"Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life; mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows." Ralph Waldo Emerson  

Three little letters.  JOY.  What is joy?  When does it come?  What does it look like?  

The word joy is used over 100 times in the Bible.  It means an emotion evoked by well-being, calmness, or inner gladness.

 
As we shall see it is an inward peace that is not affected by outward circumstances.  

At the moment we are living in times that are tough to see and times that are disheartening.  One of the first verses that came to me was:  God gives us the oil of joy for mourning.  Just why does He use the word oil.  Oil is used to make something run smoothly.  It is also used to soothe an injury or hurt.  As we seek Him in difficult circumstances the Holy Spirit applies that comfort and peace to our souls.  He gives us inward joy knowing He surrounds us in His loving arms. 

In tough times it is also time to remember who we are and why we are here.  We are His temple here on earth, we are His children, we are set free, and heirs of all that He has.  No circumstance or situation can remove us from who we are.  He delights in us.  What joy fills our hearts as we rejoice in the lover of our soul.  In His presence is fullness of joy. 

Let us look at Jesus as He approached the final week of His earthly life.  What was He thinking?  The Bible says that because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross.   He knew want was coming, but He knew His purpose.  He knew the outcome of the horrors He faced and He had joy. 

Our joy in life comes not from things like a new house or a new car, but His presence and purpose in us.  Loving Him and others is our purpose and is the only thing that gives us true joy. 

So know who you are and the purpose you are here on the earth.  
Psalm 16:11

He will show me the path of life; in His presence is fullness of JOY; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. 
Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sit down at the right hand of God

Triune Loves Me / Podcast 

Bible Verses From Easy, / Sinner's Prayer

Jason Mraz - Look For The Good (Official Video)

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" from William Shakespeare's

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11

Meaning of public done, perceived or existing in open view.

The word public is not readily available in the Bible. It seems to be hidden in its pages. 

Do we share our stories to help spread His message or do we keep the message locked within the confines of our hearts…? 

This journey has changed me from who I was to who I now have become. Many that knew me, knew the old me, knew me as a quiet, private, and a bit of a shy person... I feel I was a deep thinker and I felt I loved in my own way but did not readily share my thoughts or my feelings… 

But …. from the moment I experienced a Holy Spirit Encounter many things changed… I had this powerful desire to share a love that He placed in my soul… This encounter thrust me into unfamiliar territory.  This love seemed so difficult to contain… It is the most amazing love one can feel and yet it is so difficult to explain. 

I felt like I was on an emotional rollercoaster. 

As I chased this love I grew spiritually. And as time went by I began to understand a little better how, when, and with whom to share… But it has taken 4 years… And I still say I am a work in progress. 

Looking back many would have called my behavior strange… Many were not used to me showing love so publicly… Many did not understand… Some even ran… 

But to tell you the truth I would not change anything about the last 4 years…During this time I cried many tears. Because I worried about what people would think?  I had never shared openly any relationship, let alone one with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I won’t lie, at the beginning, I felt this burning desire to share Him, but it felt awkward, strange, and a bit weird. However, the desire to share this love was stronger than my personal feelings. It was too amazing to keep it to myself. 

So, I shared Him anywhere, everywhere, and with anyone that would listen. … It was a crazy time but sharing Him made me feel wonderful… but I cried behind closed doors. I felt many of my friends and family might not understand.  I am sure I raised a few eyebrows!! 

But I can publicly say He freed my soul and gave me the courage, to open my heart and share the most amazing time of my life with the world…. 

I finally realized that the ones who knew me and loved me would still accept me as I am. And the ones who did not..  well I pray that He touches your heart. So, you will grow to know and love Him because your life will never be the same. 

The reason I share this is in hopes of touching someone that may be wrestling with being embarrassed or shy or worried about what people would think. Especially when we speak of the greatest love we can ever experience.  

If we look to the Bible, we can see the greatest example of publicly showing love. He shared a monumental event with the world… He was not worried about how He physically looked. He did not have much to say. He gave us such a heartfelt visual. He publicly showed us at the cross just how much He loves each of us… 

So, I ask why it is so difficult to publicly share our love for Him… Why is it so difficult to publicly say I fell in love with God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit? Why do we keep our love for Him hidden? Is it because we are afraid of what others will think or say? 

I must ask when we stand before our Creator… Who will be with you? Will it matter what others think? Or will you openly say I love you… His opinion is truly the only one that matters… 

Everyone else is a work in progress just like you… 

Be Bold… Love Him publicly… You may be that light that guides someone home….

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.1 Timothy 4:13

Triune Loves Me / Podcast 

Inspiring Music; YouTube  God So Loved - Hillsong Worship

Meaning of ready in a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation; fully prepared.

We have located 25 verses that speak of the word ready. 

Are we ready for the greatest date with destiny?  I do believe we are always getting ready for something? We look ahead to future dates, events, and milestones that happen in all our lives. 

But do we ready our souls for something better than this life?  

It’s a date with destiny that every man, woman, and child will have to deal with at some time in their life. It’s inevitable. 

Many think there is always tomorrow. Procrastination in this life-changing adventure could be a long-term mistake… 

But where is this destination?  What can I take with me? How can I ready myself? 

The destination is not of this world… But I hear it looks like a dream come true, many call it paradise... I have heard we will not need to take anything from this world… All our belongings will remain here on earth… Everything we thought of as important will lose its luster, and become dim... Our focus will change to Heavenly thoughts… 

It’s my understanding that we can only take our experiences and our memories... 

So pack all the love you can in your heart. Experience the beauty of this life in your soul... Cherish the moments with your friends and family study their faces… remember the special moments that we have shared… 

The power of getting ready is in our hands… and it's a daily commitment. But how is this destination attainable?  

Let me introduce you to your guide… He is the Holy Spirit. He is a gift.. that dwells within our hearts. He is that whisper you hear in your soul. He teaches us about our destination and why we were born in the first place.. He helps us pack the ingredients for a beautiful experience and if we listen to His advice He will ready us for a destination wedding that will more than rival anything we have ever experienced in our lifetime... It's a date with destiny. It’s a date with the greatest love we will ever know… Many call Him Jesus. 

We have been chosen by our Heavenly Father not to just attend, but we have been chosen to fulfill a beautiful plan that has been inspired by His greater love since the beginning of time… 

It’s Him, It’s always been Him. 

He has been chasing me for a long time… But I finally listened to that small voice in my soul… 

He is my guide, my love, and my date with destiny… 

Life with Him is a beautiful adventure no matter where we are in the process. 

Through our union with Christ, we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance.  Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart. Ephesians 1:11 TPT

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.  Revelation 19:7

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I'm Getting Ready by Tasha Cobbs Lyrics | LYRICS

“No relationship in this world ever remains warm and close unless good effort is made on both sides to keep it so.”- Eleanor Roosevelt..

Meaning of one-way: something allows movement in only one direction a one-way street. one-sided. 

I could only find the word one-way once in the Bible. Jeremiah 32:39. 

During my journey, I have listened to many speak and say that Jesus is the only way… 

And I am not here to dispute those amazing and wise words… 

But the words one-way spoke to me today in a different way… and I feel I must share… 

I find that in this “religious” walk many tell us we must strive for that intimacy with God. We must crave and chase that relationship with Jesus… and the Holy Spirit sometimes is just an afterthought?

I must ask you this question because I have asked this question of myself today… 

How secure are you in your relationship with God??  Is it a deep caring above all else bond?  Is it just an occasional need?? Or do we say like the kids today… We are talking, in hopes that we can cultivate something more… 

Once you search your heart… 

I then will ask you, is your relationship one-way?  Do you only come to Him when you need something from Him? Do you only share the crumbs of your life with the one who holds you so dear??  I am afraid many of us are selfish in our relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit…

We seem to think of ourselves first. 

I am not here to judge or point a finger… I am a work in progress just like you… 

But if I am asking this question of myself, others may need to look into their hearts as well… 

Ask yourself is my relationship with God one-way? Or do I give Him as much time as He gives me?  Am I there for Him when He needs me? Many may say… He is God He needs nothing ?? He just wants me to be good and to do for others... 

But I have discovered there is so much more to Him. And we have only begun to scratch the surface…He made us in Their image for a reason… I would have to believe if we have emotions, so does He…. But maybe even on a larger scale… 

After all, God is Love. How can He be love and be void of feelings? 

1 John 4:16

Do we ask Him what can I do for you today ?? Do we care how He feels? How can He love and care for us so deeply…When all we do is ask Him for things? 

As a parent myself I would be disappointed if my children viewed me as their source for “things” and did not care about the "real" me… 

I ask ….. 

Where is your relationship? 

Is it one-way??? 

Just imagine if you could have that intimate 2-way relationship with the only one that loves you so deeply and beyond this world … 

He WOWs me. 

It’s Him, It’s always Him.

Jesus stated, in Mark 12:30-31, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment… There is no other commandment greater.”

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Somewhere in Time: John Barry