Joyful Opportunites

         Have you had your JOY JUICE today? Why don’t you share a cup of cold Joy Juice with someone who looks as if they could use it?

        I guess most of us try to find a warm drink to keep us toasty in the middle of winter, but sometimes it’s something cold that really quenches our thirst.  Matthew 10:42 talks about offering a refreshing drink to someone who needs it….and expecting nothing in return.

            Listen to the words of that scripture:” And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."  The emphasis here is not really on the cup of cold water, but on the attitude of serving.   As my Bible footnote explains:

            “How much we love God can be measured by how well we treat others.  Jesus’ example of giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty child is a good model of unselfish service.  A child usually can’t or won’t return a favor.  God notices every good deed we do or don’t do as if he were the one receiving it.  Is there something unselfish you can do for someone else today?  Although no one else may see you, God will notice.”

            Come to God in prayer today, asking for guidance about who needs your help.  Pray that He will give you wisdom to know who that person is and what you can do to help him or her.  It could be a simple word of encouragement or a just a listening ear.  The Holy Spirit may touch your heart to give materially or financially.  Whatever God leads you to do, do it JOYfully!  

             Let’s anticipate a joyful opportunity today to drink and share the love and joy of the Lord.

Good News! Great Joy!

           Have you had your Joy Juice today?  It’s never too cold to drink in the Joy of Jesus.

            We have a tendency to complain about the cold weather, especially when those temperatures dip below freezing!  But may I suggest that COLD is not always bad!

            Proverbs 25:25 states: Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.  One commentary explains this verse in this way:

A thirsty person is encouraged, refreshed, revived, and sustained by a cold drink of water. You can see his happy face and feel his thankful heart! A good report from a distant friend or business project has the same invigorating effect on those who hear it. Good news is a great gift which doesn’t cost anything! Why not communicate more? What a simple way to refresh others!

            If you’re finding it hard to think of any good news to share….let me help you by reminding you of THE GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ, our Savior!

Lest anyone think that the gospel of Christ is not the greatest news ever, let’s remember this glorious text in Isaiah 52:7

“How beautiful on the mountains
       are the feet of those who bring good news,
       who proclaim peace,
       who bring good tidings,
       who proclaim salvation,
       who say to Zion,
       "Your God reigns!"

           

             The GOOD NEWS is that the JOY  of Jesus is available to all. Now, let’s get busy sharing that news with everyone we meet!

Be Joyfully On Fire for the Lord!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s better if it’s not lukewarm!

        There is a passage of scripture in Revelation where John is writing to the Christians at Laodicea.  In the 3^rd chapter, verses 15 -16, John said:  

^15”I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

            Let me give you an overview of what was taking place in this passage.  Laodicea was a wealthy city.  The district around it also produced famous black wool. It was a center for the production and distribution of a famed eye powder proclaimed as a cure for eye diseases.

            The church at Laodicea shared in the prosperity of the community.  The people seemed to be self-satisfied and comfortable….everybody!  The Christians fit in with the rest of the population.  They were not distinguishable as being any different.

            As we study this passage, we must ask ourselves the question….are we so different today?  Do we “stand out” in the crowd as being someone who “stands up” for Jesus and our faith?  When Christians fail to stand for something, they end up standing for nothing.  John was teaching that a lukewarm church filled with lukewarm Christians, is nauseating to the Lord.

            Let’s determine to be different!  To be joyfully “on fire” for the Lord by reading and obeying His word, by having such a deep relationship with Him that we are constantly aware of His leading in every area of our lives.  

            Stand up for Him and share the joy of the Lord with others today!