Journey with Joy

Thankful

Joy

jessica-castro-355974-unsplash — Photo by Jessica Castro on Unsplash

On one occasion, Jesus was traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem, and on His way, He passed through Samaria As He entered a village, Jesus was met by ten lepers. The law forbade them to come near, to prevent the spread of leprosy. However, knowing that He had the power to to do something about their plight, the lepers cried out from a distance, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus responded by instructing them to go show themselves to the priest. When they obeyed what He told them to do, as they were going, they were cleansed.

One of the lepers, a Samaritan, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back to Jesus. With a loud voice, he praised God and fell at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him. Jesus replied by asking “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 7:17-18).

1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands us to “give thanks in all circumstances.” Yes, in the good and in the bad, we must thank Him. In the time of storms and in times of peace, we must thank Him. In times of chaos, and in times of calm, we must thank Him. When we are sick, and when we are healthy, we must thank Him. You get the picture.

While we have many physical blessings for which we ought to be thankful, most of all, we need to be ever thankful for God’s mercy, for the living hope He gives us, and for the reservation He has made for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:3,4) ….if we remain faithful to Him.

What are you thankful for today?

For all that You’ve done I will thank You
For all that You’re going to do
For all that You’ve promised
And all that You are
Is all that has carried me through

Jesus, I thank You

And I thank You
Thank You Lord
And I thank You
Thank You Lord

Thank You for loving and setting me free
Thank You for giving
Your life just for me
How I thank You
Jesus, I thank You
Gratefully thank You
Thank You

Lyrics by Dennis Jernigan

Uncategorized

COCHE 2019

Joy

In 2016, my friend, Vicky Yokum organized a new event – a weekend get-together for homeschooling moms who are members of the Lord’s church. The official name is COCHE, standing for Church of Christ Home Educators.

Last weekend, which was the fourth year for this event, I had the opportunity to spend Friday evening and most of Saturday with this group of special women. A few of them I’ve known for many years, due to our joint participation in other homeschool retreats. Some, I have met briefly in the past, and others, I met for the first time. Although they come from a wide variety of backgrounds, all have one thing in common: they are mom servants who want what is best for their families.

This retreat, while it may have been a respite for these moms, was not a “pamper yourself” get-together. No, these moms were there because they are all striving to grow in their walk with Christ, particularly in their family life, including homeschooling. I have to admit, I felt like a fish out of water, at times. My kids are grown and the homeschooling phase of my life has long passed. I am not the most outgoing person on the planet, and so meeting new people is sometimes hard for me. Nevertheless, I came away greatly encouraged and hopefully I was able to encourage others, as well.

If this event interests you, here is the website: https://www.cocheretreat.com/

There is also a facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674584522678751/?ref=share

COCHE 2019. Photo Credit: Denise Skelton

Homeschool Helps

Joy

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been homeschooling for about 18 years. It has been quite a journey. There are so many choices available today which were not there when I started homeschooling. Had I the opportunity to do some things over again, there are definitely some things I would do differently, including some different curriculum choices. I don’t know of any homeschool mom who wouldn’t want to make improvements! However, I think we need to realize that while there definitely are some curricula that are better than others, these are simply tools. The greater task at hand, I firmly believe, is that of building a strong foundation of godliness in our children. Without that spiritual foundation, the rest – the academics, etc. really won’t matter, in the eternal view of things.

Here are a few links that I think are worth checking out. Some of the websites have content with which I don’t necessarily agree. It is the responsibility of each one of us to examine what is written, and disregard that which does not agree with Scripture.

Bible Study

Keep Your Armor On

Joy

Sometime around 65 A.D., the apostle Peter wrote: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8,9.

Nothing has changed. The devil is still trying to devour Christians, and we still need to resist him. So many of my Christian friends are under attack. Dear friends, the devil attacks those people who are a clear threat to his cause – people who are trying their best to walk in the light.

Thankfully, God has given us everything we need in order to win the battle. “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Ephesians 6:10-18.

If we are trying to do what’s right, we can count on the fact that persecution will come. “Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” 2 Timothy 3:12. It’s not a matter of IF, but WHEN. It can come from any direction. Is there an area of your life where you think you are strong? Do you think “I’ve got this!”? Be careful, because that very place is where you may be the most vulnerable. The devil would like nothing better than to use your strong points for your downfall. If it’s not possible for a Christian to fall out of grace with the Lord, then why is Satan such a threat to the Christian? Yes, it is possible for a Christian to fall, but the good news is that Satan cannot MAKE us fall. We can give in if we choose, but if we do, it’s our choice.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39.

Be strong, my dear Christian friends. Keep your armor on and it will be okay. <3