The Lord has a good life for all of us.  In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end.”

When Jesus won the victory at Calvary and was resurrected, He defeated the devil and won the victory over evil.  In turn, Jesus gave us authority in His name over the enemy so that we could experience a victorious life.  Although we are living in a fallen earth that has yet to be restored, we are instructed and encouraged by many scriptures to enjoy the journey.

John 10:10 –  “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

I John 3:8 –   “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

Psalm 118:23 – “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 9:2 – “I will be glad and rejoice in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Lord Most High.”

Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm 32:11 – “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous, shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.”

James 1:2 – “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

Why are we instructed to count it all joy?  Because the end result is patience and I also believe we have the assurance of victory through Christ.   The main ingredient for having strength is joy.  When you are in Christ, you are on the winning team!  We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.   Revelation 12:11 — “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;… “

You are victorious through Christ because of what He did for you at Calvary and His resurrection.  Likewise, we have been raised from our dead past, our failures and old way of thinking.  You have the mind of Christ.  Our testimony of His faithfulness and declaring His Word over our lives and circumstances brings the victory!

Rejoice, my friend, take joy in the Lord and you will be strengthened.  Look for God’s goodness and rejoice in the Lord always!!

Phil. 4:4 — Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.