Boldy Drink In and Share the JOY!

Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Boldly drink in the joy of the Lord and get ready to make a difference!

            There are many references in the Bible to boldness and courage.  One example is found in Joshua 1:9:  ^“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

            We can face life boldly, with courage because our God is with us. In our own strength, we are limited…and we are often tempted to be discouraged, timid and give up. When you doubt that you can do what God has prompted your heart to do…..remember this true story of Bobby Jones.     

            Pat Williams tells about Bobby Jones, a Forward for the Philadelphia 76ers pro basketball team. Soon after joining the 76ers, Bobby went to the general manager and suggested that they have a team chapel time before each game. It had never been done before but Bobby was sure that it was something that God was leading him to start.  His idea was to gather before each game with the team, sing a hymn or two, pray and have a speaker come to talk to the players. Of course, it would be voluntary. At the first chapel time, three players showed up---plus the assistant coach and general manager.  

            “From that modest start, pregame chapels have spread all around the NBA.  Today, every team in the league has a chapel service before each game---thanks to the bold initiative of one man, Bobby Jones.” (Pat Williams in The Warrior Within.)

           Be bold and make a joyful difference by trusting God. 

Oil of Joy

Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Polish up your “people skills” by using the Oil of Joy!

My daddy used to tell me that no matter how much knowledge or skill you have, to be successful you need people skills.  In my youth, I’m sure I didn’t quite get the importance of that bit of wisdom, but today I find it a powerful truth.  Think of some of the best leaders you know…they have people skills! Envision some of the most influential persons that you’ve had the privilege to know and observe.  They have people skills, do they not?

People skills include how to listen to others, inspire, motivate, and build a team.  That’s what good leaders do.  Pat Williams explains, “A leader without people skills is nothing but a boss.  A boss focuses on getting results; a leader with people skills focuses on building relationships. Bosses intimidate; leaders motivate. Bosses criticize weakness; leaders affirm strength.”

Paul says it rightly in Philippians 2:3: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”

You will make a much bigger impact in life if you refrain from criticism and hitting people over the head with your Bible, so to speak.  Allow others to see Jesus in you.

Shine for Christ as you use His ‘oil of joy’ to polish your people skills and become a dynamic leader for Him.

Do You "See" Joy in Your Life?

Have you had your Joy Juice today?  To make certain that you have clear vision, consistently drink healthy servings of God’s joy!

When we talk about “vision”, we automatically think about our eyes. When we can’t see well, our lives are effected. We go to eye doctor, get glasses or contact lenses; we may even have surgery on our eyes so that we can see well.

That’s our physical sight. Today, let’s discuss “vision” from another perspective: Setting goals.  Every good leader has a vision. According to author Pat Williams, “A leader who sees the invisible can inspire his followers to do the impossible.” Dr. Jay Strack, founder of Student Leadership University explains, “A leader looks further down the road because of forward thinking.  He sees the big picture with wide-angle vision.”

 Jesus was the ultimate visionary.  Look at the example of Simon Peter.  (Pat Williams explains this concept beautifully.)  When Jesus first met him, Simon was an impetuous, unreliable fisherman. But Jesus had a vision for Simon’s future, so he gave Simon a new name: “Peter,” meaning “The Rock.” Despite his new name, Peter was anything but a rock (at first)….however, he ultimately became the wise, stable, dependable leader that Jesus had envisioned all along.”

What an example! Before a fisherman named Simon could become a leader named Peter, Jesus envisioned something that wasn’t there.

Let’s envision a committed, joyful relationship with God. As with Peter, Jesus has a vision for you!