Table of Contents

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 1

THE JOY GOD CAN GIVE you enables you to be happy even if things aren’t perfect in your earthly situation, because it reaches beyond that. God promises that things will turn out all right in the future, and that He has strength available for you in the present.

God wants to help you be happy even if things aren’t perfect yet and all the physical circumstances aren’t lined up. His joy can allow you to be happy and praiseful because it comes from the highest heavens, way, way beyond any of these earthly problems. Jesus is our bridge, our door to that world of happiness.

To have this joy, it’s vital to see today in the context of all eternity, not letting the little things that happen here and now have so much of an influence on our happiness and peace. Today’s problems become small compared to the eternity of good that can await us with Jesus.

Day 2

WE SOMETIMES FEEL THAT we can’t be joyful unless all our problems are gone. The minute something negative crops up, it pokes a pin in our joy balloon and we feel that the joy is gone. But God’s spiritual joy is based on so much more than that. We can be happy during the rainstorms of life because we know that above the clouds the sun is still shining.

Start looking for the things in each day that He brings along to make you happy, to give you pleasure or enjoyment or satisfaction or contentment. God wants to see you enjoying these gifts and taking pleasure in every blessing that He’s given. But He also wants to teach you about a more permanent joy, a more lasting happiness that isn’t dependent merely on earthly things.

God wants you to be happy. And nothing in your circumstances needs to change before you can start. All you have to do is accept the joy He wants to give you, accept His promises, claim them, and change your perspective. And that can happen instantly, the minute you reach out with faith and believe.

Day 3

EACH OF US IS A RECIPIENT of God’s love and care. Developing an attitude of gratefulness to God builds within us an attitude of gratefulness for life and for all that it brings our way. When we take a moment to stop and look around, when we see the birds, the sky, the view, the flowers, the greenery, when we reflect on the things we enjoy—the love that we have and that we share with others —we find plenty of reasons to be grateful. It’s not surprising that there is so much in the Bible about gratitude and thanksgiving.

Gratitude causes us to focus on all the wonderful things that we have instead of what we think we’re missing or haven’t yet received. Recognizing that we have so much, and focusing with gratitude on that abundance, opens the door for more of God’s blessings to come into our lives.

Day 4

DO YOU KNOW WHO THE happiest people are? Those who have the courage to be themselves, just the way God made them, rather than try to be something they're not in order to fit in or impress others.

God loves you the way He made you, and you're beautiful in His eyes. We're all unique and special. In His eyes there is no ugliness, no matter what we look like.

A Prayer for the Day

Heavenly Father, You could have made me perfect according to my standards or someone else's, but You didn't. Instead, You made me just the way You wanted me—perfect according to Your standard. To doubt that is to doubt Your love, but to realize that is to find perfect peace, security, and rest in Your love. Thank You!

Day 5

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

The ability to look on the bright side is a gift. It enhances your happy times and makes the difficult times more bearable. It's the gateway to greater joy, which is one of the many treasures you found when you found Me. Love, faith, peace, joy—these and many more are My gifts to sustain and inspire you.

I want you to partake of My full joy,but there is something you must do before this can happen: You must accept who and what you are and believe that you were created this way for a wonderful purpose, that you were endowed with a unique set of gifts, talents, and attributes that will help you find and fill the special place in this world that only you can fill.

I give you the gift of joy to alleviate heartache; I give you happiness to dry your tears;I give love to cast out fear.The outlook brightens the moment you remind yourself that My love and care are constants and I can bring something positive from whatever problem threatens to drag you down.

Day 6

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

Every day is filled with things to praise Me for. Some are obvious, others are veiled; some are spectacular, others are disguised as common occurrences or even problems. Yet everything that comes your way is meant to be received with praise and thanksgiving. As the apostle Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV)

You can give thanks for each situation, because I can bring good out of each situation. (Romans 8:28) Even when the outlook is bleak, you can thank Me that I am in control. And because I love you and look out for you, you can be sure that everything that comes your way fits within My plan.

The more you recognize My hand in everything that happens and thank Me for that, the more inspiration and joy and passion for life you will find. It will show in the way you relate to others, and in the way you react to circumstances and events. It will show in your attitude, in your decisions, and in your actions. You will be more positive, more proactive, and more productive. You will be happier and will make others happier in the process.

Day 7

I LOVE YOU, JESUS, for who You are—my Savior, and the Bright and Morning Star. I love You for what You are—the light of the world and the hope of my life. I love You for where You are—with me always, inside my heart.

I love the way You speak—so soothingly, so lovingly, so freely. I love the way You listen—so eagerly, so attentively, hearing and attending to my every prayer. I love the way You care for me—providing my needs and even my wants when You know they're good for me.

I love the way You can look into my heart and see my innermost desires, my secret longings, my hidden wishes, and make them come true. You see the longings of my spirit—some of which never even reach my heart or mind before You fulfill them, because You know better than I do what I need and what is good for me. And when my heart is overwhelmed within me, in the midst of sorrows, Your comforts delight my soul.

Day 8

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

Positiveness lifts your spirit. It's a law of both the natural and spiritual realms that when you dwell on the good, then good surrounds you. When you think positive thoughts, speak positive things, and take positive action, you feel better and things generally work out better. Praising Me accelerates that positive cycle because it not only helps you to think on the good, but it moves you out of the physical realm with all of its limitations into the spiritual realm, where all things are possible.

Praise brings you closer to Me. When you praise Me, it opens and strengthens our connection. That enables Me to speak to you more clearly so I can help put things in perspective. Praise puts you on My wavelength, receiving My vibes. It opens a channel in the spirit through which I can pour out My blessings upon you.

Praising Me reminds you that only I am capable of solving your problems. It also tells Me that you're trusting Me and My power to bring victory.

Day 9

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

Praise activates your faith. It pleases Me and moves Me to answer your prayers, but it also encourages you and causes you to see beyond your request and present circumstances, to focus instead on the fulfillment.

Praise brings so much of My Spirit and so many of the fruits of My Spirit into your life, particularly the gifts of faith and positiveness, and those put you in line for healing, good health, and miracles of all sorts.

Focus on the good, no matter how bad the situation seems to be. Praise Me for all the wonderful things I have done for you in the past. Praise Me for the good that you can imagine Me accomplishing through this. Once you start praising Me more, you'll realize how much there is to praise Me for. Praise will turn your times of trouble into times of triumph.

Day 10

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

The happiness I offer isn’t dependent on circumstances, which change like the weather. Rather, it’s determined by My presence and My promises, which never change. Circumstances don’t change eternal realities.

“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, KJV). You can’t avoid the problems of life altogether, but you can rise above them. You can’t have everything I have promised and planned for you just yet, but you can have a foretaste anytime, anywhere. I can lift your spirit out of the earthly dimension, where happiness is fragile, and into the heavenly realm, where it is rock solid. The more time you spend with Me and My words, soaking up My love and getting My perspective on life, the better you will be prepared for its inevitable ups and downs, and the happier you will be.

Day 11

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

Many people, when faced with a negative situation, feel justified in complaining and dwelling on the negative. Others have discovered the power of positive thinking and use it, but they don't understand that the good results of positive thinking are part of the spiritual principle of praise, that praising Me for My goodness brings down My blessings. The power of positive thinking is multiplied when turned into praise, but because many don't know they should bring Me into their positive thinking, they're only scratching the surface.

Your bodies are built to respond vibrantly to positive thinking, and praise is the ultimate form of positive thinking. When you praise Me even in the midst of seemingly dark circumstances, you're initiating a reaction that will actually make you feel good physically and will give you extra strength to persevere. But that's just the beginning, because at the same time, in the spirit, you're pleasing Me by telling Me that you appreciate My blessings in spite of the negative; that you have faith that I'll work it out and continue to take care of you. That results in My increased blessings in your life.

Day 12

PRAISE IS A FORM OF love. It's us telling God how much we love Him and how thankful we are for all He does for us. So when we turn our attention from the business of the day to focus on the spiritual and the needs of our spirit, what is the first thing we should do? Praise God for His goodness. "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4, KJV). Praise opens a channel to the heavenly realm.

Praise benefits both parties. Not only does God love praise, but praising Him puts things in proper perspective for us as well. When we pause to consider God's love and all that He's already done for us, it changes our outlook; it clears our mind, relieves stress, and refreshes our spirit—and the benefits don't stop there. We don't just praise our way to peace of mind, body, and spirit; we also praise down more tangible blessings of God in the form of answers to our prayers. The blessings come down as the praises go up!

Day 13

THANK YOU, DEAR JESUS, that You're the greatest problem solver. You came to solve mankind's biggest problem—our need for salvation, to be freed from having to pay the price for our sins. But You didn't stop there. During Your earthly life You solved so many other problems. When there was no wine at the wedding, You created more wine (John 2:1-11). When people came to You with their health problems, even ones they'd had for many years, You healed them (Matthew 12:15; Luke 4:40). When there was no food for the multitudes You were teaching and everyone was hungry, You multiplied the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:15-21).

And every day You make Yourself available to help me solve my problems. Thank You for that!

Day 14

NO MATTER HOW BADLY things are going or how seemingly hopeless the situation, it is always possible to find something to be thankful for if you look hard enough—not the least of which is that God stands ready to prove Himself a "very present help in time of trouble" (Psalm 46:1, KJV).

That positive, praiseful attitude will lighten your burdens and help you bear them. It brings on inspiration and renewed strength. It gives you wings to rise above your problems and the doubt, fear, and worry that accompany them. It lifts your spirit above the earthly plane and into the heavenlies. Even though it doesn't necessarily remove the problems you're facing, it gives you a much better outlook and perspective on them—a heavenly perspective, infused with faith in the positive outcome God has promised to those who love Him. (See Romans 8:28.)

Day 15

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

When I died on the cross, I paid the price for the sins of the world—including every wrongful deed you have ever committed. And because I did that, whoever believes in and receives Me will live forever—and that includes you too. When you understand what that means, when you realize that all is forgiven, that I love you unconditionally, that I will be there for you through thick and thin, that I will never give up on you, and that no matter what turns this life may take, you can look forward to eternal happiness in a truly perfect world—now that is something to get happy and excited about!

Happiness is knowing that the nagging problems and imperfections of this present world will soon pass away, and then everything will be made perfect in love. You come to that realization by focusing on Me and My power and My promises.

And if you've experienced that joy in the past but somehow lost it, you can regain it the same way. Just think about Me, all I have done for you, and all I have promised you. I told My first disciples, "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11, KJV) and that same joy can be yours.

Day 16

WHEN YOUR HEART IS weighed down with worry, fear, sorrow, or pain, instead of dwelling on your woes, think about Jesus and His love. Count your blessings. If nothing else, you can be grateful for all the other problems you could have but don't, because God has spared you from them.

Look on the bright side. Think on the good things. Thank God for all He has done. Chase away the dark clouds by letting in the light of God's Word, prayer, praise, song. Do anything you can to occupy your mind with positive thinking.

If you're thinking about God's goodness and putting that in the focal point of your concentration, then this pushes the devil and his doubts and lies and fears out of the way. You can't be positive and negative at the same time, so fill your mind with the light of praise to God, and it will push the darkness out.

Day 17

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

When life gets to be too much, when everything around you seems to be falling apart, when you feel that nothing you do helps, what should you do?—Think about Me. Think about how much I love you. Think about My power. Think about all your blessings, and thank Me.

You can praise your way right out of a bad mood! If you thank Me for all the good things in your life, the negative feelings will dissipate.

Let Me change your difficult day into a happy one. You can always find something to thank Me for. Praise Me for one thing, and you'll usually be reminded of another, and another. Happiness will find you as you focus on Me and on the positive.

Day 18

JESUS, I CAN BE THANKFUL even for the struggles in my life and the things that are difficult, because they force me to turn to You for help and You always give me the answers. You make things so clear and easy to understand. All I have to do is turn my heart to You and receive.

Without difficulties, disappointments, and failures I wouldn't have come to know Your compassion, Your understanding, and Your forgiveness, and I wouldn't be able to pass them on to others.

Thank You for all the things You bring my way to keep me humble and make me more dependent on You. Thank You for keeping me close to You. Amen.

Day 19

FROM JESUS WITH LOVE

You can’t make the sun come out on a rainy day, but you can work to change the mood around you.

Most people feel happier and are more upbeat on a warm, sunny day than on a stormy one. You can warm and encourage the people around you by the sunny “rays” or good vibes you send their way. But if you’re carrying around a cloud of problems and woes, you’re likely to create a “pressure system” that will dump rain and dampen and darken the day for everyone around you.

So carry a warm, sunny atmosphere with you wherever you go. Let the sun of your happy smile shine on others and cheer them up. And in times when you don’t feel happy—when you’re under pressure or you feel like you’re under a big cloud yourself—call on Me to drive away the clouds and shine the light of My love on you instead.

The sun is always shining where I am. I always have plenty of warm rays to send your way, and I want you to soak them up and reflect them to others. Let’s make some nice weather!

Day 20

DEAR JESUS, YOU ARE the joy and rejoicing of my heart, the sunshine of my soul. Thank You for opening the windows of Heaven upon my life and causing Your light to burst forth. I want to always keep my eyes on You, so Your power of love can shine brighter and brighter in me, while the things of the world grow dimmer and dimmer. Jesus, You're the light of my life!

You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of your own house,

letting them drink from your river of delights.

For you are the fountain of life,

the light by which we see.

(Psalm 36:6-9, NLT)

Day 21

WHEN YOU'RE STUCK IN a situation that's not to your liking, you'll be amazed sometimes at what a little positiveness can do. It's only natural to see all the things that are wrong with the situation, or to remember all the times you had it better, or to look at those who currently seem to have it better, but you're not going to be happy that way. You will be happy, though, if you decide that you're going to be thankful for what you have, rather than dwelling on what you don't have.

When you look for the good in a situation and focus on that, the things that you don't like about it fade into the background. The circumstances may not have changed a bit, but if you change your attitude, it will be as if the circumstances have changed too, because your perception of them will be different.

Day 22

THE BIBLE SAYS, "IN everything give thanks; for this is the will of God,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV) and we are invited to enter into God's presence with praise and thanksgiving. (Psalm 100:4) When you stop to think about all that God has given you, doesn't it make you want to express your gratitude?

But you may wonder how you should thank Him. You may not know how to put your thanks into words, or maybe you feel your words aren't eloquent enough. Take heart. God isn't looking for carefully crafted or perfectly articulated expressions of gratitude. He delights in hearing heartfelt thanks, with words that may be many or few, lofty or simple, flowing or halting. God sees the praise in your heart and translates it into poetry set to beautiful melodies.

Day 23

THANKSGIVING IS PRIMARILY a North American holiday, celebrated in the U.S. in November and Canada in October, but it would be nice if the whole world would designate a day to reflect on and thank God for His goodness. Our Creator has bestowed so many gifts on humankind. He gave us the gift of life and a marvel-filled world to spend it in, replete with an endless variety of beauty and beautiful experiences. As the Bible says, God has made everything beautiful for its own time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT)

He has given us the love of family and friends, and every joy that we experience. Not only has He given us the gift of life as we know it, but He has promised that our souls will outlive this earthly existence. He offers us a future in eternity through His Son, Jesus Christ.

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Text copyright Activated magazine. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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