#wtsdevo joy

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Fullness of Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;     in the night also my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me;     because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;     my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,     or let your holy one see corruption.

You make known to me the path of life;     in your presence there is fullness of joy;     at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16:7-11

Psalm 16 is one of my passages in Scripture for a lot of reasons. But one of the number one reasons is that it serves as a continual reminder of where joy can be found. It says, “in Your presence there is fullness of joy.” The Psalmist says that his whole being rejoices because God is with him, protecting him and guiding him in the path of life. God’s presence is where joy is found.

Now, I want to look at the line “in your presence there is fullness of joy” using a Scripture meditation method I learned recently. If you take each word and focus the emphasis of the sentence on it, you can discern meaning you might not have noticed just reading the verse normally.

IN your presence there is fullness of joy: this says to me that I need to make sure that I’m actively living in the presence of God. He is always present with us, but I am not always aware of it, or living like it. To be filled with joy in His presence, I have to acknowledge and welcome His presence every moment.

In YOUR presence there is fullness of joy: there is no other in whose presence the fullness of joy can be found. God alone is the source of complete and full joy. Everything else is a pale comparison or cheap imitation.

In your PRESENCE there is fullness of joy: this goes back to God truly being with us always. God has said that He will never leave us or forsake us, and that He will be with us always, even until the end of the age.

In your presence there is FULLNESS of joy: This joy is not weak or fleeting. This is Spirit-led, Spirit-filled full joy that exists outside of temporal circumstances and struggles. This joy is able to cover any other feeling we may be having.

In your presence there is fullness of JOY: lastly, we are reminded that what is to be found in God’s presence is in fact joy. Not condemnation, not guilt, Christ has taken those away at the cross. Instead we have access to joy in the Lord. Let’s enter into His presence and beg for this joy today.

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

Posted by: Rebecca Hankins \ Personal //  Walk the Same

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The Fruit of the Spirit (wtsdevo joy)

Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”

What is joy? Is it just a stronger form of happiness, or is it something more? Or something else entirely? It’s defined by some Bible scholars as “cheerfulness” or “calm delight,” a disposition marked by contentedness and peace. I think that what sets joy apart from simple happiness is its source. In Galatians, Paul is teaching the Christians about walking by the Spirit, not by the sinful desire of the flesh. He even says that the two desires are in opposition to one another. He draws a sharp distinction and clearly shows by examples what the desires of the flesh are: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (v. 5:19-21). Then he gives us a list of what things are “fruit of the Spirit” – which includes joy! This list describes not what we can do for ourselves (because of our flesh), but the fruit that the Holy Spirit of God produces in us when we are walking in Him! So the source of joy is the Spirit of God. This is more than just happiness or “cheerfulness” because those things more often than not have their source in circumstance. Joy, on the other hand, can only be produced by the Spirit of God working in us and giving us joy in Him despite other secondary circumstances. Friends, because God is the source of all joy and tells us that His Spirit produces it in us, that means we can actually pray and ask Him for joy and He will give it to us. He says in the Word that we know that we have whatever we ask for from Him when we ask in faith according to His will (1 John 5). Today I am going to boldly ask the Lord to fill me with joy in Him—join me!

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

Posted by: Rebecca Hankins \ Personal //  Walk the Same

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Unmatchable Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” - 1 Peter 1:8

I love my wife. She makes me happier than any other thing on this earth. My kids make me happy. Spending time with good friends makes me happy. I'm also happy when I'm able to do things that I enjoy and give me a sense of fulfillment.

All of these things are great. And yet as great as they are, they are only temporary. They can only satisfy me so much and bring so much substance to my life. They have minimal power over circumstances and can never be said to save my soul.

That position is reserved for someone else. The One who is able to judge the living and the dead and holds eternity in His hands. The one who loved me so much that He gave His Son to die for me (John 3:16). He took the fear of death away. Not only is my future secure in Him but my present is also sustained in Him.

Everything else in life is futile in comparison. At any given moment I can meditate on my future and have unspeakable joy. I can remember the selfless work done for me on the cross and have joy that can’t be explained. The joy of the Lord doesn’t depend on anything external but it is unconditional and unmatchable.

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Julian Davis \ Personal // Walk the Same

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Joy that Fills (#wtsdevo joy)

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” - John 15:11

The best experiences in life you may say was the day you were married or the birth of your first child. Or maybe money affords you the finer things in life, leaving little to complain about.

Those are all things that can make us happy. But something in marriage happens called life. The honeymoon ends. Those beautiful newborns grow up and we find our smiles exchanged with tears and frustration. Money fades and even when it lasts, it's hollow happiness.

I find myself often going through the motions. Just scraping enough of the goodness of God to get me through the day. The crumbs from His table become my breakfast, lunch and dinner. So I find myself always hungry and unsatisfied with man's pursuit of happiness.

Until I remember where real joy comes from. And not the temporary, fleeting kind. The joy of the Lord. The joy that fills to the brim and overflows so much that others can feed from our helping. The unmatched, unconditional joy that only comes from abiding in Jesus. Let's pray for it together until it's ours!

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Julian Davis \ Personal // Walk the Same

[walkthesame]

The Source of Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

When parents come home from work or when they return after an extended time away back to their kids, it’s not to hard to notice how excited and happy they are to see their parents back with them. I was watching a bunch of YouTube videos the other day and saw how even pets get uber excited when they see their owners return back after staying away for a while. It’s heart-warming to watch and the sight alone brings a whole lot of joy. But in both of these cases, their excitement and joy comes from seeing that their guardians and carers are back with them.

No longer are they left alone. Instead they are now back into the world of security, care and protection that their parents bring into the relationship. I believe that this is the kind of joy that people, like the disciples and followers of Christ in the Bible, felt when Jesus came to be with them. They once lived in a world without direction or guidance. But now with Jesus around, everything changed. He was there to lead them, protect them, guide them, heal them and raise them up no matter the season and situation.

Can you even begin to imagine how all of these people must’ve felt when Jesus was ripped away from them and everything they knew when He was taken away to be murdered on the cross?

But that pain didn’t last too long because before they even knew it, Christ was back with them and the joy that they would’ve experience must’ve been immense and beyond amazing.

Christ is the source of our joy and we are able to function they way we do today because the joy that we carry in Him fuels us to do all that we were called to do. The moment we decide to break away from that source and plug into what’s earthly for our joy, we don’t get joy anymore but happiness which is fleeting and temporary just like how much of the world we live in is.

Let us be mindful and intentional where we choose to seek and absorb our joy from. It has the power to shape us build us and what’s more amazing and beautiful than to be shaped after that of God and His ways.

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Jude \ Personal // Walk the Same

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Unexplainable Joy Leads to Cheerful Giving (#wtsdevo joy)

Seven years ago, our family had the opportunity to visit an orphanage for disabled children in India that our son’s foundation helps support financially.   I’ll never forget the long journey to reach these children.  After a fifteen hour flight from America to New Delhi, we travelled six hours by car and twelve hours by train in order to reach the tiny town in which these children lived.  My visualization of poverty transformed as we made our way to the orphanage.  Women bathing children on broken sidewalks, families of five traveling together on one motorcycle, small children begging for money on every corner………………..

Nothing about my life seemed to be lacking anymore.

I looked out the window of the train as we moved along the bumpy track, and the sea of homes made from all kinds of random material with lines of laundry strung between them moved me to tears.  I thought about the children we would soon be meeting.  I wondered what kinds of conditions they lived in and what it would take to make them happy.  Almost immediately, my mind jumped to thoughts of my suitcase and what I had packed as gifts for the kids at the orphanage………………….

Candy.

Small, hard candy in plastic wrappers.

This was all we had brought for these little children who needed so much more.

I felt certain my hands would feel empty as I reached out to give such a little gift to children with such great needs.

When we finally reached our destination and made our way to the home where these children lived, I found myself second-guessing the gifts in my bag.  Although we had been told the kids would love little pieces of candy, I was sure we should have brought clothes or books …….. gifts that would last much longer.

As the door to their home opened, a group of young children – some deaf, some blind, some crippled – greeted us excitedly.

My family and I began hugging them, and I found myself completely overwhelmed with the huge smiles on their faces.  These children, with so many reasons to feel unloved and forgotten, were beaming with joy in spite of all the aspects of their lives that could have caused them to weep.

As we handed out our tiny gifts, the children squealed.   I couldn’t imagine them being any happier than they were in that moment.  Our candy, in their hands, seemed like precious gold.

And then the most unbelievable thing happened.  

Children started coming towards us, one by one, trying to give the candy back.

I was confused at first, “Why would they want to give back the very thing they had just received so joyfully?”

Our guide must have realized our entire family was confused as we were trying to push candy into the hands of children who were pushing it back into ours.  He smiled and explained that the children were so happy to see us and this was their way of trying to say “thank you” for our visit to India.  Since they had nothing else to give in return, they were giving the one thing they had…………….candy.  No one was forcing them to give.  No one was asking them to even say, “thank you.”  Their hearts were so full of joy that giving was the natural response.

Tears ran down my face as I realized this is exactly what 2 Cor. 9:7 would look like if it were captured in a photograph.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

These children, who had nothing, were teaching me what it means to give freely and joyfully.

Several years have passed since I stood in that tiny village in India surrounded by children who had every reason to feel sad but instead chose to feel joy, but my heart still feels just as overwhelmed when I think about their faces….their beautiful faces beaming with joy as they tried to give back the one thing they could offer us as a “thank you.”

My face should beam with joy today as I think about all the ways God has blessed my own life.  Because of this joy, I should want to cheerfully give back to Him in every possible way I can in order to say “thank you.”

No matter what you’re facing in life, find reasons to feel joy and turn to God with a beaming face, cheerfully giving back to Him from the blessings He has so freely given you…..even when they seem like tiny pieces of candy wrapped in plastic.  Overwhelm Him with your joy in spite of your circumstances and watch what happens.  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Tammy \ Personal // Walk the Same

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Joy comes when you know who you are in Christ (#wtsdevo joy) 

I get the most upset, angry and exhausted when I feel lost, and when things seem  uncertain. When I feel like I can't unravel my thoughts and emotions, I just end up keeping my emotions and actions on the down-low. However, when I do have an idea as to who I am and what I am doing, then I'm fueled in a positive way. I'm happy and outgoing and just want to do more and more.

In our Christian lives, when we move with no direction, or when our understanding of ourselves and our purpose is vague... We start to feel blue and unhappy. We would feel that way because we are in a position where we have no idea about our calling or what we are meant to do. The joy in our lives dries up, and we are left with nothing but the dry, dusty emotions of anger, sadness and frustration.

As a Christian, it is key for all of us to identify who we are in Christ and to also allow God total control over all aspects of our lives. Give Him control of our plans, our present and our future. Usually when we are lost and feeling misguided, we are compelled to take things into our own hands and do it our way. This typically ends up with us reliant wholly on people and the world in general.

Seeking help from people isn't a bad thing. We are called to place ourselves within community and interaction. But leaving God out of the story of our lives isn't going to do us a favor. It is important for us to understand that God alone is our steadfast anchor in life. No matter how much the world shakes around us, by trusting and holding onto our faith in God, we are held safe in His hands.  Even when the world seems like its crashing down on us, our joy and strength remains because God remains unshaken. Therefore no matter the road ahead, we can still move on strong and hopeful. Most importantly, our joy remains untainted.

When we know who we are in Christ, we essentially map ourselves clearly in the middle of a chaotic world. And when we identify who we are the way Christ meant us to, we place ourselves in a position where we are filled with His wisdom and guidance when it comes to whom to approach and making the right decisions. Everything becomes crystal clear when we identify ourselves in Christ.

Pure joy is so much needed in this life. We all live today and it is sure to take over our lives when we finally know who we are in Christ. We are all His, and each of us are meant for amazing and joyful things. This promise is something we need to pray on everyday and believe in.

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Elle \ Personal // Walk the Same // Color Movement

[walkthesame]

The Source of Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

Life can get hard. This being a constant occurrence, it is easy for us to get tied down to the negativity that it brings- fear, anger, hurt and insecurity.

Since we are a people who want and crave things in the "now" we seek out for joy in quick and easy things. However this pursuit of easy "joy" turns and puts us into even more of a struggle, because the joy that we seek from worldly things isn't joy at all, but simple happiness. Good comes with happiness, but it is fleeting and temporal.

Once we fall into this cycle of chasing unsatisfactory happiness, we fall into the trap of seeking joy from the world rather than the source of all joy. And what do we get? Cheap happiness simply disguised as joy. Although we may not realize it at the time, cheap happiness kills us on the inside day after day.

How different would things be if we went to the source of joy for our joy! The joy that Christ brings isn't quick, fast and easy but rather it endures and is relentless, just like His Word and truths are eternal.

When we seek out joy from Christ Himself and fill ourselves up with the goodness and love that He has to offer, our struggles, pain and worry all drown under the immense weight of His mercy and love. The negatives in our lives go away and is replaced by pure joy and every other blessing that God brings down upon us.

When things don't seem to be working and when joy seems to be lacking in your life, seek the source of it all. Let His presence fill you with joy that the world cannot give you. In Him may your joy be complete.

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Devotional Series: Joy (#wtsdevo joy)

By: Jude \ Personal // Walk the Same