I just LOVE my Billy Graham Devotional and thought todays reading was Perfect for Spiritual Sundays. To join in or read other Spiritual Sunday posts go here Charlotte and Ginger host this and they are two of the most wonderful godly women! I love them and know you will too!
JOY
For the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
What is joy?
Some of us think that joy is a state of perpetual happiness, a bubbling personality, a person who is always smiling and laughing. These can be expressions of joy, but true joy is something far deeper than that.
Joy is produced in our hearts when we know that God loves us, when we have a close relationship with HIM through reading HIS Word, praying, and desiring to honor HIM in all that we do, and by serving others.
Joy does not mean that we are never sad, that we never cry. Instead, joy is a quiet confidence, a state of peace in the heart of the believer. Sometimes it manifests itself in an impromptu song while riding alone in a car. Sometimes one is so overwhelmed by the love of God that tears of gratitude form in the eyes. At other times, it is a wonderful feeling of peace in the midst of war and turmoil.
Paul said, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are perplexed, but not is despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Paul had joy. So did Jesus, even under the shadow of the cross.
Life happiness, joy cannot be pursued. It comes from within. It is a state of being. It does not depend on circumstances, but triumphs over circumstances. It produces a gentleness of spirit and a magnetic personality.
It is easy to tell who the joyful people are.
They are the ones whom others like to be around.
Our Father and our God, thank YOU for the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Thank YOU for the peace and joy HE brings us. YOU are the laughter of our Heart, O God. YOU are the joy and celebration of every day. You are the One who deserves to be praise. Thank YOU for the gift of Your Son, who makes our joy everlasting. Amen
16 comments:
A beautiful post for today Loren. Thank you for sharing Rev. Graham's devotional. Blessings to you and yours this weekend.
I love that JOY is such a constant theme in your blog! God bless :)
Joy is a quiet confidence, a state of peace in the heart of the believer! This is such a wonderful reminder ... thank you so much. Have a lovely weekend!!!
Hi Loren, I just wanted to let you know that I awarded you as a "Stylish Blog". YOu can read the post here Confessions and Friends
Love this. Joy is from the Lord; happiness is something we get from our circumstances.
Love you, dear one!
Mary
"joy is a quiet confidence" is what hit me the most. I feel that inside...an inner knowing that He's running with me and no matter what happens...good or bad...He's got it under control. Thanks for this Loren. Hope your weekend is a great one.
"Sometimes it manifests itself in an impromptu song while riding alone in a car..."
- I find myself in that state many, many times as I arrive in our garage, after dropping off my son at school, while listening to worship songs. Or when I'm on my way to work listening and praising Him. There is just no word to describe.
What a beautiful reminder of God's wonderful gift! Have a great weekend sister and blessings and love to you.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful devotional with us. Joy is truly a precious gift.
Hi Loren, Thanks SO much for coming to my blog. Please come back anytime and I'll come back to yours. I am enjoying your blog... So you are in Oklahoma???? That's neat... You have kids and a grandchild, or maybe two.. How did you get the name, The Magoos News? Cute!!!!!
I love your devotional on JOY... I have alot of JOY in my life ---with George and with God at the center of our lives together.
Thanks again.
Hugs,
Betsy
Hi! Loren, loved this post, Really made one stop and think, on our outlook with every day life! I want to have constant,J ~(Jesus),O~(others}& Y~ You! Have a great Sunday!
Love this post, Loren. I read a quote somewhere (don't know who said it) that joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God.
Blessings,
Joan
Loren, Thank you so much for sharing this!
Love you!
What a great devotional!! Joy comes from within where the Holy Spirit resides and reminds us of Jesus love and devotion to us. He is such a good God!! Thanks for sharing this today Loren! :)
Joyful people are always a joy to be around. Thank you for this beautiful reminder of what real joy is. It is always a joy to come to your blog.
Hope you're having a blessed joyful weekend.
Charlotte
I love how simply Billy Graham can explain things. Thanks for posting this today.
The JOY of the Lord is our strength. Thank you for the reminder of what true JOY is.
Blessings,
Janis
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