The Kingdom Is Righteousness, Peace and Joy!

Wow! The Kingdom is distinguished by the emotions of peace and joy! And I was taught to shy away from emotions as being unreliable! 

The kingdom of God is...righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)

I wonder if I need to reevaluate how important and healing emotions can be?

Living With Stress Is a Killer

The research is in. Stress is a killer. Hundreds of articles and studies show that ongoing stress damages our health. Here is one Documentary Which Examines How Stress Kills. To highlight a couple of points, he lists 12 of the most common health conditions that are caused by or worsened by stress, and then provides 10 ways to reduce stress. He suggests several things which we as Christians can readily embrace: fun, laughter, music, nature, exercise, biblical meditation and social connectedness. No reason not to do them all!

I am convinced that good health begins, continues and ends with a healthy spirit. Health begins on the inside and works its way out. A healthy spirit is one full of faith, hope, love and the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23). 

So living in the kingdom means I live in righteousness. I understand that to mean I put on Christ's garment of righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30). I see myself with His robe of white, and I stand spotless before His throne, based on the finished work of Calvary (Isa. 61:10).

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal. 3:27). 

Well, that puts a smile on my face and a joy in my heart and a spring in my step. I stand complete in Christ. He has provided my everything! I trust in Him to watch over me and provide and care for me. Does that bring peace to your heart? It sure does to mine.

So there I have it. My eyes fixed on Jesus, and I am full of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And this becomes a foundation which good health can spring from, and for stress free living.

Journaling About Joy -  By Paul Moore

Lord, why is joy & rejoicing so important in my life?

You will be filled with something. You were not designed as a self-contained vessel. You are not a stagnant pool. You will have something flowing into you.  And out of you. Joy is the currency of Heaven. Joy is Heaven touching Earth in and thru my people. I am Love.  I am also Joy. Joy is a reflection of me. I am not a stoic. Ha! I am never wringing my hands, worried about what is going to happen on earth or in heaven. It's not just that I have it all under control, though that's true. I shine brightly in every dark place.

So when you experience and exude joy, and love, you are experiencing and exuding Me - drinking and leaking. You can carry me into a room when you are full of joy. You can bring my presence to a cashier or a family member or a tense situation. You can overcome the darts of the enemy thru joy.You will be strengthened by joy. Joy brings health.

My Confession

Lord Jesus, I stand complete in You. Your shed blood has made me righteous. My righteousness is rooted in faith, that You have done it all. You have clothed me with a robe of white, which I proudly wear. I look beautiful in it. I love the way I look. Thank You, Lord. 

Plus You watch over me. You protect me. You care for me. You guide me. You cause all things to work together for good for me. I am secure in Your love and Your grace and Your protection. Thank You, Lord. My joy is complete. I rest in peace seeing You take me daily by the hand and lead me. I am experiencing Your Kingdom in the Holy Spirit.

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