In Nehemiah 8:10 it says that: "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (KJV). So, how do we get this joy? Do we plaster a big smile on our faces and pretend? No! Gal 5:22 tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit; so, as Christians, with the Holy Spirit on the inside of us, joy should naturally develop.

However, in order for this fruit to develop we need to be abiding in the vine (spending time with Jesus) as we learn in John 15. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Just as an apple will naturally develop on an apple tree so joy will naturally develop as we keep abiding in Christ.

The Bible also says that we should: "rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil 4:4). As you know we don't always "feel" like being joyful, but the kind of joy we are talking about doesn't depend on the circumstances we are in but it is an inner joy in the Lord that we have regardless of our circumstances. We choose to rejoice because the "greater one" lives in us (1 John 4:4) and he has the answer to all our problems.

Spend time with Jesus, in his word, in prayer and in fellowship with him and watch your joy grow.

  A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

"He has shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8 KJV).

To require in this verse means to demand; it’s a command. God commands us to love mercy and to walk humbly before him. As we walk in obedience to his word we release God's hand to bless us (John 15:16); not so if we walk in disobedience.

Mercy is a wonderful attribute; a love that never fails and that is demonstrated in acts of kindness. It is characterized by pity and faithfulness. A merciful person is always there and full of good works. Love is not love if it is not demonstrated (John 3:18). The Bible tells us that Christians will be known, noticed, seen and will impact their world by the love they demonstrate (John 13:35).

To walk humbly before God is to acknowledge our inability to do anything without God. It is to be utterly dependent on him. It is to be free from arrogance and to be completely teachable before our God. With God, and when we are submitted to God, we can do all things (Phil 4:13); we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:30). Wow! I am for doing what God requires of me!

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven”. We are told in Genesis 8:22 that the seasons will always exist in creation; seed time and harvest, winter and summer. Ecclesiastes shows us that there are seasons to every aspect of our lives.

We know that God has a plan for all of our lives (Ps 139:16). We need to hear from God not only to discover the plan but its times and seasons. David was 37 when he became King, many years after he was anointed for that role. Moses waited 40 years in Midian before God called him to bring Israel out of Egypt. Jesus was 30 when he started his ministry, a ministry which only lasted 3 years. Sarah and Abraham tried to rush things and help out God’s plan and along came Ishmael (Gen 16). Paul wanted to rush into Asia and Bithynia but the Holy Spirit had to restrain him and then in season came God’s call to minister in Macedonia.

I once heard a preacher say he had spent 40 years in ministry and 5 years before that in preparation. In looking back, he wished he has spent 40 years in preparation and 5 years in ministry; he felt he would have been more productive for God with the longer preparation time.

Don’t be in a rush. Hear from God and the results will be awesome. Faith and patience receive the promise (Heb 6:12). Be in Season today.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will” (KJV; Acts 13:22). 

What was it about David that allowed the Lord to say these words about him? David had a great zeal for God (1Sam 17:45). He was teachable, humble and feared God (Ps 25). David trusted God and had great intimacy with him (Ps 27). David loved to praise his God (Ps 34:1), desired righteousness (Ps 51), loved God (Ps 63) and prayed and cried out to his heavenly Father (Ps 143:1).  As our main text says, David was also obedient to the will of God.

David was; however, human and fell into the sins of sexual immorality and even murder in his affair with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11). However, when confronted by Nathan the prophet he repented and God forgave him (2 Sam 12). We should look to the life and attributes of David, a mighty man of God. We should also be encouraged that God regarded David’s strengths and forgave so great a sin. God loves us and will forgive us just as he did David. Be exhorted and encouraged.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

In Mathew 14:25-33 Jesus gives us a very practical lesson in faith. The disciples were in a storm on the sea and Jesus came to them walking on the water. Jesus greeted his disciples in a simple manner: “cheer up guys it’s me. In other words: “no sweat guys, with me in the boat you can walk through or on all the storms of life. 

Peter liked that and asked Jesus to command him (Peter) to come to Jesus on the water. Peter recognized that if Jesus said he (Peter) could walk on the water then it was possible. Whatever you find in the bible that applies to you is possible. Jesus said come, so Pater took him at his word and walked on the water by faith in the word of Jesus. Jesus said it, Peter believed it and that settled it; he (Peter) walked.

Sounds like the child like faith Jesus told us we needed (Mark 10:15). But Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves and faith wilted, allowing the opposite force of fear to grip him. How often we take our eyes off of Jesus and allow the words of people, the thoughts satan brings us and circumstances and situations, to get us in to fear. 

We need to get into our Bibles and saturate ourselves with the word of God so that we are fear proof and full of faith (Rom 10:17). But, how merciful God is, he reached out and saved Peter. The word says God will never allow us to be tempted or tried more than we can handle but will always provide the way out (1 Cor 10:13). As Jesus and Peter got back into the boat the storm ceased. 

Get Jesus in to your boat (life) and trust him and you can experience his miracle power to get your through the storms of life. Praise God. Preached myself happy again.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com