Based on “Rejoice in ONE Thing” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 11/19-20/11,
Message #6084; Daily Devotional #4 - “Living in Joy”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): As a Christ follower, I feel that I personally struggle and often fall short in the area of being filled with joy. I can honestly say that, despite my best intentions, people may not think of me as someone who is filled with joy. Joy is much different than the happiness we feel when our favorite team wins, or the giddiness we may feel after having our favorite caffeinated drink or snack. The Bible directs all believers to be filled with joy (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11) as they carry themselves throughout daily living. I have learned that joy is not a switch we can just turn on and off, but it requires focus and spiritual discipline to attain and maintain.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): The joy that is described by the Bible has many characteristics. First, joy is described as something that is unaffected by circumstances. It’s natural for people to be happy when things go well and to become distraught when, inevitably, they go wrong. What we have to understand is that our joy should come from living “in Christ” (Romans 15:17). The Bible tells us that our Lord is good, and, as Christ followers, we must focus on the Lord when circumstances become bad. Joy is also a state of being content. The Christ follower finds joy in not coveting the things of this world, such as gaining riches. We can and should be content with our lot in life-- rich or poor, pleasant way or difficult road—knowing that God has placed us where we are specifically to mold us and reach the world through us (1 Corinthians 9:22). Many of us have a natural tendency to worry, whether it’s next week’s paycheck or how we will pay the mortgage in a decade. But we can find contentment knowing that God has promised to provide for His followers (Matthew 6:33). Joy is a state of confidence in our supremely powerful God. We know that God will finish what He started in us. Jesus stated, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:28-29) These verses lift my spirit no matter how down I am. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice, we are guaranteed salvation and, along with it, the gift of eternal security. There will be periods of doubt, times when we stumble and days where God’s Kingdom seems far away, but we are promised by God’s Word that nothing will ever separate us from Him (Romans 8:31-39)…EVER! Last but not least, we have to remember what Jesus said about joy: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:11-13) We can have all the focus in the world, but without serving and loving those around us we simply cannot experience joy.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Living a joyful life is not automatic, but it is a commandment. That does not mean we need to walk around with a silly grin pasted on our faces. A Christ follower will experience hardships, but we are to keep our focus on our personal joy. We can do this by remembering that joy is not an emotion but a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. Joy is a lifestyle based on the triangle of contentment, confidence and hope we receive from God’s promises, enforced by his Word. In addition we want to make sure we are showing love and serving our fellow man. Inevitably, I find that the more I focus on me the less joy I have in my life and vice versa!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Ephesians 1:14; Philippians 1:9-11
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Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.