He Creates Joy

~~~ Isaiah 65:17-21 ~~~Psalm 30 ~~~ John 4:43-54 ~~~

We are at the mid point of our Lenten journey;
 the readings are filled with joy.
Jesus came so that we might have eternal life...
that we might be saved from our own weaknesses.
He indeed came to make all things new.
The old ways were no longer sufficient; he gave us more.
God the Father wanted more for us because he loves us.

Thus says the LORD:
Lo, I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
The things of the past shall not be remembered
or come to mind.
Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness
in what I create...

Wow! There will always be rejoicing and happiness
 in what I create.
Notice he said always,
 not sometimes or occasionally, but always.
In our world today we lose sight of joy.
Happiness is often too hard to grasp, or so we feel.

Jesus is about to be crucified and he wants us
 to find joy in his dying for us.
He wants our laughter and joyful singing rather than our tears.

No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,
or the sound of crying...

He makes all things new in heaven and on earth.
He wants us to look forward to his new creations...
the things of the past remember no more.
His new creation...eternal life...
washes away our past sins.

You changed my mourning into dancing;

O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

It is in dying that he secured for us our heavenly home.
In heaven there is only the glory and joy of God.
There will be no more sadness...no more weeping,
but dancing and singing his praises.

Jesus returns to Cana, where he performed his first miracle
changing water into wine.
This visit would be different;
he was able to grant the healing of the soldier's son.
At the very moment he spoke the words of healing
 the child was given new life.

The father realized that just at that time 
Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”

There was nothing but joy and happiness;
that was the only possible response.

Jesus restored the child's life.
Jesus is our Life.
We are his new creation.
We are constantly given the opportunity to become his new creation .
There is no end to what God can create in our lives.

I invite you to pray that God will open your heart
to become his new creation.
All things are possible with God.
There is still time to have a good Lent.
A Lent where you are changed into a new creation.
It is possible to live in joy.
Blessing come in sharing the joy of the Lord.

Do it today...rejoice in his new creation.

It is you!