I think one of the hardest things to do in life is to live with joy in the midst of trials and challenges.

It's so easy to let life dictate to us our emotions and state of being.

But in God, there is a joy available to us right where we are,

no matter how good or bad the situation may be.

Today, we're going to make space together

to simply open our hearts and minds

to receive the joy of the Father.

I hope and pray that you find real life-changing joy in God's presence today.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast. Our scripture for today, our scripture for today comes from Psalm 126 verses 5 through 6, which reads,

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.

He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home

with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. The joy of the Lord available to us in the Holy Spirit

transcends all circumstances, relationships,

and possessions. It is an internal joy fed to our hearts by the wellspring of joy the Father

has toward us. God longs to make us a people marked by his joy. He longs to fill us. God longs to make us a people marked by his joy. He longs to fill us with the knowledge

of how thrilled he is to be our father. He longs to make us a joyful people in every circumstance

and season.

1 Peter 1, verse 6 through 9 says,

in this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary,

you have been grieved by various trials,

so that the tested genuineness of your faith,

more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

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