The LORD is Near! Be JOYful!

               Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Be prepared by drinking a healthy portion!

            Our new year is “off and running”!  Perhaps you’ve begun a new project…or at least vowed to complete one previously started.  Regardless of what we accomplished in 2012, we can look forward with hope that this new year will bring JOYful blessings.

            All of us would like for 2013 will be overflowing with great things: good health, happiness, 12 months free from major problems.  BUT the reality is that there will be challenges along our way.  We may have setbacks….physically, emotionally, financially.  We may experience disappointment, hurt…maybe even heartbreak.  But if we have faith in God, even in the midst of “reality”, we can still have JOY!

            I often remind people that JOY and happiness are not the same.  We’re not happy when that painful circumstance comes into our lives.  The loss of a loved one, the diagnosis of an illness, the end of a relationship, financial struggles…these are not happy times.  BUT a relationship with the Lord gives us a joyful strength. As the verses in Psalm 145:18 & 20 remind us:

 ¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him, :
       to all who call on him in truth.
  ²⁰ The LORD watches over all who love him,
     
Regardless of what this year holds, our Lord is near. Let’s remember to call on Him. He is JOYfully and lovingly watching over us. Drink your Joy Juice as a reminder that the Lord is near and ready to carry you through this New Year.