HAPPY 24/7 ?!

 

😃HAPPY 24/7 ?😃

 

It’s hard to stay happy 24/7. Who does that? Oh I know, everything is always perfect in your life, you always get what you ask for and there is never any “not nice” people or things going on around you. OKAY that just described NO-ONE.

So I started to ask myself how I would go about being happy 24/7. When sleeping that would be easy. I am not a person that has nightmares on a regular basis or even have any dreams I remember. Some people can’t even be happy in their sleep. That is sad. There I go getting sad about something.

I don’t believe we are to be happy 24/7. We have been given a lot of emotions by our creator God for a reason.

First, I have learned that it’s not anyone’s job to make me happy and it is not my job to make others happy. I like to make others happy so at times I stretch myself to thin. I have to be careful about thinking it’s my job to make others happy. It’s hard when you want to be the people pleaser. Be a God pleaser. Do you even know what that looks like? I have found it is easier to please God than to please “people”. That may sound crazy. Some people may think no matter what they do they can’t “please” God. Oh but that is so wrong.

When I open His Word, the Bible and read the words of Jesus I find what my soul needs to find joy unspeakable. In all the “unhappy” things, I can still have joy in my heart  that provides a contentment like nothing else. Why? Because that’s what God says he has done for you and me when we have received Jesus, his payment for sin for us on the cross and upon his ascension into heaven he left the Holy Spirit now to guide us, and comfort us. There is joy in our salvation!

“Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:18

I can be joyful always. I may not always be happy. If you are a mom and have children, it may not make you happy when your children don’t get along. We desire unity and love for our family. It’s hard to not control situations so they come out the way we want them too or control people so they will want to spend time with “family”. Let it go. The best way to do that is to concentrate on God the Father in your life. Let Him cover your heart if it is hurting. His true family is given to us and they will provide love, encouragement, strength as we seek Him and His ways. So many people are estranged from the family they were birthed into for many different reasons. Be born into the family of God and find his children who are meeting with Him daily, see how they will love you and encourage you on to all good things.

I know all things, physical, spiritual, and emotional, will be provided through Jesus. I know I can be joyful in my physical, spiritual and mental health when I do as Jesus says to do. He will always lead you to what you need.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:33-34)

I pray you can keep joy in your heart every day, even when you are not happy. Actually, especially when you are not happy about a situation, may you experience joy down in your heart that will allow you to rise out of some downcast, shadowy days. That joy will protect you and shield you from circumstances that may make others unhappy around you and want you to join in. Guard your heart in Christ Jesus. He will show you how and when to separate from those that should not be in your life and stop begging for attention of those who cannot fill you like Jesus can.

For those with family members spread all over the place, making it difficult or costly to get together for certain occasions, all the more rejoice when you are able to be together. God will bring and place the people around you that are to be around you. The enemy many times would like us to dwell on the “person, or people “ who did not show up for us for whatever reason.  DON’T DO THAT. ENJOY THE PEOPLE YOU ARE WITH, SHARE THE LOVE BETWEEN THE ONES WHO ARE THERE.

REMEMBER EVERY DAY, GOD IS THERE, SHARING HIS LOVE WITH YOU.💖

Now go out today, being happy (for however long that lasts) and full of Joy that remains because we have a God who remains with us throughout all eternity. (see Psalm 100:5)

Much joy and happiness today. More ways to find joy can be found here Psalm 28:7, Psalm 51:1-17)😀😊😂😃😄😆😀😉😇😄😃

In Joy,

Eva
 

 

I Didn't know it All Went Together

 

I Didn’t Know It All Went Together

 

Today is 1/22/23. On 11/8/23 upon returning from meeting my grandson Lucas Edward born in October, I started the eight week “Transformational Bible Study of Habbakkuk, embracing Joy by Jean Wilund.”

While in Maine and New Hampshire I had submitted my book JesusRx Prescription for life to a publisher. I had no idea if they would accept it. They accepted it. That was exciting. When I hit the send button I just said “okay God, I did it, you need to show me what’s next.”

God will show you things if you ask. He will. Some of it you will want to know, others not so much. Some things you may have to wait for years to see. There are times people never see this side of heaven answered prayers.  All I can say is trust Him. HE IS FAITHFUL.

Back to 11/8/23. I continued in the Bible study on Habakkuk (by myself). There were verses to memorize. I tried. It took me a little over 8 weeks to finish the study. I was also trying to join a group that had started on the Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. It wasn’t weekly so I put it aside  and continued in Habakkuk.

My brother mentioned a church in the area was starting to go through the book “The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan.” I though maybe I would go. I knew I had the book from years ago. I started looking for it and at first did not find it. I found my “Hinds Feet on High Palaces book by Hannah Hurnard”. I love that book so I started reading it again. Originally, I had not intentions of reading it. You don’t know how glad I am that I did.  In December I ordered “90 Days of Encountering God’s Glory”. A devotional by Nicole K. Armstrong , M.A. I planned on starting it sometime in January.

I had almost completed “Embracing Joy” and started reading “Hinds Feet on High Places”. I did not connect Habakkuk 3:19 with Hinds Feet on High places when I started reading the book. “The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind’s feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”

I have been attending 2 churches. Lighthouse ministry asked anyone who wanted to join in on their 21 day fast and prayer. The purpose to draw us closer to God and fulfill what He has for His people and the church. We meet at 5 am every morning to pray (over the phone….we don’t have to look at each other as who knows what we look like at 5am. LOL). God is revealing much to His people through this time.

I am excited to start Bible study with the ladies at North Las Vegas Baptist. I can’t wait to see how everything goes together.

On 1/15/23 that morning at 5am our prayer from Lighthouse was on “Our Father”.. (Matthew 6:9)  I started Day one of Encountering God’s glory. Day one was on the “Father of Glory.” (Ephesians 1:17) He put this together for me to learn from. I thanked God for showing me this and reminding me of what kind of Father He is.

NEXT: I waited until today 1/22/23 to get back to Encountering God’s glory devotional. I did day 3 on the Glory of the Lord Abode (Exodus 24:16-17).

I picked up Hinds Feet on Hinds Places, was going to stop but read for another minute or two. On page 134 as Hannah explains her Ascension Day up the mountain she references Exodus 24:15-16. Now I know God is talking to me.

I just looked up how many verses are in the Bible. I found, on the internet, so it must be true LOL that there are 23,145 verses in the Old Testament and 7,957 verses in the New Testament for a total of 31,102 verses in the Bible. I read somewhere that the Jewish version has 116 more verses.

What are the “chances” that out of 31,102 verses God would lead me to these verses at the same time? For any math, statistics majors out there have at it and you can let me know the answer.

NOW IT’S UP TO ME, to know what God is saying through these verses for my life. In prayer the armor of God was mentioned. I am going to finish up that study so I will be prepared as I head out each day for whatever life throws at me. I will be fully protected in God’s armor. I don’t always put on the armor correctly, and this my dear friends is why I study and read God’s Word.

I just wanted to share with you how God does talk through His Word, through prayers and through others. Again, for those who aren’t in His Word, you are missing out on the life and joy God has, as you go deeper with Him. If it’s just about loving material things and the way of the world you wouldn’t really be interested in what God’s Word says. Oh yes he blesses His people with material things, but that is not what the deep satisfied soul rejoices in. He puts so many things together to get His message to us and through us.

I am so thankful God knows and puts all things together for His Glory and for our growth.

May you be thankful and continue to grow in the grace and love of God the Father and the Son He sent.

I highly recommend the books mentioned above as they will be tools to enable you to embrace joy as Habukkuk did, receive Hind’s Feet for High Places, and Encounter God’s Glory! Now get God’s armor on as you battle God’s way and move on to victory with Him!

With Joy

Eva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love and patience of others got me "jumping".

 

A STRAIGHT PATH

 

A STRAIGHT PATH

 

I remember when I moved to New Hampshire, and being unfamiliar with where anything was, I would mapquest directions. I don’t think the GPS systems you would put in your car were out yet.

I had moved from Arizona, where construction was always being done on the roads, to keep up with all the people moving into the new homes being built. New freeways were being connected to the current ones and roads to the freeways were being widened.

If I wanted to go somewhere in Arizona, that was 10 miles away, I could count on it taking me about 10 minutes. I was used to straight paths and speeds from 45 to 70 MPH.

I soon learned 10 miles in NH would take me at least 20 minutes or more. My paths were not straight and then if I added in some winter weather it could take me well over an hour to go 10 miles. I loved my straight paths in Arizona. I enjoyed getting where I had to go without spending so much time on the road.

With straight paths I would often be late, even if it was just a minute or two. With the windy roads, in New Hampshire, I was most assuredly late and not just a couple of minutes. I had to plan better and take my time navigating through those windy roads. At times the scenery would be so beautiful, I was glad I had to slow down to enjoy it.

This brings me to these verses in Gods Word. Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 143:8

Most of us have to venture out of our homes daily, for one reason or another. I love the days when I don’t have to go anywhere at all. In todays world, you really don’t’ have to leave your home. You can have grocery’s delivered, work out at home, work from home (in some cases) , and even see your doctor on a screen. Nice conveniences, but probably not the best way to live. Human contact is important. Not always enjoyable (did I really just put that on paper? LOL)

Going out and driving in many places can be frustrating. Let’s get real, life can be frustrating. These verses remind me how to get ready for each day.

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I will trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.    Psalm 143:8 ESV

If you need to know about God’s steadfast love, The Prescription for Love is available Just send me a message and I can get it to you. The Prescription for love tells me how God loves, I then know I can trust Him. I just need to ask Him to make me know the way I should go. As I lift my soul to Him, there will be no guessing, I will KNOW.  I want to know, don’t you?

I do have a problem being distracted. It’s not that the places or things the distractions take me to are “so bad”, it’s what the distractions are taking me from that I don’t like. I’m pulled away from sitting quietly, reading and hearing God’s voice. If I want to KNOW the way I should go, I can’t if I keep going to the “place of distraction”

Like I mentioned before the windy roads made me slow down and provided some beautiful scenery. I had to adjust my life to take those roads. I had not choice sometimes to be on those roads to get me from point A to point B

Most people, I know, like to take the most direct way to get to their destination.

When I wanted to get to God, I tried to go other ways. To get to God, I found that there was only one way (that’s what the Bible, God’s Word says).” I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 ESV  (See our daily bread-Jesus said “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life article for a more in depth reading on this)

There will be twists and turns in my life and yours. It will take extra time to navigate through. I want my path to straighten out. I know the one that can straighten it out. I realize I need to do something in order for this to happen.

“Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In All your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.”  Psalm 3:5-5 ESV

As I acknowledge God in ALL my ways, I know my paths become straight. Do I acknowledge God in ALL my ways ALL the time….no…and my paths start to get windy even muddy at times. When I  see my path straighten, and know I’m on the right road, I don’t have to start speeding. I will get where He leads in His timing.

I think of the song Carrie Underwood sang “Jesus take the Wheel”.

We should let God drive us, our thoughts, and choices on the open highway of our life. Will you let Him instruct you and teach you in the way you should go and counsel you with His eye upon you?  (Psalm 32:8)

May you always know His presence on your path. If you need help to start your mornings with His love I can send you “The prescription for Love “. Just send me a note.

Be safe out there on the road!

Eva Popek

1/3/2024