The Joy Well Never Runs Dry!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Be generous and share your serving because there’s always more.  The joy reservoir never runs dry because Jesus continually fills it.

            When you think of Jesus, what picture comes to mind?  Is it the baby in the manger?  The crucifixion on the cross?  Today, let’s see the picture of the man in his early 30’s going about His God-appointed mission on earth, sharing The Truth.  Focus for a moment on His face…what do you see?  I hope you see joy!  Because Jesus was a man of joy as He pursued His purpose on earth.

            “He showed (joy) in his attitude; he drew crowds who couldn’t get enough of him.  He showed it in his words; he was a master communicator who impacted those who listened to him in person two thousand years ago and he impacts us today.  He showed joy in his actions; he treated people with good humor and patient understanding of their human flaws, and he was skillful in bringing them to the spiritual realizations they needed.” Kay Warren

            On the subject of joy, as well as every area, we can follow Jesus as our ultimate role model.  We should pray to become more and more like Him…and to do that, we must relinquish control of our lives to Him.  The older I get, the dearer the scripture in John 15:11 becomes. He says: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

            Never fear that the “joy well” will ever run dry because Jesus makes available HIS JOY at all times!

JESUS: A Man of Sorrow and of JOY

        Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  Even in times of sorrow, we can experience joy!

            The reason Jesus can comfort us in our times of sorrow is because He suffered and knew sorrow, himself. Isaiah 53:3 says: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.”  But let’s not stop there! Jesus was a man of sorrows, but He was, also, a man of JOY!

            In Kay Warren’s book Choose JOY, she makes a crucial point: “In Jesus’s role, he was a man of sorrows.  But in his essence—his unchanging nature—he was man of joy.  In fact, the Bible tells us, ‘The Son of man came, enjoying life.’ (Luke 7:34) The Son of Man didn’t come bent over in pain.  He didn’t arrive with a scowl on his face, a killjoy who couldn’t survive without his box of tissues.  He came,  eating and drinking and loving life.”

            “Jesus was a vibrant, compassionate man, a man of both sorrow and joy who could enter fully into life with all its brokenness.  If he was a man of sorrows AND could experience joy, maybe (we) can too.”

            This brings hope to our hearts—that even Jesus, the divine Son of God, experienced heartache and sorrow—yet, He was joyful. “But He’s God,” someone may point out.  YES!  That’s exactly right.  And because He IS God, He is able to share His joy with you and me!

            Let’s choose JOY in Jesus!  

Joy Gifts from God

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  The joy of the Lord is a true gift!

             We like to receive gifts, don’t we?  Especially those unexpected presents given in love!  God wants to share His love gifts with us.  One of those gifts is JOY in relationship with Him.  BUT…be aware!  Joy is not just the beautiful ribbon tied around our lives to make us look nice.  JOY is an important part of God’s purpose. Let me explain.

            So often we go through the daily routines of life —without thinking a lot about God’s love for us and His purpose.  It’s as if we are on “autopilot”, going through the motions of our busy day. We aren’t tuned in to the joy gifts God wants us to enjoy. Gifts such as: a beautiful sunrise; a new bloom in the flower garden or even the wildflowers along the road; the laughter of a child; the good news of a doctor’s report or strength in the midst of a bad report; a phone call from a friend that encourages us.  All of these are examples of joy gifts…if they are seen through the heart of one who loves the Lord.

            God’s ultimate purpose is that we glorify Him in all that we do; and the more we acknowledge the gifts of joy that He brings into our lives, the more JOY we will receive and share! Psalm 126: 2 should describe every Christian who chooses to accept God’s joy: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’”

         Receive God’s gifts of JOY today and acknowledge that truly “The LORD has done great things for us.”  

JOY: A Determined Choice

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  I’m not asking you if you feel “happy”…but do you have genuine joy?

            It saddens me that many people think joy is beyond their reach.  Maybe it’s because of their bleak circumstances; they feel hopeless and have given up on having joy. Many assume that joy is the same thing as happiness.  It’s NOT!  A few weeks ago our whole family went on a vacation together and I was very happy to have all the children and grandchildren together.  We laughed and played and enjoyed all kinds of fun things. It was a wonderful vacation…and I was one happy “Gigi”.

            But genuine joy isn’t found at Disney World or the beach or any place in particular. It’s found in having a personal relationship with the Giver of genuine JOY…..Jesus.  Here’s a good definition by Kay Warren: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.”

            Did you hear that? A DETERMINED CHOICE…no matter what our circumstances!  “Joy is a settled conviction ABOUT God.  It’s a quiet confidence IN God. And it’s a determined choice to give our praise TO God.”   (Kay Warren)

            Don’t confuse happiness with joy…it’s much more than external things. There are many things in life that are uncertain, but the JOY of the Lord is one thing we can count on…when we put our trust in Him.

Walk Humbly (& Joyfully) With God

            Have you had your Joy Juice today? As you’re drinking it, think about how important it is to walk for your spiritual health!

            Micah 6:8 gives us wise instruction:  “And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to WALK humbly with God.”

            Walk humbly…..How do we do that?  Humility is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggression, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity. Rather than, "Me first," humility allows us to say, "No, you first, my friend." Humility is the quality that lets us go more than halfway to meet the needs and demands of others.

            We can walk humbly with God if we’ll always obey the Golden Rule.  You remember that scripture.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Treat people the way you wanted to be treated.  Walk in their shoes!  This is a great reminder of how to walk in His ways so that “it may go well with us”.

            As your go about your walk today, no matter whether it takes you around the block, to your workplace, to school or shopping, remember to walk humbly in His ways by treating others the way you would like to be treated.  Try it!  I believe it’ll add some pep to your step and Joy in your heart!

Humbly and faithfully drink your Joy Juice!  And share a double portion with others as you walk through your day.

The Personal Trainer of Joy

          Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Aren’t you feeling stronger since you’ve started walking with Jesus?  It makes that Joy Juice taste extra sweet, doesn’t it?

            Walking is extremely beneficial to our health. A personal trainer can give us tips about how to warm up and stretch before walking, how to pace ourselves, what length strides to take to prevent injury.  If we are consistent and committed to an exercise program, we’ll begin to notice a improvement in our energy level and our physical health, in general.  Not only will we feel great, other people will notice a difference, too.

            Do you think you need a spiritual personal trainer?  Well, do I have the one for you!  He’s the best!   His name is Jesus.  With Him by our side, we’ll be able to do things we never thought possible! Not in our strength, but in His.  When we get tired and don’t feel that we can take another step, He will pick us up and carry us.  If we will allow Him, He will show us how to “walk in all His ways” as Jeremiah 7:23 instructs.

            Some days will be easier than others to walk in the Lord.  When you get to a point that you just don’t think you can go on, call in your Personal Trainer. He’ll remind you of all the benefits of walking JOYfully with Him.

 Let’s go walking…hand in hand with our Personal Trainer who knows all about abundant JOY.

Walk Faithfully and Joyfully

           Have you had your Joy Juice today?  It’s time for your daily serving before you start your walk.

            God commands us to walk faithfully in His ways.  That means we are to obey Him.  To be obedient, we must read His Word to learn what His instructions are. The Bible is the only instruction manual we need to get in shape spiritually.

            Why does God want us to “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk”?  Because He loves us and wants to bless our faithfulness and commitment to Him.  If you are a parent, just think how good it makes you feel when your child obeys your instructions.  We love them so, and it makes us joyful to see our children doing what we’ve taught them to do.  Sometimes don’t you like to reward a child’s obedience and willingness to do as you have instructed?  God does!

            In Zachariah 3:7 we are told, “This is what the Lord Almighty says: If you will WALK in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house, and have charge of my courts and I will give you a place among standing.”

            In other words, God always has our best interest at heart.  And He desires to bless His children when we WALK in His ways.

            Join me as we begin our stretching exercises.  We’re going on a JOY WALK today!