I love speaking around the topic of joy and I love the 4th chapter of Philippians so today's devo is going to be win! (Hopefully for you too!) Every kind of joy, outside of the joy God gives you, is temporary and dependant on external and ever-changing influences. When our joy comes from people, places and “stuff” then all those things can change in an instant, but God never changes. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8) and the joy found in Him is constant and dependable. Isaiah 12:3 says that we'll “draw with joy from the wells of our salvation…” Psalm 16:11 says “in His presence is fullness of joy”. The common thread found in all these verses is that joy in God requires action from our part. It's when we draw near to God that He draws near to us (James 4:8) and there, in His presence, we experience joy. It is impossible to be completely aware of His presence and not experience His joy. Philippians 4 goes on to say that we'll experience His peace that surpasses all our understanding. How can your circumstance, an illness that affects you, a position of lack you may face, or the destruction of a relationship triumph over a God who triumphed over death…and that power that raised Him lives in you! This is the hope we have and in His presence we become acutely aware of this hope…and that hope brings us peace and fills us completely with His joy. It assures us of His great plan to restore and bring life to anything and everything that dwells within the borders of His great and expansive love. Praying you discover this great joy today…whatever you face! We love ya ????