Passage of the Day:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you, Philippians 4:4-9.
Reflection:
When a customer has a bad or negative experience, they tell more than ten people on average than a customer who has a positive encounter. Subsequently, if Christians aren’t able to maintain their joy for life, your impact on your community and neighbors will take a hit like businesses with bad reviews online. As a teenager, I let my emotions and feelings dictate my degree of joy. However, the apostle Paul urges believers in Philippi to make joy a mindset focused on celebrating the Lord.
Prayerful Action:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality, Romans 12:12-13.
Building Up Bible Believing Behavior:
According to the apostle Paul, joy is a byproduct of hope. When hope is present in your life, there is a reason to be joyful. However, when affliction, failure or trials begin to steal your joy as Jesus describes in John 10:10, turn to prayer to maintain joy. As a spirit of joy returns to you, you’ll be able to see the needs of others rather than becoming self-absorbed with your own struggles. This is how you can use the Bible to help you maintain joy during trying times in life.
Song of the Day:
As I write this devotion on joy, it’s something that I’ve lack for more than two years. The main reason for my lack of joy is not being in the right job. Despite two years of prayers and trying all that I can humanly possible, nothing has changed. Yet, I press on, thanking God for the minor victories in life until God’s will for my new life in South Carolina is revealed. Singing Christian songs in my head at work keep me going, allowing joy to be present in the morning.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 