My Daily Pause

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance – Gal 5:22-23

The underlying Greek for the word “joy” is “chara” which is defined as joy, delight and gladness.

Where do we find joy?

In another person?
In family?
How about in exercise and health?
Maybe it’s in a day at the mall with lots of money to spend …

Those are the things a worldly view might tell us will bring us joy, but when they do, it’s either self indulgent or temporary or both. God wants you to invest in a joy that will last forever – a kind of joy that anyone can have.

Look at some places the Bible says to find joy:

• Our Faith: Philippians 1:25. There is no reason to be fearful or worry when we have Faith.
• Our Challenges: James 1:2. Who we are and what we know comes from experience – both good and bad.
• Our Obedience: Acts 8:5-8 records joy in the city when the Samaritans were saved. Acts 8:35-39 tells us the Eunuch went away rejoicing after his baptism.

Where joy is not found:

• Sin, the opposite of obedience, brings fear: Hebrews 10:26-27
• Fleshly pleasures: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 Solomon discovers that having all he wants results in no profit and vexation.

A truly joyful life then, comes from a little sacrifice now, preparing for God’s big reveal of what he has waiting for us.

Daily Bible reading for July 14

Ecclesiastes 8
Joshua 13-14
Jeremiah 7:1-8:3
Matthew 22:15-46

In Psalm 43, God is given a number of roles. He is the deliverer, the source of strength, light and truth, and joy and hope. I noticed especially that God isn’t labeled as the source for joy, he is joy itself – “My exceeding Joy”.

The ultimate intent of the Gospel might be to bring the faithful joy, no matter what challenges they are facing. (1 John 1:1-4)

Allow God to be your light of truth – He with strengthen you with a sense of hope and joy like no other.

Daily Bible Reading for Feb 12

Joseph goes to prison. King Asa dies. Peter heals Aeaneas and raises Dorcas from the dead.

Psalm 42-43
Genesis 39
2 Chronicles 16
Acts 9:32-43

If you want a template for the proper attitude towards the Lord read Psalm 33 very closely. Here is a call to joyful praise of a good and considerate Lord who is our help and our shield.

Here are some questions for this Lord’s Day:

1. Will there be joy in your worship today or will your heart be somewhere else?
2. Will you be pleased to return a contribution to God’s work or do you make that offering reluctantly?
3. Will you sing each word with equal emotion and thought or pass through the words without consideration of their intent?

Daily Bible Reading For Feb 3:

Jacob works out his wages with Laban. God tells Solomon how to keep His blessings from turning into curses. Jesus is crucified.

Psalm 33
Genesis 29:31-30:43
2 Chronicles 7
Luke 23:26-56