The Lord REALLY is your strength

"For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10b

I often find myself giving advice and direction to my children, walking away and saying,
"Wow, that was really good advice, now why don't you practice what you preach?"
With so many changes in our lives over the last few years, we are finding ourselves treading on new territory, exploring new relationships and experiencing trials we've never experienced before. When I'm not praying for one of them during my personal prayer time, it seems like I find myself hanging in their rooms, talking and praying for their current situations.
I remember one evening, I was leaving one bedroom to head to the next.  Different child different struggle, but my response was the same.  As I knelt down beside my son's bed, I reminded him,
"Jonah, the bible really does say that the joy of the Lord gives us strength.  We gain strength from being joyful and we must be joyful in the Lord regardless of our trials.  God will always be faithful to us.  He will answer our prayers.  But we too must be obedient and do what His Word says."
As I left my son's room, the tears began to stream down my cheeks.  All parents grieve when their children are hurting.  But my tears in that moment were not about his pain, but my disobedience.  I felt like a  hypocrite.  Children are incredibly smart and naturally intuitive.  They know when their parents are stressed, worried, or in a bad mood.   I was well aware that in the recent days, it wasn't joy that was exuding from me in my actions or in my words.
During that same time, even in my disobedience, God led me to a scripture as He often does.  When Jesus knew He would have to release the disciples into the world, He prayed,

"Sanctify them in the truth.  Your Word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  For their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they themselves may be sanctified in truth." John 15:17-19

This realization was so powerful for me.  I would have to one day release my children into this world, and I will not always be able to physically kneel beside their bed and pray through their pain.  But while I am with them, I must persevere and work harder to be obedient to the Word.  Be the role model they need.  Don't just read the Word and pray the Word with them, but live the Word in front of them.

The lesson here is so relevant in weight loss too.  So many people go on this journey to impact those around them.  You don't want to see your children, your spouse, your loved ones suffer the way you have with weight struggles.  So you pray for them and give them advice and hope they don't make the same mistakes you did.
But Jesus needs you to know that if you truly want to impact those you love the most, you must sanctify yourself and consecrate yourself first.  
Your loved ones are far more likely to imitate what you do and how you live;
not what you say.
Don't miss this message today.  If you want your loved ones to live prosperous lives, finding their joy in the Lord and not this world, friend you must be obedient to the Word first.
This world will throw fiery darts at you today, but there is a way to fight back and win.  Even in weight loss.  Just let the joy of the Lord be YOUR strength.

Let's Pray.
Dear God,
I have come to cherish Your words and revelations in ways I cannot even express.  Thank You for pursuing me daily.  Not letting go.  God, I need Your joy in my life today.  I am desperate for the strength that I find in You.  This world is in constant chaos, much like my weight loss journey.  Today, I long to impart to my loved ones that joy can still be ours no matter what goes on around us.  Thank You for the strength that comes only from YOU!
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen
 
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I'd love to continue this journey with you through my first published devotion:
 Your 40 Day Miracle
Get your copy
 HERE 
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E4M DAILY STRATEGY
The Joy of the Lord REALLY is Your Strength
Read the following verses and answer the questions.  
Be blessed when you find your joy in the Lord today!

1.  "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."  Psalm 28:7
What does this verse say that God is for you? _______________________

2.  "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26
Even though your flesh and heart fail, what does God remain? ______________________

3.  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice."  Philippians 4:4
What does Philippians 4:4 say we should always do?
________________________________________________________________
4.  “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.”  Isaiah 12:2
What does this verse say that we should do? ________________  And not do? _______________. Why? ________________________