From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

We are not forgiven by God just because we say we are sorry. We are forgiven because Jesus died for our sins. Any repentance we experience is merely the outcome of our entrance into the Atonement Jesus achieved for us! Oswald Chambers states, “Christ Jesus…is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. When we realize that Christ is made all this to us, the boundless joy of God begins; wherever the joy of God is not present, the death sentence is at work."

Remain joyful. This will take a choice on your part first and then stamina and prayer to maintain the choice. You can choose joy in the midst of the storm. Fight the feelings that come up – fight the anger or disappointment or despair. Fight the jealousy or dissension. Fight the good fight. If you don’t fight sadness and negativity…you will be sad and negative. This isn’t rocket science, folks! Think on the things above and not on the things of the earth. Cry out for God to change how you think so you can choose joy and stay in it. I don’t mean the Cheshire cat grin type of joy, but that secure, inner peace and sense of “it’s going to be all right” that only God can give you. It can be done in Jesus, so just do it! Endure the fire…it’s producing pure gold!

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