Joy is the vaccine against the spiritual virus of discontent. “Grumbling and complaining against God’s provision is complaining against God Himself.” –The Encounter With God devotional. As I pondered that powerfully convicting statement, God reminded me that He calls us to CHOOSE JOY.

Jesus calls us to higher ground. “…Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.” – John 16:23, 24 (NAS)

Like Moses, we can find ourselves discontent with God’s marching orders—not trusting in God’s Almighty arm of protection and His provision. It’s a continuous daily lesson we must learn, isn’t it?

For Your Joy-filled Medicine Cabinet

• JOY at salvation — Luke 19:6-10 – The story of Zaccheus
• JOY at baptism — Acts 8:36-39 – The story of Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch
• JOY in reading the Word of God — Jeremiah 15:16 – Jeremiah’s prayer
• JOY in prayer — John 16:24 – Jesus’ promise
• JOY in trials and troubles – James 1:2 – James’ instruction
• JOY in persecution – Acts 5:41 – Peter & the apostles boldly testified their faith. This is after their “punishments”.
• JOY in dying as a believer – Acts 20:22-24 – Paul’s Ephesus speech, as he left for Jerusalem

“And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit, solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I man finish my course, and the ministry which I receive from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20:22-24 (NAS)

In 1987, those were the verses that called me to the mission field. I pray they will be your heart’s cry to God as well!

Many, many times, I have wanted to give up. To throw in the towel. To walk away. But even in the many, many trials and terrors and challenges that faced me in those years and since then, I have discovered that the Vaccine of Joy continues to be the best medicine through it all. Life is hard but God is good ALL THE TIME! No exceptions. No matter what is going on in your life, God will never ever let you down. He is steadfast and sure.

Willingly embrace the JOY vaccine and choose to walk away from the disease of discontent. Be healed, in Jesus’ Name.

Please pray with me:

Lord, keep me from a complaining spirit, so that I don’t spread a spiritual virus that infects others like wildfire. Guide me daily Lord, that I may act wisely to safeguard my contentment today. Remind me that when I complain against Your provision, I am actually complaining against YOU YOURSELF. Forgive me, Lord, whenever I take You for granted. When I don’t trust You fully. Whenever I forget to embrace my “daily bread” with joy and gratitude that everything comes from You, my Provider. My Protector. My Lord..

Philippians 2: 14-15 reminds me to do all things without grumbling or disputing; that I may prove myself to be blameless and innocent, a child of God above reproach, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom I desire to BE a light. Holding fast Your Word, Lord, so that in the day of Christ, I may bring You glory because I did not toil in vain.

Marantha! Come Lord Jesus!

Awaiting His shout,


Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

2 Corinthians 10:5

“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Walking in obedience to Christ doesn’t happen automatically when you give your life to the Lord. It actually begins in the mind. It begins with THINKING rightly.

“How much Christian work there is today which has never been disciplined, but has simply sprung into being by impulse!…We are apt to forget that a man is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation; he is committed to Jesus Christ’s view of God, of the world, of sin, and of the devil, and this will mean that he must recognize the responsibility of being transformed by the renewing of the mind.” –Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest devotional)

What is Godly wisdom?

It is “first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17) Right-thinking in life is not like a quick sprint in the park, and you’re then a perfect Christian. No. It is more like a marathon. Over time, and with practice, you have to train your brain to think rightly. You can’t let up, or your (brain) muscles get weak and flabby. Just like a long-distance runner, you must train for your brain for a marathon. Godly wisdom leads to Godly actions.

Godly wisdom is seldom valued

Seek it anyway. When Solomon became king, He asked God for wisdom. Perhaps he was mocked for having that goal of wisdom when he was still young. Even in today’s world, Godly wisdom is seldom valued. Gratefully, wisdom is not just for leaders or specially chosen people. It is for any who will ASK (with right motives). A word of caution about right motives: When we do desire wisdom, it is often out of selfish motives. We desire something we want or think we deserve. So, be sure to often check your motives before God.

Are you like Solomon?

It takes focused discipline to train your brain toward Christlikeness. Solomon began with right thinking: do it yourself God’s way. But then became more of a do it yourself (his own way), like Frank Sinatra’s song, “I Did it My Way”, kinda guy. He did many things God had expressly instructed NOT to do. Multiple pagan, idol-worshipping wives. Multiple horses. Pride in possessions. Self-indulgence. He was a THINKER, but chose to rationalize, and did whatever he FELT like doing. He did NOT bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. By the WORLD’s standards, he did great things, and accumulated great wealth and possessions, but was unwilling to give up his rights/his indulgences—rather, taking whatever his eyes gazed upon.

Jesus Christ is our example and our goal

Clarify carefully and set your mind on things above, not on things of earth, where moths and rust ruin them, anyway. Our goal is to make God’s top priorities our own. We are to joyfully give up our indulgences for the sake of what God calls us to. And to trust God with our needs (not our wants). He promises to meet our daily needs TODAY. (Jesus taught His disciples to pray: Give us THIS DAY our DAILY bread…)

How do we become people like that?

Not by seeking our own counsel. Not by finding someone who has the same mindset as we do. No matter how hard we try, we simply cannot change ourselves. Look afresh at your appointment book and bank account. What do they say about your priorities?

Self denial. Pain Can Be Opportunity

Perhaps we should see our need as an opportunity for God to show His greatness and grace and to demonstrate how blessings can be found even in pain. Often the answer comes in ways we do not expect, but which reach deeper—and so last longer—than our pre-packaged expectations. Ultimately God promises a place in His Kingdom.

It’s a Choice

It all begins with taking every thought captive. Bringing every thought into the presence of God. Developing the relationship with God so that it is the most natural thing in the world to seek His counsel in absolutely everything. GIGO is an old computer term.
( GIGO = Garbage in. Garbage Out.) It’s a reminder that our mind works a lot like a computer. Whatever we put into it must be deliberate and carefully monitored, so we don’t get an error message which makes the systems corrupted and no longer functioning as originally intended. Corruption can happen in just a single moment of carelessness.

Please pray (out loud) with me…

Loving Father, I don’t want to go my own way anymore. In the Name and authority of Jesus, the Christ, I am asking you give me wisdom. Please search me, and test my heart, so I may know, confess, and ask deliverance from whatever fear, anxiety, or wrong thinking or doing that I are holding onto. I don’t want to hold onto anything that could lead to wrong actions or words. I’m so grateful, Lord. Whenever I ask, you promise to give me the Godly wisdom I crave. Thank You that You never ever will forsake me and that You will show me the way to a closer walk with You. Daily. Beginning today.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts…lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

Maranatha. Come Lord Jesus.

Awaiting His shout,


Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com