Part III: Joy Despite Your Past: Principle #12: Recalculate What Really Matters

  Memory Verse:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

--Philippians 3:13

JOURNAL

The Aaronic blessings of Numbers 6:24–26 have been

put to music by several artists. The first was written

and performed by Christian artist Michael Card, entitled

“Barocha.” The second was written by Cody Carnes and

Kari Jobe, entitled “The Blessing.”

For your challenge today, find these songs on whatever platform you use. 

Listen to both songs and pick the style that best fits you. Then,

sometime today, whether in the morning or on your lunch

break or in the evening, schedule a time and place with no

distractions and listen to the song from start to finish. You

can do this alone or invite others into the experience.

Before you start the song, take some deep breaths to

release any tension you may have. Assume a posture that

best puts you in a mood to receive. Whisper a prayer to

God that you are ready to receive his blessing. Close your

eyes and imagine Jesus looking into your eyes with an

expression of pure love and delight to spend time with you.

Start the music and take in the reality of your position as a

child of God.

When you’re done, take some time to write your thoughts

in your journal. Thank God for seeing you, loving you, and

affirming you. Thank God for blessing you. What did this

experience do for your joy levels?

This was a beautiful way to start "mid-day" at work.  I start my day in the Word and try and end the day in the Word, but hearing this song (I chose The Blessing) mid-day is a great "re-charge" in the middle of the day.  It's a sort of "pep-talk" to finish my day.

To be able to focus solely on what God has done and is doing in my life is such Joy!