December 12: NO TEARS!

“Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, ‘Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?’ And I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'” (Revelation 7:13-17)  1. Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because, regardless of any tribulation that I must endure, I am of good cheer! Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). My robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, and I have come through the fire of tribulation without the smell of smoke on them! 2. Today I will appreciate my position before the throne of God here on the earth. I will serve Him DAY AND NIGHT in His temple, before I go to heaven where there will be no day or night. He is dwelling with me, and in me, HERE and NOW! 3. Today I will stand on the promise of Jesus that they who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled! I cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and I am nourished spiritually by the manna from heaven in the person of Jesus Christ. 4. Today I will not be overcome by the heat of the day – the stress, pressure and anxiety that comes from too much responsibility. Jesus’ burden is easy and His yoke is light. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul! 5. Today I will drink from the fountain of living waters – the artesian well of joy that flows in my life, even in the midst of hardship and persecution. With joy I will draw water from the wells of salvation, and I will be happy, even when I shouldn’t be (according to the natural world). My joy comes from a supernatural source and provides me with supernatural strength. 6. Today I will sow in tears so that I can reap in joy! Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. God is wiping the tears from my eyes today! 7. Today I will choose to be happy, and today I will live in the now!

Father, fill my mouth with laughter today. In Jesus’ name, amen.