Count it ALL JOY!

 "Blessed are they who observe His decrees, 

who seek Him with all their heart."Psalm 119:2.
In the world's eyes, to be blessed would mean 

that you don't have problems, 

you have the money to do 

the things you want to do, 

you are healthy, 

and your life falls in pleasant places.
But, and this is a big but, 

we can't escape trials and challenges. 

In James 1:2 we read, "Count it ALL joy 

whenever you face trials of many kinds." 

At a party last Friday, I met Jessica Cox.

She was born without arms 

but she would not trade her life for the world. 

She is the world's first licensed armless pilot!

An amazing lady, she said something to the effect 

that if she had a choice, 

she would choose NOT to have arms. 

Her greatest accomplishment is 

maturing from someone 

who was angry and upset about being differently abled 

to being able to celebrate that 

and use it as an opportunity 

to give hope and inspiration to others.
Today she is an awesome Christian motivational speaker

 who shows us that with God nothing is impossible! 

Truly when we seek God with all our heart,

 our trials and challenges become stepping stones 

to all God wants to accomplish through us! ❤️

 "He saved us and called us to a holy life, 

NOT according to our works 

 but ACCORDING TO HIS OWN DESIGN 

and the grace bestowed on us 

in Christ Jesus before time began..." 

2 Timothy 1:9
We can't become holy on our own, 

no matter how we try, 

no matter how we do it step by careful step. 

But it IS GOD'S DESIGN that we be holy, separate. 

He made a design, 

like an architect makes architectural plans. 

He laid the foundation in Christ, 

and He promised to finish this work He has started in us. 

That gives me great confidence 

that if I deviate from His plan, 

He will do everything to get me back on track!

 "Give and gifts will be given to you, 

a good measure packed together, 

 shaken down and overflowing, 

will be poured into your lap. 

For the measure with which you measure 

will in return be measured out to you." Luke 6:38
I am still thinking about the reading in Isaiah 58,

about the fasting God desires- 

freeing someone who was burdened 

by unforgiveness, hunger, 

homelessness, thirst for the truth...
We need to be generous not only 

to people we know, 

but also to strangers, 

to those who cannot pay us back. 

How hard will it be to take a challenge 

to be randomly kind and generous to a stranger? 

Today. Then tomorrow. Then the next day.
❤️ ❤️ ❤️

That would mean opening my eyes 

to the need around me. 

Not concentrating on my needs. 

I wonder if I am up to it?!!!

Are you?

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Jean Ferguson at Soli Deo Gloria

Motivating Monday, Word Art Wednesday

 Sunday Stillness, The Beauty in His Grip
Mandarin Orange Monday, Unite, 
Weekend Blog Hop, What We Accomplished
Creative Mondays, Gracelaced Mondays

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Super Handmade Sunday, Sacro Speco