The Joy of the Lord

Joy is no longer an outside job in my life. It used to be, or at least I wanted it that way. I figured joy was contingent on the circumstances of my life. Isn’t that the way with everything in this world? Happiness depends on circumstances, right? And peace also, don’t you think? Hope surely must be the same, isn’t that true? That’s how I lived my life. Oh, no, let me be clear. It’s not that I had any real joy, or happiness, or peace, or hope, or love and faith for that matter. Not any of the lasting variety, anyway. I remember a young man long ago was absolutely delighted to break free from a relationship with me because he was tired of being on my roller coaster with me. Roller coaster? Yes. That’s what I discovered life was like when I lived my life dependent on the world around me for what I sought.

Enjoying the beach this past weekend with paralyzed dog Miss Mercy (left), two-footed dog Winnie (center), paralyzed dog Mr. Simeon, and Glory, my precious Dog without Eyes! The JOY in my smile is the JOY in my heart – the JOY of the LORD!

Today, I have joy. I am happy. I have peace and hope. And I have love and faith. More than I ever imagined possible. And it is not contingent on my circumstances. It is contingent on my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And, quite honestly, it does not come because I seek it as I used to do. It comes because first and foremost, I seek the Lord. He is the love of my life. He is my number one priority. He is the one I seek above anything or anyone in the universe. He is truly Lord of my life! And the joy I experience every day of my life now has nothing to do with the ups and downs of daily living. The joy I have today is the joy of the Lord. For I find my joy and delight and fulfillment in the Lord God almighty through my faith in Jesus the Christ!

Got joy?

Neh 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
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Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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