21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 7

21 Days to Beat Depression
Written By Carol McLeod
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21 Days To Beat Depression - Day 7

“For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 14:17

One day, during college, I had a very intimidating appointment with the provost of the Christian university that I attended.  I had requested to change my major rather late in my college career, and this great man wanted to make sure that I knew the impact it might have on my ability to graduate on time.  His secretary called the phone in my dorm room and notified me of the day and time that I was to arrive.

As I walked up to the sixth floor of the academic building, my mouth was dry, I was sick to my stomach and my knees were loudly knocking.  What was I thinking?!  How could I presume to make a decision so foolish that the provost was calling me to his personal office?!

When I reached the sequestered area of the building where this great man worked, his secretary escorted me into his prestigious office.  She informed me that he would be in shortly and I could have a seat.

As I looked around his office that day, I saw certificates and diplomas from some of the most celebrated institutions of higher learning of the day.  He had earned more academic degrees in his singular life time than my entire family, including aunts, uncles and cousins, had ever even thought of earning!

But the framed picture that captivated me was not a diploma nor was it a certificate.  It was not a picture of the provost shaking hands with a statesmen or a scholar.  The picture that sent a thrill to the deepest part of my heart was a picture of Jesus ... with His head thrown back in laughter and a contagious smile spread from ear to ear.  Underneath this picture was the scripture, “Your God rejoices over you!”

Did you realize that joy is one of the grand attributes of God Himself?  Joy is an integral part of the character of God.  There is a deep delight in all that He does and a genuine enthusiasm in everything that He undertakes.

What is it that causes God to be filled with joy?  The answer will humble you ... you are what fills the God of the universe with joy!  God rejoices over you just as a young bridegroom rejoices over his precious bride.

God is so glad to have a relationship with you that He is found singing over you!

We serve a God whose very Kingdom is identified with the exclamatory word, “Joy!”  Will you enter into His Kingdom today?  Will you join in the celebration with thousands of saints who have passed before you?  Will you live and dwell in the Kingdom of Joy while you are yet on planet earth?

While your feet  are on earthly soil and you breath the atmosphere of a fallen world, it is time for your heart and your emotions to understand that you are living in the most joyful Kingdom of all... the Kingdom of the One Who rejoices over you!

  • MAKING IT PRACTICAL -

  1. Every day is Thanksgiving in the Kingdom of joy! In your “Thanksgiving Every Day of the Year” journal, make a daily entry of the three things for which you are thankful. Don’t forget that part of the joy of being thankful is sharing those things with others so share it on Facebook or on Twitter with the hashtag “21daystobeatdepression!”

  2. Pray for a person in your life who has wounded you or hurt you. Pray that God will bless this person and heal their soul. Pray that God will put men and women of God in his or her life in order to draw this person nearer to the heart of the Father.

  • DECLARATION-

I declare today that I live in the Kingdom of joy!  I declare that I will bask in the promise that my Father rejoices over me.  I declare that I will join in the celebratory atmosphere of the Kingdom in which I live!

  • PRAYER FOR TODAY -

“Jesus, I love You so much today.  I pray that the joy of Your Kingdom will wash over my life in extraordinary ways.  I pray that I will hear the song of the Father as He sings over my life today.  You are a good God and it is my delight and joy to serve You today!  In the Name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.”

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Carol McLeod
Carol says, “I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus ... passionately addicted to His Word ... and find all of the joy that I need in time spent in His presence." Carol is a Christmas-aholic, loves ACC basketball and the beach! Like all menopausal women, she is overly fond of chocolate and enjoys a good read. She doesn't like cleaning her house and is an expert in carry-out dinners. She hates to shop … loves to jog … and somehow finds time in her busy life to hang out with small children. She is the kind of woman that you could laugh with over lunch, cry with over disappointment and shout with over a victory! But … if you need her official bio … read on! Carol is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. She also hosts highly successful Just Joy! outreaches. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren! Carol has written three books, "Holy Estrogen!", "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart" and "Defiant Joy!" which was released by a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Her teaching DVD, "The Rooms of a Woman's Heart", won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award, for excellence in religious programming. Carol has also been featured on YouVersion (the smart phone Bible app) with several devotionals, including: "For the Journey Set Before Him", "Jolt of Joy", and "Joy to YOUR world", " Carol has a daily radio program, "Defiant Joy! Radio" which is available in several national markets including Youngsville PA, Warren PA, Buffalo NY, Roanoke VA, Norfolk VA, and Nashville TN.  A 1977 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a degree in Music and English, Carol has the distinction of being both the first Women's Chaplain and the first woman to speak at the university's Vespers.  Carol currently serves on the ORU Alumni Board as chaplain.  She is married to her college sweetheart and love of her life, Craig, who serves as senior pastor of Life Church, a church near Buffalo, NY.  Craig and Carol have been happily married for nearly 37 years and are the parents of five children and three delightful daughters-in-law. Craig and Carol are thrilled with the joy of being grandparents to five precious grandchildren!
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21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 8
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21 Days to Beat Depression - Day 6