Dear Covenant Family:
I have a very busy family morning tomorrow, so I am sending out this week’s message a bit early. Hope that is OK. Have a very blessed Friday and weekend!!
Ron
TGIF
As I read my daily devotional this week, Jesus Always by Sarah Young, I noticed a consistent theme in the messages. The focus this first week of the new year was on Joy. I thought maybe that is the case because we have turned a page in our lives to a new chapter, the chapter of 2022. It gives us a chance to turn away from some old practices that maybe were not in our best interests, or maybe some unhealthy habits. We are a new canvas for God to use this year to change us however He may desire if we open our hearts to Him. The Bible is clear that we are to find Joy in Him, maybe that is why there is such a focus in this week’s messages.
On January 2, Jesus tells us I am your Joy! These four words can light up your life. Since I am always with you, the Joy of My Presence is continually accessible to you. You can open up to my Presence through your trust in Me, your love for Me. Try saying, “Jesus, You are my Joy.” My light will shine upon you and within you as you rejoice in Me, your Savior. Ponder all I have done for you and all that I am to you. This will lift you up above your circumstances.
Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord Always. Again, I will say, rejoice!
2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 Peter 1:8-9 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
On January 4, we read Find Joy in Me, for I am your Strength. It is vital to keep your Joy alive, especially when you’re in the throes of adversity. … Remember that your problems are temporary but I am eternal – and so is your relationship with Me. As you find Joy in Me, delighting in My unfailing Love for you, your strength will increase. This is the Joy of the Lord, which is yours for all time and throughout eternity.
As the holidays end and family returns home, we return to our regular daily life. That may bring back pain and anguish to us that we were able to set aside during the holidays. Remain strong through your faith and find Joy in His constant presence by our side.
Psalm 66:1-2 – Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
Psalm 62:8 – Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
James 1:2-3 ” Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
1 Thessalonians 1:6 – “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”
On January 5, Jesus shares Let my consolation – My comfort – bring Joy to your soul. When anxiety is welling up inside you, come to Me and pour out your heart. Then sit quietly in My Presence while I comfort you, helping you see things from My perspective. … When you are joyful, this changes the way you view the world around you. Even though you see much darkness, you can also see the Light of My Presence continuing to shine. Moreover, the Joy in your soul gives you Buoyancy, enabling you to rise above the countless problems in your life.
There are a myriad of problems in our world today that can tie us up in knots if we let them. Instead seek His Peace and Joy and rise above all the problems you perceive around you.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Psalm 94:19 – When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Proverbs 17:22 – A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Lastly, on January 6 we read Do not give in to joyless living by letting worries about the present or the future weigh you down. Instead, remember that neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from My Love. Talk with Me about your fears, expressing your thoughts and feelings freely. Relax in My Presence and entrust all your concerns to me. Then ask me to bless you with My Joy, since no one can take that from you.
John 16:22 – So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
Zephaniah 3:17 – “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Remember that Jesus gave the ultimate gift for you and for me – He gave His life on the cross that our sins would be forgiven and that we would have eternal Joy and Peace in His presense.
Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”