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Friday, January 9, 2015

Are You a Joyful Giver?




            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  I hope you’ve decided to develop the good habit of drinking that Joy Juice each morning of 2015!

             This week we have talked about ways to live a JOY-filled life.  We’ve made our New Year’s Resolutions, we’ve examined our attitude to make sure we are striving toward having the attitude of Christ, we’ve talked about the benefits of laughter.  

            Here is another suggestion that will bring us much JOY.  It’s the opposite of what we often hear from the world.  If we want to experience real joy, we need to give, give, give! Yes, you heard me.  We should develop a habit of giving.  Jesus did; and He encouraged His followers to do the same. 

            Jesus gave His life selflessly and sacrificially. Are we willing to give to the point of sacrifice… of our time, our comfort, our convenience, our resources?  Giving can be as simple as a smile or a hug or that well-timed word of encouragement but it can also be costly. Are we willing to go the extra mile and give of our time, our resources, our comfort? It’s not always convenient!  2 Corinthians 9:7 says:  “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

            In 2015 let’s determine to be a “cheerful giver”!  Let’s ask God to show us how we can be a blessing to others.  When we are God’s messenger of joy, our own “joy bank” will be overflowing.    

May 2015 be a year for giving. Father, open our eyes and our hearts to needs of those around us and use us as Your instrument of joyful blessings.  

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