Today in church, after being given this definition of joy, we studied several pieces of scripture that focused on joy. There were several incredible pieces of scripture as to why we should have joy. Thinking about our journey to you, I found two verses that really spoke to me and our situation.
II Nephi 2:24-26
"All things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy. And the messiah comes in the fullness of time, that He may redeem the children from the fall. And because they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever."
This has always been a life verse of my dad's, so when I saw that this was the first verse today, I didn't think much of it. "Men are that they might have joy." I know this. But then, the very first sentence was pointed out and we were told not to take it lightly. "All things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things." I knew this verse was highlighted in my Book of Mormon, but I decided to open it up just in case. Sure enough, verse 22, 23, and 25 were highlighted. But verse 24, the part that I found so powerful, had been left un-highlighted. How many times had I heard this verse? How many times had I scanned over this piece of "men are that they might have joy?" I found this verse so encouraging. No matter what, there is a reason for everything. And not only is there a reason, but it is done with purpose because God knows everything! There are no incidences in our life that get overlooked by God -- no matter how small. All things have been done in wisdom! And why have these things been done? So that men might have joy!! Are there situations in our life that trouble us or bring us discouragement? Sure. But God has a reason for these things. And in all things we are to have joy. We are to have joy because we have the Holy Ghost within us and because we live to serve a greater purpose than ourselves!
The second verse that really struck me was one of the last verses of the day.
John 16:23-24
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
This was such a wonderful reminder to me to hold onto the faith I have in the Lord. If we ask, it will be given to us. I know, without a doubt of worry, that one day God will give us you. And I know that we will receive you as a gift so that our joy may be full!
Not only was today's message a beautiful confirmation to one day meeting you, but it was a wonderful confirmation that we need to live daily in joy. There are things and moments in our lives that may rob us of our joy, but joy is something that we maintain. It is unlike happiness and sadness -- emotions that come and go. Joy is a state of being.
John 15:11
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
We have the Holy Ghost leading us day by day....moment by moment. We have Christ's joy within us! What a wonderful privilege He has given me to be a messenger for Him. Contact I make with people on a daily basis may be the only opportunity they have to know of Christ's joy. I must make sure that I am evidence of that joy. I can't let daily struggles and burdens in my daily life get in the way of that full joy I have because of Christ.
Today I am so thankful for that full joy I have in Christ. I am thankful for an incredible blessed and beautiful life. And I am thankful for this journey to you. I am thankful for the promise from God to give us you so that our joy will be full!
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| Pure Joy! |
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