Good morning! I probably already missed Julie because I forgot to post this last night. Sorry about that Julie.
As we finish up our week on joy, I would love to hear about times in your lives when you may have been surprised to find joy in your life during a hard time. As you know, that's not the same as happiness. For me, one time was when we lost our forth baby. It was such a comfort to know that even though I had to wait to meet her, she was with the best caring Father there is.
Week Four Day Five
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done for yesterday and today.
I remember a specific time several years ago, when I was writing in my journal (which many times turns itself into a prayer without me even realizing it). I was actually talking to God on paper, and I don't remember exactly what I was writing about except that I wrote that I knew He loves me and wants good things for me just like I do for my own children. Suddenly, I had an epiphany about God's love for me. It's hard to express how I felt at that moment. It was like God reached out and caressed my soul. I truly felt His love envelop me and I FELT absolutely loved for the first time in my life. I cried and cried for joy, and I was determined not to lose that feeling. Every time I really concentrate on that memory, it still makes tears stream down my face. Now, don't get me wrong...I don't think there was anything miraculous about this experience (although I don't limit God's power to do so), I just think I had a clarity of understanding that I had never achieved before...like I said, the experience is very difficult to put into words, but whenever I desperately need a "spoonful" of joy I think about God's limitless love for me, and I cry a little and feel so much better.
Done for today, I'm still not caught up from yesterday but I'll get to that. The times I've found joy in surprising places are when we've lost family members and the way God provided so much love through other Christians. Just knowing that he set up his family of believers in that way, because he knows we need eachother to share our pain along with our joy...what a perfect plan...
Here are my answers for today, I feel kind of out of it this morning so my answers might not be quite right.
4 Catalysts of joy:
1- That my name is written in heaven
2- The discovery of God in all corners of my life
3- Being restored
4- Remaining in Christ
The most important catalyst for me is that of restoration. It reminds me that God is in control, his power can take me through the difficulties I'm experiencing, and there will be good things that come out of my trials
1. Paul wanted to be rescued from the Judean unbelievers so that he may come to those who believed with joy and be refreshed with them
2. Paul was full of joy because of their obedience and because others were noticing the way they obeyed God
3. Paul wanted to come to Corinth and not be distressed by those who should be giving him joy
4. Paul's joy was the basis of his encouragement
5. That the Corinthians cared for Paul increased his joy
6. Paul wanted to remain with the Phil. believers so that he could keep encouraging them and that they would find joy through him
* The Phillipian believers were Paul's joy and crown
Other believers were giving reason for joy
1 Thes. 1:6 = You welcomed the message
1 Thes. 2:19-20 = You are our glory and joy
1 Thes. 3:9 = We have joy in the presence of our God because of you
2 Tim. 1 :4 = I long to see you so I may be filled with joy
Phil. 7 = You have refreshed the hearts of the saints
The thing I enjoy the most about the body of Christ is the care they show, that I can depend on them and see God's love in them
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb. 10:24-25
My joy can impact others in the way they see God through me. Unbelievers may turn back to God because of it.
Well, you might feel a little out of it, Tammy, but your answers are good.
Done for today and yesterday. I learned today that it is not good to get behind!
My answers are pretty much the same as Tammy's. This lesson was good for me. There was a lot of personal application for me this week!
Lots of good reminders about being joyful...even in crops! It did my heart good.
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