Joy

Let's be honest - there appear to be more grumpy Christians, than those who are, well ... happy.  So, what does a happy Christian look like? (Please, no selfies)  How can you tell a joyful person from a happy person, or a giddy person, or a foolish person? You can be happy your team won, you can be giddy about a great opportunity, you can act happy ... but be miserable, so, what is it that makes joy different?

Joy is not based on circumstances.... In fact, joy will not even prevent us from experiencing negative stuff.  However ...  joy is a deep-seated sense of happiness in what God has done and what He is continually doing. The Greek word for "joy" is related to the Greek word for "grace."  That means,  joy is a grace bestowed on us by God. 

 From, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth!" (Ps. 100:1) to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4)— There are many scriptures,  before, after,  and in between— where we are compelled to lead joy-filled lives.

According to Galatians 5:22-23 joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit but it can often seem elusive, if not impossible, for Christians.   

 Joy is unaffected by circumstances.  It is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. Joy is deep. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope. 

In many ways, perspective is key. When we look at what God has done for us, we naturally respond with thanksgiving and joy. When we look at difficult circumstances or the frustrations of life, we naturally respond with discontent. This is not to say that we don't acknowledge the difficulties of this life. But that, we do so --  while still recognizing that God is in control and that He loves us.

The Psalms display this truth. David, for example, poured out his complaints to God. He did not deny the hardships of life, his depression, his hurt, or his disappointment. Yet by the end of each psalm, he generally seems encouraged (check it out -- Psalm 3; 6; 7; 13; 16; 18).

When we voice our problems and worries, when we allow ourselves to be reminded of the goodness of God, we release our burdens.  Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). 

We can experience joy when we give our burdens to Jesus. He helps carry the heavy load. He also reminds us of Who He is. Knowing of His care for us and our ultimate victory in Him, we can experience joy even in our hardships.

In the opening words of Philippians 1, Paul writes ...

Philippians 1:3-8 

I thank my God every time I remember you.   In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.   It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.  God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

So it is with  "Joy to the World" - that Jesus has come and "Joyful, Joyful We (will) Adore Thee."   We will remember these songs, "...if you want joy, you must ask for it..." or, "..if you want joy, real, joy, God's joy, wonderful joy ... then open your heart and let Jesus come in..." and wait, "joy is the flag flown high in the castle of my heart ... for the king is in residence there."  - (that last one is going to be stuck in your head for days....just like the theme from...It's A Small World After All... - yep, you are welcome!)  

...and...really it is a very small world ... all things pale in comparison to our lives in Christ ...so c'mon... all of you...yes, you are my friends and you know I'm talking about you ...and I'm  just sayin'.

Back at it next week...

Kelly

Wisdom

"...open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him..." 

What a great chorus, it is a song that Solomon might have sung.

1 Kings 3:9

"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

Solomon begins his reign in desperation, having to fight for it, having to grasp at the kingship, it was anything but a smooth transition. 

Not a great beginning.

God appears to Solomon and asks what it is that Solomon would like to receive. Solomon could ask that his power be centralized; he could ask that God make sure he lives his whole life as king. He could ask that he live and rule for a long time. And it even seems that God is expecting the answer to be one of these.  But Solomon surprises us (and God?) by thinking beyond himself and asking for… and you know the story … wisdom.

Well ... not exactly. 

Solomon acknowledges that it is God who put him on the throne, and then asks God for an understanding mind to rule God’s people.

He asks to be able to discern between good and evil.  What Solomon is asking for are the skills he needs to be a good king. He is not asking for generic wisdom nor is he asking to be a philosopher.

I’ve heard it said that the difference between being smart and being wise described as follows ... Being smart is knowing the truth about something. Being wise is applying truth so that it affects the way you live.

Solomon was asking for knowledge. The knowledge he was asking for was to discern between good and evil.  But it is not enough just to know what is right and what is wrong. To truly live in wisdom, this needs to change the way he lives.

The honest truth is that we all have moments of doubt where we wonder if we are  prepared for the things that God has set before us.  What a challenge these three words present to us ~ wisdom, understanding and knowledge! 

Where would we be if we were to know and walk in the true meaning of these words! 

I'm just sayin' to allow the truth of God’s Word to fill you with faith, courage and revelation as you seek to know - wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

See you next time...

Kelly

Desire

"this is my desire to honor you...."

When you think of David, what is your first thought? 

Do you remember his triumph over the giant Goliath? 

Do you remember David as the man who committed adultery with Bathsheba? 

Do you remember his failures as a father? 

Do you remember Him as a humble shepherd?  

In Acts 13:22, Paul says that God looked at David as “a man after God’s Own heart!” God remembers David as a man who cared about the things that God cared about; who loved what God loved; hated what God hated; and whose heart beat in time with God’s.  

A Holy Desire – David’s wants the Ark returned as the center of worship and devotion in Israel. David was seeking to unify a divided nation with God as their true King once again.  David desired God’s presence, God’s blessing and God’s guidance.

A Honest Desire – David  was not after glory or power; he merely wanted to see God restored to His proper place as the Sovereign God of Israel.  He strongly desired that God would be glorified among the people of Israel.

A Humble Desire – David knew that neither he nor Israel would amount to anything without the presence and power of God.  He knew they did not possess the power or the ability to fend for themselves.  They needed God.... His presence and His power.  

We need a heart that beats for God, His power and His presence.  We need to learn that we can do nothing without God  (John 15:5).  We must have His presence and His power if we are going to serve Him; worship Him and carry out His will in our lives.  

May God grant us hearts that are hungry for Him; that we will not be satisfied until He comes in power and glory and transforms us into all we can be for Him.  

"Lord I give you my heart ... have your way in me."

That was David's desire ... I'm just sayin' that maybe it should be ours.

See ya next week...

Kelly