Joy

October 15th – Zephaniah 3:17

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Zephaniah 3:17

God’s Promise – “I will sing over you with loud shouts of joy!”

We are often our own worst critics. Instead of seeing ourselves as marvelous works created by the hand that created all things, we focus on our flaws and imperfections. But that’s not how God sees us. Our Heavenly Father created every inch of us head to toe. And He loves us just the way we are. No matter if we are short or tall, skinny or fat, blonde or brunette, we are precious to God. So precious in fact that He sings great songs of love over us. Too many times we fall prey to the lies of the enemy who tells us that we are unlovable, unusable, and unworthy. But that’s far from the truth. Just ask God. For He looks at us through the eyes of a loving, forgiving Father and sees nothing less than a most wonderful part of His perfect creation! So remember to whom you belong, and who calls you His. The One whose heart shouts with joy just at the mere thought of you!

October 15th – Zephaniah 3:17 Read More »

September 26th – Matthew 5:11-12

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Matthew 5:11-12

Have you ever felt disheartened when someone shuts you down while you’re sharing the Gospel? Or been discouraged when the works you do for God don’t produce the fruit you want? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible is filled with stories of the disheartening, discouraging, rejection of God’s prophets and messengers. And one of these is Stephen, the church’s first martyr. Falsely accused and brought before the Jewish leaders, Stephen faced a sentence of death. Yet instead of giving a defense for himself, he gave a condemning testimony about the sins of Israel. Far from afraid, Stephen was so full of faith that as he spoke, all who looked upon him saw the glory of God. I want to be like Stephen. To be that full of faith. Boldly obeying God’s call no matter the consequences. Joyfully and courageously sharing with others how the Lord has worked in my life, why I place my faith in Him and how they too can know Jesus as their Savior.

 

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July 29th – Revelation 19:9

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Revelation 19:9

My husband and I have been together for 32 years. To many that seems like a lifetime. Yet to me it seems like yesterday when I was an eager bride, ready to begin my new life with my new husband. Anticipation and excitement swirled inside me, as I stood in the church waiting to walk down the aisle. Yet the happiness I felt on that day can’t begin to compare to the joy that will fill my heart when, as the bride of Christ, I walk down the aisle to Jesus. After the destruction of the Antichrist and his followers, the heavens sing God’s praises, and rejoice over the upcoming “marriage of the Lamb”. (Rev. 19:7) A glorious union and cause for great celebration. For not only does it promise blessings to those who are invited to the wedding feast, it ushers in the triumphant return of our Lord. So as we wait for that magnificent wedding day, may we continue to grow in both closeness and likeness to our heavenly Groom!

July 29th – Revelation 19:9 Read More »

July 28th – Numbers 8:4

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Numbers 8:4

God gave Moses detailed instructions how the tabernacle lampstand was to be made, and where it was to be placed. And as it was the only light source, it was the job of Aaron and his sons to make sure the lamp burned continuously, both day and night. The lampstand is a symbol of Christ Jesus, the true Light of the world. (John 8:12) The One who leads all out of darkness, and into His saving light. (1 Peter 2:9) And as Christian’s, we in turn are the lamps supporting Him. For the Lord calls us to be examples of His shining light in a spiritually darkened world. (Matt. 5:14-16) Dr. Charles Stanley says our mission as Christians is to be, “lights burning with the fire of heaven.” So today and everyday let’s lead lives burning day and night with the light of Jesus. And out of love for our Savior, joyfully spread the saving message of the Gospel, so that all will praise our Father in heaven!

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July 23rd – 1 John 4:16

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1 John 4:16

The greatest selling love song of all time is called, “Love Is All Around”, by an 80’s Scottish rock band. It start outs, “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. The love that’s all around me, and so the feeling grows”. That perfectly describes the love I feel for God. He is my Master, Lord, Savior, Friend, and Father. And as full as my heart is for Him, what makes it burst at the seams is the love that He in turn feels for me. Many are the attributes of our most high God. He is good, merciful, faithful, wise, and all powerful; just to name a few. But above of else, God is love. And we can rely on that love, as proven through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. All we need do is open our hearts and receive His free gift of grace. That’s it. No strings attached, no conditions to meet, no standards to reach. God wants to pick up us, wipe away our tears, replace our sorrow with joy, and make us royalty in His kingdom forever. And all because He loves us!

July 23rd – 1 John 4:16 Read More »

July 22nd – Luke 12:34

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Luke 12:34

True and lasting joy can never be found in things. Instead it comes from having a close, personal relationship with God. Anything else else is just a hollow substitution. In one of His parables, Jesus tells of a rich man who had a very productive year. His crops so plentiful, he didn’t have barns big enough to store the surplus. But instead of taking that abundance and sharing it with the needy, he decided it much better to build larger barns. That way he could store his crop and live a life of ease. Little did he know, that very night would be his last. In the end the man wasted valuable time storing up earthy treasures. Treasures that eventually turn to dust. Instead, he should have been storing up heavenly treasures, becoming rich toward God. Jesus warns that wherever our hearts are, there too will be our focus. If we seek fleshly desires, our heart is going to follow. An investment in the things of this world comes with an empty and risky rate of return. But investing in God brings an unlimited supply of joy, and an eternity of riches.

July 22nd – Luke 12:34 Read More »

July 18th – Philippians 4:4

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Philippians 4:4

When we’re hurting, being told to rejoice seems not only impossible, but particularly cruel. After all, how could God expect us to find joy in pain? But did you know that of all the books in the Bible, among the most joyful are the “prison epistles”? These are the letters written by Paul while imprisoned in Rome. The apostle had been falsely arrested, shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, beaten, and eventually beheaded. Yet through it all, Paul never lost his joy. Because his gladness wasn’t found in his circumstances. Rather, Paul’s joy was in the One who provided the love, peace, and strength he needed to endure every trial. And by following Paul’s model we too can rejoice always; even in the worst of circumstances. We don’t rejoice over the hurt, but we can rejoice over the Lord. Because He will use our situation both for our good, and His glory.

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July 17th – Psalm 16:11

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Psalm 16:11

I once read the quote, “Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured.” That was the attitude of David. Because he had complete confidence in the goodness of God, David could know joy both now and in the future to come. And so can we. Because of His great love, God provides, through His Son Jesus Christ, the path to eternal life. A path light by the glory of God, where the sins of the past our remembered no more. And one in which we experience a wonderful, personal, walk with the Lord. Like David, we can rejoice knowing we have been given the great honor of sitting at the right hand of God. A glorious place of great prestige. For as Charles Spurgeon says, “The right hand, even on earth, is the place of favor, honor, and security.  God is not going to give his people any left-handed heaven, but they are to dwell at his right hand for evermore.” (Spurgeon)

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July 14th – 1 Timothy 4:7-8

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1 Timothy 4:7-8

Too many times I have been guilty of not practicing due diligence when it comes to my relationship with God. I’ve been lax in giving it the time and nurturing it deserves. Because honestly, discipline is not my strong suit. Yet Paul advises us to diligently practice self control for the goal of walking in righteousness. Why? Because godliness transforms our lives into ones God intends for us to have. Lives of love, peace, joy, and fulfillment. “For it is this we labor and strive, because we fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (1 Tim. 4:10) Practicing godliness deepens our relationship with the Lord, and provides a wonderful testimony to the lost. Because what better attraction could there be then seeing a follower of Jesus leading a disciplined, godly life to its fullest.

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July 13th – Romans 9:3

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Romans 9:3

Paul’s heart ached for his fellow Jews and their rejection of Jesus.  So much so, that he was willing to be separated from the Lord if it meant salvation for Israel. The apostle received horrendous treatment from the people. Yet he never stopped hoping he would know the joy of seeing them receive Jesus as their Savior and experiencing the new life awaiting them. Such a selfless love is hard to fathom. After all it’s easy for us to want the best for those whom we love, and who love us in return. But what about those who don’t? Can we have the attitude of a Paul? Can we have hearts so full of love for Jesus that we mourn over His lost and rejoice over His found? Through our own strength such a love is impossible. But if we let Him, God will build in us that same kind of humble, self sacrificing spirit. The kind that joyfully leads others out of the darkness and into the light of Christ.

July 13th – Romans 9:3 Read More »