June 5, 2017 – Joy

What brings you joy; not just laughter here and again, not just satisfaction from completing a task, but true, peace-giving, soul-reaching joy? True joy lingers even after the moment. It penetrates our being and invigorates, enabling us to have the stamina to carry on in the not so joyful moments. Make certain to make time to be joy-filled. Put the world on hold, and spend quality time with your God. Give Him all that binds you – and let go. It will all be here when you return and you will be able to face it with renewed clarity, passion, perseverance, and joy.

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. – 1Thessalonians 2:19, 20

March 4, 2017 - Joy

Life can seem hard and unfair, but the reality is that within every tough time you spend lies a measure of joy. God’s presence never waivers. He is always by your side holding onto the moment.  Let the joy of faith and hope prevail. Cling to your God and find peace.

Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. - James 4:10

Joy

Joy is a presence that must be sought.  It does not come naturally.  It has to be entered into, not created. The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas defines joy as being an act of charity achieved through a lack of desire.  It is not until we put ourselves aside and focus on the needs of others, that we can experience real joy.  Yet, how can charity create joy?  For, when we open ourselves to one another we share in added heartache and sorrow. We are reminded of the extent of our helplessness in fighting the forces of the evil that touches all our lives. Here, we must seek God.  He, the source of all life, came down to bring hope to a world torn apart in sorrow and pain. When we choose to enter into Him, desiring nothing but His charity of love and mercy, seeking to trust beyond our understanding, we find the hope to walk in eternal Joy.  

"The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but justice and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." -  Romans 14:17

Joy

Outward laughter is indicative of inward joy. When we daily exude this disposition it reflects very well on our Savior, especially when we openly credit Him as the true source of our Joy. - Dr. David Cox

 He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting. - Job 8:21

Monday, May 13, 2013 - Joy

The Bible expresses joy in a multitude of ways:  "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; "to be bright," "to shine", "to rejoice,"  and to "be glad". Take the time today to celebrate. Choose the joy in each moment and renew your spirit.  Let us give thanks and be glad.

 

The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked goes out. – Proverbs 13:9

Thursday, May 9, 2013 - Embrace

God is eternal. He has no beginning or end. This world and all of its events, joyful or painful, was held in His hands from the beginning of time. Even in kowing all and realizing the magnitude of the pain we would bring Him, somehow the love triumphed and joy prevailed. Each day, we face some moment in our lives we do not particularly care for. Our natural tendency in to shy away from any awkward or uncomfortable moment; yet, we must remember our Heavenly Father. Let us embrace His love and emulate the joy He receives through knowing we are His. Facing each moment with the conviction that no matter the struggle goodness lies within, beyond, and through it, joy can be ours.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy." - john 16:20

Monday, May 6, 2013 - Playful

With so much pain and hurting in our world, I often find myself feeling guilty whenever I can indulge in simple pleasures. I find that in our fast-paced days, it becomes harder and harder to make time for myself. But God's plans include these times of rest. Jesus was immersed in a life of sorrow, pain, and remorse, yet He found the time to dance at a wedding, sing praises in the temple, and laugh with His disciples. It was not uncommon at all for Him to sneak away to himself and indulge in that much needed quiet time or to opt to spend time with just His friends. These are the moments that determine our true soul. Freeing our time to allow a choice, rather than being pulled by the direction of our world, frees us to worship with a pure heart.

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. - Psalm 148:3-4

Monday, January 14, 2013 - Can

Every so often a difficult moment fills us with overwhelming doubt. The odds appear insurmountable, the devastation surreal and we scream "I can't”.  Yet the reality is, this moment is here, and God is holding it in His hands. He has known about it before the beginning of the world, and has chosen to allow it for the good of His Kingdom. Christ willingly stepped into the pain for every individual.  He did not promise this would keep us from having pain of our own. His promise is: if we walk with Him through the pain, we will be able to arise victorious. So when fear finds us and despair reaches into our soul, remember, “we can”, one Grace at a time. – Becki

 

And David was greatly troubled; for the people were talking of stoning him, because their hearts were bitter, every man sorrowing for his sons and his daughters: but David made himself strong in the Lord his God.  - 1 Samuel 30:6

Friday, January 11, 2013 - Joy

Joy is a presence that must be sought.  It does not come naturally.  It has to be entered into, not created. The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas defines joy as being an act of charity achieved through a lack of desire.  It is not until we put ourselves aside and focus on the needs of others, that we can experience real joy.  Yet, how can charity create joy?  For, when we open ourselves to one another we share in added heartache and sorrow. We are reminded of the extent of our helplessness in fighting the forces of the evil that touch all of our lives. Here, we must seek God.  He, the source of all life, came down to bring hope to a world torn apart in sorrow and pain. When we choose to enter into Him, desiring nothing but His charity of love and mercy, seeking to trust beyond our understanding, we find the hope to walk in eternal Joy.  – Becki

 

"The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but justice and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." -  Romans 14:17