From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 6:30 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: July 11th Blessings

"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light."  Genesis 1:3

God said...and there was!  God's word is action and never returns void. "So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth;  It shall not return to Me empty,  Without accomplishing what I desire,  And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the 
Word was God."
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us..."  John 1: 1 and 14

God's Word, Jesus, went forth!  And He accomplished all the Father sent Him to do.  And whosoever believes in Him that is 'trusts in, relies on and clings to' Him will not perish, but that person has eternal life.  He has eternal life now. The Apostle Paul tells us, "But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him." 1 Corinthians 6:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  2 Corinthians 5:17

In the Lord's farewell discourse to the disciples (John chapters 13-16), several times He said "These things I have spoken..."  One of 'these things' is: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."  John 15:11

This is the deep sense of well being no matter what the circumstances may be.  It is resting in the Lord knowing that all is well.  Why?  Because sovereign God is in control.  He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent! Therefore nothing comes into our lives that He doesn't know about.  And being the loving and gracious Father that He is, He "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

Thus,
"...In Thy presence is fullness of joy..."  Psalm 16:11 "Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3

And in Proverbs we see:
"A joyful (happy) heart is good medicine (causes healing)...17:22a  My ( ) "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face..."  15:13a "...A cheerful heart has a continual feast."  15:15b

Like many proverbs there is a negative side.  When you look at the negative side of those above, I am sure your heart will look to the Lord for the working in of His joy so that you may say as in Nehemiah: 8:10, "...the joy of the Lord is your strength."

That being the case could we add here a "therefore"?
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

Things are not easy these days, BUT GOD is ever faithful so we can sing:

Break forth into joy oh my soul.
Break forth into joy oh my soul.
In the presence of the Lord,
there is joy forever more.
Break forth, break forth into joy oh my soul.