The power of Joy!

                                                  Shout your way to Victory!


                                Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.(Hab 3:17-18) 

                    There is a tendency of a que sera, sera attitude in the body of Christ. We attribute everything including destruction as an excuse to praise God. God is sovereign and everything that happens is God's will---Allow me to, respectfully differ. The word says to give to Cesar what is Cesar and to God what is God's. Jesus said that the thief comes to kill, steal and destroy but I (Jesus) come to give life abundantly. ( John 10:10) Jesus wants us to have life in our health, finances, relationships, etc. 
                   The key word to see in Hab 3:18 is joy. Joy is a fruit of the spirit. Joy can be expressed in a shout, dance or even laughter among other things. (PS 126:1-2/Ps 149:3/Ps 32:11) Joy is a powerful weapon. Even Job in the midst of suffering knew about this power. He said that in the midst of corruption and famine to laugh. ( Job 5:22) Why? If you read the end of the book of Job, you will find that God restored unto him double for his trouble.(Job 42:10) Joy is a powerful weapon. 
                   So powerful is joy that God released it to set his people free from Egyptian captivity. (Ps 105:42-43) I, personally, believed that there were a remnant of Jews bringing into God's remembrance his covenant with his people. As God heard the words of his covenant being lifted up in prayer, he unleashed his force of joy upon his people and made them free. The best part is that none of them came out of the land broke or sick. (Ps 105:37) The word feeble is translated from the Hebrew as sick. 
               What about you, friend? Are you in captivity? Have you been frustrated regarding your prayers? Unleash the power of joy in your life. You are in covenant with God. God is laughing at your enemies, so it is time to laugh along with him and see his power at work! (Ps 2:4)

Verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com

                                     

Are your problems speaking to you?

                   
                              " And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. "
                                                          (Mark 11:12-14)



                             This is the question you must ask in this day. Our problems are talking to us day and night. Our society is filled with stress and high anxiety. It's no wonder that heart attacks are at the top of our list when it comes to sickness and disease, but believe it or not, I have good news. The Bible has all the answers.
                      As you read Mark 11:12-14, Jesus had a bad day. He was hungry and wanted breakfast. Fig trees, during Bible times, provided delicious dates that were eaten for breakfast. Now, in this age and time, we will go to a Hardee's or McDonald for breakfast and have some bacon, eggs and coffee. Imagine not getting to Hardee's  because you had a flat tire? By the time you fix it, it was time to go to work! That's a bad day! 
                          Jesus was no exception. He wanted to find some delicious dates, but it wasn't there. It said something. That fig tree spoke something to Jesus---It said no figs for you. Lack was talking!  What did Jesus do? He answered it with the word.(Mark 11:14) That word was so strong that it went to the root of the tree and it dried out.
                        Are you going thru a financial challenge? Believe it or not, Lack is talking to you! Been given a bad report for your health? Lack is talking. In this day, I challenge you to renew your mind to God's word. Answer your lack with the word and watch it go deep to the root of your problem and give you victory---God bless! 

Bible verses courtesy of www.biblegateway.com
For more on the fig tree, look at..

http://www.lookinguntojesus.net/20120101.htm