"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)
Do you know any of those people? The kind that always seem to have a smile on their face? Even at mile 20 of a marathon? Always happy no matter the circumstances? While you might say they drive you crazy with their constant joy, do you secretly wonder what makes them that way? Do you secretly wish you could be more like that? Overflowing with hope? As one of those people, I will tell you the secret - which is not really a secret at all. The source of joy can be found in merely looking closer at the word itself:
J - Jesus
O - Others
Y - Yourself
What a simple equation! Joy comes by putting Jesus first, then others and then yourself - in that order... JOY can't be spelled or found any other way. Philippians 2:1-4 sums it up perfectly, "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Joy is made complete by loving Jesus and looking to the interests of others before ourselves.
Goes against all worldly reason doesn't it? Written by an unknown author, "Don't worry about making others happy, worry about making yourself happy before anything." If this is the motto you're living by, maybe it's time to rearrange the letters? "Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD." Psalm 89:15 (NLT). When you arrange the letters perfectly... Jesus Others Yourself, you've got it. You've got the JOY!!
Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings You have given us. If we have scripture to read your word, friends to share it, and a new day to give You praise, we are truly blessed, Let us not let the attitudes of the world change us Lord. We will never have joy if we are trying to make ourselves happy. I pray that we would know that true happiness comes only through You and is too great to not share with others. What a reason to smile. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Joy to the world - Go Fish
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