Enjoy - L.O.V.E. (message from T.E.A. 3/20/2016)

L - Loyalty O - Overlook V - Value E - ENJOY

E - ENJOY

Psalm 16:11 "...in your presence is fullness of joy"

Nehemiah 8:10 "then He said to them 'Go you way, eat the fat, drink the sweet..., for this day is holy to our Lord. Do no sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Philippians 4:7 "and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"

What are your joy stealers? What do you allow satan to use to steal your joy? Is it your family? Co-workers? The person you stole your parking spot? The rude cashier in the grocery store? What have you allowed to be an easy trigger to set you off? Think about it. Why does satan target your joy? Christ gave you joy, and in doing so, He gave you strength. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. So, it shouldn't be a surprise that satan goes out of his way to steal this joy away from you every chance he can. He relentlessly tries to drain your joy EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And He's extremely strategic in his attempts to achieve this goal of weakening you. When we are angry, sad/depressed, irritated/agitated then we are quieted and distracted and NOT living out our purpose or testifying about the good of the Lord. We're not sharing the gospel to the world around us that so desperately needs it. When the scripture says there will be fullness of joy, you should essentially read/see that as your strength being full! John 16:33b "...in Me you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"! He has bestowed upon us blessing upon blessings all for our benefit and His pleasure. One of my favorite songs when I was a kid was "don't worry be happy" and I believe the chorus of that song is the message that God wants us to catch a hold of from Him. Matthew 6:25-26 "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food drink and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. and you are far more valuable to Him than they are." Receive the peace of the Lord today. Worry, stress, and anxiety are not JUST joy stealers, they are silent successful assassins! Depression, too! GET YOUR JOY BACK! It's yours, its still here for you! It's your strength! God means for you to enjoy life, and live it to the fullness His strength! Amen!