Shining on the Rise

I was reading a blog by Joel and Victoria Osteen today, titled Arise, Shine, and it had to do with the scripture Is 60:1 KJV that says, "Arise, Shine for the light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee." The blog used another translation version of scripture, but it means the same.

While reading this blog, i was uplifted about the promises found in it. That God meets our needs and has great things in store for us, and especially how he does not forget even our smallest dreams, that message is a wonderful way to uplift a heart. This scripture itself is a beautiful way to start any morning. I like to put up a note card with this scripture wherever I can see it.

I was reminded of a ladies retreat I went to some years ago (how many I won't say, lol), in which this very scripture was the heart of the message, and theme for the retreat. The lady at the retreat who spoke of this word spoke of peace. The two messages blend together.

When we think of the promises of God for our lives, and the comfort that comes from living in his will, we have peace. Joy is a result of peace. There is no other way to find that kind of peace or joy, except through accepting Christ. Once we have it, we will not want to let go of it.

This type of security is incomprehensible to the secular world. The bible says the carnal man cannot perceive the things of God. They do not have the ability. They are blinded to what God's word means, separated from God, just like Christians were before they were Christians, and see only contradictions. Unless someone lets them know about it, how can they smile with that sort of confidence? They cannot. They can't feel what we feel.

When we see God as our provider, healer, comfort, best friend, confidant, we have a confidence we cannot match by trying to do things alone. We have a big brother, so we are not scared of the bully! When we have confidence, we no longer feel need--we feel like we have what we need or can get it.  Once we feel like what we need is on the way, then we can rest, and when we rest, we can think about pleasant things. When we think about pleasant things, we feel joy, time moves fast because we are having a good time, work is finished, we can rest. We see the fruits or rewards of it, and rest more in confidence, and since we were able to do all of that, we have confidence we can do it all again.
See the pattern here?

Our focus point gives us a choice. Our choice, gives us results.
Which choice will you make today?