Joy...To the World

Happiness vs. Joy! There is a HUGE difference between these two words. Happiness is based on feelings and circumstances and it is not guaranteed to be there tomorrow. Joy is an emotion that comes from contentment in the Lord. It isn't reflected from the situations we are in. We can have Joy no matter what. We have the true Joy-Jesus Christ. This is the season that the rest of the world is a little more tolerable to hearing about our Joy. Songs are sung about it:

'Joy to the World'

"Joy to the World , the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love."

Psalms 5:11-12 

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield."

Over this past week we have had events happen in our country that have resulted in chaos and death and sadness-the very opposite of joy and happiness.

But the world can have true joy! Jesus came to earth for a specific purpose. He is true joy! Those that accept Him as their Savior are given the gift of joy.

Romans 15:13

 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

The world is not perfect and your life will not be perfect-you won't be happy all of the time, but you can have true joy in all of the circumstances. Be joyful!

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice."