Monday, November 21st, 2011
Someone once said, “How do you spell joy? Jesus. Others, You.” Simple, and true. Life works well when we keep Jesus as our first love and then, in turn, lavish love on others rather than focusing on ourselves.
This morning I read some words that add a deeper dimension to the J in Joy. They say, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey his laws, and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths “ (Psalm 119:1-3).
Quite honestly, obeying God’s laws doesn’t always feel joyful especially if doing so collides with our wants or perceived rights. Take, for example, His command to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us.
How about remaining faithful and respectful of one’s spouse when he/she shows no interest in keeping your marriage alive? What about tithing when finances are tight? What about taking a God-given risk when there’s no hint of the results it might bring? How about obeying the speed limit even though doing so means we’ll likely be late for a meeting? (Consider the possible options to that one and then ask yourself how joyful you’d feel paying a speeding ticket!)
Sometimes we consider God’s commands as old-fashioned or constricting. Perhaps it’s time for an attitude adjustment. We need to embrace them as safeguards placed by a loving, all-wise heavenly Father or as the strategies for successful living. Obeying them results in true joy even when it hurts or it’s inconvenient.
Answer this question: On a scale of 1 to 10, what’s my joy level today? What action must I take to move it at least one notch higher?
Photo courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: God-given risk, joy, tithing when finances are tight
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Monday, June 6th, 2011
Traveling by plane as often as I do provides lots of opportunities to speak with fellow passengers. When I engage in a conversation, I’ll admit that my spiritual antennae are up, looking for ways to share God’s love. Often, the other person makes a comment that makes for a perfect lead-in. Last December, a lady seated next to me asked, “I’m on a personal quest for peace. Have you found it yet?” One usually only dreams of such obvious openings.
As believers, we need to go through life looking for and recognizing opportunities to present Jesus. Peter did so, specifically in Acts 3:12 when people showed their amazement upon seeing him heal a lame man. He seized the moment to direct their attention to God, whose power made it possible for the man, born lame, to walk and leap.
“Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd,” says Acts 3:12. Let’s ask God to give us eyes like Peter’s. Let’s ask Him to enable us to see divine opportunities to share our faith, the reason for our hope, the source of our joy and peace.
Those opportunities might happen on the city bus. They might come at the hair salon, or in a restaurant, or at the gym. We don’t know how God is working in other people’s lives, but we know that He is. And we just need to be alert, keeping our spiritual eyes open to see those opportunities when they come.
Question: Describe a recent opportunity you’ve had to share Jesus.
Photo courtesy: http://www.dreamstime.com/free-stock-photography-a-pair-of-glasses-rimagefree1800791-resi3440358
Tags: hope, Jesus, joy, lame, peace, spiritual eyes
Posted in Devotionals | 2 Comments »
Friday, April 1st, 2011
Today’s guest blogger is Marcia Lee Laycock. She won The Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for her novel, One Smooth Stone. The sequel will be released this fall. Marcia also has published two devotional books. Thanks for joining us, Marcia!
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We were on our way to the reception when we saw them. The wedding party was gathered by a small bridge in a local park, milling around while the photographer got set up. The men looked dapper in their tuxes and top hats, though they had to hold onto them. The bridesmaids were holding on too – to their coats. And the bride held on to her veil and huddled in a quilt while the photographer tried to arrange the pose. Though it was spring, the day was low with clouds threatening rain or maybe snow, and the wind was unrelenting.
It was a brief glimpse I caught of that scene, from my car window as we sped by, but the image is frozen in my mind. I suppose it’s not such an unusual one – weddings happen on all kinds of days. The thing that makes it stay with me, however, is the brightness of the smiles, the tilt of laughing faces, the obvious joy in spite of the surrounding circumstances. Though that bride was wrapped in a quilt to try and keep warm, her face was radiant, her eyes sparkling. Though I could not hear her laughter, it was obvious it was ringing through the air. Though I saw only a glimpse it was obvious who her attention was focused on. There was one young man dressed in a tux who had totally captured her attention. She was completely convinced of his unconditional love and I doubt that even snow could have dampened the joy of this day, the day she was joined in marriage with him.
The Bible tells us that we too, are a bride. We are the bride of Christ. We are irrevocably united with Him on the day we open our hearts to Him, accept His forgiveness and allow Him to direct our lives. When Jesus is the focus of our attention the way that bridegroom was the focus of that young bride’s attention, the circumstances around us are immaterial. When we know God loves us unconditionally and we love Him back, nothing else matters. Come rain or come shine, our joy is boundless.
Jesus tells us how to capture that joy, how to sustain and maintain it. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you,” He said in John 15:9; and He continued – “Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15: 10,11).
Come rain or come shine, our joy will be steadfast if we stay focused on our bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
<p><a href=”http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=921″>Image: Aleksandr Kutsayev / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</a></p>
Tags: bride, bride of Christ, joy, Marcia Lee Laycock
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Tuesday, December 14th, 2010
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom”! Please follow along through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.
AND BEST OF ALL … there’s also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year’s Day at the Pearl Girls Blog! Pearls – a tangible reminder of God’s grace to us all.
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Wear Joy
by Rachel Hauck
Thanksgiving day in central Florida broke warm and sunny under a blue sky. The thin fall breeze beckoned me. Taking my bike out, I rode the neighborhood feeling so grateful for all my blessings.
Joy bubbled up in my spirit. I’d been feeling it for a day, these waves of joy, but as I rode my bike and talked to God, the waves strengthened and splashed my heart the entire ride.
I’d laugh. Then tear up. And laugh again. As one who’s battled and won the war on anxiety and fear attacks, the onslaught of joy was welcomed, and actually sparked a new prayer in my heart. I’ve endured attacks of panic, time for attacks of joy.
The journey of joy began earlier in the year while writing a book coincidentally named, “Dining with Joy.”
Sitting at my table one day, revelation hit me. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. The more I meditated on it, the more I wanted His joy. I don’t want my strength. I want His.
Not long after, I went to Nashville for a girl’s weekend. One of my friends handed me a coffee cup inscribed with “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Ever just know? God is calling.
During the holiday season, I turn 50. Yep, the big 5-0. Can’t stop it, I might as well embrace it.
Fifty is often associated with jubilee, a time of restoration, and healing, even release from debt and slavery. It’s a time of returning to property, and inheritance.
A time of rest.
A time of JOY!
This past week, a friend gifted me with a beautiful Christmas ornament. Inscribed on it? You guessed it.
JOY!
To me, the world doesn’t look very joyful. There are social and economic woes. But God is speaking and offering joy.
As you go into this holiday season, ask God for a pearl of joy. Like pearls, crafted through abrasion, God’s true joy is often formed in us during difficult seasons.
Here’s the thing, His strength isn’t doled out based on our goodness, our success or failure, or the fact the holiday season is hard or sad for you. He is ready, willing and able to overcome all your weaknesses, fears and anxiety, sadness with the power of His very own joy.
His joy. Your strength.
I’ve been walking into rooms, houses, outdoors, raising my arms and shouting, “Joy!” People look at me funny, but I want to spread the joy of the Lord. To spread the very essence of His strength.
How about you? Can you find the pearl of joy in your life, in the essence of God’s heart toward you?
Wear joy this season.
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About Rachel: RITA-finalist Rachel Hauck lives in Florida with her husband, Tony. She is the author of Dining with Joy; Sweet Caroline; Love Starts with Elle; and The Sweet By and By, co-authored with Sara Evans. For more information please visit www.rachelhauck.com.
Oh, and be sure to enter Rachel’s Dining With Joy NOOK eReader giveaway!
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A PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS will be given away on New Year’s Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!
12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info
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