Wrap Yourself in Joy Podcast

Heaven Rejoices & the Breastplate of Righteousness

Did you know you serve a joy-filled God who rejoices over you?  Join us today as we cover the rejoicing of heaven and the songs God sings over you. You will discover how to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness to protect your heart, keep the JOY, and stand firm against the devil’s lies of your unworthiness.

Last week, we defined true and lasting joy, and with that in mind, we prayed with the More JOY Prayer Guide. We pursue JOY,  invite JOY, and pray for more JOY! This week, we start with Heaven’s JOY. Today, we cover these points:

• “The joy of the Lord is my strength” is the source of our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

• The Scriptures call our attention to God’s joyful creation (e.g., Psalm 61: 12-13).

• We put on the “breastplate of righteousness ” to protect our hearts (Ephesians 6: 14).

• The Catholic Dictionary of the Bible defines righteousness as “communion in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through which we begin a new life in the spirit –a life in which we live in Christ and Christ lives in us”( p. 743).

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains Righteousness: “Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ. It was granted us through Baptism. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who justifies us. …It is the most excellent work of God’s mercy” (CCC, 2020).

• Lies: The devil will whisper lies to attack your thoughts, feelings, and desires, especially saying you are unworthy.

1. You cannot expect God to keep loving you and helping you.

• Truths: When faced with spiritual warfare, put on the breastplate of righteousness. In the mighty power of Jesus Christ, speak these Breastplate Declarations (inserting your own name in the verse).

1. In Jesus, I am the righteousness of God. (Repeat 2 Corinthians 5: 21).

Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study that accompanies this podcast, and you can begin anytime.  It’s free!

• Pray about accepting this opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize a small group of friends over coffee or tea.

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: WRAPYourselfinJOY.com.

The post Heaven Rejoices & We Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness (JOYFUL & Battle Ready #3) appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Drenched with JOY

Would you like to be drenched in JOY and armored in truth?  Are you willing to put on the armor of God to stand firm to keep the joy, to stand strong against fear, and to put on the armor of God to protect yourself from lies?  Join us today as we cover how to define JOY, receive more joy, and put on the belt of truth.

Last week, we learned that Jesus has complete JOY for you, God the Father has JOY and pleasures for you, and the Holy Spirit produces JOY in your life. So, how do we get more of this JOY?

Today, we cover these points:

• Many times, we come to our Heavenly Father—who is a Niagara Falls of Love, and we hold out only a teaspoon to catch it.

• After searching many definitions of Joy and primarily based on the teachings of our last three popes, we find a definition of true JOY.

• We ask God to increase our capacity for JOY.

• Ephesians 6 was written when Roman soldiers and guards surrounded Paul in prison.

• The BELT for a soldier served as a girdle to support his core or loins and stabilize his weapons.

• The devil’s favorite lies are targeted at your JOY, happiness, and identity as a Christian.

Girdle UP!! Make Jesus your Core.  Do not give into deception, diversion, discouragement, or division. Declare and remind yourself of these truths:

1.     For Deception (Identity), the Truth: I am the daughter [or son] of God. God knows me and loves me. Romans 8:15.“

2.     For Diversion (God doesn’t hear my prayers), the Truth:  My prayers are powerful and effective, and nothing can separate me from the love of God. He listens, and He is answering.  James 5: 16.

3.     For Discouragement (You are fearful- God can’t meet your needs), the Truth: The Lord has not given me a spirit of fear but one of power, love, and a sound mind.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, I can understand His Word and reserve time to pray and read Scripture daily. 2 Timothy 1:7.

Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study for seven weeks.  It accompanies this podcast, and you can begin anytime.  It’s free!

• Pray about accepting this opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by hosting a small group of friends over coffee or tea.

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: WRAPYourselfinJOY.com.

The post Drenched with JOY & Armored in Truth (JOYFUL & Battle Ready #2) appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Do you find it difficult to embrace JOY and at the same time stand firm in life’s battles? You are not alone. Daily, we all face challenges and fears. Join us today as we discuss embracing true JOY, standing firm, and being strong in the Lord when facing fears and struggles.

About 45% of 12,000 people surveyed say they have not felt true happiness since before the pandemic. Around 25% surveyed say they don’t know, or have forgotten, what it means to feel truly happy (Oracle).  The natural question is this: Are JOY and happiness the same thing? We will find that happiness depends on external circumstances, while true joy is “a gift that fills us from within” and “is to be searched for and shared continuously (Pope Francis. May 10, 2013).   Today, we cover these points:

• If you allow God to give you His JOY, it will change your life.

• Jesus, my Savior. You love me like the Heavenly Father loves You, and You want to give me your JOY—complete JOY. Thank YOU, Jesus, I embrace it. (John 15: 9-11)

• Now, we move to Ephesians 6: 10-14, where we are told by St. Paul we must be prepared for battle.

• To stand is a military term meaning “to hold a position” and “to resist an impending attack” (Collins).

• Paul calls the attacks we face the devil’s wiles (cunning strategies and ensnarement).

Recognizing Spiritual Warfare

• Recognize if you are in spiritual warfare and facing some arrows or wiles.

Personal Reflection – The Rs to Stand Firm and Stand Strong

• You can “strengthen yourself in the Lord” and not depend on your own strength to fight against the wiles, using the “3 R’s” to combat the devil in any of your struggles:

1. REMEMBER and Receive God’s Love and JOY. Daily, declare the JOY and Love from the Trinity declarations.

• Finally, be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6: 10). Weakness is no excuse to lay down and be spiritually slaughtered. The Lord wants to be your strength in weakness. Call upon the Name of Jesus. Try to memorize and declare every day this week: Ephesians 6: 10-14. Put your name in the words so you pray with Scripture.

Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study for seven weeks.  It accompanies this podcast, and you can begin anytime.  It’s free!

• Pray about accepting this opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by hosting a small group of friends over coffee or tea.

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: WRAPYourselfinJOY.com

The post Embrace the JOY and Stand FIRM! JOYFUL & Battle Ready #1 appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Nehemiah Finale & Recap, “The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength”

Consider Nehemiah. Do you need more HOPE and JOY in your life? Nehemiah recaps: The JOY of the Lord is Your Strength.” God is waiting for you to come to Him.  Join us today for the finale of Nehemiah where you will be reminded the Joy of the Lord is Your strength.

In our last podcast, covering Nehemiah Chapters 10 – 12, we joined moving day as many Israelites moved back to Jerusalem. Then they signed a Curse and Oath agreement, promising to support the temple, honor the Sabbath Day, uphold a religious marriage, and serve God in everything. After the priests purified the people, the gates, and the walls, they implored God’s presence at the dedication ceremony. Nehemiah appointed two praise processions on the walls. They praised and worshipped with thanksgiving, singing, rejoicing, and trumpeting so loud that all in neighboring towns heard them!

Things change.  After serving as Governor of Jerusalem for 12 years, from 444 to 432 BC, Nehemiah returned to Babylon to serve King Artaxerxes. Sometime later, he “returned to Jerusalem.”  What a shock!  Nehemiah found the people had fallen away from their commitment to God and covenant promises. Today, we cover these points in Nehemiah 13 and the finale of the Book of Nehemiah:

• What caused the people to fall away so quickly? They were not reminded daily of God and His ways.

• The Israelites gave their children in marriage to pagans who did not use the sacred Hebrew language.

• Remembrance was a theme throughout the book of Nehemiah: The people forgot God again and again, but Nehemiah kept calling them to remember God, his faithfulness, and his promises.

• It is sorrowful to know that after all the building and recommitment, the people fell away from God.

• The Book of Nehemiah has reassured us that prayer changes everything, that every obstacle can be overcome, and that every false accusation can lead to persistence, more prayer, and joyous victory.

Let’s close with some reflection on the principles you can apply from the book of Nehemiah.

(1) Call on your LOVING GOD in the MESSY SITUATIONS (Chapter 1).

(2) SUPPLICATE (Chapter 1).  You can use Nehemiah’s ACTS Model: 1) Adore God 2) Confess sins, 3) Thank God, and 4) Supplicate.

(3) Pray for FAVOR & depend on God to open doors. (Chapters 2-3).

(4) Become a Perfumer; All Vocations are Needed (Chapter 3).  Become a perfumer and help build. Bring the sweetness of God’s spirit and a sweet aroma of prayer to every stinky situation.

(5) Face Opposition & Stand FIRM Against Insults (Chapters 4,  7). Nehemiah showed a 3-pronged approach to defeating opposition: 1) pray, 2) declare the truth instead of believing lies and 3) work together with others.

(6) When angered, step back first (Chapter 5) & Face Slander (Chapter 6): Pray, Speak the Truth, and Persevere. eep the sword of the spirit- the Word of God in one hand and your work tool or skill in the other.

(7) Declare the Joy of the Lord is My Strength (Chapter 8).

(8) Create a personal Prayer BOOTH! in your home (Chapter 8). Your corner of a room is like a spiritual booth where the Israelites celebrated the Feast of Booths to offer praise, and thanksgiving and read His Word.

(9) Remember God Will Never Forsake You (Chapters 9 & 13). After experiencing God’s great faithfulness, the people fell away into sin into the rebellion-revival cycle.

(10) Become a “Praiser” and Read God’s Word (Chapters 10-12). Nehemiah called the people to worship, to praise and to offer thanksgiving to God.

So, what will you do NEXT? How can you start building now? Nehemiah models personal intercession with the ACTS model.

• Adore God and praise His greatness and faithfulness.

Remember: The JOY of the LORD is YOUR Strength!

• Why not invite a few friends for coffee or tea every week for just one hour to discuss a one-page study guide accompanying every podcast in each series?

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post NEHEMIAH & Rebuilding HOPE  #11 – Nehemiah Recaps, “The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength.” appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Nehemiah Calls Praisers & JOY Fills Their Hearts

Do you need an uplift? Becoming a praiser could change your life. Adding praise and thanksgiving to your prayer can increase your faith, lift your spirit, help you recall God’s goodness, encourage you in hard tasks, and add much more joy to your life. Join us today as Nehemiah calls all praisers and demonstrates the impact of praise.

In our last podcast, we joined the Israelites as Ezra read God’s Word aloud and they realized how disobedient they had been to God and his commandments, falling into a rebellion-revival cycle: (1) Rebellion against God and His law; (2) Warnings from the prophets and teachers, but to no avail, (3) Repentance from sinfulness and calling out to God; and (4) Intervention when God rescues them from the enemy oppressors. Today, in Nehemiah Chapters 10 -12, we follow the people as they sign a new covenant with God rededicating their lives and the walls and gates to Him. Today we cover these points:

• The curse and oath agreement meant “they could expect a blessing for obedience, or a correction from God if they did not follow through on obeying His Law.

• Nehemiah shares a long list of the people and the vocations of those who moved into Jerusalem, including leaders, warriors, Levites, temple gatekeepers, overseers, and singers.

• Chapter 12 opens with more names – but this time the names are those of priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel.

• It was time to dedicate the walls once they moved into Jerusalem and returned to worship and obey God’s laws.

• Next, the praisers joined the dedication ceremony.

• The last activity of the dedication ceremony involved joyfully offering tithe to God – to support the temple, the priests, and those who led worship.

1. Have you considered becoming a praiser? So how can you add more praise and thanksgiving to God in your life?

1. Become a singer of praises to God. Even if you can’t carry a tune, sing with online or CD worship music. Join others in singing praises. As you sing the words from your heart, they become your prayer.

One final point to remember is this.

1. Don’t forget the power of praise to defeat enemies and negative situations (e.g., see Nehemiah 2 and 3). Remember  2 Chronicles 20:21 when King Jehoshaphat followed the Lord’s counsel and appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy splendor. They lead the army into battle. As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the …enemies.., who had come against Judah, so they were routed. .. they all helped destroy one another. The Lord won a fabulous victory as the enemies were defeated and the army never even used their swords.  If you are discouraged, or fearful and have pressing needs, consider praising God often. God will fight battles for you and lift you up when you turn your attention to him.

• Why not invite a few friends for coffee or tea every week for just one hour to discuss the one-page study guide accompanying this podcast or others in my last few series?

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post NEHEMIAH & Rebuilding HOPE #10 – Do You Need an Uplift? Nehemiah Calls All Praisers! appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

National Confession & Nehemiah Says, God Will Never Forsake You!

Consider Nehemiah Chapter 9. Do you feel forsaken by God ever? Always remember this: God is ready to forgive. He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounds in steadfast love.  Join us today as Nehemiah says, God will never forsake you.

In our last podcast, we joined the Israelites on Rosh Hashanah and the Feast of Trumpets. Many had stopped celebrating the feast days and gave up their faith because of the brokenness of their homeland, families, and lives. In Nehemiah 8, when Ezra read the Word of God aloud, the people wept loudly, mourning for their sins. Nehemiah and Ezra told them: “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Next, they celebrated the Feast of Booths when each family spent seven days in a   booth remembering God’s goodness, reading the Word of God, praying, praising, and thanking Him to commemorate how God had delivered them from Egypt by parting the Red Sea, and cared for them in the desert for 40 years where they lived in simple huts.  Now in Chapter 9, two days after the weeklong celebration of the Feast of Booths, the people are together again for a day of national confession. Today, we cover these points:

• The people gather for 6 hours – three hours reading the words of the Torah and 3 hours confessing sin.

• Ezra called them to worship God and recall the ways that God cared for them since Abraham.

• The people stood in fasting – an act of penance to show remorse in skin-tearing sackcloth with dirt on their heads –all painful acts showing deep sorrow for their sins before God.

• After experiencing God’s great faithfulness of God, they fell away again and again.

Verse 17 seems to be a turning point in the chapter: “But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and you did not forsake them. God will forgive us when we confess the sins of our generations and commit to changing directions.

• How will you respond to these verses of Scripture?

• Confess your sins. When you want to be renewed in your spiritual life, Nehemiah shows us where to begin: Remember what God has done, confess your sin and the areas where you have fallen away, and praise and worship our glorious God again.

• Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study. It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime.

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post NEHEMIAH & Rebuilding HOPE #9 – Nehemiah Says, God Will Never Forsake You! appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Consider Nehemiah Chapter 8. Do you need more JOY in your life? Are you seeking a revival in your faith? Nehemiah will show you the way. Join us today as we cover creating a spiritual “prayer booth” for rejoicing, reading Scripture, recalling what God has done for us, and receiving new JOY.

• Nehemiah and the Israelites completed the walls and gates in 52 days (Nehemiah 6).

• Nehemiah assigned gatekeepers to keep the city free from enemies so the people could worship without threats.

• God put it into Nehemiah’s heart to register every person.

• It’s October 444 B.C., New Year’s Day, called Rosh Hashanah on the Hebrew Civil calendar.

• The people gathered to hear Ezra read from the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

• It took hearing and understanding God’s Word to begin the healing of broken hearts and dreams.

• The Feast of Booths, also called the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot) was celebrated for seven days.

• How will you respond to these verses of Scripture? You Could

• Prayer Booth. Set up a Holy Place (call it a booth or secret place) in your home where you can pray, praise, read Scripture, and write in your prayer journal. Your booth is your secret place – it’s like a spiritual booth/or hut/where the people celebrate the Feast of Booths. It’s a place to put yourself in God’s presence in your home. You offer praise thanksgiving and worship.

• Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study. It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime or choose another of my podcast series (e.g. Finding More JOY).

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post NEHEMIAH & Rebuilding HOPE #8 – Need Joy in Your Life? Nehemiah Points to a Prayer Booth! appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Angered While Rebuilding? Nehemiah Says Step Back First!

Consider Nehemiah. Do you get angry easily?  Do you get riled up? Nehemiah shows us to step back before acting. It never works to respond with emotions. In Chapter 5, during their rebuilding, the people face opposition from within their ranks. It seems that if the opposition doesn’t hit us from without, it comes from within. Join the podcast today as Nehemiah reminds us to step back, then stand up and keep focus when facing opposition. Today we cover the following points:

• In Nehemiah Chapter 4, the people were making progress when more persecution made them fearful.

• Many were in poverty: inflation had become rampant and taxes were unbearable.

• Nehemiah was very angry with the nobles and officials who took advantage of their kin.

• Nehemiah confronted the nobles who were enslaving their own brethren and children.

• Nehemiah kept his focus on building the wall.

• Please reflect on the principles that Nehemiah models and we can apply:

1. Step back. Do not be led by anger. Collect your thoughts. It never works to respond with emotions. Ephesians 4: 26. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

• Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study on It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime or choose any podcast series (e.g. Finding More JOY).

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post Nehemiah – Rebuilding Hope #6 – Angry? Nehemiah Says Step Back First! appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Work with the Sword of God in one hand and a trowel in the other.

Have you looked at Nehemiah 4? Do you ever face opposition in the midst of a daunting task? How do you respond to insults or ridicule? In Nehemiah Chapter 4, the people face criticism, ridicule, name-calling, and insults as they try to repair the burned-down walls and broken gates. Opposition happens to all of us. Join the podcast today as Nehemiah shows us the best approach for success to overcome opposition and discouragement.

In our last episode, family-by-family and household-by-household and brick-by-brick the people started to repair the walls and rebuild the gates. The builders worked side-by-side, beyond their own giftedness or vocations to do God’s work and repair the walls and gates of their holy city. Of course, their enemies came to stop the progress.  They face criticism, ridicule, name-calling, and a constant barrage of insults. This can happen to any of us. Today we cover these points as Nehemiah shows us the best approach to overcome opposition:

• Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the people: “Will they sacrifice” or “finish in a day?” (They are asking, will they call upon their God or how could their God help build anything in a short time?)

• Nehemiah did not return their insults with insults.

• The people responded to the opponent’s increased anger with prayer.

• Nehemiah models how to face the opposition: (1) Pray first, (2) Declare God’s truth, (3) Work heartily.

• For Christians, we must join together by praying together, declaring God’s truth to each other, and working together.

Ask God where the broken gates are in your life—spiritual or otherwise. and what weapons you can use to rebuild the brokenness. You can follow Nehemiah’s model in overcoming the opposition.  1) pray, 2) declare the truth of God’s word instead of believing the lies and 3) work together with a sword of the spirit, the Word of God, in one hand and your work in the other hand. Use your prayer journal to record your action response:

1. For example, pray Nehemiah 4: 14. Simply insert your name for the “I” and “my.” AND Insert the names of your friends and family members in the places of kin, sons, daughters, etc.

Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study on Nehemiah. It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime or choose another podcast (e.g. Finding More JOY).

• Pray about accepting this wonderful opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by hosting a small group of friends over coffee or tea.

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post Nehemiah & Rebuilding Hope #5 – Facing Opposition? Nehemiah Shows the Best Approach for Success! appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.

Become a Perfume-maker

Nehemiah calls the Perfumers. All teams need workers from all walks of life with a heartfelt desire to build—even beyond their known skills.  Most importantly, the “perfume makers” provide sweet-smelling assistance, even though their hands are soft and they are not seasoned builders.  Join us today as Nehemiah reveals team-making skills and appoints the perfumers.

In our last podcast, we joined Nehemiah as he secretly inspected Jerusalem at night time. He saw the many ruins but was inspired that God was leading the rebuilding. Although the ruins had accumulated over many years, he inspired the people, and they replied, Let us start building! Today we cover the following points:

• We all have broken places in the lives of our families, our communities, and our nation.

• Outside the gates were stalls like farmer’s markets, where traders sold goods of all kinds.

• The high priest Elisheba with his fellow priests rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They started the example for repair plus they consecrated the doors and an entire area to God.

• Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs with his daughters offering an example of involving the family in rebuilding.

• Teamwork was essential.  The builders worked for the glory of God—for the place of worship, for the people of God and not for pay.

• Nehemiah mentions the names of each of the gates that were repaired.

You can reflect on the principles that apply to your life. In prayer, using your prayer journal, consider these questions:

1. Where do you have burned gates or broken walls in your life (or family or nation) that need restoration?

Consider hosting a weekly one-hour Cup of Joy Women’s small group study on Nehemiah.  It accompanies this podcast and you can begin anytime.  It’s free!

• Pray about accepting this opportunity to engage others and gently evangelize by hosting a small group of friends over coffee or tea.

• Download Bookmarks from this podcast series at my website: com

The post Nehemiah – Rebuilding Hope #4 – Perfumers Needed! Nehemiah Calls for Your Help! appeared first on Ultimate Christian Podcast Radio Network.