CHOOSING JOY

Luke 1:46-47, "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

LUKE 1:39-56

Here, Mary makes a very clear distinction between her soul magnifying the Lord and her spirit...

STRESS CAN COME IN MANY FORMS, SOME WORSE THAN OTHERS.  YOU MIGHT THINK IT IS STRESSFUL WHEN YOU ARE LATE GETTING TO A PARTY OR THE TRAFFIC IS BAD AND YOU ARE RUNNING LATE FOR WORK.  WHAT IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR JOB AND YOU HAVE NO MONEY FOR RENT OR TO BUY FOOD FOR THE KIDS?  THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE STRESS LEVELS,  RIGHT?

 IT CAN GET UGLY BUT, PRAISE GOD, WE HAVE A WAY OUT.  MATTHEW 11:28-30 SAYS "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  AND 1ST PETER 5:6-7 SAYS "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."    

WE CAN CAST ALL OUR CARE UPON JESUS.  DOESN'T THAT SOUND BETTER THAN TRYING TO HANDLE THINGS BY YOURSELVES?  JUST ALWAYS...