"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11)

Before I became a Christian, if you would have asked me what the word "joy" meant, I would have said "happiness." However, as I studied the Word of God (the Bible), I came to realize that it was not happiness that Jesus experienced when He was insulted, slapped, spit upon, beaten and nailed to a cross. There is no happiness in pain - unless of course you are psychologically impaired and you need some counseling. Understand this: The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father-the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Let our prayer be as the Psalm: I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8)

Living a full and overflowing life is found in fellowship and oneness with God. Giving too much thought to our circumstances and the cares of this world will allow irritability to rob you of that joy. A person having a right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he or she goes.

God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. He wants a relationship with us. Consider how, as a little child, you would have done anything to get your Daddy's attention, and been so tickled if he showed pleasure in you; then you begin to understand the joy we should experience when we please God. Do you have it?

Blessings to you!