Scripture:
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Reflection:
Sometimes a list can be more effective than a blog, post, or even a story. Don’t get me wrong, I love the power of a great testimony or poignant story because they can have real “sticking power.” I can also appreciate the power of a list. At times, the power of a good list can be really good at deepening our understanding and can give us greater insight.
That is my purpose for the list below. I pray that it gives you additional reasons to be filled with all joy so that you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1. We can experience the joy of life
Life is a gift from God. Let’s remember the life we are experiencing each and every day is a gift from a gracious heavenly father, and be thankful that we have the opportunity to be a blessing to others.
2. We can experience the joy of communing with our Heavenly Father
Every day we have the opportunity to open our hearts and minds to His presence. We have the opportunity to commune with Him. It’s good to know that He is bigger than big, and closer than close.
3. We have the joy of a blessed history
While we might not be able to see what is to come, we can certainly remind ourselves of this faithfulness in days gone by. Focusing on all the blessings of past days will bring joy.
4. We have joy in temporary trials
Count it all joy, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5. We can experience the joy of becoming more like Jesus
People can be destroyed by perfectionism. Only our Lord is perfect, but that doesn’t let us off the hook of growing in the grace given to us each and every day. There is joy in knowing that we can, by God’s grace, be conformed to his image with the fruit of the Spirit expressed in our lives.
6. There is the joy of giving
Sometimes the best solution to a bad day is giving. I have a friend that loves to give to the Lord when things are bad. It really does have the power to turn frustration into joy. Make your giving of time or treasure targeted and led by the Holy Spirit and see what joy it will produce.
7. Lastly, let’s consider the joy of serving
Serving others has its own joy that is rich and fulfilling. Often it is proceeded by sacrifice and even some level of pain, but both during and after, serving always produces the joy of knowing it was good and right before the Lord.
These seven joys can be experienced if only we are willing to participate with the Holy Spirit. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
David
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