Tag: joy

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Faithful to the End

Psalm 30:11 (VOICE) You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing; You stripped off my dark clothing and covered me with joyful light.

Beloved, I AM faithful to the end. I always see you, for I AM El Roi, the God who sees. I AM equipped and fully able. I fiercely love My children. I AM devoted, and I move on your behalf. Rejoice in that victory. Give praise and honor to My name. Let the earth be filled with the sound of your joy, and may your life testify to the goodness of who I AM.

When the daylight comes and the night has passed, do not withhold your praise – not from a place of obligation, but from an overflow of love and joy. May your heart burst forth in zealous declaration that the God you serve – the only true God – is good and worthy of all praise.

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Morning Dance

Psalm 126:5 (TLB) Those who sow tears shall reap joy.

Beloved, I have promised and I will deliver. I AM good to My word. Rest in a place of joyful expectation, even when the night is long and the sky looks dark, know that I AM with you, My angels surround you, and I AM faithful. I watch over My word to perform it. Stand fast and believe. Let joyful expectation be your mien.

Dance, beloved – as in your mourning you expect your morning, dance, for the dawn is coming. Worship as you wait, knowing I AM faithful. Knowing I AM good. Knowing I AM with you. And knowing I AM worthy. Give praise, and give it freely and without reserve. Bring forth your mourning dance that it might become your morning dance. Continue reading “Morning Dance”

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Embrace Trials

Isaiah 43:2 (TLB) When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you.

Beloved, embrace the trials you encounter, knowing I have allowed them for your good. Just as building muscle in weight training requires repetition and increased opposition (weight), repeated trials give opportunity for you to grow strong and build your faith.

The question becomes will you embrace the growing and refining process with joy? Or will you complain throughout the process? Be aware that having joy in the midst is part of what successful maturation looks like. So choose wisely and choose well.

Embrace trials for the character building opportunities they are. Trust that I will never give you more than you can handle with Me at your side. Let your light shine and your character be matured. Lead by example, and demonstrate your trust in Me as you yield to the development plan I set before you by walking it out with joy.

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Unshakable

Nehemiah 8:10 (GW) …Don’t be sad because the joy you have in the Lord is your strength.

Beloved, when you find your joy in Me, it is unshakable. I AM the same yesterday, today, and forever, so when you root yourself in Me, you have a foundation that is solid. It cannot be moved by outside forces. When your joy is in Me, it cannot be stolen. There is strength in that foundation.

As trials in life come – and they surely will – they cannot steal your joy because it is found in Me. Draw strength from that. The winds and waves may come, but your roots are in solid ground. Draw strength from Me. I AM unchanging and unwavering. I AM the one that holds you as priceless and loves you beyond measure. Be rooted in that love.

But beloved be cautioned, you can choose to release your joy. It cannot be taken from you, but you can give it up. So refuse the temptation to give in. The enemy will lie and cheat and steal to try to release your hold on what is rightfully yours, but refuse to yield. Hold tight and be unshakable.

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Burst Forth

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Beloved, no matter what you face, I AM with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you and in My presence is fullness of joy. Rejoice for you have overcome! The enemy is defeated. He has lost and you have forever gained.

Remain in joyous, steadfast assurance, and let that joy of victory reflect in your countenance. May your life be a steadfast witness to the goodness of who I AM. Refuse to be subdued, beloved, but rather burst forth in the glory of all you have been created to be.

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Burst Forth in Praise

Psalm 5:11 (TPT) But let them all be glad, those who turn aside to hide themselves in you. May they keep shouting for joy forever! Overshadow them in your presence as they sing and rejoice. Then every lover of your name will burst forth with endless joy.

Beloved, burst forth in praise! Like an excited child, refuse to restrain your exuberance for Me. As a good and loving father smiling over the zealous delight of their baby girl, so is My joy over you, My precious and cherished child. Stay hidden in Me.

Celebrate. Celebrate Me. Allow your joyful exuberance – your passionate praise – and your dedication to your faith to overflow in all you do. Your joy is contagious, drawing those around you closer. Stay unapologetically joyous, for it is pleasing to Me. I delight in you.

[Merriam-Webster’s Thesaurus defines “celebrate” as “to proclaim the glory of” and some of the synonyms and related words listed are “bless, praise, exalt, magnify, worship, adore.”]

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Allow Faith to Blossom

James 1:2-4 (VOICE) Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line —mature, complete, and wanting nothing.

Beloved, allow faith to blossom – bursting forth in strength and life – like a chick breaking through its shell, having found the strength required to go forth and live through perseverance gained by the hardship of the immediate challenge. Press in and persevere.

Trust Me. Trust that I will be with you to strengthen and encourage you in your moments of need. Trust that I know what you can endure and what is needful for what lies ahead. I AM the beginning and the end, the Alpha and Omega, I AM always mindful of what is best for My children and for My Kingdom, and I use all things for good.

So in the moments it feels like too much, focus your heart on Me. Allow Me to renew your strength, restore your joy, and give you peace. Allow Me to guide you into the fullness of all you were created and called to be. Refuse to shy away from trials, instead seeing them as tests to be conquered that your faith might increase. So allow your faith to blossom, beloved, and do so with joy.

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Choose Joy

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Beloved, choose joy for it is not based on circumstance. It is found in My presence. It is always there for you and it strengthens you. Literally. It builds you up and heals your heart – and it is even healing to your body.

Refuse to be tempted to bitterness, resentment, anger, or hopelessness. Rather shift your heart to focus on that which is good – clinging to the truth of My promises in the face of opposition and being steadfast in joy when confronted with trials.

Joy is a choice. Cling to gratitude regardless of circumstance, and shift the atmosphere with your laughter for I AM good. That truth always remains. So beloved, be intentional to always choose joy. It is contagious. A blessing that spreads. Be a catalyst. Choose joy. Continue reading “Choose Joy”

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The Power of My Presence

Psalm 68:8 (VOICE) The whole world trembled! The sky poured down rain at the power of Your presence; even Mount Sinai trembled in Your presence, the presence of the True God, the God of Israel.

Beloved, never underestimate the power of My presence. It causes darkness to tremble, the dead to come to life, it brings manifold change and tremendous breakthroughs. I AM God Almighty – El Gibbor, the Mighty God. My presences changes things. My presence will change you.

As you stand basking in My overwhelming love, allowing My joy to refresh and heal you – how can you not come away changed? Make the time, be intentional, and soak Me in. Allow Me to saturate you in the oil of My Spirit.

Then prepare, beloved. For the power of My presence brings forth response. It brings about action. You cannot know Me and spend time with Me and stay the same. It’s not that a response is required as much as it is inevitable.

So prepare to take new ground. Pour out your fresh oil with the knowledge that I AM always pouring back into you – just step into My presence and be filled – heart and hands open, beloved, receive from Me – then go forth. Expand the Kingdom.

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Clothed in Strength

Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Beloved, allow your joy and trust in My faithfulness to bubble up and overflow. With YHVH Sabaoth (the Lord of Hosts) and the hosts of heaven on your side, you know you have nothing and no one to fear. Your future is safe in My hands.

Let the joy of victory ring. Let your strength be like the finest garments, and your gentle dignity – your steadfast honor and quiet assurance – be as lovely accessories, accentuating the beauty of your faith in Me as you stand assured with joy.