Paulette Reed is a powerful preacher, prophetic minister, encourager, administrator and author. She has been an ordained minister for 15 years and is a full-time revivalist/evangelist. Her passion is to share the love of Christ and unite people to the inexplicable love of our Heavenly Father, exhorting them to arise and shine! She is an accurate prophetess the Lord has raised up to bring hope and healing to thousands. In this months devotional, Paulette shares how we can carry and maintain joy and do greater works, even when surrounded by darkness.
Victorious Living
Well, we certainly are seeing a lot of trials and sorrows in the world, aren’t we? Sometimes it can be challenging to keep a positive attitude and trust God in all things. But let’s never forget that Jesus overcame the world and this is not our permanent home; we are just passing through as mists of fog.
Take a look at John 16:33 in the Amplified Bible. “‘I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with JOY]; I have overcome the world.’ [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”
WOW! It sure doesn’t make sense to the finite mind to be filled with joy as trials and sorrows surround us. But for believers who live Spirit-led lives, we know that Jesus always wins, and as we focus on Him, the Victorious One, He continuously leads us to victory.
Supernatural Strength
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) says, “‘Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” This Scripture shows us how serious God is about His supernatural joy. He’s saying that HIS joy is YOUR strength, so we can safely assume that if you lose your joy, you lose your strength. Being in this world, but not of this world, let’s purpose to walk and live in God’s supernatural joy. And, as royal priests, when necessary we can straighten one another’s crowns without anyone even noticing. The world will know we are Christians by our love … and our joy.
How can we maintain joy when we’re surrounded by darkness? Well, Isaiah 60:2 (NIV) gives us a heads-up about darkness covering the earth, but we know that darkness is temporary and we also know that we’re set apart. Isaiah goes on to say, “the Lord rises upon YOU and his glory appears over YOU.” Now, that’s joy appearing right there because God’s glory is all that He has and all that He is. So, even though much in the world seems bleak and many things are abominations to God, there is a day coming when the Bright Morning Star will rule and reign forever. Oh, what a glorious day that will be for all believers. In the meantime, we can rejoice even now as 1 Peter 1:8 (TPT) explains: “You love him passionately although you did not see him, but through believing in him you are saturated with an ecstatic joy, indescribably sublime and immersed in glory.”
The First of Many Miracles
As we carry the Lord’s joy (and strength) and prepare for the greatest harvest of souls the earth has ever seen, let’s ponder John 2:2-11 in our hearts. Here we see Jesus attending a wedding in Cana with His mother and His disciples. The people there run out of wine and Jesus’ mother says, “Can’t you do something about this?” Jesus responds, “Dear woman … my time has not yet come.” Now, Jesus knew that once His time did arrive and He performed miracles, His life would change forever. Mothers can be persistent and very wise [yes, I’m biased]. So, Mary was determined to have this wrong righted at the wedding and she says to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” So, with Mary’s encouragement, Jesus moves ahead and asks the servers to fill six pots (20-30 gallons each) with water. Then He asks them to draw some and take it to the host. The host calls out in John 2:10, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best for last.” Yes, the best joy is being poured out now!
Oh, my friends, there you have it. Running out of wine here represents running out of joy. But listen! The need for restoration of joy became the platform for Jesus’ first miracle. And the restoration of your joy will become the platform for miracles. What a marvelous motivational key for victorious living, knowing that joy and miracles are synonymous. And let’s note in our text that this was the first of many miracles. Jesus’s time did arrive, and He revealed His glory so that many would believe in Him. May the joy and glory of God be revealed in and through you so that many will believe in the Heavenly Bridegroom. May you be filled with new wine and do even greater works as your life is changed forever.
Declarations for You
- The joy of the Lord is my strength
- The Lord leads me to victory.
- I will praise the Lord and be filled with joy (even if I can only whisper “Alleluia”).
- I am the righteousness of Christ.
- I will consider it pure joy when I face trials, because the testing of my faith produces perseverance and when it’s work is finished I will lack nothing.
- God’s joy sets me free.
- I will believe the Lord will do the works He did, and will do even greater things.
Want More? Then May We Suggest:
EXTREME DECREES FOR EXTREME TIMES – Devotional by Paulette Reed, Patricia King, Robert Hotchkin, and others
These prophetic devotions are straight from the heart of God to encourage and strengthen you in challenging times. They will lift you up, build you up, and remind you not only of who your God is, but also who you are with your God! Extreme times call for extreme faith. These prophetic devotions and decrees will empower you as a champion of faith when the world needs you most – right now!
THE HIGHEST OF ALL HIGHS – CD from Patricia King
Jesus Christ is the One who is high and lifted up. And He longs to draw you into that elevated place of bliss and joy that lifts you above the trials and challenges of the world. Many turn to worldly substances to try and make them feel better, but these highs are simply perversions of the true joy, the true bliss, the true high of the Most High! The world’s highs do not bring relief or empowerment – they bring only addiction and destruction. But the ecstasies of God bring joy, bliss, relief, and empowerment. In this message, Patricia King unpacks what the bliss of God looks and feels like, and why He pours it out the way He does!
SEEING MIRACLES– CD from Robert Hotchkin
God is the same for your today as He was for the New Testament apostles. He is the same for you now as He was for Smith Wigglesworth, Kathryn Kuhlman, and the great revivalists. He is the same for you right where you are as He is in Africa, China, South America, and all the places miracles are breaking out around the world. In this message, Robert Hotchkin shares how you can position yourself to see God move in amazing ways in your life. You don’t need to settle for anything less than the miraculous because the fullness of the Kingdom is for YOU and it is for NOW!
We at Patricia King Ministries thank you for your prayers, partnership, and financial support. May you be richly and abundantly blessed. And remember, God loves you with an everlasting love!
