Created for Joy!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  You were created for joy!

            In Romans 14:17, Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

            David Jeremiah says: “Many Christians have the righteousness part down and maybe even the peace part. But they’re clueless when it comes to joy.  Instead of enjoying the Christian life, they seem to endure it.”

            Over and over again in the Word of God we are encouraged, commanded, & exhorted to “REJOICE”.  Why is that so hard? Could it be that we are “self-focused” rather than “God-focused”?  Do we trust in ourselves more than we trust in God?  If so, no wonder we have a joy-deficit!   

            Lewis Smedes wrote: “You and I were created for joy, and if we miss it, we miss the reason for our existence.”  If “joy” is good enough for Jesus, shouldn’t it be good enough for us?  He made it very clear that our joy is a priority to Him when He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

            David Jeremiah explains: “Jesus’ joy is a complete joy.  It’s not an ‘almost’ joy or a ‘sometimes’ joy.  It’s 100 percent joy.  The uniqueness of this joy is captured in Peter’s words in the first chapter of his first letter.  Peter wrote that even though we’ve never seen or touched Jesus in the flesh, when we believe in Him, we possess an inexpressible joy, full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8) (From David Jeremiah’s book, A Life Beyond Amazing)

         YOU were created for joy! Never forget that!