Tag: joy

July 9, 2023

July 9th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 83-85

Highlight Verse:

“What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s a reason I chose to read the poetry books on Sundays. So much good praise!

I’m blessed to go to a church that has a really good worship band that does an amazing job of bringing the congregation to the throne of God.

But that’s not the point of this verse.

When this Psalm was written, the faithful came to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem. This Psalm celebrated those pilgrimages.

But today, God comes to us.

We are His temple.

Therefore we are those who can live in the house of the Lord, always singing His praises.

It’s good to gather with other believers to worship but we would do well to remember that we have the privilege of singing God’s praises every moment of every day.

You might ask, “Wouldn’t other people look at me funny if I did that all the time?”

Of course you shouldn’t ignore those around you just so you can sing constantly. But haven’t you met that person who is constantly whistling, or humming, or quietly singing as they go about their days. Sure, it might be annoying at times, but –

Don’t you want that kind of joy?

I assure you that, for those people, it started with a decision.

“I choose joy.”

It might not come naturally, but if you choose it constantly, it will come!

Do you want to be one of those people who are constantly singing praise?
Are you one of those people? If so, how did you get there?
July 6, 2023

July 6th, 2023

Thursday – letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 5

Highlight Verse:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Okay, let’s see a show of hands – of those who know me, how many thought I was going to highlight verse 13.

I thought so.

Yes, 2 Corinthians 5:13 is still my favorite verse but the one that caught my eye today was verse 17. (Besides, I covered v. 13 on April Fools Day).

Today’s highlight verse begs the question “Why would I wait till I die to come alive?” (as quoted from the Switchfoot song, Afterlife )

When I was growing up, faith was an insurance policy guaranteeing eternal life. I have long since come to realize that my

new life began the day I said yes to Jesus!

Every day I try to live it to the fullest doing what I can to bring positive change to those around me.

Some days are better than others but one thing rings true through it all. This ain’t some dead religion I’m living out.

I’m alive through the grace of Jesus, the love of the Father, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Have you come alive yet?
Do you want that life?
June 24, 2023

June 24th, 2023

NOTE: I struggled with this one for over an hour last night and was still not satisfied with it. This morning I realized what was missing so it has been revised.

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Jeremiah 18:1-10

Highlight Verse:

“But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭18‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Does God change His mind?

If it were anyone else, you might think so. The reality is, we’re the ones who need reshaping sometimes.

We think we’re bargaining with God when the truth is, he is taking that mis-sharpen lump of clay and turning it into a masterpiece.

I met someone yesterday who was full of it –

Full of joy,

Full of hope,

Full of grace,

Full of the Holy Spirit.

A few years ago his life was like that mis-shaped lump of clay. It was falling apart. The pursuit of pleasure through drugs, alcohol, and carnal pursuits had brought him to a place of complete hopelessness.

He was ready to chuck it all and take his life.

But God intervened.

He allowed God to reshape him. God is still reshaping him into a man who will impact the world for good.

Do feel like a mis-shaped lump of clay with no hope of ever straightening out?
Or perhaps you are a usable vessel but are bothered by your imperfections?

Turn it over to the Master Potter. He will create a masterpiece out of you.
June 12, 2023

June 12th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 7-8

Highlight Verses:

“Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here’s the difference between religion and relationship.

In religion, you obey a bunch of rules in order to earn your way into heaven.

When you have a relationship with God, you follow his leading out of gratitude for being given a new life and trust that God knows what’s best for you.

We can never earn our way into heaven because we will never meet God’s standard of perfection. Jesus is the only one who ever did. He laid down his life as a sacrifice in our place that we may be with Him for eternity in heaven and have a relationship with Him in this life. That’s an amazing gift that we do our best to live up to, though we know that we will fall short.

I’ve know many people who, even after they’ve accepted God’s forgiveness, still feel like they have to keep to a strict set of rules or they will lose their salvation. For you I have good news.

The only way you could lose your salvation is by rejecting Jesus.

I also know many people who have accepted God’s forgiveness and live like there are no rules. I have good news for you as well.

Following the principles set forth in the Bible will lead you to a richer, more fulfilling life.

Obeying God’s commands will not earn you heaven, but it will bring you closer to the God of all joy.

Some think that if they obey, they’ll miss out on all the fun. In obedience is more fun and joy than you can imagine.

The path of sin, if followed to the end, can lead you so far from Jesus that you reject Him and forgiveness, which is the furthest thing from joy I can imagine.

Have you been stressing over every little religious rule you’ve ever heard of?
Or have you been seeking fulfillment in sin?
Trade those paths in for the path of relationship with the God of all Joy!
June 11, 2023

June 11th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 72-74

Highlight Verses:

“These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭7‬, ‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up poor. I’ve never been wealthy by American standards (though by third world standards…).

I’ve spent a fair amount of time wishing I had what other’s have.

I’ve even speculated what I would do if I won one of those huge lottery jackpots.

That might not be a horrible thing. But is it a good thing?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with working hard to achieve financial success. In most cases, I don’t see a problem with winning the lottery (though the money bet could probably be better used elsewhere).

But we humans can be excessive.

We wallow in jealousy or self pity.
We ignore our family and spiritual life in pursuit of wealth.
We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

Before we get to the point of being all torn up inside, let’s get our priorities back in order –

God
Family
Community and Country

Most of us should have no problem keeping those priorities without driving that Mercedes to our beach house sporting our RayBans and Coach accessories.

So the next time I find myself wrenching under the hood of the old minivan (again), I’ll think about how blessed I am.

I have all I need.

Do you?
May 29, 2023

May 29th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 5

Highlight Verse:

“So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In case you didn’t read the first part, this man was just restored after being possessed by at least 2000 demons.

He’s not the kind of guy that people wanted to model their lives after.

If I had done the kinds of things this guy had done and then been freed from the demons, I’d probably want to hide in shame – maybe become a monk or something like that.

He didn’t do that.

In his joy and excitement over being freed, he told as many people as he could about Jesus.

And because of his past, they believed!

I guarantee that your past is not as bad as this guy’s. God can use your past too.

What would happen if you shared freely about your past and what Jesus has done to free you from it?
Is there anything keeping you from sharing it?
May 12, 2023

May 12th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 55-57

Highlight Verse:

“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My first thought when I see this is “Isn’t the Lord always near?”

But then there are seasons.

Here in Colorado, it is Miller moth season. In fact, one found its way into the house and is fluttering around my lamp. Most likely, by morning its fluttering will be over and its life spent.

That moth’s life seems very short to us. But, compared to the eternity that awaits, our lives are a blink of an eye.

On average, we have less than 80 years to make the call for our eternity.

Some more, some less.

One mistake many people make is assuming that eternal life begins when we die. They think they have to “live it up” and have their “fun” while they are young. Then, when they are older, they can get more serious about God.

I found out one August day in 1977 that eternal life begins when we start to live it for God.

The most joy filled times of my life have been when I am living in the center of His will.

The most miserable times were when I was living for myself.

What times in your life have been the most joyful?
Has your true eternal life begun yet? If not, what’s holding you back?
May 5, 2023

May 5th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 52-54

Highlight Verse:

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You want to look beautiful? Here you go.

Seriously. When you’re filled with the joy of the Lord and share the Good News in a loving way, you look good!

When I was in college I attended a somewhat traditional church at first. They were good people and the Gospel was preached there, but there weren’t that many people on fire for the Lord.

I remember the first time I saw their choir perform. There was one girl who stood out among the rest. Sure it didn’t hurt that she was about my age and wasn’t bad looking. But she wasn’t the most beautiful in the group. But she was the most attractive.

Before you ask, no I didn’t date her. She left for another church not long after I got there. But what made her attractive was the fact that she was full of the joy of the Lord. Her passion for Jesus came out through her smile and her enthusiasm.

I am now blessed to go to a church that is on fire for Jesus and am married to a godly woman whose natural beauty is enhanced by the deep joy within her.

It’s my hope that people see that joy in me and hear the Good News that I talk about and want more of Jesus.

In what ways are you a messenger who brings Good News?
Do you have that deep joy that springs forth to spread the Good News?
April 22, 2023

April 22nd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:4

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When ever I read this, I hear Keith Green singing, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” (Scripture Song Medley, from the album The Ministry Years 1980-1982)

You’ll notice it doesn’t say, “rejoice in the Lord Sunday morning,” or “rejoice in the Lord on payday,” or my favorite, “rejoice in the Lord every Friday at 5.”

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

You might say, “Well, Paul didn’t just have his car break down for the 5th time,” or “Paul wasn’t just laid off,” or Paul doesn’t have to deal with this person every day.”

Actually Paul was in jail. Most scholars believe it was his final jail sentence – not that far from his execution.

Still he said, “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Do you have a hard time rejoicing when things aren’t going well?
Can you share a time when you did rejoice through a hard time and it changed your perspective?
April 18, 2023

April 18th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 25-26

Highlight Verses:

“Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭25‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I am not afraid of death.

That’s true – but…

I wouldn’t mind living a long life like Abraham.

Yes, I know I won’t make it to 175 like he did. But, I’d like to see my grandchildren grow up and I’d like to enjoy a good amount of retirement.

Too bad Abraham didn’t write down his secrets.

Or maybe he did.

We know from Genesis that he traveled (ch 12), wasn’t selfish (13:9), was generous (14:20), was faithful to God (15:6), was blessed by God (17:6), and completely trusted God (22:8-9).

I could go on about how he ate all natural food, worked hard, and acted wisely.

None of these things guarantee a long life. But what good is a long life without the second part – a satisfying life.

It’s true that I am looking forward to eternal life in heaven. But I want to live a satisfying life now.

I can tell you without a doubt that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, daring to follow His lead, the more satisfying my life has been.

Is your life satisfying?
In what ways can you walk closer to Jesus?

Tag: joy

We are His temple.

Don’t you want that kind of joy?

“I choose joy.”

new life began the day I said yes to Jesus!

I’m alive through the grace of Jesus, the love of the Father, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Does God change His mind?

I met someone yesterday who was full of it –

Full of joy,

Full of hope,

Full of grace,

Full of the Holy Spirit.

But God intervened.

Turn it over to the Master Potter. He will create a masterpiece out of you.

Here’s the difference between religion and relationship.

The only way you could lose your salvation is by rejecting Jesus.

Following the principles set forth in the Bible will lead you to a richer, more fulfilling life.

But we humans can be excessive.

We wallow in jealousy or self pity.We ignore our family and spiritual life in pursuit of wealth.We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

GodFamilyCommunity and Country

I have all I need.

He’s not the kind of guy that people wanted to model their lives after.

And because of his past, they believed!

I guarantee that your past is not as bad as this guy’s. God can use your past too.

But then there are seasons.

On average, we have less than 80 years to make the call for our eternity.

The most joy filled times of my life have been when I am living in the center of His will.

You want to look beautiful? Here you go.

It’s my hope that people see that joy in me and hear the Good News that I talk about and want more of Jesus.

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

I wouldn’t mind living a long life like Abraham.

Too bad Abraham didn’t write down his secrets.

I can tell you without a doubt that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, daring to follow His lead, the more satisfying my life has been.

We wallow in jealousy or self pity.
We ignore our family and spiritual life in pursuit of wealth.
We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

God
Family
Community and Country