Daily Huddle - Sun May 17, 2020 Give And Take

Love you all, praying for you!
 
I just love God's truth.  It's so much better than man's truth.  Man's way of give and take - you win some you lose some - it's compromise.  But God's way of give and take is always give and give more, gain and gain more.  Life happens in two things: things you can control, and things outside of your control.  A rainy day – gives you no choice, it’s raining.  Nothing you can do will stop it, you have no choice.  But what you think, say and do - is your choice.  One of the greatest things in life is joy.  In fact it’s so great that a life without joy isn’t ever a good life.  And a life with joy – is a great life – no matter what else happens!  And stuff happens.  See PRISM Topic - Joy.  What is Joy?  Exceeding gladness – Not a gladness that depends on circumstance, the exceeding gladness that knows that the Good God has for you – will surely come – it’s on it’s way, nothing can stop it.  Joy is what comes from that confident expectation that hope gives – not based on chance, but God’s promise - sure thing, done deal!  Nothing can stop it except me, and I'm committed to obeying - so nothing can stop it!  Joy - Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good, the excitement or pleasure caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of some good thing possessed, or the prospect of possessing what we love or desire.  An exhilaration of spirits.  An interesting truth to consider.  There is nothing in life that God doesn’t give.  Everything was created by Him and for Him, everything is sustained through Him.  Some things He gives – and some things He gives for us to take.  Joy is both.  There’s a joy that comes on you – that God gives.  And there is a joy that you take that God gives.  Just like you can take a bath – you can take joy – it’s called rejoice.  It means to take joy again.  It’s always a choice.  They say happiness is a choice.  I’m not sure that’s always true.  Sometimes I’m just not happy – I’m not happy with how things are going, or what is happening, sometimes I'm not even happy with my own response!  Sometimes it’s hard to choose happiness, but you can always choose joy.  Like taking a bath – the bath doesn’t come on you – you take a bath.  You get in it.  Just like joy.  There's a couple things God says about joy.  Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  This is what God gives that comes to you.  Here’s another thing God says, Rejoice in the LORD always, and again I say, rejoice.  So do it always – take joy again - and He’ll say it again, because this is really important.  Take joy again – always.  Make it a habit.  Rejoice for the steps of a righteous person are ordered of the LORD.  There’s an interesting secret to rejoice.  The key is in. In - is a very important word in this equation.  In is proximity and relationship.  You can't rejoice, if you're not in.  Just like Jesus remained, in, His Heavenly Father – He tells us to remain, in, Him.  That "in" the LORD – means in proximity and in relationship with the LORD.  That word LORD is the relationship word - it means Supreme in authority.  That means – His call – Your obedience.  Any other relationship might be an acquaintance, friend, buddy, but not LORD.  Luke 6:46 – One of the most point-blank verses in the Bible.  Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do what I say?  If you don’t do what He says, He’s not LORD, (Supreme in Authority) you’re just lying, deceiving yourself.  The key to rejoice (take joy again) in the LORD – is to be in proximity and relationship.  He has to be LORD for you to take joy in Him.  There is no joy outside of your purpose - temporary happiness at best.  You can't fulfill purpose outside of His plans.  You experience joy in the LORD – when He directs your steps and your thoughts.  It’s what redeeming the time is.  He redeemed you – so you belong to Him.  Time, Thoughts, and Money are His – that’s what LORD means – that’s where the joy is.  The joy that He gives that comes, and the joy that He gives that you take.  So what’s happening around you right now?  Are you happy about it?  If not – it makes no difference.  Rejoice in the LORD – and His joy will come.  You can trust Him.  The best life you can ever live – is the life with Him as LORD.  He sees tomorrow, you don’t.  His plans for you are better, He knows the purpose you were created for – Its good!  And He can take what the devil meant for evil and turn it around for your good.  Jesus is LORD doesn’t mean you don’t get to do stuff, it means the things that aren’t good for you, and prevent good from coming to you, fade away – and your desire grows for what is best - what He has planned!  Jesus as LORD – is PiVAT – His plans – PRISM – His Mind – 4C’s – His Money – it’s how you walk in the joy of the LORD – that’s where you increase strength – because the joy of the LORD is your strength.  That’s where your trust grows, your testimony grows, your victory grows, and His glory grows.  Life is short – Eternity is long.  Every day – you let Him be LORD – is a joy-full day.  If you ever find your joy is slipping, take joy again, get back to your purpose.  Let Him be LORD – and your joy will come back - It will override any temporary condition you face.  He’s faithful – from before you were born – til long after you’re gone.  You only have a few years in between.  Praying that you will always rejoice in the LORD – so He gives you strength, so the good you expect overrides your current situation.  It’s temporary – Joy is permanent! And His Promise is forever! Praying that you Rejoice always – that you always take what He gives.  It’s how you go from strength to strength, glory to glory!  It’s how your life reflects the love of Christ.
 
Love you all,
dad