Joy

John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have [it] abundantly."

What is the devil trying to steal? He is trying to steal the Joy that Jesus has given us, He comes like a thief undetected and in disguise.

Nehemiah 8:10 "Do not grieve, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength."

If the joy of the Lord is my strength, then no wonder why the devil wants to steal my joy, he wants to destroy me, because he does not want me to experience what Jesus has for me.

Today the Lord wants us to stand and recieve our strength from Him, not of our own will, not of our own strength, but to receive what Jesus has given us. Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (forgiveness), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." If Jesus has given all of this to us, no wonder why the devil wants to steal it from us with the lies he talks to us, with the little things he loves to tell me. I have heard him say Geoff you are not worth it, you are fat, you are ugly, you will never make it, you can't do it, you are nothing, no one loves you, how could they love a freak like you. I hear these lies and that is what they are.

It is written James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God calls us to submit to God and resist the devil, 2 portions there, not just resist the devil, but submit myself to God, turn from my wicked ways and say Lord I am yours and resist the devil. I didn't realize that until now, Submit and resist.

God I am standing firm in your teachings, I submit myself to you. Your will in my life and your way, for you are holy and I love you. I resist the lies of the devil, he has come to steal the joy you give me each day, he has come to steal the peace, but in You I find my resting place. Lord I know you are the one true God, You love me for who I am, for You created me. The devil has no place in my life, I am resisting his lies, he can go to hell and stay there. I stand firm in your word. Help me to hear you and hear what you have to share with me. Your love me, You chose me, You picked me and I am the apple of Your eye. Thank you Lord for Your freedom. In You is hope.