I was listening to my Audio Bible this week when something about the Scripture occurred to me.
Joshua.
In Exodus, GOD was speaking on the mountain and the children of Israel cried to Moses. They said they did not want GOD to speak to them, instead, let Moses be the go between. How sad!
Alternatively, the elders of Israel met with GOD, ate with GOD (jealous yet?) and talked with GOD. I can just imagine the elders dipping and their hands brushing GOD's Hand! Wait, how can you be normal after that? You've got to be supernatural after such an encounter!
I envied those who ate with GOD. Father Abraham fed GOD. That is even a step higher. To feed GOD. Meaning, you cooked and GOD agreed to eat the food.
Then, we come to Joshua. heyyy! I am excited to watch them. Because it seemed as though while others were crying and running from GOD, Joshua saw GOD in another light. He served Moses, saw how righteous the man was, and wanted a little something of that awesomeness. He glanced at GOD and GOD glanced at him.
He lingered in the tent where Moses met with GOD, and the GOD WHO speaks volumes without saying one word, measured the man who was interrupting an intimate interaction with Moses. 
But Joshua was knocking, seeking permission to enjoy such intimacy with the GOD of the universe. He presented hunger, GOD, the greatest lover, most intimate romantic, and greatest FATHER saw the hunger for more of GOD in this...servant.
Oh, you missed that. Joshua was not an elder. No president. Not even an elected official. He was nobody. A servant. To Moses. See, when you serve divine greatness, if you show GOD (not the person you are serving, but GOD) your hunger unashamedly, GOD will satisfy that hunger, with or without the approval of who you serve.
A servant, who approached GOD, not with a heart ready to reject GOD or be afraid of HIM, but with a heart hungry to embrace WHO GOD is, was allowed to be in an intimate space with GOD.
Oh, what a rare privilege!
The elders ate with GOD but it ended there. Joshua lingered with GOD and got the whole package!
A servant can approach GOD and be accepted of HIM! A nobody can approach GOD and be promoted by HIM! Hunger is not only a need, it is a password of access to GOD!
Joshua went on to become Israel's new leader appointed by GOD. But GOD and Joshua did not stop there. No. 
Joshua began working miracles. Joshua parted the Jordan. Joshua commanded the sun and moon to stand still for hours, maybe 12- 24 hours and the sun stood, obeyed the command of a man who became intimate with GOD.
Whatever happened between Moses and GOD that made them part the Red Sea, happened with Joshua and GOD and made them part the Jordan.
Joshua got what he wanted, intimacy with GOD. And all the good trappings that come with it. 
Today, I invite you to hunger for intimacy with GOD. GOD does not change. What HE does for one, HE does for another. If you would let HIM in today, open your heart completely, especially the places you struggle where you have been trying to do it on your own, then you will enjoy a slow dance of love with the ALMIGHTY GOD!
Next time you read Exodus 22-24, put yourself there. Say, "GOD, I want to get closer to YOU just like Joshua. I want to eat with you and talk with you like the elders of Israel. I want to walk with you and serve you like Moses. I want to cook for you like Father Abraham. I want to be who YOU designed me to be." 
And, if you pray that sincerely, GOD will answer you just like HE did the generations of HIS saints before you and I. 
Have a happy slow dance with GOD in holy reverence!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Love & Blessings,
Joy

Hello!
​
I love how the hues of Fall colors decorate trees! The thing with Fall is I'm not a fan of the wind nor of the cold. But the colors, are too pretty to ignore.
Yesterday, we talked about offense, how not to cause it, how to apologize, and how to move forward. Speaking of moving forward, the persecutor who died, we had the privilege of ushering their soul to JESUS before they passed so they made heaven. I don't delight in the death of anyone. The ultimate prize I get for anyone persecuting me, is the salvation of their soul. I accept no other compensation. Nothing like snatching that soul from the devil and saying, "no, you can't have that one!"

Can we talk about peace? I know everyone wants peace. There are seasons where it seems chaos surrounds, and it is only after then, that we value the peace we had before. Ever had a quarrel, and afterwards, realized peace was better than winning the argument?
The past decade has taught me that having my peace is more important to my mind than food. That having peace in my soul, knowing I hold no grudge and have nothing lurking or secret somewhere waiting for someone to uncover. I love my peace. And so does GOD.
GOD wants us to live in peace. JESUS said in Scripture, 'My peace I give you. Not as the world gives..."
What does that mean?
You won't find peace as a Christian in the accumulation of wealth, though that is not bad in and of itself. You won't find peace in the typical things the world does. You will find peace in CHRIST. Living at the center of JESUS' will would give you peace. Loving your enemies will certainly give you peace. Forgiving those who offended you, obeying an instruction from GOD, all that will give you peace.
But...what of when you already went the wrong direction. Is all hope lost? Not at all.
You can have turmoil because the enemy breached your life. Or someone close to you let the guard rail low and the enemy got in. You're not the only one impacting your life. You can be living holy, on diving purpose, loving your enemies, and then your spouse cheats on you, cracking open the door for the enemy to afflict your child.
There you are at four o clock in the morning, in the hospital, clinging to hope for your child through no fault of your own, a ripe situation for offense (giving the enemy a two-for-one unless you forgive).
What do you do when someone or something disrupts your peace through no fault of your own?
Take it to the LORD. The only PERSON I know who can restore lost peace is JESUS.
HE did it for me. It seemed impossible but HE did it and left me in awe. The people I helped stole my peace and when I got it back, I learned to lock the doors behind me and ask GOD before helping anyone to the degree I did before.
JESUS will do the same for you and help you get your peace back if you lost it. It may not be easy but HE will guide you. But you've got to follow HIS instructions this time to reach the desired destination. 
And when you get your peace back this time, don't let it go!
May THE LORD bless you and keep you, may HIS Face shine upon you, may THE LORD lift up HIS countenance upon you, and may HE be gracious unto you, may THE LORD give you peace. AMEN.

Hello!
​
I love how the hues of Fall colors decorate trees! The thing with Fall is I'm not a fan of the wind nor of the cold. But the colors, are too pretty to ignore.
Can we talk about peace? I know everyone wants peace. There are seasons where it seems chaos surrounds, and it is only after then, that we value the peace we had before. Ever had a quarrel, and afterwards, realized peace was better than winning the argument?
The past decade has taught me that having my peace is more important to my mind than food. That having peace in my soul, knowing I hold no grudge and have nothing lurking or secret somewhere waiting for someone to uncover. I love my peace. And so does GOD.
GOD wants us to live in peace. JESUS said in Scripture, 'My peace I give you. Not as the world gives..."
What does that mean?
You won't find peace as a Christian in the accumulation of wealth, though that is not bad in and of itself. You won't find peace in the typical things the world does. You will find peace in CHRIST. Living at the center of JESUS' will would give you peace. Loving your enemies will certainly give you peace. Forgiving those who offended you, obeying an instruction from GOD, all that will give you peace.
But...what of when you already went the wrong direction. Is all hope lost? Not at all.
You can have turmoil because the enemy breached your life. Or someone close to you let the guard rail low and the enemy got in. You're not the only one impacting your life. You can be living holy, on diving purpose, loving your enemies, and then your spouse cheats on you, cracking open the door for the enemy to afflict your child.
There you are at four o clock in the morning, in the hospital, clinging to hope for your child through no fault of your own, a ripe situation for offense (giving the enemy a two-for-one unless you forgive).
What do you do when someone or something disrupts your peace through no fault of your own?
Take it to the LORD. The only PERSON I know who can restore lost peace is JESUS.
HE did it for me. It seemed impossible but HE did it and left me in awe. The people I helped stole my peace and when I got it back, I learned to lock the doors behind me and ask GOD before helping anyone to the degree I did before.
JESUS will do the same for you and help you get your peace back if you lost it. It may not be easy but HE will guide you. But you've got to follow HIS instructions this time to reach the desired destination. 
And when you get your peace back this time, don't let it go!

Good evening!
Tonight, can we talk about offense?
Remember the person I mentioned I'd fallen on the ground begging GOD to ease their suffering due to divine judgement for persecuting my conversion to CHRIST? Well, GOD heard and answered my prayer. I learned someone provided them with a medication that eased their pain. That small ease led to them denying the things they'd done.
I was furious. I prayed for GOD to go ahead with every kind of punishment HE wanted to give them. GOD did. They did not live past a few weeks after that. 
I had thought GOD had gone overboard with HIS judgement. Their swift denial at a small easing of pain was enough proof that GOD never goes beyond. Which is why vengeance must be left to GOD. The person who told us was livid because they knew they heard a lie this time. I wasn't there at all. i was only updated by a third party. I learned they were shouting 'JESUS, have mercy on me, or forgive me' something like that. I realized they knew who was at the other end of the judgement they were going through.
But you know what? Forgiveness does not make Christians a walk over. Instant as you can imagine, when their persecution began, GOD issued divine judgement on them, and assigned an angel to carry it out. I saw the angel. I tried to chat him up the day judgement was declared. He is not the kind of angel you chat with. He is not wicked but GOD warned me to get out of the way.
Twenty years later, the judgement began. 
What am I saying? Don't dare touch a child of GOD. Ever. You will regret it. GOD says when you hurt a child of GOD you are touching the apple of HIS eye. You don't want to enter GOD's anger. At all. If you have offended a Christian, please be wise, do what I did. Go, find them, confess, ask for forgiveness until you get it. Then you can go.
Because when GOD says that whatsoever a Christian forgives is forgiven, and whatsoever they retain is retained, GOD means it. Stop stressing how they created the circumstances that led to this or that, go and confess. Right now.
Right this hour.
Because if you die, you will have things to answer for and risk hell when all you had to do was to confess and ask for forgiveness.
It is not easy confessing. It is the hardest thing to do. It will humble you. But at the end, your soul will be saved.
Someone who got me real good for years with their negative words and had me in tears constantly, each time they said something negative, GOD would do a miracle about that insult, and in such a way they'd know. They stopped talking. Furious, but silent. They learned I'm not alone. I have a GOD, the GOD, who does not sleep or slumber, and answers every insult! Not just for me but for you when you let HIM.
My point?
If your parent offended you, and you bantered words, please go and ask for forgiveness. GOD will handle them and their fault. If your spouse, ex, co-habitant, child, employee, boss, whoever says you hurt them, go and tell them THIS VERY HOUR that you are sorry. "I am sorry for offending you. I was wrong when I xxxx. Please forgive me." Say this and whether they forgive you or not, it is now between them and GOD.
We always shine the light on where others failed us and hide where we failed others. If you think you could have done better with your child, tell them so. Advise them the better way to go. Even better, show them the way to CHRIST when they see HIM in you.
The road to heaven is narrow, satan plants plenty of offenses along the way. Avoid the ones you can. If you fall, ask GOD and receive the courage to admit to GOD and those concerned, verbally and humbly, that you fell. Then GET BACK UP. Self pity, and languishing in guilt does not look good on you! 
Get back on track but not until you have done the above.
It is scary how good Heaven keeps records in video form. You do not want your time on earth to be replayed in heaven for all to see and you failed because you tried to sweep something under the carpet.
In the spirit realm, NOTHING is hidden. Both hell and heaven are watching. Because a war is going on. And, it will never be said that Heaven won the wrong way.
Who is heaven?
You.
Me.
Every saved Christian living in a state of holiness. 
Live like you know you have more to gain now and in the life to come.
If you see me groveling for forgiveness at the feet of someone tomorrow, I'm not stupid. I know exactly what is at stake. And my pride will not stand in the way. I will burn pride to get to the cross everyday, crying, 
"Forgive me LORD, for I know not what I do!"
What about you? Choose wisely. No one knows their last day on earth. Don't dare hurt a Christian. Their LORD will visit you with vengeance and you will be sorry. If you are a Christian, please live like a pilgrim. Watch, pray, watch harder.
I love you, but JESUS loves you the most!

Good evening!
Two years ago. The time was about 2a.m. I was restless. I had come to remember something I'd thought about someone dear to me that was not good and felt pressed to confess to them. If I did, chances were high that would ruin the relationship I priced irreversibly. I could not go back bed.
GOD had called me into ministry. satan had begun frequenting my house and attacking me. I knew if I didn't deal with this sin soon, if the enemy showed up, it would see the opening made by sin into my life and take me out. 
The clock was ticking. Oh, how i fought that confession! I loved this person so much their spouse knew I was their junior friend. They were older, more influential, but each time my divine destiny or my life was in jeopardy, they had the right word or action for me. 
How could I hurt one I loved so? The clock was ticking. I didn't dare take chances. So, I caved. I messaged them, but didn't really tell the truth. They may have replied with something like, no worries. But I knew the real truth had not come out. Finally, after several successive messages, the truth did make it's way out. I'm not even sure I'd summoned enough courage to tell the whole entire truth but I did the best I could. It hurt real bad. I waited. They said to me, go to bed. 
That was the last kind word. 
The next time i saw them in church, I could see the wrestle caused by the pain I caused them. I suspected they were struggling with the decision to not revenge.
Eventually, they caved. But not in the way you'd think. They didn't try to sabotage my present. From where I sat, it seemed they went into the future to process their sabotage in revenge. I watched but said nothing to them.
What they didn't know was that GOD was already punishing me. The area of their life where I had offended them, GOD took a big 'cane' and I knew I deserved that punishment. The punishment/rebuke/chastisement from the LORD is not over even today. I did not complain. GOD is my FATHER, and HE and i have an understanding that I would rather HE dealt with a flaw in me here than let it drag me to hell.
But, this dear senior friend did not know that. When they looked at my life, it seemed perfect, untouched by the emotional pain I had caused them which was far from the truth. I suffered, and publicly too, for what I had done except that the only ones who knew what the punishment was, was GOD and I. Meaning, everything they did to sabotage my future, they will be held accountable for.
Because they did not trust GOD to revenge for them even when GOD did.
It is the same in your life. GOD has dealt revenge for me to people whom I knew and did not know offended me. Sometimes, GOD would handle them then let me know what had happened. 
I learned to forgive and let GOD judge and revenge for me after watching how GOD does it. Because you didn't create someone, you don't know how they hurt to the degree they hurt you.
But GOD does. Leaving judgement and vengeance to GOD means you don't go overboard and then have things to answer for on judgement day. It also means you trust GOD.
There is no hurt or pain or offense you cannot leave to GOD, even murder. GOD says HE owes no man. Each person on earth receives justice both when they are alive and when they are gone. GOD will make sure on judgement day when anyone complains that you see how HE punished the person who offended you.
When GOD declared judgement against someone who persecuted me for my salvation, when that judgement began, I was the one who sank to my knees on the hallway, begging GOD that their suffering was enough. Those I'd confessed past sins to, they were the ones who went to the altar to pray for GOD to save my life when satanic attacks nearly took me out in January this year. 
GOD has more tools in HIS toolkit than you know. You can never move on until you forgive completely. You can never see clearly when vengeance coats your gaze and drives your choices.
I have been forgiven a lot by GOD and man. I have forgiven a lot too. In all, I've learned to be careful not to offend, but not shy to speak the truth when I see oppression. 
It's a balancing act only GOD can help us with. It may not be easy. Some forgiveness took me three years to get to the point of forgiving them. But you know you have forgiven when you mention their name in the place of prayer and there is no twinge in your heart.
Have you forgiven (1) ALL, (2) COMPLETELY, (3) never to mention the offense again?

Forgive. Please. Quit revenge. Stop repeating what happened to every ear. Love again. Grace to you in JESUS name, AMEN!
Love,
Joy