“For you will go out with JOY and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you. And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands!” Isaiah 55:12

Atmospheric Change

 I have a normal routine each day of getting up, getting my coffee, and having some quiet time in the Word and prayer. Then I take a short walk while listening to worship music, and then I get ready for work and go off into the day. I pray that I will be effective for the Lord, but feel cranky and ineffective. How can I take His JOY with me and be contagious for His kingdom? Even though I spend time in prayer and worship and in the Word, why am I not joyful?

Attitude is everything. When I’m self-centered, and not open, and not trusting the Lord in the change-ups, I fail miserably. I think I start the day with His Joy, but I’m so quickly turned. Help me, Jesus!

Jesus says in John 16:24, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your JOY will be full.”

 My prayer is for His joy to radiate from me, that I might be contagious for His Kingdom. I can’t openly preach at work, but I can certainly give words of encouragement and pray. And when people ask the reason for the hope and JOY I have, I can be ready to give an account of my Savior’s love.

There are many, many verses about JOY in the Bible and the Lord’s desire for us to live and abound in His Joy. This can change the atmosphere! Like a breath of fresh air, the Holy Spirit’s presence is welcomed and enjoyed and it grows.

Romans 14:17 says, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit.”

 I desire an atmospheric change in my life so that the Lord can work through me to others, and I believe this is His way: through JOY. I’m confessing the irritants, distractions, and interruptions that I allow to steal this JOY. This involves being vulnerable and willing even when I don’t want to do something. I need to trust the Lord and focus on the reason I live—and that in Him, I “live and move and have my being” (Acts 17:28).

How about you? Don’t you want to change your world for Christ? Let’s do it by being filled with His joy, sharing His love and grace to a very needy world.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Dear Lord, we desire to represent You well. Please fill us with the joy of the Holy Spirit that we may go out with joy and be led out in peace, knowing the trees are clapping their hands towards You—changing the atmosphere for Your glory. In Jesus’ name.”