Sunday, July 18, 2010

Regaining Your Joy






"Joy of the Lord" is really just a state of mind and a state of heart.

It is being thankful because you know, first and foremost, that God has given you eternal life in a world of happiness. It is remembering that, above all the frustration and turmoil you may be experiencing in your present state, or the lethargy or boredom that you have with your present circumstances, when it comes down to it, you realize what the priorities of life are—what your life is all about.

To regain your joy of the Lord, you have to look past all your other priorities; all the things that keep you busy, all the things that bore you. You have to realize that, despite all those things‚ you have already obtained the most valuable prize you could possibly gain in any walk of life: Eternal life!

Whether you are a successful world leader or a simple person, because you know the Lord, you have the asset of the joy of the Lord deep within your heart. You can keep this asset no matter what anybody does to you, and no matter what circumstances you may find yourself in. It's like you've already won the main, top prize, Eternal life in Heaven and the extremely wonderful thing about it is: You can never lose it!

This time period you are living in is very short and temporary and "passes away" (Matthew 24:35), day by day, but your spirit is saved and lives on forever.

The joy of the Lord is to realize: That you are a sinner, but God has forgiven you; That He unconditionally loves you & will never give up on you; That at any point when you reach out and take His hand, He will take it immediately into His and forgive you.

The Joy of the Lord is realigning your priorities in proper order and proper perspective. All these other nagging, incomplete, and sometimes frustrating details, that are imperfect and that tend to get you down‚ are really insignificant points that will some day pass away. Yet your spirit will remain and live for eternity.

The Joy of the Lord is fixing your gaze, which determines your attitude and actions, on the eternal values that you'll be living by forever, and cut yourself loose from the temporary setbacks.
You will be among those who fulfill the Scripture, "The spirits of just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23). Perfect in love, perfect in joy, perfect in creation—that's you! That's where you're headed. ‘Regaining your joy’ is realizing the truth of this, and not being set back by the façades of the temporal!

The Joy of the Lord is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10b)

Author: Unknown

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Psalm 23 - what's in it for you?






The Lord is my shepherd.—That's relationship.
I shall not want.—That's supply.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.—That's rest.
He leads me beside the still waters.—That's refreshment.
He restores my soul.—That's spiritual healing.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness… —That's guidance.
… for His name's sake.—That's purpose.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… —That's tribulation.
… I will fear no evil… —That's protection.
… for You are with me.—That's faithfulness.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.—That's discipline.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.—That's hope.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.—That's abundance.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.—That's blessing.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...—That's security.
… forever.—That's eternity.

—David the psalmist, with comments by an unknown author

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Happiness Formula






It's not your circumstances that determine your happiness; it's your state of mind.

Happiness and contentment are in your attitude! It's all in your perspective and your outlook. It's a matter of taking on God’s mind, of looking at situations and circumstances and even yourself through His eyes, seeing things from His view—even if you have to take it by faith.

There's just no reason to be discouraged, to feel down, and to let the things of this world get to you. Why should such trivial things muddy your view, steal your joy, and bring defeat and discouragement?

Seek to be triumphant, and that spirit of victory will become alive in you. Search for ways to see the good in all that is happening, and you will begin to live the good.

Turn to God for your happiness and stability and that's what you will find. Desire contentment in how things are today, not how they could be, and you will find the satisfaction you long for.

The Enemy of your soul only has claim to what you give him. He cannot steal your joy and happiness away; it's your choice whether he can take it. He will taunt you, he will hit you with everything, and he will haggle you until you give in, or better yet, until you turn around and tell him to get lost.

Happiness, fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, peace, and joy are not contingent on the things of the physical, on your surroundings, on your lacks or problems, but they are contingent on your choices.

Choose to be victorious regardless of how you feel in the physical and that choice will become reality. Choose contentment over all the things the Enemy's pointing out to you to get your eyes off of the Lord, and as you make that decision you will find contentment.

Life's greatest lessons are mastered through learning to make something good out of the seeming bad. It's being faced with a difficult and troublesome time and rather than getting down about it, rejoicing for the good that can be found, or if none can be found, then being thankful for the sunny days and the happy times that you have known and that are yet to come.

That is how you will find the victory. The difficulties and struggles will not necessarily vanish, but the weight of them will not seem as heavy, for you will have placed them in God’s hand. Remember, victory is a state of mind.

What's your state of mind?

Author: Unknown