joy Archives - Page 2 of 2

Sharla May 20, 2014

How to Run When You Can Barely Walk

Don’t you love watching little kids run?

I mean they don’t run because they really need to up their fitness program.

They don’t run because they are trying to get their 10,000 steps a day in a shorter span of time.

They don’t run because they are trying to burn a few extra calories.

Little kids run because they want to. They run out of joy. They run because energy literally bubbles out of them.

Running in God’s Path

I’ve been reading Psalm 119. Every day I read a stanza–meditating on it, savoring it.

The other day I got to verse 32 and stopped.

“I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32 NIV)

Immediately I pictured a little kid whose just been sitting in school all morning running out of the door out of sheer joy of being outside.

She runs because she is free.

What I found especially interesting is that just four verses earlier in the psalm, the writer says, “My soul is weary with sorrow” (verse 28). It sounds like he could barely walk because of sadness. How was it that he could now run?

I think the psalmist could run because he went to a reliable source of strength–God’s Word. He says:

“Strengthen me according to your law” (verse 28). Lord I know that Your Word is where I’m going to find the energy and the hope to keep going.

“I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord” (verse 31). Even though things look desperate, I’m clinging to Your promises.

“I run in the path of your commands” (verse 32). I‘m sticking to Your path, following the signposts in Your law.

So when you can barely walk look to God’s Word. Ask Him to give you hope and strength from Scripture. Cling to His promises.

Because when we look to God’s Word and listen to His voice, He sets our hearts free. That word free is from the Hebrew word rachab which means “to grow wide or large.” Some other versions use the phrase “enlarge my heart.” As God widens our hearts so that we can better understand His promises to us and more fully grasp His love, we no longer feel like we are plodding through life.

We are running on the path He has set out for us. Running out of joy.

Next step: How do you feel today: plodding on a path of sorrow or running full of joy? Pray that God will “enlarge your heart” so you can better understand His love and promises and run free in His joy.

original photo credit

Filed Under: Bible Study Tagged With: freedom, joy, Psalm 119, strength

Sharla May 15, 2014

When You Struggle to Rejoice

Do you struggle to rejoice? Does the command in Philippians 4:4 make you wince?

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

I certainly have days when it’s hard to be full of joy. Hard to rejoice in anything.

And what is rejoicing anyway?

I looked up the word rejoice in my Greek dictionary and found that it comes from the word chairo.

It carries the idea of being glad about something. It is the picture of a person who is euphoric over something that has happened. Other words to describe chairo would be overjoyed, elated, ecstatic, exhilarated, thrilled, jubilant, or even rapturous. (from Sparkling Gems From the Greek, p. 682)

When I read that I asked myself–when was the last time I was purely ecstatic about God? When did I feel thrilled in God’s presence?

I think it’s been too long.

But perhaps it’s because I keep looking for joy in other things. I expect to find it in success. Or friendship.

I wait for joy to happen when everything goes according to my plan.

And because that isn’t very likely, joy remains elusive.

Perhaps I should be glad that I can’t always find joy in something other than Jesus. Because then in my desperation, I’m forced to look to the only reliable Source of joy–my Savior.

God doesn’t tell us to be euphoric over success, or achievement, or even cute shoes because none of those are lasting.

God asks to be elated in Him.

Next step: Have you struggled to rejoice this week? Take all of your disappointments to God. Then rejoice that He hears your prayers and cares about your problems–big and small.

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: joy, praise

Sharla July 11, 2013

Joy in God’s Word: Lectio Divina Part Two

Lectio Divina.

Sounds mysterious, right?

Actually Lectio Divina means Divine Reading and is an ancient way to study God’s Word. I shared about the details of the method a couple of days ago, but I thought it might be helpful to see an example of the method. Take a few moments and try this way of listening to God for yourself. I have chosen Ephesians 3:14-21 for the reading today.

Preparation (Silencio): Before you read, take a moment to close your eyes and become aware of God’s presence with you. Let God know you are ready to hear from Him.

Read (Lectio): Slowly read the passage, pausing between phrases and sentences. Ask God to show you a specific word or phrase He is speaking to your heart today.

¹⁴When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, ¹⁵the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

²⁰Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

When I recently read this passage, the word that God highlighted for me was “home.” I love this passage and know it well. I expected that the word God would choose for me would be “wide,” or “long,” or “high” from verse 18, but the word that I felt the biggest emotional response to was “home.”

Reflect (Meditatio): Read the passage again while asking yourself: What in my life needs that specific word or phrase right now?

I wondered why God wanted me to think about “home.” As I read the passage again, I realized that home is where you feel most loved and accepted (or at least that is how home should be). Even though I know that God loves and accepts me just as I am, I still often feel the need to perform. I don’t feel I deserve His love unless I’ve done something worthy of it.

Respond (Oratio): Read the passage one more time, listening for your heart’s response. What emotions bubble up when you read that word: love, joy, sorrow, grief, conviction? Be totally honest with yourself and God.

When I read the passage one more time, I first felt God’s sadness that I was still in a performance mode. But then I felt His comfort and peace. I felt a release of all the trying and striving. It was as if God was asking me to sit down in a big, cozy armchair right next to Him and simply enjoy being with Him.

Rest (Contemplatio): Take time to rest in God’s love for you and the words He has spoken. This is a time of surrender and rest in God’s loving hands.

During this time I asked God to help me feel at home in His presence. I continued that mental picture of sitting next to Him in a time of rest.

Resolve (Incarnatio): This step means to incarnate–live out–the Word of God. Write down the word or phrase given to you or think of an image of the word that you can carry with you throughout the day.

I resolved to carry that image of being at home with God throughout the day. Whenever I started to go back into my “try harder” mode, I pictured sitting in that cozy chair right next to a heavenly Father who loves me.

A couple of weeks ago I was with a wonderful group of women where we all participated in Lectio Divina with this passage. Each one of us received a different message very personalized to our needs. I would be interested in learning what word or phrase God spoke to you from Ephesians 3:14-21. Please take a moment to share. (If you are reading this in your email, click here to get to my website to leave a comment.)

Question: What word or phrase did God speak to you today in Ephesians 3:14-21?

Filed Under: Bible Study Tagged With: Bible study, joy, Lectio Divina

Sharla July 9, 2013

Joy in God’s Word: Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina.

Sounds mysterious, right?

Actually, Lectio Divina means Divine Reading and is an ancient way to study God’s Word.

Although it sounds very mysterious it’s actually a simple way to hear God’s voice in Scripture.

There are many ways to practice Lectio Divina before, but here is one helpful way. I will share the steps in this method that help me connect with God. As we go through the steps, I’ll share what I gleaned from one session of this practice.

To begin, choose a short passage of Scripture (six to eight verses). It can be a part of your regular reading plan or a passage you choose specifically for this purpose.

Preparation (Silencio):

Before you read, take a moment to close your eyes and become aware of God’s presence with you. Let God know you are willing to hear from Him.

My thoughts tend to swirl when I first sit down. I just keep bringing them back to God, soaking up His love.

Read (Lectio):

Slowly read the passage you have chosen, pausing between phrases and sentences. Ask God to show you which word or phrase He is speaking to your heart today. Repeat that word or phrase softly, pondering it as a special message from One who loves you.

I chose Ephesians 3:14-21 for the reading.

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

When I read this passage, the word that God highlighted for me was “home.” I love this passage and know it well. I expected that the word God would choose for me would be “wide,” or “long,” or “high” from verse 18, but the Holy Spirit drew my attention to the word “home.”

Reflect (Meditatio):

Read the passage again while asking yourself: What in my life needs that specific word or phrase right now? Think about how that word impacts your life.

Respond (Oratio):

Read the passage one more time, listening for your heart’s response. What emotions bubble up when you read that word: love, joy, sorrow, grief, conviction? Be totally honest with yourself and God.

Rest (Contemplatio):

Take time to rest in God’s love for you and the words He has spoken. This is a time of surrender and rest in God’s loving hands.

During this time I asked God to help me feel at home in His presence. I continued that mental picture of sitting next to Him in a time of rest.

Resolve (Incarnatio):

This step means to incarnate–live out–the Word of God. Write down the word or phrase given to you or think of an image of the word that you can carry with you throughout the day. In quiet moments, bring back the word or image and continue to ask God what significance that word has for you. Thank Him for speaking to you through His Word.

I love this version of Lectio Divina with the emphasis on listening for a specific word. I found this completely fascinating because each time I did this, the word that leaped off the page into my heart was never the one I expected. And yet it was the one that I most needed. Through that word God spoke to my deepest needs, even though before I read the passage, I might not have noticed that was my deepest need.

Next step: Try Lectio Divina today and find joy in God’s Word. Use Ephesians 3:14-21 or another passage from your daily Bible reading. Focus on God’s presence and listen to His voice.

For another take on Lectio Divina check out my post on SACRED Reading.

Filed Under: Bible Study Tagged With: Bible study, joy, Lectio Divina

Sharla February 28, 2013

Finding JOY in God’s Word

When I was teenager, my mother gave me a Living Bible and I have been finding JOY in God’s Word ever since.

I agree with the prophet Jeremiah when he says:

When I discovered your words, I devoured them.
They are my joy and my heart’s delight. Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

God’s Word is my joy and my heart’s delight. Daily I find new truths that encourage me, bring me closer to God, and make my heart happy.

It’s usually not too hard to find something meaningful in my daily Bible reading (except when I’m Leviticus!), but I’ve found that I discover more when I’m actually looking for something specific.

It’s not difficult to find joy in God’s Word, but maybe it’s even easier when I specifically look for it.

Here’s a three-step way to find JOY in Scripture.

1. Jewel

First, let’s look for a jewel. Ask God to show you one specific thing that He wants you to know today. What word does He want you to carry around in your heart?

Jesus spoke to us in His Word so that we would have joy. He told the disciples:

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15:11)

Look especially for a word of gospel–what God has done for you.

Here are a couple of jewels from my recent devotional times:

With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home. (Exodus 15:13 NLT)
Behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and of the age. (Matthew 28:20 Amp)

2. Obey

Next, let’s look for a word to obey. This may not seem a logical thing to look for when we are looking for joy, but the psalmist tells us:

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. (Psalm 19:8)

God gave us His commands as an instruction manual to having a happy life. His laws are meant to lead us to a joyful and abundant life.

Here are a couple of words to obey from my quiet time:

Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing? (Matthew 6:25)
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. (1 John 2:15)

3. Yearn

Lately I’ve been asking the Lord what exactly it is that He would have me yearn for. I figure that if I could just want what He wants, my life would be so much better.

I would be like the man in Jesus’ story:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Matthew 13:44)

He was happy to give up everything he owned because he knew that what he had found was so much better!

I’m asking God to help me to do that. Asking Him to help me give up the things that really don’t give me joy (even though I may have thought I needed them in order to be happy). Asking that I will only be satisfied with what really brings joy. I search God’s Word to find the desires and heart attitudes that He wants me to have.

Here are a couple of verses that demonstrate what God wants me to yearn for:

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2 16-17 NLT)
Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! (Matthew 5:3 Amp)

God’s Word is full of joy. As we look for a specific jewel to encourage us through the day, a word to obey, and a heart-yearning that God wants to instill, we will find that joy daily.

Next step: Try this easy three-step Bible study method. Find a jewel of Scripture, a command to obey, and a clue as to what God wants you to yearn for. Start finding JOY in God’s Word.

And if you’d like to try another Bible study method, check out Bible Study for Busy People: Finding PEACE in God’s Word.

Filed Under: Bible Study Tagged With: joy

Sharla February 4, 2013

The Magic Thread–How to Find Joy in the Present

There is a French story called “The Magic Thread” that teaches how to find joy in the present.

Once an old woman gave a young boy named Peter a silver ball. She tells him that inside the silver ball is a thin golden thread and explains, “This thread is your life thread. If you don’t touch the thread, your life will pass normally. But if you wish to have time pass more quickly, all you have to do is pull on the thread a little and an hour will pass by like a minute.

“However,” the woman warns him, “Use the thread carefully, for once the thread is pulled out, it can never be pushed back again.”

At first Peter is just happy to have this precious gift and is a little afraid to use it. But one day he is bored with arithmetic class and gives the thread a tiny pull. Suddenly the school day is over and he is walking the forest path back to his home. After this experience, Peter uses the gift of the magic thread whenever life seems boring and a little difficult.

As Peter grows he continues to pull on that magic thread. He pulls it to hasten his marriage, hurry along payday, help his children become self-sufficient sooner. He uses the unique gift whenever he is impatient or tested.

Suddenly he awakes to find that he is an old man, living all alone.

He searches for the old woman to return the silver ball and asks for a second chance to live his life without it. For he says, ” Your magic ball is a wonderful gift. I have never had to suffer or wait for anything. But life has passed too quickly. I feel that I have had no time to take in what has happened to me, neither the good nor the bad.”

if you tend to make your happiness contingent on just one more thing, read this story.

Don’t Wait for Joy

I imagine that all of us, at one time or another, have wished that life would move along a little faster. We are sure that we will be happy when we have just one more thing. When we’re young, we know we will be happy when we’re finished with school. When we’re single, we’re sure marriage will fulfill all our needs. We may be certain that having children will satisfy all our deepest desires. Then when we have kids, we’re sure we’ll be happy once they’re moved out of the house.

Like Peter in the story, we tend to make our happiness contingent on one more thing, only to find that we could have had joy all along if we had only taken the time to fully engage in life.

I love Psalm 4 because David starts out wishing, like the boy Peter, that all his troubles would be gone:

Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4:1

But he ends with the realization that God has already given him joy–greater joy than those who are experiencing great success and prosperity:

You have given me greater joy
than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
Psalm 4:7

We don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect to have joy. God will give it us joy right now–even before He gives us relief from our problems.

Don’t wait for joy. Instead of asking for a magic thread, ask God for joy. Instead of wishing for time to pass more quickly, enjoy life now as a gift.

In the center of your troubles, in the middle of your waiting, in the midst of the everyday–God promises joy in Christ.

Next step: Are you having trouble finding joy in the present because you continually look to the future? Are you waiting for everything to be perfect before you enjoy your life? Bring all your troubles to God and then ask Him to help you find joy right where you are.

And if you want more inspiration for finding joy, check out The Secret to Finding More Joy.

photo credit

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: joy

Sharla January 17, 2013

The Best Way to Find Joy

Joy can be an elusive quality. What is the best way to find joy?

Oh, there are days when joy fills my heart like the air filling a hot-air balloon lifting me to new heights:

Seeing my husband-to-be at the end of the aisle as I take my father’s arm.

Delight at the births of my two beautiful children.

Watching my daughter’s face beam as she walks down the aisle.

When Joy Isn’t Easy to Find

But there are days when joy is not an easy emotion to find:

The doctor gives ominous news.

The money in the bank account isn’t quite enough to pay the bills.

The brakes on the car are making a funny noise, the dog gets sick on the carpet, and the dishwasher spews sudsy water all over the wood floor.

How do you grasp onto joy then?

A Reliable Source of Joy

Lately, God has been speaking to my heart about joy. He’s been teaching me about the one reliable place to access joy.

Psalm 16:11 tells about the one way to discover joy every day.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)

In these words, I hear God whispering:

Come to me. Joy is always available in my presence.

When you take your eyes off the broken car and busted dishwasher, and instead look at me you will find joy.

When you stop comparing your life with someone else’s, you will find joy.

When you stop thinking happiness is contingent on success, you will find joy.

When you turn you heart toward Me, you will find joy.

Joy evaporates when I turn my attention to my problems.

Joy floods my heart when I turn my heart toward God.

Next step: Post Psalm 16:11 where you will see it today. When you start to lose your joy, draw your attention back the God, who is always with you. In His presence, you will discover joy.

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: joy