Hello Ladies! (...and perhaps some guys who may be intriqued)  

I am honored to work side by side with my husband in our counseling ministry. I do not feel "worthy" to write a devotional or to speak via our dvd projects, but Jesus is my strength.  My devotional kinda sorta (I use this phrase a lot) touches on that "strength'.

 Nehemiah 8:10 "The joy of the Lord is my strength'.

 What is JOY?

Some describe it as happiness, laughter or having a smile upon your face a majority of the time. The scriptures state that the JOY of the Lord equals my strength!

 If joy is JUST happiness, why would we need HIS strength?  I believe that JOY is a decision.  This actually begins as we awaken each morning.  We have a few choices, we can allow something to bother us or concern us (as we can then be MISERABLE) or we can make a decision between those varying choices to pray to Jesus and ask HIM to help us through our coming day and be joyful.  I desire to "draw on the strength of Jesus"...I cannot do anything on my own!

 It reminds me of mountains and valleys.  We all go through seasons of our life or periods of our day that are difficult, but we need to decide whether we are going to rely only on "feelings".  Sometimes our "thought" life will determine our moods and feelings...Think on things that are pure and lovely.....I want to be in the awesome presence of Jesus..I want HIM filling my thoughts for the day.

 Phillipians 2:2 "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and in purpose".  I wonder if the scriptures are asking us to act upon that verse in the sequence it is arranged?  How can I be one in spirit and purpose unless I am being Like Jesus in the first place? Can I have that same love of God if I am not trying to be as He is first? I want to be like Jesus every day, I want to love as He first loved me, and I want to be one in spirit and purpose...Not my purpose, but His purpose for my life.

 So, what exactly is JOY?

I believe God is telling me that Joy is Surrender!  Jesus laid aside the privileges of his heavenly authority.  He surrendered his position to come into a sinful world for you and me!!

 Wow!  That should give all of us JOY!

Love,

Kim