“Now may the God of
hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NKJ)
hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NKJ)
I suppose that
you’ve been to Someday Isle. Someday I’ll
get lots of money and then I’ll be happy. Someday
I’ll have all my problems solved and I’ll be happy. Someday I’ll have no worries or sickness . . .
We’ve all been to the wishing well on that island.
you’ve been to Someday Isle. Someday I’ll
get lots of money and then I’ll be happy. Someday
I’ll have all my problems solved and I’ll be happy. Someday I’ll have no worries or sickness . . .
We’ve all been to the wishing well on that island.
I have to remind
myself to not mistake happiness with joy. The Scriptures speak of joy more than
330 times. Happiness is mentioned only 26 times. Happiness is an emotional
peace we enjoy when everything is right in our world.
myself to not mistake happiness with joy. The Scriptures speak of joy more than
330 times. Happiness is mentioned only 26 times. Happiness is an emotional
peace we enjoy when everything is right in our world.
Joy, on the other
hand, is the emotional state of the heart when our soul is secure in God. Joy
remains because we are confident that the Almighty God is in control no matter
the surrounding circumstances.
hand, is the emotional state of the heart when our soul is secure in God. Joy
remains because we are confident that the Almighty God is in control no matter
the surrounding circumstances.
Despite the worries,
troubles, and difficulties running through our lives, as God’s people we have
joy. Our joy is never because of perfect circumstances. The Psalmist explains,
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then
they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for
them”” (Psalm 126:2 NKJ).
troubles, and difficulties running through our lives, as God’s people we have
joy. Our joy is never because of perfect circumstances. The Psalmist explains,
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then
they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for
them”” (Psalm 126:2 NKJ).
People of joy chase
laughter instead of waiting for it to stumble into their lives. They know that
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the
bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NKJ). There’s enough dried bones around us. How
about choosing the merry heart? It does make a difference!
laughter instead of waiting for it to stumble into their lives. They know that
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the
bones” (Proverbs 17:22 NKJ). There’s enough dried bones around us. How
about choosing the merry heart? It does make a difference!
Joy is infectious.
Joy is evidence that Christ is present. Others will be convinced that He makes
a difference in our lives. Joy is a witness that we can live under pressure,
transformed by the power of grace. When on the couch of grouch sing this song. When
hassled and frazzled sing all day long.
Joy is evidence that Christ is present. Others will be convinced that He makes
a difference in our lives. Joy is a witness that we can live under pressure,
transformed by the power of grace. When on the couch of grouch sing this song. When
hassled and frazzled sing all day long.
“I’ve got that joy,
joy, joy, joy
joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart
I’ve got that joy,
joy, joy, joy
joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart to
stay.”
stay.”
Dear Father, thank
you for the joy you give that the world can’t take away. Enthuse us with your
strength and joy. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the joy you give that the world can’t take away. Enthuse us with your
strength and joy. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Sing for joy today,