Choose Joy!

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Based on “Advancing the Gospel” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/3-4/10,

Message #6053; Daily Devotional #1 - “Choose Joy!”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2)

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): God has so kindly given us joy. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (Hebrews 1:9) His joy is indescribable. We have what so many people are searching for and what all people need. We have what God wants every single person to have, and we are to give it freely to…everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-17) We are to live joyfully each and every day; our testimonies for Jesus will be strengthened as a result. Have you ever asked God to open doors so you can share the Good News? Live joyfully with your eyes on Jesus and it will happen. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) When your joy is outrageous, your joy will be contagious. When others see you live above your circumstances, they will be amazed and want to know how you do it. When others see unshakeable joy in your life, they will want to know how to get it. Everyone needs Jesus. By living a joyful life with Jesus, every single person who comes in contact with you comes in contact with Jesus. He wants to reach out to nonbelievers through your life. He wants the lost to experience His joy through your life. Live with Jesus’ outrageous joy in your heart, and your joy will be contagious.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Ask God to help you grow in this area of your life. Throughout the day, live joyfully regardless of your circumstances. Let God’s joy dwell in you, for all to see. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. (James 1:2)