J O Y

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God.  This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.  Ecclesiastes 2:26 KJV

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If we cannot find joy in Christ who lives in us, we will never be able to find joy in anything else.  Jesus is the reason for our joy.

True joy has nothing to do with circumstances.  It is really about faith and trust in God.  Paul writes in Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit includes joy (Galatians 5:22).

That does not mean we enjoy the suffering and difficult.  It does mean, however that we have the strength and resilience to endure - because the Joy of the Lord is our strength - and God Himself will deliver us.

Isn't that the message of the cross?  We live and die on this earth, but we will live forever in eternity with Jesus Christ.  That is God's promise, and that is our joy.  Nothing in this world - not wealth, not beauty, not reputation - will give us true joy - only Christ Himself.

Let the JOY you receive from God be shared to others.