e-ministry
message for week
ending May 5, 2012
Keeping Joy At Hand
Ever had one of those seasons where
everything seems to be sapping
everything from you? The common word for such
a season is stress.
Psychologists would have you believe
there is good stress and bad stress.
Yeah, right! However, Jesus, the
Great Physician, mind healer, and friend
does not offer us such placebos. He
tells us straight up, “While you are in
the world, you will have to suffer. But
cheer up! I have defeated the world”
(John 16:33, CEV).
Can you experience joy in the midst
of suffering? You sure can. Jesus said
so. Cheer up! Don’t lose your joy.
Don’t let the enemy sap your strength.
Don’t cast aside all that you have
prayed for simply because it has not yet
manifested. The Scriptures say, “let the
mighty strength of the Lord make
you strong” (Ephesians 6:10,
CEV). As you are strengthened, you will
discover that it is indeed “the joy of the
Lord” (Nehemiah 8:10) that
empowers you.
Where can one find such joy? It is
found only in Christ. As believers, we
already have it. The Spirit that God gave
us produces fruit: love, JOY,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. It’s everything we need to live a
fulfilled life. Let’s not
give up before the battle is over. We
are that close to winning. Let’s not
retreat in the face of the enemy or we will
never be able to experience God
as David did when he said, “You treat
me to a feast, while my enemies watch.
You honor
me as a guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows” (Psalm
23:5, CEV).
Are you ready for an overflowing
cup? Then keep your joy handy!
©dytations2011
Orville Green, Staff Associate – orvillecgreen@gmail.com
I welcome your comments and
submissions.