“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional“Homily Grits Devotional” http://www.homilygrits.com/

James 1:2-4… My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV)

As Christians, we will never be perfect and complete this side of heaven, except in our being positionally righteous in God’s eyes…because God sees Jesus’ righteousness when He looks at His redeemed children… 2 Corinthians 5:21… My last days writing was titled…”Christ’s Love in Action”…that can be found by typing 4/30/2014 into the search window @ http://www.Godsmanforever.com Without the love of Christ with-in us, with the full power and control of our lives given over to the Holy Spirit, we will never be able to love those screaming in our face with rage in our own strength…Matthew 5:43-44…

But when Christians are Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), Christ’s power working in our lives will be able to accomplish over and above all that we could ever ask or think… Ephesians 3:20… Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)

It is this very same supernatural power from above, that will allow the Spirit filled Christian (Ephesians 5:18-20) to endure the trials of life…and still be able to find joy through the worst of times…

Today, I am simply going to reference 3 scripture verses…one spoken by Jesus…and the others penned by the apostle Paul and Jude…to let God’s living and powerful Word (Hebrews 4:12-13) work in the hearts and lives of those who spend the time reading this scripture…

Jesus teaches us this, as He speaks to His disciples at what we now call…”The Last Supper”, in… John 15:10-12… “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (NKJV)

The apostle Paul penned this, in…Colossians 1:10-11… that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; (NKJV)

And lastly…Jude (Jesus’ half brother) pens this, in…Jude 1:24… Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, (NKJV)

What do we see in common with all 3 of these pieces of scripture written for us Christians ?? It is the fullness of Christ and His power in you “that your joy may be full”… That you are “strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power”… And, that it is Christ “who is able to keep you from stumbling”, and “to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy”…

My friends…when we try to succeed in our own strength, we will typically fail almost every time… But when we as Christians finally understand that God’s ways are always perfect…and we humble ourselves in obedience to the Lord, by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us in His ways…we will finally be able to experience godly joy, even through the worst trials of our life…

Heavenly Father, I pray that when Your children finally taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), that they will keep their ears attuned to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which You have given to all of Your redeemed children… I pray Father, that we can all become true followers (disciples) of Your Son Jesus Christ…so that His “joy may remain in” us…so that our “joy may be full”… I pray for this fullness of Christ to bring all of Your children the “joy” that You promise, in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

Blessings in Christ, bruce r mills