Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Continuation from Newsletter/Subject:
Expect Gladness!


It is powerful to declare expectations of gladness over 2009. Don't defer your expectations, declare them. What is God's desire for your life? When the Holy Spirit drops His desire into your heart, declare His desire. Make known to yourself and to your circumstances what God's word says. Speak to your mountains but also declare your expectations.

New Year resolutions are powerless but the Word of God is all powerful. Resolutions have limitations, but the Word of God is without limits. God knows how to make you glad. Gladness is His desire for your life. With gladness, the psalmist instructs us to: "Serve the Lord!"

In Psalm One the righteous are compared to a tree planted by rivers of living waters...life-giving waters. The righteous bear fruit in season, our leaf doesn't wither. Whatever we do prospers. God has not only made us righteous by the blood of Jesus, but He has also makes us glad. His gladness is in us.

Because Jesus loved righteousness Hebrews 1:9 says that:
"God anointed him with the oil of gladness."
His anointing is our anointing. Gladness thrives in the lives of the righteous! Expect gladness.

2009 is your year. Paul ran the race for the joy set before him, you can too. There's more than enough gladness to go around to others. Paul writes in II Corinthians 1:24 (amp):
"We work with you as fellowlaborers to promote your joy". How can we promote one another's joy without gladness in our heart? It is the deferring of hope that makes our heart sick! Yuk! A longing fulfilled is a Tree of Life! This "Gladness Anointing" is meant to be shared.

See yourself as God sees you. Always see your circumstances from His perspective. This year train yourself to see things from God's perspective. I dare you to take your 2009 calendars and write boldly across each month:
EXPECT GLADNESS!

GOD BLESS YOU IN THIS NEW SEASON WE CALL 2009.
WITH GLADNESS LET'S PROMOTE EACH OTHER'S JOY!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks Gene for such encouraging words! I plan to keep reading cause encouragement now days seems to be in short supply. Have a blessed New Year!
    Donna

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