Choose Joy

We are one month away from the end of the year, glory to God. Abba Father, we thank you for the month of November. We thank you that it is ending in glory with Your goodness and mercy. Thank you for the gift of life and health In the Name of Jesus Christ.

Today's Word is from John 16:23-24 NKJV

"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."

AMEN.

Often times, the Word joy may interchangeably be used with happiness. However, joy and happiness carry different definitions. The Oxford dictionary defines,"happiness as the state of pleasurable contentment of mind; deep pleasure in or contentment with one's circumstances."

From this definition, happiness is tied to an event or circumstance. It is also safe to conclude that if that particular circumstance does not take place, then they most likely will be an absence of happiness. For instance, if someone becomes moody because they did not take their morning coffee, this implies that their ability to be happy is tied to a cup of coffee. It is also important that this cup of coffee for 'best results' should ideally be taken every morning which goes to highlight that this happiness may also fluctuate over time as the coffee wears off. (Big shout out to all my coffee drinkers!)

Joy on the other hand is not tied to one's circumstances. For a believer, joy is not found in an event or a moment but in the salvation of Jesus Christ. To reiterate, as a born again believer, your joy is not tied to a particular moment, accomplishment or season. It is in the now and in your day to day life.

The reason we ought to have joy every single day is because Jesus has paid too great a price for us to not have joy. He carried all our sin, iniquities, diseases griefs and sorrows (Isaiah 53:5-6) so we do not have to carry any. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that He came to give us an abundant life until it overflows to the fullest and the enemy on the other hand also came to steal that joy. Thankfully, Colossians 2:15 reminds us that Jesus Christ has already defeated every lie of the enemy that tries to steal the joy of God's children. That is, "having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it."

As a result, I believe God the Father desires that we focus on Jesus Christ as our forever sacrifice and what He accomplished for us on the cross. He gave you and I His Son Christ so that we can rejoice in Him and enjoy our lives that are secure in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 2:12 reminds us to choose to receive the free things we have from Christ some of which include joy. It says, "And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things that God has freely given us."

In this month of November, I encourage you to think of anything that the enemy may be using to steal your joy? Ask yourself if you have any power to control or change the situation? If that situation changed and based on what you have read today, would that bring you joy or happiness? Remember joy is a daily choice which is found in what Christ has already done for us on the cross while happiness is tied to an event and may fluctuate depending on the circumstances. I encourage you to release any burdens in prayer by handing them over to God that may be stealing your joy and choose to walk in the freedom that Christ purchased for you on the cross as God's beloved. I also encourage you to keep a journal of at least five things that you're thankful for everyday. As Jesus reminds us, "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32)

Happy November!

Invitation for personal relationship with God, the Father: If you would like to personally know this God who constantly fills you up with joy like no circumstance or person, who loves you with an everlasting love before you ever loved Him and has given you eternal life through the faith of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ - whose faithful promises are yes and amen, I invite you to make this confession, "I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour today and forever."

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17). To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

As a new believer, I urge you to let your Pastor know that you took the confession of faith or if you don't have one, become a part of a church. I also encourage you to get water baptised as soon as possible and get yourself a physical copy of the Bible or download the Bible app on your mobile in case you don't already own one! If you have taken the confession of faith and would also like a physical copy of the Bible, please send us an email at info@bibleversionoflife.com with your address. We would love to hear your story. GOD BLESS.