Romans 8:15-16

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

My sweet Lord my only refuge from life's storm

I remember as a little girl in the hospital emergency room 

the doctors gave me a drug and I felt the impending doom 

the panicked feeling that something was wrong 

than the lights went out and everything was completely gone 

I felt like I was falling down a well and I could see nothing all around 

than suddenly I heard a voice say, I got you you'll be alright, than sweet peace was found 

I had the sensation of being held in a giant hand 

A pleasant place, warm and comfy I seemed to land 

Now I became aware of voices in the emergency room a long way off 

it sounded like a lot of commotion but I was lost 

in the peaceful world of love stored in this hand 

I thought again what a safe warm and comfy place to land 

I never questioned the voice or the hand, I just enjoyed what it had to give 

On entering that place all fear was gone, I never questioned if I'd live 

I could hear the emergency room voices clearer now and I heard someone say she's coming back 

I did not know how long I was gone, but I knew that I had met the Lord that's a fact 

Than the lights came on, and I could see, I was back in the emergency 

the doctor said how do you feel with urgency 

I never told them about the hand I just told them all that I was fine 

At eight I did not know how to tell them, I was with my Lord divine 

Now as an adult and I am really scared, I think of that moment back in time 

And I remind myself, that I will never be alone, the Lord is with me always 

And I can cry out to Him, to take the fear away and ask Him to lead me all my days 

I have the chance to tell the world, that the Lord is completely real 

And He loves us no matter what we`ve done,where we've gone or how we feel 

All you have to do, is confess that you need Him and invite him in, 

ask Him to reveal Himself to you so your journey can begin 

Take on faith and believe, that His Son Jesus died for you 

So you would not be alone, in a sin sick world, even in death He will come through 

And guide you to eternal life it`s true 

Please don`t wait to accept this gift, we don`t how long we have in life 

He gives us all free will to choose and now the time is ripe 

For the Lord won`t force us to accept this precious gift that protects us all 

from facing hardship all alone even in death he wont let you fall 

All to many will die alone and it`s really such a waste 

That so many will leave this place and never seek his face

Weekly Devotional - Our Joy - Peter Kennedy
 

"For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." - 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

In August 2010, 16 members of the Mengen people in Papua New Guinea were baptized after testifying of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Among those baptized were six married couples demonstrating their faith in Christ by stepping into the jungle pool the missionaries used to baptize the group. "What joy it has been to see both husbands and wives take this step of faith together," wrote missionary Rebecca Preheim. Some of the believers have had death threats from unbelievers, especially from the shaman in the neighboring village. Yet the believers chose to publicly declare their faith. Many unsaved friends and family members gathered at the small pond in the jungle to watch the service. The first believer to step into the water was a young man named Edward who had previously been a troublemaker and created problems for the missionaries. "In the past, I was not a good person. Everyone in the village knew that I was a person who stole and drank and fought," said Edward. But when I placed my trust in Christ's death, He completely changed me and for that reason, I want to follow Jesus' Talk and become baptized." After missionaries baptized the first several believers, they turned over the task to four Mengen men. Joe, an older man in the village said to the crowd, "All of us here are gathered today for one reason and that is Jesus' death alone. And we are gathered together with joy that comes from Jesus."

Our joy is leading people to Jesus Christ and to see them mature in the Lord. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for all the people who have helped you in your Christian life and seek to help others in their walk with the Lord.

"A great part of heaven's bliss for the redeemed will be the joyful presence of those whom they have been used to reach." - John MacArthur, Jr.

God's Word: "Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" - Philippians 4:1