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It is important that we always keep joy at the center of our hearts. No
matter what trial or challenge that is currently in our path, if we keep
joy in the midst of it, we will come through that situation much quicker
and much better than we would have otherwise. When we keep our joy in the
midst of the storm that's raging all around us, we are saying to God that
we trust Him in every circumstance. We are showing our faithfulness to
the Lord by keeping our joy. The word joy is simply defined as “A feeling
of great pleasure and happiness.” When someone has pleasure and happiness
in their life, that means their joy is full to overflowing. They are
exhibiting an aura of blissfulness because they know that everything is
being taken care of by the Lord who created them. (1 Peter 3:10-11)
Jesus told us to not worry about anything because worry does not bring a
solution to any problem. Worry is the opposite of joy as we clearly see
by its definition. Worry is defined as “To give way to anxiety or unease;
to allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” That is not how
God wishes for us to lead our life. The Lord wishes for us to trust, to
be at peace, to have our joy full and lead a faith filled life that is
committed to the Lord and to the promises found throughout His Holy Word.
So are we going to obey the Lord? Are we going to be at peace in Him?
Are we going to have our joy filled? That answer lies solely within our
hands. We must decide how we are going to spend our days. We can spend
them in faith or we can spend them in fear! (Matthew 6:27-34) (1 John 1:3-4)
God has left the decision up to us on how we spend our days, but I have
always chosen to spend them in faith because God is unfailing. Why should
I worry about what God is already in control of? The answer is simple; we
should choose joy, peace, love, contentment, happiness and most importantly
we should choose trust because God is faithful to His Word. He has never
failed before because it is impossible for Him to fail, so let us be faith
filled believers in Christ and spend each new day that we are lucky enough
to have filled with the joy and peace of the Lord that surpasses all
understanding. You will be proud of your life that is led by faith and not
by fear. Praise the Lord who is good to all those who trust in His
sustenance and provision. (Deuteronomy 30:19) (Jeremiah 31:3)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to choose joy each
and every morning that you awake. Do not worry, do not fear, do not allow
the troubles in your path to steal your joy, but be determined to walk by
faith and not by sight because God will be with you every step of the way.
EXERCISING YOUR JOY
I have been exercising a lot more lately. I am not talking about those
push-ups and sit-ups I do in the morning, either. The exercise I am talking
about lasts all day long and makes me feel better than I have ever felt
before. The exercise I am referring to is the greatest workout in the
world and benefits you in every way imaginable. The exercise I am talking
about is exercising your joy.
This wonderful exercise can help every part of you everyday of your life.
It keeps your mind alert by thinking positive thoughts full of optimism
and enthusiasm. It keeps your eyes clear by looking at all the wonders of
the world around you and by reading words that inspire you to become the
person you want to be. It makes your ears sharp by listening to lovely
music, singing birds, tinkling wind chimes, and the three greatest words
in the world, "I love you."
It keeps your lips fit by giving thanks to God all day long. It keeps your
voice strong by singing beautiful songs. It helps your teeth shine by
sharing your smile. It gives your arms a workout with hug after hug. It
helps out both the taste buds and the stomach by sharing good food with
people you love. It keeps those legs firm and healthy by dancing in delight
and walking with God. It gives your insides a lot of work with happy and
frequent doses of laughter. It makes your heart stronger by giving your
love to everyone. It makes your soul even brighter by sharing its light
with the whole world. It makes every bit of your life more fit by helping
you to do what you were always meant to do and to be the Child of God that
you were always created to be.
Don’t be afraid to exercise your joy everyday then. It not only helps you
to feel good, but it also helps you to be good. It not only makes you
better, but it also makes the world better. It not only makes you fit for
this life, but it also makes you fit for the next life as well.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 37:23-27 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging
bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart
from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.”
Deuteronomy 4:30-31 “When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are
come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God,
and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For the LORD Thy God is a merciful
God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the
covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He
careth for you.”
Psalm 37:3-6 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the
land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and
He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the
LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring
forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: ENRICHING THOUGHTS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem157.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony52.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
