JOY
Psalm 43:4 Then I will go to the altar of God; to God, my joy and my delight. Psalm 66:1 Shout with joy, all the earth!
1 Chronicles 16:27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
When asked on numerous occasions how life is treating me, I always say: “Great, God has blessed me and my loved ones in immeasurable ways”. Truth is, except for the trials and tribulations, (of which there are many), my life is pretty much fun. I used to feel guilty about having fun, but now I realize God wants us to have JOY in our lives. JOY is both a gift and a choice. It does not have to be elaborate or cost a lot of money. JOY can be simple and always involves family, friends, and the Lord Jesus Christ. My JOY comes from inviting people into my home to have lunch and to watch children play with my old Fisher Price toys and marveling at our train display. I have fun meeting friends for breakfast or lunch. It is fun to meet friends that I once worked with at Derry Township for 17 1/2 years at a small pizza place in Hershey every few weeks. I have fun meeting friends that I worked with in Harrisburg from 1970-1980. Catching up with their families is awesome. Having family gatherings with my five brothers and sisters and their families as well as cookouts with still other groups of friends brings immense JOY. (Note: everything involves food!) Holidays are the best.
Watching our three children grow into responsible, God-loving adults also brings JOY into my life.
How can we be grouchy, or miserable, depressed or rigid when our Heavenly Father brings us so much JOY!! I am thankful that He allows us to experience the wonderfulness of JOY. And, JOY is for each one of us. YES!!!! Don’t let anyone take away your JOY.
Additional scriptures on JOY: Deuteronomy 16:14; Psalm 4:7; Psalm 21:6; Psalm 30:11; Psalm 51:12.
~L. E.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KskwIKSHqzk
Note: The above Devotion has been excerpted from the printed Devotional “2015 Lenten Devotions”. You may request a printed copy of the booklet.