RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

SUNDAY, 26TH MARCH.

THEME: JOYFUL ATMOSPHERE.

OPENING SCRIPTURE: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

The “fruit of the Spirit” as used above means the product or feature of the recreated human spirit, one of which is joy. Joy is something you have within you; you can be joyful always, irrespective and independent of circumstances. Someone might say, “Well, I find it difficult to be joyful; the difficulties I’m facing are too dire for me to be happy.” But that’s a mistake; the Bible says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).

Joy is an emotion that is evoked by satisfaction, appreciation, and pleasure. Joy is powerful, and you can fill your home with it. You can control the atmosphere and bring in joy where there was hitherto anger, sadness, and gloom. Satan has no place and stands no chance in an atmosphere of joy. The Bible says the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The joy of the Lord in your spirit is the strength you need to prevail against the adversary and triumph over adversities.

Express joy, irrespective of how you feel. You don’t need any jester or comedian to exude the joy of the Lord! Just let it out of your spirit! For example, you just arrived home from work; you can light up that joyful atmosphere by announcing your presence with a cheerful, “Praise the Lord, I’m home! What a wonderful day; I’m so blessed and favoured in Christ!” You could even come in singing; making melody in your heart to the Lord. Before you know it, everyone else in your home will get on the joy train with you, because joy is contagious.

Talk happy. Laugh often. The Bible says, “A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing....” (Proverbs 17:22 AMP). Apart from producing health in you, a joyful spirit also causes your spirit to be energized by the Holy Ghost such that it’s easy to receive revelations from God. So, maintain a joyful atmosphere in, and around you always.

CONFESSION
The joy of the Lord is my strength, and I rejoice in Him today, for He has filled my life with His goodness. I refuse to be perturbed about anything because in Christ, all things are mine. Therefore, I delight myself in Him, excited that He is my life. In Him I live, and move, and have my being! Blessed be God!

FURTHER STUDY:
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence isfulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Luke 6:17-49, Deuteronomy 31-32
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 26:1-13, Exodus 35