Joy - Calling No. 6

A Soulful Calling, A special edition of the Art + Soul Newsletter

A Soulful Calling No. 6

Definition of Joy

: to experience great pleasure or delight : REJOICE

: a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS

: a source or cause of delight

WEEK 1: INSPIRATION

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

• This week take time to read and meditate on God’s Word.

• Study what this passage is saying.

• Dig a little deeper by doing a SOAP.

• Consider trying to memorize it. Write it on an index card or post-it note and place it somewhere you will frequently see it.

WEEK 2: REFLECTION

Consider all the reason for joy you have in spite of your circumstances. Choose one of these passages for mediation. Which of these most speaks to your heart and which do you need to respond to?

• Hebrews 12:1-3 (the joy awaiting you in heaven)

• Jeremiah 17:7-8 (confidence in the Lord, which is the root of joy)

• Psalm 32:3-5 (the joy of confessing sin and receiving God’s forgiveness)

WEEK 3: CONNECTION

Did you know you could have more joy? Once we have received this supernatural gift, it can be multiplied. Jesus said that He came so that His joy could be “in us” and that our “joy would be made full” (Jn 15:11). The Bible teaches us some fundamental ways believers can increase joy in their heart. And we shouldn’t be surprised that they all revolve around how we relate to God and His Word.

• Stay away from evil (Psalm 1:1). God calls His people to follow Him wholeheartedly and avoid relationships that leave Him out of their lives. Three action plans are presented:  1) guard your mind by not listening to worldly wisdom rather than God’s wisdom, 2) don’t participate in sinful behavior, and 3) don’t make deep friendships with those who disbelieve and scoff at God’s Word. Joy can be increased by avoiding evil through a growing knowledge of God and application of His Word to our lives. 

• Obey God’s commands (Psalm 19:8, Proverbs 8:32). We should never view God’s commands as a burden, but rather we should realize that His Word is given to us for “our good” (Deut 10:12-13).  God wants us to be full of joy and His Word is a road map to the fullness of joy. When we are tempted to disobey God, we must remember that Satan’s promises are lies!  It is God’s commands that are designed to give us the greatest rejoicing. 

• Trust in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7). From experience we know that anxiety strips us of joy and unbelief can paralyze us.  The measure of our joy can be determined by where we place our trust. Instead of worrying, we must go to the sovereign King of the universe and make our requests known.  Knowing that He is in control, He promises to give us peace which will guard our hearts and minds.  This is the only way we can “consider it all joy” when we experience all kinds of trials (James 1:2).  We can willfully choose joy in any circumstance because we know that God is in control and working out the details of our lives.   

• Give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We should be thankful that God is working in all of our circumstances for our good. This doesn’t mean we are grateful for difficult circumstances, but that we are thankful in the middle of every circumstance. We need to remind ourselves how He has delivered us from past trials, that His grace is sufficient to sustain us, and that joy is our heritage through Him.