Zephaniah 3: 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Think about this the Creator of the Universe rejoices over me with Joy and singing. So amazing. Think of this when you are facing trying times on this Earth. God wants to share His Joy and His Love with you. He knows that He is the only true source of Joy that can fill your heart to overflowing. That intimate relationship with Him provides a Joy that is overflowing no matter what the circumstances on this earth are and no matter what the trials you are facing. Christ, soon before He laid down His Life on the Cross to take upon Himself the wrath that Justice demanded against my sin and your sin, spoke to His apostles telling them that He must go and complete this work. He was sending the Holy Spirit to be their comforter. He told them, "33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." He reminds us that if we abide in Him (resting upon His covenant promises of Grace which we continue to learn through reading His love letters) we will have joy. Listen to what Jesus said in John 15, "4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
I want to say thank you to God for the wonderful people I met last night at Atlanta Live. Thank you Rick Goins (producer) for inviting me. My host Cherisse Stephens overflows with the love and joy of Christ which is in her. Her website is http://www.cherissestephens.com/. I met an incredible young man, Brandon Maye. He had worked hard, against all odds and had made it to the NFL only to have his football career put on hold due to injury. God has led him to become a motivational speaker who now must go out to proclaim the name of Christ with the resounding verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." He just finished his book, "Diamond in the Rough". http://www.brandonmaye.com/. There was Debora Coty, who has such a bubbling joy and has written 12 books which through humor helps women to face the trials of this world through faith. Her lastest book is Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolates. Her website is http://deboracoty.com/. A Christian life coach, Denise Morton can be found at http://www.dominionlifeccc.org/. There were amazing women who have the incredible talent of singing and who have a true ministry for Christ that they bring with song. One was Rae Ellis, who shows through her songs that if we will fling open our diaries, become transparent God can use all that stuff we try to hide, for His glory. Her website is http://www.officialraeellis.com/. Wincey Terry-Bryant is a true blessing in song. Her story was uplifting as she said, "God loved me back into His ministry" Her website is: http://www.winceyco.com/