Be Joyful

First let us say happiness and joy are not synonymous. We can still have our joy without being happy.  My joy lies in the fact that we have eternal life in Jesus Christ, and my citizenship is in heaven and not of this world. I have read the first of God's love letters to us and the last. I know where I came from and I know where I am going.  When God has allowed me to fulfill my mission here on earth, He will take me home to glory where I will receive my true reward.      

We should give thanks in every circumstance we may be confronted with. (James 1:2) The Apostle Paul gives an example of this in just about every one of the epistles that he authored. He always gives words of thanksgiving and praise to God in the very beginning. Paul does not let his personal circumstances interfere with his joy. Even when he was thrown in prison for preaching the gospel to everyone in his reach. It seems that that gave Paul another opportunity to spread the word of salvation to those who were locked up without an opportunity to know of the saving grace of our Lord.  Read 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 where it tell us that we are to rejoice always. We are to pray without ceasing. Prayer may be when we are spiritually in contact with our Lord in our thoughts. In everything give thanks, for this is God's will that we know that whatever we encounter in our walk to immortality, we need to learn from our good fortune and likewise in our misfortune.  

We find it difficult to pray for some things that are disagreeable to us or for someone that we are not fond of. This is because of our human nature. We were born into sin and we are prone to sin. Jesus died for us in order that we may be forgiven. We no longer have to yield to our flesh for His death has freed us. That alone is reason for us to rejoice. We are to rejoice when we are confronted with trials, for they will force us grow. (spiritually)

Thanksgiving is not an elective exercise but mandatory commandment. (Philippians 4:6) (Colossians 4:2) We should always give thanks to God in everything, (1st. Thessalonians 5:18) always in a state of thanksgiving to God.  That is a position that we, as believers, should be in at all times. Without Him we could not even breath. God did create everything. He even chose us from the very beginning. God knew that we who elected to ask Christ into our life and heart were going to do so. God is aware of everything even before it takes place. 

When we consider the things that God has done for us, not only did he create us, but He gave us the Holy Spirit who dwells within, giving us direction that will help us in our life to prevent us from sinning any further. With the heavy burden of sin we carry, no matter what sin or how many sins or even how horrendous that those sins may be, He still loves us just as we are. God would have no one face eternity in hell. That is why He gave us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. This shows us His undying love for us and no matter what we do God is ready and willing to forgive us.  All we have to do is acknowledge we are sinners and ask Jesus to come in to our hearts and cleans us of all of our sins. The Holy Spirit will enter your heart assisting you in your decisions. It does not matter what we have done in the past, God will forgive us. The only sin we cannot be forgiven for is showing disrespect to the Holy Spirit.