Joy 2

This study has me thinking of my friend, Jenny, who is a missionary in Oaxaca, Mexico. I skyped with her the other day and it made me miss her so much, but more than that, it made me pray for her. How hard it must be to be so very far from home. Her husband and four beautiful daughters are there with her, but still. Friends are precious and hard to come by when you are in a foreign land. So, this is for Jenny...

In my study Bible, I found some great stuff noted between the beautiful scriptures. First is that Joy, Thanksgiving, and Grace are all related words in Greek. Interesting, but not surprising. They all seem to go together intentionally or accidentally. It feels good to give God thanks and it brings joy to remember God's grace. Its like they are all side-effects of each other. Cool.
Second thing I found in the notes was this: The real secret to a joyful life is in being continuously "filled with the Holy Spirit." The life and attitude of believers are not defined by outward circumstances, but by their relationship with the living God.

Finally, some great scriptures to remember. You may find me walking around with one written on a Post-It stuck to my forehead.
Romans 5:3-4
James 1:2-4
1Thessalonians 5:16-17
Romans 12:12 and 8:28
I would write them out for you here, but I think maybe its better if you open your own Bible and get into God's Word yourself. Look it up! You will be blessed by your effort and time learning about your Creator and loving God.

Joy 1

This Sunday I am teaching Women's Sunday School again and am extremely excited about the topic on my heart - JOY! Lately I have been teaching about how our enemy works, that he is real, that he is realllllly good at his job and that he is powerful. I have been seeing things happen in our world as well as in our little community that seem completely void of joy and wondered what to do about it. Pray was my first inclination. Search the scriptures was my second. Upon searching God's word for encouragement this came to my mind (sort of an intro for my lesson)...

Finding joy during a tremendously challenging time can seem daunting, impossible, or even ridiculous. How can we be joyful at the same time we are sad, or sorrowful, or angry, or frightened, or lost? When the enemy is at his best we find ourselves lacking in the "Joy Department," so what is a little Christian woman to do? What kind of "Joy Reminders" can we hold in our hearts and minds to continually deny the enemy his goal on even the worst of days?

• Be the subject of others' prayers. We have to ask for help in the form of prayer from our sisters in Christ. Community is neccessary.
• Memorize "joy" scriptures. Sticky notes on the bathroom mirror, kitchen window, front door, rear view mirror, or forehead :)
• Remember God's promises. Jesus promised to come back! We have victory is Jesus through the Cross and His resurrection.
• God is merciful and full of grace.
• Wise women seek further wisdom and Godly wisdom produces joy automatically.
• Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

I have several sticky notes all over my NLT Study Bible. This particular Bible hasn't been my favorite of late and I now think it is because it illicits STUDY. Novel idea :)

More to come. I have studying to do.

Blessings....