by Audrey Bauman

Philippians 4: 4  NLT

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon."

Maybe that is the solution to yesterday's problem - getting along with people? What could motivate us to live well?

"Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again - rejoice!"

That statement sounds so extreme to me. "Always be full of joy"? On any given day I might be happy, sometimes frustrated, upset, content, sad, etc. Full of joy wouldn't describe me at all. But that's because in my mind, I think of joy as being a lot of happiness, excitement - the kind of joy I might have when I received a lovely gift, or when one of my kids did something very special.

But, if we stop and think about what Jesus has done for us, that is more wonderful than anything else in this life. We are likely not dancing around and excited 24/7. But knowing you are loved by God, forgiven by God, living every moment in His presence - that is a comfort, satisfaction, blessedness - that is joy without definition.

There are hundreds of other verses in the Bible that talk about joy, but let's take a look at some of them. God can give us joy despite the circumstances in our life. God gives us joy because he forgives us for all we do wrong. God gives us joy even in difficult times. God works in our lives by the Holy Spirit to bring joy in many ways. Read these verses slowly and soak in how much joy there actually is in your life.

Romans 4: 7 - 8   "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put        out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin."

Psalm 59: 16  "But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy             about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in             distress.

Romans 15: 13   "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and             peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the             power of the Holy Spirit."

Galatians 5: 22   "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,             patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ..."

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!"

Our song for today is Joy of the Lord by Rend Collective.