We often think that joy just comes naturally, that some people are just more joyful than others. But I think that I am finding that joy is a by-product of some learned lifestyles. Just as we often think that love is an emotion, we have come to see that most often love is a choice. Such is the case with joy. When we have mindsets that choose to dwell on the negative, it is going to be very hard to allow joy to come to a place of prominence in our lives, and will almost certainly not be an attribute that we are known for. Our verse that we will add this week is just such an example of one of the learned behaviors that we have to enact in our lives to allow joy to become our natural state. (Angela Thomas has even written a 52-week devotional book entitled, "Choosing Joy.")
But it is the beginning of a new verse, a new week, so let's review our last few sections before we introduce the new.....
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
We'll follow right up with Philippians 4:6...such a great verse for those of us who tend to be worriers. (And you do know that worry is a sin, right? And you do know why, right? What level of trust are we showing in our God who we claim to love and to know that He loves us when we feel that we must fret over our circumstance? Is He able? Of course He is! OK, back to the show....)
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Here it is folks! Here is one of the huge stumbling blocks to having a life full of joy...worry! If we are going to be joyful, we've got to let go of worrying over our lives. A life full of worry will never be a life known for joy.
I'm picturing someone holding both of their hands up imitating scales with worry on one hand, joy on the other...worry....joy....worry...joy...which do you choose? Today, I choose joy!! I will turn my worries over to God's very capable hands and rejoice in the fact that He is able!
But it is the beginning of a new verse, a new week, so let's review our last few sections before we introduce the new.....
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
We'll follow right up with Philippians 4:6...such a great verse for those of us who tend to be worriers. (And you do know that worry is a sin, right? And you do know why, right? What level of trust are we showing in our God who we claim to love and to know that He loves us when we feel that we must fret over our circumstance? Is He able? Of course He is! OK, back to the show....)
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Here it is folks! Here is one of the huge stumbling blocks to having a life full of joy...worry! If we are going to be joyful, we've got to let go of worrying over our lives. A life full of worry will never be a life known for joy. I'm picturing someone holding both of their hands up imitating scales with worry on one hand, joy on the other...worry....joy....worry...joy...which do you choose? Today, I choose joy!! I will turn my worries over to God's very capable hands and rejoice in the fact that He is able!
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