April.23.04: Light for the Day - "Joy That Stays" -- John 6:22 "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." ----------------- The joy of Christ doesn’t go away. Have you noticed how easily earthly joy can leave? Have you discover how simple it is for your gladness of today becomes your sadness of tomorrow, for your sweetness of the morning to turn into the bitterness of the night?  Have you discovered how the people you thought were your friends today can become your enemies tomorrow, the wisdom you thought was so great yesterday is foolishness today? Nothing seems to be too stable in the world. You can’t really count on too much anymore. But the joy of Christ is a continual, never-ending, absolutely constant joy when we follow the principles of the Word of God. This joy survives all the difficult times in life. This joy is not hinged on happenings, but it is hinged on a Person. In John 16:22, Jesus says, "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” Isn’t that something? Jesus says the joy He wants to give every one of His children is the kind of joy you don’t have to lose. Nobody can take it away from you! -- David Jeremiah ---------------- -- John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -- Isaiah 12:2,3 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’" 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. -- Psalms 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. -- Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. -- Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. -- Psalms 70:4 Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!" -- Psalms 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. -- Psalms 119:162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. -- Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. -- Luke 15:6,7 6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. -- Romans 12:15-19 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," (Deut. 32:35) says the Lord. -- Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.