Morning by Morning, August 24 - "For the Sake of the Joy"
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- I welcome every dimension of Your Being into every dimension of my being -- spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). ...
As I wait for the leading of Your Spirit, beginning my day in the communion of prayer, I hear in my heart these words: "for the sake of the joy." ...
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat as the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
You endured Your cross and all that went with it "for the sake of the joy." And as You call us to "take up (our) cross daily, and follow (You)," You give us the power of Your grace to press on and press through every cross we bear and all that goes with it "for the sake of the joy" as well (Luke 9:23).
And when we've made it through another painful, bloody mess of our last ordeal, Your joy fills our hearts and Your praise fills our mouths. It's by the power of the victory of Your cross that we have the power to endure and overcome whatever cross is set before us. And whatever it was and whatever may yet come, in Your eternal perspective it's only a "slight momentary affliction" that is "preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure" (2 Corinthians 4:17).
That's how we can "consider it nothing but joy" when we "face trials of any kind," knowing that "the testing of (our) faith produces endurance; and (we can) let endurance have its full effect, so that (we) may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4). "Looking to Jesus," I pray I will keep growing in maturity, persevering in faith, overcoming every trial "for the sake of the joy" You've set before me (Hebrews 12:2). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
I pray your heart will be filled with joy and your mouth be filled with praise, as you keep looking to Jesus through every trial, being made mature and complete in Him, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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