The Way That Is Right
Joy
Have you ever been asked, "Who stole your joy?" Well, lately I've been asking myself this very question. I don't know exactly what has been going on with me but I sure have been feeling in the joyless zone. Could it be too much housework needing done, too many kids to love and teach, too little money after my husband's recent pay cut, medical worries as I await some medical tests on myself? Or perhaps my age is catching up with my busy lifestyle! But as I ponder where that joy went and who took it away, I know the answer is that I must have laid it aside. As I climbed up on the great BIG pitty pot my joy must have been left way down there on the floor! The funny part is that I have been filling and filling myself up with God's word and even with fellowship. Maybe as I study more and more I long for things to be simplier and can I say-sweeter. I do know my joy only comes from the Lord , I also know it is the source of my strength - that is why I feel so very PUNY! I know other's have been where I am and may even be with me now. Chime in with me and help!
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Brodeur on -
Tricia, In the book "Prison to Praise" Merlin Carothers addresses this very thing. These are some scriptures he gives. In John 17 Jesus prays to the Father for us, his followers. He prayed ".. that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." Matthew 25:21 he read; "...thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord." So it was a matter of entering in. He realized he had to do it; it wasn't given to him automatically. "But how do I enter in, Lord?" In Luke 6:23 Jesus tells us that we are to leap for joy. He even describes when we are to leap for joy; "When you are hungry...when men shall hate you... when men shall reproach you... when they cast out your name as evil...rejoice in that day, and leap for joy.
"How does he expect you to leap for joy under those circumstances? Cor 12:9-10 Paul says "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. "
Over and over the author says he finds in the bible "Rejoice! Thank God for everything." He starts thanking and praising God for everything and it is amazing what happens. He is filled with joy. If we are always in a state of thankfulness how can we not be joyfull? Really amazing things start to happen when he starts praying this way. Read the book if you get a chance. I really can't do it justice in this short reply. The whole second half of the book is about this subject. God Bless, Maryann
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Brodeur on
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Correction: the scripture above is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, sorry!
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Permalink Reply by Tricia Gann on -
Thanks Maryann. You are very encouraging. I will look for the book. It sounds very interesting. Great scriptures that I needed to be reminded of. Thanks again!
Blessings, Tricia :)
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Permalink Reply by Shirley James on -
Hi Tricia and Maryann,
Maryann, I think I need to read that book. My sister gave me a book called The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. I haven't read it yet, and forgot that I had it. While talking to my sister, yesterday, she reminded me of it. It's a good thing that we have each other to build one another up. I'm such a forgetful person and need reminding all the time.
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Permalink Reply by Tricia Gann on
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Dear Shirley,
When you are done with that book can I borrow it? Brenda mentioned it to me in an email just the other day!
Love, Tricia :)
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Brodeur on
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I have the book "Prison to Praise" if you both want to read it. If you look it up online you will come to a site that shows all the books this author wrote and a message from him. I just ordered his most recent one. I will let you know how it is. God Bless you both, Maryann
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Permalink Reply by Tricia Gann on
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Sure I would like to read it. If you give it to Shirley I can get it from her. Thanks - that is nice of you to let me borrow it.
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Brodeur on
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ok Tricia, I will try to get it to her. Did you accept me as a friend. I sent a request already. If you don't know how. Go under Shirleys friends and you can find me and then click on me. I think you can add me then.
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Permalink Reply by Maryann Brodeur on
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I just got this devotion this morning from Calvary Sonrise and thought I'd share it with you. It has to do with Joy. Hope you enjoy :) Love YSIC, Maryann
1 John 1:4
4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. NKJV
John says that the reason to touch the Lord at the table of Communion and see Him in the pages of the Word is in order that we might be full of joy. Elton Trueblood, classic preacher from a generation past, put it this way: “The Christian is joyful not because he is blind to injustice and suffering, but because he is convinced that these, in the light of Divine Sovereignty, are never ultimate. The humor of the Christian is not a way of denying the tears but rather a way of affirming something that is deeper than tears.”
We’re full of joy not because we’re trite or frivolous, but because there’s a deeper reality than the temporary separation from a loved one, the problem with the car, or the bankruptcy of the business. None of those things need rob us of joy because we know there’s a much bigger picture “Eternity” Amen!
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Permalink Reply by Tricia Gann on
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Thank you for the encouragement! :) That is right we do see the bigger picture!
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Permalink Reply by Jim & Sally Cribbs on -
So many things I could agree with you, in what steals our joy. And I DO think it is stolen. Guess who wants us to be miserable?? I believe even Jesus had His un-joyful days too, but "who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Sometimes we have to go looking for the joy - yes, we have our eternal reward to look forward to, but I'm talking about the day to day things that pull us down. I think back to a bad car accident we had. We were hit by a teenage girl. Our car was spun around in a 180, the battery was thrown out from under the hood, my husband blacked out briefly, but because we were all buckled in (the girls all in their carseats), we literally walked away from that accident. Was it joyful to be all bruised up and sore? No, but we all were OK. Then we had to deal with the insurance, not having a car, etc. etc. I went back to the accident site during the day (it happened at night at a dark intersection), and found the small center piece of our hubcap, still intact, lying on the ground. I kept that circular piece of metal in my garage for a long time, thanking God whenever I saw it.
Two things came about because of that accident: 1) The teenager and her passengers could have been killed had they NOT hit us - just beyond our car, in their path of travel, was a telephone pole. They may have missed us but ended up dead. As it was, they suffered minor injures but like we, they walked away. 2) There is now a traffic signal and better lighting at that intersection. Jim's brother and sister-in-law BOTH had accidents at that same intersection before us! Was it a joyful thing? Not at the time, but we can look back and say "WOW, God! Look what You did in all that!"
Be a "Joy Seeker" and I bet you'll find some! Sally
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Permalink Reply by Tricia Gann on
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Thank you for the encouragement and the testimony. Yes, we do have so much to be thankful for and remembering those things causes a joyful heart! Praise God that you walked away from a terrible accident! I also listened to the song you sent on You Tube! Thanks I like that song too!
Praise God for encouragers!!
Blessings, Tricia:)
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