Be Joyful....Because The LORD is Near!

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

            2014 is “off and running”!  Perhaps you’ve begun a new project…or at least vowed to complete one previously started in the old year.  Regardless of what we accomplished in 2013, we can look forward with hope that this new year will bring great things!

            We would like to hope that 2014 will be overflowing with blessings of good health, happiness, 12 months free from major problems.  BUT the reality of life (as we remove our “rose colored glasses”) is that there will be challenges along our path.  We may have setbacks….physically, emotionally, financially.  We may experience disappointment, hurt…maybe even heartbreak.  But do you agree with me that even in the midst of “reality”, we can still have JOY in the Lord?

            Remember JOY and happiness are not the same.  We’re not happy when that painful circumstance comes into our lives.  It may be the loss of a loved one, the diagnosis of a disease, financial struggles…these are not happy times.  BUT a relationship with the Lord produces joy because, as the truth of Psalm 145:18 & 20 reminds 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 and He is watching over us because  HE LOVES US! 
  
            Drink in the JOY of knowing that our Lord is near and He’s ready to carry us through this New Year.