Read slowly and two times over...

You know when something is just so great and you cannot find the right words to describe it.  Mainly because you are so excited that there are a million words popping up in your head that you know if you were to say those words it would not come close to how you are actually feeling.  And then sometimes when you do try to say those words they get all mixed up and they get slurred together.  It happens to me quite a bit, and I have witnessed it a lot, it is pretty amusing.  I feel like this should be our response to the way we feel about our Heavenly Father.  Sometimes I cannot even say His name, because it just is too precious, to say His name is a honor to me.  Right now I feel as though I would not be able to describe for you my love for God simply because He is just working so powerful in my life that the best thing for me to do and to keep responding to Him, love Him deeply no matter the situation, and to never settle in my relationship with Him.
        It says in James 1:2, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."  Do you consider it pure joy when you are in a trial or do you consider it a curse?  The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:16, "However if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name."  There have been so many times in my life that I did not consider it pure joy when I was suffering, but the one thing that makes me feel better is just worshipping God and realizing that I am too small for all of this, and He has a great plan and greater purpose.  It is hard to consider it pure joy.  Because when we think of pure joy, it seems like that "pure joy" is an earthly item.  Such as a raise, a new car, a new house, a new video game.  Really we should have pure joy in all circumstances, and situations.  Pure joy comes from God. 
      The thing we tend to forget lies in this very verse..." I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."-Philippians 4:13 Paul and Timothy want us to know that with that word everything, they mean everything.  No grey areas, it is everything. 
      So my brothers and sisters let us consider it pure joy when we little money and a lot of Jesus in our life.  Let us find joy in using our spiritual gift.  Please let us always give God the glory!  Find God in all circumstances, because He is there.

Bring Him Praise,
Kelsey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt59GR64Ivk<-- Listen to me!