He Gives Me Joy

Several years ago I heard this song and fell in love with it. It is sung by the John Marshall family and without instruments. Perhaps it came into my life at a time when I was more spiritually sensitive and hungry for a deeper joy and so impacted me in a greater way. For sure, only those who have experienced the joy that Jesus Christ gives are capable of truly appreciating this beautiful and touching music.

 "...for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b)

    "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)   

Others

Most of us have heard or seen the formula for having true joy:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

Is this true? Yes.

When we put Jesus Christ in first place, others before ourselves and ourselves last, we will experience a joy that we can't get any other way.

This month has been full of "others" for us! We made 3 trips which totalled at least 3700 km (Thank You, Lord, for safety!). We were privileged to get to know other people, cities, churches-even another state. And being able to help and minister to others in each of these places was a very special blessing.

"It's all about me." NOT! It's about Jesus Christ and others. They make life worth living. And if He chooses to include me in that picture...then my joy is complete.

May your life be full of joy today as you minister to others for His sake.

"For you are our glory and joy."-I Thessalonians 2:20

Blue Glass

Blue glass plate in the dish drainer...shining in the sun. Blue glass bottles in the window. How does one explain how it brings joy to see these beautiful things??

 

"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)

Joy, Pure and Simple

Seeing this look on my granddaughter's face over getting a popsicle makes me smile every time I see it. It doesn't take much to make a child happy! Are we like that? Do pure and simple things give us joy? There are a million and one things that can give us joy, depending on who you are and what you like. I'm not taking about what gives you happiness, I'm talking about what gives you joy. Most people might not see the difference in those 2 emotions but those who have experienced the difference know what I'm talking about. The only difference my dictionary gives is the word "great". Well, at least they recognize that joy is something greater than happiness, congratulations to whoever wrote it! I heard a song several years ago about the joy that the Lord gives His children..."He Gives Me Joy". The music is a perfect combination with the words. I have searched but have not been able to find that music in print but perhaps someday I still will. What gives you joy? What gives me joy? I can think of a few things right away: -To love and be loved -Seeing my children walk in God's Way -Giving the Gospel -Seeing a new flower bloom -Holding a newborn baby -Thinking of the smile of a special someone -Smelling fresh bread -Hearing the music of the rain -Knowing that God guarantees my salvation for eternity And on and on I could go. Did you notice that all of our senses and every area of our life can experience joy? I didn't pay much attention to that until near the end of my list. I could post a blog on each of these things! For, after all, God's "good and perfect" gifts are the things that give us true joy. Pure and simple. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." -Nehemiah 8:10 (top photo: J. Reiner)