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The Joy of the Lord is My Strength (18)

 

 “Gratitude produces deep, abiding joy because we know that God is working in us, even through difficulties.”

~Charles Stanley

I recently attended a concert where I sang at high volume and clapped my hands for a full two hours straight, accompanied by drums, guitars, vocals and a fiddle along with confetti and bright flashing lights - now that's a great description of JOY!  We might not imagine the face of Jesus when we think of joy, but He is the creator of joy.  He wants us to experience His joy in this life and He wants us to know that joy comes from Him.  


Worship the Lord of Joy

Lord, this world shouts at us about all the ways we can find joy, when really we must come to You as the source of the purest and highest sense of true joy. Fill me with Your joy today!


John 15:9-11

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.


Nehemiah 8:10b

The joy of the Lord is our strength

Appropriate the truth of scripture as you grow in your walk of faith

Holy Spirit, fill me with Your fruit, bring Your life into my soul and may my personal growth show the fruits of joy! (And love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). I want my life to be the overflow of Your presence and Your work in my heart.



Galatians 5:22-24

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice



Light - Walk in the light by openly confessing your sins and need for God

Lord, I confess that I often look for joy in the world instead of in You.  I have felt the painful consequences of not listening to You, but I have hope today that I will see the seeds of joy grow out of the hard times in my life.  

Psalm 126:5-6

Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.


Know Him more and more as you spend time with Him daily

Oh how I desire to have a radiant face, shining with the joy of knowing You are the God who answers prayers and delivers me from my fears.  May I taste, see and declare Your goodness today.


Psalm 34:4-8

I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!


Prayers for others today:

S - Missions

M - Family

T - Church and Friends

W - Work

Th - Community

F - World affairs

Sat - Self


Blessings on your day,

Heather


P.S. If you just jumped into this blog post, you can read the first post explaining how to walk with God through your prayer life and the first day of praying through scripture here.

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