God's Roadmap

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God, who loved us and in his wonderful grace gave us eternal comfort and a beautiful hope that cannot fail, encourage your hearts and inspire you with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in his eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 TPT).


Saturday, March 30, 2019

Finding Joy in the Journey and 10 Verses About Abiding in Joy

by Barbara Latta

The fruit of the Spirit – Joy

What is joy? Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends upon emotions and circumstances. We are happy when we get what we want, when we are having fun and when we are being treated right.

Joy, however, is not an emotion, but a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is deep within and is put in us at the new birth along with all the other fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. We may not always feel joy but that doesn’t mean the fruit is not existing in us.

Joy is the deep abiding assurance that God lives within us. Joy is the knowledge that we are loved, and God will never leave us.

We don’t have to feel the joy for it to be present. But we must make the decision to use it.
When situations are not pleasant, joy can circumvent what we are feeling when we stand in faith on the promises of God and rejoice that He is our Savior.

Jesus went to the cross in obedience to His Father’s will to save us. He looked forward to the joy He would have when He sat down at the right hand of God instead of focusing on the misery He was about to endure. Focusing on the joy gave Him strength.

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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Here are 10 verses about abiding in joy:
  1. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
  2. Therefore, you now have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one an take from you (John 16:22).
  3. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
  4. Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
  5. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).
  6. Rejoicing in hope patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12).
  7. Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).
  8. Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart (Psalm 119:111).
  9. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10B).
  10. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11 NIV).

The joy of the Lord is our strength, too. When we choose to operate our lives in the joy of the
Lord, the negative emotions we can feel will be overcome.

The Lord didn’t tell us to rejoice always, if it wasn’t possible to do so. And He is not telling us to rejoice that we have trouble, but that we can rejoice during the trouble because we have a Savior who has overcome the world.

When we focus on the joy of the victory of God instead of negative circumstances, we will win.



TWEETABLES

Saturday, March 23, 2019

How to Follow Real Promises in Life and Avoid Illusions


by Barbara Latta

Rainbows are illusions. Light shines through raindrops to divide the rays of light into prisms of multi-colored arcs producing the beautiful vision we see in the sky. Rainbows are a sign of God’s covenant. But some seek the illusion of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow instead of relying on the
promises of God.

Thousands are lured to find their pot of gold through lotteries or get-rich-quick schemes. Statistics show that the few who do win big don’t improve their lives; in some cases the quality of life is worse because their heart doesn’t change. The same habits and attitudes are still active, and a large amount of money or prizes does not change their motives. They usually end up poor, maybe in more debt than before. They followed the illusion and when the illusion faded all was dark again.

Others look for their rainbow by taking the easy way out through lack of discipline. Compromise. Cheating. Lying. Stealing. Whatever takes the wide road that promises life will be better if you just travel this path. There are many illusions in life. The pot of gold humans search for is not always about riches.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Honoring Heroic Women for International Women's Month


by Barbara Latta

March is recognized as International Women’s Month and most posts will focus on political and economic achievements of women throughout the centuries. I would like to focus on those who have made progress in the spiritual realm by their obedience to God’s Word.
These are merely a few of the women who have made sacrifices for the kingdom of God. Some are known, some not so known, but to God they are all famous in His eyes. They left all and followed, much like the twelve Jesus called.

Saturday, March 9, 2019

How Do We Walk in Love in a World Filled with Hate?


by Barbara Latta

The Fruit of the Spirit – Love

How do we walk in love in a world filled with hate? Die to self. 

That’s one thing Lucifer didn’t do. He exalted himself bringing hate and evil into the world. Ever since Adam and Eve gave in to the temptation to exalt themselves in the same way, selfishness has dominated fallen mankind. And love cannot be shown when self is in the way.

How do we die to self?

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Are Christians Intolerant?

by Barbara Latta
Intolerance is a word batted about like a tennis ball in the realm of politics, news and social media. A
stand against certain behaviors draws accusations of intolerance. However, those screaming these accusations are rarely, if ever, tolerant of those with differing opinions.

Because some actions and attitudes are labeled as sin, the question arises, “Are Christians intolerant?”

Let’s look at what Jesus said and did.