12/18               Psalm 30:5

5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. 

CONFIDENCE

We belong to Jesus. He will not forsake us nor will we be destroyed.  We can have confidence that we will overcome whatever we face in Christ.  Things may get very bad but hold on for we will not be overcome.  Jesus is Lord.  Nothing surprises Him.  He will stand with you and deliver you safely on that day to the Father and we will have life like the Father-eternal life. 

12/17               John 16:22

22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 

WE

We are not alone. Jesus is with us.  Life today is our choice on how it will be played out. Will we follow Jesus, spending time with Him-listening to Him-obeying Him or will we do our own thing ignoring Jesus? If we will let Him guide us we can live with confidence whatever happens that Jesus knows where we are, what is happening and what we need.  He will not disappoint us and at the right time will bring rejoicing to our heart. Jesus is Lord. 

12/16               Proverbs 15:23

23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! 

LOVE

Truth comes from love. When we love one another, we will know the right thing to say, the right thing to do.  Jesus indwells us, and the Holy Spirit willingly directs us.  When we trust the Lord for everything in our life we will know the right to say or not say at the appropriate time.  Love the Lord, serve Him and care about those around you.  Fitting replies will be in you to share with those in need.  Jesus is Lord in your daily life. 

12/15               Isaiah 35:10

10 Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

SAVED

We are saved because we were ransomed by the Lord.  He is our Savior.  He is our Protector.  He will never forget us and will one day soon come back for us.  We are on a path to glory spending eternity with our Lord. 

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.