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Wisdom Wednesdays: "Is Jesus The Center of Your Joy?"

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Is Jesus The Center of Your Joy?

 

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How do you define joy? Did you know that being happy and having joy are two different components of life? The American Heritage Dictionary (The Second College Edition) defines being happy as "characterized by good luck; fortunate; enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure or joy." The American Heritage Dictionary defines joy as "a condition or feeling of great pleasure or happiness; delight."  So, The American Heritage Dictionary interchanges "happy" and "joy". Hmm... what are your thoughts?

In my opinion happiness is conditional, limited and based on outward material things or circumstances. On the other hand, joy is an inward experience and peace that comes from God. As I was looking through my NKJV of the Bible, I wanted to see and hear what The Word said about joy and happiness.  According to Proverbs 16:20, "He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he." Soooo, did my opinion go against God's Word? Nope, I believe your outward appearance is a reflection of your trust in God.  Now let's look at "joy".  John 15:11 is under the subtitle of "Love and Joy Perfected" and tells us, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."  Aww, a believer's experience of Christ's love is complete joy!

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When we make Jesus The Center of our joy then life begins to take a change in a wonderful direction.  Richard Smallwood says it best, "Jesus, you're the center of my joy, all that's good and perfect comes from You. When I've lost my direction, you’re the compass for my way."...  Wow, that is so true and so powerful.  How about it will you make Jesus The Center of Your Joy?

Now that's a word!

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Click here for a powerful video/song to keep you encouraged, "Center of My Joy", by Richard Smallwood

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved. Online scripture is taken from www.biblegateway.com




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