Learning to Hear God’s Voice – Healing with Joy

Can we trust the Bible to be true?

Joy Le Page Smith — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 21:26:39 +0000

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Here are the facts. You decide:

The Bible has 66 books written by approximately 40-45 authors. These authors lived in

numerous places over a 1500 year course of history with varied backgrounds: one was a

physician, another was a priest—and one was a tax collector. King David of Israel wrote much of

the book of Psalms (some of them while he was a shepherd boy watching over the sheep).

Several were prophets correcting and guiding the people through their books within the Bible.

Luke a disciple of Jesus, wrote the book of Acts. He was a major player throughout the New

Testament, alongside ten other disciples who authored numerous Biblical books.

Aside from the amazing fact the Bible was penned by different authors over 15 centuries, its 66

books of holy truth hold no contradictions. Imagine that, along with the fact no errors can be

found in any of the Biblical books. Each author presented different angles and assessments, but

they all proclaim the same truths about there being one God. Plus, the ultimate message totally

supports the fact God has expectations of us while also being helpful, forgiving and loving.

How can the above be true? Because the authors writing these many books were each inspired

by God to record exactly what God was saying directly to them. Second Timothy 3:16 declares

that the Bible was “breathed out” by God. In other words, this book we call “the Bible” actually

came to us from outside the realm of time—for it extends history before it happens. This

happens because God knows all–both the end and the beginning.

The Bible was given to us by the Creator of the world, the sun, the moon, the stars. This book holds all

the facts about life that we need to live a blessed, joyous, effective life. It shows that we can

count on God directing our paths. All it takes is purposeful reading while “listening” . . . which is

an essential part of prayer.

Finally, consider the proof concerning the Bible being trustworthy: anyone who seriously reads

the Bible, and follows it—that person’s life is changed—becoming by far the better. This book

changes lives, for sure, and validates the magnificent truth of God’s presence to us as we read it.

How does this happen? We come to know and love Christ , which brings out the “love nature”

within human hearts, We become more honest with ourselves and with others and more

helpful while here on earth. Maintaining good manners makes for better relationships, both with

those close to us and with those encountered momentarily day-by-day.

Multiple prophets spoke during the earliest centuries pointing to the coming of a Messiah who

we now know as Jesus Christ our Redeemer, born as time changed from BC to AD (‘Anno

Domini’, a Latin term for ‘Year of Our Lord.) In addition, these prophets of old portrayed definite

details that only God could know about Jesus and what would happen through Him and to Him.

Reading the Bible makes us believers, hungry for truth. And, it brings our minds to higher realms

expanding our comprehension of what this life is meant to be about. Scriptures help us

experience the Spirit of the living God— helping us grasp the truth that God is “here for us” and

that there is life with Him after death in a glorious place.

Subsequently, we want God’s guidance in order to make the most of our time here on terra

firma. We realize that what we do with our lives on Earth will determine how blessed we are

while here–as well as in the afterlife, (See Matthew 25: 14-30). The more we read the Bible, the

more truth we want.

The truths that come from reading the Bible bring meaning and purpose—while it also shows

God cares about the choices we make. It is all about learning, learning to be all we can be within

this time on earth. We are uplifted and comforted when we read those truths as a part of daily

living. Doing so can greatly lessen our fears and angst. Many billions of people

throughout the centuries have found this to be true from reading the Bible.

The truth remains that billions of humanity have placed their trust in God and the Bible. Those who

write about it say the same thing: peace, love and joy results from this trust. In fact the peace that

comes to us as believers “surpasses all understanding,” (Philippians 4:6-7). Also, within this trust

comes an innate “knowing” that this life here on earth is not all that that God has in store for us—

eternity will be our everlasting home. Without a doubt the Bible is the most translated book in

existence. However, because countless translations have taken place the question arises, “Is it reliable?”

Fortunately The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in jars in a cave on the northwestern shore of the Dead

Sea in 1947 — initially by a teenage Bedouin shepherd. These scrolls have served well to settle that

question due to this most important archaeological discovery of modern history.

The scrolls date back to the 3rd century BC to the 1st century AD. It includes the entire Book

of Isaiah, 24 feet long, written in Hebrew. Fragments of every Old Testament book except Esther

have been found, as well as many other, non-biblical texts. Of the 850 scrolls found, the book of

Isaiah was fully preserved. One outstanding factor, and for many of us the most critical finding,

comes to us through the scholars’ conclusion: Within the Dead Sea Scrolls there are absolutely

no discrepancies between our Old Testament available to us today and what the Dead Sea

scholars have studied word for word within the book of Isaiah found within the Dead Scrolls.

Consequently, their work fully supports the authenticity of the biblical Old Testament that has

been purchased and read throughout modern history.

How does the New Testament connect with the Dead Sea Scrolls?

I will quote Millar Burrows here as regards The Dead Sea Scrolls (New York: Viking

Press, 1955), 383). “One more manuscript [speaking of those found in Dead Sea Scrolls] that

has come to light in recent years provides a fascinating background to the New Testament

messianic hope. It has been reconstructed from twelve small fragments furnishing less than two

columns of writing; but this much can be ascertained from its brief contents: It is a prediction of

the birth of a Wonderful Child, possibly drawing on Isaiah 9:6–7: “For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:…and his name shall be called Wonderful…” (verse 6; King James Version). This

child will bear special marks on His body and will be distinguished by wisdom and intelligence. He will

be able to probe the secrets of all living creatures, and He will inaugurate the new age for which the

faithful fervently awaited.”

Numerous prophecies within the scrolls carry promises of a future Savior who would bring in a

new covenant. The words “New Covenant” are mentioned seven times within the New

Testament. The coming Savior was foretold as one who had to first die as an atonement for our

sins, after which he would rise from the dead. The New Testament is a record of Jesus’ life, His

teachings, His death, His resurrection and the promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him

and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

ihttps://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/blog/5-old-testament-prophecies-answered-in-the-new-testament-through-christ/. Dec. 1, 2018.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith, MA, is a Board-certified Clinical Chaplain. Visit her home page for many more helpful articles addressing life’s difficulties and Quick Aids. Meanwhile, Joy’s blog and her books are read in up to 32 countries. Her second site is at Healingwithjoy.blogspot.com

Our hearts are God’s home on earth

Joy Le Page Smith — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:42:49 +0000

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

The words above came to my mind one morning during my prayer time. Yes, I do get up early, around 5 a.m. Here is the “why” and the “how” of it.

During the first few decades of my life, prayer happened for me “on the fly,” meaning, in the midst of my achieving “the stuff of life.” No doubt God blessed that, but He had something more in mind. I was about to experience an exciting venture with God, one in which prayer became a response to God’s movement within my soul. Here is how it all started:

Every morning after getting out of bed I head for the kitchen–and coffee. This trek meant passing through a hallway, the dining room—then into the kitchen. On the way, I pass the opening to our entry and the off-the-traffic-pattern formal living room. This room is seldom used. What I can see of the living room, as I pass down the hall, is limited. One morning, as I sleepily make my way toward the kitchen, I hesitate slightly. For days, I have noticed something different about that living room. There is an uncanny sense of someone being in there. So, on this particular morning, I slowly venture into the living room and look around, wondering. Although I cannot see anyone, it definitely feels like someone is here. I asked out loud, “Is this You? Lord, are You in here?”

Instantly, I feel a resounding warmth in my heart. Then, in the midst of this sense of “Presence,” I mentally hear these words spoken within, “Come, and be with me.” I feel assured these words are not from my own thoughts. I sit down, nonplussed, yet deeply touched. I begin to let my heart sink into the presence of the Lord. I feel superbly appreciative in perceiving that God indeed desires my company. How can I doubt it, given this kind of invitation!

From then on, for several years, I went into that room first thing every morning seeking to encounter God’s presence. It was a wonderful time for experiencing prayer, finding it to be less about talking and more about listening. Reading the Scriptures held a prominent place during this early morning time of meeting “with the Lord.” I listened to what God wanted me to hear–and to live out. Sometimes, the presence of the Lord was felt so strongly that I would weep.

These early morning times began a serious and life-changing quest for me. I became more and more involved in prayerful listening. While worshiping during these times, I realized endorphin flows come while rejoicing in the Lord! For a number of years, I spent the first two hours of every day with the Lord in that room. It was my “place apart,” where I could worship, write, and pray. This was not only a wonderful experience, but a lot of inner healing was taking place during this practice. And, this was reflected in my physical body. I had been sick, forming blood clots in my legs and abdomen–plus at times these would travel into my heart and lungs . . . I was trying to stay alive. Now, I am getting well! It was happening ever-so-slowly, through my being obedient to how the Holy Spirit was leading my soul. I called it “My Get Well Program.” At my last birthday our oldest son said, “Mom, you have lived longer than most Americans. He remembered those hospital stays, early in my life—and times of hearing an ambulance come for me.

In looking back, I know God was preparing me for ministry in chaplaincy. Health and strength were springing up through this daily practice of prayer, listening and expressing gratitude to God. I was learning how to hear the voice of the Lord speaking within, which became an essential part of my work in emergency rooms, trauma settings and at hospital bedsides. There, people are greatly disturbed, in pain and uncertainty, needing God’s help. Looking back, now, over 25 years of ministering as a chaplain, I rely on hearing the Lord’s guidance. Working “while listening” He provided the insights as needed within each situation with patients, yes, but also within situations with family and friends. It is all about learning to listen within prayer. God is on the journey with us—and He wants to speak!

Author information:

Joy Le Page Smith is a Board Certified clinical chaplain. Author of books and blog. View — FREE — her children’s book, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places, at Healing-with-Joy.com. Multiple helps can also be found on her website, for people who are struggling for varied reasons.

Earth’s creatures—our teachers?

Joy Le Page Smith — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 14:57:49 +0000

Head shot of a barking owl, ninox connivens, called the winking owl.

By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Earth’s creatures—our teachers?

Watching rabbits in our yard, here in Arizona where my husband Gary and I have lived for 30-some years, has been a pleasure–plus, a bit of a learning experience. They are both wise and not so wise: dumb bunnies. They do like sneaking into gardens. Not caring about the ramifications of their actions.

It is fun to watch them chase each other and jump both high and low, perhaps for the effect this may have on the opposite sex.

It would be interesting to know if animals, both large and small, are aware of God’s presence on the earth. During early evenings, rabbits are frequently sitting still in the shade of a bush or a tree with eyes closed. Seems they may be meditating. Or, simply enjoying some quiet time, while sensing the goodness of “Presence.” Surely God loves and enjoys His dear rabbits as much as He enjoys us.

Is that a new idea? Have you not felt God’s good pleasure on your soul? A warmth between your shoulders during moments when you felt “all’s well in the world?”

It takes finding a safe place with the right timing to be quiet enough to lift one’s soul into the presence of Almighty God . . . then to feel that beam from heaven. Are we willing to take time aside to enjoy “relationship” with the One who surely holds purpose for our lives?

Our yard is large with lots of trees and bushes that often carry beautiful flowers. We don’t have a dog and our children are raised so this piece of God’s Paradise has become an animal preserve for rabbits, coyotes, roadrunners, and quail. And, don’t forget the “nuisancing” effects of all the lizards who leave their “holey” evidence. Birds, bees and butterflies all speak of God’s goodness. For surely it is evident here on terra firma that each plays a role toward keeping nature’s balance as pertains to long standing ecological homeostasis.

Back to the inward quiet side of ourselves: Is it about time for doing more of it? Joy can roll through the soul when stillness of body and soul takes over our beingness for long moments. Basking in the truth that God’s plan includes many forms of life, much of which brings pure joy to us . . . when we take time to watch for it.

“Peace be still” were Jesus’ words during a storm on troubled waters (Mark 4:39, American Standard Bible.)

Author info.:

Joy Le Page Smith is a board certified clinical chaplain. View — FREE — her children’s book, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places, at healing-with-Joy. com. Multiple helps can also be found on her website, prepared for people who are struggling for varied reasons.

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Yes! There are gains in going with God

Joy Le Page Smith — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 21:59:32 +0000

The majority of people on earth innately perceive there is a God

A PATIENT ONCE ASKED, “WHAT WOULD BE GAINED IF I SAID ‘YES’ TO GOD?

Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

The man in the bed before me was pondering Christ’s words, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him.” I stood praying he would say “yes–knowing it would change him, bring hope and peace, joy and perseverance into his life.

For sure, the results of responding to Christ’s knock on the door of my heart at age eight, answering, “Come in, Lord Jesus,” has brought a life more surely filled with meaning and purpose.

In the writing below, am extending a number of Scripture passages for people who have said, “Yes, God, I want to receive Jesus Christ into my heart, making Him Lord of my life.”

Specific gains promised within each verse are capitalized and centered above each passage, making these clearly apparent.

LIFE BECOMES BLESSED

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;

²⁶The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’

***

DWELLING IN SAFETY;

SHELTERED ALL DAY LONG;

Deuteronomy 33:12

. . . “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, Who shelters him all the day long; And he shall dwell between His shoulders.”

***

ABILITY TO LET GO FEAR AND NOT BE DISMAYED

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, nor be dismayed.

For, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

***

FREEDOM FROM WANT, RIGHT LIVING, RESTORATION OF ONE’S SOUL

NO FEAR OF DEATH

CONTINUAL COMPANIONSHIP WITH THE LORD

GUIDANCE, PROVISION. COMFORT

ANNOINTING, JOY

GOODNESS AND MERCY

A KEEN KNOWING THAT LIFE AFTER DEATH IS AHEAD

Psalm 23: 1-6

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
²He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

***

A STALWART, DETERMINED HEART

STRENGTH,

ACCEPTANCE

Psalm 19:14,

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

***

DELIVERANCE FROM LIFE’S AFFLICTIONS AS THESE COME AND GO

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

***

A TRIUMPHANT WALK WITH GOD

Isaiah 50:7 (NewLiving Bible translation)

⁷Because the Lord God helps me, I will not be dismayed; therefore, I have set my face like flint to do His will, and I know that I will triumph.

***

REACHING OUR HEART’S DESIRES

TRUST

REST

Psalm 37: 4-7

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;

***

KNOWING THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF GOD ARE THERE

TO CATCH ME EACH TIME I FALL

TRUST

Psalm 91:1-2

He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

***

TAUGHT OF THE LORD

Psalm 119:10-12, Psalm 119:16, Psalm 119:32

With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
¹¹Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.

¹²Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.

***

DELIGHT

STRENGTH IN MEMORY

Psalm 119:32, Verse 16

I will delight myself in your statues; I will not forget Your Word.

***

ABILITY TO KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS

AN EXPANDED HEART

Psalm 119:32

I will run the course of Your commandments, for you have enlarged my heart.

***

A PLACE TO HIDE

SHIELDED FROM HARM

HOPE

Psalm 119:114

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

***

SAFETY

Proverbs. 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

***

FORGIVENESS FOR BEHAVIOR WE REGRET

Isaiah 1:18-19

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.¹⁹If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land . . .”

[T IF YOU REFUSE AND REBEL . . . WELL,

LET’S JUST SAY THINGS AREN’T GOING TO GO SO WELL . . .]

***

PERFECT PEACE

Isaiah 26:3-4

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
⁴Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

***

BELONGINGNESS NEEDS ARE MET

Isaiah 43: 1

“Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine . . .

***

FORTITUDE

ABILITY TO BE A SURVIVOR

Isaiah 43, verse 2-3^a

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. ³For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior . . .

***

KNOWING OUR SOULS ARE PRECIOUS

RECONIZING THAT WE ARE HONORED AND LOVED

Isaiah 43, verse 4^a, 5

. . . since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you . . .Fear, not for I am with you.

***

FOUND BY GOD

TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY

BROUGHT BACK FROM THE BURDEN SIN BRINGS

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity….”

***

HEALING FROM LIFE’S WOUNDS

HAVING A HEALTHY SOUL

Jeremiah 30:17

I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord…

***

REST FROM HEAVINESS

ABILITY TO LET GO THE BURDENS OF LIFE

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

***

TRUTH ABOUT WHO THE LORD IS

AND HIS PLAN BECOMES CLEAR

WE GAIN THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD

John 1: 1-5, 10-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. ¹¹He came to His ^[^a^]own, and His ^[^b^]own did not receive Him. ¹²But as many as received Him, to them He gave the ^[^c^]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁴And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

***

INHERITANCE: HEIRS AS GOD’S CHILDREN

COMING TO KNOW FATHER GOD

Galatians 4, 6-7

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” ⁷Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

***

ETERNAL LIFE:

DEATH CANNOT HOLD GOD’S CHILDREN IN THE GRAVE

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

***

NO FEAR OF DEATH

PROMISE OF HEAVEN

John 14:1-6

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ²In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴And where I go you know, and the way you know.” ⁵Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” ⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

***

NO CONDEMNATION: SINS OF THE PAST ARE COVERED BY THE

FORGIVNESS OF CHRIST

BECOMING ABLE TO WALK IN TRUTH WITH A PURE SPIRIT

Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ²For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

***

SUFFERING UNDERSTOOD

”GLORY” SHALL BE REVEALED

Romans 8:18

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

***

EVEN MY MISTAKES WILL BE TURNED TO GOOD

AS MY “WALK” IS COMMITTED TO GOD

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called

according to His purpose.

***

POWER

A STRONG MIND—FILLED WITH GOD’S TRUTH THAT DISSPELLS FEARS

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

***

PATIENCE

LACKING NOTHING, COMPLETE

WISDOM FROM GOD

FAITH

KNOWING GOD HEARS MY PRAYERS

PROFITING FROM TRIALS

James 1:2-7

²My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

***

UNDERSTANDING AS GOD’S PLAN UNFOLDS

SEE GOD AS TRUSTWORTHY AND LONGSUFFERING

ABLITY TO TRUST THAT GOD HOLDS THE FUTURE

UNDERSTANDING AS GOD’S PLAN UNFOLDS

SEE GOD AS TRUSTWORTHY AND LONGSUFFERING

ABLITY TO TRUST THAT GOD HOLDS THE FUTURE

Revelations 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

The Scriptures above will bring an amazingly lift to your soul during times of uncertainty, pain of various sorts . . . and particularly when the world seems “hard to take.” Reading these will no doubt show the vastness of what can come for a person who takes the message of the Bible seriously–deciding to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Without a doubt doing so creates a new identity which Scripture refers to as being “born again.” Imagine the truth: If you have opened your heart to Jesus Christ–eternal life is now yours!

[1] C.S. Lewis calls the incarnation of God the Son the “central miracle” of Christianity. He is right. The redemption, restoration, re-creation, and reconciliation of sinners—and all of creation besides—depends entirely on the supreme fact that God, without ever ceasing to be fully who he is, became fully who we are in and as Christ Jesus. Why did God do this? Why is it, in other words, that the “Word became flesh”? The principal reason underlying all the other magnificent reasons that God the Son united himself to our humanity is this: that by the Holy Spirit we may be united to Christ and so enjoy his fellowship with the Father forever. This is eternal life (John 17:3). Taken as a quote from: https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-union-with-christ/

[1] All but one passage is from The New King James Version extended below are both or clarity of the Bible. Yet, Isaiah 50:7, is from the New Living Bible translation.

Prepared by Chaplain Joy Lepage Smith, MA, BCC

healing-with-Joy.com

PLEASE NOTE; There are many helps on the above website,. These are free for using and coping for sharing. My hope is that people can live more abundantly through the truth Scripture extends . . . as life becomes rich when peace and joy rule instead of alarm, dread and fear.