Serve with Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Are you being obedient and drinking it faithfully?

            As we reflect on the Christmas story, let each of us be reminded of the many reasons for joy found in the birth of Christ.  Some of the signs of joy are like flashing neon lights which immediately grab our attention. But others are somewhat obscure---and if we don’t have on our “Jesus glasses”, we might miss them.

            For example, let’s go again to the book of Luke.  In chapter 1, verse 38, Mary makes a simple, yet profound declaration of her faith.  Her words were: “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.”

            Through an angel, God had revealed to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah!  And though she really could not understand the magnitude of this truth, nor how it could be…she relinquished control and gave herself totally to the plan of God.  She was willing….and she knew that GOD was able.

            Mary sets a powerful example for us all!  God’s will was most important to her.   She gave herself freely and completely to His service.  “I am the Lord’s servant.(were her words)  May it be to me as you have said.”   Is this our heart’s desire?  To serve Him regardless of how the world may perceive us?  It is only when we have a heart like Mary’s that we will truly understand the JOY of Christmas.

            Let’s serve Him with JOY as we celebrate the season.

Too Much Joy? Impossible!!!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  It’s impossible to drink too much!

            When we were children, it seemed that Christmas would NEVER get here!  But, if you’re like me, now it seems that Dec. 25^th comes more quickly each year.   Let’s make a conscious effort to stay in the “truth” of Christmas this season….and savor the time of celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

            In Luke 1:34-37, listen in on the conversation between the angel Gabriel and Mary.  Mary had just received the news that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. She was puzzled at how this could be:

            “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God.”

            Don’t miss that SUPER-SIZED portion of JOY JUICE!  Did you hear it?  NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.  NOTHING…..

• Not the fact that Jesus would be born of a virgin
• Not the fact that Elizabeth in her old age would bear a child.
• Not the fact the God can use YOU & me to spread His JOY to others.

        Let’s continually be reminded that nothing is impossible with God.  This Christmas may we open our hearts and allow Him to show us opportunities to share real Christmas Joy with others.           

Good News! Great Joy!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Drink up and get ready for the “Good News” of great JOY!

            Christmas is coming….ready or not! Instead of dreading all the busyness, let’s spend time looking for the JOY that is present throughout the Christmas story.  Remember how surprised Mary was when the angel came to her? Let’s read the passage of scripture from Luke 1: 29 -31.

            “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name of Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”

            At first Mary was afraid!  But the angel reassured her that she didn’t need to fear…that through her God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah would come!  What good news! But can you imagine her bewilderment!?

            Mary was young, poor, female---all characteristics (as my Bible footnote explains) that to the people of her day would make her unusable by God for any major task! But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience…ever.

        You may feel that your ability, experience or education makes you an unlikely candidate for God’s service.  Don’t limit God’s choices!  He can use you…if you trust Him.   

            Share a double portion of the GOOD NEWS with others! It will prepare your heart and theirs for special Christmas JOY!