Filled with Joy!

This week my wife was pruning back a large flowering plant on an arbor and I noticed how beautiful green and healthy it was on the outside, but underneath it was barren, woody.., almost dead. You could not see the inside dark part until she cut away the lush green outer parts.

Depression can make a person feel that way… normal, and healthy looking on the outside , but underneath kind of barren and almost hollow.

That is not Jesus’s intent for for us… He wants us full of joy!

John 15:11 KJVS “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

The key word there is “full”, not just a surface treatment, but full.

Like the Blessing He promises us when we give to others…

Luke 6:38 KJVS [38] “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Sounds like that’s a good remedy for that deep down emptiness…to give of yourself to others.

This is not about money..it’s about your time, care, compassion, empathy and love.

Paul says it best…

Romans 15:13 KJVS “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Peace and Grace to you all,

Pastor Stan