The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Deep, Calm, Abiding Joy Waits for You

It’s not uncommon for me to feel quite differently, but if the Lord says, “his joy is my strength,” so be it.

As a follower of Christ, as a bond servant of almighty God, I do not dare question such grand authority. Plus, this Scripture is quite tolerable as opposed to more invasive, “surgically feeling” types, so I should all-in-all heed, and try to connect with the Lord where He sees fit to connect. (As opposed to creating a hole through the clouds, in a futile attempt to reach heaven, some other, God forsaken way.)

To rip off some lyrics, as a young girl attending Awana’s, “Sure, you can’t get to heaven in a miniskirt because God don’t want those girls to flirt, all my sins are washed away, I’ve been reeeeedeemed.” “And, if you ever get to heaven before I do, make a hole and pull me through” is an incredible sentiment, but what if St. Peter, manning the pearly gates, says uh, uh, uh.

Not this way with the most nonchalant talk to the hand, cuz the face ain’t listening and down the stairway from heaven you fall?

Then what?

Who will redeem you?

Well, friends. You are in luck.

I know EXACTLY how you can make it in, no strings attached. You get in simply by believing in Christ. That’s it.

Not your good works, although they’ll come.

Not your pristine behavior, although He will make you holy.

Nor your pleas and begging, although the Lord doesn’t mind.

Nope. You will simply come to know the One who loved you first, receive His sacrifice on your behalf, and experience Heaven on this side of earth, miniskirt and all…

This is THE GOOD NEWS.

Christ has come to set us free from the law of sin and death, and He did not come to condemn us, but to bring us to Himself. Of course, this warrants a conversation. A searching of the mind, will, and emotions.

Has Christ given you the eyes to see that you are a sinner, in need of his unfathomable grace? I hope so. And if He has revealed this truth to you, then you, dear one, are free.

Free to love Him because He loved you first.

Free to draw unto Him, as He wants to hear what’s on your heart.

And free to know Him as He is.

Exciting, huh?

Indeed, and I pray that, if this is you, as you continue beholding the One who loves you so much He did not spare His only Son, yea, Himself, to save you and offer redemption so that you may live with Him forever, you receive that deeply within your heart today, and continue knowing that His joy, completely free of charge to you, is your strength, and with and through Him, you can simply enjoy life and be.

So yeah, even if that mini-skirt is causing those boys to flirt, remember, Christ died for that. And if you reach heaven, minding your own business, and you hear a man poking his head up from the clouds, with a woohoo asking you to make a hole and pull him through, tell him NO.

Then, take your accompanying high heel and kick him down the steps, knowing perfectly well that man ain’t getting to heaven any other way, but the blood of Jesus.

“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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