Peace & Joy......

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." Psalm 30:11

"I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" John 15:11

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I have always been concerned with the issue of peace and joy since childhood. Everytime I have gone to church for quite a while now, there has always been someone weeping or someone who appeared sad. Just last Sunday, the ladies to my right and left wept through the entire service. Why don't Christians have peace and joy? Jesus Christ said in John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." He also said in John 14:27. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." So why do Christians worry? Is it a trust issue or is it possible that they do not believe that God is an all sufficient God? I think it is quite possible that Christians do not know God at all.

David knew God. He trusted God throughout his life. Sarah knew God. She was able to conceive a child when it seemed impossible. Daniel also trusted God and yet all of them did not have all the testimonies we have now. They did not have many books and materials from Joyce Myer, Kenneth Copeland, Charles Capps and many more. Our generation has more resources than any other and yet trusting God's ability to be a shield, a savior, a rock and a healer has been a struggle. What really puzzles me is the fact that people who do not know God seem to have great joy and live happy lives. I think people worry because they believe some situations are hopeless. They let the doctor's report affect them negatively. They let the next mortgage payment consume them. Friend, you must be consumed by God and God alone. He is able. Nothing is bigger than the Almighty, not even Cancer, Diabetes, HIV, MS, High Blood Pressure and many more. Your situation does not worry God. You must trust God. You must apply His word to your circumstances. You must walk by faith. "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17

A few years ago, there was a man who attended the same church as one of my best friends. He seems poor by all appearances. He did not own a car. He did not have a house. He would not even buy a drink during lunch at work. He brought a lime and a cup of water to work every day. At the time of his death, he was renting a room in someone's house and the church took care of his burial fees. Imagine the church'surprise when they went to clean his room and found a small fortune under his bed. I am talking about a few dollars short of a quarter of a million dollars. The man lived in absolute poverty and yet he was sitting on a small fortune. Why did I tell you this story? Because in a sense Christians live just like that man. They sit on treasures and live miserably. Jesus took all their infirmities, pain, sadness,poverty and challenges. He put all on His body and died on their behalf. His ressurection power gives them abundant life (healing, wealth, wholeness, salvation of loved ones, personal salvation). When Jesus said on the cross "It is finished." It was done. You were healed. You had joy. You had peace. Before He went on to be with the Father, Jesus assured them that He left His peace. He commanded them not to worry and yet some live in constant lack, worry, anxiety, pain and defeat. They are sitting on treasure and yet they do not put it to good use.They do not enjoy it.

He is not a secret that Christians have joy and peace available through the blood of Christ and yet they choose not to enjoy it. Friends, peace and joy are available and could be yours if you choose to accept them. There is no reason why the world should be enjoying their lives more than you do. You and I have the hope of heaven. When it is all said and done, you and I will be with Jesus Christ FOREVER. This truth should be enough to fill us with joy. "So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy." John 16:22

I would like for you to decide this instant that joy is yours. Peace is yours. Healing is yours. The joy of the Lord is your strength. No disease, no pain and no challenge can ever rob you of God's peace. Jesus died for your peace and joy. God is all you need him to be. He is your healer. He is your protector. He is your constant companion. He is always with you. God is offering all that He is to you through His son Jesus Christ. Would you welcome him into your life? It is true that you know Him but is He your Lord? Jesus needs to be your Lord. Nothing else will do. It is only when you give Jesus Christ control of your life that joy and peace will become available.

Please, do not spend another minute worrying. Take all your trouble to Christ and embrace His peace and joy that He died to give you. Be healed! Be happy! Be Free! Have peace and have joy! He is able.

Praise the Lord!