“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

–John 15:11

Being a joyless Christian is an oxymoron. Yet so many Christians today find a way to be one!

And yes, I know there are plenty of reasons not to have joy. Bad things happen. People lose their jobs. People lose their health. People lose loved ones.

And please know that I’m not minimizing these things, because there are things in life that can and should make us feel sad. We wouldn’t be human if we weren’t affected in some way by our circumstances.

But that’s the thing. If you and I base our complete joy and contentment on our circumstances, we’re going to be disappointed and let down most of the time.

That’s why it’s so important that we don’t base our happiness on what’s going on around us. We have to look up to Jesus as our source of joy and strength. We have to! That’s the only way to keep our joy when the smile has left our face.

And not only that, but there’s something irresistible about someone who radiates joy, someone who can feel pain and sadness, but also someone who’s not utterly devastated when bad things happen to them.

So today, I want to give you an assignment, if you will. If you would agree that you’ve let life steal your joy, I want to encourage you to spend some time alone in God’s Word.

And maybe you’d say, “Pastor, I don’t even know where to look in the Bible for encouragement.” Well, start with today’s verse. If nothing else, thank Jesus for the joy that he is and that’s already just waiting to burst forth from inside of you.

Then, echo Nehemiah’s prayer when he said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Ask God that you would allow his joy to be your strength and encouragement today-not in how much money you make or what kind of car you drive or what your reputation is or whatever the circumstance is that may be dictating your attitude.

Ask God for his joy to be your strength. And ask him today!  (By Jack Graham)

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

The late Adrian Rogers wrote: There was a sign in a business that said:

“We are not what we think we are; what we think – we are.”

What are you allowing into your mind that is thereby controlling your heart, your actions, and your words? God made you so that you can’t think two thoughts at one time. If you’re thinking what’s right, you can’t be thinking what’s wrong. And as you think, so you will become.

Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don’t let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Jesus and there won’t be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.

Start today to become more active in marshalling your thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Use Philippians 4:8 as a sieve through which you pass each thought:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good—–“ Genesis 50:20   George Eliot wrote, “I’ve been a great deal happier since I have given up thinking about what is easy and pleasant, and being discontented because I couldn’t have my own will. Our life is determined for us; and it makes the mind very free when we give up wishing, and only think of bearing what is laid upon us, and doing what is given us to do.” He discovered what most folks never discover. The harder we work trying to make ourselves happy the more miserable we become. It is only when we resign ourselves to do the will of God, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, that we discover happiness. To overcome anxiety we must accept what God allows, believing, as tough as it is, He will use it for some good and His glory. That is the path to peace.   We simply must stop expecting people to beat a path to our door seeking to bless us. Gripe all you want about it being their duty—that doesn’t change anything for the better. We need to think of ourselves as being totally undeserving of anything, only then will we be thankful for everything. Oh yeah, one more thing—how many paths have you made to the doors of others, seeking to be a blessing? Expect a blessing and you will be disappointed. Be a blessing and you will be blessed—even if others ignore you. True happiness doesn’t depend on what others do or don’t do. It comes from a proper relationship with Christ. That puts happiness within the reach of every chlld of God.

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”–2 Timothy 2:1 Life is tough and we all struggle. There are no “super-saints”. In and of ourselves, we can do nothing. And we are often frustrated because of it. Yet, it is a good day when we come to realize that we are weak. As confusing as it might seem to some, Paul was right when he said,”When I am weak, then am I strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:10). A sense of weakness makes us desperate and drives us to seek a source of strength. Paul had discovered that the only true source of strength is God’s grace. That’s why he took pleasure in his problems and sought to encourage others with this truth.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).   Paul isn’t telling Timothy to muster up his own strength, as though he could, but to be strengthened. There is a big difference! We have no real strength of our own. God alone is the source of our strength. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Through Him we can do “all things”(Philippians 4:13). If you refuse to believe that, you are in trouble. We find strength for the struggle only “in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”   Jerry Bridges wrote:”Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace, nor are your best days ever so good that you are beyond the need of it.” That’s good advice!   The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you!

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”–Proverbs 27:1   Gomer Pyle had it right when he said,”Surprise, Surprise!” Life is full of surprises. None of us know what a day may hold. While we’ve gotten pretty good at predicting the weather, there are some things we just can’t predict. Experience has taught us to expect the unexpected. This very day, some will receive a notice that they have been laid off from their job. Others will receive a bad and sad diagnoses from their doctor. Some will be told by their spouse that they want a divorce. Indeed this will be a sad day for a lot of folks. But, on the otherhand, some will receive wonderful news today, and they will be on the mountain top. The one sure thing is that we don’t know what lies ahead.   Now, here’s the good news. As uncertain as the future is, we know that God never changes. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”(Hebrews 13:8). You can count on God! Regardless of what happens today, God is just as loving, wise, faithful, and powerful as He was yesterday. And, He will be the same tomorrow. You can rely on God regardless of your situation. His promises are true.   Fix your thoughts upon the Lord and trust Him to use today’s experience for some good and His glory. He can do it. Whether sunshine or rain, or pleasure or pain, God can make something glorious out of your experience. Knowing this is true should make this day special—-live it to the fullest!