Do you realize that the God who created the entire universe, the one and only God,
- is a happy God?
If we are Christians, then we serve the Lord of Joy as His happy and glad ambassadors.
Once you SEE with open eyes that joy is both the fuel and result of biblical Christianity, then you can’t escape this doctrine. The Bible is peppered with references to our joy, delight, pleasure and happiness in God. Hebrew has several words like ashar and simcha and sasson and the significant Greek word for this state of well-being is chara (as in Acts 8:8 – there was ‘megas chara’ when Philip shared the good news of God who came to Earth as a man, aka the Christ)
Here is how my morning thoughts have gone this week:
- Focusing on what is permanent is healthier than meditating on circumstances, which in THIS world are always going to be temporary.
- All the permanent facts of my life are AMAZINGLY and DELIGHTFULLY GOOD and HOPE-FILLED. Nothing in my permanent future bodes ill! It’s all going to be blessing.
- My thoughts about permanent matters affect not only my moods, but how I relate to others.
- If I am a Christian, then when I was regenerated, the Holy Spirit came into me and permanently, eternally altered my spiritual DNA. The Holy Spirit is the archetypal agent of Joy. I have Divine Joy, the 3rd member of the Holy Happy Trinity living with me, in me. That gives NEW meaning to the assertion that the Joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
- Part of my new makeup is gift – already imparted to me forever. The Holy Spirit – God’s agent of Joy and Holy Happiness, is both INSIDE me and around me. Do you remember reading this fact? – He has girded me with gladness (Psalm 30:11)
With all that God has done FOR us, He also trusts us and is training us to use some resources and tools that He now provides via His immaterial but living Word. Daily we are to:
- prepare our minds for action. (1 Peter 1:13)
- PUT ON new clothes (Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.…Col 3:12)
- Strap on our defensive gear, especially the Belt of Truth – the outer part of that permanent Holy Belt of Gladness – (Eph 6:14)
These are some of my prayer-filled thoughts that I engage in each early morning before I face the world. They sort me out. They encourage me. They help me remember that I am NOT my own but His. I have a duty each day to be ready to exude, offer, shed, share, sprinkle and spill out that counter-cultural vibe of true joy that comes from the God who is IN me, AROUND me, THROUGH me and definitely FOR me.
Everyone is saddened and heavy-ladened with something. Everyone needs a lift. We believers are permanently connected to a universe of grace. We have NOTHING to lose! So be gratuitous with your grace. Your Father in Heaven will beam. He will not chide you for wanton waste of living water. The world is thirsty!
Apr 28, 2014 @ 15:56:04
I need that reminder daily! Thank you, Maria!
Apr 28, 2014 @ 19:56:49
Me too!!! We have to preach to ourselves