Topic: LIVE WITH JOY [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 20 October 2021
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ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL
BY: ARCHBISHOP M E BENSON IDAHOSA
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER, 20, 2021
LIVE WITH JOY
Philippians 4:4 (KJV, CEV, TPT), 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV, CEV) Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. *Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. *Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! *Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. *Always be joyful. and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.
God wants you and me to be joyful always. Being joyful is the will of God for our lives. God wants us to always have the same joy that He has. The joy of the Lord is not just the joy you have because of God, it is the same joy that God has. When you have the same joy that God has, the strength of God will be stirred up in you and you will be unstoppable, (Neh.8:10). For you to have the same joy that God has, you must have the same focus, mindset and perspective that God has. You must be conscious of what God is conscious about and see things the way God sees them. Do you know that God is always rejoicing over you with singing, (Zeph.3:16-17)? He is rejoicing over you because of what He knows about you and what He has already done for you through Christ.
Our joy is not based on what we are going through. Rather it is based on what we know about God, His love, His presence and His plans for our lives. Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33, LB). Jesus has already won the victory for you. You are not trying to win or overcome, you are more than conquerors through Him that loved you, (Rom.8:37).
Worrying cannot add a cubit or anything positive to your life, (Matt.6:27). Instead, it will drain you of strength and life. Instead of being anxious, pray with faith and thanksgiving about your request and trust God for His abundant grace, (Phil.4:6). All things are working together for your good, (Rom.8:28). Learn how to deliberately sing, laugh, dance and shout for joy and in the Lord.
Faith Declaration:
The joy of the Lord is my strength. I am always strong, victorious and unstoppable because of God’s love, presence and plans for me.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN
Jeremiah 35:1-36:32, 1Timothy 5:1-25, Psalm 89:14-37, Proverbs 25:25-27
