We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways].  -Romans 6:4

How does the fervor, or intensity, of your faith today compare to what it was when you first became a believer? Oftentimes when we first become a believer of Jesus, there is a lightness and joy that is present in our life. For those that have been believers for some time, is that still present in your life? Do you still experience that lightness and that joy? If not, what is keeping you from experiencing that on a daily basis? We should be maturing in faith as we mature in life but that doesn’t mean that we should accumulate burdens that weigh us down. There will be things that burden us greatly as God opens our eyes to certain things as we progress in faith but we are not to take that all on ourselves, we are not designed to carry those burdens but instead we are to pray about it in order to give power of deliverance to the situation, but then leave that burden with God to where you are still experiencing the lightness and joy of God’s presence. Whatever you are carrying today, unload it. Take in life around you. Experience, once again, the joy that only God can bring you. 

“Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God.”

“The Bible teaches us that true joy is formed in the midst of the difficult seasons of life.”  -Francis Chan

Dad Joke of the Day:

Fun Fact: The sun is approximately seven CVS receipts from the earth. 

Have a great Friday and amazing weekend!