Have you had your Joy Juice
today? Whether we are celebrating or
mourning, God’s joy is something we can count on.
When Paul was in prison, he wrote
the letter to Philippians that we often refer to as the “Joy Book”. He was facing trial for blasphemy because of
his public teaching about Jesus…. and was awaiting almost certain execution…
but his recurring admonition was to “rejoice”!
Was he happy to be in prison?
No! Was he excited and joyful
about possibly being put to death? Of
course not! He was not expressing joy
about his circumstances but he WAS declaring joy in his relationship with the
Lord of those circumstances. That’s why he could rejoice and keep on rejoicing
and tell his readers to “rejoice always”. This is an ongoing command and a call
to obedience.
Now, keep in mind that as
determined as we may be to “rejoice always”….it’s humanly impossible. The wonderful truth, however, is that we don’t
have to face the challenges of life alone.
Jesus says in John 15:… “I have told you this so that my joy may
be in you and that you joy may be complete.”
That verse has
become one of my very favorites…first of all because it is a personal message
from JESUS…to each of us. And secondly, He
reminds us that JOY is a gift….a treasured, valuable gift from HIM.
Have you opened your gift of joy from
Jesus? It’s wrapped beautifully in ribbons
of love.
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