. . . be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. . . (2 Timothy 2:1, ESV )​ Click here to share this beautiful verse on Facebook. Click here to download today’s free Bible verse card. The term “the grace that is in Christ Jesus”, speaks of divine influence upon a heart, and its reflection in your life. The redemptive work of Christ on the cross is what allows repentant sinners to receive God’s forgiveness for sin and be restored to right standing with Him. Grace- what an undeserved and amazing gift! Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.  Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The words of this favorite old hymn by John Newton speak to God’s transforming power in his life. After years as a hardened slave trader, the “wretch” met Jesus Christ, and his life abruptly changed, so that he preached the very gospel which he had long despised. The following words were attributed to Newton when

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3, ESV) The twenty-third Psalm is written by David, known for being a shepherd as a young man.  His choice to use this example of ‘the Lord is my Shepherd’, was a personal one to him. David understood intimately that the Lord tenderly and gently cares for His sheep. Click here to share this beautiful verse on Facebook. Click here to download today's free Bible verse card. The word ‘restores’ in Psalm 23 implies being refreshed and rescued. He knew the Lord would refresh his soul, the part of a person which perceives, reflects, feels, and desires.  What a beautiful picture of the rescue we need when our soul is weary or crushed! The beautiful hymn, It Is Well With My Soul, was written by Horatio Spafford in 1871, after his four daughters, along with 246 others, died when the ship which was taking them to England sank in the Atlantic Ocean.  This was a man who had a broken heart that needed to be refreshed! These meaningful words reveal the power

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV) There is the word “fear” again!  Do you wonder why it shows up so many times in the Bible?  Could it be that God understands how fear can immobilize us, destroying the abundant life He has for us? Friend, fear is a joy-robber. The word ‘dismayed’ means to be crushed or in despair. When God says He will ‘strengthen’ you, He is saying He will fortify you and help you to be courageous!  ‘Uphold’ means to sustain or keep fast. Click here to share this on Facebook. Click here to find the free iJOY smartphone lock screen version on Instagram. Do you struggle with fear?  Do you live in despair because of fear?  Does it feel like you will never conquer and be able to move on with your life?  This verse was directed to God’s people, the Israelites, but is applicable to us today as well.  In the New Testament, the apostle John tells us, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love

Sometimes when I’m busy making plans, what I’m really looking for is hope. Hope. How about you? “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV) No matter what you’re facing today, this is true: Tomorrow is a new day. His mercies are new every morning. Don’t you just love meditating on the hope-filled, merciful character of God? He is tenderhearted and full of loving-kindness toward us… toward YOU. Do you believe it? Sometimes the lies of the enemy and this world threaten to weaken our faith and rob our joy. BUT GOD… When you are a believer in Jesus you are made new and your life is filled with purpose, hope and JOY! (Amen, hallelujah!) As we walk through this life with eyes fixed on Jesus, He teaches us to abide in Him. We abide and grow by reading the Word of God and through prayer. These practices, done in obedience to the Lord, create healthy soil for the Holy Spirit to produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control! I want my life to