Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

Joyfulness Contrary to many misconceptions, God isn't a grumpy old man. He's doesn't putter around Heaven murmuring under His breath about how much better things used to be. He's not cranky, cantankerous, or crabby. As matter of fact, take that irritable image in your mind, find it's polar opposite, and you'll understand God as He truly is...a God of joy. Joy. It's more than mere happiness, which depends on external circumstances and events. You're happy when you get a promotion, when you win a free lunch, or when you receive a gift of some sort. You feel good-but take away the prize, the promotion, the free lunch, or the gift-and you're right back where you started. That's not joy. Joy is independent gladness. It doesn't matter what's happening. Joy is glad no matter what. And when we look to Scripture, we find that God and joy are inseparably and intimately linked: For the LORD will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers... (Deuteronomy 30:9 NKJV) And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5 NKJV) The LORD your God...He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV) You cannot get away from the fact that God is joyful, and those around Him can't help but be brought under the influence of His joy. The fruit of God's Spirit in a believer's life includes joy, and it's a good indicator of a person's proximity to God's presence. So if joy is lacking in your life, go to God. Set aside some time, and spend it in His presence. For when you do, it won't be long before you sense His Spirit speaking and singing His joy over you! Joy is independent gladness. It doesn't matter what's happening. Joy is glad no matter what. What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?