T.O.D.A.Y.'S  ENCOURAGEMENT for Sept.19th, 2002

T.O.D.A.Y. Ministries
14745 Merrilltown  #1611
Austin   TX   78728

Good Morning!

We have been discussing the Kingdom of God as being, righteousness, peace and joy (according to Romans 14:17), and then looking at how this relates to Matthew 6:33.

Yesterday, we saw that righteousness is "who we are", and today we are going to "focus" on Peace and Joy, which is "what we can have", because of "who we are in Christ".

"Peace" is the gift that Jesus gave us before He left to go be with The Father (John 14:27) and He said that this was His peace that He was leaving with us.  This peace is more than
just a state of tranquility.  It comes from the word "Shalom", which means "wholeness"...."completeness"......"nothing missing" (Isaiah 26:3).  This peace keeps us "free" from all anxiety, fear, stress, oppression, depression, and the "cares of this world". This is available to us twenty-four/seven.  When you get hold of this, "Joy" is inevitable!

Joy is not the same thing as "happiness".  Happiness depends upon circumstances, situations and relationships.  If these are "good" then we are happy.......if these are not good, then we are not so happy.  So then, happiness is an emotional thing, and our emotions can be very unstable.  Joy is a "spiritual" power that keeps us stable no matter what is going on in our circumstances, situations or relationships.  This is because,
"Joy" is our authority over the enemy.  That is exactly why he relentlessly tries to steal our joy.  To be continued............

Have a Blessed Day!!              In His Love,       Luanne
             We welcome your comments and prayer requests.

Previous                                                                                Next