Who For the JOY Set Before Him.......

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today? Choose to drink it consistently and faithfully! 

            Many of you may be carrying a burden of grief. You may be consumed with health issues, financial challenges, or a variety of other difficulties.  When we are burdened and hurting, it can be easy to give up on joy.  The comforting Truth is: God understands.  And He is always there to help us move through the pain and give us the courage to choose a life of joy in Him.

            Jesus, Himself, endured a lot of pain.  He was beaten, scourged and nailed to a cross.  Do you know why?  Hebrews 12:2 says: “…who for the joy set before him endured the cross.”  What was the “joy that was set before him?”  Kay Warren writes: “What joy was so rich, so satisfying, so deep that he was willing to suffer such terrible abuse?  YOU were the joy set before Him. I was the joy set before him! He suffered so he could be reconciled with you…with me.”

            I don’t know about you, but that gets my attention and makes my heart overflow with humility and gratitude…knowing that He loves me that much! THAT is what genuine joy is all about!

            Let’s offer a prayer of thanks: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and considering us worthy of your supreme sacrifice because we are “joy” in your heart.