I've Got a Good Thing Going

Have you ever woke up with clarity and direction from the Lord? If so, you've been visited in the night with the Lord's instruction!

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.
Psalm 16:7-8 The Message

PS: The best way to get that Holy Spirit inspiration is to be thinking about Him as you fall asleep.

Father,
 
So thankful You give us counsel and confirmation. Please, Holy Spirit, give us good discernment, and let us act on the counsel You give us.
 
Where is there a God like You? There is no Rock to hold onto but You. We will cling with all our might to You. Protect us and guide us. We are also grateful that You have said You would never leave us nor forsake us. (See Hebrews 13:5)
 
Therefore, as we begin this new year, we will not be shaken by the negativity around us. We know You got this!
 
We love You with all our hearts. In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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 Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026? More biblical insights? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-based prayers? Let me know if there is a topic on your heart. I'm here to serve you.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends, Remember Me Monday InstaEncouragements Link Up

Because He Came, I Have a Mission

Over 2,000 years ago, God sent His Son, Jesus on a mission. He was to come to earth as a helpless Babe, put aside His deity, and live a sinless life among the common people. When the time was right, Jesus would sacrifice Himself and pay the price for sin for those who would accept Him. He then would be resurrected, present Himself to over 500 people who saw Him after His death. He then would ascend to heaven to stay at the right hand of the Father and intercede for those who would become his followers.

Before He ascended, He left a challenge, a mission, if you will, to everyone who would become His disciple.

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

The mission? Go and make disciples, and teach them to obey His commandments. 

Because He came, each believer has a mission. In whatever ways the Lord leads us, our main goal as a believer is to influence others to become a disciple of Christ and to teach them obeidence, mainly by our example. 

It's a big job, but He promised to be with us.

Ever since 2012, each December, I've been doing a series of posts titled Because He Came. In these posts, I examine the difference the birth of Christ makes in our world.

After doing variations of this so many years, it is interesting that new ideas present itself. I have three new thoughts I will be discussing in 2025, one of which is today's thoughts on citizenship. If you'd like to read a recap of earlier years with links to all the posts, check out, "Redeemed and Adopted Because He Came." 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026. More bible studies? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-bassed prayers? I'm here to serve you.

Because He Came, My Citizenship Changed.

Did you know believers in Jesus Christ are considered temporarary residents?

It's true. When Peter was writing to the the early Christians who had left Jerusalem because of persecution, he said this:

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 1 Peter 2:11 NLT

The writer of Hebrews also wrote on the theme of believers being aliens:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13 KJV

My point is this: because Christ came, people had an opportunity to accept the gift of salvation. Once they received that gift, they became beings who would live forever. They became children of God who have an inheritance and have an eternal home waiting on them to finish their journey here on earth.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47 NKJV

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: John 1:12 NKJV

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3 NKJV

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20 New Living Translation

Because He came, you can become a citizen of heaven. Seems like the greatest gift ever!

Ever since 2012, each December, I've been doing a series of posts titled Because He Came. In these posts, I examine the difference the birth of Christ makes in our world.

After doing variations of this so many years, it is interesting that new ideas present itself. I have three new thoughts I will be discussing in 2025, one of which is today's thoughts on citizenship. If you'd like to read a recap of earlier years with links to all the posts, check out, "Redeemed and Adopted Because He Came." 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026. More bible studies? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-bassed prayers? I'm here to serve you.

Because He Came, There is Goodwill

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ~ Luke 2:14 KJV

Because of the birth of Christ, man heard from angelic sources that God was extending good will to them! In the original language, good will can mean kindness, delight or good pleasure.

What a surprise! A lot of people have in their minds an image of God who is just waiting for a chance to punish them.

The truth is God was touched with compassion for man and wanted to make a way for them to have a fresh start. A do-over, if you will. 

But sin is a terrible thing. Justice demands payment. And so, God, in the form of an innocent little baby sent His Son, Jesus, to grow up, lead a sinless life, and sacrifice Himself to pay the price for our sin. Jesus became a gift to all who would accept them and turn from their old ways to become a new creation. 

It's an incredible idea! But if you have the faith to accept it, you become filled wih the peace of God. Your burden has been lifted.

And if that is not goodwill, I don't know what is.

Ever since 2012, each December, I've been doing a series of posts titled Because He Came. In these posts, I examine the difference the birth of Christ makes in our world.

After doing variations of this so many years, it is interesting that new ideas present itself. I have three new thoughts I will be discussing in 2025, one of which is today's thoughts on goodwill. If you'd like to read a recap of earlier years with links to all the posts, check out, "Redeemed and Adopted Because He Came." 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026. More bible studies? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-bassed prayers? I'm here to serve you.

Sharing at Grace & Truth 

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

We have a Winner!

Congratulations to Joane Viola, the winner of The Advent Collection Giveaway. I will message her and soon a copy will be winging its way to her. I hope she enjoys this beautiful book full of reflections and prayers that can be read again and again each Advent.

The awesome thing about Advent is that just as God fulfilled prophecy concerning the coming of His Son to dwell with us; we know the prophecies concerning the second coming of His Son to bring justice and make all things right will come true as well.

Thanks, everyone,for participating and sharing your thoughts of how life is different because Jesus came. Next week, I'll be sharing a few posts from my annual "Because He Came," series. See you then!

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If you didn't win, you can order your own copy here from Amazon. 

Or if you live near me, you can get an autographed copy from me in person. Just leave a comment and we will connect to make it happen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Let's Have Coffee

The Advent Collection Giveaway

Hello readers!

I'm excited to announce a giveaway for The Advent Collection, a project I participated in, published by Hope*Books. This beautiful collection features 78 authors who share their thoughts on what the coming of Christ means to them.

The book is divided into four topics: hope, peace, joy and love. My piece is in the peace section. My premise is we can have peace with God because the coming of Christ changed the way we relate to God.

Fun fact: in the hope section of the book, there is a daughter, a father and a granddaughter from the same family that contributes what the hope of Christ did for them.

You may ask why focus on Advent when Christ already came as a baby two thousand years ago. We celebrate Advent because we honor a God who keeps His word. There were numerous prophecies about the coming of Christ and they were all fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Just as Jesus came all those years ago, there are prophecies concerning His second coming. Advent gives us hope the second coming will be fulfilled. God kept His Word the first time, He will surely keep His Word the second time!

I would love for you to have a copy of this beautiful book. It's printed on premium paper with a lovely hard cover that will last for years. You will want to revisit this book year after year.

To win a copy for your personal library, just leave a comment telling what the coming of Christ means to you. The contest will be open for a week. Next Monday, December 15, I will draw a name from all the comments and an autographed copy will be on its way to the winner.

Best wishes to everyone who enters! If you can't wait to get your own copy, or want to gift it to someone for this Christmas, you can order your copy here from Amazon. 

Or if you live near me, you can get an autographed copy from me in person. Just leave a comment and we will connect to make it happen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at:

Grace & Truth

Remember Me Monday

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Let's Have Coffee

Turkey Time

It's Thanksgiving weekend and the leftovers fill the fridge - but there's no turkey! My crew doesn't like turkey, so we have ham and chicken and dressing.

I'm already over the "leave overs" as my Granny always called it, but the good part is, I don't have to be in the kitchen making meals.

Instead, this weekend is the calm before the chaos of the Christmas season. A time to reflect and wonder why I do what I do ...

I’m a writer who wants to encourage believers with the truths I find in God’s Word. I’ve been blogging for many years with that aim in mind.
 
It’s true I have not yet achieved my goals for my writing and many times I’ve been tempted to quit. After all, writing is a lonely profession that takes a lot of time if you devote heart and soul to it. The enemy loves to whisper, “Who is really reading this stuff? Give up and use all this time for yourself. You could be doing a million other things.”
 
Somehow, I just can’t quit. Oh, there have been times I have given in to discouragement and slacked off, but it’s not long before inspiration has struck and I find myself writing again.
 
I am like the prophet Jeremiah who said the word of God was like a fire shut up in my bones and he had to speak it.
 
One of the scariest messages in the bible is the story of the Ten Talents. A master divided ten talents among three men according to their ability to use them. One of the men was afraid and so he went and buried his talent. The other two went to work with their talents and multiplied them. Those two received recognition and even more talent from the master; but the one who buried his talent was cast out, called wicked and lazy, and his talent was taken away.
 
I cannot let fear keep me from using the words God gives me. It would be wicked.
 
Somebody needs to hear what God gives me. Could it be you?

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I'm sharing this at Andrew's place as he fills in for Kate at Five Minute Friday. This was not technically a 5 minute free write on the prompt, "turkey," but it was what was on my heart.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!