Most of the time, our emotional happiness is based on our life's circumstances.

As we continue our week on the simplicity of love,

today we'll be taking a look at the joy that comes from living a love-based life.

Once we know that God's love is for us always, unconditionally, no matter what,

our hope is secure and joy is ours for the taking.

May you walk in joy today as you lean into this love-based reality a bit more. Welcome to the First 15 podcast.

In God, we have access to the fullness of joy. In Psalm 1611, David says to God, you make known to me the path of life. In your presence,

there is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. God has set out for us

all a path to the fullness of joy found only in his presence. And that path is marked by love.

We can have joy in and out of every season

because God never stops loving us.

When we base our lives on the love of God

rather than the thoughts, perceptions, and pursuits of the world, we position ourselves

to live filled with the joy that comes solely through the relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1417 says, for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness

and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We have been

ransomed from the ways of this world and brought into the kingdom of our Heavenly Father,

and in this kingdom we discover a wealth of joy found in the Spirit of God dwelling with us.

The Holy Spirit longs to make us a joyful people.

He longs to lead us away from that which would steal our joy and guide us to green pastures

and still waters. But a choice remains constantly before us. Will we choose the stress,

burdens, and insecurities of this world,

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