JOY!

Recently I have been learning what it means to be truly "joyful".  Joy and happiness are two different things. Happiness is temporary and is brought on by something (i.e. getting a new car, vacations, etc.) but none of that lasts...it's only temporary.  Joy is something that only the Lord can give you. The JOY of the LORD is my strength. Joy is what kicks in when you put the Lord in control of your life.
I have been reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I encourage everyone to read it...it has changed my life already and I'm only on chapter four.  Basically it is teaching me that our lives are a vapor...here today, gone tomorrow.  We need to use each second that we have to bring about JOY in our lives because we never know when it may be our day to meet Jesus face to face.  It is teaching me not to love this life we are living here on earth--but long for life eternal.  As americans...we worship this life and all that it brings with it. New cars, new cell phones, the best houses, bigger and better everything. The bible says we are to store up our treasures in heaven, not on earth. So what are we doing? I have been there...wanting this or that...but what happens when I get it? I move on to wanting something else.  That vicious cycle of never being truly happy.  I am here to tell you that you can find true JOY...the only One who can give you true joy is God.  I have found it and I want everyone to feel what I feel. Peace in knowing that the Lord has everything under control. I have peace...and peace is an amazing feeling. Even in the storms of life...His anchor holds. He knew you before you were born...he counted the hairs on your head. Your creator longs for a personal relationship with you. He created us for His pleasure...He will make living worth while. Trust me...Trust HIM!