All Joy

September 18, 2025

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1:2

There are many occasions in our lives that we would consider as joyous occasions. We have experienced the birth of babies, weddings, gatherings with family and friends that were memorable and joyful. As we recount those joyful occasions in our lives rarely do we attribute joy to the times that we have fallen or times when we yielded to our temptations. There is very little joy when we feel like we have somehow fallen and gotten off track. The Scripture reminds us that, we should count it all joy when we fall into different temptations. I encourage you today to count it all joy when you can fall into temptation, but you learn from the experience that you have had. It is not easy to count things joy when you know you are not where you should be, but when you can see God's hand moving in every situation in your life you can still count it all joy. When you know yourself that you have come closer to God through what you have experienced then you can count it all joy, knowing that you will never fall for what you fell for ever again. Count it all joy knowing that even though you fell, you did not stay down, and The Lord saw you through it all. Count it all joy knowing that God is working something greater in your life, through your fall. It is difficult to count my falls and failures as joy, but I will count them all joy knowing that I am being drawn closer to God because of them. Since I will count it all joy always, I have no doubt, "It's My Year To Get My Thing From My God!"

Prayer:

Lord, I count it all joy knowing that you are with me every step of the way. This day will be filled with your joy because I know you are good and great to me. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen.

Be Inspired, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
Mount Vernon, NY