Three simple words ~ Part 1

Three simple words.... finding - hope - joy. Three little words that can have a lot of meaning. I didn't even realize how much meaning when I chose them for my blog's title.

On my way to church the first Sunday of 2010 I asked the Lord to speak to me during the church service. Speak through the worship music, the message or a friend. Let it be encouraging, insightful or correcting. How or what wasn't as important as just hearing something from the Lord.

I was almost there when the thought came to me that maybe I should give Him the whole day to say something. No, He is God and could certainly figure out how to speak to me on such short notice. Silly me. Another thought came as I pulled into the parking lot - who am I to give the Lord a time limit? No, I was seeking not demanding. Silly Satan.

As I walked in to church the worship team had just started the first song. The words being sung encouraged me. They reminded me the Lord is with me in the good and hard times. He will not let go of me. I will continue to trust Him.

During the worship time the leader read Psalm 71:14. "But as for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more." The word "hope" stirred something in me. Yes, I will take a stand and praise the Lord because He is my hope!

The message that day was a recap of what the Lord had done during 2009 and the vision of where He was leading our church in 2010. I honestly didn't think I'd hear from the Lord during an informational type of message. Silly me.

The pastor read Psalm 51:10-12. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." The last verse especially stirred a desire for renewed joy in my life. And again a commitment to take a stand and live totally for Jesus. These verses have become my prayer for 2010.

I had asked the Lord to speak to me and He did. He spoke to me in that hour in more than one way that all fits together. He reminded me that as I go through life He is with me no matter what life brings. He inspired me to take a firm stand and never give up - hope. He encouraged me to seek - finding. He planted a desire for - joy.

Another thing the pastor said that morning was we should "draw a picture" in our minds of what our lives could be like in 2010 and then Just Do It. This statement and challenge made me really think. As I thought about it, I became excited about the future and what the Lord wants to do in my life. I have always had a heart for hurting people and love to encourage others. During the past year I have been so blessed by some blogs I have been reading and was now thinking of starting my own blog.

So, I am going to - Just Do It! And do it with Hope & Joy, because He won't ever let me go and is leading the way!