Joy is a choice!

The American Dream. The pursuit of happiness. We've heard it. We've read about it. And while I thank God that I live in a free country, the pursuit of happiness is futile.

Why?

Because happiness is based on chance and circumstance. If I'm broke, I'm not very happy. If bad things are happening, I'm sad, not happy. On the other hand, if I win Publisher's Clearing House millions, then I'm happy. Now that the sun is finally shining, I'm happy. It's payday, so I'm happy.

You see - happiness is futile because it's based on chance and circumstance.

Joy, on the other hand, is based on Christ and choice. Regardless of the circumstance, I still have the joy of the Lord.

Nehemiah declared that the "joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

Peter called it "joy unspeakable and full of glory." (1 Peter 1:8)

Jesus said that this joy that he gives, "no man will take away from you!" (John 16:22)

Now that's a pretty powerful and absolute statement. And of course, it's true! God cannot lie. His Word is truth. The joy that He gives, no man will take from you!

Is it any wonder then that the second fruit of the Spirit is joy, followed only by love. You see, we experience God's love and then because of that great love, we get a joy that becomes our strength, is unspeakable and full of glory, and then we realize that NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY!

Therefore, I submit to you that the only way to lose your joy is if you give it away.

Make the choice to be full of joy. You know that when your down to nothing, God is up to something, so smile, sing a joyful song and encourage yourself in the Lord.

Now, I must also be fair and tell you that bad things happen and sad times come; but I'm in the "BOOK"

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalms 30:5b KJV).

Guess what else happens in "the morning?"

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion's fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV)

Mark Condon wrote the following words in a song titled, "The Joy of the Lord:"

• I feel the joy of the Lord falling fresh on me. I feel the joy of the Lord delivering me. I feel the joy of the Holy Ghost. It's all over me!
• I HAVE BEEN LOOSED, I've been set free, so pardon me a moment while I have a jubilee, for the joy of the Holy Ghost is all over me!

Experience His joy today... it's yours!