Thursday, November 18, 2010

"Joy Cometh"

I am in a women's bible study with Beth Moore, called "Living Beyond Yourself".

"The fruit of the spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control." Galatians 5:22

Joy is the second characteristic of the fruits of the spirit....second only to love.

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."John 15:22

"Weeping lasts for the night but Joy comes in the morning."

But Lord, how long is the night? How long must we suffer? God does not mean that our weeping or sorrow or suffering will actually last 8 hours.....He tells us to endure because He assures us that after the sorrow comes the most amazing indescribable joy. The suffering and sorrow will seem like nothing compared this this joy that will last forever!!!

Our promised home in heaven is a pretty good reason to rejoice, but while on earth, there will be tribulation in our lives. Perhaps God allows these trials to make sure we have to work, to seek Him and seek that Joy. "though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you. "Psalm 71:20,23

What kind of struggles are you facing? Are you looking for Him in the midst of your struggles?

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
"For behold,darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;
But the LORD will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.
Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes round about and see;
They all gather together, they come to you
Your sons will come from afar,
And your daughters will be carried in the arms.
"Then you will see and be radiant,
And your heart will thrill and rejoice. Isaiah 60

Beth asked us "When was the last time your heart swelled with joy?" Psalm 30:5



I thought immediately that the last time for me was when I painted with the children. I painted for the children. They wanted to participate. They wanted to know. They wanted to share. They wanted to KNOW that God has HIS name on their hearts. They are HIS MASTERPIECES! Each and every one of those little people are HIS!!! What joy in each little face and what incredible blessings each of them are to me!!!!

Find YOUR JOY!
You just have to make it through the night.
The fullness of JOY will be yours.

"YOU WILL BE RADIANT!
YOUR HEART WILL Throb and Swell with JOY!!!" -Moore

Amazing!

2 comments:

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

There you go again, Ms. Choose Joy!

Your swelling heart spills over, and I stand here in the overflow, grateful.

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Thank you for this. I love the beautiful picture, too. I remember asking the Lord that very question, when we lost our babies,
"How long will this night last Lord...when will morning come to our house and stay?"

Joy has come, and He is faithful...not that there still hasn't been some difficult nights. But, the morning always comes and brings joy with it.