Joseph Prince on the Feast of Trumpets.....

A Brand New Body At The Blast Of A Trumpet!  

1 Thessalonians 4:16
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

All over the world, Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Occurring usually in the month of September, this feast is celebrated with the blowing of trumpets — the shofar or ram’s horn. That is why it is also called the Feast of Trumpets.

The Jews observe seven feasts: The Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits,Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. The first four have been fulfilled literally by Jesus. He was the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), the bread of life (John 6:35) and the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20) And when Pentecost had fully come after His ascension, He sent us the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1–4)

So the next feast that we are waiting for Jesus to fulfill literally is the Feast of Trumpets. Why is this feast significant to us? Because when Jesus fulfills it, it means that we are going up to meet Him in the clouds!

I am talking about the rapture of the church. When the trumpet sounds, “in the twinkling of an eye”, we who are alive will be changed. We will put on new bodies that will be like Jesus’! Those who are dead in Christ will rise and also receive new bodies. They will go up first followed by us who are alive, and we will all meet the Lord in the air. (1 Corinthians 15:51–55)

This means that there is a possibility that you might not see death! The Bible says, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) It is one thing to happen to be alive, but quite another to remain alive.

I believe that there is a generation of Christians who know the resurrection power of the Lord. They know how to walk in their inheritance and put off sickness and death until the coming of the Lord. My friend, may you be counted as one of them as you take the Lord Jesus and His finished work as your victory over sickness and death!

© Copyright Joseph Prince, 2006. All rights reserved.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version ®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Rosh Hashanah......

Being that I am a homeschool mom, also an autodidact, I decided to research a day on the calendar we know little about. The school across the street from us will be off today in honor of Rosh Hashanah. Funny, I doubt many even understand the significance or value of this ancient tradition, myself included. 

I, personally, am thankful to not have to go to great lengths(proper food preparing, propering candle extinguishing, and more) to usher in a new year of blessing, keeping traditions, (such as properly sounding the shofar), performing ceremonies and having extensive laws to keep. However, at the same time seeing this particular Jewish holiday for what it is and understanding all the facets of their celebration, causes me to see, even more, the prophetic significance and how amazing this gift of grace really is!!!!!

Here is an article explaining the messianic significance, here is an overview of the day. Here's some of George Warnack's writings on the Feast of Trumpets. Check it out. 

Much grace and peace, and many rich blessings to you!!

Just for fun and cause I was in the mood.....

A little Abba for ya, and a trip down disco dancing lane for me!!

A cultic form of legalism........

Recently, I read this article by Terry Rayburn over at Grace for Life. 

Whoa, it sure hit the nail on the head in so many ways that related to my past church experience, and I thought I'd share it. 

A lot of folks are uncomfortable with calling certain churches a cult. Not me. The truth is these churches are turning themselves into cultish, cult-like organizations by living under the curse of the law. Bewitched, that's what Galatians says. Wouldn't you say, bewitched is pretty strong language?! 

Anyway, I am not fond of using the term cult to describe my former church or any other church for that matter. I find it to be a crying shame! Nor do I bring this topic up in any judgement. However, I do take this legalism very seriously, and must say it is destroying good people. Yes, destroying!! 

Here's a brief quote....."There is a form of legalism which is so subtle that most people wouldn't even notice that it's legalism at all. And yet it is extremely powerful. I mean “extremely powerful” in the sense that it is causes Christians to be fake, phony and stifled."

This was my experience, and in coming out of it, I learned all those I thought were my friends, no longer are my friends. I did not desire to lose relationships just because I left a church. But, sadly that is what happened. 

I appreciate Terry's advice at the end of his article on how to fight this legalism. Here it is:

 

1. First, walk in the Spirit. 

You be in fellowship with Jesus. You be filled with the Spirit. You commune with the Lord and practice His presence day by day. Without Him you can do nothing. But with Him nothing is impossible, including shaking off reservation legalism. This close fellowship with Christ is the foundation for the next two points. 

2. Be courageous. 

Always strive to be true to Scripture, but always have the courage to put your honest understanding of Scripture above what any person or group has established as politically correct. Even if they shun you. Even if they look at you funny. Even if they wonder about your faith. Die to self, and follow Jesus. Now there's someone who was off the reservation. 

3. Err on the side of love.

You won't do this thing perfectly. Love one another, in Christ. Be humble off the reservation. Don't flaunt your freedom. Don't be a rebel for rebellion's sake. Don't scoff at those who have not come to understand what you have. 

Don't be a grace Pharisee, pouncing on everyone for every single statement that could be seen as legalistic. Even though they may be wrong, graciously give them line upon line, precept upon precept, gently leading them toward the truth, as best you can. 

Perhaps the day may come when they join you "off the reservation". 

And that truly is my hope! That more and more would come to their freedom and Christ and fully live in it!! 

Holy is the Lord........

Another glimpse into one of the very joys of my life - this song, I simply adore it. I prefer Bethany Dillon's version, but alas, it is not available on Youtube. The bummer is you can't hear the amazing mandolin solo in this version. 

This song just captures a simple heart's cry that resonates with my own, and I just can't get enough of it!! I play it often in the car over and over, and my 3 year old sings it right along with me, at the top of his little lungs!! (His version is the cutest ever!!) 

So sing together with me today, of how Holy is the Lord, God almighty. Stand with me and lift up your hands, for the joy of the Lord is our strength!!! 

Many blessings, and much grace and peace to all who stop by today!!! (oh and I couldn't decide which version I liked better, so here's two for your listening and viewing pleasure.)

Receive your healing today!!!

You and I, we are meant to be whole! In spirit, soul and body! I am believing that I am becoming whole!! Lately, I have been believing God for my healing from asthma, allergies, chronic sinusitus, headaches, migraines, pain all down the right side of my body, eczema and some other issues with my health. Watching the Lakeland Revival, listening to great preaching and visiting a Healing Room have all been ignitors of my faith for my healing. Reading God's Word on the matter keeps my focus on my healing and inheritance steady! However, by my faith, confessions or efforts I will not be healed. It is only by believing in Jesus and what He has done for me!!! On the cross he carried my sickness and bore my infirmities!!

Over the past several months I have gradually seen an increase in wellness manifest in my body. Prior to that for 6 months straight I was sick all the time. Over the years I have struggled greatly with asthma, and sinus infections, especially in the fall, my favorite time of year no less. Lately though, I haven't experienced the usual fall sickness or symptoms!! Yahoo! I have felt quite healthy and am only getting healthier~! I no longer have sinus infections, migraines, headaches, aches all down the side of my body!! And I believe that one day I will wake up free from all the ailments that have been plaguing me for TOO LONG!!! I have heard this quote flying around that, "one day with sickness is one day too long!!"  I must agree. If God is not the author of sickness, we know who is, and I for one do not want to be linked in anyway to his schemes! 

So, I thought I'd share a bit of my journey into healing. Oh, and I personally haven't done a thing to change my own health, I'm just believing God on this!! My hope is to see more and more folks embrace their healing. After all it is your inheritance! Take it by storm if you have to - it's yours!!! I don't care if others aren't getting healed and that clouds your faith! (Not that I am saying I don't have compassion for those who aren't yet healed!!) Unfortunately, their reality or even your reality (with an illness) is not God's reality for you!!! I want to say to you don't give up! Do not fall into unbelief and accept your sickness!! I am not suggesting striving in any way, just listening to the word of God on this again and again until you believe it! 

That said, I must share a wonderful video teaching done by Bertie Brits. Thanks to Julie for finding this guy!! It is a wonderful grace filled teaching and I highly recommend checking it out today, don't wait! One more day with sickness is far too long!!! 

(When you click on the link, go to the bottom of the page to find the video teaching.........)

Upcoming Election.......

First, I have to make a disclaimer and say, I am not a politics kind of gal. I am blissfully ignorant when it comes to much of what is going on in the political realm. I know, some of you are saying shame on you! But, I'm just being honest. 

The most polictical involvement I've had was attending a rally yesterday in my hometown. McCain and Palin were in town, so of course I had to go check it out! 

Anyway, I shared a prophetic song awhile back by Julie Meyer that I found quite profound. Well, I just found another one on youtube that I thought was worthy of sharing. And quite timely considering the pending election. Check it out!

Fresh New Daily Mercies........FOREVER!!!!

Do you ever just wake up elated, happy as a kid on Christmas morning and are just bursting with joy for life, for the new day and to know that you are a child of God and so loved you can't even fathom how deep,wide, high is the reality of His Love for you????!!!!!!!

This is what waking up to mercies daily is to me. This feeling I feel today and often is what fresh mercy feels like. It's just bursting from inside of me! Like a river breaking through a dam!! 

I am not always aware of this intense joy, but today I became aware that God's mercies are certainly amazing enough to at least feel like jumping and shouting for joy!! I mean think about it, every single day, we get to wake up to a fresh start, new mercies, fresh grace!! If our past is just that, our past, we can go from glory to glory each day because of His fresh mercy! He wants us to always sense our life being redeemed!! Isn't that wonderful!! The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies NEVER come to an end, they are NEW EVERY morning, NEW EVERY morning, GREAT is HIS FAITHFULNESS! 

This is not just a song we sing on Sundays!  This is an amazing truth and reality that we get to live in!! Today, it just came into my spirit in a much richer and deeper way than ever before, and I feel so ALIVE!!  That's because HIS WORD is ALIVE! It's living and active!!! We should come to these points when we burst out, shout, dance for joy - because we have an amazing God, an amazing inheritance, an amazing reality! Isn't He so good! 

I hope to encourage, inspire and invigorate all who read here in the fresh mercies of the Lord for each new day!! Revel in this amazing truth with me today!!

Celebrate with me.........

This month marks the one year anniversary of my blog,  "A Joy to Be Me."  A year ago when I set out to initiate this here blog of mine,  I had no idea what I was getting myself into! It has been far more of a blessing in my life than I ever imagined, on  so many levels! One way I have been most blessed is through the community I have become a part of via the blog realm! I like to think of all my fellow bloggers out there kind of like the early church. Paul did interact with many churches in person, however a lot of his interactions were via letters too. I have found myself both encouraged in the Lord as well as provoked to think more deeply thanks to many of you who read and comment regularly. So here's a hearty thank you to all of you!! 

What I felt inspired to do this morning, is open up an invitation to everyone to share, celebrate and boast in all the goodness the Lord is doing in your lives. As you may well know, I love testimonies. I would really like to hear your testimonies. Anyone and everyone!! Share a revelation, a scripture that came alive to you, a victory God gave you, a healing, either physical, emotional, or spiritual. No matter how minor you may think your testimony may be, it's not too insignificant to share here.  Feel free to keep it brief, or to write a book! I just want the opportunity to rejoice together and to boast in all the Lord is doing in our lives! If you feel more comfortable, you can email me (lgrewell@gmail.com) and/or share anonymously. Or if you have already written a post with a testimony go ahead and link it in your comment!

Looking forward to hearing from you!! Grace and peace!!!

Never a dull moment.........

My family just returned from a vacation at the beach. Thus my silence. Life has been full and it seems as though my mind is so full with being a mommy that I can't even begin to think about what to share on my blog anymore! So I decided to share about my family and my life as a mommy, raising my little ones, and enjoying them to the fullest!! Some of those who read here may or may not know that we(or should I say "I") homeschool our boys! So, it's pretty crazy in my home! Never a dull moment, and my kids don't seem to need to sleep, ever!! I am consumed with caring for kids to the crack of dawn, 'til the sun goes down, on a daily basis........whew!!
There are so many ways that I learn more about God, and his love for me, just by being a parent. I am so in awe of the fact that God is infinitely patient. This is something I long to see develop in me. When I struggle with patience, which is every day, I just remember His divine patience with me! Thank you Lord!! Another, thing that I am beginning to see more in my life as a mom, is how to be fully accepting and understanding of my kids, especially when they are acting crazy or behaving badly. I am learning not to look at their outward behaviour, but instead trying to understand them and why they are troubled. I ask a lot of questions, and validate their fears and feelings, attempting to help them process life for themselves as well as make good choices. This is a never-ending wild ride - parenting!!
I love the privilege of being a parent, it's such an awesome gift!! At the same time, it's quite challenging. I wonder if God feels that way about His children.............

Delicate graceful reminders of simplicity and freedom.....

Hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbirds delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation.

I am beginning to rediscover myself. All the things I once loved and was passionate about, went somewhere by the wayside, during my stay in the ministry of death. Now that life has come back to me, I have re-awakened to the me that I really am!!

Butterflies, birds, hummingbirds, clouds, flowers, gardening, rainbows, nature calls to me! Somehow, I find out more about myself by connecting with God's creation! Maybe it's because in nature, things happen naturally!! Oh how I just want to be free to live free flowing and natural!! I think we can learn a lot from observing hummingbirds and various other creatures. They just are! They just do what they naturally know to do!! The Father promises to clothe and feed them!

"Where is the person who, on seeing this lovely little creature moving on humming winglets through the air, suspended as if by magic in it, flitting from one flower to another, with motions as graceful as they are light and airy, pursuing its course over our extensive continent, and yielding new delights wherever it is seen;--who, on observing this glittering fragment of the rainbow, would not pause, admire, and instantly turn his mind with reverence toward the Almighty Creator, the wonders of whose hand we at every step discover, and of whose sublime conceptions we everywhere observe the manifestations in His admirable system of creation?--There breathes not such a person; so kindly have we all been blessed with that intuitive and noble feeling--admiration!" 

~ John James Audubon

Joy for others......

Yesterday was my birthday. I believe it was the first year ever, maybe, that I just woke up really happy to be alive and enjoying this life God has granted me. I don't say that to sound morbid or pathetic, but every other year I was under the law, under condemnation and I didn't even realize it! So the best gift I received this year was to live in the joy of my freedom in Christ. Not only my freedom, but joy for others freedom as well.
I was blessed many times over to receive well birthday wishes and love from many friends near and far. One of the most unexpected blessings was a call from an old friend that I rarely talk to. I was filled with love and joy the whole conversation, and I think my heart sang all night long in my dreams. During this conversation I came to learn that my friend has come to live in freedom as well. She has come to understand God's grace in a powerful way! She said her family is having the most fun they have ever had!! That just makes me smile and brings me satisfaction I can't explain. She shared how the Holy Spirit gave her revelation on how we are no longer under the law, or under the Old Covenant. God wants us to look at Jesus, that's it!!!!
I share this little tale because this is what I long for, to see others come into their freedom in Christ and truly live in the joy of their salvation. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, it really easy!!

This love and joy I have for my friend has deepened unconsciously. I truly believe Christ's love is coming out through me for her! This is how it should be! We live in pure freedom, made available to us, through God's awesome grace and Jesus' poured out love! We begin to love, because He first loved us, and because it's His life in us that comes to life through us. Displaying Christ like love and attitudes toward others. This explains my joy and the fact it is so intense! Because, Christ in me, is bursting out with delight in His precious daughter, that He loves! Wow, it's truly amazing!

My response reminded me of the verse in the series Rob Rufus is currently doing on Attracting the Empowering Grace of God. He has read from Philippians 4:1 and expounded on this part of the verse "Therefore my beloved brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown......." I really believe our hearts begin to expand and deepen for others in a way, in the natural it could not be possible. But, in the supernatural, new life we have been given, where we are hid in Christ, we begin to love and long for our beloved brethren, our joy and our crown. This is how the Father sees us, and this is how we begin to see others!! With much joy, a joy inexpressible!!!
Many blessings, and much abundant joy to all who read here!!!