JOY!

'And you became imitators of us and of the Lord 
when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed 
the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.' 1:6

There was something about these three men,--Paul,
Silvanus, Timothy-- that caught and held the attention
of this fledgling group of believers. I picture the room
as people pour in. I catch the love and joy of these
three teachers. Everyone is talking and laughing,
eager to share and eager to listen.

What is the difference between joy and happiness?
Happiness is tied to "happenstance" and runs on
the surface. But joy runs deep, far below the roaring
waves on the surface. Happiness will not sustain
when times are tough, but joy is birthed from God's
life within, does not change even in the midst of
tears. Persecution came quickly to these young
believers, but through the power of the Holy Spirit,
Paul says they welcomed the message given with
joy.

Readers, pause and ask yourself this question:
'Do I live life from the surface or do my roots go
down deep where joy dwells?'