J oy is   different than happiness.  Joy is internal, joy is everlasting, joy is present through the good times and the bad times.  Joy doesn't come automatically, and it's not something we achieve through habits, performance, or application.  Joy is experienced only through a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ, that means we continue to advance in our personal relationship with Christ.  Joy in Christ provides us with the highest motivation and strength to contribute to society as we exemplify Christ in action, speech, and reaction; serving God and fulfilling His purpose for our lives as a witness of hope to those around us. The book of Philippians is a letter written by the apostle Paul. He begins by expressing his love and joy for the church at Philippi. This church was considered to be a sincere church, which is why they held a special place in Paul's heart. During my study today, I began to focus on this verse: "For God is my witness, how I yearn for yo...

  'For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.' 2 Corinthians 1:12 ESV   My husband and I found ourselves in the emergency room several days into our long-awaited summer vacation. It had been five days since my husband noticed a sore on his leg, he cleaned it out and did his best to take care of the sore, but it quickly evolved into a severe bacterial infection. Had we not sought medical attention, the infection could’ve caused permanent damage to his joints or even worse traveled through his circulatory system causing life threatening sepsis. Four days before leaving for a vacation we planned a year in advance, my husband, Joe, was installing a small sprinkler system. The weeds were quite tall in some places, but he still managed to get it installed prior to our departure. The next day at work he noticed his leg was s...