Sources of Joy

Two sources of joy came together for me this week. In the first, we are going to watch our grandson play in the state high school all star football game tonight. The joy is not in the pride of our grandson’s achievements, but rather in watching him enjoy something that means a lot to him. Secondly, we helped at a sports and art camp held by our church. So, I coached seven six and seven year olds in the game of soccer. Again, the joy was not so much in the excitement of these wonderful kids as they played. But rather, abounding joy came in observing five of them giving their lives to Jesus during the week. The new birth and joy in their faces as they accepted Jesus into their lives caused an overwhelming sense of joy within me.

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Joy and peace come together in us by trusting God. It is God’s gift to us to believe and abound in hope. This joy is real and abounds for eternity.

Right Trail

I love to hike nature trails. Some have become familiar to me, but I love to try out new trails. Some trails are made to be wide and easy to follow. These trails are generally well marked and are easy to follow. They are frequented by many hikers. Often times, I see small and narrow trails that lead away from the wide trail. These seem interesting to me and I like to try them out. I usually have to fight through some brush and the footing is rough, often necessitating climbing over obstacles. But the views are awesome and bring a freshness to my soul.

Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few.” When we chose to go our own selfish way, we are choosing the wide gate and path that leads to our destruction. But we choose to follow Jesus, we are choosing the narrow way that leads to life.

Ultimate Love

As a child, my physical and educational needs were met. However, my parents, for different reasons, were not available. I spent most of my free time outside playing by myself, making up games to play. At school, I had friends, but they were not around when my sister and I were left by ourselves most of the time. I played sports but after the games, my teammates went their way and I went mine. Without even realizing it, I became very lonely.

In my first year of college, I met some people that really seemed to enjoy each other’s company and being together. They explained to me that they are family in faith. Jesus had met each of them and they had trusted in Him to save and redeem them. That meant that they were now brothers and sisters in Christ.

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” We will have difficult choices to make in our relationships with others. When things are difficult, we can choose to leave or choose to stay and love. As our friend and brother, Jesus always chooses to stay with us and love us steadfastly and abundantly. We will never be abandoned or forsaken.

What’s Inside

When someone gives us a gift, we are eager to look inside. Hopefully the giver has exercised some careful consideration to giving us something that will please us, or at least something that we may need. If they have, something within us is satisfied with both the giver and the gift.

Psalm 65:4 says, “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” God draws us close to Himself and we are satisfied with goodness in His presence. His goodness, freely given to those who trust in Him, has the power the satisfy the deepest needs and longings of our souls.

Awe of God

I have not personally done this, but I have heard of people that become speechless when they are introduced to someone they admire. These people report feeling like a fool suddenly in the presence of a celebrity or noteworthy person.

Psalm 99:1-3 says, “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!” God is our Father, Jesus is our Friend, and the Holy Spirit is our Helper. However, we must always also remember that God is holy and He rules over heaven and earth. Keep a mighty awe of God in your heart and mind.