It’s audio devo day! Are you in need of some strengthening for your spirit? Some encouragement and uplifting? Then get ready for it! Holy Spirit has something special for you right here:
(Blessed by this? Know someone else that needs this encouragement boost today? You can either share today’s blog link with them, or look up my Feeding on Jesus podcast for sharing and subscribing. You’ll find it on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and most other podcast platforms, with episodes identical to these!)
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“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8, ESV, emphasis mine).
I had a dream a year and a half ago that I want to share with you today. In it, my husband and I were invited to go through a large store and pick out everything we wanted. The shopping spree was to cost us nothing. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, selecting a large pile of products. Then the store surprised us, adding an enormous mound of additional merchandise onto what we had already chosen. Our mouths were hanging open with amazement and glee as we departed with our new blessings.
I believe this dream was a symbolic representation of the principle we find in these Scriptures:
“For all things are yours: whether… the world or life or death, or things present or things to come — all are yours” (1 Cor. 3:21-22, NKJV).
“…You are always with me, and all that I have is yours” (Luke 15:31, NKJV).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3, NKJV).
In short, everything that God owns (which is everything), He has made ours. We are co-heirs with Christ. He invites us to freely enjoy the lavish storehouses of spiritual blessings that He has made available to us. Come and buy! His Spirit says to ours, Without money and without price! Come to the waters…
There is one detail of this dream that I still need to share with you. As I walked through the store, I came to a display of a beautiful decorative sword. I pulled it from its sheath and laughed with delight when I read its inscription: “Joy will pierce your enemies every time!” This engraved message also included an emblazoned image of a sword shining gloriously. I eagerly selected this item for my own.
Joy. Joy is one of the extravagant spiritual blessings available to us in the heavenly places. Joy that bubbles up from within. Joy that is completely unrelated to our external circumstances. Joy! Since I had that dream, I have pondered the message Holy Spirit inscribed on that sword for me. It’s clear what He was communicating. Joy is a mighty weapon of war. Joy will pierce our enemies. Not just occasionally… but every single time!
Real, unadulterated joy comes from knowing – deep in your heart – Whose you are and Who it is that loves you with an everlasting love. This was the foundation of Jesus’ ministry here on the earth. Before He even launched into His mission, He heard these words from the deepest core of the Father’s heart: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus received this message into His very depths. Everything He did in those following three and a half years flowed out of this profound heart knowledge. He ministered healing and salvation to the world out of the place of His belovedness. This is how He intends for us to function in our roles in life too: out of the deep heart knowledge of our own belovedness in Him.
When you become a child of God who Knows this Knowledge, in the inmost parts of you, your life will be marked by joy. You know what else? This joy is your victory. This joy will pierce your enemies every time.
This kind of joy is available to you. It’s included in the Father’s sweeping proclamation, “All that I have is yours.” Jesus bought this joy for you with His own blood. Come to His superstore. Enjoy a glorious shopping spree without money and without cost. Select this inheritance as your very own. As you do so, He will add onto you exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ask or imagine. Just remember to hold nothing back as you pick out your purchases in the heavenly places. The bill is on Him.
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What do you think – is joy really possible in 2020?
Feeding On Jesus 
I believe JOY is ours, as children of God, for the asking, despite the circumstances of our life or the condition of this world. This Joy will pierce the hearts of our “enemies”! I have often asked the Lord, who are my enemies? Who is our “neighbor”? Who is our brother? I know many who as these same questions. I must admit, I am not without doubt in my own answers. Can there be enemies of God and our own enemies? Satan and his followers are definetely our and GOD’S enemy. Someone who comes up against us for harm, may well be blinded to the truth, yet the joy of the Lord may set them free of darkness. I do not mean to go another direction with these comments but feel led to bring them into view. In this present age and time in which we live, there is much to distract us from what God is speaking to our hearts. His Word and Spirit, I believe will fill up with the joy you speak of and therefore keep us from drifting into doubt and fear and unbelief. In His Name Always Len Wisniewski
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Good food for thought, Len. When I think on your question, two sets of enemies come to mind: those described in Ephesians 6 that belong to the spiritual realm, and then the second group would be those who mistreat us, which Jesus referred to when He said, “Love your enemies.” I believe that my dream was specifically addressing the first kind of enemy, our spiritual foes :). Although, that is true, that seeing real joy on display in our lives could also pierce the hearts of those who mistreat us, that they might turn and know the Savior who gives us supernatural joy in the midst of adversity!
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YES, my JOY is every single morning spent in HIS word and having more time than I have ever had to read the BIBLE. I know this time is priceless! WE are HIS beloved and HE loved us while we were still sinners! The world doesn’t understand this kind of love, but we as HIS children do. And oh, what a JOY that is to know!!
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It really is inexpressible and full of glory, isn’t it, my sister? Oh how lovely He is! ❤ 🙂
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Honestly, there are no words for HIS comfort and peace just knowing that HE is in control right now, even in the midst of all our chaos!
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Sooooo true. My heart is so deeply grateful!
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Beautiful post Jennifer and wonderful comments above. This is the TRUTH of our 2020 lives as Believers in the ONE who came to save us ALL. The SWORD of the Spirit of GOD …….WORD OF GOD. shining as bright as gold but with LOVE its LIGHT and JOY its FLAME, truly beloved the JOY of the Lord is our STRENGTH. …….at any age in all circumstances. Thank you. Thank you all for your sharing.
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“Shining as bright as gold but with LOVE its LIGHT and JOY its FLAME,” SO beautifully expressed, Faye! Thank you so much too!
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Amen! Jennifer, your discussion brings praise to our Holy Father. Indeed, He will provide for our needs. Despite the “gloom and doom” witnessed in today’s world, there are timeless moments of joy. A few may include witnessing something new in His creation, sharing a timely call with a friend or family member, and the daily joy from reading, studying, and writing about God’s Word. God’s peace!
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His peace to you as well, my brother! Those are beautiful examples of His provision of joy. Thank you!
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Thank you Jennifer for this beautiful message this complete my day after having a hard day but at the same time blessed and favor of God he never live us not forsake us, God bless you and your family .
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I am so very glad, Josefina! And it’s SO good to hear from you on here! Amen. He never, ever leaves us, not even for a moment ❤
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Thank you for this post Jennifer! In the natural, I am a pretty low-key individual. God has really been working on me about joy. It was His answer when I asked him how to be more effective in my witness. Love may be primary in the fruit of the Spirit, but joy maintains a close second place! I really have to remember John 16:32-33.
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Sounds like you and I have had a similar challenge, then, my brother. I’ve tended to be pretty serious- natured from childhood. I need Him to keep imparting this gift to me supernaturally!
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Amen
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I loved the audio. May our joy be full.
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Yes Lord, fill us with Your joy! Thank you so much 🙂 Is your name Nomison?
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That’s my Alias..am Simon.
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Great to “meet” you, Simon! I appreciate knowing your name 🙂 🙂
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Incredible words Pata, this is true on so many levels. I am definitely pierced with his joy, he gave me a good pierce right to the heart 😂😂
I also gave you an honorable mention is a post I did as a special thanks for being nominated for an award.
That is a link to the post just so you can see what I mean haha
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You are so very, very kind! And YES, His joy truly is piercing isn’t it my friend? 😀 😀
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Thanks, coming from you this means alot because I often hold you in this reguard to the highest as well, so I am very humbled now pata 😂😂; thank you so much for your adorable commpliment
YES his joy is — AMEN 🎉🤘😂
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You are welcome 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Cherished, my awesome friend 🙏💙😄
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