JOY

I watched a video podcast from Erwin McManus tonight titled JOY 365.

McManus taught that joy and strength are connected.

Joy is not incidental or supplemental….joy is essential to our journey.

“When you step into a sacred moment, realizing your shortfalls, we are not found guilty, we are called to live in the joy of the Lord, HE is our strength.”

Our soul becomes heavy from the reality of our humanness.

Jesus calls us to celebrate with JOY!

Do you see JOY in your worst moments?

Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus “ENDURED”  the cross….THE POWER OF JOY CARRIED HIM THROUGH!!!!!!

“Jesus is giving us an inseparable relationship between having the incredible relationship with God where we ask in His name and he gives to us and there is power in our prayers and there is something supernatural about our relationship to the creator.”

John 16:24  “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Joy and strength are connected….we are connected to Jesus, our source of joy and strength!!!!!

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy?

Do I have joy?  What is joy?

Think of the most joyful time in your life.  Being in the presence of God in heaven will be one hundred gazillion time more joyful.

 Jesus understood JOY.  Hebrews 12:2 says “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross..”

James had JOY and understood the depth of it…..James 1:2  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

The word joy is found in some of the darkest times in the bible.

Joy becomes strength in the time of trial!!

In the midst of the storm, joy believes in something bigger than the storm.

Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice.”

Psalms 35 says, “weeping is at night, but JOY comes in the morning!”

Joy is fueled by love.  Joy was set free by Christ and his sacrifice.

 Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Father God delights in us and rejoices over us with singing!!!!!

Joy is referenced in scripture 542 times. It’s in the Garden of Eden, in celebrations, in feasts and in many other stories and parables in scriptures.  Jesus was all about JOY.

One day, our baggage will be exposed.  Everything that we do will be exposed.

1 Corinthians 4:5 says “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

It’s easy to expect judgement.  Judgement from God, judgement from others and judgement from self.

This scripture says that our motives will be exposed and we will receive praise from HIM!!

God is bent on celebrating His believers. 

God does not just tolerate us….he takes pleasure and delights in us and even sings over us!!

Nothing shall separate us from God!!!

When we commune with Father God and understand His word, JOY is abundant.

Have a JOYFUL day!!

(Exerpts from a great Podcast by David Arcos from Mosaic)

Stand Fast In It….

1 Peter 4:12-13 says…..”Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Later in Chapter 5, Peter urges us to “Cast all your anxiety  on Him, because he cares for you.”

Chapters 4 and 5 can be summarized very simply….

When the trials of life sneak up on us, do not be surprised, REJOICE!   When Christ’s glory is revealed, He promises that we will be OVERJOYED.

Be humble and cast your anxieties on Him.  Be self-controlled and “stand fast in” God’s true grace.

The absence of surprises and anxiety can only happen when we depend on Jesus to provide his incredible grace.

Imagine, no surprises and no anxiety……sounds like PEACE to me…peace of mind, peace in our hearts and peace in our soul.

Thank you Father for revealing your truth and your glory this morning!!