Encouragement

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Are You Overflowing with Joy? You Can Be!
Happiness and joy are different things although we all enjoy both of them. Happiness seems to depend on circumstances and come and go but joy can be deep and abiding even in the “bad time” circumstances. Joy is based on being free in the Lord Jesus Christ, forgiven and made into a new creature. When I listen carefully I can hear the Lord whispering in my ear:

I have come to bring you fullness of joy.

Open up more to me in worship and praise. It is your God who reigns and directs and loves you so very much.

Yield up the dross which my fire has separated – don’t cling to that which drags you down but release it to me.

You are learning. You do grow. You are loved. Look up to Jesus. Be not bound by man or self enslavement but free in the Spirit. I love you, Daughter.

In John 15:11 the Bible is quoting Jesus in saying “these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” There is no better joy we can have than the perfect joy given to us by Jesus.

In John 16:24 Jesus encourages his followers to “ask in My name”, ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.” It is almost as if He is handing us a check with His signature on it if we are willing to ask. He wants us to have His joy and a full portion, not just a tiny bit!

We need to allow Him to turn us the heat at times to get rid of the impurities (dross). He is so able to make us pure and shining. Sometimes the heat is not “fun” but most often it is very necessary. Can we be willing to say “yes, Lord, yes”?

Dearest Lord, please help me to let go of anything brought to the surface as impure by Your Holy spirit’s fire. Help me to receive the fullness of joy that You offer and to be ever yielded to the work You would do in my heart. Take my life and make if Your own more fully. In Jesus most wonderful name. AMEN

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

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