180 SECRET - I CHOOSE JOY!

TEAM 180:

Have you ever had something tragic happen in your life? Maybe you lost a loved one?
Maybe someone walked out on you and the kids. Maybe your son or daughter has a genetic chromosome defect. Maybe you have a child that has overdosed and died.

180 SECRET - I CHOOSE JOY!

Job had some tragedies in his life. He had a wife that hated him and his God. She ended up leaving him.

Job had kids that partied 24/7 so he had to perform sacrifices every morning to ask God to Forgive them. He also lost all of his wealth during the "Great Fire."

Job lost his kids, his wife and everything he owned in one day.

180 SECRET - I CHOOSE JOY!

Job was Prepared to be Prepared for these unfortunate events in his life. Job never Cursed or Blamed God.

Job chose Joy! What is Joy?

Joy is an inner Peace that only comes from outside of time. Joy is something that is Created out of Nothing to give to those Created out of something. Joy knows that God has everything under His control.

Happiness is based on circumstances while Joy is above Circumstances.

Joy is knowing that God works everything out for Greatness to those that Love Him and are living a Motivated Life for Him. Romans 8:28

180 SECRET - I CHOOSE JOY!

Friends, Let's face it Life is rough at times. Sometimes these events are spread out and other times they pile up all at the same time.

Rick and Kay Warren had not heard from their son in a while which was unusual. They had a feeling something was wrong so they went to his house.

When they drove up they saw his car and knew he was home. However this time things seemed different. He didn't come out to meet them on the driveway.

Rick and Kay looked at each other as they did many years ago when they were young, in Love and newly married.

Rick and Kay looked at each other like they did when their 26 year old son was born.

Rick and Kay looked at each other as they did when their son played sports, had fun at Disneyland...... etc...

Rick and Kay looked at each other as they did when their son Received Jesus Christ and Christ called him to a Purpose Driven Life.

All of these looks happened in what seemed like an Eternity but were just a flash of a second.

As the tears began to role out of their eyes they began hugging each other. They have Hugged each other many times but this hug was different. This is the hug you Fear and Hope will never happen.

Rick and Kay knew that Jesus had come to Rescue their son once again.

This time the Rescue was different. Rick and Kay's son wouldn't be going to Saddleback Hospital in an ambulance. This time Jesus was the Ambulance Driver and He was taking their son to another place that has Streets paved with Gold.

180 SECRET - I CHOOSE JOY!

As all of this was happening here, Jesus saw immediately stood up at the right hand of the Father and said:

"Dad I'm going to Rescue Rick and Kay's son just like I rescued Steven in the Book of Acts. Dad, you know I only Stand Up when my loved ones are in Trouble.

Remember Dad, we only lent him to Rick and Kay for a few short years and now they are graciously giving him back. Dad, can you get his new Mansion that I prepared ready for him?

By the way Dad, Rick and Kay did a Great Job and loved him so much. He was coming home in a few years anyway. He just decided to come home now instead."

As Rick and Kay were crying and hugging each other Kay pulled out her necklace and read the Following Words to her husband:

I CHOOSE JOY! I CHOOSE JOY!

When Life deals you a raw hand
I CHOOSE JOY!

When someone wrongs you
I CHOOSE JOY!

When Depression wants to take you
I CHOOSE JOY!

There are always questions of Who, What Where, When, Why?

We don't always know What!
We don't always know Where!
We don't even know When!
We definitely don't know Why!

However we do know Who!

Who is all you need to Know because Who has the Universe Under Control!

God wants you to Cry, Weep and Mourn. In fact the Word tells us He Weeps with you.

"The Lord has put my tears into His Bottle and they are in His Book." Psalm 56:8

Who Keeps your Tears when they evaporate into thin air? That's right Who!

Remember, Who Cares!

180 SECRET - I CHOOSE JOY!

Just Keep Going!

Rick