Rejoice Always

 

     Paul suffered greatly in his life. Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus propelled him forward no matter the circumstances.  You can read through a list of some of the trials Paul suffered beginning with verse 24 of 2 Corinthians 11.  Paul wrote many of his last letters from a prison in Rome where he was chained to a Roman guard.

     How then could he write these words from the dank, smelly cavern of a prison cell?

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Philippians 4:4

     A tall order to “always” be full of joy in the Lord. Remind yourself of all you have in Jesus. His Spirit resides within you. He is ready to teach and guide you throughout the rest of your life. He has a plan and a purpose for you. He has an eternal home waiting for you. Let’s say it again!  Rejoice!

Jesus,

We do rejoice in You! Keep the deep joy bubbling up within us until it shows beyond ourselves to the world around us. Your transforming love needs to be shared with the world.

Amen

 

Sealed With Joy

 

     The deep joy of Jesus, even facing the agony to come, can be embedded deep within our souls. The Holy Spirit seals us when we first believe and comes to reside within us. The deep peace and joy of our blessed assurance in eternity provides our souls with an abiding rest.

     When our human emotions, struggles and trials begin to take over, as they will time and time again, we can choose to focus on Jesus. Fix your eyes on Him and on hope. Joy, complete and eternal, is waiting for us.

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Psalm 84:5

Jesus,

You are the joy of our hearts. Place our hearts and minds above the earth to You today. Remind us continually of the joy to come.

Amen

 

For The Joy

 

     Imagine the Creator of the universe, the Word of the infinite God, the One with thousands of angels under His authority, offering to live as one of us and experience humanity in all of its forms. Jesus wept. The Son of God became angry. The Messiah felt weariness and was tempted in every way. Our Savior prayed continually for guidance from our Father in heaven. The good Shepherd sweat drops of blood agonizing over the death to come.

     He did it willingly. In fact, He did if for the coming joy.

For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2b

     If we could only imagine the joys of heaven. Jesus knew the end of the story. The agonizing darkness on Friday would become a glorious Sunday filled with light and hope. Death had no power over Him. And it has no power over you, because of Him. He did it for you and me. He suffered every sin we would commit, every disease that we experience, every grief that robs hope from the soul. He overcame it all for the glorious joy of resurrection and redemption. He did it for you. He did it for me.

Jesus,

There are no words. The plan of salvation was written before time began. You counted it joy and You are worthy to be praised from now ‘til forevermore.

Amen

Do Good Seek Peace

 

     Jesus uses His believers to do His work on the earth. Isn’t that incredible? Obviously, He can do all things, is in all things, and all things were made for Him.  He chooses us. He chooses us to pray for those around us. He chooses us to plant seeds of kindness and love in His name. He chooses us to grow in our faith so that others notice something different. And somehow, miraculously, He uses our lives, the good, the bad and the ugly to shine His glory.

     He sanctifies us as the years go by as His children, to be His witnesses and to represent Him in a dark and ever-increasing violent earth.

We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20a

     We won’t be able to remain strong in our faith and in our witness apart from Christ. Connect with Him today. Praise Him. Read about Him. Get to know His character, what He sees as evil and what He considers good. Do good in His name.

Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalm 37:3

I know there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. Ecclesiastes 3:12

Jesus,

Show us how to do good while we live. You will protect us and keep us safe as Your beloved children. Keep us connected to Your love and to grow into Your likeness.

Amen

 

The Peace of Christ

 

     The Bible tells us to, “seek peace and pursue it.” The peace of God is an inner peace. We long for world peace, for peace in our divided country, for war to cease. But Jesus tells us conflict will continue to grow as the end draws ever closer. We may pray for that type of peace, but pursuing God’s peace is a work of the soul.

     Knowing and trusting God, leaving our cares with Him, letting go of anxiety and turmoil is no easy task for us as humans. With the help of our God, sitting still and knowing He is God (Psalm 46), and believing He can handle whatever life throws our way, brings peace.

They must turn from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:11

     As we seek the peace of the Lord, Jesus promises us:

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus,

Give us the inner peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4) as we trust You with everything. We pursue Your peace today as we seek You. We claim Your promises for us.

Amen

 

The Word of God For You

 

     Pick a verse and proclaim it out loud. The word of God carries with it the power of our God. It is His word and it lives and breathes. It teaches and confronts. It guides and nourishes. It is to be trusted. What’s on your mind? Look up a verse to speak out loud back to God. This is what You told me Father. This is Your promise to me today.

     Here is my verse. This is a prayer and I have changed the ‘you” to “me” and the “we” to “my.”  Put in your own name and personalize some Scripture just for you.

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen (me) with power through His Spirit in (my) inner being, so that Christ may dwell in (my) heart through faith. And I pray that (I), being rooted and established, in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:16-18

Let the word of God dwell in you richly today as He speaks His words to you.(Colossians 3:16)

Amen

 

He Will Provide

 

     When we are weak He is strong. When we are guilty, He offers mercy. When we fear, He protects. When we doubt, He provides faith. When we weep, He comforts. When we are lost, He shows the way. When we pray, He listens. When we worry, He gives peace. When we mourn, He finds joy.

     Wherever you are, whatever you need, whenever you ask, whoever you are, He will provide.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

      He gives us everything we need. He meets us wherever we are. Count on Jesus today. This morning He provides rain! After so many weeks of drought, He provides.

Dear Father,

You provide what we need, when we need it. We trust You in the darkest of days and in the glorious days of joy. How can anyone survive without You? Our greatest hope is for others to rely on You, to accept Jesus as Lord and to live a faith-filled life in Your mighty power.

In Jesus powerful name,

Amen