12/14               Psalm 27:6

6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. 

FOCUS

We are His children and we are called to focus on Him.  Jesus is Lord and He is worthy of all of our attention.  Shout praises of joy and sing His glorious deeds for our God is Lord and Creator and we rejoice in Him and give Him all of our attention. Focus on Jesus when life is at its worst and you will be at your best. 

12/13               Philemon 1:7

7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

WE

We can make a difference.  If we will truly care for one another, be an encourager and obey the Lord we can help those we are with along the way of life.  If we become givers we will discover that we are the one actually receiving the blessings of the Lord.  Be B and do a DO.    

12/12               Isaiah 12:6

6 Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy! For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”

HERE

God is here where we are.  He is not in some distant galaxy, He is in you and He knows everything.  I am grateful that He does for He is active and moving in our life.  He is with you.  Hallelujah. 

12/11               Esther 8:17

17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.

GOD

God isn’t mentioned in Esther but He certainly was in control.  He was behind and before everything that happened to the Jewish people. The Lord used those He could to do what must be done.  He will do that in your life.  Surrender and obey and the Lord will be powerful in your life.  Praise the Lord. 

12/10               Nehemiah 8:10

10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” 

LORD

The Lord of all is our strength.  He has come to us, seeking us and striving to help us do the right things.  We however turn aside at every opportunity and sin. Jesus loves us so much that he forgives and forgives and forgives seeking to help us journey on the straight and narrow path.  Life is harsh but Jesus brings wonderful joy to harsh lives.  He is seeking you.  Let Christ give you the strength you need for living and His joy. 

12/9                 Luke 15:7

7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 

JOY

Joy in heaven is great joy.  Joy in our lives is momentary when we base our joy on ourselves: winning, recognition, success, etc.  When we base our joy on our salvation, on the Father, on the Holy Spirit’s guidance: that is real joy.  Joy like those in heaven experience.  It is joy that is not rooted in my humanity but instead is grounded in Christ.  He is our joy. 

12/8                 2 John 1:12

12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. 

FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship has always been important in the church. We are to care for one another. Jesus calls us to fellowship with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.  People count with Jesus.  They should count with us.

12/7                 Romans 15:3

3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 

CHRIST

Jesus the Christ takes our sin upon himself.  He gives us His righteousness.  In Christ we are new creatures created to have fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Praise the Lord Jesus sets us free.

12/6                 1 Peter 1:8-9

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 

JOY

There is great joy in knowing the Lord.  We know Him and have been given life like His for eternity.  We accepted His free gift of a life like His, eternal, through the work that Jesus did, dead-buried-raised from the dead by the Father.  Jesus is truly the Lord and we will worship, praise and serve Him. 

12/5                 Proverbs 10:28

28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. 

CHOICE

I have a choice to make.  Who will I stand with?  The wicked for they will come to nothing.  The godly for they will come to happiness.  Oh Lord help me to come to you and to receive your joy.  Praise the Lord for there is much happiness in Him.