The Joy Of The Lord 12-22-24

Welcome to the word for the week. As we get closer to the end of one year and prepare to look forward to another year there is a word that can be applied no matter the season. The joy of the Lord is our strength. That is a simple passage and yet it is something powerful that we should strive to live by. There is one other thing you will need to think on this week and that is God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him. These two work together along with as a man thinks so is he. If your mind is not on God it will be hard to experience joy. You have to have Him on your mind and in your heart but it is worth it. In your lowest points in life the joy of the Lord is your strength! Let’s go further.

Joy does not need everything around it to be perfect before it can be experienced. Joy shows up when you may least expect it. Joy can show up when you just got released from your job, when your vehicle has been repossessed, and when you find out your account has a negative balance. The joy of the Lord is not dependent upon your circumstances being perfect. The joy of the Lord is when you think about the goodness of God and refuse to let go of Him. The enemy does everything He can to steal your joy. Many of you reading this have found yourself smiling right after you cried in pain. That is the joy of the Lord reminding you that God is in control and everything is going to be alright. I like to say that peace is a state of mind and joy is a presence in your heart. I say that because when your mind is racing at a thousand miles an hour you need peace. When you need to be settled in your spirit you need joy!

The enemy will try to rob you of your joy at the very time you should be enjoying life. Yes, we are approaching the end of another year. Yes, there are some who are just now waking up to what they should have grasped during the year. Yes, one can feel like they are so far behind the curve of life. And yes, one can still have joy knowing that God has not given up on them. All of us are more than aware of our shortcomings. We are very clear where God honestly could have gave up on us. If that does not bring you joy to know that God still has you here because He is not done with you I am not sure what to say on that. Any time you realize that God is not done with you that ought to bring you great joy. That means the things that He has promised you are still on the table. Just because you have not seen something yet does not mean that it is not yet on the way.

I have to close this week but I am lead to leave you with this. The joy of the Lord is your excitement for God. It is what makes you want Him more. The joy of the Lord is what makes you want to live upright before the Lord. It is what makes you want to pray and talk to God. It is what makes you wan to stay before Him. It is what makes you shout when you think about how good God has been to you. It makes you want to fight on another day when you feel like giving up. The joy of the Lord is always in expectation that God is going to do something great in your life. The joy of the Lord brings you comfort with your salvation and it gives you hope for your eternity with Christ. Make no mistake about this last part. All of the distractions in your life are designed to keep your focus off of God. When you get settled in your spirit that God is truly in control and that all things work together for your good, you will understand for yourself that the joy of the Lord is your strength!

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you in His grace,
Bishop Carlos J. Lennon