 Then I heard, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” I knew I felt no joy, and that explained why I felt so weak. Hopeless to do anything about my life, I knew things had to change, but how to go about it was something I did not know how to accomplish. I just knew one thing: “The joy of the Lord was my strength.” So I went about trying to figure out how to find joy. Since I knew I was saved and forgiven of all my sins, why didn’t I feel joy? Didn’t it come with salvation? In my search to discover the answer, I realized how little I really knew God. I was reading His Word and going to church. I participated in Bible studies and conferences, taking notes and listening, but somehow for all my efforts, I wasn’t seeing a lot of change in how I felt. Many times we can walk through the motions of what we know to be Christian without really knowing the Lord. I was saved and submissive, but didn’t have a relationship. No wonder there was no joy. For all I knew about Him, I really didn’t know Him intimately. You can know a lot about celebrities and not have a relationship with them. And that was exactly what I had going on with my Heavenly Father. I thought having the joy of the Lord as my strength meant I needed His joy to be strong. Now I know that it’s the joy I receive from knowing Him that gives me strength. He knows how much we need a relationship with Him, and He patiently waits as we grow and understand Who He is and who we are in Him. When I reflect on what I know about Him, I immediately feel joy begin to rise in my spirit, giving me strength to overcome anything that wants to rob me of my joy. Are you lacking joy in your life? Seek Him and you will find your joy and strength.
(Photo courtesy of office.microsoft.com.)
(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)
Ann Wallace, a Bible study teacher, speaker and freelance writer and photographer, currently resides in South Carolina.
Formerly a staff writer and photographer for Cool Springs Living magazine in Nashville, Tennessee, God has now gifted her with Grace Anointed Ministries to touch others with His grace beyond the boundaries of where she lives. She has also traveled and worked for an international ministry, been a women’s ministry director, spoken both domestically and abroad, and served in various other capacities in different ministries throughout her lifetime. She is a graduate of both Class and Christian Communicators speaking services. Passionate about Christ, her prayer is to get the word out about how amazing God is and all that He has for you. You may reach Ann at graceanointed.blogspot.com. [I hope you'll click on her blog, and read her posts!] | ||||
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." James 1:2 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..." 1 Peter 1:8 "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." Romans 15:13 "Be joyful always." 1 Thessalonians 5:16 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Zeph. 3:17 
Father, may I be drawn closer to You today, as I read Your Word, the Bible.
I ask that Your Holy Spirit reveal to me the treasures I read about.
Speak to me of things You're concerned about
that are keeping me from knowing You more.
I know that the joy I receive from knowing
You, is what gives me strength.
Change my attitudes, and create within me a
heart that listens to Your urgings.
I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen
Today’s quotes:
Eleanor Roosevelt - "You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude." Paul E. Billheimer - "God has the power to overcome Satan without the help of His Church through prayer and faith. Yet, if He overcame Satan without Her, she would be robbed of the enforcement practice needed to help Her gain spiritual strength in overcoming. This is God's number one reason for creating the system of prayer and purposely committing Himself to answer. Thus, we can say no authority exists without the tireless, continual prayer of the Church." (Taken from his book, DESTINED for the THRONE, pg 100) Cathy Baker: "Biblical joy isn't grounded in a particular temperament or swayed by outward circumstances. It is the supernatural manifestation of Christ that flows in and through us." (Scriptures and quote are taken from When Joy Doesn't Come Naturally) Posted: 29 Apr 2015 04:00 AM PDT
Some thoughts today: -The early Church held as priority, the Gospel, which introduced them to Jesus. Are we valuing our time reading it today, as they did? - If you turn your back on God, the fellowship you had with Him is broken. He waits and works to bring you back to Him. - Finding and dealing with the core of you is what God wants to address. Walking out your life, don't get discouraged, keep your eyes on Jesus! You were created for something greater than what you're experiencing today. Trust Him to guide you, and daily give Him your will, plans, and life. Upcoming posts-
16th- Tuesday’s post: #71 Principles for Warfare C. Peter Wagner 18th- Thursday's post: #72 The Whole Armor of God C. Peter Wagner 20th- Saturday's post: Humble Before God Michael Brooks 21st- Sunday evening's post: The More We Take the Time to Pray Lee Forbes A popular post:  Doubt vs Faith with some questions that should get us considering how the one tends to take down the other. "When troubling thoughts come..."
jean-oathout.blogspot.com (save to check in sometime)
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A great gift for someone who
needs help in their marriage
Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women
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Thoughts for Life
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Joy
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