Welcome to this week’s blog. I felt certain this week that I wanted very much to share a topic that had been flourishing deep within my heart the past few days. I feel it ingrained in my core. I hear it in my voice. I see it in my actions. I live it in my present, and I perceive it in my future. There is a new profound “fullness of joy” that has been promised to me today and forevermore. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore - Psalm 16:11 (ESV).
I’m being restored more and more every day; therefore, my heart is overflowing with a rhythm of joy available to me, not only in moments of celebration, but also in moments of darkness and even when I am overwhelmed with challenges of worry and fear. “In the test of my faith, I will lack nothing, as I will prove to be steadfast.” Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing - James 1:2-4 (ESV).
We must count all our pain and sufferings as joy because our pain and suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character. I have no shame in my suffering because God provides me hope, and He will never put me to shame. Whether we are in celebration or tribulation, God pours His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit as our helper and our confidant. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us - Romans 5:3-5 (ESV).
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer - Romans 12:12 (ESV). The wildfire in my heart, the joy I am experiencing, isn’t the result of human exchange or a grand event that has taken place in my life, or even from my own devised forthcoming plans. This splendid joy I am experiencing is not man made. This rhythm of joy cannot be purchased or acquired through things of this world. And, there is nothing nor anyone who can ever steal this joy from me.
So also, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you - John 16:22 (ESV). Now that I have it, I will never lose it.
So how did I get this “fullness of joy” if I didn’t get it through anyone, nor by any means of this world? I have received it through faith. It is through my faith that He reassures me, He is with me, and He will never leave me. His salvation is beautiful. His peace and joy are all I need. I have a deep trust that He will uphold me with His righteous right hand and never let go. My hands may be dirty from old sinful ways, but I lift my hands up to the Holy one, the only one who will cleanse me. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV).
There’s a revitalization going on around us, and it’s spreading like wildfire. I’ve got a sweet salvation that keeps a blazing fire in me to stay the fight until end times because I know it is God who is holding onto me. I will not go under; I will not perish. He’s got my every failure and my every victory along the way. He knows the sum of my every high and my every low. I know His divine gift of perseverance will never run out. This ultimate gift of perseverance never quits. This is all because His glory meets my suffering and then joy comes in the end. But the one who endures to the end will be saved - Matthew 24:13 (ESV).
Have you ever wanted something desperately, but felt it was far beyond your reach? Or your grasp was too far from certainty, so you lost all hope? Maybe you’ve denied your right to the joy or the privilege of knowing true bliss in this lifetime? Or maybe you’ve pled your cause, but the Lord has not yet broken the chains that bind you. All because you have fallen short of remaining steadfast under trial. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him - James 1:12 (ESV).
It all begins with faith, your faith. Jesus is the founder and the perfecter of our faith. Out of faith evolves hope. And also, by this newfound faith, the power of the Holy Spirit resides in you from the Lord. You are now fulfilled with the Lord’s peace and joy. The prophetic answer is – it is in the joy of the Lord where you will find your strength. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope - Romans 15:13 (ESV).
In biblical prophecy, the Lord clearly, without any uncertainty, instructs us to go our way, eat and drink the sweet wine and share with those who have nothing, for the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Then he said to them, Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength - Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV).
Blessings until next week,
Debra Pauli Unstoppable Believer
Scripture Quotes: Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV) / New King James (NKJ) / English Standard Version (ESV)
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