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The Joy of the Lord

Operation PUSH :     Day 20

" 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". (Nehemiah 8:10)

Contrary to popular opinion, happiness is not the same as joy. I have often heard people say, “I just want to be happy!”
The truth is that happiness is relative and circumstantial, whereas joy is something much deeper.
In the above verse, the Word of God declares, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Paul admonishes the church in the book of Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice…And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4, 7). In other words, rejoicing is a decision based on trusting that God will provide, as He always does. We have joy, not because of the circumstances around us, but because of God’s faithfulness. You can say that joy is a revelation of the character and nature of God. This revelation strengthens and empowers the believer, because we know that He (God) will remain steadfast and consistent in all things. Through Christ Jesus, no matter what, our hearts and minds will possess the peace of God, which is beyond our understanding. 

When we have joy, we can praise God in the midst of trouble. No matter what evil report comes our way, those who know their God and His Word can rejoice always. Happiness is temporary, but joy is a consequence of abiding in Christ. Joy is the fruit of our communion and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is not even our joy, it is His joy manifested in us. His joy gives us strength! The joy of the Lord is the believer’s refuge in times of trials, testing, and trouble. We can run into this shelter anytime we need to. This is what sets believers apart from people in the world. We have access to a continual stream of gladness and peace because of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. So don’t be discouraged! Don’t fear! No matter what happens to you today, remember that the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Let's pray beloved prayer warrior... 

Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for who You are and all that You have done in my life. Father, I thank You for Your goodness, which You have shown toward me. I know that You are good and Your mercy endures forever. I declare that the joy of the Lord is my strength. I declare that I possess never-ending, overflowing, abounding joy in every area of my life. I declare that my heart overflows with gladness. I declare that the revelation of Your goodness overwhelms me. I will never complain about the circumstances of my life, because You have been too good to me. I choose to rejoice in the Lord always, and in every situation, because Jesus is the Lord of the entire universe. I will never fear nor be dismayed, because Jesus Christ is the Lord of every small annoyance and every catastrophic event. I declare that the joy of the Lord is my portion in the name of Jesus.

Amen!

#fixit
#OperationPUSH
#PrayUntilSomethingHappens
#CouplesForChrist
#propheciescometrue
#wearegreatbecauseheloveus
#andsotheyloveus
#faradaygh

The Mawuli International Mission Assignment for Christ (TMIMAFC)

Prepare for day 21...

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