refreshing joy

 Saturday, January 24, 2026 (5:15 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You!

I SLEPT! Really slept. Dreams and all. Seven whole hours. And then two more.

Father, thank You for the refreshing joy that took root in my soul as I recounted the ease with which both sleep and dreams came. Thank You Lord. Praise You Father.

Thank You for the opportunity of turning in Your Word to find more Truth and encouragement. Various translations teaching the importance of turning to You for strength. Joy. Peace.

Beginning with Nehemiah 8:10. Getting just a little bit closer to a better understanding of Your joy being my strength. And the importance of facing sadness.

(6:13 a.m.)

How perfect is this? Now I have Brandon Lakes sing Gratitude to my soul.

♪… Come on, my soul

Oh, don’t you get shy on me

Lift up your song

‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord♪

Talk about inner strength! Thank You Father.

Now I get to read in Acts (3:19). Worldwide English (New Testament). “Stop doing wrong things. Turn to God again. Then the wrong things you have done will be wiped away altogether. The Lord will give you a new start and make you very glad.”

I love the idea of a new start. And being very glad.

Thank You that You do these things for us Lord.

(6:55 a.m.)

As I continue my years long search for the version of Romans 15:13 I want most to quote, this morning I have narrowed it down to two. Christian Standard Bible and New International Standard Version.

Thank You God for so many possibilities.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (CSB).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

Seeing them both this close together, I am aware that the key differences between the two are just three words. Now. Believe. And trust.

Thank You for this opportunity dear Lord. Thank You also for the EasyEnglish Bible rendering.

“God is the One who causes us to hope for good things. I pray that God will bless you very much. I pray that He will cause you to be happy and believe in Him. As a result, God’s Holy Spirit will make you strong with His power, so that you hope even more certainly.”

Yes. Hope! To be happy and have peace. Thank You Father.

And then we come to Philippians 4:4. The apostle Paul’s plea to Your people in Philippi. “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, ‘Rejoice!’”

Delight. Take pleasure in. Be glad, happy, filled with joy. Celebrate. Revel.

I very much like what the The Message has to say in verses 4 and 5. “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”

Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me Lord that I will learn to celebrate You as You so rightly deserve. I love, need, trust and want You Father. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(600 words ~ 7:31 a.m.)