Fighting Joy

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."---Hebrew 12:2,NKJV

What if in order to receive the joy that you desire Daddy told you, you had to fight for it? What if joy is not easy, but obtainable? Would you pursue joy with the same energy, strength, and even mindset that you pursue happiness? These are questions that I had to ask myself as I was listening to the Joy message from yesterday's sermon. I don't know about you, but when I think about joy, I think about two things, easy to obtain, and not worth much my energy....Can I tell you I was so wrong... So wrong. While looking up a scripture to go with this post I ran across Hebrews 12:2. I read this scripture several times, but never really applied it to Joy until now... Can I highlight something in the verse..."Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." I am stop right there because that in itself just took me into another mindset when it comes to joy. Can I translate what that part of the verse was saying... (embrace yourself)... This verse in simple says: that Jesus took joy in enduring the process of the cross... I am sorry please forgive me... As I cry... Because, what person in their right mind says I will take joy in being a sacrifice? No, better yet who will say.... I will take joy in dying for people who don't even love me enough to see me for who I am...Their savior.... their ultimate lover, the sacrificial lamb, the son of GOD, their personal intercessor... the one that speaks to the father on their behalf, the peace maker, the groom they should be married to, their heart, their healer, their redeemer... I can go on and on... But in the mist of our ignorance, disobedience, selfishness, and just right out fleshy ways; JESUS took joy...Matter of fact he had a Fighting Joy! He fought through his flesh to lay down his will for that of the Father's. Reminding himself that it was not about his satisfaction, but about the Joy that he would bring to the father. He fought the the heartache of being rejected by the people that walked with him and he healed on his way to the cross. He kept silent on the cross so that he could enjoy the Fighting Joy of defeating death and taking back the keys of life. JESUS the one whose blood can wash you white as snow had Fighting Joy in the mist of facing death. So who are we to not to take the action of fight for the Joy Daddy promise us? Stop acting like joy should come with salvation with ease. Where in the Bible does it says... and the Joy of the Lord shall come with ease? It says that the Joy of the Lord is your strength. It says that Joy will come in the mist of victory, but victory is usually achieved after war...With that being said get your war clothes on it's time to fight for your joy!!

Prayer: Daddy we come to you, not asking for Joy, but for help...Help us to be steadfast, focus, and prepared for the fight that comes with obtaining the Joy you desire for us. For you are the Joy of our salvation and there is nothing about you that lacks fight. You fight for our love, for our hearts, and for a relationship with us...you even sacrificed your son to show what you were willing to do to have a fighting position in our lives. Daddy we know take on that same mentality, and we fight for our relationship with you, with a fighting joy. We know that this world, our life, people, things, and just our past will always try to steal the Joy you destine for us to have, but with a fighting praise of victory we grab hold of your joy and the power that comes with it. The power of praise, peace, purpose, and a position in you as an heir to the thrown, and a bride to the bridegroom called Jesus. We know that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy and with that knowledge in mind we take on the characteristics of a fighting joy... trusting, knowing, and assured in the victory of the joy we have in you and through your strength Daddy! We love you and daily we set our hearts to fight for your joy. In Jesus name...AMEN!