Blessings In The South

While picking peaches at Oliver Farms the other day, I snapped a few pictures of the sunflower crops growing there. Who couldn't like a smiling sunflower? They are so cheerful and they evoke a sense of joy into the spirit. Paul told us in Galatians 5:22 that JOY is a fruit of the Spirit. I like the way John Macarthur describes joy: It is a happiness based on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities. It is the sense of well being experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the LORD. Joy is not the result of favorable circumstances and even occurs when those circumstances are the most painful and severe. Joy is a gift from GOD, and as such, believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in the blessings they already possess.
Joy isn't the sunflower but a reminder to me that I should have joy in my soul regardless of the "bad day" I maybe having. Joy is about my Salvation that Jesus so freely gave me by dying on the cross. Joy is my Salvation that I have already received, am receiving and will receive when I get to my destination in heaven with my FATHER!!! Thank You Oliver Farms for reminding me of my JOY!!