I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgment, so that you will be able to choose what is best. Then you will be free from all impurity and blame on the Day of Christ. Your lives will be filled with the truly good qualities which only Jesus Christ can produce, for the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

When Christians fail to experience real joy it is probably because they suffer from at least one of three "joy stealers": stress, worry, and fear. Stress is intense strain over a situation that we can't control or change. Worry is an inordinate fear about something that may or not happen. Fear is a dreadful uneasiness over danger, evil, or pain.

Give thanks for what you have, just as Paul did. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Whatever causes you worry, stress, or fear cannot ultimately keep God from continuing His work in you. With this confidence we can begin each day knowing that He is in control. We can truly leave everything in His hands.

Happiness depends on happenings; joy depends on Jesus.

Our Daily Bread - February 17, 2003