|
No matter our circumstances, we should always have the assurance that God
has not left our side and that dwelling in Him we receive our strength.
The goodness of the Lord reaches from everlasting to everlasting and when
we find ourselves discouraged or disheartened, all we need to do is return
again to the Lord to be refreshed and renewed by His Spirit. The Scripture
says the Joy of the Lord is your strength. If you are finding that your
joy has been hindered, I encourage you to call upon the Lord sharing with
Him all that is on your heart. Rest in the Lord and know that He will
never leave you nor forsake you. Let your joy be restored and see that
life has much more left for you to accomplish. Be encouraged to smile
more and complain less because in doing so you are actually changing the
direction of your life's path. (Nehemiah 8:10) (Hebrews 13:5) (Psalm 31:23-24)
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to let your Joy be
restored again. See that life is worth living and that you have much to
be thankful and grateful for.
THERE YOU ARE
I misplaced my joy this morning. I woke up to find it missing like a set
of lost keys. I started looking for it everywhere. I looked for it in the
morning paper. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in my books. It wasn’t
there. I looked for it in some music. It wasn’t there. I looked for it
while I ate breakfast, got the kids ready for school, and headed out the
door this morning, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.
When I finally got back home I decided to take a walk. I thought that if I
couldn’t find my joy then at least I could get some exercise. The last
leaves of Autumn were thickly covering the ground. I walked for awhile on
this beautiful, crunchy carpet and breathed in the fresh, cool air. It was
so peaceful and wonderful. After walking for a bit I stopped and smiled. I
suddenly knew where to look. I glanced down and saw my joy peeking up at
me from deep inside my soul. It had been sitting there right next to my
love and God’s love just waiting for me to find it. “Ah, there you are,” I
said. Then I laughed at myself for not knowing where to look all along.
It is amazing how we so often look for joy in every single place except the
only place where it can truly be found, within ourselves. We are like a
person running around searching for the glasses that are perched on the
top of his head. We need to stop the search. We need to look deep into our
souls and see the joy that has been sitting there all along. It isn’t
hidden and it isn’t hard to find. It is there shining brightly right next
to God’s love and our love. It is just waiting for us to smile down and
say, “Ah, there you are.”
Reach down and grab that joy today. Choose it, rejoice in it, and live in
it. Take it along with your love and God’s love and share it with the
world. And if you ever misplace it again remember where to look for it first.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus declares “Ye are the light of the world. A city that
is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are
in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: LOOKING FOR JESUS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem131.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: WHEN THE LORD CALLED MY NAME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony135.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
