The Pleasure of Pleasing God | Desiring God Instead, His Holy Spirit prompts, guides, and . And if that were the end of the story one might say, wheres the joy in that? You die and then well see you for a short while and then youll leave again? But we did not deserve to be counted his friends. Heres the key to keeping your joyGods way is so different than the worlds way. Experience The Joy Of The Lord Through Prayer 2. 9. They are very heavy, she said. In fact, it will be, for most of us, an uncomfortably corporate journey. What else have you found helps to renew or sustain your joy? What is the joy of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org Philippians 4:4 tells us to, , Being Grateful Biblical Keys for Christian Living, Being Led by the Spirit Biblical Key to Christian Living. One of my favorite stories of Paul is an example of this. Only a close and growing walk with the Lord can sustain joy through the varied seasons of ministry. Through his word, he extends to us the particular joy of being led, of receiving the initiative he takes toward us. This is not for us to do alone, nor were we ever made to face this life alone. This is why service of Christ that looks to him as our servant can be full of freedom and joy. Help us this day to choose not just joy, but to choose to focus our attention, our love, our affections, our praises, and our days on You. are serving Him. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." And the joy referred to in Hebrews 12:2 is clearly the very joy that Jesus himself has today in heaven which sustained him through suffering. Worldly wisdom says that to have real joy you need a bigger home than the one youre living in now. If you are too determined to follow your own ritualistic rules, you can miss the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit and lose the joy He wants you to have. Its so hard to stand when your arms are full. The woman glowered in confusion and looked away. Perhaps you are worried about money today, or a relationship is struggling, or someone you love is sick. Our interest and his glory are one (Desiring God, 159160). Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.. Each day is a day the Lord has given and made, and therefore we have access to Him and His strength that day. Our service becomes part of this treasure. with others. And sometimes, do something fun, just for the sake of To help keep your account safe, please choose one of the methods below to verify that it's really you signing in. Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content Isaiah 58:13-14 New International Version 13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, The point of the Christian life is not to endure as much suffering as we can. ), 6 Reasons Why Im So Excited to Be a Christian in 2023, Movieguide Warns Parents: 'Don't Take Your Daughter to See, A Prayer to Be Happy for Others - Your Daily Prayer - July 15, 10 Things You Should Know about Christian Meditation, 4 Changes to Make if You Struggle with People-Pleasing, A Sabbath Day Prayer for the Weary - Your Daily Prayer - July 16. In verse 17 we see the disciples inquiring of each other, What is this that He says to us, A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me; and, because I go to the Father? This puzzled them but Jesus doesnt leave them puzzled too long. Good News Translation then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. Joy is contagious, attractive, and an opportunity to share the true source of hope and love. I felt relieved. But Jesus says to the disciples, you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. Article Images Copyright , 7 Biblical Ways to Choose Joy Today No Matter What, The Beautiful Truth and Meaning in the Angels Message He Is Not Here, for He Has Risen, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Occasionally I get this wonderful catalog in the mail that has all kinds of fly fishing gear in it. The answer begins with the vital truth that God gives us means. Sometimes suffering is part of that ( 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12-14 ). Didnt Jesus warn the disciples that they would experience sorrow? 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Jesus conquered death and the grave and He lives. In a world of sin and suffering, mess and misery, it is good news to hear that joy is possible. 4 Beautiful Things That Can Happen When Life Doesn't Go How We Planned, Biblical Truths about Sexual Orientation and Gender, 20 Reasons Marriages Fail (Christian Marriages, Too), This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. So, to those who feel overwhelmed, remember the glorious end of your covenant path will more than compensate for the adversity you face in life. For others of us we are not trying to impress Jesus. Isaiah 58:14 then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will Feel God's delight with rest and refresh your soul. Here are 3 Powerful Reasons the Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength. I too smiled, and wasnt so tired anymore (Good Deeds: True Stories of Good Deeds, Charitable Acts, and Selfless Service [2003], 10). The decision to choose joy at times can be a difficult choice. Michelle D. Craig First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency 11/22/19 | 4 min read These four ideas bring me joy in the Lord. Gods way is different. Tell one (Psalms 100:2) Joy is like a medicine. Daily ask the Lord We serve a strong and powerful God, yet your problems matter to Him. God is glorified in our asking him (this is, prayer) to meet our needs, as he says in Psalm 50:15: Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Through prayer, we get the joy of deliverance, while he gets the glory as Deliverer. John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. The Joy Of The Lord: How To Experience It Every Day - The Blazing Center This was for good reason that He did not place them in a sky rise apartment or suburb neighborhood, He knew their souls would thrive in the Garden. He, as Creator, takes the initiative to address us as his creatures. How can I have joy when I'm going through trials? - CompellingTruth.org And he, as our Savior, takes the initiative to tell us about our rescue. We will rejoice and be glad. Some of his children were rebelling; two of them even tried to kill him and their faithful brother. Sometimes we need Jesus to blow away the delusion of anxiety with a simple rhetorical question, like this one: "Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" ( Matthew 6:27 ). We might well agree. Why did Nehemiah say, "The joy of the Lord is your strength?" (Nehemiah You are good, and Your faithfulness endures forever. Joy Is Not Optional | Desiring God On your day 3) By developing our God-given talents, and letting God prune us so we can produce fruit, we will have something worthwhile to share. ( Proverbs 17:22) Real joy is unique to the Christian. His greatness is not that he can command the service of millions, it is that he serves millions. True joy is only found in the person of Jesus. Joy is the strength that enables us to press through and keep the faith through the journey of life. How we treat his words is how we treat God himself. If you want to keep your joy you need to have your perspective changed about how you do that. "Michels's storytelling is rich with wit and charm, providing this series finale with plenty of scintillating romance and simmering intrigue." - Publishers Weekly "Michels deftly combines banter with touches of poignancy, and she includes sexual tension and a dangerous threat in this compelling third installment of The Tricks of the Ton series." - RT Book Reviews "[A] richly emotional . Spend more time with God. of counseling and pastoring, I have often seen a corollary in Christians Union operates in four interrelating departments: Welcome to the Union Publishing site. What kind of joy is this? We love to gain respect, obedience, even fear. Our verse tells us that he gave his life as a ransom. The setting is Philippi. The glory of God will one day stand forth in a new creation and wipe away all evil and all pain and all sorrow and all fear and all guilt. . Spend time with your family. If you make a purchase after clicking I may recieve a small commission at no extra cost to you. Its meant to be that way. Whether Youre Swimming or Struggling, the Lord Sees Your Effort, Receiving RevelationRecent Messages from Prophets, Apostles, and Other Church Leaders, Acting in Faith While Hoping for Marriage8 Ideas for Adults Who Are Single. "The joy of the Lord is your strength" ( Nehemiah 8:10 ). Psalm 16:11. God is not the cosmic killjoy many of us may have feared in our youth. Satan cannot abide the songs of the saints. Suffering is also simply a reality of living in a world marred by sin. Take a brief moment to mentally turn from the He is glorified as we receive his grace through each other as gifts from him (1 Corinthians 12:411). Focus on the Good. For many of us the freedom to worship the Lord how we wish in our country, having a full meal to eat, or clean drinking water is a luxury many do not have in other parts of the world. It may be that you are enjoying your Christian service at the moment, but you feel the beginnings of these temptations, or maybe you are nodding along with bitter agreement, in the same place I was as I walked home after church feeling relieved. 29:34 Full Video Highlight Video If you will act with faith in your Heavenly Father and His plan and in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and follow God's prophets, you will be given power to do whatever the Lord needs you to do and to become whatever He needs you to become. Joy is what the the kingdom is. And this is the very joy for which we were made. We struggle to believe that he can really be as generous as he is. There will always be someone who looks like they have everything together or are more important than we are. And thats what I want to impress on your heart and mind today. Authentic joy is birthed of abiding in God. If we are in Christ, then God has saved us from our sins in the past, and he will save us from his wrath in the future. Theres real joy in giving away your faith. Theres real joy in that. having fun. Those who reject him will live without him. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. There is something encouraging about Sometimes we But if youre too consumed with your own plan, too locked into the way you think things ought to be, you wont even hear God speak to you or recognize the promptings from Him that will help you succeed. What helps you feel closer to the Savior? Thats the truth we see expressed in Ecclesiastes 2:10,11. But in what sense is he saving us right now? 2) Stay focused on Jesus. Be Led by the Spirit | Daily Devo - Joyce Meyer Ministries May 1, 2018 How to Find (and Keep) Your Joy in Ministry By Rick Warren Psychology Today once asked 52,000 Americans, "What does it take to make you happy?" Their answers varied, but the interesting thing is that most of them dealt with external situations instead of internal issues. Those who are serious about pursuing their joy in God will not be among those neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but will consistently, urgently, and joyfully encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25). God means for us to approach him, through his word, as the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 2:13); to come humbly, and welcome his words (James 1:21) even when they seem strange and startling to us and seek to obey them, not just hearing his words, but actually doing them (James 1:22). Our happiness may crash against the waves, or strength may tarry, but our joy will endure for it is rooted in Jesus. Jesus says, Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends (John 15v13). Look at verse 20 again. Clear Away Distractions for a Period of Time. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. She looked up at [the woman] and her face was lit with a smile. Psalm 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Send thank you flowers to your spouse. We are exceedingly blessed to live in such an age where much of what we daily take for granted is freely given unto us. 1. Take a walk. 2) We can achieve real happiness through sharing. 2. How do we eat what is good and delight ourselves in rich food for our souls? Stress broke Elijah's spirit. His death brings us, his people, to him in marriage. Psalm 16:11 says, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.". Jesus' death transforms the relationship we have with him. of your children how thankful you are for them and thank them for a He not only speaks to us, but he stops and stoops, bending his ear to hear us respond. Joy is not found in more stuff, more fame, more money, or any other thing. 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. That was the ransom. We are not alone in the Christian life. Jesus judgment on this is chillingly fitting. No doubt, we need our moments of being alone with God in his word and prayer, but we also will regularly receive his words together and respond to him in prayer together, as we do in corporate worship. It is said that all of creation is made to worship the Lord, even the trees clap their hands as the winds of the Lord breathe upon them. To see it with the eyes of the heart and not just think about it with the mind. Keep Your Joy - Joel Osteen Daily Devotion (June-01-2023) Choosing to focus on Him rather than focus on the doubts, fears, or unknowns will help us find strength and joy in that day. You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68). I had done my bit preached, led, talked with people. I ask youis Jesus your joy? Jesus did not come so that you would serve him. 22 Bible Verses about Joy - Uplifting Scripture Quotes - Bible Study Tools Your joy now springs from being chosen and loved by a Savior, who laid down his life (while you were still in sin) to die for you. It may be the subtler feeling that others need you and you couldnt bear to let anyone down. Joy is rooted in who God is. Step One: We Abide in Him. forget that our emotions are as attached to our bodies as they are to Updated December 7, 2015. When God created the Earth for the first man and woman, He chose to place them in a Garden, one of paradise. Your email will not be shared. This incredible little phrase, one that we've quoted, one that hangs up like artwork, one that we sing - means this. His death brings us, his people, to him in marriage. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. It is a gift to learn to recognize these moments . The book of Acts brings them together, for instance, in its summary of the collective habits of the early church: They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). our spirits. In life, we have the choice to focus on the problem, or focus in the solution. All rights reserved. Im told we live very close to some great fly-fishing on the AuSable River. But we often forget that their purpose is different from our purpose. The very words of God himself, through his apostles and prophets in the Scriptures, are the first and foremost means of his grace to us. Union is all about mission mission fuelled and strengthened by robust theology . The Psalmist proclaimed in Psalm 27:13, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living and whether that is goodness you are believing for, or goodness you already hold in your arms, we can find great joy. Engage in a hobby. Were on a mission to change that. 10. After helping clear up I was about to head home when the pastor took me to one side. Her whole face softened and her body relaxed. But you say, Well thats good but I cant see Jesus now. This Holy Mass is celebrated via online and. Psalm 16:11 says, In His presence is fullness of joy. To keep your joy just stay in His presence. Joyful service of Jesus had become a chore and a burden. God means for us to come hungry to his word. All self-denial and suffering in faith will be recompensed 100-fold. This joy that Jesus speaks of is the joy that comes from putting your trust in Jesus Christ. There are times you may not feel like rejoicing, but choose to rejoice. John Hindley is an elder of BroadGrace Church in Norfolk, England and a church planter withActs 29. Satan cannot abide the songs of the saints. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD - LIVE NOW: HOLY MASS 9:30AM - Facebook I remember being in the hospital room with Carolyn on that Sunday afternoon in March as she spent a few hours in labor. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.