Do you live your life with joy?

Some people’s concept of Christianity is that it is a religion of sorrow and no joy.  I can testify that when you look at many Christian people they look like they just sucked on a dozen lemons.  Where is the joy of the Lord?

John 15:11 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

Jesus gave us the Word of God so that His joy may remain in us and that we may have a fullness of joy.  If you are not a joyful Christian there is a problem somewhere.  You were meant to walk in the joy of Jesus.  It is the joy of the Lord that becomes our strength.  Are you walking according to God’s Word?  Are you living in His will? 

Those who walk in the ways of the Lord have at their access an abundance of joy.  It doesn’t mean that you do not have down times but it does mean that you can have joy even in  the worst of times.  Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."  There are many dry bones laying around the church house.  God desires that you have joy not dry bones.  A merry heart would do you some good.

No matter what you are facing in life, you can still walk with overflowing joy.  Jesus in facing Calvary, betrayal and denial, walked with joy.  He gave that joy to you!

So here it is in the nutshell.  You have to make the decision to be happy and walk in joy.  It is God’s will that you walk in His joy.  It is not God’s will or even His lot for your life that you live in misery.  Friends, what are your surroundings?  Are they joyful or are they sad?  Misery loves company.  If you want joy in your life hang around the joyful, not the lemon suckers.  Hang around with Jesus, not the enemy of our souls who has come to kill, to steal and to destroy.  Look to Jesus who has come to give you life and give it to the full.

Now I put a smile on your face and say, "In the name of Jesus, I will walk today with joy.  This is going to be the best day of my life.  I’m happy because I’m free.  I’m joyful because he made my eyes to see.  I have a merry heart because He saved me and the sadness has to flee."  Now go on and have the best day of your life!