The halfbaked Bard

Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Phil:3:1. As a final statement. A final reminder. Rejoice. Rejoice is a word that resonates in this epistle again and again. Circumstances should not define you. Fears shouldn't tell you how you are. Uncertainties shouldn't proclaim your destiny. But joy. The joy of the Lord should be your strength. The abounding joy that the Lord promises. The peace that passeth all understanding. The joy that we belong to our Father. The joy that I am His very own possession and He holds me close to His bosom. That I am safe in the arms of Jesus. Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ. I am His. If this rules my heart always, I will greet every sickness, every disappointment with a smile. I will face uncertainties boldly for I know my Father is in control of my life. And I am in the center of His palm. Yes He will not leave me. Nor will He forsake me. Image credit: https://www.magnific.com/premium-ai-image/jesus-little-girl-are-s...

Phil:1:18 Yes and I will continue to rejoice Paul is writing this letter, while he is in chains. He is sure of his deliverance. Even if he is not, whether by life or death, he says, let Christ be exalted in him. Joy has become a subjective feeling based on circumcision. If everything is well, I will rejoice. In the middle of crisis, I pray Lord, to give me your joy. Whether I will overcome or not I will rejoice. That through it all Christ will be exalted. The truth is Christ will enable to overcome, for He is good. He is with me in this. As I go through it, I pray Lord that the tangible presence of my Lord I would surely feel. Rejoice for He is nigh. Rejoice in the middle of trouble, for He is with you. Continue to rejoice, no matter how big the problem you are going through is. Let your joy reflect the One who is in you. Image credit: https://www.dreamstime.com/happy-children-running-joyful-summer-sunlight-playful-kids-painting-bright-colors-outdoor-scene-art-cheerful-run-...

Pro:10:28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness.  Happiness is what every single person in this world seeks for. Ultimately man realises this truth - no amount of money or friends or job satisfaction can give you happiness. And when it comes to the core, this is one question that rings in every discussions. "What should I do to have lasting happiness?" And here is the answer. The hopes of the godly result in happiness. If I put my hope and trust in God, that will result in happiness that you long for. Lasting joy. Peace that is beyond your understanding. Not what the world offers.  Even in the midst of turmoil, there is joy because of hope. Even in the midst of troubled circumstances, there is peace. And your face will gleam with joy. Like Hannah.  Image credit:  https://nectarhr.com/blog/employee-happiness-at-work

Ps:89:16 They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.  Phil:4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice.  To rejoice is a command. There is no need to command you to rejoice when all things go wonderfully well. It becomes a natural response.  But it is a command when you have to take an effort to rejoice. When it is difficult to rejoice. When you are in a precarious situation. When you are surrounded and grounded. That is the time God urges you to rejoice.  It might seem impossible and improbable. But you can. Because rejoicing happens not on circumstances, but on His wonderful reputation, His character, His faithfulness.  Rom8:28 All things God works together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Phil:1:6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of coming of Christ Jesus.  It is because of hope in Christ Jesus, we can rejoice.  It is...

Neh:8:17 So everyone who had returned from captivity lived in these shelter during the festival and they were filled with great joy. The Israelites had not celebrated like this since the days of Joshua son of Nun. Celebrate your life; Not because you have enough. Because you are in shelters; And its a reminder of your eternal home. Because you live as aliens; You are citizens of an eternal Kingdom. Not because all your problems have perfect solutions. But in your problems; He is in control His promise holds true - 'I am with you forever' Because you look forward to a land of no tears. Not because there won't be any darkness But because 'Even though I walk through the valley of shadow of death I fear no evil; For you are with me' Because you are an overcomer; You are more than a conqueror. There is absolute freedom promised Freedom from the ability to sin Not just forgiveness No longer slaves to sin; But slaves to righteousness. Celebrate your life; Becau...

Neh:8:10 The joy of the Lord is your strength In times of trouble, the joy of the Lord is your strength In times of weeping, the joy of the Lord is your strength In times of hopelessness, the joy of the Lord is your strength In times of helplessness, the joy of the Lord is your strength In times of brooding over, the joy of the Lord is your strength When you don't know what to do, the joy of the Lord is your strength When you have all things figured out, the joy of the Lord is your strength When everything is under control, the joy of the Lord is your strength. The joy that He offers; is what you can run to always It is eternal; it cannot be taken away No circumstances deter the fact that; the joy is forever This joy doesn't depend on other's opinion This joy doesn't depend on what others would think This joy does not depend on whether I perform or not This joy depends on the Giver Who gives from His abundant riches. Clinging on; Holding fast to this joy; no...

Ezra:6:16 The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy Ezra:6:22 There was great joy throughout the land Great joy is ours for the taking. Because the cross is the answer Great joy is ours; for the cause is dealt Great joy is ours; for the Lord is on our side Great joy is ours; all others a lie Great joy is ours; for all things He works for good Great joy is ours; from darkness to light we have passed Great joy is ours; from enemy we have become children Great joy is mine; for I am His beloved

2Chron:29:36 And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of what God had done for the people There is joy in the presence of the Lord There alone is joy complete For the God shaped vacuum can only be filled by Him There is abounding joy in Him alone Not your career, job or vocation Not your family or friends Not accomplishing what you have dreamt off Not money or assets or any dream come true These might give you momentary happiness But only when the purpose is fulfilled That you have been created in His image and likeness And in His presence alone there is complete joy In fellowship; in worship; in prayer In communicating with Him In walking a life in accordance with His desire There is unsurpassable joy. Man is eagerly running after things To find the source of joy Unexplainable joy comes only from the origin In Him alone; in His presence alone;in the centre of His will alone.

Joy is something which man always desires in his life. To live happily ever after is the ending of every fairytale. No fairytale which has ended tragically has ever stood the test of time. Everyone wants a happy ending. Movies that have repeat value are those with feel good moments and ultimately the protagonist survives and wins over his enemies and peers. Even if it is not happily ever after... The moment is filled with joy. We all want to be joyous. That is one thing which our hearts have always desired. Ps:70:4 But may all who search for you Be filled with joy and gladness in you. In seeking Him, in knowing Him, in valuing His statutes and disciplines, in obeying Him, in living a life in accordance with His will - there is joy, there is gladness. An icecream wouldn't give you joy, nor does winning a game. Neither does doing something satisfactorily. All these give you happiness. Everlasting joy; abounding joy comes directly from the source. Are we running after thin...

God has brought me laughter Gen:21:6 The name Isaac means "laughter". Sarah was so so hapy because she was able to bear a child in old age. All the ridicule. All the secret laughing at. All the pointing fingers. All the disappointments. Vanished with the coming of laughter. She was so filled with joy.  She yet realizes that, the source of joy wasn't in fact Issac himself, but the One who made this possible. She declares. "God" has brought me laughter.  Many a times we look at the object of joy and try to find our joy in that. And forget the source.  The source of joy is to be given credit - praise and thanksgiving.  Be it our children. Be it our assets. Be it our job security. The source is always superior yet easily forgotten. As we see only the object.  1Cor:4:7b What do you have that God hasn't given you? 

How important it is to confess our sins to the Lord. How imperative to open up to Him.  If you refuse to confess you sins, it is said in psalm 32, your body will waste away and there will be groaning all along because the hand of discipline of God will be on you all day long. Through the rod of discipline God is desperate to tell you, you were wrong.  Unless you open up and confess to God, your strength will evaporate. Spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically drained out.  Are you exhausted, tired of running around? Are you completely wearied?  The devil uses the sin and guilt which comes out of it to steal and kill and destroy, preventing that life abundant.  But when we confess, like David we would sing, O what joy, O what blessedness. That is life in its fullness.