She stands on that gigantic stage and accentuates with her arms to punctuate her points. And you can hear a pin drop in the room because at the core of each one of us, we are aching for joy.
And she explains how it is possible.
No matter what you’re facing, as long as thanks to God is possible, then joy in God is always possible.
She says it with passion and sincerity, out of a life of living.
Wield the pen like a sword in the dark. Write thanks. And get joy.
She smiles wide and explodes with this joy, and tells us it can be ours for the taking, if we dare.
God’s not out to get you, He’s out to love you.
Dare to let yourself be loved.
Nothing can overwhelm you like His grace can overtake you.
Because His mercy and goodness are pursuing you with passion.
I sit in the darkened stadium, my hand cramping from the note-taking pace. And I’m with her. I’m hungry for joy, and in need of strength.
I piece it together in my mind again, and it really can revolutionize my life if I let it.
If I give thanks, then I get joy . . . and the joy of the Lord is my strength.
When she’s done, she walks off the stage in her rainbow socks and red speaking boots, and leaves a mark on my heart from her words.
I’ve been reminded again, I don’t have to settle for feeling weak. Because joy and strength can be mine. And it can be yours too, right now. We only need to stop, and dare to give thanks.
We clap as she disappears behind the curtain almost as fast as she arrived.
And I am reminded of exactly what I’m thankful for.
Mercy found me because God made a way.
I am His, and He is mine,
And I’m not guilty anymore.
I’m not broken anymore.
The lights in the stadium change, and the next item on the agenda begins.
But as I’m seated, I hear Him whisper it to my heart:
I love you. Mercy is yours.
And I bow my head and smile.
And feel the strength of all the joy flooding right in.
You’re Not Guilty Anymore
You’re Not Guilty Anymore
Doesn’t matter what you’ve done Doesn’t matter where your coming from Doesn’t matter where you’ve been Hear me tell you “I forgive” You’re not guilty anymore You’re not filthy anymore I love you Mercy is yours You’re not broken anymore You’re not captive anymore I love you Mercy is yours Can you beleive that this is true? Grace Abundant I am giving you Cleansing deeper then you know All ways paid for long ago You’re not guilty anymore You’re not filthy anymore I love you Mercy is yours You’re not broken anymore You’re not captive anymore I love you Mercy is yours There is now therefore no comdemnation to those who are in Jesus You’re not guilty anymore You’re not filthy anymore I love you Mercy is yours You’re not broken anymore You’re not captive anymore I love you Mercy is yours You are spotless You are Holy You are faultless You are Whole You are Righteuss You are blameless You are pardoned You are MINE! You’re not guilty anymore You’re not filthy anymore I love you Mercy is yours You’re not broken anymore You’re not captive anymore I love you Mercy is yours
Won’t you give thanks and embrace the joy?
What are you thankful for today?
I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to just write. The challenge is to write with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:
Joy…
This post was beautifully written!! Dropping in from FMF, and I’m SO glad that I did! The Lord has INDEED done great things for us and has filled us with HIS joy!!
Counting my gifts too! Thankful today for my husband and the godly decisions he makes!
Thank you for the reminder of finding strength in his joy and being thankful. Today we are FMF neighbours.
You write this with such a full heart, and it blesses. We are singing a song for our Easter program called “It Is Done.” The magnitude of what that means to us, all the guilt and shame gone forever, can’t be measured. It’s just as you’ve so beautifully said – Joy!
What a gift to experience, friend! Yes, I’m choosing joy with you! Beautiful heart, beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. I think when we get to listen in to the whispers God speaks to someone else’s heart, it tunes our ears to better hear when the Spirit speaks to ours. So glad I saw your sweet face over at FMF and decided to click over.
I could feel the power from your words. What a blessing.
Yes, He really has, hasn’t he? So much. So glad you stopped in!
Yes! Counting with you…always counting. What a gift!
Hi neighbor! So nice to meet you. May your weekend be blessed and FULL of joy!
Gone. Forever. Yes! It is so overwhelming to try to wrap our minds around, isn’t it? Almost like it’s a daily choice to accept His generous gift again and again. Oh how He loves us so. xo
Thank you for your kind words Becky. And I think you are so right. Yet one more reason we should share Him with the world, because what we hear may likely bless another heart too. Much love to you, friend! xo
Thank you Casey…so much. Blessings to you!