Daily Devotional; The fruit of the spirit is joy by George Koopmans;
The end of April is a happy time at the college where I serve as a chaplain. Classes are finished, and final exams are complete! Suddenly stress that has been building for weeks is released, and we see smiling faces all around.
In all kinds of situations, release from stress can lead to smiles and joy and even rejoicing and celebration.
Would you be surprised to know that some variation of “Be happy” is one of the most common instructions to us in God’s Word? While a search of the Bible may not always turn up the word “happy,” when we add the instructions to be glad, to rejoice, and to be joyful, we realize that this command does occur quite often in Scripture. Even the catchy title of a song from a past era, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” is a reflection of this common theme in God’s Word.
What a remarkable blessing it is that God not only commands us to be joyful but also produces joy in us by his Spirit. The Spirit produces joy in the lives of his people not only when they are surrounded by “happy” circumstances. Even while chained in prison, Paul and Silas were able to sing with joy (see Acts 16:25-34). People who walk by the Spirit can find joy in all circumstances.
Bible verse of the day; Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6:1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.
6:2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
6:3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?
6:4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.
6:5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?
6:6 I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.
6:7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
6:8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.
6:9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.
6:10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
Summary; it’s okay to be honest with God about what is happening with us, our moaning, our weeping, our grief. He can handle your feelings of pain. And not just some it but all. If God can handle feelings from the king of his people, he can handle it from you.
Closing Prayer; Heavenly Father help us to remember that you work all things together for our good and that one day, we will be healed. Help bring us to the day when sorrow will be no more, and when we will not languish anymore.
Prayer of Salvation: Which is how you ask to become a child of Our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Contact Information:
email: raynettekweissministries@yahoo.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/raynettekweissministries
Phone: 202-603-1821.