Tag Archives: Joy of the Lord

The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength

Posted on September 28, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Nehemiah’s words, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), remind us that our deepest resilience doesn’t come from grit or determination but from God’s presence and promises. Joy is not the same as happiness—it is the steady confidence that Christ is with us, loves us, and strengthens us. This post explores what that means, how Paul echoed it in Philippians 4:4 and Philippians 4:13, and offers practical ways we can live it out today, even in times of trial or spiritual battle. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith in Action, Joy, Strength in Christ | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Joy of Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Discover the true joy of Christmas—beyond fleeting happiness—in this Advent reflection on God’s promises, anchored in Scripture and the good news of Jesus Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Advent & Christmas, Advent Reflections, Biblical insights, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Christianity and Mental Health, Christmas, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Joy, Faith Reflections, God's love, Grace and Redemption, Gratitude and Thankfulness, Healing and Restoration, Inspirational, Joy, Mental Health and Wellness, Overcoming Challenges, Personal Reflection, Self-Improvement, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stealing Back Joy

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Introduction In a world that often seems filled with endless to-do lists, challenges, and disappointments, it’s easy for joy to slip through our fingers. We tend to think of joy as synonymous with happiness—something that occurs when everything aligns perfectly … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical insights, Biblical Teachings, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Dependence on God, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Resilience, Faith and Resilliance, Family Relationships, God's love, Grace and Redemption, Healing and Restoration, Inspirational, Life Challenges, Mental Health and Wellness, Navigating Life's Challenges, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Prayer and Worship, Self-Improvement, Serving Others, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Climb

Posted on July 10, 2022 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Last week, I wrote about the joy of the Lord. This week, I’d like to discuss it a bit more, but from a different perspective. Specifically, I’d like to invite us all to reflect on how we have a tendency … Continue reading →

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