Too Old for JOY? NEVER!!!!!!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Don’t think you’re too old to drink it!  It’s for people of ALL ages….and it makes a great Christmas gift!

            We don’t know exactly how old Zechariah and Elizabeth were when they found out that they were going to be parents, but the Bible is clear that they were in their older years.  Humanly thinking, they were past the age of child bearing.  But….God’s ways are not our ways; He proves that over and over again, doesn’t He?!

            When told he would have a son, Zechariah doubted the angel’s message.  From Zechariah’s human perspective, his doubts were understandable—but with God, anything is possible! Even in their old age, God gave them a child.  It is often easy to doubt or misunderstand what God wants to do in our lives.  Even God’s people sometimes make the mistake of trusting their intellect or experience rather than God. We must remember that His power is not confined by narrow perspective or bound by human limitations.  We can trust Him completely! (NIV Life Application Bible footnote 1:18)

            As the Christmas countdown is on and we’re planning parties, buying gifts and practicing for musical programs celebrating the season, let’s pause long enough to look for the unexpected joy that God wants to richly “gift” us with.  Don’t limit what He wants to give you.  No matter what our age, there is still much more joy in our relationship with Christ!

             Open your hands & your heart; and get ready to receive that extra sweet gift of

                                        Christmas JOY!

Christmas JOY....Abundantly Deeeelicious!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s ABUNDANTLY delicious!

            We’re on a journey this month….unwrapping gifts of joy found in and around the Christmas story.  Yesterday we looked at Zechariah and Elizabeth, John’s parents.  This family played such an important role in preparing the way for Jesus, our Savoir.

            When the angel came to Zechariah in the Holy Place as he was doing his “priestly duties”, he was VERY human!  He was frightened!  Wouldn’t you be if an angel appeared before you and began to talk?!  Here’s the passage, Luke 1:

¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.... ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord……—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

            The angel’s message was just too good to be true, Zechariah thought! Isn’t that just like us humans?  God sends an OBVIOUS message….and we doubt how it could be!  Our God is a limitless, powerful God.  And if He says it, we can bank on it!  So, this Christmas season, let’s believe that OUR GOD is able to fill our hearts with ABUNDANT CHRISTMAS JOY! 

            I'm clearing out a space for all the Christmas joy!  Won’t you do the same?

           

Unexpected JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Drink up and get your heart prepared for a joyful Christmas season!

            The entire month of December we’re going to be looking for examples of joy found in the Christmas story….some are obvious, some are not. 

            Today let’s look John’s parents….Zechariah and Elizabeth…for an example of unexpected joy.  These two weren’t just outwardly compliant to God’s laws; they were inwardly obedient.  The scripture describes them in Luke as being upright in the sight of God.

            My Bible commentary explains:

Zechariah was told before anyone else that God was setting in motion his own visit to earth.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were known for their personal holiness.  They were well suited to doing a special work for God.  But they shared the pain of not having children, and in Jewish culture this was considered not having God’s blessing. They were both old and had almost given up hope.

            One day, when Zechariah was on duty as priest at the temple, he was chosen to enter the “Holy Place” and burn incense.  Incense was burned in the temple so that when the people saw the smoke, they were reminded to pray.  The smoke drifting toward heaven symbolized their prayers ascending to God’s throne. 

            While in the Holy Place, an angel appeared to Zechariah and told him the UNEXPECTED but JOYful news! He and Elizabeth would have a son.    “He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth…” said the angel in Luke 1:14.

            Find the unexpected joy in every aspect of this Christmas. 

God's Perfect Plan of JOY

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Drinking your Christmas Joy Juice will put a song in your heart!

            You recall in the book of Luke, when Mary went to visit Elizabeth and they exchanged greetings, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb—JOHN—leaped with joy.  Elizabeth knew through the Holy Spirit’s revelation that the baby Mary was carrying was, indeed, the Messiah!  Let’s not miss the significance of these two women and these two babies, their relationship and how God chose to use them.

            John was the God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus.  Though he grew up to be a very unique fellow, he didn’t aim toward that kind of reputation!  His goal was obedience to God.  He knew he had been created for a special role---to tell about Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah!

            As Christmas approaches, this would be such a perfect time to seek the Lord’s purpose for each of our lives.  We’re not all meant to be a John…or a Mary or Elizabeth.  But we ARE all called to His purpose. God can use you in a way that you may not even be aware of….if you are willing.  Do you remember Mary’s response when the angel revealed to her that she would be the mother of Jesus?

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

            Each of us should make that our heart’s cry. When we offer ourselves as a willing vessel through which God can work, then we will be overflowing with the JOY of the Lord!

            If you’re not sure of your purpose, just keep drinking the Joy Juice of Jesus and ask the Lord to reveal His perfect plan in his perfect time.

Sing a Song of Christmas JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s extra sweet this time of year!

            With Christmas being only a few short weeks away, many of us have already begun to purchase gifts for those we love.  Gifts that will be placed under the Christmas tree or given at parties or family get-togethers.  And while it is such a pleasure to see the smiles of delight on our loved ones’ faces as they open their presents, let’s not forget that Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

            It brings joy to my heart to read and re-read the passage known as Mary’s song in Luke 1:46 – 55.  May I share just a portion of it with you today?   

            And Mary said:

                  “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Might One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”

            If we were to write our own song regarding how we profess our love for the Lord, would it be filled with joy…as Mary’s was?  Does your soul glorify the Lord?  Does your spirit rejoice in God our Savior? Mary’s joy stemmed from a heart of servitude and humility. She was willing to accept her role with graciousness, trusting that God’s plan was best.  THAT is why she was chosen to be the joyful mother of Jesus.

          Let’s follow Mary’s example and sing a song of Christmas joy as we accept God’s plan for our lives.   

Mary's JOYful News

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Share some Christmas JOY JUICE with your friends and relatives!

            When Mary found out that she was going to be the mother of Jesus, the angel also informed her that her relative Elizabeth was going to have a baby.  Mary could hardly wait to visit Elizabeth, so they could share their “secrets” which had been revealed to them.

            Remember, they didn’t have telephones or email.  They couldn’t text one another back and forth or have a Skype video chat.  They had to actually travel by foot or donkey to visit one another.  Listen to the account of the first visit after the angel had brought the good news.

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!  Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”

            Did you hear all the JOY JUICE that was flowing from that passage?  CHRISTMAS JOY JUICE….  The Holy Spirit had spoken truth into Elizabeth’s heart and she knew that the baby Mary was carrying was the Messiah.  Just hearing those words spoken through Elizabeth must have been such a source of encouragement, faith and joy for Mary. 

            May God reveal Himself so vividly during this Christmas season that you find your own heart leaping with JOY!

Signs of Christmas 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 her 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.