Where does joy come from?

We want joy in our life. We want peace.

Do we long for God? Does our heart yearn to know what God wants us to do today?

Then we will know joy and peace.

“God can not give us joy and peace apart from Himself cause there is no such thing.” -C.S. Lewis

Smile even if you are hurting. Be happy even if you are unhappy. It’s called strength!

Smile even if you are hurting. Be happy even if you are unhappy. It’s called strength!

Jesus didn’t call us to be Christians. He called us to be Disciples. He didn’t promise us a rose garden. He did guarantee that if we follow Him, we would have a joy no one can understand. Submission leads to happiness.

You can smile if you are hurting. You have Jesus, you have His strength and you can be happy in Him.

Is Jesus laughing?

I know God likes to hear me laugh. Jesus wants me to be joyful and glad.

This is my favorite image of Jesus. Surely He is so happy that He is laughing.

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3

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Will I say it over and over again?

This is worth repeating. It needs to be said frequently. It is absolute. May I rejoice in the Lord always.

The joy He brings is amazing.

So  … I say it again. The joy He brings is amazing. It is stunning. May we start, live and end our day in joy.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

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Who is king of the mountain?

Some days things look bleak. Everything is out of synch. Nothing seems right at all. What I expect isn’t happening at all. It’s just not right.

If I count on God’s rule to prevail, I can be joyous. Do I have my eyes on Him or on my circumstances? It makes a difference. I can take heart. I can be thankful. I can gain (not lose) strength.

Relax, God is in control.

Though the cherry trees don’t blossom
and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
I feel like I’m king of the mountain! Habakkuk 3:17-18 (The Message)

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What should I ask God?

Jesus wants me to ask the Father. I should not be shy. In fact, boldness helps. If what I ask for is consistent with God’s principles for His World (Kingdom), asked in His name and His will, He will give it to me. He delights in giving me what He has in heaven. It tickles Him pink!!!

Wow, what joy that is when it happens.

This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I’ve revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks! John 16:24

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Staying on my feet

He can keep me on my feet. I will never fall when I am in Him. I will stand tall in His bright presence. I will do the happy dance for sure and celebrate without end. There is no blame or fault finding in Him.

He is able. And He will.

 

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. Jude 1:24

 

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.” ~~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In synch all the time

John was one motivated man of God. He saw first hand the unique relationship Jesus had with God. They were perfectly in synch. Never ever out of touch at all. Jesus always hit the mark, doing what He saw His Father doing, saying what He heard His Father saying. Union and communion of the highest order.

The promise is that we can enjoy the same relationship with God as well. Jesus has made it all possible. We can enjoy that same communion too.

We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! 1 John 1:3-4

Provoked to sarcasm

Am I one Jesus brings into the room with Him or am I the one provoked to sarcasm and left out of His presence? This is an essential question. Imagine telling Jesus he didn’t know what he was talking about. Oh my goodness.

Peter, James and John got in. I want to be one of the ones who goes in with Jesus. I don’t want to be sarcastic with what our Lord can do. Nothing is impossible for Him!!

He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John. They entered the leader’s house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: ‘Why all this busybody grief and gossip? This child isn’t dead; she’s sleeping.’ Provoked to sarcasm, they told him he didn’t know what he was talking about.

But when he had sent them all out, he took the child’s father and mother, along with his companions, and entered the child’s room. He clasped the girl’s hand and said, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means, ‘Little girl, get up.’ At that, she was up and walking around! This girl was twelve years of age. They, of course, were all beside themselves with joy. He gave them strict orders that no one was to know what had taken place in that room. Then he said, ‘Give her something to eat.’ Mark 5:39-43 

“Do not be anxious about anything.” ~~Apostle Paul

My part is to rejoice. God is so very good and He is always in this amazing mood. Jesus has a mission to bring Good News to me. Am I hearing bad news? It is a lie then. That is from my enemy Satan. So, I will rejoice at the good God is doing now.
 
I need to talk with my Father, ask Him for what I need, and be thankful in my conversations with Him. He knows what I need and will do more than I can imagine.
 
I don’t understand it, but as a result, His peace is mine. I can rest and relax. His peace is at attention in my heart. He is protecting me and the enemy can’t reach my heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-9

 

 

A faithful son

God gives us so much. Time, resources, relationships and gifts to get His job done. There will be an accounting for what I do with all this. Am I being a faithful son and getting the most out His generousity?

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21

May I put to use His many resources for His world.