Joy !

"I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart..."   True joy can only be attained as part of the fruit of the spirit; it is the thing that we have when we are walking with Holy Spirit.  It is the comfort and peace that only God can give us, that no man can take away.  Life has it's daily struggles and many disappointing moments.  It can make us weary and try to steal  our joy, leaving us bitter and numb if we let it.  But we have to focus on the good things, and know that no matter how many struggles we have that the good out-weigh the bad.  As Christians we must know that happiness comes and goes because it is external and controlled by what happens around us.  Joy is a gift from God that resides inside of us.  Even in the hardest and sadest of times we can count on the fact (truth) that "the joy of the Lord is our strength."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Rest in the Lord

Hectic, busy and consuming are words we use to describe our daily schedules of life.  Our jobs and the activities of our children can keep us running on empty.  Worry, anxiety, and stress are some of the things we go through everyday.  ("Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Phil. 4:6)  God and His Holy Word though calls the Christian to act differently. We are to have peace and to rest in the promises of God.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."   Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)