Joy

Today I am over sadness. We see too many things these days about drama, and bad things, and hurting and suffering. But I want you to know something; Life in the Lord is supposed to be abundant! It is written ‘I have come that you may life and have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10)

I think we spend too much time dwelling on the suffering. We almost wallow in it. I see so many people saying ‘the Lord doesn’t promise this, or that…’ But I just read a tweet from Beth Moore saying we need to look at what the Lord does promise. I am quoting her here –

“In an effort to steer away from a health & wealth, hip & cool prosperity gospel, we spend copious amounts of time finishing this sentence: “Jesus never promised us...” OK then, what DID He promise His followers this side of heaven? Life... *Abundant *Gifted *Effective *Empowered

*ABUNDANT: (Jn 10:10) Your life is meant to be full. Meaningful. Fed by an effervescent wellspring of Living Water.

*GIFTED: (1 Cor 12/Rom 12/1 Pet 4) You are profoundly gifted by God. You are not the 1 exception.

*EFFECTIVE: (Jn  15) You’re meant to bear an immense amount of fruit.

*EMPOWERED: (Acts 1:8/ 2 Cor 10:3-5/Eph 3:20/6:10) I’m talking about divinely empowered. YOU. In fact, supernatural power is meant to be so characteristic of our lives that a form of godliness lacking power should be suspect to us. (2 Tim 3:5) *Abundant *Gifted *Effective *Empowered

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So, no, Jesus never promised us a health & wealth, hip & cool prosperity-gospel-life but He did indeed call us to life abundant, gifted, effective & empowered. That, friends, may not be the promise of a happy, rich, fun, exciting life but make no mistake. That’s a dang good life.”

I say yes and amen to all of this. The song ‘I’m trading my sorrows’ was in my head all day yesterday. And I think it’s time to have a new outlook on life. Think of the people we meet or talk with. How are we a light or a city on a hill when we are constantly criticizing, judging, saying how we would do it differently, or quite frankly – looking at the specks in other people’s eyes instead of the planks in our own?

So – lets begin our days with days with praise and thankfulness. Let’s dive into our relationship with God and see what he has for us. Let’s give him the hurts and ask for joy. Let’s trade our sorrows for the joy of the Lord.

Psalm 30:5 b ‘Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.‘

Philemon 1:7 ‘Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.’

Isaiah 12:6 ‘Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.’

Nehemiah 8:10 ‘Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”’

Psalm 110:4 ‘enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.’

Ecclesiastes 9:7 ‘Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.’

Romans 15:13 ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’

And I want to say – when the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace – think of what kind of person you could be for him - running the race he has marked out for you – confident he will complete the work he began in you. Let go and trust. See what joy awaits in this life with God. (Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 1:6)