Advent #3 J.O.Y (Jesus Occupying You)

 


He has come! He comes into our lives! One day He will come to get us to take us to the custom made dwelling He has built for us in Heaven! But before that, He just might be coming again sooner than many realize! For some these 2020 times are scary times, but for the Christ-Follower, these can be times of J.O.Y, which we will explore this third Sunday of Advent.

The first two weeks of Advent the colors of our candle are purple representing repentance. And as we turn from our sin, brokenness in pain, we find H.O.P.E! We indeed discover God’s beautiful life giving grace, as we Hold On Promises Eternal, even if things seem hopeless; meanwhile, Advent also gives us the privilege to turn our anxiety over to Christ Jesus, who has come, as we discover our P.E.A.C.E! Yes! We actually can overcome finding that we can Pray Expecting Almighty Controls Everything!

J.O.Y.

Guess what? I have another acrostic: This word tells us the real source of a powerful way to live: I am talking about J.O.Y, which begins with Jesus Occupying You! The candle color, on this third Sunday, is pink which represents the J.O.Y. of the coming Christ child. Babies do tend to bring a sense of joy; however, this baby is like no other. For this one actually is the Savior of the world! He makes possible the forgiveness of everything we have done wrong! This one, when we make Him our own Lord and Savior, brings healing to the broken heart and healing to the wounded soul! This happens when Jesus Occupies You. I know that there is nothing more real, or life giving, than for Jesus to sincerely be allowed to come into the human heart, make that person a new creation and replace the broken stuff with that which is entirely new! (See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

Try A Little Rejoicing!

Now, if you wish to really enhance your J.O.Y. quotient, do something intentional, as Jesus Occupies You. I am talking about, since you have this relationship with Jesus, intentionally express, out loud, things over which you can praise God or rejoice. This word “rejoice” is an action verb, and it takes the relationship of the J.O.Y. we have to a new level! Try this on for size: Deliberately, consciously and precisely, calculate ways you can praise God for things closely related to the fact you know Jesus Occupies You!

For example, you can rejoice in the fact, that knowing Jesus, validates that everyone of one your sins are forgiven! He has removed the sin virus from the hard drive of your spirit and soul! (Hebrews 9:12.) You can celebrate that you are no longer condemned! (John 3:16-18!) Sing praises because He, as your Savior, transforms your life, while holding you blameless! (Hebrews 10:15-17) Think this wonder filled thought: You actually have a Wonderful Empathic Counselor ready to listen to everything that is going on in your life, and He can help you have an excellent outcome! (Hebrews 4:15-16) And this Savior takes away your guilty conscience, as you actually bring, the dirt and grime, that slimes your spirit and soul, to Jesus in prayer. (Hebrews 10:19-22), and there is much more simply because Jesus Occupies You!

Refocus

Therefore, rather that keeping your focus on all the bad stuff of 2020, and how bad it has been for you, why not consider a new mind set? Why not let go of yesterday, as well as tomorrow, and live fully today, through faith in Jesus, by the power of The Holy Spirit? Why not refocus on who your are, and what you have, because Jesus Occupies You! Celebrate each day, as do I, that “This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24) I can tell you, from personal experience, that if you determine to view each day as a gift, you can say “Thank God for today!” Then you don’t need to wait for Friday to come, in order for the positive emotions, that accompany a grateful heart, to bless your today, and make you more joy filled! If you refocus on all the Jesus Occupies You promises, J.O.Y. will actually fill your heart.

Celebrate Jesus Today!
Make Jesus Lord of your life!
Celebrate the wonder of the Son of God IN your life!
Celebrate You Are IN Jesus Christ!
Rejoice!

Jesus Occupies You!

SoJourner

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