Today, we are going to take a posture of peace by making joy our starting point.
Posture is a short, audible fist bump to remind you God is with you in everything.
Together, we're going to be emboldened to take a daily posture of perfect peace.
In John chapter 15, verse 11, Jesus said,
These words I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Every time Jesus speaks to you, it is to put a smile on your face.
Jesus speaks confidently because he knows every situation always holds an increase in our
experience of God. Whether it's seeing our circumstances from his perspective, or
learning to think the way he thinks, or connecting with truth, or connecting with God in a new way,
partnering with him, and taking more territory for the kingdom.
You know, I used to say when I would face hard times, I will be so glad when this is over.
But then I read John 15 with fresh eyes, and I realized I don't have to wait for the end
of something to have joy. Because of Jesus, you and I can make joy our starting point.
We can start with it, we can carry it with us through the circumstance, and we can be
stronger on the other side when all is said and done, because the joy of the Lord strengthens us.
The world is concerned that joy in the midst of hard times causes disillusion.
They call it toxic positivity, but in the kingdom, the joy of the Lord is our strength,
not our poison. Joy in the hearts of God's people sets expectations accurately,
because it aligns us with the truth, and the truth is, circumstances will change.
God's word will not change. If joyful expectation in who God is and in his
promises is not your starting point, then you'll get tossed around by your circumstances,
and you'll be double-minded. Because the mind of Christ, which you have been given
in a worldly way of thinking, they do not mix. If the Holy Spirit is talking to you about
possibilities, and you can only see your problems, you'll be of two minds, and that
creates confusion. And the Bible says it's not God who is the author of confusion.
We can author it. When we don't align with him, it creates a disconnect from our kingdom reality,
and we authorize confusion in our lives. Because really, we're living a double life,
belonging to the kingdom, but thinking like the world.
There's only one way to think about any circumstance, and that is the way Jesus
is thinking about it. Where we see problems, he sees possibilities. Where we perceive failure,
Jesus sees us practicing. Where we see lack, Jesus sees what's missing from our experience
of him, and he has every intention to provide us with what is missing. Jesus has given us access
and authority to think on things above. What we focus on, we give power to.
Now, the good news is that for every negative, God has provided an opposite. Opposite of fear,
perfect love. Opposite of frustration, patience. Opposite of worry, anxiety, panic, peace.
Now, don't forget Isaiah 61. It's a beautiful passage of scripture. Christ gives us beauty
instead of ashes. The oil of joy instead of mourning. A garment of praise instead of a spirit
of heaviness. These times, they may be heavy, but you have been empowered to not be overpowered by
the world, the flesh, or Satan. That is your joyful expectation. You don't have to wait around
to see how things turn out to have joy. Why wait when you can have joy today? When your joy
can be full today? Joy is not a result of ever-changing circumstance. It is a result of
Jesus's never-changing desire for you to have it. There's only one way to think about your
circumstances right now, and that is the way Jesus is thinking about it. Do not wait. Today,
make joy your starting point.
perfect peace is found in Isaiah 26 3 in Hebrew it is Shalom Shalom meaning
complete wholeness nothing missing nothing broken this is who you are in
Jesus because of Jesus you are a living testimony of Jesus's ultimate win with
every step you take today you're putting Jesus's victory on display and Satan's
defeat on replay