Do you remember the day that you invited Jesus into your heart? It has been twenty years since I was saved and baptized, but I can still remember feeling pure joy and elation afterward. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that you have been forgiven and you have heaven to look forward to. I believe the Holy Spirit gives us His joy at the time of our salvation.
(1 Thessalonians 1:6). God has given us this wonderful gift, but so many times we sit idly by while satan, the loser-liar, deliberately steals our joy.
Satan steals our joy by telling us that our problems are much bigger than our God. He says our bills are more than we can pay, our illness is more than we can bear, our circumstances are beyond redemption. The Bible says that satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Jesus says that He is the “truth” (John 14:6). It seems like a no-brainer that we should believe the One who IS truth and say , “get thee behind me” to the ultimate liar. But, too many times we let our hearts and minds agree with satan when he tells us we are too worthless to deserve God’s blessings in our lives. I f I had a dollar for every time I fell for satan's lies I would be filthy rich!!! I can't tell you the times I fight with satan because he constantly tells me that my sins are way too many for God to ever forgive them.
Joy is defined by Webster’s as “intense happiness or great delight”. This is what God wants for us. The Bible tells us to "Delight in the Lord". It is easy to delight in the Lord when things are going well for us, but it isnt so easy when times get tough. And those are the times satan attacks with all his evil little ammo. When we listen to satan’s lies, we deny ourselves of God’s best and forfeit the intense happiness and great delight He gave us when He saved us. I pray everyday that God will help me remember the joy I felt on November 16, 1985. I am praying that for everyone who reads this blog as well.
Lord, I pray that you will restore our joy. I pray that each and every person who reads this blog will get an extra dose of your grace and mercy today. Give us the peace that passes all understanding -- the same peace we had when you first saved us. Help us to tell satan to take a hike and believe in the Truth and only in the Truth.
6 comments:
The Lord is constantly teaching me new things in regards to joy...not happiness, joy. Great post!
Oh, Bethanne -- totally needed this one today! And I'm gonna tell Jennifer Partin to make sure she reads this one!!! *smooch*
Thank you Bethanne---Tara sent me over. I am struggling and really need to focus and cling to the one who is Truth. I do not have that joy right now but rather fear. Thank you for the post and timely reminder.
bethanne, this is my favorite blog EVER ANYWHERE because this topic is at the pinnacle of my christian struggle. i want joy. the stress of living here on earth. struggles i created myself and struggles with things outside my control are robbing me of my joy, true joy. i can put on the face like anyone else. at this time in our lives we are bombarded with things and they could be MUCH worse, and may even get worse. i have no trouble knowing my God loves me and wants the best for me and is in control of everything. but JOY, i know i'm in the negative here. your blog was exactly meant for me to read today.
thanking God for your words.
~janel
what a wonderful reminder!
Such a simple thing, but it's so hard to remember. Thanks!
I often literally (out loud) say "get behind me" when Satan starts to invade my thoughts. He is very crafty...aargh!
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