and effective tool we have to do the greatest good. Thank you for coming by and for your sharing your heart. May HIS presence overwhelm you today.

  2. Jane Bowers says

    I keep thinking of “Footprints in the Sand”…
    Pray, Put on the Armor, Praise – well said and simply stated in a beautiful way. Thank you.

    • Diane says

      Thank YOU Jane. 😀 Your words are a wonderful encouragement to me today. It was a very difficult post to write. I love the “Footprints in the Sand” word picture. God is good to carry us through the unimaginable. And sometimes we don’t know it until we look back.

  3. Mel says

    Hard….sad times.

    And I thank you for bringing me (and hopefully others) to place of action when the circumstances can leave all of us feeling paralyzed.
    Pray.
    Put on the armor.
    Praise

    Those are things I can (and am) doing. And while that doesn’t ‘feel’ like enough, I know the power of all three.
    So thank you for that.

    *hugs*
    And WOW has this been a busy little place! How very cool for you–and for US! 🙂

    • Diane says

      You are a wonderful encourager Mel!! Thank you!!!

  4. Good steps to follow and such comforting words from God’s Word. I rest in God’s comfort today.

    • Diane says

      “Rest in God’s comfort” It makes me think of sitting on the lap of our Abba Father.
      Part of my pray today is for Newtown families to know, sense, and experience the God of all comfort.
      Thanks for coming by today, Pamela. 😀

  5. These words are just right-God’s word always is, isn’t it? You are spot on and it is what we all need to hear. Your photograph is beautiful too! Merry Christmas, friend!

    • Diane says

      To God be the Glory!! I wrestled over doing this the easy way or His way.
      Thank you for your encouraging words, Susan!
      The light was perfectly golden that afternoon…you would have loved being there.
      {hugs}

  6. Laura says

    What a beautiful, peaceful photo, Diane. All comfort comes from Him, indeed. Thank you for these words. Sitting with them this week.

    • Diane says

      God’s handiwork….
      Thank you, Laura for your words of encouragement too.

  7. Enjoyed your site. Your picture is beautiful. You are right. The tragic events stay in our minds. I am trying to pray every time I think of it.

    • Diane says

      Thank you for you kind sweet words, Brenda!
      Thank you for stopping by. May your Christmas be filled with peace and joy!

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