The Love Language of JOY

               Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Why don’t you share a serving with a friend as an expression of your love?

                One of the ways God expresses his love for us is that He continually gives us gifts! James 1:17 says:  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

                In Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, he says that some of us speak our love with “words of affirmation”; others by sharing “quality time”. Still others speak the language of “service” or “physical touch”.  And then there is the Language of “gifts”.

 

                God speaks all five of these love languages because He knows that His children need different expressions. The language of gifts is one He speaks exceptionally well.  He is fluent in this language. He gives us unlimited gifts each day….the air that we breathe, the food that we eat, our five senses to enjoy his creation. He gives us material possessions, everything we need and much of what we want!  Blessings beyond measure! 

                Today, I’d like to challenge you to be God’s mouthpiece through which He can speak His language of love.  Share His love every chance you get!  The more love and joy you give, the more love and joy you receive…and a wonderful cycle begins! 

Give the gift of joy in the Lord…in a variety of love languages!

               

Joyfully Proclaim Your Love For Christ!

                Have you had your Joy Juice today?   I love to drink mine; how ‘bout you?

                Love is a word we often use to describe our feelings about  many things.  We talk about loving chocolate or loving a certain book or movie.  We like those kinds of things…a lot!  But the word "LOVE" should be reserved for that deep emotion that we feel for another person.   When we have a special place in our heart for one who is very dear to us, like our spouse or parent, children or grandchildren or a close friend….that is the emotion of love. 

                Parents, think about the day your child was born.  You bubbled with excitement! You loved that baby the instant he/she came into the world….and even before!  You couldn’t keep that love a secret!

                We say we love Jesus. But how often do we tell others about our love for Him?  Do we excitedly proclaim our love for Him in all kinds of settings, regardless of who is there?  Or are we ashamed????

Jesus said, "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father…" (Mark 8:38)  When we see Jesus face to face, do we want Him to be ashamed of us?  

Tell others of your love for Him today.  Don’t ever be ashamed to proclaim your love for the One who can fill your life with JOY from now throughout eternity.

Joyfully proclaim your love for Christ!

               

Lavished in His Love and Joy

          Have you had your Joy Juice today?   When you drink a healthy portion of the joy of Jesus, you’ll find that you are filled with renewed strength!

                Listen to the words in 1 John 3:1: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.”   When a person accepts Jesus into his/her heart and life, they can be assured that they are His children….and He desires to lavish His love on them!

                That doesn’t mean that everything is going to be perfect in our lives. We will have tough times.  But through those challenges, we can feel His love being poured out onto us, into us and, if we’re willing, through us!  Sometimes it’s in the peace He gives in the midst of the storm; other times He gives specific answers to our prayers!  But no matter what, we can always know that His love is constant and that He is near.  

                When we observe people after a natural disaster, like a tornado or a flood…..we ALWAYS see good that comes from the difficult times. People are kind & generous to come to the aid of others---sharing what they have with those who are in need; giving a helping hand in the clean-up process…and most importantly, many people commit to praying more fervently and faithfully.  Because of God’s great love we can experience the truth of scripture that tells us in Psalm 91 that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” 

                 As God lavishes His love on us, may we experience the joy of being in His shelter and His shadow!