December 14

It’s Christmas time! A time of joy and giving and peace on earth – well at least peace in my heart – right? The smell of pine in our concrete jungle and the expectancy of children who are giddy with delight for you to open their gifts to you. Ahh… Christmas! Then it happens, a masked man steals the joy and it all becomes a burden to bear. It’s supposed to be fun decorating, but it is another thing on the checklist that looks like Santa’s list for the continent of Asia! What happens on the way to Christmas? The same thing that happens all year long – we become a victim to our “to do” list and our joy gets ripped off.

By 51 you would think I would be out of process and into mastery, but no. Still in process! How about you? If you can admit that you have the same problem, then God can give you a solution – His joy. I was reading the other day and found this:

Hebrews 1:9 (NIV84) — 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

It seems that Nehemiah who wrote by the Spirit:

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV84) — 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Had something too – a key to the Kingdom way back then. There is something about joy that the enemy of your souls MUST steal! It is too powerful and able to give you strength and set you above others. It is a power that others cannot ignore. When you are in a room and have joy, especially God’s joy, you stand out, you are magnetic! So don’t let your joy be stolen this season or any other season. Tame whatever beast is trying to steal, or has stolen it. Joy is yours to have and exercise in all situations!

Psalm 28:7 (NIV84) — 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.