"This is the Way"...to Joy!

         Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  As you drink it, listen for God to give you instructions for the day.

            Throughout the Bible we are given instruction about which way to go. If we will be sensitive to God’s leading, then we will learn to hear His voice as He guides us, one step at a time.  In Isaiah 30:21 we read:

            "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

In this passage of scripture, the people of Jerusalem had left God’s path…and he had to correct them.   He will do the same for us today!  We must be willing to listen and follow his voice of correction and instruction. 

             When Judah was prosperous and comfortable, they wouldn't listen to God. So He allowed them to go through times of adversity and affliction; the results---they began to hear God and be guided by Him again. It's always better to be uncomfortable and in tune with the Lord than to be comfortable and out of step with God.

            There will be times when we’ll experience painful trials; But we must remember that God always acts out of his love for us.   Next time we go through a difficult time, let’s try to grow from the experience, learning what God wants to teach us.  God may be showing His love by patiently walking with us through adversity and pointing the WAY---one step at a time.

            May we remember that God will show us the way to JOY….but we must be listening to His voice and willing to follow!

In Partnership with Jesus

           Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Listen carefully to God as He navigates you through your day.

            Isn’t it much easier to follow someone’s directions when you trust that they know what they are talking about?  If someone has proved trustworthy in your life, you are much more likely to cooperate with their advice & counsel.  

            God has proved Himself faithful…trustworthy…time after time.  1 Corinthians 1:9 in the New Living Translation says:   “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

            Do you trust God to take the steering wheel of your life?  Or do you think you  know what is best? Have you decided to do the driving yourself?  It’s a sure thing that when you try to take the wheel from God, you will NOT be talking to Him in the same manner as if you were trusting Him to do the driving.   “Your communication with Him will be hindered. Words of gratitude will be replaced by complaining, and praise will be ruined by criticism. You will find that you won’t be able to communicate with God easily because you’ll be thinking that He should be driving better” *… or to a different location.  Your journey will be filled with challenges.

           May we each allow God to take the steering wheel and then sit back, rest in Him and enjoy a wonderful drive with lots of good, honest communication and…of course…joy in the Lord.

*  http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/faith-in-life/risking/trusting

Give God the Wheel for the Joy Ride of Life

          Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Enjoy the journey as you drive through your day.

            Often we jump into the driver’s seat and without a second thought, take control of the wheel.  We know we must be careful to obey the traffic laws and to be cautious of other drivers along the way.  Especially when the highways are crowded or the weather is dangerous, we have to be on high alert so that we can arrive at our destination safely.

            While I’ve been referring to driving a vehicle…let’s talk for a minute about our lives…the choices we make…the detours we choose… the storms we have to navigate through.  IF we choose to travel the road of life alone, without God, then we will be anxious and not experience the JOY found by resting in Him..

 Here’s a great analogy from Focus on the Family contributor, Shana Schutte:

“Imagine a woman who is trying to wrestle the driver’s wheel away from her husband. Now imagine a woman who is sitting in the passenger’s seat allowing her husband to drive without complaining or correcting. Which one do you think is experiencing rest? The one who trusts and is sitting in the passenger’s seat, of course. She is enjoying the scenery. She is not fretting about how her husband will get her where she needs to go. She is just relaxing and resting…But, the other woman doesn’t have time to enjoy a thing because she is too busy trying to be in control. If she would only choose to trust, she could rest, too.”

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/faith-in-life/risking/trusting

            Let’s give God the steering wheel and get ready for a joyous ride!

Psalm 37:7  "Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes."

Let God "Service" Your Heart with His Oil of Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Whether you drive a brand new sports car or a run-down jalopy, God’s serving of joy can taste just as sweet!

            There are many different types of cars we can choose to drive.  And there are similarities and differences among them. Every car has a motor, wheels, bumpers and windows…as well as many other things that a “girl” like me would know nothing about.  I do know that you have to turn the ignition to start the car; and that you move your steering wheel to the right or left when you want to turn. Brakes help you stop and lights help you to see. Those are the kinds of things that are the same about all vehicles.  But what about the differences?  Color, size, style, speed, design, make, cost, etc. etc…

            People also come in different sizes and styles….but we all are made by the same “Designer”.  God has given us an owner’s manual (Bible) that He wants us to read consistently.  Daily wear and tear can damage us.  Just because we’re still “running” and things look okay on the outside, does not necessarily mean that everything is good on the inside. 1 Samuel 16:7 says:  “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

          Just as a car needs servicing,  we, too, need to keep our lives running smoothly by allowing God to do daily inspections. Allow Him to use His Oil of Joy to lubricate all the places that need His special touch.   

Drive Joyfully

           Have you had your Joy Juice today!  It’ll help you to drive more joyfully throughout the day!

            Do you see the parallel between driving a car and driving through life?  When we get behind the steering wheel of a vehicle, we are in charge of where we are going.  (Husbands may disagree….especially when we wives give our not-so-always-welcome “help” from the passenger’s seat.)  The driver starts the engine and turns the steering wheel in the direction of their destination.  When we are not sure of how to get there, we look at a map or turn on some navigation device.

            In a similar way, as we navigate through life, we will easily make some of the turns. We’ve been there before and learned the way…making wise decisions in familiar territory.  However, we will come to some difficult detours in life.  We may be unsure of ourselves because we’ve not traveled that road before.  What do we need to do then?  Turn on our GPS!

            GPS usually represents “Global Positioning System”.  I’d like to suggest that in our spiritual journey we use the acronym as: God’s Perfect Solution.  Where do we find this type of GPS?  By reading and studying the scriptures; by praying & seeking His direction.    God will never lead us astray. Proverbs 3:6:  “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” We must be careful, however,  that we are following Him and not the “imposter” who likes to trick us and deceive us in to traveling down the wrong path. 

            Let God have the steering wheel and joyfully release your control to Him.  Using His GPS will make your ride much more enjoyable.

           

             

Be Joyfully Obedient to God's Directions

            Have you had your Joy Juice this morning?  As you drive along your way, pay special attention to God’s directions!

            A few days ago, I was on my way to a meeting…with a car full of joyful ladies.  Though I was somewhat familiar with the town we were traveling in, I was unsure of the best way to get to our destination.  I was driving and my friend in the passenger seat was navigating because she was very familiar with the territory and knew the most direct route.

            At first when she told me to turn right or left, I listened and obeyed her directions…but we came to a place where I THOUGHT I knew better and when she told me to turn right, I wanted to turn left.  I was SURE that she was confused. So I did it MY WAY…which was the wrong way.  My precious friend lovingly asked, “Why would you not listen to me?”

            Oh, how God gripped my heart with that real illustration of how I often react when He tries to guide me!  As long as I am familiar with the territory, it’s easy to listen to Him.  But how many times have I gone left when God told me to turn right?  How often have I sought His direction on some matter and turned in the opposite direction of what He told me to do?  As with my dear, loving friend…I can hear God whisper, “Why would you not listen to me?”  (John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life….)

           When we are driving on these roads of life, we should listen to God as He navigates.  We CAN trust Him.  And lest we forget…the passengers who are riding with us will be affected by our decisions. May we be joyfully obedient to God’s directions.

Look for the JOY!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  May your day be filled with sunshine and joy!

            Some days are good days…filled with laughter and excitement!  Some days are bad days…...we wish we could have a “do-over”. And then, there are the normal, ordinary days.  In all of the “days of our lives”, GOD IS THERE!

 

            Whether we experience “rainbow days”, “stormy days” or “ordinary days”, our faith should stand strong.  Of course, we’d all prefer to have “sunshine and lollipop” days.  But then, would we depend as much on God if we never had struggles?  He sends us a variety of experiences in order to help us grow.  From that perspective, all rain or all sunshine would neither one be best for us!  Aren’t we thankful that the Lord knows just the right combination of what we need to help us develop spiritually?

            As 2 Samuel 23:4 says “…he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.”  May we remember that our God has a plan and purpose for each of us. But if we don’t seek His wisdom and are intent on “doing things our own way”, we may be inviting some of the storms into our lives.

            We can and should read & study God’s Word. We can even memorize scripture!  But if we don’t apply that wisdom and instruction, we will not grow spiritually.   Let’s thank the Lord for the sunshine and praise Him in the rain…knowing that regardless, He is with us!

             Whatever this day may bring, let’s look for JOY in the Lord!