A joy that no one can take away!

There is no point beating around the bush, so I'll come straight to the point. I have an announcement to make... my blog has a new design and a new title! *not that you probably haven't noticed of course by now*. I'd like to say a big  'Thank you' to Hannah from Beauty Designs Studio for her hard-work and all the effort she put into this design!! I must say I was quite picky with the shades and colours and things like that, but she was so helpful and reworked details and backgrounds and stuff like that in the design more times than I care to count, without a hint of annoyance (and quickly too!). And I tell you something? I am absolutely delighted with my new design... do you like it, my dear viewers?! If you want a new look for your blog, and are thinking of getting your blog professionally (and beautifully) designed at an affordable price, why don't you head over to Hannah Beasley's Beauty Design Studios at www.beautydesignstudios.com? You won't regret it =).  Again, Hannah, thank you so much!!

Lately I knew I wanted to have a new title to my blog, but I was unable to think of one. But as the Lord has been guiding me and showing me things in His Word, I've been meditating on the verse in Psalm 16, where, with the help of my family, I got the title of my blog from.

"You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 16: 11 NKJV

Right now, I really don't have the time to share all that is in my heart to share about this verse and how it has inspired and challenged me in my own life, but all I want to say for now is... you all probably know my name is Joy :), and as to my temperament, I am generally a very happy person which ironically matches my name. Life is just full of so many joys, laughter and happiness.... wouldn't you agree? And yet, it is also filled with so much sorrow and sadness, pain and sin. Life can be really difficult to understand, especially when you're hurting and when you find that you CANNOT BE HAPPY OF YOURSELF! I've often felt that I couldn't be happy... I couldn't be a 'joy' to others, to the Lord, or be joyful myself. My selfishness, my sins, the troubles and sorrows around me, would rob me of any happiness in life... 

Through the years, the verse in Psalm 16 has become very dear to me... the Lord showed (and is still showing) me how there can never be true joy in life apart from Him. It is in His Presence that there is fullness of joy. And that 'joy' is unlike anything the world offers... it is a joy, oh far more precious! It is a joy that comes from abiding and living in the Presence of our beloved Saviour, in repentance (which is the joy-filled life!). Jesus said “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15: 11 NKJV) It is the joy of the Lord. During this season, there is a sense of celebration and jollification, but right now you and I may be suffering or hurting... or maybe, just struggling with doubts and don't feel any joy, or anything of that kind of happiness of the world that is cheap and so transient. But there is a joy far greater, true joy... and you know what? That joy, no one... NO ONE! can take away from us, even in the midst of weeping and great inner turmoil and darkness. Jesus promised us His joy...

"Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy... Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."
John 16: 20, 22 NKJV

No one can take that away. Seeking the Lord Jesus, dwelling in His Presence, that's where there is 'fullness of joy' and inner peace. That's the desire of my heart. To dwell in His Presence and abide in Him. A part of abiding in Him, dwelling in His Presence is listening to His voice and obeying. When we stop choosing our own way, and the passing "pleasures of this world", "He will show us the path of life..." and in abiding in Him, then there is true fulfillment and joy in life. Oh! May we seek His Presence- for in His Presence is fullness of joy!