From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Joyous Greetings
Date: Sunday, July 29, 2001 7:30 AM

"This is the day which the Lord has made;
 Let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is to come, today is now!  So let's do just
what the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:2, "Rejoice in the Lord
always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!"  Let the
peace of Christ fill your heart so that it overflows and splashes joy on all
those around you.

Are there those of you whose heart is heavy?  God has made provision for
this.  He has given us, "...The garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness..."  Isaiah 61:3
Are you standing today between two thieves -- guilt and/or regret of
yesterday and fear of tomorrow?  This is not the place for the child of God.
Neither thief has the right to steal the peace that Christ has given and is
to the Believer.  As for yesterday take whatever is concerning your heart to
the throne of grace and let the Lord minister His cleansing forgiveness and
righteousness.
1 John 2:9 says that, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Then as
with Paul, "...Press on toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14

As for tomorrow's fears and anxieties,  Jesus in Matthew 6:34 says,
"Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for
itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  In all honestly I am sure
that most, if not all, those fears never come to pass.  So why waste the joy
of  today?  Even if they should happen  the Lord is in control and it is
"God
who causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him."

We belong to a good God who loves us beyond measure and who has
provided for all our needs.  How can we not rejoice in this day that He has
so graciously given us?

Blessings of joy and peace to all, not only today, but for all our todays to
come.  Amen.