Joy of the Lord

 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11 NKJV).

Joy! The word “joy” brings a smile into our day. We can almost sense endorphins high-fiving each other!

For the last several years, God has given me a “word of the year.”

This year, the word is “Joy”! I’m very joyful about that!

Immediately, I started thinking about how I could study this word and “nail it.” Who doesn’t want joy? After a few weeks of exploring “joy”, God has revealed a few things. I expect there’s a lot more to come.

My favorite revelation, so far, is that I don’t have to wait until everything is “perfect” before I bask in the blessing of “joy.” Joy comes from the Lord. It’s not from my performance or the performance of others. Joy doesn’t only come when everything is perfectly complete and tied up with a bow.

“… For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV).

Paul was in prison when he wrote Philippians and sprinkled words like joy, rejoice, and be glad throughout much of the “happiest book of the Bible.” Prisons are not perfect environments for comfort and joy. And yet, Paul’s joy was in the Lord.

Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)

We can let the littlest things disrupt our joy. Since Christmas, my joy has been highjacked because my home management routines are not completely back on track. Is this a comparable scenario to Paul’s situation in prison. I think not.

Then, why am I letting it steal my joy? Because I’ve been thinking- when everything is perfect, I will have joy. When every dust bunny and trail of crumbs are corralled, I’m going to be joyful. Not going to happen!

If our “joy quotient” is being ruled by whether our expectations are being fulfilled, it may be a while before we smile. Did you catch that rhyme? That was a little “joy” coming through!

However, we do have an Advocate with the Father, the Holy Spirit, who helps us with the Fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to conjure it up. What a joy that is!

I have a lot to learn about “joy” this year and I am joyfully anticipating what God will do.

Our joy is not dependent upon our circumstances, but on how closely we are walking with God. As we renew our mind in the word, praise God with a grateful heart and serve others, joy comes bubbling up again.

Keeping our eyes focused on Jesus is pure joy!

Remembering our salvation, our relationship with Jesus in this life and the one to come in heaven should prompt us to sing joyfully to the Lord.

“In Your presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11 NKJV).

Our joy can be connected to our physical and spiritual eyes.

What do you see each day- the positive or the negative?

Do you see others not meeting your expectations or do you focus on how you can serve them?

Do you see all of the things that don’t go your way or do you see God at work?

Who are you looking at today to bring you joy?

What is “the thing” that brings you joy?

If it’s not Jesus, might I suggest you close your eyes and redirect your gaze to Him.

Joy will be overflowing!

Blessings for a joyful 2019!

It’s all about Jesus! To God be the glory!
Blessings and love, Gayle

© 2018 Gayle Holcomb