JOY, ONLY JOY
Today's reading:  Philippians 3-4

"Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy..."  Philippians 3:1 NLT

Paul knew what the new Christians, and we, would need.

It was joy.

It wasn't understanding.  In the middle of a tough time, understanding is not what's needed.  We cannot grasp fully God's plans as they unfold, let alone at the beginning or middle of such.

It wasn't patience.  Patience is a tough nut to crack.  It requires tough times building muscles.  Patience means learning a lesson--and sometimes taking numerous quizzes along the way.

It wasn't fellowship.  Fellowship is great, but we don't 'need' people, like we need the joy of the Lord.  And, to tell the truth, it's people who sometimes cause us to lose our joy--or need extra large doses of it.

It wasn't comfort.  Comfort keeps us immobile.  Comfort allows us to settle in--and settle for.  The tough times of life, the ones in which we learn the most about God and ourselves, are seldom if ever comfortable.

Paul knew they/we would need joy.  The inner bubbling that comes from knowing we were chosen, runts of the litter we were, to be His.  The inside, deep inside, excitement about what God is about in us, for us, around us and through us.

We need joy.  I pray you have it today!