Is Jesus celebrating with you?

Today, I read day 53 of "Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only" by Beth Moore. It's a devotional book that requires some interaction- but nothing as intense as Mrs. Moore's Bible study. It really is a great book!

The Scripture reading is Luke 10:17-24, and 70 disciples have returned to Jesus after being sent and accomplishing their mission. What a celebration! Jesus was "full of joy through the Holy Spirit!" Moore explains, in discussing the original language, "The word for Jesus' joy is -agalliao- meaning 'to exult, leap for joy, to show one's joy by leaping and skipping, denoting excessive or ecstatic joy and delight.'"

Jesus was very likely literally jumping up and down, celebrating the success of the disciples' mission and reminding them the truest cause to celebrate is that their names were written in heaven!! 

All the work you may be doing for Christ is reason to celebrate- but don't forget to celebrate the exciting truth that if you have placed your faith in Him, YOUR NAME IS WRITTEN IN HEAVEN! You are bound for a perfect eternity in His presence! WOW! This is reason to celebrate!

Daily living for Christ sounds a lot easier than it is, sometimes. I'm the world's worst at getting bogged down by all my "to do's" and the struggles of dealing with issues we face. But my heart desire truly is to live in such a way that Jesus LEAPS FOR JOY over me! Isn't that a beautiful thought?

Guilty. And terrified by it!

I am soooooo guilty of this one... are you?

When's the last time you prayed earnestly for your kids? Why is it so easy to get wrapped up in the busy-ness of life and forget about the eternal impact we are having, whether we're working on it or not? Being a mom or dad is never easy, and it seems like I'm always behind on something- running from one event or activity to the next, never having time to slow down and process...
let me rephrase that- never TAKING time to slow down and process.

I came across (and updated) a little card that my friend Becky Patterson gave me a million years ago. Becky and I, along with Tonya Lee, had a really special season of life together. We were all moms of toddlers and pregnant at the same time. We spent time together every week, sometimes more than once, and we prayed together on a regular basis for our kids and for our husbands! I can tell you, those were some of the sweetest days of my life, to date! What a blessing to have Christian friends who spent time praying for me and for my family...

This little card is entitled "How to Pray for your Children" and it goes something like this:

Pray that...
1. They will know Christ as Savior early in life!
2. They will have a hatred for sin.
3. They will be caught when guilty of sin.
4. They will be protected from the evil one in all areas of their lives.
5. They will respect those in authority over them.
6. They will desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong friends.
7. They, as well as their future mate, will be kept pure until marriage.
8. They will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one.
9. They will totally submit to God and resist Satan in all circumstances.
10. They will be single-hearted and willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ!
11. They will be a witness for Christ to the world!

I have printed a bunch of these cards, and they are at the church for anyone who wants to pick one up to tuck into your Bible, the visor of your car, or tape to your bathroom mirror! Join me in praying for your children (and Lord help me... please pray for mine too!)

:) love in Christ, tracy