The Month of No Electronics

A couple of months ago, my husband and I made the decision to take away our children’s electronic devices. 

Each child had a kindle fire, and while we originally thought it would be useful for educational games it had morphed into a prison for their minds. They came home, did homework, then headed straight for their electronic game. 

If you asked them a question they answered without looking up. If you needed their attention it took a whole 10 seconds for them to exit their electronic world before entering into reality to be able to formulate a coherent and appropriate response. They became moody, easily angered, and eerily quiet.

We knew something had to change.

We were watching this electronic device steal their childhood right before our very eyes.

My husband and I sat them down and explained why we were making the decision to take away their electronics, cold turkey, I might add. They grumbled and complained, but we stuck to our decision. We started by saying, “let’s give it one month and we will re-evaluate.”

They asked for a couple of days if they could have their electronic before they finally accepted our decision. And then, something absolutely wonderful began to happen. They pulled out old board games and played together. They went out doors and created games. They started riding their bikes and building ramps. They dug for worms, gave them a bath (which killed the worms) and then gave it a funeral. They jumped on the trampoline and planted seeds. THEY BEGAN TO LIVE AGAIN.

It's now been three months and I recently commented on how much I have enjoyed watching them play and live life together since getting rid of the kindles. My daughter responded, “Oh yea! I forgot we had kindles” THEY HAVE NOT EVEN MISSED THEM!

I’m not saying they will never pick up an electronic. I simply write this to encourage any of you who have considered being the “mean parent” and taking away the electronics or seriously cutting back. I write this to encourage you. I write this because sometimes it’s nice to know someone has your back. Sometimes it’s nice to not be alone.  And sometimes it’s just nice to stand together as parents.  

One Brick

This quote below explains my heart’s desire for today and every post, I share. Each post is personal to me, and I try my best to “re-express truths” that God is teaching me.

“Strive to re-express a truth of God to yourself clearly and understandably, and God will use that same explanation when you share it with someone else. But you must be willing to go through God’s winepress where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle, experiment, and rehearse your words to express God’s truth clearly. Then the time will come when that very expression will become God’s wine of strength to someone else. But if you are not diligent and say, “I’m not going to study and struggle to express this truth in my own words; I’ll just borrow my words from someone else,” then the words will be of no value to you or to others. Try to state to yourself what you believe to be the absolute truth of God, and you will be allowing God the opportunity to pass it on through you to someone else.” My Utmost for His Highest.

I heard a story of some people visiting a military school, and they noticed several students on their hands and knees assessing the courtyard with pencils and clipboards in hand. They asked a senior student walking by, “What are they doing?”  The senior replied, “Each year the upperclassmen ask the freshmen how many bricks it took to finish this courtyard.” The people asked, “So what is the answer?” The senior replied with a smile, “One.”

As I think on that little story I am reminded of myself. Too often I try on my own strength and knowledge to solve all of life’s problems. I get on my hands and knees, exerting all kinds of energy to uncover the solution, when if I just stepped back and sought wisdom from above the Lord promises to help me, lead me, and guide me.

The Lord has recently done just that for me. I became aware of some major struggles in my life that were holding me back spiritually and causing anxiety. I was simply blinded by my own vain attempts to do things my way that I failed to see the root of my struggles.

What was the root of my struggles, my anxieties, and my problems? One simple brick.

The fear of the Lord. A foundational truth that is paramount for believers in Christ- to fear the Lord.

I have struggled for years trying to lay this brick of truth. I first struggled in my childhood with how could I fear a God that I loved so much. I grew to understand that fear meant respect and moved on from there thinking I had that brick fully laid. I deduced that I loved my earthly Father, I respected my earthly Father, and as a child I feared my earthly Father when I disobeyed which led me to obedience. So, the same is with my Heavenly Father. I am supposed to have love, respect, and fear for my God because it is for my good. It pushes me on towards obedience. It keeps me from death.

To fear the Lord is of utmost importance. And while I understood the verse I didn’t fully live it out. This put a crack in my foundation that has led me to the sin of pride which has branched off into emotional insecurity,  the need for people’s approval and their validation, in turn making them my god. I unknowingly feared man more than god. Such a dangerous and exhausting way to live.

When we fear man more than god, when we serve the creature instead of the Creator we are walking with one foot in the door spiritually speaking and one foot out. We are lukewarm.  We are full of fear, nerves, and anxiety. We may attempt to live boldly for Jesus, but if we can’t proclaim that to someone when the rubber meets the road for fear of humanly rejection then we are letting people be our god.

This happens daily for most of us. We are commanded in Romans 1:17 that the righteous are to live by faith. When we live un-righteously we are suppressing the truth to the world around us. You see the righteousness of God is revealed to the unbelieving world by your faith! Romans 1:17 says “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith.” Does that make sense? Your obedience, your faith, reveals FAITH to others. It reveals salvation that comes through Christ.

Romans is very clear in 1:21-24 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal men. Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves.”

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie. They worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator. Romans 1:25 paraphrased.

Romans then gives a list of sins that are happening all around us. And while you and I may not be participating in this list of sins are you giving your approval to those who are? Look at Romans 1:32 “Though they knew God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) Yes! We are called to LOVE one another (Romans 13:8) but in your LOVE check yourself. Are you loving them on towards death? Or are you loving them on towards LIFE everlasting? When you approve or don’t say anything for fear of being labeled “judgmental” you are bowing to the creature instead of the creator. And sometimes that creature or false god is what others think of you and sometimes that creature or false god is yourself. We need to ask ourselves the question, “Who is my God? Who do I live for? Who am I most concerned about pleasing?”

Is the word of God saying we need to arrogantly, rudely and obnoxiously start proclaiming people’s sins to them? No! We are to listen to the voice of our God, go where he leads, speak his truth with love and courage, all the while praying for courage to not fall into the sin of desiring man’s approval over Gods approval.

If you take it a step deeper we are truly acting more for our own good than our neighbors. We don’t say anything or stay silent on a subject because we selfishly don’t want to be rejected. That is loving ourselves more than our neighbors. We say we are loving them and accepting them, but that is often not the case. We are scared people pleasers who fear rejection from man, hurting our image, over God.

Here is the deal and hopefully the closing;

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  We are only justified by his grace through the gift of Jesus Christs death on the cross. Through redemption, through our Savior we are made new. We are not perfect, but we should never abuse his kindness and grace.

Personally, here is my scripture prayer to help me say goodbye to insecurity and hello to fearing God.

I want to take “You shall have no other gods before me” seriously.

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. (Psalm 40:2) “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely. (Proverbs 10:9) Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; (Isaiah 42:1) “I am hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3) “I am never alone. God is always with me.” (Psalm 9:10) I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you;” (Isaiah 42:6) “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored and I love you!” (Isaiah 43:4) “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, and my servants whom I have chosen.” (Isaiah 43:10) “I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2Timothy 1:7 “Cast off the works of darkness, put on the Armor of Light.” (Romans 3:12) “We make our aim to please him” (1 Corinthians 5:6-9) “O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in time of trouble.” (Isaiah 33:2) “He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

Lord, as I live for you each day, as I parent in your name, as I walk this world as your child, I pray that I will seek to only serve you. I pray that I will not seek anyone’s approval other than yours. I will fail and make mistakes, but help me to only care what you think and to give myself grace and room to grow.  I pray you help me to not seek validation for my strengths, weaknesses, or decisions from anyone but you God. You know me inside and out. You created me in my mother’s womb, you know my every desire.  Let my every decision be based on your word. Amen.

Below is a free printable card of the verses above. 

Seasons Come and Go

I always feel a bit anxious when my children are about to enter into a new stage of life. I begin to feel nervous about the future and the whole “letting go” part. I start to reminisce on the joy of the present stage and dread the arrival of the next--- until God intervenes and brings unspeakable joy.

This recently happened between my youngest and I. My youngest, my baby, is headed off to Kindergarten in a few short months. To be honest, I have wanted to keep her little.  I have so enjoyed her Pre-K years that the thought of leaving them behind leaves me teary eyed and sad.

I felt this way with my first two children as well, and until recently forgot what a beautiful life lesson I learned about letting go and moving on to the next season of life.

When God moves our children and ourselves from one season to the next, there is always something just as beautiful about the next season that we would miss if we stayed in our present state.

Let me explain. I have adored having my baby at home. I have enjoyed the toddler and pre-k years. And then recently, like someone flipping a switch, she has started to make connections. All the things we have been teaching her are starting to come together and bring delight and joy to her heart and ours. This would not happen and we would not experience this joy if the seasons never changed. 

For example, she is learning to read. All the letter sounds, and vowel sounds, are beginning to make connections and she is ECSTATIC. To watch her read a word and figure out what it spells gives her the biggest smile. She loves it! And I do too!

And then spiritually speaking, we have taught her about the bible, and Jesus, and God’s word since she was born. I have whispered Jesus loves you more times than I can count into her ear. I have prayed and spoken scripture into her life since she was born. But all of a sudden, the connections are coming together in the most beautiful and precious moments.

She recently asked if God could hear and see everything. I said yes He can. She paused and then said out loud, “God? {brief pause} Hello?” And then looked at me and said, “He didn’t answer?” I explained about prayer and how God doesn’t always speak verbally out loud like Mommy or Daddy, but if you say something to him with a heart of prayer and listen carefully inside your heart he will speak to you.   She thought for a minute, and then very seriously, looked to the side and said, “God, I love you.”  She was very still and silent for a moment, looking down with deep concentration, and then she raised her face with excitement and deep joy and said, “MOMMA! I heard him! He said He loves me too!!!”

These tender moments remind me of the joy of letting our children grow. I am reminded of the saying, “Let Go, and Let God”. It can be tough at times on a Mothers heart to let go, but God always comes through for me too. He NEVER changes. He gives me sweet moments that remind me I truly would never want to hold my kids back. I would never want to keep them from moving on to the next season. Because with the change of seasons comes new life and fresh fruit.

Thank you Lord for being so good to us. Thank you for helping us through each season of life. Thank you for the outpouring of your Spirit and love. Thank you for redeeming us and giving us new life through the cross.  You are my greatest source of joy and I love you.

Praying God's Word

When my words cannot formulate my hearts cry and prayer, 

the scriptures never fail. 

Praying God's word into my life this morning. 

For seeking guidance, instruction, direction…

For the waiting and hoping heart….

For encouragement….

My Scripture Prayer from the Psalms

Your face Lord, do I seek. Hide not your face from me.  27:9

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path.  27:11

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord  27:14

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped. 28:7

Be {my} Shepherd and carry {me} forever. 28:9

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” 30:12

You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your names sake you lead me and guide me. 31:3

I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand. 31:14

Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind. 31:19

Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me. 31:21

Love the Lord, all you his saints. 31:23

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 32:8

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield; For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. 33:20-22

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Swept Away

Lately, I have been swept away. 

There is really no other word for it. This is a full time of year for us. You see we have three children. And we allow each child to do one extra-curricular activity in the Spring. We set aside Fall for a focused fresh start to school and of course church activities always abound. But, in the Spring months of March/April/May we give them each an opportunity to explore their interests—by selecting 1 extra-curricular activity.

Currently, I have one child in gymnastics, another in baseball, and another in softball(t-ball).

This makes my week very full.

*Monday night one practice

*Tuesday night another practice

*Wednesday night Church activities

*Thursday night host an in home bible study

 Then it’s the weekend.

*Friday/Saturday (sometimes includes games/practices)

*Sunday- worship/Church

(whew!)

Here is what I know.  I do not thrive on go, go, go. I do not like rush, busy, get out the door, chauffeur here and there monotony. I like down time with my family. I like it to just be us sometimes. I enjoy a quiet afternoon of homework, outside play, dinner, and maybe an episode of I Love Lucy.

But despite what I like. My husband and I both love to watch our kids grow and develop new talents. We find joy in their attempts and as swept away as we are with activities, we are more swept away in the joy that Christ gives by parenting them. Praising them, teaching them, encouraging them, and loving them.

We are not mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially capable of providing this kind of extra fun on this level, year round, so it is best for our household to limit this fun beautiful whirlwind to three months out of the year.

And here is what I am learning.

When I am tired and dread another trip to the ball-field---to replace that thought with what I get to do.

Many of my dear friends would love to be caught up in the extra-curricular whirlwind but they can’t.

I have a couple of friends who are currently in the whirlwind activity of chemo treatments, appointments, hospital trips, and medicine charts. (And I’m sure they could list about 100 more things to that list that only a parent with an ill child can describe).  Another who spends most her nights awake monitoring fevers and praying. The list could go on.

Some are longing to hold their children, but the road to infertility is left them aching.

Some are holding on to memories, and wishing they could only go back and enjoy that whirlwind once more.

In honor and respect to these amazing people, I choose to enjoy, savor, and thank God for these long days. And when I even begin to think I’m too tired, I hope to replace that with a prayer, for those brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow parents who truly know what tired looks like.

We each have unique lives and experiences and only by seeking God’s direction can we decide what is best for our individual families.  I pray that you feel free to do what God is leading you to do. The pressure to push play at every opportunity is glaring. My kids could stay busy year round if we said yes to everything. But sometimes we have to take a stand and say no.

I pray before all else in our lives, we are first and foremost Swept Away by the love of Jesus Christ. We let him lead and direct our lives. We seek and inquire from his word. And we do our very best to serve and honor Him.

Can I sit with You?

If I could just sit with you a while, if you could just hold me.

When I was a young high school girl I remember attending a summer camp in Glorieta, New Mexico called Centrifuge.  At this camp the worship band introduced to me for the very first time a song called, If I Could Just sit with you awhile. I bought the camp c.d. and listened to the song over and over and over again.

For me, this song spoke to my tender, teenage heart. I was always a girl who wanted to be held. I clearly remember as a small child taking my Moms hand and asking if she would just sit and hold me for a little while. And of course she always would. I was never afraid to climb in to my Dad’s lap either to be held. It was just always who I was.  And somehow over the years of growing in my faith, I had never considered climbing into my Heavenly Fathers lap. Leaning back against his chest. Resting in the steady, unchanging rhythm of his breath. Feeling utterly secure that He was in control and had all things in his hands.

And so, this new form of prayer and worship began in my life. I found a quiet spot and learned to rest in his faithfulness. I learned to lean on Him. I began to breathe deeply and rest securely in his love for me.

Then, as the years went by, I remember one particular day when I had been married for less than five years and was the young mother of two lively toddlers.  All of life became, well, a bit overwhelming. I struggled and wrestled to be the Mother I dreamed of being. I fought for control like you can’t imagine. I worked and gave until I had nothing left to give from my own strength. Things were not going as I had imagined they would. The children were found to be a little more difficult than I thought and as hard as I tried, everything was out of my control. I adored them and did everything I could by the book, but still things were not going as smoothly as I hoped. I had one child with re-occurring ear infections that despite everything would not go away (six surgeries). Another who was strong-willed and difficult to please. Yes, there were many joyous days, but it was a difficult season for this young mother fighting for control.  And then one day I sat and I cried. And as I sat, the words “Lord, If I could just sit with you a while, if you could just hold me” played into my heart from years ago. It became my cry and prayer “Lord, If I could just sit with you a while, if you could just hold me.”

When I cannot feel, when my wounds don't heal
Lord I humbly kneel, hidden in You
Lord, You are my life so I don't mind to die
Just as long as I am hidden in You

If I could just sit with You a while, if You could just hold me
Nothing could touch me though I'm wounded, though I die
If I could just sit with You a while, I need You to hold me
Moment by moment, 'till forever passes by

When I know I've sinned when I should have been
Crying out my God and hidden in you
Lord I need you now, more than I know how
So I humbly bow, hidden in you

If I could just sit with You a while, I need You to hold me

Moment by moment, 'till forever passes by
Moment by moment, 'till forever passes by

And that very day I was reminded again who really was in control.  I woke up to the fact that I, Katy, had been trying to do so much on my own strength. I let it all go. I placed everything into the palm of God’s hand. And I surrendered to the amazing goodness that Jesus offers.

We can hang on so tightly to our plans. We can strive diligently to drive and control this life we live. However, that does nothing but lead us to the end of our rope. And guess what I found? When I let go, I found that I was never really holding on to anything at all. The whole time, Jesus was carrying me. He always has. He holds me up. He carries me. He is everything to me. And ‘till forever passes by I plan to spend moment by moment being held by the only one that is able.

Let go, surrender,trust. Lay it all down.

I don’t know what you are going through today,but if you are carrying some burdens that are too heavy to bear or you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances-- Lay it down. Place it in the hands of our ever capable Savior. If you find yourself picking it back up, just lay it right back down. He is faithful. He will carry you.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his
mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great
is your faithfulness.

Lamentations
3:22-23

If you would like to listen to this song played by Mercy Me just click play and rest in His presence.

Inheritance

Inheritance.

a:  the act of inheriting property

b:  the reception of genetic qualities by transmission from parent to offspring

c:  the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations (Merriam-Webster)

Have you heard the story of the Portuguese aristocrat who left his fortune to 70 total strangers he picked from a phone book?

Who knows, maybe you have a sizeable inheritance in your future. Maybe you have already received your inheritance though the gift of land, mineral rights, or stock. Some inherit material things like fine China, furniture, or cookware. We can also inherit personality traits both good and bad. We all know the saying, “more is caught than taught” concerning our kids. Sadly, some of you instead of inheriting wealth inherited debt. Not all inheritance is desirable.  Some of us will inherit genetic makeups that lead to dementia, cancer, vision loss, and so forth while others inherit longevity and good health.

 The common thread is we cannot choose our earthly inheritance. But joyfully for us, we can choose our eternal inheritance and we can choose to share that inheritance with future generations.

That brings us to Psalm 119:111 English Standard Version (ESV)

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.”

My goal in bible study is a heart change that produces life transformation. We are aiming to plant seeds into good soil, so that it may take root and bear fruit. The bible tells us to hide God’s word in our hearts. Someday our bibles could be ripped from our hands.  Study and memorizing scripture could be against the law. Illness and memory loss can rip it from our minds. But if we work to let scripture take root and change our heart and lives that can never be taken away from us! Let’s eagerly dig deep today.

Testimonies.

The greatest testimony of God in all the world is Jesus Christ. He is God’s testimony embodied. God said to us, “If you want to know what I am, look, there is my Son.” And Jesus came and said, “He that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father.” Jesus Christ is God’s testimony against sin, for Christ died through our sin. He is God’s testimony concerning divine love, for God so loved us that he gave his Son to die for us. In Christ you will find that, the more you study him, the more you will see what the invisible God is, for he is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” Now, beloved, I can say, and many of you can say, “We have taken the Lord Jesus Christ to be our heritage forever;” and we are complete in him, perfect in Christ Jesus, Christ is all and in all to us. When we once get Christ, we get everything. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Spurgeon, C. H. (1895). The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 41, p. 255). London: Passmore & Alabaster.

We are richly blessed by the truth of God’s word. The testimony is truth-Jesus Christ. I love how Spurgeon explains it.

“A man’s mind is rich very much in proportion to the truth he knows. He who knows the Word of God is mentally rich, he has a large heritage.”

“Thy testimonies.” Ah, brethren, I cannot draw a complete map of this estate, it is so large, so wonderful; but, thank God, you can go and see it for Yourselves! Walk over its broad areas, lie down in its green pastures, rest beside it’s still waters. It is indeed a wealthy country that is described in those two words, “thy testimonies.”

Does this not make you eagerly squirm in your seat ready to explore God’s word? What a privilege and joy.

A couple of summers ago, we vacationed to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. While there we traveled into Asheville and toured the beautiful Biltmore Gardens and Estate. One day is not nearly enough to explore and see the beauty of this massive estate. We certainly missed some places and did not get to see everything.

That is like God’s testimonies. It is large and wonderful. Majestic and full of beautiful truth. Every day we have a choice to walk in the gardens or explore a trail. To tour the mansion or sit by the lake. To ride horseback back by the waters or gaze over the green forests. We will never see it all or tire of its beauty. By faith in God and the choice to enter in all are welcome. No one can force you. It is your choice.

“None are excluded hence but those

Who do themselves exclude.”

“Oh, may the Lord, in his infinite mercy, make us to be so enchanted with this estate, so enraptured with this divine property, that we shall never rest until we enter into full and final possession of it, and find it to be the rejoicing of our heart!”

 “the Bible is as fresh to me to-day as when first I began to speak from it as a boy, and preached to you from it as a youth. It is an inexhaustible heritage of mental wealth to the man who will accept it, and give his mind to the study of it. Look at the doctrines, the precepts, the promises, the prophecies, the histories, the experiences, —it is no use for me to try to map out this estate, it is so large. As a great heritage of mental wealth, it makes every man who receives it, however illiterate he may be upon other subjects, a wealthy man spiritually, while they who discard it become poverty-stricken in mind, whatever else of mental attainments they may possess.” Spurgeon, C. H. (1895). The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons (Vol. 41, p. 254). London: Passmore & Alabaster.

Heritage.

Our heritage is found in God’s testimonies. God’s covenant is our heritage.

“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” Hebrews 9:15

“to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” 1 Peter 1:4

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

“I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.” Jeremiah 33:8

In the exercise of this holy diligence, you and I have to take possession of the Word of God by studying it more earnestly, to take possession of the covenant by believing it more fully, and to take possession of Christ by communing with him more closely, and using him more constantly, so that you say with David, “Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever.” Keep on taking, keep on taking, keep on taking. Thy testimonies have I taken.”

This heritage is free to you as it is me. Unlike earthly inheritance that we will leave behind, this inheritance will last eternally.

Sadly, George Vanderbilt who built the magnificent Biltmore Estate died 19 years after completing construction at the age of 51. All his labor was left behind.

With deep gratitude, I rejoice that my parents passed down to me the path to obtain the inheritance of eternal life though Jesus Christ. I didn't gain it from them. I chose myself to believe in faith. They just taught me the way. They shared the gospel message. They took me to church and fed me the word of God. Because of that I can REJOICE.

 Every day that I study the word of God my inheritance is continually giving to me. Making me rich.  I rejoice and rejoice and rejoice again as I walk new trails and discover new paths through God’s word. As I watch God work and lives transform I rejoice. Salvation brings great joy. The testimony, Jesus Christ, makes people brand new. That brings me great joy. Walking with the Holy Spirit, leading and guiding me, brings great joy. See a sinner saved brings great joy! Let go of earthly possessions and seek that glorious inheritance found in the promise of God.

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.” Psalm 119:111