May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13
He fills me with all joy.
And peace.
As I trust in Him.
And in His Son, Jesus.
So that I will overflow with hope.
Given to me by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23
Other times, not so much.
When I show love to others, that's the Spirit showing God's love through me.
My joyful attitude is a result of the Holy Spirit living in me.
When I forget to act with peace, I no longer am showing the fruit of the Spirit in my life.
Those times when I get impatient with others, the Spirit convicts me.
When I forget to act with kindness, God's Spirit humbles me.
And when I lack self-control, the Spirit puts stumbling blocks in my way to slow me down.
I am blessed to be filled with the Spirit to help guide me along the narrow path.
Help me, Lord, to focus on You.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
Last night I made gumbo in the new Dutch oven Kirk got me for Christmas.
And bread using the proof baskets Marianna sent me.
I am blessed.
Tonight we'll have two other couples join us for dinner.
To welcome in the new year together.
Praising God for good food, great friends, and wonderful family.
Praising God for Jesus, who has overcome the world.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6
It was a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve.
With worship and song and candlelight.
And we had Kirk's family over for potato soup — which they cooked and brought over!
Delicious!
Today we had my brothers over for Christmas Day for ham.
And Steve made some delicious potatoes, which we finished off completely.
Plus he brought twice-baked potatoes for us to have later this week.
Wonderful days with family.
We are blessed.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” — Luke 2:13-14
We'll gather with family.
And celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
On earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared to the shepherds.
They were praising God.
Saying, "GLory to God in the highest."
"And on earth peace to those on whom Go'ds favor rests.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. — Psalm 119:165
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3
Even when the world around us is in war and chaos.
When we trust in the Lord,
His Holy Spirit fills us with a deep peace beyond our understanding.
When we keep our minds steadfast on Him.
The Lord of Peace.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13
For the hope they give us.
May the God of hope fill us with all joy.
And may He fill us with unexplainable peace.
So that we may overflow with hope as we trust in Jesus.
Christ gives us this hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday we celebrated Pentecost, when God sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples.
May the Holy Spirit fill us with joy and guide and direct us as our Counselor.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. — James 3:17-18
When Solomon asked God for wisdom, He gave it to Solomon along with riches and property.
True wisdom is considerate of others.
It submits to God's will.
This type of wisdom is of full mercy.
It bears good fruit.
This wisdom is impartial and sincere.
God calls us to be peacemakers.
So that through Him, we may reap a harvest of righteousness.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:7
He will guard my heart.
And He will guard my mind in Christ Jesus.
I am blessed.
This weekend marks the anniversary of Dad Gary's death.
Here his is making his famous tacos for all the grandkids.
We miss him each day.
But we are thankful for memories like these.
And the recipes he passed down for us.
And the electric skillet that stlil makes delicious tacos!
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5
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| Okoboji Snow in April |
He was crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought us peace was on Him instead of me.
By the wounds of Christ, I am healed.
Jesus's blood washes me as white as this Iowa snowfall.
Because of Jesus, I live in peace.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:23-24
And that fruit of the Spirit is love and joy.
It includes peace, forbearance, and kindness.
The fruit of the Spirit is also goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.
Another amazing gift of the Spirit is self-control.
Against these things there is no law.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. — Romans 15:13
Here's a beautiful view of Doheny State Beach near Dana Point.
May the God of hope fill us with joy.
And with His deep peace that goes beyond our understanding.
As we trust in Him alone rather than trusting in people or things.
So that we can overflow with hope in Christ.
Sharing that hope with others who are searching.
And that hope is filling us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amazing!
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” — Luke 2:13-14
Praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest.
Here's Abby and friends as bad angels before taking part in our Church Christmas live nativity.
I think this may have been the year they had Abby up in the balcony, looking down over Mary, Joseph and baby.
You can tell they really got into the part.
God's angels are messengers, sent to tell us news from Him.
This was the best news of all - Jesus was born.
Glory to God.
And on earth peace to those on whom God's favor rests.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. — Colossians 3:15
His peace overflows and overwhelms me when I start to worry.
Making the troubles of life bearable because God is in control rather than me.
As a member of the body of Christ, I am called to peace.
My heart is comforted with Christ's love.
Even when life happens and things don't go my way.
And I am thankful.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3
Even when our minds are racing furiously.
Even when the world around us comes crashing in.
And especially when our friends and family are going through tough times.
God's peace overcomes them all.
He keeps our minds steadfast.
And we trust in Him.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. — Philippians 4:9
The God of peace will be with us.
God wants us to put His teachings into our hearts.
And then to practice them so we can be instruments of His.
And the God of peace will be with us.
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. — Colossians 1:19-20
Yesterday we celebrated Easter with family and friends.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Through Jesus, God reconciled to himself all things.
Both things on earth and things in heaven.
Making peace through the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross.
We praise Him for His mercy.
