Holy Week - V

Good Friday as a child went something like this: Morning Worship at church. Home for lunch/dinner - sent to our rooms from 12-3 (hours there was drakness on Calvary's hill) to read the story of the cross in all 4 gospels. Back to church for holy communion in the evening. I remember one year telling my "Holly Hobbie" dolls that it was a serious day and turning them down on their faces for the observance of Good Friday! :-) Anyway we knew it was important to remember what Jesus did for us at Calvary. Of course, it is important to remember that daily but the season affords some additional focus on the MAIN THING in our lives!

I remember one particular Holy Week when there was grief in my heart over the loss of a beloved friend, and while in a prayer service the words "At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light and the BURDEN of my heart rolled away..." Jesus reminded me that He was the "Burden bearer" and He would roll my burden of grief away.

I'd like to encourage you today - whatever is heavy on your heart, whatever your burden of care might be, bring it to the cross, bring it to Jesus and let Him roll your burden away.

Kneel at the cross, leave every care,
Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there.
Joyfully,
Ruth Joy Capozzi
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week - V

Good Friday as a child went something like this: Morning Worship at church. Home for lunch/dinner - sent to our rooms from 12-3 (hours there was drakness on Calvary's hill) to read the story of the cross in all 4 gospels. Back to church for holy communion in the evening. I remember one year telling my "Holly Hobbie" dolls that it was a serious day and turning them down on their faces for the observance of Good Friday! :-) Anyway we knew it was important to remember what Jesus did for us at Calvary. Of course, it is important to remember that daily but the season affords some additional focus on the MAIN THING in our lives!

I remember one particular Holy Week when there was grief in my heart over the loss of a beloved friend, and while in a prayer service the words "At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light and the BURDEN of my heart rolled away..." Jesus reminded me that He was the "Burden bearer" and He would roll my burden of grief away.

I'd like to encourage you today - whatever is heavy on your heart, whatever your burden of care might be, bring it to the cross, bring it to Jesus and let Him roll your burden away.

Kneel at the cross, leave every care,
Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there.
Joyfully,
Ruth Joy Capozzi
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week III

"O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow thro' the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be."
~~~George Matheson

Joy / Pain - Strange words in the same sentence. Yet they go together. "Jesus...who for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Joy is not a temporary emotion - but rather a confidence of knowing the outcome.

Holy Week is a time when we remember the "pain" our sin cost the Savior at Calvary - how He could endure that pain, not forgetting the JOY set before Him is not something we can easily comprehend.

The writer to the Hebrews goes on to say if it was possible for Christ to endure such suffering - surely we can endure whatever "suffering" in our lives for His dear sake.  We too have a goal - HEAVEN - we know the outcome! Sometimes we need to adjust our focus. Therefore, don't lose heart - lift up the hands that hang down - make straight paths for your feet - follow JESUS! The outcome is sheer JOY!

Joyfully,
Ruth Joy Capozzi
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week III

"O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow thro' the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be."
~~~George Matheson

Joy / Pain - Strange words in the same sentence. Yet they go together. "Jesus...who for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Joy is not a temporary emotion - but rather a confidence of knowing the outcome.

Holy Week is a time when we remember the "pain" our sin cost the Savior at Calvary - how He could endure that pain, not forgetting the JOY set before Him is not something we can easily comprehend.

The writer to the Hebrews goes on to say if it was possible for Christ to endure such suffering - surely we can endure whatever "suffering" in our lives for His dear sake.  We too have a goal - HEAVEN - we know the outcome! Sometimes we need to adjust our focus. Therefore, don't lose heart - lift up the hands that hang down - make straight paths for your feet - follow JESUS! The outcome is sheer JOY!

Joyfully,
Ruth Joy Capozzi
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week - II

"O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths
Its flow may richer fuller be."
~~George Matheson


Extravagant love! What parent is willing to volunteer thier child for the good of others? Yet GOD who is rich in mercy, sent HIS only beloved Son to die in our place and pay the penalty for our sins! Extravagant love! It is personal!

Such love requires a response from our hearts. As a parent delights in the loving expressions of their child - so our heavenly Father delights in our expressions of love and adoration. Spend some time lovin' on Him today and let HIM love on you! "Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there"!

Joyfully,
Ruth Joy
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week - II

"O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths
Its flow may richer fuller be."
~~George Matheson


Extravagant love! What parent is willing to volunteer thier child for the good of others? Yet GOD who is rich in mercy, sent HIS only beloved Son to die in our place and pay the penalty for our sins! Extravagant love! It is personal!

Such love requires a response from our hearts. As a parent delights in the loving expressions of their child - so our heavenly Father delights in our expressions of love and adoration. Spend some time lovin' on Him today and let HIM love on you! "Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there"!

Joyfully,
Ruth Joy
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week - I

I love Holy Week. Holy Week provides us another opportunity to do what Jesus asked us to at the last supper, "remember me"! That the Son of God, Creator of the Universe, should need to ask us to "remember Him" is astounding! Yet sadly, our lives often are so cluttered with "life" that we really do need to be reminded to "REMEMBER HIM" The sacrifice of Calvary: an extravagant outpouring of God's love for mankind!


Remember:
God is not willing that any perish, but that ALL come to repentance.
God has literally moved heaven and earth to demonstrate His love towards us through the sacrifice on Calvary of His only beloved Son.
The cross of Calvary is an available (24/7) open resource to all who BELIEVE.

Theses words from an old chorus are a good reminder too:
Kneel at the cross, leave every care,
Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there.


When is the last time you humlby knelt at the cross?
Let's take some time this week to do just that - JESUS will meet you there!
Bring EVERY care/weight/sin - JESUS will meet you there!
Joyfully,
Ruth Joy
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Holy Week - I

I love Holy Week. Holy Week provides us another opportunity to do what Jesus asked us to at the last supper, "remember me"! That the Son of God, Creator of the Universe, should need to ask us to "remember Him" is astounding! Yet sadly, our lives often are so cluttered with "life" that we really do need to be reminded to "REMEMBER HIM" The sacrifice of Calvary: an extravagant outpouring of God's love for mankind!


Remember:
God is not willing that any perish, but that ALL come to repentance.
God has literally moved heaven and earth to demonstrate His love towards us through the sacrifice on Calvary of His only beloved Son.
The cross of Calvary is an available (24/7) open resource to all who BELIEVE.

Theses words from an old chorus are a good reminder too:
Kneel at the cross, leave every care,
Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there.


When is the last time you humlby knelt at the cross?
Let's take some time this week to do just that - JESUS will meet you there!
Bring EVERY care/weight/sin - JESUS will meet you there!
Joyfully,
Ruth Joy
http://www.joy-bringer-ministries.org/

Jesus Calls Us

Myriad voices clamor earnestly and unceasingly for our attention! WHO are we listening to?


"Tweet, tweet, tweet, ringtone, ringtone, ringtone, beep, beep, beep, ding, ding, ding, Mom, Mom, Mom, Hon, Hon, Hon, ......."


From:
TV
Ipod
News Media
Magazines
Newspaper
Blogs
Twitter, FB, MySpace, etc.
Entertainers
Sports
Politicians
Economists
Health Alerts


Has there ever been such a time of CLAMOR for our attention?


How about God's voice? tweet, tweet.....this is God speaking..... "delete" ? ? ? "skip" ? ? ?


How about the voices within:
I'm not important
My life does not matter
I'm basically blowing it
I'm definitely on plan x, y or z certainly not "A" anymore
I'm ugly
I'm too fat
I'm worthless
and on and on those voices drone....


Here's actually a hopeful thought!

"Jesus calls us; over the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying "Christian, follow Me."



"As of old the apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus' sake. "



"Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, Saying, "Christian love Me more."



"In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love Me more than these."



"Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all."
~~Cecil F. Alexander, 1818-1895



It's an old hymn from the hymnbook but the words are comforting!



Ever notice that when God was preparing to send His Son into the world He sent "A VOICE"... out in the dessert saying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord..." That "voice" was John the Baptist whose message was "Repent, the Kngdom of Heaven is at hand."
Anybody listening?


A VOICE? God who could send lightening bolts, whirlwinds, earthquakes, etc., starts with.... a VOICE?



Clearly all the social networking in our world make it obvious that people love to be heard and have a lot to say!
Anybody listening?



Later, in Jesus' life while He was transfigured on the mountain top with 3 of His disciples, the Father spoke from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, HEAR HIM."!
Anybody listening?



Astounding that the God of Heaven and Earth should need to tell us that we need to listen to HIM! Is it possible that we could go on living our lives without listening to God? While it seems like a "no brainer" to me - I see clearly in the world all around me that listening to God and for His sweet voice has become a lost art. Our lives are so full of so much other noise that who even has time to think about listening for God to speak? Actually, it may be the most important voice of all!
Anybody listening?



So I ask, whose voice ARE you listening to? When is the last time you actually heard the "sweet sound of HIS voice" speaking to YOU personally? Hearing God speak is not just for some strange "mystical" creatures but rather for each and every one of us. Clearly being "heard" is a basic human need. Let's take it a step further and say clearly, it must be a "God need" as well - to be heard! No surprise there either since we were created "in His image." :-)



HOW- that is the question!
Start with reading God's Word -
Pray - ask Him to speak to you as you read
Listen - !
Remember the little song from Kindergarten - "STOP - LOOK - LISTEN, those are the three commands, You must stop and look and listen, ......" ?
Same with God - STOP - LOOK - LISTEN!
When we desire to hear His voice He speaks!
Anybody listening?



I pray we will all grow in our desire to HEAR the voice of the Lord - however He may choose to reveal it to us today!

Joyfully yours,
Ruth Joy
www.joy-bringer-ministries.org

Jesus Calls Us

Myriad voices clamor earnestly and unceasingly for our attention! WHO are we listening to?


"Tweet, tweet, tweet, ringtone, ringtone, ringtone, beep, beep, beep, ding, ding, ding, Mom, Mom, Mom, Hon, Hon, Hon, ......."


From:
TV
Ipod
News Media
Magazines
Newspaper
Blogs
Twitter, FB, MySpace, etc.
Entertainers
Sports
Politicians
Economists
Health Alerts


Has there ever been such a time of CLAMOR for our attention?


How about God's voice? tweet, tweet.....this is God speaking..... "delete" ? ? ? "skip" ? ? ?


How about the voices within:
I'm not important
My life does not matter
I'm basically blowing it
I'm definitely on plan x, y or z certainly not "A" anymore
I'm ugly
I'm too fat
I'm worthless
and on and on those voices drone....


Here's actually a hopeful thought!

"Jesus calls us; over the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying "Christian, follow Me."



"As of old the apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus' sake. "



"Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, Saying, "Christian love Me more."



"In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love Me more than these."



"Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all."
~~Cecil F. Alexander, 1818-1895



It's an old hymn from the hymnbook but the words are comforting!



Ever notice that when God was preparing to send His Son into the world He sent "A VOICE"... out in the dessert saying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord..." That "voice" was John the Baptist whose message was "Repent, the Kngdom of Heaven is at hand."
Anybody listening?


A VOICE? God who could send lightening bolts, whirlwinds, earthquakes, etc., starts with.... a VOICE?



Clearly all the social networking in our world make it obvious that people love to be heard and have a lot to say!
Anybody listening?



Later, in Jesus' life while He was transfigured on the mountain top with 3 of His disciples, the Father spoke from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, HEAR HIM."!
Anybody listening?



Astounding that the God of Heaven and Earth should need to tell us that we need to listen to HIM! Is it possible that we could go on living our lives without listening to God? While it seems like a "no brainer" to me - I see clearly in the world all around me that listening to God and for His sweet voice has become a lost art. Our lives are so full of so much other noise that who even has time to think about listening for God to speak? Actually, it may be the most important voice of all!
Anybody listening?



So I ask, whose voice ARE you listening to? When is the last time you actually heard the "sweet sound of HIS voice" speaking to YOU personally? Hearing God speak is not just for some strange "mystical" creatures but rather for each and every one of us. Clearly being "heard" is a basic human need. Let's take it a step further and say clearly, it must be a "God need" as well - to be heard! No surprise there either since we were created "in His image." :-)



HOW- that is the question!
Start with reading God's Word -
Pray - ask Him to speak to you as you read
Listen - !
Remember the little song from Kindergarten - "STOP - LOOK - LISTEN, those are the three commands, You must stop and look and listen, ......" ?
Same with God - STOP - LOOK - LISTEN!
When we desire to hear His voice He speaks!
Anybody listening?



I pray we will all grow in our desire to HEAR the voice of the Lord - however He may choose to reveal it to us today!

Joyfully yours,
Ruth Joy
www.joy-bringer-ministries.org