Prayer
– Lord God, there is no greater joy than just knowing You and knowing that You
love us, no matter what. I praise You. You are the source of my strength and
protection—and I am overflowing with joy just knowing that You are always with
me. Thank you. Please continue to fill my life with Your joy and love.
But
the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There
is no law against these things! Galatians
5:22-23 NLT
Meditate.
Read God’s word and be filled with joy.
Joy is
mentioned in 260 verses in the New Living Translation of the Bible and fewer
times in other translations. But no matter how many times it is there, it is usually
an expression of happiness and love. Sometimes scripture provides a warning,
like serve God with joy or you’ll be enslaved by your enemies. The Psalmists
remind us that joy can come in the morning and that those who love God will be
filled with joy. Jesus gives us a glimpse of joy ahead of us as we serve Him—planting
and harvesting.
But let all who take refuge in you
rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over
them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless
the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love. Psalm 5:11-12 NLT (Underlined for
emphasis.)
Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, 'One plants and another harvests.' And it's true. I sent you to harvest where you didn't plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest." John 4:34-38 NLT (Underlined for emphasis.)
Overall, John
reminds us that the great joy surrounds those believers—God’s children—who follow
His truth.
I could have no greater joy than to
hear that my children are following the truth. 3 John 1:4 NLT
Do you
ever just feel like bursting out in song because you are so filled with joy?
That is just how David felt as he wrote this verse.
The LORD is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I
burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm
28:7 NLT
Truly,
there is no greater joy than just knowing the Lord, and knowing that we are
loved by Him. Are you filled with His joy today?
Verse
of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness
in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is
great!" Psalm
70:4 NLT
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
Feast or
Festival days almost always involved food. One Festival that is joyful is Purim
that celebrates the miraculous salvation of Jews who had been condemned to
annihilation during the time of Esther. Read about it in the short book of Esther.
Mordecai was Esther’s cousin who encouraged her to seek help from her husband,
the king, and thus saved the Jewish race.
He told them to celebrate these
days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and
presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief
from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their
mourning into joy. So the Jews accepted Mordecai's proposal and adopted
this annual custom. Esther
9:22-23 NLT
Purim
just occurred this year at the end of March…so we’ve missed it, but you can
celebrate anyway…any day. Turn mourning into joy. What food brings you joy? The
Jews make triangular shaped cookies—to remember the hat of Haman, the villain of
this story.
Comfort
foods that may bring you joy could be some fresh, crisp grapes; macaroni and cheese; grilled cheese
sandwiches served with tomato soup; pulled pork sandwiches; a nice thick grilled
cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes; a chocolate milkshake;
Christmas cookies; or just a soft-boiled egg on whole grain toast. What brings
you joy? Whatever it is, give thanks to the Lord. Celebrate with joy!
© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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