This is Joy.

Watching the sunset as it paints cotton candy in the sky.

Tasting the most delicious slice of freshly baked apple pie.

Driving your very first vehicle.

Hearing the sound of your child’s first laughter.

Celebrating your birthday with someone who arrived as a special surprise.

Experiencing God’s presence for the 100th time but it only gets sweeter.

Reading a verse that excites the soul – every, single time.

This is j o y.

And God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17b) wants nothing more than for us to experience and walk in all the joys of life.

Joy is to rejoice; to be glad; to exult.

If you asked yourself this question: Is joy something I have to create or manipulate or is it something that I possess, something I carry?

Habakkuk 3:18 says, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

Where does the joy we experience, the joy we desire to share, where does joy come from? 

Because friends, God gives us all things to richly enjoy!

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

Wow! Thank you, Lord, for enduring the cross for us with such joy!

This reminds us that as we look to Jesus in every area of our life and as we walk with Him, we can know that everything in life has a much greater, deeper meaning and purpose than what meets the eye.

Let’s circle back to the opening statements and see how God can use such things to bring His joy into our lives:

Watching a beautiful sunset shows God’s creative majesty.

Psalm 65:8 expresses this beautifully –

“So they who dwell at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs [the evidence of Your presence]. You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.”

Tasting the most decadent slice of your favorite dessert may leave you wondering how God thought to put such detail in our taste buds, and then inspire someone to create something so yummy.

Driving your very first vehicle reminds you that “The blessings of God makes a man rich and adds no sorrow,” (Proverbs 10:22) He cares about the simplest things that bring us joy.

Hearing the sound of your child’s first laughter is a reminder of the delight our Father takes in us. If we as humans could love someone so much, how much more does the One who created us and knew our names from our Mother’s womb? (Jeremiah 1:5)

Celebrating your birthday with someone who came as a special surprise is a great gift, but just think, if we know how to give good gifts to the ones we love, how much greater are the gifts God has for us? (Matthew 7:11)

Experiencing God’s presence for the 100th time but it only gets sweeter reveals truth found in Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” 

Reading a verse that excites the soul every time is a beautiful reminder that “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:3

So let me encourage you today, there is no greater joy than the joy that comes from the Lord!

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Maybe you have never experience this type of joy – the joy that comes from the Lord. And maybe you have never made Jesus your Lord and Savior, you haven’t accepted Jesus into your heart and life, or maybe you’re in need of rededicating your life to Him; I want to give you an opportunity to do that today! Know that God loves you, He sees you and He wants you to be full of the joy that knowing Jesus – say this prayer with me out loud, from your heart, no matter where you are!

“Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus to die in my place, I admit that I’ve sinned and I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and my savior. Come into my heart Lord Jesus, take out the stony heart and put in a heart of flesh. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Right now I receive forgiveness and by the blood of Jesus I am saved. I am made new. I am free. I am a child of God. In Jesus name – Amen!”

Yay! If you prayed that with me today, I want to hear from you! Send me an Email or shoot me a DM on Instagram; I'd love to celebrate the best decision of your life with you!

Love & Blessings,

Tanika