faith

Joy – 1 Peter 1:8-9

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Though you never saw him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, yet you exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an indescribable glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, your salvation. – 1 Peter 1:8-9

I find the story that has been woven for us in the Bible is just so romantic! The Bible is God’s love letter to us. He loves us. And we cannot see Him, but we believe in Him and love Him back. This story can only be from an amazing, almighty God.

When I am trying to glorify God, I tend to think that I am doing it because I love God and He loves me, not so much that I am doing it for salvation. I feel like when I think of it in the first way, my intentions are a little bit more where they are supposed to be. But yes, the ultimate goal is to be able to live with God forever.

I have learned that God’s number one commandment is to love God with our whole heart and soul and then to love others. Then, everything else kind of falls into place. That seems pretty simple to me and that brings me joy.

I am joyful that God loves me and that I have an awesome God to love back. He is my Father and my best friend – He is the best friend I could ever have. That is a reason to feel joy.

All I have to do is love Him and believe in Him and love my neighbor and I can live forever with Him. That is a reason to feel joy!

I am joyful that His promises are good and true.

Whenever looking at a scripture or passage I like to use SPECK so that I make sure I am understanding it and applying it to my life.

S – Sin to avoid

P – Promise to trust

E – Example to follow

C – Command to obey

K – Knowledge of the Lord

I think this scripture tells me that Jehovah is a loving God – love is His main quality – and He wants our love in return and He wants us to have faith in Him. If we do this, He promises us eternal life. And, yes, this brings me joy. I joyfully worship and serve God.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your beautiful promise for eternal life. As I work on your quality of joy this month, what could make me happier? Thank you for being an amazing, loving God. I could not ask for a better friend, confidant, Father. I am sorry for the times that I forget about your amazing promises because I am so caught up in this world. Please fill me with Holy Spirit and make me mentally and emotionally stronger so that I will always be rejoicing in You. I never want to lose sight of what You have done for me and all I have to do to be joyful is think of You. Please help me to rejoice in every situation, the good and the bad, because no matter what my situation is here on earth, I still have You and Your love and promises. I thank you for that! You are love and joy and please allow me to glorify You and let others see these qualities in You so they can rejoice in You as well.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joy – Psalm 16:11

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Each month I am trying to work on a characteristic of God in myself.

Galations 5:22-23

On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

For December I was working on joy, but I have to admit I did not get very far. So, I am expanding the study of this quality in scripture into January. In general, I feel like a happy person, but I am subject to bouts of depression usually sprung on by worrying too much. I need to do a whole study on not worrying! For now: joy:

You make known to me the path of life. In your presence is abundant joy; There is happiness at your right hand forever. – Psalm 16:11

First of all, I am happy that I have God’s Word to direct me to the path that leads to Him. What an awesome, caring God He must be to have provided this for us instead of just leaving us in the dark. And second, this is a fallen world. Satan conspires against us constantly to try to bring us the exact opposite of happiness. Or he disguises himself as light and we think we are happy, but we are really sinning. Falling into his trap. I am content knowing that I will achieve real and perfect happiness when I am in the presence of the Lord forever. For now, there are so many blessings that I can take joy in and I can take joy in serving the Lord.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for providing your Word for us so that we know what to do in this fallen world. We know how to get to You and that in itself is something to be so joyful about. Please give me the motivation to stay in Your Word every day so that I will never forget the path to You. Please help me to turn from my sin and help me to see hidden sins that I might not even realize I am doing. Let the Holy Spirit constantly remind me that this is not my true home and true and perfect and eternal happiness is not here, but with You. Allow me to see my blessings and be joyful for them and convict me to serve You more and more. I will take immense joy in that. Thank you Lord. I love you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!