Count It All Joy

We describe Christmas as a joyous time of year and as Christians, we know the true reason why – Jesus, and we celebrate Him.

Matthew 2:1-2 – ¹Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Matthew 2:10 says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

The wise men felt exceedingly great joy, they knew the star was leading them to the King of all Kings.  I believe any of us would describe this event in the same manner.

Matthew 2:11 – And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Isaiah 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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Christmas is such a special time of year, not only in sharing it with friends and family, but rejoicing in Jesus being THE REASON for the season.  However, this year I am fully aware of the pain that many are experiencing.  We are taught to pray for others and leave it in the hands of God.  I understand the wisdom in that, but this day I am remembering the scripture in Galatians 6:2, telling us to “carry one another’s burdens”.  If you have loved ones on your heart today, earnestly pray for them, just don’t sympathize with them, feeling sorry for their situation.  PRAY, seek God on their behalf.  I just heard Joyce Meyer say, “True empathy, true sympathy leads us to ask God what we can do to help.”  That is the heart of Jesus!

Holidays can cause depression.  This year many are unable to be with family because of COVID-19.  Before I could finish this blog, our family Christmas time was cancelled due to this virus.  One of our Pastors reminded me though, “Christmas is not cancelled as long as Jesus is still Lord.  Christmas is celebrated in His presence, not our presents.”  Amen!

In these days, we find trouble all around us and these troubles are very diversified.  The prayer requests are non-stop, so the list keeps growing.  There are many that have life-changing requests, individuals enduring illnesses with a grim diagnosis.  Loved ones are in the hospital, without family, because of COVID-19.  (A big shout out to all the nurses that are taking care of our loved ones for us – Thank You!)  There have been serious accidents and unexpected deaths.  There are some at cross-roads in their life, needing to make crucial decisions.  Others have family members sitting in the penitentiary through the holidays.  In this COVID-19 era, many have lost jobs, businesses, homes.  With hopelessness and depression, there are suicidal attempts and suicidal deaths, leaving behind loved ones trying to help or understand.  Domestic violence and child abuse have risen in this time.  There are so many families waiting in extremely long lines to get a box of food, knowing it will not be enough until the next give-away.

These requests have put such a burden on my heart, some are weighing heavily.  All these scenarios require a miracle.  But the celebration of Christmas reminds us that miracles happen every day.  Jesus came for such a time as this.  Every burden you have, He endured it on the cross, so that every one of us can experience His peace.  Now, let us settle our hearts and minds, let our faith rise, and expect God to be God.

We all have battles to face.  In this season I find myself experiencing the emptiness of loved ones from our midst.  My parents are no longer with us, they are rejoicing with Jesus in Heaven.  I know there are many of you missing your loved ones too.  My mind roams to all the Christmas’ that military families have been apart, and it makes me more thankful for their service.

I also know there are many readers that have infants in Heaven.  My husband and I have three grandbabies in Heaven, and I cannot wait to meet them and hold our grandson again.  I cannot wait to hear how they have been enjoying their time with Jesus.  I am sure they are experiencing exceedingly great joy!  Yet, this day, I am aware of the missing presents under the tree.

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Now tell me, how do you count it all joy when your circumstances dictate these kinds of scenarios?

How does your faith rise to do so?

• By believing the promises of God!  Psalms 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Call on Him each day for help to meet every challenge or trial.
• By knowing and trusting the King of Kings and Lord of Lords so intimately that you realize there is NOTHING He cannot do.
• By reading about the life of Jesus in the Word of God and living your life according to His example. Be encouraged as you read about the many miracles He performed, everywhere He traveled.  Stir up your faith and trust that your miracle is on its way.
• By allowing God’s Holy Spirit to comfort you, giving you the peace you need. Remember that Jesus still is the Prince of Peace.
• By fighting your battle with the joy of the Lord, worshipping the King of Kings. Recognize the presence of God in your situation and thank Him for being in control.¹  Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
• Remind yourself:  – Who God is  – How much God loves us  – That God is greater than anything asserting itself against us
• Keep your FOCUS upon The Trinity – God the Father, Jesus His Son, and The Holy Spirit. Your problems diminish in the Presence of God!¹
• We have a choice when trials come:  – Choose Hope  – Choose Joy  – Choose Peace

Do not try to understand any of your turmoil while looking in the natural.  There is nothing we can do to change our circumstances.  So, give it to God and allow Him to give you His supernatural peace while you wait upon Him to act on your behalf.

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James 1:2-4 – ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

We all know we cannot pick and choose what we want to be joyful about, for the Word tells us to count it ALL joy.  Smith Wigglesworth said, “It doesn’t matter from what source the trial comes, whether it is your business or your home or what.  Count it all joy.  Why?  Because ‘we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’, Romans 8:28.  God is electrifying the very position that you hold so that the Devil will see that you have a godly character, and God can say about you what he said about Job – ‘there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil’, Job 1:8.”

Romans 5 reminds us too that Faith brings Joy.  Romans 5:1-5 says:  ¹So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in His promises, we can have real peace with Him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² For because of our faith, He has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.  ³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. ⁴ And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. ⁵ Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Therefore, we will believe that every trial, every test, every tribulation refines our character to be more like Jesus and we will rejoice!

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May the following verses restore your soul and cause your faith to rise, so you can count it all joy today!

Nehemiah 8:10 – “…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Deuteronomy 8:3 – “…real life comes by obeying every command of God.”

A footnote in The Living Bible continues explaining this verse:  “As our friendship with God deepens, it leads to strength of character, peace of mind, and deep satisfaction.”

James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you doubleminded.

1 Peter 4:12-13 – ¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

MAY YOU HAVE A MERRY AND

BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

I AM PRAYING YOU WILL RECEIVE

YOUR MIRACLE

IN THIS JOYOUS SEASON!

Notes:

• ¹More information on this topic can be found in “Tea Time With God”
• All scriptures are taken from NKJV and TLB