From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "C & P Greene" <greenehouse72@juno.com>
Subject: Blessings to All on Mother's Day
Date: Sunday, May 14, 2000 7:53 AM

"Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Nehemiah
8:10b

We are to be a joyful people unto the Lord depending on and living out from
our wonderful Lord.  How can we not be when we have His promise,
"I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5

So often when we are being pressed by some circumstance that surrounds us,
when all seems dark and fearsome; there are no thoughts of joy.  Instead we
cry out, 'Why me, Lord?'  'Why this?'  'Why now?'  Our first thought is, how
am "I" going to handle this situation.  Of course, our focus is wrong.

Psalm 16:11 says,
"Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;
 In Thy presence is fulness of joy..."
If this is so, then to focus on "I" is not seeing with a single eye.  Our
vision is blurred.  There is a song that says,
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
 Look full in His wonderful face,
 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
 In the light of His glory and grace."
But, if you KEEP your eyes on Jesus, He then is the focus and we see all
things as from His hand.

Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as
I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.  These things I
have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made
full."  John 15:10-11
And in Jesus' prayer to the Father, "...that they may have My joy made full
in themselves." John 17:13

The joy we are speaking of is not that of the world, it is Jesus' joy!  The
joy of the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever.  It is an
abiding, everlasting joy.  So what is it?  For me, it is that confident
assurance that God is in control and all is well.  It is knowing that,
"...God causes ALL things to work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose." ( Romans 8:28  my
emphasis).  It is God, who is Love, who has said, "There is no fear in love;
but perfect love cast out fear..." 1 John 4:18

Where is this joy to be found?  Look at Psalm 16:11 again, "...In Thy
presence is fulness of joy..."
Romans 14:17 tells us that,
"...the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
The kingdom of God! right here on earth! now!, as we live out from Christ
who is our righteousness, who is our peace and where the peace of Christ is
there is joy.  Hallelujah!

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good;
 For His lovingkindness is everlasting."  Psalm 118:1
And praise His name forever!  Hallelujah and Amen.