THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: JOY
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
My Brothers & Sisters,
Given the onslaught of recent memories of past pain (Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, etc.), you need to know that joy is yours to have. The bible lets us know that joy is a fruit of the spirit. According to Galatians 5:22 joy is more than a particular attitude or disposition, it is a gift from God. One can always measure the value that one has for the Gift-Giver by the way you treat the gift. Today, make up in your mind to embrace joy the way that God intended for us to receive it.
As well, know that joy is not indicative of your surroundings nor your situation. It has absolutely, positively nothing to do with how happy you feel. Happiness is dictated by your sensual perception but joy is directly connected to an outward expression of an inner reality- a relationship with Christ. This is the reason why we can proclaim with assurance, "Count it all joy!" Once you receive the gift of joy from God, your perspective changes. You readily understand that Romans 8:28 is correct- "all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord, who are the called according to His purpose."
Believer of the most High God, realize that trials and tribulations come to make you strong. They teach you endurance and how to pray. They develop your character. If you are to become pure gold, you must go through the fire. You can not go under it, over it, or around it but you must go through it. As you go through that particular trial on today, go through with a made-up mind that you will have joy in the midst of the storm. How can we go through tough problems with joy? It's simple. We serve a God that is never caught off guard by the events of life or actions of others. Tough problems won't always last but tough people do.
Remember, stars do not struggle to shine and rivers do not struggle to flow. There is no need for you to struggle to have joy when God has ordained it for you. Your dreams will not die. Your plans will not fail. Your destiny will not be aborted.
"This joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me and the world can't take it away!"
Prophetess Lauretta

THE FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY First Sunday After Easter
According to Jesus' wish, the Feast of Mercy is to be celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Jesus is showing us the close connection between the Easter mystery of man's Redemption and this feast. The liturgy for this day extols God most fully in the mystery of His mercy.
The Feast of Mercy is to be not only a day designated for the singular worship of God's Mercy , but also a day of grace for all people, particularly for sinners. Jesus attached great promises to this feast, the greatest of which is connected with the reception of Holy Communion on that day. It is the promise of complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. In other words, this grace is equal only to the one we receive in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The greatness of this feast lies also in the fact that everyone, even those who are converted that very day, may obtain any grace for the asking, if what they ask for be compatible with God's will.
Want to Know what Christmas is ----
http://www.interviewwithgod.com/christmasis/
Merry Christmas
God is a merciful God! We thank you for your mercy, & loving kindness in spite of our human frailty Lord. I pray that the joy of this Christmas season is felt by all, amen.
diamondspd723 london ,
Thank you for your prayers and your ideas to help me in our situation. I have contacted one Mega church and one local church and the Mega church didnt reply back at all and the local church redirects you to wellfare dept and unemployment offices. It isnt much more than that they can do as they are a very small (but loving) church. I truly am not looking for a handout because I believe all these prayers by all these wonderful christians have to be heard in Heaven and our Lord will intervene. Just this morning I had a job interview. I do not have the acutal job yet but it is the first interview I have had in a long time. I know I may lose my car and my home before that but I keep telling myself God wouldnt have kept the water running, the car in the garage,and a roof over my head this long and now give me an interview if he doesnt intend on keeping me here! I want you to know that the words you wrote about on this website intitled "fruit of the spirit": JOY are some of the most uplifting words I have read. I turn to it allot when I get down and remember I still have so much to be thankful about even these dark days because they have brought me so much closer to God. Thank you for your prayers and that wonderful "JOY" message. I pray your son and his father are doing well and if you have any other prayer requests..please send them to me. I love to pray for those people who pray for me and are causing God to make such a difference in me. Take care and I thank God for you.
Kim
I Said A Prayer For You Today
I said a prayer for you today,
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He'd be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.
Author Unknown
With love and best wishes, Roxana
May God Bless you
May God grant you always
A sunbeam to warm you
A moonbeam to charm you
A sheltering angel so nothing can harm you
Laughter to cheer you
Faithful friends near you
And whenever you pray
Heaven to hear you
Thank you so much for keeping Jason in your prayers. He is doing fantastic!. Love and best wishes to you and your family. Roxana and Allyson
I have not 'seen' you lately and want to to know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. You have taken the time to pray for Jason continually and we really appreciate that kind gesture. We all hope you are well. Best wishes to you. Roxana
Thank you for sharing your beautiful prayer with us. Best wishes to you. Roxana
Very timely words and beautifully spoken. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings always :-))
Brilliant, profound words, brought forth so perfectly..I Thank you for blessing us with these reminders of God's words.
Peace be with you; and may God be pleased with you. You are in my prayers.
You turned my wailing into dancing;you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. Psalms 30:11,12 (NIV)
Most people in this world are seeking happiness, but few seem to realize that what they really need is the spiritual quality of joy. Happiness is a fleeting thing which depends on the actions and attitude of others and the circumstances of life. Joy comes from God; it enters the inner being and remains there in all of life's situations as God's Spirit ministers to the person's spirit.
Joy Is one of the fruits of the spirit. I speak and pray that I have the joy of the Lord in my life everyday and Lord, this day I add diamond (Prophetess Lauretta) to my prayers. Give her the joy of the Lord in her life everyday. The Joy that comes from You alone, that nobody or no circumstances can take away. In the power and mighty name of Jesus. AMEN
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS TRULY MY STRENGTH I LOVE THAT SCRIPTURE. THANK YOU PROPHETESS FOR ENCOURAGEMENT.THE LORD SHALL TRULY INCREASE YOU{ 1 CHRN4:10} AND YOUR TERRITORY,ABUNDANTLY BLESS YOU, EYES HAVE NOT SEEN NOR EARS HAVE HEARD. MANY WILL BE BLESSED BY YOU WOMAN OF GOD. I SEE A MOVE FOR YOU DAUGHTER .THANK YOU LORD ,THANK YOU, GLORY. IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Amen Amen Amen. You brought that song to my mind. Im encouraged.
Thank you so much for this. I need to be reminded of this every day. Your encouragement is a blessing and I thank God for you.
Heavenly Father, whatever it is my sister needs right now, I ask you to search her heart, know her and provide in a miraculous way. Today, please greet her with your love and joy, and instill in her a sense of peace and wellbeing. Please make her stronger, wiser and bring her still closer to you. Please bless all her relationships, and cover her and her son with your favor. Please let your light so shine from her words and actions that others would recognize and respect her and treat her as a child of the King. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.