Joy

July 12th – Hebrews 12:2

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Hebrews 12:2

As a little girl, whenever I had a problem the first person I’d turn to was my Grandma. And no matter the situation, her advice was the same. After listening patiently she would reply, “Honey tough times don’t last, tough people do…pray.” Difficulties are a part of life we can’t escape. And each of us has a race before us to run. But by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can run that race joyfully. Christ, our perfect example, endured torture, pain, sorrow, rejection, and betrayal. He despised the shame of being publicly crucified, yet He did so willingly. Why? For the joy of fulfilling the will of the Father, and the greatness of His reward. During the toughest times of our race, when we’ve hit a wall and can’t go one step further, we would do well to remember Jesus’ sacrifice. Knowing all He gave to redeem us, gives us our second wind so that we don’t, “grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:3) and finish the race in victory!

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July 11th – Philippians 2:3

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Philippians 2:3

God doesn’t want us to just be good, He wants us to be great. Being great is twofold. Because to be great is to serve God, and serving God means serving others. Each day we are called to make ourselves available to Jesus. Ready and willing to be used in His service. And whatever it is He asks of us, we are to do with love, humility, and joy. Not with an attitude of resentment, or with the “woe is me” spirit of a martyr. And especially not for our own ego, or for our star to shine. All things should be done for the glory of God alone. As believers we are given at least one spiritual gift and are commanded to, “employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”, (1 Pet. 4:10). When our hearts and minds are focused on pleasing the Lord and helping others, we can find a deep fulfilling joy. One that comes with being a humble servant of the Almighty God.

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July 10th – Ephesians 1:18

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Ephesians 1:18

Gratitude is important. God wants us to be thankful everyday for the blessings that He so freely gives us. But you know what else is important? Joy. The Lord wants us to feel the joy that comes with each gift He bestows. “You shall rejoice in all the good that the Lord your God has given to you” (Deut. 26:11) In His greatest blessing our Father in heaven, through His unmerited love, sent His Son to die so that we can live. And the joy of hope we have as we look forward to an eternity spent at His side should flood our hearts. Nothing in this world can surpass the riches of the glory set before us through Christ Jesus. Because of Him, God calls us beloved, righteous, and His. He blesses us abundantly  because of our inheritance through Jesus. And as heirs to the kingdom, knowing this should light up our hearts with great joy!

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July 9th – Psalm 32:11

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Psalm 32:11

We all know the story of the adulterous woman. The one caught in the act of her sin. This woman could easily be you or I.  Although our sin may not be adultery, we sin just the same. And as Christians, we would do well to humbly remember all Jesus forgives us for daily. Especially before judging the sin of another. Thankfully when it comes to sin, we can experience the sweet forgiveness of the Lord through confession and repentance. No matter the transgression, when we come to God with a sorrowful heart, He is quick to pardon. Jesus didn’t condemn the adulterous women, refusing to throw the first stone. And He has no stones to throw at us either. So we can rejoice and celebrate! Because the forgiveness of the Lord not only results in an immediate restoration of our relationship with God, but a clean slate, and a fresh start!

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July 8th – Psalm 27:6

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Psalm 27:6

I love the quote, “safety comes in our nearness to God, not in our distance from our enemies.” The enemies of David were many. Even those he loved turned against and betrayed him. Have you ever felt like that? Like the whole world was against you? These are divisive times in which we live. And Christianity is under attack. But it’s no surprise. For Jesus Himself says that He came not to bring peace on earth, but rather division. (Luke 12:51) Yet for those who are on the side of Christ, victory is assured. Because for all of us who put our trust in Him, the Lord promises to exult above every adversary. When we draw near to Jesus and turn the battle over to Him, we will triumph every time. And like David, we will sing His praises with joyful lips and shout to the heavens of His glory!

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July 6th – Isaiah 61:10

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Isaiah 61:10 

What better cause do we have to rejoice, than knowing how generously the Lord showers us with gifts. And one of the greatest is the gift of salvation. Salvation has nothing to do with who a person is or what they do. Instead it is the result of God’s grace. No matter how hard we work, how much we obey, or how many good things we do in this life, none are enough to save us. No, salvation only comes through Jesus Christ and His saving grace. It is His blood that clothes us, covering us in His precious robe of righteousness. So no wonder our souls delight in the God of our salvation. The One who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3) And all because we put our hope and faith in God and in His only begotten Son.

 

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June 5th – Proverbs 17:22

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Proverbs 17:22

We’ve all heard stories about someone passing and then their spouse passing soon after. Often times, scientist’s say, this happens from a condition called “broken heart syndrome.” And it occurs in response to sudden emotional stress, particularly grief. Long has it been known the toll joylessness takes on the heart, leading to both mental and physical consequences. Although we all face trials, Christians never need be crushed in spirit. For our joy isn’t found in anything this world can offer. Oh our spirits make take a bruising. And we may suffer heartbreak. But no injury can withstand the healing of the Lord when we keep our eyes and focus on Him. For Jesus is our great Physician. The ultimate source for our joy, even in the darkest of times. And there is no better medicine for the heart, than the joy that comes from knowing Christ.

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July 4th – Galatians 5:22

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Galatians 5:22

The moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into our hearts and gets to work. And the result of His labors is evidenced by the spiritual fruit we produce. Described by Paul, this fruit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Throughout the Bible we are told of the importance of love. So no wonder Paul lists it first. But a very close second is joy. Because no matter our circumstances, God wants us to experience the fullness of His joy. An everlasting joy that can never be taken away. The Greek word for joy is chara, and is described as the natural reaction to the work of God, whether promised or fulfilled. There’s nothing that will humble us quicker than when we truly realize the favor and grace God shows us daily. So with thankful heats, how could the fruit of joy not be in spilled over into all we do!

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July 3rd – 1 Peter 1:8

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1 Peter 1:8

I can remember as a little girl singing in Sunday school, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…” I love that song! Even now I can’t hear it without singing along. Because I do have joy in my heart. Joy over the love and fellowship I have with Jesus. Drawing from His unending love, Christ came in the flesh to save you and to save me. And the privilege of having a relationship with my Savior overflows me with gladness! Unlike Peter, I have yet to meet my Lord. But even if  I have not yet been physically touched by Him, I have been touched by His love, mercy, goodness, and care. John tells us that blessed are we who believe without seeing. (John 20:29) But I think the greatest blessing of all, is the inexpressible, glorious joy of knowing how much we are loved by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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July 2nd – Psalm 47:1

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Psalm 47:1 

John Calvin once said, “No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.” Membership in the family of God has always been by God’s choosing. And nothing man does, nor his lineage, impact His choices. So how wonderful it is that God hasn’t limited His mercy to any one group. Not even to His own chosen people. Instead, in His great love, the Lord has shown mercy to every tribe, tongue, people, nation, class, age level, and gender. All we have to do is receive His free gift of salvation. Christians everywhere can clap and sing in joy knowing we are personally chosen by God. A heavenly Father whose nature is to be tender hearted, loving, and caring to all He calls His own.

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