Oil of JOY

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Instead of drinking it, let’s use it as an “oil of joy” today.

          There are at least three places in the Bible that mention “oil of joy” or “oil of gladness”. 

·        Psalm 45:7 and Hebrews 1:9 say: "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
 by anointing you with the oil of joy."

·        In Isaiah 61:3 the prophet foretold of Jesus coming: “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

     When I think of an “oil of joy”, the picture comes to mind of a liquid that can be poured out onto us…..something that soothes and smoothes…and has a sweet aroma! It would certainly make a nice gift for others, as well as for ourselves!   Jesus does all those things, doesn’t He?  

1.      His love is poured out into our lives continually.

2.      He soothes a broken heart and smoothes out our problems.

3.      The scripture tells us that he is like a sweet aroma.

4.      And He is the greatest gift ever…the “indescribable gift”  spoken of in 2 Corinthians 9:15.

     This week is “Share Your JOY JUICE Week” so let’s pour out as much “oil of joy” into others’ lives as possible.  Ask God to direct you to those who need your help, your encouragement, or your resources.  Allow Jesus to be that sweet aroma that soothes and smoothes as He uses you to pour out His
”oil of JOY”!

                       

           

Victorious JOY

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  When God pours out His JOY into your heart, don’t you feel a special kind of victory?

            That’s what David was expressing in Psalm 21 when he so JOYfully proclaimed:

“O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength.  How great is his joy in the victories you give.  You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. You welcomed him with rich blessings……”

“Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”

            Let’s not miss the true source of David’s joy in that passage.  It our source of joyful victory, too!  I see at least five nuggets packed away in those few verses:

1.      God has blessed us with His strength.

2.      He grants the desires of our heart and answers our prayers..in His time and His way.

3.      He welcomes us as His own.

4.      He promises eternal blessings.

5.      He is present in our lives.

Yes, all of God’s children can find victory in relationship with Him.  Why not share that truth with others! This is “Share Your JOY JUICE” Week and I can’t think of a better way to share His JOY than by telling others about Jesus.  How great is HIS joy when the victory is won over the enemy and another individual comes to know Him!

            Share your JOY JUICE by telling others about the Giver of all JOY and Victory in Jesus!

Share Your JOY JUICE!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Hope your JOY JUICE pantry is overflowing with abundant joy!  Mine sure is!!!

            I could give you many reasons that I have abundant joy today, but here are just a few:

• I’m overflowing with gratitude for the wonderful people God had brought into my life over the past four years who have helped to make the JOY JUICE radio program a reality.
• I’m overflowing with thanks for each station who has chosen to help share the JOY of the Lord with their listeners.
• My heart overflows with joy because of the wonderful sponsors who have generously provided and willingly given to the ministry, as well as the many listeners who have be such a source of encouragement.
• And of course, my greatest praise goes to God for orchestrating it all! Birthing the idea, growing it and developing it, bringing the right people to use their gifts to fulfill His purpose.
• Philippians 1:3-6 expresses exactly what is in my heart today:

 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

           I’m sure that each of you could come up with your personal list of why you have abundant joy in your life!  God is good and faithful and loves to pour out His abundant JOY into each of His children’s lives.

           Join me during this “Share Your JOY JUICE” Week and find ways to allow His JOY to flow through you into others.

It's "Share Your JOY JUICE" Week!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Have faith, be fruitful and let your life overflow with genuine JOY.

            Having plenty of genuine JOY JUICE doesn’t have to be hard; you just have to be faithful! In 2 Chronicles 20:20 Jehoshaphat said to the people of Judah, “Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld…”   He goes on in the following verses to encourage the people by telling them to “sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness”.

            How genuine is your faith?  Do you find yourself praising the LORD frequently? Do you recognize His splendor, His holiness, His goodness?  If so, then you have genuine JOY and are probably always looking for ways to share it with others.  

            Will you do me the honor of letting this be “Share your JOY JUICE” week?!  On Friday we will celebrate JOY JUICE message #1000! Can you believe it?! In celebration of God’s goodness & faithfulness, let’s intentionally share His JOY with others! 

·        It may be something simple such opening a door and cheerfully saying: “Have a joyful day!”

·        Maybe you know a sick or bereaved person who needs the gift of joy in the form of a visit or phone call or a card.  

·        A quick Facebook message or email to an old friend letting them know that their friendship is special will bring them unexpected joy.

·        And a smile is always appropriate…for friends, family or even strangers!

            Intentionally share His JOY throughout this “Share your JOY JUICE” week! You’ve already shared with me simply by joining in our joyful quest!

THE JOYfully GRAND GRADUATION DAY...Coming SOON!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  One day will be our Grand Graduation Day!  And then we will taste the most delicious JOY JUICE that is beyond description!

            Ecclesiastes 3:11 tell us that “God has….planted eternity in the human heart.”

 Just as graduates march across the stage or field to accept their diplomas, one day we will cross over into eternity.  Rick Warren writes: “Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production.  You will spend far more time on the other side of death—in eternity—than you will here.  Earth is the staging area, the preschool, the tryout for your life in eternity.  It is the practice workout before the actual game; the warm-up lap before the race begins.  This life is preparation for the next.”  (The Purpose Driven Life)

           Friends, we should be diligent about studying and getting prepared for the GRAND GRADUATION DAY!  It’s not on our calendar, but it is in the word of God.  1 Corinthians 2:9 says: “No mere man has ever seen or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love the Lord.” 

The reason it is so important to develop a close relationship with God while here on earth is that it will determine our relationship with him in eternity.  If we reject him, we will be separated from God and will spend eternity apart from Him.  Now, I don’t know about you, but when I “graduate” from this life, I want to be able to accept my diploma from the hand of Jesus as I march into heaven with joy, knowing that I’ll be with Him forever and ever!

            The JOYfully GRAND GRADUATION day is coming!  Are you ready?

Pass the Graduation Test with JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Graduate to the concentrated JOY found in a growing relationship with Jesus.

            Everywhere we go this time of year we see signs or advertisements wanting us to honor our graduates.  Graduation is a happy time of celebrating goals that have been met.  The graduates have studied many different subjects and participated in a variety of activities.  Some have won honors…others are simply relieved to pass the last test and be finished with school.

            Maybe we should ask ourselves how we rate as a “student” of the Bible.  Have you graduated from Kindergarten by learning to read the Word yourself?  Have you graduated from a casual relationship of just knowing about Jesus to REALLY KNOWING Him on a personal level?  Do you love God so much that you can’t wait to hear what He has to say to you through His Word each day? 

            Learning and growing and developing spiritually is a continual process.  We will never graduate from the School of Wisdom and Knowledge with a perfect grade point average.  There’s always more to learn. But one truth never changes:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

That’s one question on our graduation test we should always know the answer to!  And we can count that ALL JOY!

            Keep studying and learning more about our JOYful Savior…and share His JOY with others!

JOYful Graduation Gift Idea

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Why not bottle it up and give as graduation gifts?

            When high schoolers graduate, it’s a big deal!  There are parties and celebrations, dinners in their honor and church services to recognize them.  We put pictures in the newspaper and send cards through the mail.  We’re proud of them for the accomplishments they’ve made. .

            As a reward for reaching their goal, many students receive gifts.  It may be in the form of money or gift cards; it may be clothes or luggage, books or picture frames.  Regardless of how much the gift costs, the sentiment is the same…..”We’re proud of you. You’ve earned this!”

            How thankful we should be that God doesn’t make us earn His love and His gifts!   Ephesians 2:8:  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” 

• What’s the gift?  Salvation through Jesus Christ!  
• How do we earn it?  We can’t! It’s given freely as a GIFT of God.

             When someone gives us a gift, the proper response is “Thank you”.  So let’s make sure that we say “Thank you” to God for His indescribable gift!  When you accept the gift of Jesus into your heart, you’ll be overflowing with abundant JOY!

           Unwrap the best gift ever…….the JOY JUICE of Jesus! There’s no time like the present!

Pray for God's Guidance...and Be JOYful!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Though the future is uncertain, you can be sure that drinking in the JOY of the Lord will help you as you face the days ahead.

            This time of year, there are graduation ceremonies going on in countless places.  It’s such a great milestone for those who have demonstrated fortitude, perseverance and hard work.  As high school seniors walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, they are faced with uncertainties of the future. They may have some idea of what career  they want to pursue, but there are so many unknowns that it can be quite an anxious time. 

            If I had to give one piece of advice to graduating seniors, it would be to pray for God’s guidance in every decision.   Jeremiah 33:3 holds so much truth…especially when we are apprehensive about our future. God says:  “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”   God doesn’t speak the way you and I talk to one another, but if we are listening and seeking His will, we will recognize His voice as He directs our steps.  Remember He desires the BEST for you, because He loves you.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper  you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

            As we drink and share the Joy of the Lord with others, let’s always be reminded Who holds our future.

A JOYful Graduation Day!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If you are graduating or helping someone else to celebrate their accomplishments, it’s always a good time to drink in the JOY of JESUS!

            Today Papa Pat and I will be joyfully attending our oldest grandson’s graduation…..from KINDERGARTEN!  Graduation is a special time in the life of young people and those who love them.  Whether they are graduating from Kindergarten, high school, college, or any other quest that has taken them on the pursuit of accomplishment, graduation should be a time of joy and celebration.  From the first day until the moment they reach their goal, there are challenges and problems, but also achievements and rewards. 

            As Christians, our ultimate Graduation Day will be when we leave this “practice test” called life on earth and walk through the gates of Heaven.  I believe that the music we’ll hear won’t be the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” march that so often is played at graduation ceremonies.  Instead, I think we’ll be hearing the heavenly hosts singing and praising God for bringing one more soul home to spend eternity with Him.  And WE will be singing, too!  Song after song of JOY!

 

            On our Grand Graduation Day, may we JOYfully receive our diploma from Jesus that says: “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.  

Heigh, Ho! Heigh Ho! With JOY to Work We Go!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Drink it in and be ready for the work that faces you today!

            “Heigh, ho! Heigh ho! It’s off to work we go!”  You remember the song that the seven dwarfs sang in the Disney classic, Snow White.  Somehow, I don’t think most of us head off to work with a song in our hearts every morning.  Is it because we’re working with the wrong attitude?

            Work is certainly not a bad thing….on the contrary.  An honest day’s work should bring fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment.  If, however, we do our work with a negative attitude, complaining all day long about what we have to do, we bring dishonor to ourselves, our boss and our God.

            Colossians 3:23 tells us "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."  Did you get that?  Christian brothers and sisters, could it be that we don’t enjoy our work because we not doing it with a heart for the Lord?  Instead of complaining….even if it’s only in our thoughts…let’s determine to make some changes.

Here are five tips that will help us to find JOY as we work:

1.      Thank God for the health and opportunity to work.

2.      Try to see His joy in the little things throughout the day.

3.      Ask God to use you to be a blessing to someone.

4.      Smile…regardless of how rotten the day may seem!

5.      Do everything as “unto the Lord”.

             Let's not be too busy complaining about work that we miss out on the opportunities God is giving us to share His JOY with others!

"What If" There was No JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  What if you drink too much?  What if it runs out?  What if you don’t like the flavor? What if? What if?

            How often do we hear ourselves uttering those two little words?  We “what if” about everything from the weather to politics to relationships.  And where does it get us?  Moving slowly along the bridge to no-where!

            When our prayers are lifted before our mighty God, there’s no need for any “what ifs”! Our faith should be so strong that we completely trust God regardless of the storms that come our way.  Speaking of storms…..

Remember the story of Jesus and his disciples in the boat on the Sea of Galilee?  Matthew 8 tells us what happened:

Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us!  We’re going to drown!

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”  The men were amazed…

            The disciples had seen Jesus perform many miracles, yet they were still scared stiff!  They were probably thinking

• What if the boat capsizes?
• What if the winds blow us out of the boat?
• What if we die in this storm?

These poor guys---they were scared and “what iffing” the power of Jesus…just as we do many times! Friends, never doubt that God controls both the storms of nature and the storms of a troubled heart.

            Let’s never be too busy “what iffing” that we miss out on His peace and joy.

Help Others to Help Themselves to JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It will HELP you as you go about HELPING others to HELP themselves to their serving of JOY.

            Helping others is an honorable thing.

·        We are to help others in need.

·        We are to help others in deed.

·        We are to help others regardless of age, race or creed.

Jesus told us that “loving others as ourselves” is one of the greatest commandments.  There is joy in helping others.

            But today I want to talk with you about how we many times we “help” in the wrong way.  Wouldn’t you agree that we like to often “help God” by taking matters into our own hands?  We try to manipulate situations to get our way and make things work out the way WE think they should.  Are you ever too busy “helping God” that you don’t even stop to pray and ask for His guidance and blessing?

            How foolish we are to think that God needs our help!  He is all powerful, all knowing, and had every detail of our lives taken care of before we were born.  We can rest in His plan.  How to do we know what that plan is? 

·        By studying His Word,

·        By communicating with Him through prayer consistently and continually

·        By learning to hear His voice.

·        Then by being obedient to His leading.

            Never find yourself so busy helping God--- that you miss out on hearing Him. 

Stop Stressing and See JOYful Blessings!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Don’t worry…there’s plenty to share any time of the day or night.

            Are you too busy?  I’m not just talking about with chores and tasks and the responsibilities of life in general.  The question I’d like for us to consider today….are we too busy WORRYING about things that we have no control over?  Are we too busy being anxious about things that might not even happen?  Are we too stressed to realize how blessed we really are?

            The Bible says a heap about worrying.  One of the familiar passages is found in Matthew 6 where Jesus, himself, is teaching about worry.  He said:

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

            Instead of worry….we should hurry to the Word of God and read passages that will strengthen and build us up.  Rather than stressing, let’s see the blessings that are ours.

As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

            Let’s not EVER be too busy worrying to give thanks to God for all of our blessings of JOY!

Taste JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Are you too busy?  Please slow down and savor the taste.

            There’s a scripture in Psalm 34, verse 8 that says:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

The New Living Translation uses a little different terminology that grabbed my attention!  You’ll see why I like it::
Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

            If we’re too busy to “taste” God’s JOY, then we’re never going to SEE just how good He is! We’ll miss out on so many blessings! We must slow down & spend time sitting at His feet…allowing our relationship with Him to grow deeper and stronger.

            Remember Mary and Martha?  The story is told of how Martha was as busy as a bee, preparing a meal for Jesus while her sister Mary “sat at His feet”.  Martha got irritated because Mary wasn’t helping her.  But Jesus told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

            Both of these sisters loved Jesus.  And both were serving Him in different ways.  Martha didn’t realize that in her act of busily serving, she was neglecting what was truly important…spending time with Jesus.

             Let’s not get too busy serving that we forget to “taste and see” the JOY that comes from sitting at the feet of Jesus!

DO Enter.....with JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  You’ll never find a “Do Not Enter” sign on the door of your JOY JUICE pantry!  I can promise you that!

            Why do you suppose that there are signs on certain roads that say "DO NOT ENTER"?  Could it be that the road is closed because of a washed out bridge or some other obstruction that would cause us to be delayed or even hurt?

            Many times along the road of life, we are determined to go our own way.  We may notice that God has put up a “DO NOT ENTER” or even a “DETOUR” sign,  but we disregard the message.  It’s when we don’t recognize these signs as a warning that we miss out on the protection and/or blessing as He desires to lead us in another direction.

            We’re not going to always understand God’s ways.  But we can always trust that He knows best and that he will not lead us down the wrong path. He tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9:

           

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God’s knowledge and wisdom are far greater than ours.  Couple that truth with the magnitude of His love for us and we have absolutely no reason to doubt His directions.  The only GPS that we need is GOD’s Positioning System.  He never has to recalculate because He never makes a mistake.  On the other hand, when we try to travel this journey of life alone, we’ll find ourselves lost and headed in the wrong direction more often than not….and that’s NOT a JOYful place to be.

            I'm plugging in my GPS and expecting a JOYful trip through this day.  Won’t you join me?

Obey God's Speed Limit JOYfully!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?   There’s no limit to how fast you can drink it! 

            Do you always obey the speed limit signs?  It’s my guess that most of us have been guilty of driving too fast…maybe even getting a speeding ticket.  Why do we get angry at the officer who catches us? Is it his fault? WE are the ones who have broken the speed limit.   His job is to protect us and he does that by enforcing the law.  So instead of being angry, we really should be thanking him for trying to keep us safe!

            How often do we speed ahead of God?  When God stops us by allowing our choices to trap us, we may find ourselves in some pretty uncomfortable situations. Sometimes we’re angry with God because we’ve been “caught”.  Is it God’s fault?   Nope!  It’s the consequences of our own poor choices; and the “ticket” we have to pay often hurts.

            In Psalm 46:10 God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God”. Frequently we do speed ahead of God rather than being still and waiting on Him to tell us when and where and how fast to go.  It’s not always an easy thing to “BE STILL”….especially when you desire to “do something” for Him!

            Rest assured that God’s timing and speed are perfect!  Don’t get ahead of him by going too fast; but, neither should we lag behind when He give us an assignment.

         Stay in perfect alignment with Him by obeying His speed limit.  That’s where you will find JOY in serving Him.

             

STOP....and Be JOYful!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?   Once you start, you will never want to stop!

            When we come to a red octagon-shaped sign as we’re driving, we don’t even have to read the word……we know we are to STOP.  Why?  So that we won’t be pull into the path of danger; so that we won’t cause an accident; so that no one will be hurt because of a poor choice. 

            Are there STOP signs along the Christian path?  You better believe it! John 7:24 for example: “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

                It’s human nature for us to judge by outward appearances, don’t you think?  Yet, I must confess that I often make a wrong assessment simply because I’ve judged by the outward appearance.  I remember one time getting so angry with a man on an airplane for not helping his wife, who was sitting right beside him with a crying baby. 

              “Why is he not offering to help her?” I sympathized with this poor, tired little mama.  The baby continued to fuss until it looked as if this mother was going to burst out in tears.  I was livid with that daddy for not helping.

            It was not until we got off the airplane and I witnessed this exhausted mommy reuniting with an eager young man who lovingly took the baby (and tenderly embraced her) that I understood! The poor guy on the plane was just an innocent passenger who just happened to get lucky enough to be seated next to mommy and fussy baby! Frequently we judge by mere appearances and get things so wrong! 

              STOP and be determined not to harshly judge…instead bless others by being His vessel of love and JOY!!

CAUTION: There is JOY in the LORD!!!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  You don’t have to use caution when drinking in the JOY of Jesus!

            Everywhere we travel, there are road signs that warn us of upcoming danger spots.  On my way home from visiting family a few days ago, I noticed several warning signs: “Sharp Curve Ahead”, “Men Working”, “Soft Shoulder”, “Dangerous Intersection”.  If we heed the signs and drive more carefully…we’ll get through the rough places safely.

            Isn’t that what God wants us to do on the pathway of life...Heed His warning signs?  In Romans 16:17 – 19 Paul tells it like it is: I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. ¹⁹ Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.  

            Though Paul was writing to the Christians in Rome many years ago, his warning is just as significant for us today.  We need to watch out for those who cause divisions and dissension among us.  Our God is a God of peace and JOY.  We are warned not be fooled by smooth talkers and flattery, but stay true to what the Bible teaches; be obedient to His signs and always use caution .

             Let’s look for God’s road signs for a JOYful life in Him!

Follow the Signs to JOY!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  You don’t need a sign to tell you it’s the right thing to do!

            As we travel up and down the highways and interstates, no matter where we’re heading, there are signs to direct us, inform us and sometimes even tempt us! We like to see signs that tell us how many miles from one town or city to another; we need to know the road name or number to assure that we are on the right route.  But then there are those colorful signs with pictures of juicy triple-hamburgers or big delicious brownies with ice cream and hot fudge dripping off the sides! Buddy, then I’m in trouble. The seed is planted and I’m in “need” of a snack.

            God’s Word is filled with signs which direct us and inform us.  But you won’t find one billboard or message in the Bible that tempts us to do the wrong thing.  Just the opposite! 

James 1:13-14 tell us: When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

             Just as we sometimes let the lure of calorie-packed, sugar and cholesterol laden foods tempt us into making choices that are not in our best interest, we fall prey to the temptation of sin.  But it’s not God’s fault.  He doesn’t tempt us…though he does test us from time to time. (1Thess. 2:4) The only way to make sure we are staying on the right path is to trust in His signs of instruction.  As Proverbs 3:6 teaches: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

            Follow the signs that say: “This way to a life of JOY”.

INDESCRIBABLE JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s like a good medicine!

            When our children or grandchildren are sick, we are burdened and want to fix it and make it all better! Most times, childhood illnesses just have to run their course, but the waiting process sure isn’t easy.   

            It’s common for kids to have colds, coughs, ear infections and tummy aches. Most of their symptoms aren’t serious and within a few days they bounce back. But there are those parents who must watch their children suffer from a serious illness or injury….and maybe even death.  Unless we go through it ourselves, there is no way of truly understanding. But our GOD understands!

Romans 8:32 tells us:

            “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--”

            Now that’s the supreme sacrifice of love!  He willingly gave his son to die for you and me.  That’s indescribable love!  Laura Story wrote a beautiful praise song entitiled: “INDESCRIBABLE”.

" Indescribable, uncontainable, You place the stars in the sky and You know them by name.  You are amazing God.

All powerful, untameable, awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim: You are amazing God."

            With an amazing God that places the stars in the sky and knows everyone of them by name, how could we ever doubt His love for us? You can rest JOYfully in Him…no matter what!

. 

            When you drink in the JOY JUICE of Jesus you’ll see clearly that He is indescribable!

Your Individual Flavor of JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  There are many different flavors but we can always find something suits our individual taste!

            Papa Pat and I have six little grandjoys!  Each of them is special, but every one is different! Some like to eat fruit; some won’t touch it!  The girls like to play tea party and ballet; the boys much prefer baseball and trucks and tractors.  When choosing gifts for them at Christmas or birthdays, we carefully seek out things that we know will bring them pleasure.

            There’s a song that I heard on the radio many years ago that has stuck in my memory bank. (I don’t really understand why, because so often REALLY IMPORTANT things seem to be lost forever!)  The chorus kept repeating “God ain’t never had a grandchild; only a child will do!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiajMiJvz5g

            The message conveyed in the song was that each person has to make his/her own decision to follow Christ.   We can’t get into heaven based on the faith of our parents or grandparents.  God wants each of us to decide to follow after Him. You see, as much as I’d like to give the gift of salvation to our grandchildren, ONLY God can offer that! Yes, we can teach about God, but each person has to decide for themselves.

            Have you made that most important decision…to follow hard after Christ?  If not, take care of that right now and ask Jesus into your heart. Then share that joy with your children and grandchildren.  That’s a gift that keeps on giving and one that will encourage your family to seek that sweet JOY in the Lord!             “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17.

            Let’s open our individual gifts of JOY today and see how we can use them to bring JOY to others!