The street light is still glowing through my window, and the coffee pot is still cold. These words are important, I think. Why else would I have dreamed them?
Joy, the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying. What is your joy? What do we spend our time being joyful about? Is joy that new tv you just bought? Is joy the newest phone o n the market? Or maybe it's the clothes you wear, or the home you bought. What is your joy? Can joy be found in material things? How long does that joy last? Question after question. What is our joy?
Books surround me in every room, new books often show up on our front door step, do I say that this is my joy?
Joy is deeper than the things we own. Pure, unadulterated joy comes from only one thing. JESUS. A man, who is God, came down to earth to be hated, beaten, hung from a cross and murdered, for us. For US!!!! Someone sacrificed their life for you and you didn't even know him!! Pure love. Our sins are forgiven because of a plan that is greater than any one of us. We have eternal life because of a love for us that we can never even comprehend. Oh God, you are so great!
With Jesus our joy is eternal. Our happiness is everlasting. Our lives will live on in Heaven. What greater joy can there be? Can you find joy in your things, yes. Temporary. Fleeting. It's immediate joy, soon replaced by wanting. Wanting for the next new book, new phone, new clothes, car, or t.v. It's part of our sin. It's an addiction. This kind of joy holds us hostage. Break the chains, find your joy in Jesus.
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
Through Jesus our faith is made perfect and through his death on the cross our joy becomes eternal and pure.
He suffered for me. He suffered for you. My heart aches to know him more intimately. This is why I read my Bible, this is is why I pray. This is why my heart breaks for those who don't know him. Let me share this joy that I have for Jesus so others may know!
Joy is found in the hug of your child, in the meal you prepare for your family. Joy is found in the helping of a neighbor, the kindness to a stranger, through an extra big tip for that waitress. Joy is found in putting others needs before our own. Joy is found in the comfort after the loss of a loved one. It's found in the memories of our families. Joy is found in the trees, the sun the sky, the air we breathe. Joy is found in every corner of home and world. Joy is found in the small things, and in all of the wonders that God provides. Pure joy, not the temporary joy found in material possessions. 
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6: 19-21.
Real joy cannot be stolen, real joy cannot be lost, real joy is everlasting. Trust in the
Lord. Know Him. Be intimate with Him. Cultivate your relationship with Him. This love He has for us is so great. My insides swell, my heart aches, my mind is clear and my thoughts are intentional. This joy that I have, I want to share. This joy that I feel, is goodness. This joy that I know, can only be from Jesus. I want you to feel this too.The sun is slowly waking up. It's glint is stretching its fingers in corners, warming, and waking us gently from our slumber. Another blessing from God. A new day to live is waking up. A new chance to feel His love. A new opportunity to share your joy that comes from knowing him.
Pure JOY is putting J (Jesus) first and O (Others) before Y (Yourself). Only then can you know the pure joy that only comes from knowing God.
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