Beyond Joyful!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015 (6:10 a.m.)

Holy, Glorious God,

Thank You! Thirty-eight years ago today mistakes were made. Youthful immaturity [and alcohol] were involved. Today we have declared “Do-over Day”. Thank You Father. Thank You for a love that has withstood all these years of youthful immaturity.

Thank You even more for the moment by moment do-overs You give us constantly. I woke up singing ♫To God be the glory – great things he hath done!♫

♫So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin And opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory – great things He Hath done!♫

One great thing for us is the work You have done in each of our hearts throughout the years. Softening us. Changing us.

Okay. Now I have tears. I thought reading Psalm 126 was enough to confirm us as being on the right track. It was the Scripture linked to this morning's hymn. My head nodded. I agree with what is written in and about it.

Ah, but I kept praying. Mentioned You softening our hearts. And Ezekiel 36:26 tells of You taking out our stony heart of sin and giving us a new obedient heart. Tears. More tears. Because You don't stop there. “And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command” (v. 27)

Father, there is NO way we can ever thank You enough. We would not be who or where we are today if not for You. You deserve all the glory and praise for keeping us together through all the youthful immaturity. Thank You.

Thank You that I have an opportunity to let go of a lot of unnecessary items today. In both of these passages of Scripture I am reminded of the power and strength we have in You. There is Truth and hope in all I am reading this morning.

Psalm 126:3, “Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”

That truly needs to be the verse that sums us up! You have absolutely done these amazing things for us. We are walking testaments to Your goodness and Your grace. Work in me as You must this day. Empower and enable me to let go of stuff we just don't need anymore.

The above verses from Ezekiel began with Your promise, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols” (36:25).

The Life Recovery Bible comment for these three verses (25-27) begins with the question, “How can any individual please God?” We can't. Thank You that we get to come to You repeatedly. Asking for do-overs.

“We have experienced how helpless we are against the destructive evils in our life, but these verses should fill us with hope.” And they do! “As we respond to God's gracious provision of forgiveness and restoration, God promises to give us a new obedient heart and fill us with His Spirit so that we can make right decisions that follow God's program.” Yes God. Please.

So. As we work together this morning to celebrate our newly commemorated “do-over day”, fill us with Your laughter and joy. Do all You must to restore the disarray of this household. Truly transform us into walking demonstrations of Your holiness and ability.

You are our Source. It is in and through You that we are blessed. The Voice says Psalm 126:3 this way, “We shook our heads. All of us were stunned - the Eternal has done remarkable things for us. We were beyond happy, beyond joyful.”

We've been shaking our heads all these years. Thank You for bringing us to Beyond Joyful! Thank You Father. Bless You. Praise You. We love You. Use us. “Happy Do-over Day!” Amen.

(685 words ~ 7:20 a.m.)