“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

Joy is a personal choice, as hard as that is to accept. I would much rather think that people, and circumstances steal my joy. I hate the idea that the reason I don’t have joy, is because I’m not always choosing it.

If you had to put your joy on a scale, how high would it be right now? I can tell you on the authority of God’s Word that if it is low, or if it is not there at all, you can find it again in the person of Jesus Christ Himself. Choose the joy found in following Jesus.

People who have known the Lord for a long time, sometimes get bored. They may start to think that there has got to be something more, something better, something different. Then off they go in search of some unbiblical extravagance to satisfy that itch. To that, the apostle Paul posts a big warning sign in Philippians 3:14-16:

“Forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead . . . I press on!”

Instead of longing for more, or better, or different, God calls us to go deeper, and stronger into our relationships with Him. Philippians 3 continues, “hold true to what we have attained.”

Hold fast to God, and choose joy each day. Keep depending on Christ. Do you still lean on Him today, as much as you did when you first came to the Cross? Is every step with God one of dependence and faith? What uncertainty lies ahead? Are there any obstacles that you are being called to conquer right now? Do you want to have joy through those challenges? Say, “I can’t do it, Lord; only You can do it in me.”

What needs to be done today so that you can regain the joy that you lost? Maybe you need to stop trying so hard in your own strength, to be what God wants you to be. Take a dependent, Christ-centered approach to life, and let your joy be renewed. Remember that the same way you came to the Lord, is also the way that you will grow in Christ.

Do you want more joy? Get back on track! Depend on God alone, and remain faithful.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” -John 15:11&12

Resource: Got Joy? by James MacDonald
www.WalkintheWord.com 

Dave Earley  http://www.init-2-winit.org