Shout For Joy

 "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (NIV) Psalm 118:24

I love songs about joy. The joy of the Lord is your strength. There is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Joy to the world the Lord has come.I've got that joy, joy,joy, joy down in my heart. 

Joy is defined as "great happiness or being delighted." When you sing about the joy of the Lord do you feel joy and show it on your face? I absolutely love praise and worship music. I can't help but raise my hands in praise to the Lord. I do not imagine in heaven we are going to be just sitting there singing and not excited. If you sing a song that says "I lift my hands up" do you lift them up? I imagine up in heaven it is going to be one fantastic praise fest. I mean can you imagine coming face to face with the King of kings and Lord of lords!? You won't be able to contain your joy.

Are you missing that joy in your life? Many who are in churches feel church is enough and don't really feel joyful on Sunday. If this describes you maybe you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart and transform you. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want the joy only you can give. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DO YOU FEEL JOYFUL?

Many go through life sad, depressed, angry, hurt, revengeful, bitter, lonesome, tired and just plain unhappy. The best kind of happiness and feeling is the "joy of The Lord" inside of you. You can experience this kind of joy even in the midst of pain, sorrow, and grief. 

Sometimes you might have to talk out loud to the devil and say "devil leave me alone as I am a child of God. You may try to get me angry at God and so desperate that you cause me to lose hope. Devil I will always have hope cause I have Jesus living inside of me. Leave my family alone too. They belong to Jesus." When you say that you do feel better. 

After just having moved to Iowa in 1993 I was feeling a bit down but had to stay "up" for the sake of my two grade school children. I had this "God friend" Linda who was only in my life for three short years but she impacted me in many ways. She is the one that told me to shout at the devil and throw scripture promises at him. One particular verse she gave me was 2 Peter 5:10(NIV) and it says 'And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.'  Meditate on that verse awhile. It is a promise. 

Do you want joy unspeakable? Do you want to get up each day looking forward to it? Do you believe God is working? 

Romans 15:13 is my prayer for any readers who do not feel joy today or any day. It says '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.' 

PRAYER: I know Lord I can have the joy of the Lord. I will not allow people or circumstances to be joy robbers. I will pray for those who have hurt me. Thank you for your joy! In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Click link and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/X_2qG22SPwU

ATTITUDE CHECK

How is your attitude? Are you constantly griping about your situation? Do you sometimes feel short changed in life? Do you complain to God about your life?

Would you rather be around a cheerful person or one constantly moaning and complaining about everything? I know there have been times in my past I caught myself complaining or not quite understanding things happening to me but then I realize that I need to trust God. He knows the "big picture"after all.

Even in the Bible there are many examples of complaining. They did not always turn out good. We may think we have it so bad in life but if you are fortunate to go on a overseas mission trip you realize you really do not have it so bad.

I have heard a person in poverty here in the United States is wealthy by Third World country standards. It is easy to become quickly spoiled or feel entitled to things we do not deserve. Sometimes we do not deserve the love of Jesus but He is there with open loving arms no matter how much you have constantly griped.

Sometimes we treat God pretty bad. Ignore him. Complain to Him. Moan and groan when a prayer is not answered fast enough.  He is patient with us and stands by waiting to hear you show love to Him by talking to Him in prayer. Do you need to "talk to Him" in prayer right now? Perhaps tell Him you are sorry for the bad attitude you have displayed when He has done so very much for you. He died a cruel death on the cross for all of us. 

Maybe it is time to do an "attitude check" and start praising instead of saying "whoa is me" all the time. 

Philippians 2:5(AMP) says 'Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]'.  Further in Philippians 2:24 it says ' Do EVERYTHING without grumbling and complaining.'  Isn't it time to be thankful and praise him and stop whining? Praise Jesus for we are truly blessed.

PRAYER: This is the day you have made Lord and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for my life. Thank you for the friends and family in my life. Thank you for blessing me beyond measure. Thank you for the new exciting things you have prepared for me. Above al lthank you for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name Amen.