My Ode to Joy!

Happy New Year! I pray that this will be an amazing year filled with much evidence of God’s Love, Faithfulness, and His Sovereignty! Blessings to you! I hope you enjoy the post below!

I’m not a New Year’s Resolution type of person, but I do like to write out goals for myself for the year. I also love it when God shares a word or theme for me for the year.

His word for me for a couple of years has been “Believe!” That evolved into “Believe and Receive!”

The word that I feel the Lord is impressing on me for this year is “JOY!” As a pastor recently prayed over me, the JOY of the LORD is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

What I love about Jesus Joy is that the world can’t take it away from you. Circumstances can’t dampen it. Your mood can’t ruin it. People can’t touch it.

The JOY that comes from the LORD is unlike anything else.

It remains constant, immovable, and unshakable. Not like happiness that comes and goes.

Happy is GREAT, but JOY is even better!

You can’t buy joy. It’s something that comes from within like that spring of water welling up inside of you that Jesus talked about in John 4:14. It’s part of that abundant life that Jesus promised to give us in John 10:10.

It’s also the second fruit mentioned, right after love, in the Fruit of the Spirit list found in Galatians 5:22.

Yes, JOY is part of our inheritance as Christians. I find that it’s closely connected with Trusting God, Walking by Faith, being a Prisoner of Hope, and Knowing who you are in Christ!

The apostle Paul knew about this joy. That’s why despite all the hardships he went through, and even while he was under arrest, he could still be content and encourage the church in Philippi to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Friend, do you know about this joy that I am writing about? Are you experiencing this joy that cannot be extinguished despite all the fiery darts the enemy tries to throw? Oh, how the enemy of your soul would love to steal your joy!

Are you familiar with this unspeakable joy that cannot be contained and that comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior, as it is written:

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8)

This joy doesn’t mean your life here on earth is perfect. However, thankfully this joy gets brighter after having faced your fears and walked through fire and finding that Jesus really was with you all the way! I pray you all experience this joy!

Even if you’re in a place right now that seems less than joyous, here are just a few verses to encourage you. May they bless you today and throughout the year!

• “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3)
• “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)
• “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7)
• “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 14:17)
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
• “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

I’d love to know what your “one word” for this year is! Please share it in the comments below if you’d like. If you’re just starting your walk with the Lord, Congratulations! Please visit the Info for New Believers/Seekers page.

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I’m happy to be participating in Bonnie’s Faith Jam this week!