Dear Precious Friends,
On this TGIFF (Thank God I'm Forgiven Friday)
It seems something has been missing lately... This image is pure joy!!! WOW... When is the last time you can truly say you felt this way? This little girl pictured below is truly having joy!!!
Joy only comes from the presence of the Lord... Sometimes it may seem very easy to be joyful. Other times, we may feel overwhelmed by circumstances surrounding us, and being joyful may not seem so easy. Brothers & Sisters, Joy is a decision. Choosing Joy is a Sacrifice. Choosing joy goes much deeper than just having a happy day because things are going well. Choosing joy is deeply rooted in our faith, hope and trust in God.
May we always choose joy! ( Happiness is circumstancial so we know our Joy is in the Lord.. when no matter what is happening, we know the rest of the story, we will be with the Lord in heaven forever and He loves us so much He came down and took our sin so through our belief in Him and receiving Him in our heart, repenting from our sins, we can have assurance of our eternal destiny!!! Now that is reason to have JOY!!!!)
Let us choose joy today. Let us together reflect on God’s wonderful blessings and sing praises unto God. May we offer God the sacrifice of joy. May we always choose to keep our eyes fixed on God. May the joy of The Lord always be our strength, and May his peace continually be our portion.
I pray these Uplifting, Inspirational & Encouraging Scriptures will be an encouragement and an inspiration to you. I know they are to me!!! I needed this kick in the bum reminder today!!!
If you have a favorite scripture about choosing joy, please share it to the comments. If you love one of these listed below share the one that speaks loudest to you!!!
God bless you and continually fill you with joy, hope and peace, Amen.
#1 Bible Verses about Choosing Joy – Joy in God’s Presence
Feeling down? Enter into God’s Presence! There is joy in the presence of God.
Psalm 16:11, ESV You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
#2 Bible Verses about Choosing Happiness – Sacrifice of Joy
Joy is a decision. Choosing Joy is a Sacrifice. Let us decide to be joyful, offer God the sacrifice of joy, and rest secure.
Psalm 27:6b, KJV I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Psalm 16:9, NIV Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.
#3 Bible Verses about Choosing to be Happy – The Joy of the Lord is your Strength, The Joy of the Lord is my Strength
Feeling down in the dumps? Feels like all strength is gone? Trust in God’s unfailing love – The Joy of the Lord is your Strength!
Psalm 13:5, NIV I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation
Nehemiah 8:10b, ESV And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Psalm 28:7, NLT The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
#4 Bible Verses about Choosing Joy – Always be Joyful, Pray Continually, Give Thanks, & Rejoice in Hope
1 Thessalonians 16-18, NIV Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:12, ESV Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17, NLT Never Stop Praying.
#5 Bible Verses about Choosing Happiness – Rejoice in the Lord Always
Philippians 4:4, ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
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#6 Bible Verses about Choosing to be Happy – Take Refuge in God, & Let the peace of Christ rule
Psalm 64:10, ESV Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!
Colossians 3:15, ESV And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
#7 Bible Scriptures about Choosing Joy: Troubles & Trials? – Count it all joy
James 1:2 -4, NLT Dear brothers and sisters,[ when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Psalm 18:2, ESV The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold
James 1:2 -3, ESV Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
#8 Bible Scriptures about Choosing Happiness – A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine. Let’s Choose to be Happy. Let’s Choose Joy!
Proverbs 17:22, ESV A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
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#9 Bible Scriptures about Choosing to be Happy – Trust God, & Have Peace
1 Peter 5:7, NLT Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Philippians 4:6-7, ESV Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3, ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
