Still

Still appears 283 times in the Bible as an adverb, describing a length of time, but it appears only 12 times as a verb.   Be still or stilled.  All of the references are either referring to an action God is taking or He is telling us to be still.  Still.  It is a physical state of no motion or speech only listening occurs in your heart and mind.  In all 12 references there was a lot of commotion going on, war, fleeing Egypt, worship service etc.  In order to hear God, in order to experience His joy the people needed to Be Still.  


Still could appear and feel a little like peace. Another similarity all of the references have in scripture I find true in my life.  When I am still, despite the chaos and to do lists that surround me, I am at peace.  God is close.  I can hear Him and always there is JOY.  Nehemiah 8:10-12 shows it best:
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

When we grieve it is difficult to think that good or joy is possible.  It isn't if we are going to remain in a state of chaos due to the loss of love which causes our grief.  It is only when we are still can we accept the greatest Love there is from God. When the river of Love flows it takes some things with it but always  brings joy and peace.   

"For the fruit of the spirit is LOVE; JOY, PEACE, Patience, Goodness, Kindness,:Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control."  Galatians 5:22-23  It is no mistake that Jesus soon follows Love with joy and peace.  Be Still in His Love and Receive His Joy!

When life sucks - blow bubbles of joy!

John 15:1-17

We are all living beings.  Normal living beings grow and that requires change in every way.  I think we can all agree that changing is difficult, exciting and sometimes painful.  Many times change causes us grief.  Whether we are the cause or have no control of the impending change the process can be agonizing.  Especially, when we don't understand why it is happening or what good can come of it. Change isn't the only thing that can cause us to deflate or leak but everyday expectations and responsibility, good bad or indifferent, can do the same. 

So how do we go from leaking misery to bubbles of joy!  First of all, Isaiah 61:3 tells us that God wishes to bestow on us oil of Joy INSTEAD of grief.  To have something bestowed upon us we must be willing to accept the gift.  That means we need to admit that we are leaking and in need of the oil of joy.  This is only possible if we remain in Jesus.  This is an every day, sometimes a moment by moment choice.  In this passage in John Jesus is talking to the disciples and encouraging them to persevere in their relationship with Him.  If we obey His commands and therefore remain in His love, He promises us that our Joy will be complete as His Joy is complete.

Choose to submerse yourself in The Word and you can be reassured that only Love - bubbles of Joy will overflow - completely.