"Blessings Of Joy"

Hello to all (Friends, Followers, Viewers and Visitors) on this beautiful Tuesday morning.
I'm just enjoying the moment!  What about you?
It is good to have, to live and to spread joy.  Did you know that?

I've notice a lot of cards and a lot of home decor with the sentiment "JOY" used on them.  I've used that word also and I'm going to tell you why "Joy" means so much to me:

God is serious about His followers living in joy.  I'm one of His followers.
Joy comes from God.  It was created in the character of God and  was born in the person of Jesus Christ.  The power to choose joy comes from the Holy Spirit.
We are in the season of "joy" at this presence time but some are afraid of  unwrapping that gift that has been given to you.   JOY defined – the inner attitude of rejoicing in one’s salvation regardless of outward circumstances. One of the fruits of a right relationship with God.
Have you ever read these two passages in the Bible?  Rejoice in the Lord – Phil 3:1  and  Be joyful always. (1 Thessalonians 5:16)...  If not, check them out.
 Don’t postpone your Joy and don’t keep waiting to open the gift.

I'm sharing a card with the sentiment "Blessings of JOY".

Supplies used:

• Neenah white cardstock cut at A2 size (4 1/4 by 5 1/2) for base
• blue Recollection cardstock cut 1/8 inch smaller than base
• using Our Daily Bread Designs double stitched rectangles I cut another piece out of the white cardstock
• DP from graphic 45 twelve days of Christmas cut at 3 1/2 by 4 3/4
• cardboard that was whitewashed with gesso, stenciled with patterns and torn paper from my stash
• added birdcage from Recollection;  the little book from Recollection and a K&Company bird
• feathers
• two faux gems
• all were adhered down using adhesive

Where does your joy come from?  Some people think it comes from their pursuit of happiness.  It could but it want last long.  Let me give you an example:  You go out today and buy yourself a new car (your pursuit of happiness).  Your payment doesn't start until thirty days later.  By that time your happiness is all gone.  It has vanished.  It is all dried up. 

 Believe me when I tell you that this  is not the joy I'm trying to express to you today. 

 Joy that God gives will last until he calls you home.  That is the kind I want you to get.  

 Ephesians 5:15-20:

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sending you a hug, JOY and LOVE,

Lois