If your e-mail inbox is anything like mine, it can become inundated with junk mail! Even the traditional mail I receive is most often ads and offers that I have no interest in. Much of the spam promises quick fixes to money woes, easy solutions to beauty flaws and more! I know that it is useless to even read many of the ads because they are ridiculous scams or simply an incentive to waste my money. So, I hit the “delete” key often and throw the offending paperwork in the trash. But, there is one kind of mail that I never tire of receiving -- words from God! God speaks to us in so many ways. We hear from Him as we worship and pray, but one of my favorite ways, where I hear His message the clearest, is through His Word.

Many years ago, during my wilderness time, I put my Bible away on a shelf. I had fallen into the bad habit of not wanting to hear what He was saying to me. Rather than seek Him out for guidance and help, I turned and ran, thinking that I could hide. The result was disastrous. Then, on one traumatic evening when I was alone and afraid, I was inexplicably drawn to His Word. As tears streamed down my face I held its leather bound pages in my hands and let it fall open. There, staring me in the face were words I had never read before, but words that were exactly the ones I needed to hear. They weren't placating or even comforting words, as they were hard to read. But, I knew in that moment they revealed the truth. They went straight to my heart and turned my life around. Has that ever happened to you? If so, please don’t think of it as mere coincidence. God’s Word always has meaning and always accomplishes His purpose, for God never sends junk mail.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Bible is the infallible, inspired Word of God. Through it, we are reminded of God’s redemptive love and grace. His words guide us, lead us and give us hope. It always accomplishes exactly what God has planned. Amazing!

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:11).

I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me.

Keeping His mail,
Joan


And now it's time for the Sharing His Beauty Link Up!


Where has God shown you His beauty this week? Please join me to share the blessing that God is to you in your life. Write a post on your own blog and then simply click on the "You're Next" linky below and enter your blog information. You can find more information about Sharing His Beauty by clicking the tab in my top menu.

You can also Tweet your participation by clicking here: #Sharinghisbeauty

I'd also love to hear from you in the comment section of my blog! You may leave a comment on this post to tell of the beauty you have found in His hands. Be sure to visit some of the other inspirational sites linked up and be encouraged today!

30 Comments

  1. That verse from Isaiah gives me so much hope. :)

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    1. Doesn't it though? It is the verse that encourages me as I write in my blog. Sometimes I think to myself, "maybe no one will read this" or "will this post encourage anyone?" And then I remember Isaiah 55:11! I can count on God's word ALWAYS accomplishing what it should. God sees and He knows. Sharing His word will always produce fruit, even if I don't see it!

      Blessings, Joan

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  2. Hey Joan,
    Thank you for the reminder to keep studying God's word. You are right, God's word always has purpose and meaning, and He never sends junk-mail--I love this line! Wishing you a blessed week!

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    1. Thanks, Jed! Yes, I love how no matter what, even if we don't see the results, God's work never returns empty handed! It always accomplishes exactly what God intends and is never wasted!

      Blessings, Joan

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  3. Joan, I love your words here about the intentional nature of God's communication to us. He doesn't waste a single word.

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    1. I know, isn't that great? Just opening up His word, gives us insight into what He wants for us! Blessings, Joan

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  4. Your blog is beautiful! I look forward to linking up with you every Monday.

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    1. Hi Renee! I'm so glad you're here and thanks for linking up!

      Blessings, Joan

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  5. Joan, I just love visiting your new site. AND this post is simply beautiful truth. You know I've been there my friend, and His healing Word is my daily life-line. Blessings to you this Monday morning.

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    1. Hi Deb! Thanks...I'm so glad you like my blog's new design. It was so fun putting it together! And yes, we can count on His words to heal our souls...and our hearts!

      Blessings to you this Monday morning! Joan

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  6. There was a time in my life when I wandered away, too. And hearing from God wasn't on the top of my list either. But, just like you, He grabbed me and brought me back to Him - and life has never been the same since. His Word is crucial in staying close to His heart. Yes, Lord, send me mail!!

    This week beauty is found in knowing that He is with me all the time, whether or not I sense His presence.

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. My life has never been the same either, Sharon! God's word is transforming and I am so thankful!

      Blessings, Joan

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  7. Don't you love how he woos us back? Firmly, but lovingly, as only our heavenly Father can do. So glad to be reading your blogs again, Joan!

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    1. Absolutely, Mary! He is a good Father...even when He tells us things we don't want to hear, He is lovingly caring for us and guiding us back on track! I'm so glad to be writing again, too!

      Blessings, Joan

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  8. Joan - i love linking up with you every Monday. Thanks for sharing with us such beautiful truth - and i too have been in those wilderness seasons of my life - some by God's design, some i have stayed in by default. His Word is exactly what we need even when we think we do not. I am glad I am not the only one to have been in those seasons of running, hiding, and not wanting to hear. thank you Jesus that He has shown me to draw near to Him is the best thing ever. Blessings

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    1. Oh yes, Debbie! Drawing near to Him is the best thing ever! He transforms us with His care and grace. I'm sure you and I are not the only ones who have had those "seasons". What a joy to be enveloped by His love!

      Blessings, Joan

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  9. On dark days, sometimes it's hard to press in because we want to sulk... I am so thankful that He is a patient and loving pursuer. Just this morning I was reading through Psalm 119 again, and this verse jumped out at me: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalms 119:150).

    Let's keep pressing in. xo

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    1. I'm pressing in with you, Lyli! You are so right, God is such a patient and loving pursuer! I am so grateful - I don't know where I'd be without His love. That's a great verse from Psalm 119. His promises do indeed preserve our lives!

      Blessings, Joan

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  10. Hello, Joan! I am so glad that all that God says to us has purpose and is for our good - even though there are times I tend to forget this. I am also very thankful for His patience and mercy. Thanks for hosting, once again. Praying your week is full of God's blessings!- Ann

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    1. Hi Ann! Yes, He has a plan...and a good one at that! In the middle of a storm I can forget for a moment, too...but then He lovingly nudges me to His Word which is full of reminders of how beautiful His purpose for my life is!

      Blessings, Joan

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  11. Joan, I love your message and title. And your concluding verse was just what I needed. “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:11). Sometimes when I lead studies with those new to Bible study I worry they won't get it. His Word will accomplish the work! Thanks so much.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! I feel that way when I blog sometimes. I think to myself, "What if I didn't make the point I was trying to well enough? What if people don't understand what I'm trying to say?" And then I remember, that God's word does the work! It isn't me... The verses speak for themselves and will always make the point needed!

      Blessings, Joan

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  12. Joan your words are so true. When I'm feeling a bit discouraged I say a prayer and read the word of God and I can see things differently. I have learned the hard way that this has to be a constant or I'll find myself in that bad place al over again. When I start to feel fear creep in I look to him.

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    1. Hi Celeste! Oh yes! When we are feeling discouraged or fearful and we turn to God, things look so different! He has an incredible way of meeting us right where we need it. Like you said, we do tend to find ourselves slipping back into those low places, but God, in His mercy will always lift us back up! I am so thankful!

      Blessings, Joan

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  13. Hi Joan!
    How right you are and powerfully written! Thanks so much for this and also for your hosting of so many of us each week! Blessings on your week!
    Pam

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    1. Thanks, Pam! And, thanks for linking up!

      Blessings, Joan

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  14. I love, love, love His word. It's definitely not junk mail. :-) Enjoyed the visit today via #coffeeforyourheart.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by from Holley's blog! Yes, I love that everything in God's word is meaningful and has a purpose for our life! I like to call the Bible His love letter to us!

      Blessings, Joan

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  15. God doesn't send junk mail! Great post!

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    1. Thanks, Susan! I love that everything He sends to us through His word is meaningful for our lives!

      Blessings, Joan

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