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!

Amazing Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Regardless of what you have planned for this day, there is joy to be found.

            In David Jeremiah’s book, A Life Beyond Amazing, he shares the true story of a successful man who held strong to his faith…even in difficult times.  “Tony Snow was one of America’s most successful and respected newsmen. He started out as a writer for a small newspaper and went on to become a voice on ABC’s Good Morning America, and then hosted his own show on Fox News. In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Snow as his White House press secretary. Though popular, knowledgeable, and highly articulate, he was forced to resign less than two years later when he was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.  He died the following year at age fifty-three.

            Tony Snow could have died a bitter man, angry at how his brilliant career was cut short, and how cancer deprived him of life with his wife and three children. But Tony was a devout Christian. Far from being angry with God, he found joy in the unexpected blessings his illness brought him.”

            Tony wrote these words before his death: “The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense.  We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God.”

            Through the difficult times, Tony Snow had joy.  And we can have that same joy!

             Make certain that YOU have the joy that comes from knowing Jesus personally.

Come Boldly....With Joy!

           Have you had your Joy Juice today? Take your serving straight from God’s outstretched hand.

            I recently read a quote that made quite an impression on me! Susie Larson said, “Remember that God’s hold on you is stronger than your hold on Him.”  WOW!  In His infinite, everlasting, limitless love….He will never let go of His children!

•  Even when we make bad choices?  Yes!

• Even if we let hurtful words come from our lips?  Yes!

•  Even if we neglect Him?  Yes, even then!

            There is nothing we can do that will ever change His love for us.  HOWEVER, because of His great love and our reciprocal love for Him, we should desire to make good, Godly choices that will please Him.  We should want to spend time with Him daily. And our words should be ones that speak His love to others.

            Ephesians 3:12 tells us: “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” On those occasions when the enemy is battling to steal your joy, know that God has a firm hold on you and He will never let go. 

            Confidently accept His forgiveness & love….and boldly share that love and joy.