One Thing

Love you all, praying for you,
 
If you could have one thing today from God… what would it be?  What if you had joy - the fruit of the Spirit?  Would the struggles matter, would the trials matter, would the challenges matter, or people that came against you really matter – if you had joy?  Exceeding gladness (irrespective of circumstance), delight, exhilaration of spirits; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success or the prospect of possessing what one desires. What if you had joy today?  How do you get it?  You get if from God – God gives you joy – no matter what today holds, you can have the Joy of the LORD to be your strength and your delight.  It will mark you.  Whatever you’re struggling with or challenged by – chances are other people are too, they go to the same school, work at the same company, live in the same neighborhood – you’re probably not the only one facing these things… but God gives you joy.  You may be the only one that has it -  in the middle of all this…  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.  That means temperance – habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of natural appetites and passions.  Emotions don’t control you – you have mastered them. While others are stressed, you are exceedingly glad, while others fear the worst, you are delighted, while others are agitated and nervous, you feel like someone who just received what they long desired.  You have joy – independent of circumstance.  You stand out.  So how do you get joy.  #1 Get in the atmosphere of worship –You have made known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Put on a live worship set from youtube, set the atmosphere of joy around you – put something in your earbuds that will fill you with joy!  #2 Pray in the Spirit. When you pray in the Spirit – He takes over and fills you – and joy comes with him.  For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  #3 Praise – Praise brings joy – At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father for this is what pleased you to do.”  “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they will obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning will flee away.”  #4 Consider this trial as joy – the more struggles you face right now – if you count them all joy - you will be overflowing with joy today!  #5 – Obey Right Now.  Review PiVAT for today – and be sure you obey what God assigned you to do this hour.  “You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge over many things, Enter into the joy of your LORD. Obedience always brings joy – it takes your mind off of the mountains you face, and focuses you on what to do next. If you obey my commands you will remain in my love – just as I obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you these things, so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.  Obedience brings joy! PiVAT is a key that unlocks the joy God has waiting for you today!  #6 – Trust in Him – and as you trust, God will fill you with joy.  (May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Trust starts with your mouth.  You put your trust in him with your mouth, and you can speak your trust right now). #7 – Rejoice – take joy again.  Do not grieve, or worry – take joy again.  For the joy of the LORD is your strength.  O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.  How great is his joy in the victories you give!... Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.  #8 – Give – ask God what to give, whether time, honor, encouragement, hope life, resources…  Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich sincerity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  “Then the people rejoiced because they offered so willingly, for their made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced with great joy.  “So now with joy I have seen your people, who are present hear, make their offerings willingly to you.  Giving always brings joy.  Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced; for God had made them to rejoice with great joy. God has joy for you today.  What if you had joy… would the challenges matter?  No, they wouldn’t, you would be filled with the expectation of the good that God has coming.  His promise is sure – worth rejoicing about.  Joy will distinguish you, it will mark your day and your life, it will set you apart.  Praying that you will walk in joy today, that you will worship, pray in the Spirit and praise, that you will count this trial as joy, that you would get busy obeying, put your trust in him, and rejoice.  And I pray that you will give today whatever He tells you to give.  Praying that today you will be full of joy, that you will pray without ceasing, and be thankful in every circumstance.  So you have the day He has made for you! 
 
Love you all,
dad