January 29

JOY

-What is joy? Is it being happy all the time? Is it always having a smile on your face? Is it trying to put on a good mood at all times? NO! It goes much deeper than that! IT IS YOUR STRENGTH! Nehemiah 8:10 states, … for the joy of the Lord is your strength … Notice that joy produces strength, and that joy comes from the Lord. It is not your joy that produces strength, BUT IT IS THE JOY OF ( BELONGING TO ) THE LORD THAT PRODUCES STRENGTH. The word "joy" means: rejoicing and gladness. So what does the Lord rejoice over? What makes Him glad?

-Hebrews 12:2 states, …Looking unto Jesus … Who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, … How was there joy for Jesus in enduring the cross? Jesus found joy in enduring the cross because He knew what it would produce. It has produced, is producing, and will continue to produce a crop in His image. Jesus was one Son to bring many sons to glory. The joy of the Lord is YOU! He endured the cross for you. YOU ARE HIS JOY! The Lord rejoices and is glad in you, for He knows what you will become after being made conformable to His death, and apprehending His resurrection life. Your strength is that God rejoices in making you in His image.

-LET HIM FILL YOU WITH GLADNESS AND REJOICING!-