Living life With Joy, It Can Happen- Day 2

Words often take on new meaning when you experience them personally first hand. What I am referring to is the difference between being happy and having joy. I always thought of them as the same, a temporary emotion or feeling that often changes with our circumstances. I guess that is why I never could truly experience either one of them on a consistent basis. Let’s be real here, being happy and having true joy can be very difficult if your preconceived notions of the meaning of either word do not line up with your life experiences. For this article, I am going to talk about joy. In the process of finding joy on a consistent basis, I wanted to get a true understanding of what the word even meant.  Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defined joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires (delight)   the expression or exhibition of such emotion :  (gaiety)  a state of happiness or felicity (bliss)  a source or cause of delight . I don’t know about you, but if I were really sold on the notion of the word joy based on the meanings above, it would still sound temporary, and superficial. I guess I wanted more, and knew with God I could expect to experience Joy on a much deeper, satisfactory level.

I love how Kay Warren defined Joy in her book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness isn’t Enough when she wrote that Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”

I love that, it means so much more to me emotionally. It doesn’t say that everything is always going to be good, or pleasant in my life, it means to me that no matter what, God loves me, and is in total control of all situations. That the Faith I have in God in knowing that He Is, who He says He Is! The words “quiet confidence” to me means peace, safety, hope and strength. The most important part is when she says “the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”  The key word is choice, and I choose God, I choose to love Him, and I choose to trust Him!

Can I be honest and vulnerable with you? It has taken me a long time to get to this point in my life. It has never been this peaceful, and I like many others use to tie my “emotions and experiences” in defining my level of joy. That is a scary notion to have, because experiences are often summed up with unreliable and inconsistent emotions. There was a time in my life after my younger brother passed away, that joy was a thing of the past. I was very angry with God, and turned away from Him. In my infinite wisdom maybe I thought I was trying to get back at God for taking someone so treasured by me, I do not know, It does not make a lot of logical sense, that I know. Thank goodness that God is so patient, and kind, and unconditional in His love for all of us, for I would have really been in a permanent mess! The reason I mention that experience is a few months ago, I attended the funeral of my brother-in-law, and it was during one of the saddest moments, that the most amazing opportunity to glorify and worship God in the midst of pain is almost unexplainable!

So to help others in their journey of obtaining joy, I will leave the wisest words, Scripture

Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20  But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

2 John 1:12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This was taken from a great article that I will attach so that you can read more on joy.

http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-joy-20-uplifting-scripture-quotes/#ixzz378Piuu60

In conclusion, my favorite verse on Joy is found in  James 1:2-4

New International Version (NIV)

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

May you find the peace and joy that you are looking for!

Living a Life of Joy!

I started my day with my normal thought patterns on my life, my loved ones, the way I view the world, it was the same “stinkin thinkin” that keeps me “in a box.” I thought about how the people around me are getting older, and how time is always moving, things that I simply cannot control, but always managed to make me sad. I thought about an author Kay Warren, and the book that she wrote a few years ago, “Choose Joy.” In this book, she emphasized that although we cannot control our surroundings and the things in it, we can control how much joy we have in our lives. I thought about that, choosing joy! It came to me, that my relationship with God, and actually putting my trust in Him, is the surest and quickest way to obtaining joy in my life. I can’t control circumstances, or people in my life. We all must make a conscious decision, and effort to maintain relationships, love, and live life.

We are all given a certain time frame to live on Earth, and that this world is truly temporary. We have a whole other life full of joy and love awaiting us on day, trying to hold on to something in this world, and the things in it, including people is crazy! We were never suppose to be permanent residents here, and truly, if you think about it, in a world this ugly, who would want to be? I can spend my time, trying to slow down the process of life, and the people in it, or embrace the time, days, and moments we are giving, and maximize the joy that it can bring. I choose life! I choose to love those around me, while they are around me, and to enjoy the adventures and opportunities that God gives me with each passing day!

I took a picture of myself this morning, to put a date and time stamp on the changes that will occur in my life. In the process of the journey of seeking a positive transformation of Joy and love, that comes from God, I plan to share my experiences with others! What do I truly expect to happen? First, I will seek God and His will for my life! The surest and most practical way to do that, will begin with His Word, His Promises, daily!!! I love that! I love that word Promise! I love the fact that God is there, and loves me unconditionally, no matter what! I love the fact that He says in His Word, that If I seek Him, I will find Him!

I love that He is there open arms, and that there is nothing that will ever change that! I love that He tells us in the Bible, If we desire knowledge, that all we have to do is ask for it! (James 1:5). The Bible is so full of answers, every question that you will ever have in life, is answered in that book! Reading James has helped me understand that true wisdom only comes from God. Wisdom is the “ability to see the world through the eyes of God.” I love this verse, “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13). What does all this mean? It means that if I seek wisdom from God, He will give it to me. Having wisdom that comes from Him is pure, it brings peace, love, gentleness, and the ability to give to others. It means that the inner peace and love that I have inside will radiate out to others, sharing His love and gift of life with others.
What is the first step to this transformation? James tells me right there in the Bible, James 4:7-10, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash you hands you sinners, purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. (repent).Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.”   What does this passage mean?   Give your heart, life, and soul back to God. Truly repent, and ask for forgiveness in a way that is not fake, or shallow in thought. Give him your life, to live through him, for Him, and In Him!

What I love about God is this, I can give him all my “negative’s” and trade them in for His goodness! In Faith, and that is the key, Faith meaning, no matter what, trusting Him, knowing that He is in control, and will do in love for me, what He wills!

In retrospect, I choose Joy! I choose God’s love~ I will take every trial and trouble, and look for the good in it. I will use them as they come, as an opportunity to help others, to bring joy, and compassion and love to others!

Are you with me? Are you ready for this journey? I would love to hear from you, share your thoughts via the comment section, and or contact me!

Peace!

Asking for Forgiveness

In a study that I am teaching on Faith It came to me lately that sometimes we start things with good intentions, but somehow over time, the core of a vision that you once had for something in the beginning, can result in a completely different reality of what it truly is at the current time. What does that mean? Honestly speaking, sometime ago I started a Women’s Ministry with the intention of it having the core and heartbeat of God and His purposes, but in reality, falling away from His direction and it becoming a fellowship of different individuals, with the emphasis of “self”. I say this from my heart, I take responsibility for this change. It is with open awareness and asking of forgiveness of those whom I may have offended, or interfered with their walk with Jesus. I realize that a true ministry is a ministry of love! It is not a theological statement of beliefs of individuals or of a group, but a ministry of love. It is not driven by having large numbers of members, but of each heart and souls. Whether a ministry is large or small, numbers do not matter. It may be the purpose of God for you to change just one life, not hundreds of people, but what I have realized, if I stay stuck on “me”, I will not even change or help the one person that God has given to me to help.

I have been extremely blessed to get to know some very good, strong, Christian leaders. I have learned so much from so many. I also realize that we all have different styles of leadership, teaching, thoughts and inputs that although are all different, may be gifts from God for certain people that we meet along the way. We will not plant seeds in everyone, or help change their lives for Christ, but the ones that we do touch their lives for the better is pleasing to God. I have also hurt a lot of good leaders. I had been self-centered in thinking, that their style, their teaching may not be the best “fit” for our ministry, and I am truly sorry! It has never been, or will be my ministry. It is not about me, it is about Christ! I have learned that God has touched each of us as people with gifts, experiences, educations, professions, wisdom and it is our responsibility to share with those we come in contact with.

Rick Warren shared a quote once, “Success comes when you do the following, you have a “Great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a great _________________________.”

Ladies, I apologize, I do not ever want to get in the way of God and His working. I want to be an example of love, and I ask you to pray for spiritual growth, maturity, and our purpose. (my purpose). I ask with a humbled heart!

What Are You Doing with Your Life?

 

It is amazing to me that I have had to re-write this beginning sentence three times just to get this article going, something I do not usually have to do, must be important for me to get this message across. The deeper my walk with Christ reveals to me, the need for me to become more transparent and vulnerable for those around me. It can be uncomfortable to reveal all your thoughts, weaknesses, and anxieties to others, but I feel like this is something I need to do to be used by God. I always thought that the Mega Church Pastors had a special blessing over them for doing the work of God, but in my own smaller, simpler ministry I have learned the opposite, leaders have more warfare to deal with! I can only imagine what others go through when leading people to Christ, if I receive a lot of spiritual warfare right before leading a new study.

I was talking with a good friend this morning, and she send me a link to Beth Moore’s teaching on “God’s Purpose for You.”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5AVmmH8v00 . It really touched my heart and I wanted to share with you.

The thought that God has an individualized plan for our lives is amazing, each life comes with his own personal blueprint or “business plan” of living. It is not a generalized plan that we all share with one another, but written just for our purpose.

^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV).

Beth goes on to define the Greek word boule for Purpose, ” will, project, deliberation and reflection.” Our Purpose is God’s will that He intentionally, individually designed as a result of his intentions and reflection.”

I told you earlier I was speaking with my friend and she sent me this quote from Beth Moore’s “Believing God ” and she said this, “throttle blessing, abiding and bearing fruit are not.” I believe that we are given free will in our lives, what you do with it is up to you. I decided long ago after God had brought me out of my trials, that I would use each time of darkness to bring light to the world, and show that God will always get the glory, no matter what, even when it seems all hope is lost. My addiction, my grief over losing my brother, will not go in vain. I will share my heart, my experiences, my hope, my faith to anyone else that I can possibly help another person. Life is full of triumphs and trials, and you we are all given a set amount of time here on Earth, you can decide what you are going to do with that time.

In closing, I want to share this verse

Acts 13:36

³⁶ “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. (NIV)

Take David’s name out of the Scripture above and put your name there, what does it say? What will you do?