JOY JOY JOY

I FIRST WANT TO SAY I KNOW IT'S BEEN A HOTTT MINUTE SINCE THE LAST POST, BUT SOMETIMES, LIFE JUST HAPPENS, AND WE GET WAY TOO BUSY TO EVEN DO MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN EVEN THINK ABOUT POSTING ON A BLOG... BUT HERE GOES!

I have had a lot on my mind recently.... some of which I can not help, and some of which the devil uses to get my heart feeling wrong to another person, or some little thing said that I may take a little different, or when you KNOW you are trying your hardest to do right, and then it seems like it just is not as important as others as you know it is and make it out to be.... this can affect your true JOY... In my devotions lately, I have been studying JOY..and how your JOY can affect others. I am posting this mainly for myself, cause I know I need it, but I wrote some notes along the way, and feel like it may could help someone, so hope you enjoy... I have learned so much lately. I recently had a conversation with two people. One of which , I grew up with. She was discussing with me about how things that people do and say can ruin you. This is true.. and take your joy away. Why?? You depend on these certain people to be there for you, pray for you , and treat you like family.. yet, they say hurtful things about you and your family, they destroy YOUR character, and it can seem like it makes YOU look like the'' bad guy''. The devil uses this type of person 
ALL the time to take your JOY away.God gives us His LOVE and that humbles us. It makes us aware that HE can love us like no other.He gives us His peace and that makes us steady..

stead·y

ˈstedē/

adjective

adjective: steady; comparative adjective: steadier; superlative adjective: steadiest

1.

firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.

that's right..... firmly fixed.. fixed on Jesus, and HIS JOY He has for us .IF we are steady, and firmly fixed on Jesus, His JOY is there always. 

The Lord makes us JOYFUL , it gives us HIS STRENGTH! It can calm your nerves way better that an ativan, which is a strong med used to treat anxiety. 

 Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 

Joy IS strong. It holds up under fire. It can show up just when life is pressing you. My Pastor's Wife.. I have learned so much from HER during the years. SHE once told me that God transforms your ''raw material'' ( bad thoughts, failures you may have, depression), and makes YOU a trophy for Him. That's  my desire... No, I am NOT trying to be Mrs. Perfect, but I am trying to live for Him , and  BE MYSELF, and desire to  be used for HIM. and at the end of the day, THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS. PLEASING God, AND then REJOICE!!!! Then, you will have true JOY.. We can see all of these traits in the 12 apostles and disciples.  He chose THEM. He picked ordinary people just like you and me...and chose to use THEM, just like HE chooses to use YOU AND ME. if we yield our life and control To HIM .Your strength is made PERFECT in weakness.

When you think you have it bad... visit a loved one who can not walk, or can not drive anymore.. YET, they still praise God.. they still know that GOD loves them.... HE GIVES THEM JOY IN THEIR WEAKNESS.. 

LAST THOUGHT: not all of life's experiences are going to be bitter..  and when you have these bad experiences.. they make you BETTER.. get you some JOY!

Overcome those things, and people, who try to bring you down... Joy.. JESUS, OTHERS, YOU!