We heard it first from the Angel in Luke 2! The truth about Joy...the truth about our source of Joy....read it again.... “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."(vs.10) Then we hear it again from the wise men in Matthew 2:10... "When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!" Joy is a common word that we like to use at Christmas. There is nothing like a group of people who are followers of Jesus singing...Joy to the World, the Lord as come. Like we looked at briefly yesterday....the receiving of the gift of Love is more than accepting it...the real test to whether the gift is received is if we USE it. The Gift of Love sent from God the Father is to be opened and His love used first in our lives and then given freely to the lives of everyone around us. When Joy has truly come to our lives, He moves in and changes our directional compass. Jesus makes changes so that Joy is not some fickle emotion based on external circumstances but on an inward reality of the presence of God in our lives.
If my hunch is right...your joy will be tested his week and you have the chance....the opportunity, to allow God to be the source of your joy or to let your gift of Joy remain unopened during this season of celebration. I know that this past week I was Joy-challenged at times and yet I have found that the more I keep my mind focused on staying connected to Jesus...the more Joy seems to just naturally spring up in my life.
May this week be one where you open the Gift of Joy and step inside and allow the Joy of the Lord to be your strength. (Neh.8:10)
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
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