Joy

Good afternoon everyone!

What a great day it is to be alive! God has indeed been good to us! It is for our joy that we are alive today and will be for our joy to revere Him for all He has done. Celebrate our great Lord this day!

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." - John 17:3

This morning I woke up with great joy to be a child of God and I wanted to share this with you all today. God has been so rich in His mercy toward us, and we cannot begin to praise Him enough for His goodness to us. We need His mercy wrapping around us.

As I started this day, I read in Revelation 11 - 14. Revelation is a scary book - no doubt - especially these chapters. And there is much I don't understand about this vision given to John. But as I read, I was drawn to worship, and had to remind myself that this is the purpose of the book. We are to turn from our ugly sinful ways in repentance back to our First Love, Jesus Christ. He will be victorious in the end, and our hope must be firmly on Him. It was really good for me to read these chapters once again.

In these chapters, I began to focus on my eternal life, which I am living out now, as reflected in the verse above. I thought about how I am protected by Jesus Christ Himself and how that will be enough to overcome Satan. He is one scary dude, but our God is greater and will punish Him for His assaults.

Okay, I know I've just discoursed on a lot of thoughts. Here is what ran through my mind as I read these chapters: I thought of a beautiful September day three years ago. It was a day when the leaves were changing and the weather was perfect. The sun was out, and I was walking home from the campus of NDSU. I was praying, and the greatest sense of peace fell over me. I was so enveloped in the love of God as I walked in those moments. The breeze fell on my face, and I teared up. I was so in love with God. This was a piece of the joy that I would know in heaven, when I would be face to face with the Lord. I am blessed to remember this once again.

And I was brought to the present moment. I needed to be reminded of that moment. In the still, small quiet, I was reminded of how much my God loves me. He is for me and His joy is great over who I am. His love for me has produced abundant joy in me. And I praise Him for this moment. As I mentioned yesterday about all the wonderful things God has done in 2010, I thought about where I was a year ago in my walk with God. I have seen the God of a divine plan and story this past year, and I am thankful to be a part of His Story. I also know this is but the fringes, and I'm right on the edge of that string. Can you imagine when we will know fully!?!

How is God producing joy in you?

Have you been enjoying the love of your God in our days?

Has He been preparing you for eternity, and helping Him know you in the early stages of our eternal lives? Are you asking Him to?

Our God longs that we know Him and Jesus Christ. He longs to indwell us with the Holy Spirit and change us for His glory. He longs for us to love Him in return. He desires that we find utmost joy in Him. Our God loves us so much - and He has never given up in that love.

Turn to Him today and just thank of Him. Reflect on all the ways He has worked in your life "up to this point." We have much to be grateful for. We are so abundantly blessed, and we are placed where we are for the very reason of bringing Him glory. How can you do that today? Long for Him in abundance today, and He will fill your need. He loves you. He is overjoyed that you have decided to follow Him. Let His joy fill you to the utmost.

Jesus, you have been a faithful and devoted friend. You are so great to us. You love us and you always stand to intercede for us before the Father. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You - Jesus - you, are ALL we need. Thank you for thinking of me when you were on the Cross. Thank you for knowing me from the beginning of time and for caring enough to come to this earth so that I would be reconciled to the Father. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to indwell me and for bringing such wonderful joy to my life. I am alive because of your mercy and because of your grace. Thank you for covering me. I love you. Help me to see you today more and more. Fill me with all your joy that I would be a more faithful and fruitful disciple. Continue to prepare me my eternal home and give me fervor with eternal perspective to share the joy I have in you. Lead me in my eternal walk right now. To the glory and honor of your precious name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Love you all.

Brandon