Do you have the joy of Jesus in your heart? If not why not? JOY equals Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, Yourself last. That is not the worlds' plan. The world says 'take care of me first' and go for the gusto. It goes against the grain of a self saturated society to put yourself behind other people. When you do things for other people you just feel better. Taking care of number one leads to a selfish unfulfilled life.This is not to say you should never have fun but do not let your life be consumed with me, me, me.
In 1 Peter 1:8 it says, "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy." Nehemiah 8:10 tells us "the joy of the Lord is my strength."
In telling of the Christmas story in Luke 2:10 it reads "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Jesus was that great joy.
Are you joyful? How do you get that way? Definitions of joy are feelings of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind ,something that brings happiness, or to enjoy and delight in something. What do you delight in?
Sometimes a person may need a 'heart transplant' in order to have the kind of joy mentioned in God's word and that is the joy unspeakable and full of glory. By this I mean simply asking Jesus to be Lord of your life and stop doing things your own way and ask God to be on the throne and in the drivers seat. Your heart will be changed and your life will be changed. Ezekiel 36:26 in the Old Testament says "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
As you go about your day today try to find ways you can bring joy into someones life. "Be Jesus" to those he places in your path. Let your joy be overflowing. Some of you may not humanly feel you have much to be joyful about but remember it is the enemy who comes in and tries to get your down, depressed and defeated. Do not allow him to do this. Say 'Satan in the name of Jesus I will not listen to your lies and I will walk victorious today with Jesus and follow him'. Thinking about others and helping others sometimes takes your mind off your own problems and eventually that despair will be replaced with joy.
PRAYER: Give us this day Lord a heart to want to serve you through serving those around us. Lift us from the pit of despair and hopelessness and help us place our trust and hope only in you. We thank you for the joy that comes only from you Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGyo8BZ8T0s
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