Abundant Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  When we thirst for a deeper relationship with Christ, then we truly enjoy the sweet flavor of His joy!

            What governs your life?  The desire of the “flesh” or the leading of the “Spirit”? Listen to how scripture defines the difference:

In Romans 8:5-6 we read: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

                My understanding of those verses is this:  If we live to gratify our own personal desires, instead of living according to God’s laws and direction, then we will experience many unwelcome consequences here on earth and, more importantly, we will not enjoy eternity with Christ. However, if we give our hearts to God and commit to living for Him & following His commands, our lives will be joyfully blessed with peace and the promise of abundant love…forever.  That doesn’t mean that a Christian will never have heartache or trials.  But it does mean that God will strengthen us and hold us close as we walk through those difficult times.  His peace will pass all understanding; His love will never fail and His joy will be complete in us. We know that’s true because the Bible tells us so!

                Let’s choose to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives and live the joyful, abundant life He promises.  (John 10:10) 

King James Bible
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.