Drink Your Joy Juice---FIRST!!!!!!!!!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  When you taste it for the first time, you’ll never want to do without it again!

             The past few weeks I’ve witnessed my grandchildren experience several “firsts”. 

•  Our oldest grandson started to Kindergarten, so he was excited about his first day of school. 
• Our granddaughter started ballet class, so she was thrilled over the first day of this new experience.  
• Our 2-year-old learned to use the potty, so he (and his parents) were thrilled over the accomplishment of this first!

             As with our children, these little ones have grown fast and we’ve delighted in watching them as they first crawled, took their first steps, said their first words and many other joyful milestones.  I’m sure many of you can identify with me when I say each new stage brings with it much JOY.

            Today, I’d like to ask you if you’ve experienced that glorious “first” of asking Jesus into your heart.  It’s as easy as A, B, C.  

A - Admit to God you are a sinner.  (We ALL are!)

B - Believe that Jesus is God's Son and that God sent Jesus to save people from their sins. 

C - Confess that you want Jesus to be Lord of your life and commit your life totally to Him.

Now, as Psalm 34: 8 tells us: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

When you experience the JOY that can be found in a relationship with Christ, you’ll be so glad that you took this spiritual “first” step!

            Drink your personal serving of JOY JUICE ….first! Then share generously with others!

Overflowing JOY JUICE JUG!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  I sure have!  As a matter of fact, my JUICE JUG is overflowing! 

WHY???

            Today is a special day for many reasons!  First…Psalm 118:24 tells us: This is the day the LORD has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it!  We should choose to rejoice in each new day…because it’s a gift.

AND......?

            There are other reasons I’m celebrating today! It’s my husband’s birthday AND our wedding anniversary!  We’ve been married 39 years and though we’ve had problems and struggles along the way, we have chosen to focus on our blessings.  And that brings us much joy.  Admittedly, some times our problems have come from our NOT listening to God…and having to suffer the consequences. But God is faithful and forgiving and His love is everlasting. Today I thank Him for birthdays, anniversaries and opportunities for growth when we make mistakes.

Still another reason for celebration!

             There’s still another reason for abundant JOY today!  This is JOY JUICE message number 800! Let me quickly tell you that I would NEVER have been able to do this without GOD speaking His words into my heart; without Him bringing just the right people into my life who knew about radio; without supportive friends and family and sponsors.  Without listeners/readers like YOU…who He uses to bounce JOY right back to me!

            I'm joyfully celebrating this special day and thanking YOU for sharing in the JOY with me. 

As Psalm 4:7 proclaims: “You have filled my heart with greater joy…”

Birthday JOY!!!!!!!!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  As I was drinking mine this morning, I’m pretty sure I heard God whisper, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

            Yes, today is my birthday! And though I won’t tell you how old I am, I will say that my year has been filled with lots of joy--- with a few struggles sprinkled in to make me stay dependent God.  If everything always worked smoothly and we never had any problems, we may begin to feel “self-sufficient” and think we don’t need God. 

            Even on “happy days” when we’re celebrating birthdays or weddings or simply being together with family, we should continually listen for God’s voice.  He may prompt our hearts to lend someone a helping hand.  His “still small voice” may be redirecting our path so as to protect us from something unforeseen.   Our thoughts may be filled with His words of wisdom that He wants to speak through us to someone who needs a special word.

 WOOOHOOOOO!

            Are you listening so that you can be his instrument?  We never know when we’ll celebrate our last birthday! Let’s be sure that we’re taking advantage of every second of every day!

            Psalm 90:12 says: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  That’s my birthday wish!  That each of you would pray that verse for me…and I’d love to make it my birthday gift to you.  Let’s pray for each other that  God will teach us to number our days and give us hearts of wisdom…and JOY!.

           Let's serve up some party-flavored JOY JUICE as we celebrate each day with JOY.

Hello...It's God Calling---Answer with JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Did you know that you need to be listening in order to really enJOY your Joy Juice?

            In his sermon "How to Hear God Speak," Rick Warren talked about the problem of distractions that keep us from listening to the Lord. He said:  "Many of you did what I did last Mother's Day. You picked up the phone and dialed your mom to say, 'Happy Mother's Day,' and as you did, you got the same little message, 'Sorry, but all the circuits are busy.' Everybody else in America was calling their mom, too.”

Hello...This is GOD calling!

            Pastor Warren went on to say:

"Many times, God has wanted to talk to you, but He got a busy signal. Many times God has wanted to talk to you, but the line was off the hook. You don't want to do call waiting with God. You've got to make time. There are many things that are good that can distract you – but when you’re too busy to listen to God, then you're too busy!"

Are YOU too busy???

            How true!  Our busy lifestyles keep us running! Our brains stay so full of STUFF that many times we can’t hear the truly important messages.  We’ve grown so accustomed to multi-tasking that we really think we should be able to continually do more than one thing at a time.  And while that’s sometimes necessary, if we are serious about staying in the center of God’s will, we MUST slow down and be still enough to hear Him speak.

            Be ready to listen when God calls…Don’t be too busy to hear His message of JOY.

Hearing God Brings JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If you’ll drink it faithfully, you’re sure to heard God’s voice more clearly.

            What does it mean to “hear God” speak?  I’m not talking about an audible voice….like you and I talk to one another.  I’m referring to the “knowing” in your heart that God has whispered a word of wisdom, guidance or comfort down deep into your soul.  

How to recognize God's voice...

            The first step to hearing God is to accept Him into your life. You can’t hear Him speak if you’re not committed to following after Him. When we turn from our old way of life and hunger to grow in relationship with God, He delights in  personal communication with each of us.

 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” says James 4: 8

             The closer we draw to Him, the more quickly we will recognize His voice.  It’s kinda like when you receive a phone call. 

·        If you’ve never met that person who is calling, you certainly don’t recognize their voice.

·         If you’ve met them a few times, the voice may sound familiar but they have to tell you their name…so that you can be sure of who you’re talking to.

·         But if it’s a person who is close to you, someone you love and spend a lot of time with, you don’t even have to ask who it is on the other end.  You know as soon as your hear their voice.

            Get to know your Heavenly Father and you will learn to recognize His voice as He speaks to you.  Read His Word and spend time communicating with Him through prayer.  And when you pray, remember to stop talking long enough to listen!

             When you learn to recognize God’s voice, you’ll be drinking in great big servings of JOY!

             

JOYfully Listen for God's Voice

Have you had your JOY JUICE today? Can you hear me?  I asked if you’ve had your JOY JUICE?

            Any of you ever accused your spouse or family member of having “selective hearing”?  Truth is…we all have that condition at times, don’t we?  We choose to hear some things while  ignoring others.  Parents, ever have had to tell your children to do something several times only to have them say, “I didn’t hear you.”

            Years ago, when my children were young, they rode their bikes over to a neighbor’s house one day without asking my permission.  When I missed them, I began to call for them---frantically.  After the fourth yell, I saw them zooming through the alley on their bicycles…as fast as their little legs would carry them. 

 As they screeched to a stop in front of me, KNOWING they were in trouble for leaving the yard without permission, one of my precious children confessed, “Here we are Mommy!  We didn’t hear you calling the first three times!”

I DIDN'T HEAR YOU!

 

            How many of us respond to God that way?  He prompts us repeatedly to do something and we act like we didn’t hear Him the first few times. God is patient and kind, but He wants us to listen to His voice as He leads, guides and directs us.  We are NOT puppets.  We must choose to listen and obey.  In Psalm 32:8 God says:

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

            There it is….He said he’d instruct us in the way we should go!  So, the question is…ARE WE LISTENING?

             Choose to listen to God and get ready for abundant JOY in Him!

JOYful Benefits

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s a healthy recipe to assure that you’re feeding a good attitude.

            We all agree that our attitude affects our quality of life.  And our thought life affects our attitude.  The way we face the daily routine of life, as well as the struggles that come our way, has a direct effect on our emotions and choices.

            Tips for Good Health

 

            Did you know that it’s been proven that our physical condition is also affected by our attitudes?   According to a recent article (Thursday, July 21) in “HealthDay News”,  the more optimistic you are, the lower your risk of having a stroke. This recent finding lengthens the list of health benefits tied to having a positive attitude. Already, various studies have found more optimistic people have a healthier immune system, faster wound healing, a lower risk of heart disease and many other benefits.

Do YOU choose to be JOYfully healthy?

 

            If we want to be healthier…let’s work on our attitudes!  I believe that’s exactly what Paul was saying in Philippians

• when he exhorted us to “Rejoice in the Lord always….” and
• when he reminded us that “our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” 
• In His letter to the Philippians, Paul went on to say “Do everything without complaining or arguing” and to “shine like stars in the universe”.

            May we follow the JOYful example of Paul…as he followed the example of Jesus…so that we might be healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually.

            Let’s keep our thoughts and attitudes aimed toward joy as we faithfully drink in the JOY JUICE of JESUS!