"Love your daughterhood. Rejoice in it!"
Doug Phillips
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Quote from R.M. M'Cheyne
"Every one of you have your work to do for Christ where you are… The smallest twinkling star is as much a servant of God as the mid-day sun. Only live for Christ where you are.”
-Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Quote taken from Sermons of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, a book I read recently. A great reminder to be content right where I am, and to joyfully serve Christ the way He's called me to! :)
-Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Quote taken from Sermons of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, a book I read recently. A great reminder to be content right where I am, and to joyfully serve Christ the way He's called me to! :)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Finding Joy in the Little Things
"...God loves a cheerful giver."
-2 Corinthians 9:7
For many years I thought this meant that God just wanted us to give. But I've come to realize that you can either give grudgingly, or cheerfully. Joy is what makes the difference.
I have a terrible habit of giving outwardly, while inwardly (sometimes outwardly... well, alright, alot of times) complaining. The Lord has greatly convicted me. He has revealed that what He desires from me is true joy when serving those around me.
We recently watched a film called Saving Sarah Cain. While it had many wonderful truths in it, one of the most convicting was when the oldest daughter, Lydia, said, "Dish-washing has never been a chore" (paraphrased). WOW! Can I say that? Ouch...
This young woman had found Joy in the little things, serving her family cheerfully, in preparation for someday having her own family.
Sadly, I am often too caught up in desiring to achieve "great things" that I fail to realize that the thing I can do to bring the most glory to God is to find Joy doing the little things!
-2 Corinthians 9:7
For many years I thought this meant that God just wanted us to give. But I've come to realize that you can either give grudgingly, or cheerfully. Joy is what makes the difference.
I have a terrible habit of giving outwardly, while inwardly (sometimes outwardly... well, alright, alot of times) complaining. The Lord has greatly convicted me. He has revealed that what He desires from me is true joy when serving those around me.
We recently watched a film called Saving Sarah Cain. While it had many wonderful truths in it, one of the most convicting was when the oldest daughter, Lydia, said, "Dish-washing has never been a chore" (paraphrased). WOW! Can I say that? Ouch...
This young woman had found Joy in the little things, serving her family cheerfully, in preparation for someday having her own family.
Sadly, I am often too caught up in desiring to achieve "great things" that I fail to realize that the thing I can do to bring the most glory to God is to find Joy doing the little things!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
More on Joy
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!"
-Philippians 4:4
I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a very hard time implementing this in my life! When things get difficult I'm the first to whine and complain. I stomp my foot and demand that God give me my way. NOW!
What a wrong attitude! Rather than informing God that this is not how I wanted my day to go, I ought to be thanking Him for being at work in my life.
How quick I am to rejoice when things are going good- but how slow I am to rejoice in pain or disappointment!
A verse I've been really thinking about lately is not only an encouragement, but also a great conviction:
"For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
-Romans 8:28
And because this is true, I need to learn to find Joy in all things, all the time!!!
-Philippians 4:4
I don't know about the rest of you, but I have a very hard time implementing this in my life! When things get difficult I'm the first to whine and complain. I stomp my foot and demand that God give me my way. NOW!
What a wrong attitude! Rather than informing God that this is not how I wanted my day to go, I ought to be thanking Him for being at work in my life.
How quick I am to rejoice when things are going good- but how slow I am to rejoice in pain or disappointment!
A verse I've been really thinking about lately is not only an encouragement, but also a great conviction:
"For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
-Romans 8:28
And because this is true, I need to learn to find Joy in all things, all the time!!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Joy of the Lord is our Strength
After taking the "Joy Challenge" I told everyone about several days ago, I thought I'd share a few verses on Joy, as well as some of my thoughts.
"Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; and let them say continually. 'The Lord be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant.'"
-Psalm 35:27
"Rejoice always: Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's Will for you in Christ Jesus."
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Sing for joy in the Lord, O you upright ones; praise is becoming to the upright."
-Psalm 33:1
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!"
-Philippians 4:4
"Now the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you might abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
- Romans 15:13
"A joyful heart makes a cheerful face..."
- Proverbs 15:13
"...God loves a cheerful giver."
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."
- Proverbs 17:22
Something that struck me as I began searching my Bible for references to Joy, was that so many had OUTWARD evidences of the INWARD Joy! Look over the verses again: "shout for joy", "sing for joy", "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face"!
One verse I've been meditating on the past day or two has been Proverbs 17:22- "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Perhaps it might have something to do with the fact that Mamma's been sick this week!)
Just recently have I realized that the attitudes of those around us affect us, especially when we're sick. If you are not feeling well and those around you are complaining and griping, does it make you feel better or worse?? WORSE!
I need to make an extra effort to allow the Joy of the Lord to be at work in my life when those around me are sick.
I have been so convicted when I think of how often I complain rather than joyfully serving those around me who are sick. How selfish! Yet I want those who serve me to be nice, and kind, and JOYFUL! But I know the only way I can change this in myself is to rely on the Strength of the Lord, which is my Joy (see Nehemiah 8:10)!
I would really appreciate your prayers as I struggle with not only expressing Joy to those around me, but more importantly, having the Joy of the Lord in my Heart.
"Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; and let them say continually. 'The Lord be magnified, who delights in the prosperity of His servant.'"
-Psalm 35:27
"Rejoice always: Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's Will for you in Christ Jesus."
-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Sing for joy in the Lord, O you upright ones; praise is becoming to the upright."
-Psalm 33:1
"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice!"
-Philippians 4:4
"Now the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you might abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
- Romans 15:13
"A joyful heart makes a cheerful face..."
- Proverbs 15:13
"...God loves a cheerful giver."
- 2 Corinthians 9:7
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."
- Proverbs 17:22
Something that struck me as I began searching my Bible for references to Joy, was that so many had OUTWARD evidences of the INWARD Joy! Look over the verses again: "shout for joy", "sing for joy", "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face"!
One verse I've been meditating on the past day or two has been Proverbs 17:22- "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (Perhaps it might have something to do with the fact that Mamma's been sick this week!)
Just recently have I realized that the attitudes of those around us affect us, especially when we're sick. If you are not feeling well and those around you are complaining and griping, does it make you feel better or worse?? WORSE!
I need to make an extra effort to allow the Joy of the Lord to be at work in my life when those around me are sick.
I have been so convicted when I think of how often I complain rather than joyfully serving those around me who are sick. How selfish! Yet I want those who serve me to be nice, and kind, and JOYFUL! But I know the only way I can change this in myself is to rely on the Strength of the Lord, which is my Joy (see Nehemiah 8:10)!
I would really appreciate your prayers as I struggle with not only expressing Joy to those around me, but more importantly, having the Joy of the Lord in my Heart.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Have you Heard About the Joy Challenge?
If you haven't heard about the "Joy Challenge", visit the Feminine Farmgirl Blog, by clicking on the link in my Recommended Links!
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