Tag: Joy

Filling the Joy Tanks

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When was the last time you laughed out of pure joy? Not a giggle here and there, but from true happiness inside, the inner expression of the heart that cannot be contained?

To laugh like this is the outer proof that something wonderful has transpired inside. This type of enjoyment with life cannot flow from an empty well, so to speak. And if you haven’t laughed from pure joy in this way in a while, what is the well that you are daily drawing from filled with? Perhaps it’s not the lack of expression of laughter that’s the problem, because that will be a natural occurrence when one is filled with those things that will naturally produce it.

Then, there must be a problem with what’s in our joy tanks. There must be a depletion of those things that will, without effort, produce joy.

Today, in the natural, you can make a conscious effort to fill your life with those things that bring you delight and enjoyment. It can be something as simple as changing how you view a mundane routine and making it a place where the work may be mundane, but beautiful joy can be found in the work. It could also be as simple as changing thought patterns and where one chooses to focus. Philippians 4:8 helps us with this, saying, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

God wants us to enjoy the beauty this life can offer: “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:15, ESV).

While those things are good, true joy doesn’t begin or end there, and we should not rest or be solely content with a natural filling. As we are making the effort to fill our lives with the things that bring us joy, we must be even more mindful not to leave out the greatest source of joy found in the spiritual.

In heaven, we are going to know the extreme happiness of “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8), but even now, that kind of joy is ours for the taking because when we are filled with Christ, who is the ultimate reason for joy tanks being filled, the overflow of all He is in us will saturate our very lives from the inside out.

Trust me, my friend, we may not fully comprehend how it will all be or turn out in our tomorrows or future forever, but we can surely act on what we know today. Today, we know that we can laugh with pure joy because pure joy is what Christ brings to our lives. Today, we can focus our hearts on filling our joy tanks with Him, knowing that our wells cannot help but overflow in happiness and all that blessed pleasure that comes as a result from on high.

The Lord Jesus spoke this beautiful summary, saying, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). Life may seem rough at times but there was a great exchange that took place at that cross on Calvary that gave us the great privilege of laying down what is burdensome and picking up a life filled with JOY!

Blessings~

More Encouragement:

“My Soul Shall Be Joyful In My God!”

“The Greater Joy in the Morning”

“There Will Be a Time When Joy Cannot Be Taken Away!”

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It’s Not About What Is or What Is Not Working Out

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It is never written in Scripture, “Thou shalt have a sour life.” Neither is it written that all our days will be favorable and turn out how we want it. But what is written is that we can still rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

Repeatedly the Bible tells the story of joy.

Yes, I know we see the battles and the ups and downs of the human heart and life, but the Word expresses the presence of joy from its beginning to its end.

But most miss out on it because joy for them is not found where they are looking.

For the saint, joy is not a passing fling of emotion nor is it contingent upon circumstances where most identify their source of joy.

It’s a holy takeover on the inside that overrides the human viewpoint, logic, or feelings. It’s something beautiful, an almost unexplainable feeling on the inside because of this holy connection with the Father.

How else could the apostles rejoice at being beaten for the Lord (Acts 5:41)? How else could psalms be written that see by faith the joy ahead though one is enduring the weeping of night (Psalm 30:5)? How is it that Habakkuk writes of failures and things not working out as one had hoped for (3:17), and yet, still declare, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (3:18)?

Because at the center of all these lives, as Habakkuk so eloquently put it, God is the reason for their joy. Not what is or what is not working out in their lives.

So much so, the psalmist, in the middle of his lament for vindication and troubles, still recognizes God as his “exceeding joy” (Psalm 43:4), refocusing his heart even in the middle of hurt.

David also, receiving forgiveness and restoration after the confession of his sin with Bathsheba, wrote the command, “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart” (Psalm 32:11).

Are you struggling to find joy today? Psalms encourages us, “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee…” (70:4).

Where are you looking for joy?

Real joy, regardless of circumstance, can only be found where those in Scripture found their joy: in God alone through our Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself looked past the pain of the cross (Hebrews 12:2), found joy in God the Father and His plan of salvation that would be for the redeeming of those who would turn to Him.

We find our joy in the presence and person of God in our lives. For as the holy Scriptures say, “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15).

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Praise and the Peace of God’s Presence

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“O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3

Psalm 22 is known by all as the Messianic psalm prophesied of and quoted by Jesus Christ as He died and gave up His life for all mankind on that old rugged cross.

In the tragedy that would occur on Calvary, David tucks in this verse describing God dwelling in the place where His people praise Him.

If you are living a life of praising God, then no matter what circumstance you face, you are drawn near in heart and soul to Him, and the peace of His presence is never far from you.

One psalmist once declared, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” Psalm 34:19, knowing that at the end of his course, victory was on the other side.

But on this side of life, we may still face many challenges and difficulties we are not keen on.  For the very word tells of the distress it brings in one’s life.  But it is in the midst of these struggles the individual must train themselves where the thoughts of their heart will lie: in the bosom of God’s faithfulness, or in the logic of human thinking.

The first would always be the winning choice regardless of one’s current condition, for in the bosom of God’s faithfulness, these moments of hardships, with the tears and turmoil they may possess, give way and make room to be refreshed in the fire by the God who will step in with you – to have one’s heart lifted with peace above the circumstance because praise has elevated you.

Oh, my friends, praise is powerful!  Praise can lift you from the deepest pit and the direst of occasions.  Though physically one may not experience the immediate relief they long for, but when our thoughts and intents of heart are transferred from viewing the troubles before us to the faithful God who has always been with us, we are raised by the power of His presence in the midst of the storm.

Naturally, we may be down, but inside we rise to the place where His glory dwells.  Inside, we seem to soar into the heavenlies, leaving the cares of this world behind.

“O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel,” will He not also come near to you and me when we sequester ourselves with Him, lean upon His bosom of faithfulness, and just praise.

Tears may mingle there, but let praise be not absent.

Cares may be cast there but let not the Hallelujah’s be silenced.

“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people” Psalm 117:1.  You do not have to be Israel’s biological child to praise the LORD.  The heart of the saint, His redeemed one, crying out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6) knows that “praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1) no matter who they are or where they hail from.

“Give unto the LORD the glory due his name…” Psalm 29:2

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:” Psalm 92:1

We may not be before the ark decorated with cherubim, but we can come before the “Throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in times of need” (Hebrews 4:16) which is decorated with His undeniable glory.

And while there before that place of His presence, let us not just ask from Him, but let us offer to God our genuine, heartfelt praise.

Difficulties, struggles, and hurts – with great compassion for the trials some face, I will never downplay their experience.  But according to Job, regardless of our present experience, we can still find a place of praise, for he said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21. 

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.

The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,

Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 113

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The Gift of the 5 Senses

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The world may mix many sorrows in the pot, but God magnifies the beauty of life.  Even the small things we could almost dismiss and count them as mundane. But the regular, normal, everyday stuff is not to be overlooked.  For in them, we find a simplicity to be grateful for.

Take for instance something as simple as our five senses that fill our lives with wonder that we may miss otherwise.  Touch.  Sight.  Hearing.  Smelling, and taste.  Oh, how these simple things enrich our lives.  They allow us to feel the warmth of a hug, the soft texture of a comforting blanket, grass beneath our feet, or the petting of our favorite furry friend. 

They open our eyes to see beauty budding in the Spring, a smile on a loved one’s face, flecks of color in the eyes of one adored, a sunrise dancing off the shores.

They allow us to hear music and laughter, words read aloud, voices we love to hear that are near, and birds singing their morning song in the trees above.

Our nose welcomes the smell of a fresh breeze, the fragrance of roses from the heart of your love, scents that only a baby possesses, and aromas coming from homemade oven-baked delectables that make our tastebuds rejoice at the anticipation of partaking of their sumptuous fare.   

Little things.  Simple things.  Mundane things.  But, oh so wonderful things.  They are all around us.  They are all a part of life.  Let’s not ignore their benefits to our living, but recognize each gift they bring: “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  And if they were all one member, where were the body?” 1 Corinthians 12:17-19.

No matter how much or how little of these sweet and simple reminders we get to experience here, it is my belief that the expansion of all they add to our lives will be even more astounding when we enter that heavenly realm.  For we are told in Scripture, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

The simplicity and joy we find in our five senses here will only be magnified when, through them, we experience fully the wonders of heaven.

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” – Isaiah 64:4

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” – Psalm 31:19

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” – Psalm 16:11

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” – Isaiah 35:10

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The Glory Which is to Come

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I sit on my couch in the early morning, sipping my beverage and eating a bowl of hot breakfast cereal when through my window shines the rising sun. Its brightness captivates me and invites me to the joy of the new day before me.

It’s beautiful to see its rising and to feel the warmth of its encouraging rays stretching out before me. Like one of my cats who always seems to find that perfect spot on the floor to enjoy its richness, I, too, just sit to soak in its shining goodness.

As beautiful, and as welcoming as this morning moment is, I am reminded of the morning of a new day that all believers will be privileged to rise to. A day this physical sun cannot compare to or even touch in beauty and splendor, because, in that place, there will be a “city,” that has “no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof,” (Revelation 21:23).

Can you imagine the glory of that moment, of that place?

While I may struggle to put into words the thoughts my heart feels when taking in the reality of those written expressions of our future and the picture of glory they represent, one day all those who are in Christ will see this and so much more for themselves.

No matter how beautiful or hard a moment here may be, they will all be eclipsed by the glorious future that awaits the believing heart. Our hope, rest, peace, and restoration we are yearning for will all come to fruition when we enter the place where God’s glory shines brighter than any sun.

Live for that moment, dear friends. Let the beauty of what will be capture your heart, overshadow any troubles, and strengthen your steps for these days. For these days have nothing on that glory which is to come.

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

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No More…

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When brokenness is healed, the recovery of wholeness is known.

When wrongs are made right, sorrow and tears are no more.

How often do we look for days like that during our living?  Alas, we are not promised the absence of these worldly foes.  The promise we do have and hold so dear is that one day their grip on us will be no more.

The thought of “no more” is a beautiful thought.  It’s not the joys of life we want to erase.  Nor the happy moments we seek an exit from.  Rather, it’s the things that squeeze our hearts with pain and despair.  The things that press upon us like a heavy weight that we can’t seem to get relief from, searing us with sadness and dread, and so we seek to get away from it as fast as we can. 

But despite it all, we have an assurance that we won’t face these days forever.  There will come a time when their mark will be but a distant memory. 

With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and His shed blood giving us access to heaven, those within the walls of that beautifully eternal city will no longer be associated with the disturbances of living that being in this flesh brings. 

There, there will be peace unimaginable and joy inexpressible.  Because there, the things we warred against and worried over in this flesh will be no more.  Instead, there the hand of our loving heavenly Father reaches out and gently and tenderly wipes the tears of what we experienced fighting through this life on earth, away. 

I try to imagine the absolute freedom that will bring.  I try to think of the final release of letting everything go from here that we dealt with, what will it be like?

It may be hard to imagine what that time of no more will look like while we are still in this flesh. So, we hold on to His promises for dear life that strengthen our daily hope for that day.  Because we know when the Bible says, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17), that promise is our very real reality when all this will pass away.

No more.  What could you do if you didn’t have to deal with _______________ no more? 

Although we are not there yet, we can foster an environment that will shore up our faith for the wonderful future that awaits us.

Some principles we can incorporate are:

  • Watch and pray.  “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).  Remain vigilant and be on guard against any detractors in contradiction of your holy destiny.
  • Feed your faith.  “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” (Jude 1:20).  The authority of what you have coming as a holy inheritance is based on what Christ has already done, and what the Word promises is yours.  Continue to feed on that Word like a starved man seeking to be truly filled. 
  • Live honorably for that day.  “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).  Continue to live what you believe to be true and right.  Your daily steps will speak more about who you really are than a million well-to-do messages ever will.
  • And produce the Fruit of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).  Your living is not just for your own inheritance, but to help others see the light (Matthew 5:16) so they will be drawn to experience Him who can give them the gift of “no more,” too. 

These principles will help to keep your heart, mind, and faith concentrated on the reward ahead and not the messes of today. 

The idea of no more may seem hard to comprehend, but the realness of it is as sure as God Himself wiping every tear from your eyes.  It will come to pass.

Porch Moments

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At the time of this writing, I have a sink full of dishes waiting for me to tend to them.  Normally my routine is to stay caught up on chores such as these, but this day, I decided the dishes could wait.

As we are coming down to the end of the warmer season, I have felt the drive in me to make sure I grab bits of it to savor before it all goes to sleep for the winter.  So sometimes, things I want done, according to my normal routine, can wait because the days of enjoying lounging with a book on the porch are going to be fewer, and then down to none, the closer we draw deeper into the changing seasons.

And that’s okay.  The book of Ecclesiastes tells us about a time for everything and of the different seasons under the sun (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13).  Everything has its proper place in our lives, including the enjoyment of grabbing these small, but significant moments. 

As we are coming into what I call our “tucking in” time, and as the days of their cold seem to hang around well past their prime, we will yearn and wish for these “porch moments”.  We will plan, dream, and look forward to revisiting these simple pleasures of life.

While each season brings its own pleasures and reasons for gratefulness, the ones we can’t touch during that time are the ones we ponder about, wishing we had grabbed more of those momentary pleasures.

Life really adds up to something beautiful when we find the value in every day we have been given, regardless of the season.  But while we are here, enjoy what’s before you today.  Invest in the time you have with those you love and spend time with them now.

It is inevitable that the seasons of life will change.  So today, step into whatever your “porch moment” is and enjoy the gift of that present time that God has blessed you with.

Life is not all about work, pursuing, or being all that you can be.  Those are important and have their place on our schedules.  But so do rest, and just taking a free moment to breathe, step back, and enjoy this beautiful life God has given.  We are here.  Look up from your work – not to be lazy or idle, but to make space in it all to simply savor your own “porch moment”, whatever it may look like.  For one day, you’ll wish you had.

There is good to be found in every moment God has given.

“I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.  And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

“There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” – Ecclesiastes 2:24

“Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

“The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” – Psalm 126:3

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” – Psalm 27:13

Isn’t life good?

A Fruitful Prayer

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23

Dear Lord, help me to produce this fruit in my life today.  There is a harvest of goodness and love, joy and gentleness, peace and longsuffering, faith, meekness, and temperance I desire my life to bring forth in abundance.  I want my life to touch people beautifully with Your beautiful Spirit within me.  In my shortness and frustrations, help me to remember the fruit that grows on Your tree.  When I don’t understand everything, help me to remember to use the same grace and mercy You have shown me.  Let my heart and my actions speak louder than my words today.  I desire to live like You want me to live and produce in my life those things that put a smile on Your face.  In Jesus’ name, I pray, AMEN!

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A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine

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Smile often. Be optimistic. Make merry. Laugh a little more. Find joy in the big and small things. Love intently, and remain cheerful in your heart for it is good medicine. – Proverbs 17:22

Enjoy your family. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy the life that God blessed you with today!

Happy Fourth of July!

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Weeping and Washing

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“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he could eat with him.  And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.” Luke 7:36-38

Regardless of how they looked at her or what they thought of her, she came.

They scowled, they scorned, they didn’t like her – but she still came.

They counted her unworthy, undeserving, and disqualified.  Even then, she came.

Her sin met her Savior.  And though they said she shouldn’t be there, Jesus did not deny her access.  So, she came.

The atmosphere hung heavy with her guilt and shame, but His forgiveness erased all that blame.  She couldn’t help it.  She had to come to Him without delay.

With weeping and washing, her gratitude and love, He did not turn away.  She came with a gift so precious, more than what she poured that day.

A heart surrendered.  A heart that had been freed.  A heart delivered and determined to show how much He meant indeed.

A year’s wages was the cost, nothing compared to the weight of sin she gladly lost.  She lovingly poured upon His feet, weeping and washing with her hair.  Of their opinions, she did not care.

This repentant heart that was humbled and healed.  She would not let the judgment of others, her joy to steal.

She came to Jesus, and poured out her best.  With weeping and washing, she blessed, and was blessed.

Weeping and washing, humbled hearts so true.  If you come, Jesus will welcome you too.

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

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