Tag: Joy

Devotionals

Don’t Forget the Lord              

Loring Schultz

“Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” James 5:13 NLT

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

In times of great joy it’s hard to conceal our emotions. In fact we want everyone to know the joy we are feeling, it’s hard to hold it back. We begin to tell everyone we know, even those we don’t know. We make sure our closest friends are the first ones to know, after all, who will most share that joy along with us but those closest to us.

But for Christians sometimes even the smallest joy is not expressed to the one who would appreciate most, our Lord Jesus. Oh, we know that he knows, but expressing our joy to Him and thanking Him for it is what our Lord wants to hear. We have all heard people say to their loved ones, maybe you have said it yourself, ‘you know I love you’ and the response comes back, ‘I know but it would be nice to hear it once in a awhile.’

Expressing our joy and our love to those closest to us should come naturally, and maybe for many of you it does and the Lord bless you for it. But for those of us who need a refresher course, let’s start with James’ advise when he says, “Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” (Ja.5:13 nlt) Who better to sing praises to than to the Lord remembering that all good things come from Him, and Him alone. James also wrote, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (Ja.1:17 esv) So, let’s not forget the Lord and start giving Him praise as we share our joy whatever it may be.

Devotionals

Joyful Through Obedience       

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 112 NLT – Psalm 112 – Praise the LORD! How joyful – Bible Gateway

“Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.” Psalm 112:1 NLT

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Being joyful is a feeling that is expressed through gladness. It is deeper than being happy, which is momentary, and a little shallow compared to being joyful. Real joy penetrates our inner being placed there by something that stirs our hearts and doesn’t fade over time as quickly as a happy occasion. Most of us experiencing joy can testify that it does seem to slip away on occasion. We may or may not know why, but it is evident that something happens to remove the joy we had. Are there steps we can take to prevent losing our joy? Is God concerned when our joy is slowing fading like the evening sun? Yes, there are steps we can take, and God cares enough that He gave us instructions in His Word how to restore our joy.

The psalmist writes, “How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.” (Ps.112:1 nlt) Here are two steps to consider if we are not putting them into practice. Do we have the reverence for God we should have?  The creator of all things of which there would not be anything if He didn’t create, gave us life and He is worthy of our praise and reverence. We would not be here without Him. The second step we can take to not lose our joy is to obey God’s commands recorded in the Bible. And that is easier said than done.

Rest assured God knows our make-up. He knows we are dust; He created us. We are fallen creatures in Adam’s sin incapable of doing good without His help. If you have lost your joy, ask yourself, how would you answer the previous questions. You may just find the reason why. The Lord wants to restore our joy that has been slipping away due to sin in our lives and by not showing Him reverence. Let us pray along with King David when he said, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (Ps.51:12 nlt)

Devotionals

Joy, win or lose

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 16 ESV – You Will Not Abandon My Soul – A Miktam – Bible Gateway

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV

Photo by Gene Samit on Pexels.com

The results of NFL’s ‘Super Bowl 59’ are in as the game was played last evening in New Orleans, Louisiana. As I write this, the game is a day away. I anticipate there will be many joyous celebrations from fans of the winning team, and not so joyous on the other side. Locally I reside 60 miles from Philadelphia and this morning there is either joy or sadness in the Philly area. In fact, there will be joy or sadness across the sporting world due to the outcome. Did Kansas City set a record with their 3rd in a row? Either way, whatever the result, don’t let it take away your joy.

David writes in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (nlt) David says there is fullness of joy, or complete joy, in God’s presence. He is not referring to happy moments as when your favorite team wins the Super Bowl. David is referring to a lasting joy that overcomes any disappointment, sadness, or sorrow that comes our way in life. Our joy in God is not based on external circumstances, but on His internal presence in our lives with His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

To secure that internal joy that will never fade away receive Christ as your personal savior if you have never done so. If you’re a child of God but your joy is missing a beat, perhaps there is something in your life that needs to be corrected. Make it right with God and restore your joy, win or lose.

Devotionals

Joy in Heaven and on Earth

Loring Schultz

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 KJV

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” Luke 15:7a KJV

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The Christmas season is a joyous time for most people. I say most, because not all people rejoice in the month of December for various reasons. Sadness may prevail at the loss of a loved one. A terminal illness may have been discovered. The loss of a job at the end of the year puts a damper on the New Year. Others have no interest in the holidays in general or want anything to do with the religious tone to the season. Whether we are joyous or not, the Christmas season is here. There will be rejoicing in heaven and on earth, and that is a good thing.  

The heavenly angels were sent to the shepherds out in the fields to announce the coming of the savior. There was great joy for all people on the earth. A savior had been born to take away our sin and reconcile us back to God. The long-awaited Messiah had finally come, and it was time to rejoice. I’m sure the angels in heaven were rejoicing along with the others sent to earth that night. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Lk.2:13-14 kjv) Good news had come to all that night and that is a reason to rejoice.

The Bible tells us of Jesus’ words in the gospel of Luke concerning joy in heaven. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” (Lk.15:7a kjv) The angels in heaven rejoice over a soul set free by the power of Christ and His work on the cross just as they rejoiced at His coming to earth to set that soul free. There is also joy on earth as friends and loved ones witness the transformation of a changed life.

May this Christmas season be a joyous time for you whatever your circumstances. Yes, there will be rejoicing in heaven and on earth for the savior who was born and for those who will be set free this Christmas by accepting Him as savior and Lord.

Read: Luke 2:1-20 ESV – The Birth of Jesus Christ – In those – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Be happy in your work

Loring Schultz

“When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.” Psalm 128:2 NASB

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The average person spends about one-third of their life working at a job. Some less and some maybe more. I’ve fallen into the ‘more’ category but I’m not complaining. Much of it was time well spent and some of it not so much, but it was where the Lord placed me. I can’t say I was always happy, but I was content most of my working days. Most of my enjoyment can be summed up in Psalm 128:2, “When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.” (nasb) One of my favorite verses especially during long hard days has always been from the book of Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.” (Ec.2:24 nasb) That verse got me through a lot of difficult days as I anticipated the meal that was waiting for me at home my wife had prepared.

Being happy in your work is a lot more than looking forward to an evening meal. It encompasses all the fruits of your labor. Providing for yourself and your family, using your resources to help others in need and supporting measures to spread the Gospel are some of the many reasons to be happy in your work. Not all workplaces have a positive environment, but if you are going to spend eight hours a day there, you might as well make the best of it. One of the most important benefits you can receive that is not part of your employer’s benefit package is the benefit of building friendships and relationships with those you toil and sweat with sharing bits and pieces of your lives. If done right, they last a lifetime.

The bottom line is, are you happy in your work? No, we are not always going to be, but when you add up the benefits of your labor you will find joy and contentment in the fruit that has been produced knowing that the Lord’s Hand was in it. As the song goes, ‘Be happy.’

Read: Psalm 128 NASB – Blessedness of the Fear of the LORD. – Bible Gateway

Devotionals

Lasting Joy and Peace is found only in the God of Hope

Loring Schultz

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

Every human being needs a little joy and peace from time to time. But what happens when the ‘little’ doesn’t last and fades away? There are many things that we escape to in search of joy and peace. Entertainment by way of musical artists, major sporting events, and the theatre provide moments of joy, peace, and relaxation for a few hours if your team wins, or you hear your favorite song. Travelling on vacation to an exotic resort and taking in all the sights of your surroundings may give a sense of awe and pleasure during your stay. And then there is the inexpensive way to find joy and peace in settling down with a good book, or taking a nature walk in God’s creation. All of these will satisfy your desire for joy and peace for a period, but did you know there is a way to experience joy and peace that never fades away.

Paul writing to the church in Rome encouraged them by saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Ro. 15:13 NIV) Paul was convinced his readers would be filled with lasting joy and peace as they trusted in God. Paul also knew the Holy Spirit would instill hope in each believer in Christ; hope being the assurance of salvation and not wishful thinking. The assurance of salvation is guaranteed to bring lasting joy and peace in this life for those who accept Christ.

Be careful of the distinction between ‘joy’ and ‘happiness’, and ‘peace’ and ‘inner peace.’ Joy is real contentment that comes through the Holy Spirit in midst of trials and sorrows. Happiness is a joyful pleasure for a moment in masking our sorrow. Inner peace is the true peace we enjoy every day from the Holy Spirit’s presence, and not only for a quiet moment. The Christian’s joy and peace is rooted in the God of hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you experienced true lasting joy and inner peace, or are you still in the momentary state of peace and happiness? “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.”