Joy

  My devotional and the book Simple Abundance today had a common theme.  It was about Joy.

  The title from today's entry was, If you want Joy.  The scripture reference was......

 You make known to me the path of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence,
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalms 16:11

 

Sarah Ban Breathnach spoke of how important it is for us to live in the moment.  That with worries, expecting the worst, and creating situations in our own minds, we often create our own misfortunes.  She asked the question " What if you began to  expect the best from any situation?"  She challenged her readers to declare out loud to the LORD that we are willing to let go of struggle and be eager to learn through joy.  

 

These questions seemed almost surreal to me today, since the scripture that keeps running through my head lately all deals with these very subjects.  Little by little and layer by layer, God is piercing my heart with his ever present word.  Not words that I am currently reading, but the words that have been written in my heart since I was a teenager new to my faith.  

Yesterday I posted this verse on Facebook.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:6

Another verse I have been reminded of often lately is this..........

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Lastly is the 23rd Psalm.  I am sure most of you know it well............

  The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
  He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
  he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
   for his name’s sake.
 Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

  You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows.
 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
   forever.

I know this Psalm by heart!  The other scriptures too.  I ask myself, why then do I often find myself worrying about all the "what if's" ??  Then, I realize that my Joy is lacking BECAUSE I can't and haven't expected good things!  I often find myself worrying about the worst scenario, instead of basking in the goodness all around me.

 

It is high time that I start living by faith and faith alone!  Is God not my Father?  Does he not want good things for his children?  Even when something I consider terrible happens..........my Husband looses his job, we have to leave our  home, my children need to enter the public school........yada yada.......

Isn't it always for a purpose??  Don't things always seem to have a purpose that we could not see at  the time?  Even all those unwanted things turn out to be good in the end!  If God is for us then WHO could be against us?

 

This is me, binding my worries, binding the doubts, and binding my enemies from harming us!  

Matthew 18:18-20 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will
be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them
by My Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

 

 
I am thankful for a God who loves us so much, that no matter how far we travel off the path he never stops pursuing us!    Blessings to all.  <3 Paula