Shalom,

I MUST share today's "From Faith To Faith" by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland! 

Don't Forget the Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Years ago, I decided I was going to walk by the Word of God. I told God that, as far as I was concerned, His Word was final and I’d confess it the rest of my life no matter what. That was the most important decision I’ve ever made.

Not too long after that, I decided that no matter what happened, whether I felt like it or not, I’d walk in love. Because the Bible clearly says “faith works by love.” It won’t work any other way.

Those two decisions—to operate by faith in the Word of God and to walk in love—are the two most important decisions I’ve ever made in my life.

Recently, though, God pointed out to me that there was something I’d been leaving out. The force of joy. He told me I have no right to walk by faith and love and just leave joy dormant in my spirit. It’s too important. As He taught me about it, I soon came to realize that joy is an essential part of a life of victory. Without it, I might have an occasional triumph now and then, but I wouldn’t be able to sustain them. They’d quickly slip away.

You see, joy is what gives you the strength (Nehemiah 8:10) to hold steady when the circumstances get rough. Joy gives you the ability to laugh in the devil’s face when he starts trying to knock you off your faith. It gives you a kind of staying power that will make you a winner again and again.

So make a commitment to God that you’re going to walk, not only in faith and in love but in joy as well. Make it a point to rejoice in the Lord always...and there won’t be anything the devil can do or say to steal your victory from you!

AMEN! One of the things that I have noticed over the years is that some believers are so concerned that their lives be "above reproach" that they have forgotten that HE is the One Who will work that work IN US!  Philippians 1:6:

6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

When we try to do this in our own strength, we will lose our joy, and His strength! Return to your reliance on HE Who is at work IN you, and allow Him to restore the great joy of your salvation! This JOY is a Force that will draw others TO Him! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with a very old song called "This Is How We Overcome":

Shalom in Him!