Thought of the Day !!

Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

                          1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)

If anyone should have joy, it’s Christians.  If you believe with all your mind and heart that Jesus loves you, that he died for your sins, that he has the power to defeat death, and that He’s waiting to take you to Him for eternity, how could you not be joyful? 

Joy is not happiness.  Happiness is an emotion that is dependent on the circumstances around you.  Joy is a peace and assurance that leads to much more happiness than one who does not have it.  It’s being content even when bad things are going on around you that would cause others to be extremely unhappy.

Yet there are so many of us Christians that are pessimistic about everything.  Their negative talk and sour outlook on life dampens any joy that tries to make its way into their lives. 

Paul says to “Always” be joyful.  “Never” stop praying. Be thankful in “All” circumstances.  This is the kind of life God wants for us.  These are extremes.  Find joy in everything.  Always have your mind and heart centered on God, even if you’re not speaking to Him right then.  And be thankful always because of all that God has given you in the past, the present and the future. 

Things may be bad in this world.  Tragedies happen.  But believe that God has a plan and that you are a part of the victory of that plan.  In the end, all will be good.  So be joyful.

In the love of Christ,

greg