Category Archives: Joy

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October 26, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Salvation: A New You, Sharing Our Faith

Why Take the Trip?

Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6 (GW)]

People can have an accurate map and a clear route highlighted to get to a specific location, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to go take the trip. They need the desire to travel before they will depart. They must see that the destination is better than where they happen to be at the time.

Sharing our faith isn’t just about convincing someone that Jesus is the Son of God, our redeemer and savior; it’s much more than proving the accuracy and truth of the New Testament. Sharing our faith is reflecting the love, peace and joy of the destination. Only then will someone want to join us on our journey!

The surest mark of a Christian is not faith, or even love, but joy. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

 

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September 27, 2013

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Joy, Obedience, Prayer, Thanks & Praise

Be Thankful; That’s an Order

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)]

As I present my prayers to you, O Lord, give me joy and thanksgiving at your answers, even when they are not the answers for which I prayed!

Prayer may not change things for you, but it sure changes you for things. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

 

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August 30, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Nature, Today: Make it Count

Greet the Day with Joy

2013-8-30But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. [Psalm 59:16-17 (NLT)]

O Lord, may I wake each morning with a song in my heart. Let me be like the mockingbird who greets the dawn singing with confidence and delight. May I face the day’s challenges with a positive attitude and praise for you. I don’t want to be like the fish crow who shares his pessimism with a nasal whine of “uh-uh.” He’s emphatic about saying “no” to the day’s possibilities while the mockingbird sings almost endlessly with enthusiasm and hope.

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. [Psalm 90:14 (NLT)]

 

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August 3, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Thanks & Praise

May Joy and Contentment be Yours

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with the hard work God gives them under the sun. [Ecclesiastes 8:15 (NLT)]

Oh God, giver of all good things, thank you for the gifts of laughter and joy. Thank you for all of those things that give us entertainment and pleasure. May we honor and glorify you in the way we use and enjoy these blessings of life.

Work hard and play hard! [Grandpa’s motto]

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June 18, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Joy, Trusting God

THE REAL CHALLENGE

Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield not food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle – even then, I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me. [Habakkuk 3:17-18 (GW)]

It isn’t difficult to have faith in times of happiness and abundance; the real challenge is to find faith and joy in the Lord in times of misfortune or need. Although our circumstances can change at a moment’s notice, we need to remember that God never changes. The same loving God sends both blessings and trials and He is directing events according to His purpose, not ours. We can be confident that He will do what is right and that He will give us the strength to meet our challenges.

Father in Heaven, keep us from letting events determine our faith. Instead of concentrating on our troubles, show us how to focus on you so that we will always have joy in the Lord.