TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3
TODAY’S MESSAGE: We are told to be joyful in our troubled times. We are to love those who hate us and be patient with those who oppose us. Just what does it mean when the bible tells us that troubled times are opportunities for joy. Just what does it mean to be joyful? Joy is a condition of life. It does not come and go as happiness does. Instead, we live in joy. Joy has a way of transcending us. There is no happiness in troubles, but joy can share the same space with troubled times. Joy is a way of life. It is a way that we conduct ourselves at all times. When we are attacked by evil our joy can be what helps us to overcome. Joy has nothing to do with happiness but instead can be described as a sacrifice in our lives. Joy leads us into the fight with problems and helps us to overcome. Every time troubles appear in our lives; we have a chance to show case our joy and how we live our lives. Jesus wasn’t happy all of the time. However, he lived in joy. He was loving toward all; he was patient with the those who were not patient and he cared for the needs of all. He may have been unhappy about the way others were persecuting him, but joy gave him the ability to still love them and pray to God for them. You and I are no different. Joy will always be with us. It becomes a part of us and becomes our way of living among others. It allows us to at times be dissatisfied with others and at the same time continue to love them and pray for them. As happiness comes and goes, joy is with us always. Let us all have joy, live joy and provide joy to others. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!
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