'When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.' Psalms 126:1-6 NLT
TOO MANY TIMES WE LET THE NEGATIVITY OF OUR PRESENT CONNECT HYPOTHETICAL DOTS IN OUR FUTURE
'When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Psalms 126:1-4 NLT
'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT
I am the Lord, and I do not change… Malachi 3:6 NLT
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 NLT
'The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”’ Isaiah 40:8 NLT
JOY IS CULTIVATED WITH A HEALTHY REMEMBRANCE AND NURTURED BY AN ANTICIPATION OF WHAT GOD WILL DO NEXT!
Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.' Psalms 126:4-6 NLT
ALL SUFFERING, ALL PAIN, ALL EMPTINESS, ALL DISAPPOINTMENT IS SEED: SOW IT IN GOD AND HE WILL, FINALLY, BRING A CROP OF JOY FROM IT. -EUGENE PETERSON
1. WHAT LIE DO YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE TO MAKE YOUR NEGATIVE FEELING TRUE?
He (devil) was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 NLT
We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. 2 Corinthians 10:5 TPT
2. DO I TRULY FEAR GOD BY BEING IN AWE OF HIM?
'How joyful are those who fear the Lord - all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!' Psalms 128:1-2 NLT
3. WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT?
'If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep. Psalm 127:1-5 MSG
4. ARE YOU CARRYING THE WEIGHT ALONE?
'He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.' Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT
'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”' Matthew 11:28-30 NLT