STOP....and Be JOYful!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?   Once you start, you will never want to stop!

            When we come to a red octagon-shaped sign as we’re driving, we don’t even have to read the word……we know we are to STOP.  Why?  So that we won’t be pull into the path of danger; so that we won’t cause an accident; so that no one will be hurt because of a poor choice. 

            Are there STOP signs along the Christian path?  You better believe it! John 7:24 for example: “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

                It’s human nature for us to judge by outward appearances, don’t you think?  Yet, I must confess that I often make a wrong assessment simply because I’ve judged by the outward appearance.  I remember one time getting so angry with a man on an airplane for not helping his wife, who was sitting right beside him with a crying baby. 

              “Why is he not offering to help her?” I sympathized with this poor, tired little mama.  The baby continued to fuss until it looked as if this mother was going to burst out in tears.  I was livid with that daddy for not helping.

            It was not until we got off the airplane and I witnessed this exhausted mommy reuniting with an eager young man who lovingly took the baby (and tenderly embraced her) that I understood! The poor guy on the plane was just an innocent passenger who just happened to get lucky enough to be seated next to mommy and fussy baby! Frequently we judge by mere appearances and get things so wrong! 

              STOP and be determined not to harshly judge…instead bless others by being His vessel of love and JOY!!

CAUTION: There is JOY in the LORD!!!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  You don’t have to use caution when drinking in the JOY of Jesus!

            Everywhere we travel, there are road signs that warn us of upcoming danger spots.  On my way home from visiting family a few days ago, I noticed several warning signs: “Sharp Curve Ahead”, “Men Working”, “Soft Shoulder”, “Dangerous Intersection”.  If we heed the signs and drive more carefully…we’ll get through the rough places safely.

            Isn’t that what God wants us to do on the pathway of life...Heed His warning signs?  In Romans 16:17 – 19 Paul tells it like it is: I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. ¹⁹ Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.  

            Though Paul was writing to the Christians in Rome many years ago, his warning is just as significant for us today.  We need to watch out for those who cause divisions and dissension among us.  Our God is a God of peace and JOY.  We are warned not be fooled by smooth talkers and flattery, but stay true to what the Bible teaches; be obedient to His signs and always use caution .

             Let’s look for God’s road signs for a JOYful life in Him!

Follow the Signs to JOY!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  You don’t need a sign to tell you it’s the right thing to do!

            As we travel up and down the highways and interstates, no matter where we’re heading, there are signs to direct us, inform us and sometimes even tempt us! We like to see signs that tell us how many miles from one town or city to another; we need to know the road name or number to assure that we are on the right route.  But then there are those colorful signs with pictures of juicy triple-hamburgers or big delicious brownies with ice cream and hot fudge dripping off the sides! Buddy, then I’m in trouble. The seed is planted and I’m in “need” of a snack.

            God’s Word is filled with signs which direct us and inform us.  But you won’t find one billboard or message in the Bible that tempts us to do the wrong thing.  Just the opposite! 

James 1:13-14 tell us: When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

             Just as we sometimes let the lure of calorie-packed, sugar and cholesterol laden foods tempt us into making choices that are not in our best interest, we fall prey to the temptation of sin.  But it’s not God’s fault.  He doesn’t tempt us…though he does test us from time to time. (1Thess. 2:4) The only way to make sure we are staying on the right path is to trust in His signs of instruction.  As Proverbs 3:6 teaches: In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

            Follow the signs that say: “This way to a life of JOY”.

INDESCRIBABLE JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s like a good medicine!

            When our children or grandchildren are sick, we are burdened and want to fix it and make it all better! Most times, childhood illnesses just have to run their course, but the waiting process sure isn’t easy.   

            It’s common for kids to have colds, coughs, ear infections and tummy aches. Most of their symptoms aren’t serious and within a few days they bounce back. But there are those parents who must watch their children suffer from a serious illness or injury….and maybe even death.  Unless we go through it ourselves, there is no way of truly understanding. But our GOD understands!

Romans 8:32 tells us:

            “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--”

            Now that’s the supreme sacrifice of love!  He willingly gave his son to die for you and me.  That’s indescribable love!  Laura Story wrote a beautiful praise song entitiled: “INDESCRIBABLE”.

" Indescribable, uncontainable, You place the stars in the sky and You know them by name.  You are amazing God.

All powerful, untameable, awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim: You are amazing God."

            With an amazing God that places the stars in the sky and knows everyone of them by name, how could we ever doubt His love for us? You can rest JOYfully in Him…no matter what!

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            When you drink in the JOY JUICE of Jesus you’ll see clearly that He is indescribable!

Your Individual Flavor of JOY

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  There are many different flavors but we can always find something suits our individual taste!

            Papa Pat and I have six little grandjoys!  Each of them is special, but every one is different! Some like to eat fruit; some won’t touch it!  The girls like to play tea party and ballet; the boys much prefer baseball and trucks and tractors.  When choosing gifts for them at Christmas or birthdays, we carefully seek out things that we know will bring them pleasure.

            There’s a song that I heard on the radio many years ago that has stuck in my memory bank. (I don’t really understand why, because so often REALLY IMPORTANT things seem to be lost forever!)  The chorus kept repeating “God ain’t never had a grandchild; only a child will do!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiajMiJvz5g

            The message conveyed in the song was that each person has to make his/her own decision to follow Christ.   We can’t get into heaven based on the faith of our parents or grandparents.  God wants each of us to decide to follow after Him. You see, as much as I’d like to give the gift of salvation to our grandchildren, ONLY God can offer that! Yes, we can teach about God, but each person has to decide for themselves.

            Have you made that most important decision…to follow hard after Christ?  If not, take care of that right now and ask Jesus into your heart. Then share that joy with your children and grandchildren.  That’s a gift that keeps on giving and one that will encourage your family to seek that sweet JOY in the Lord!             “Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17.

            Let’s open our individual gifts of JOY today and see how we can use them to bring JOY to others!

Turn Over! Crawl! Walk in JOY!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Practice drinking it faithfully and you’ll become skillful at finding JOY.

            This week I’m sharing with you some the similarities I’ve observed between our spiritual lives and the growth process of children.  Each time I’m around my little “grandjoys” (as I like to call them), God shows me something new. 

            As babies begin to be mobile, they first learn to turn over; soon they get up on their all fours and eventually begin to crawl.  It’s not long 'til they learn to pull up and stand…and before we know it, they’ve taken that all important first step! That’s when the parents and silly grandparents cheer and clap as if they had won a gold metal in the Olympics! Learning to walk IS a great milestone! 

            As young Christians, we too have to learn to "turn over" our lives to God.  It may feel as if we’re "crawling" in our spiritual growth process, but we have to crawl before we can walk!  The important thing to remember is that we have a Father Who is always there to reach out and take us by the hand. 

            I’m sure He often hears the familiar phrase: “I can do it myself!”  It’s not just children that utter these words!  We think we can do it alone….then we fall and experience the hurt of wrong choices. Does God turn His back on us? NO!  Just as a loving parent picks up the toddler who falls, our Heavenly Father draws us close and lovingly says: “Let’s try it again….but this time let’s do it my way.”

             If we desire to walk in JOY, we must be committed to taking our Father’s hand and letting Him lead the way.

Yes! Yes! To Lots of JOY!

Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Don’t let anyone tell you “no” to your personal serving.

            Often times we have to say “No” to our children and grandchildren.  When they are babies and pick up something that could hurt them, we tell them “No, No”.  When they try to touch a hot stove or get close to a fire, we quickly grab them and shout “No, No!”  We won’t let them go into the street alone or be at a swimming pool without  watching them closely.

            Why do we tell our little ones “NO” so often?  Because we are trying to protect them!  We love them and don’t want them to get hurt.  The sad thing is that many times it’s only in the pain of a bad choice that they learn their lesson.

            Do you think that’s the way it is with God and His children?  He gives us some “no, no”s in the Bible.  We’re commanded “thou shalt not” and instructed “do not” frequently in the pages of the Word. Is it because God doesn’t want us to have any fun?  Just the opposite!  He loves us so much that He says “no” to those things that will cause us harm.

            In Deuteronomy 6:6-9 we read: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

           

            Let’s carry God’s Word in our heart, teach it to our families, and live out God’s instruction. That’s when we’ll hear our Heavenly Father saying, “YES! YES!” to lots of JOY in our hearts.

            You will never hear God saying “No, No” to your daily serving of JOY JUICE….so drink up and enjoy!