Who Stole My Joy?
God’s joy is beyond circumstances
Week one: Joy in the normal
“When you kill time, it has no resurrection.” – Tozer
Stop thinking, Take a deep breath, Appreciate him
Week two: joy in the pain
See the unseen. What are you doing in the middle of this?
Week Three: Joy in serving
People that you feel better just being around them
Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to Him. He grieves that we have forgotten Him. He weeps over our obsession with muchness and manyness. He longs for our presence. Richard Foster
Untold light will dawn on you in consequence … after a while a certain sweetness is born in the heart of this exercise and the body is drawn to just be with God – Syrian monk, Isaac of Niniveh
God can not give us peace/joy apart from himself, because there is no such thing – C.S. Lewis
James 4:7-8 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
The main place of Joy is our proximity to God – John Mark Comer
John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
We grow in joy through ritual and redirection – John Mark Comer
Relationships are not only grown with time, but with honesty
John 15:10-11 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Ps. 51:10-12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me
What’s the wise thing to do?
Lasting Joy multiplies your happiness, buffers your sorrow
Our joy gives glory to God
Joy is a focus before it’s a feeling