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MEDITATION:

Written by Laurie Zuverink, a contemporary pastor and author.

I spend a lot of time with teenagers. I also spend time trying to figure out the words they’re using sometimes, because teens like to give words new meanings and even come up with new words. I like wondering what lies at the heart of a word. When I started to think about the word joy, I looked it up in the dictionary. The general definition of joy was listed as “an emotion evoked by well-being or success.” So. we can feel joy when we have good times with people we love, when we appreciate art or view some breathtaking scenery, when we accomplish something challenging, and more. But where does joy fit in when situations are not happy, beautiful, or successful? Is joy just a happy response to good times?

Biblical joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, the evidence of God’s love growing in us. For a believer in Jesus Christ, joy is more than a fleeting response to happy times. Joy is cultivated, pruned, and harvested throughout all the seasons and circumstances of our lives. Jesus laid the foundation of joy when he freed us from sin, with all its pain and suffering, and made new life possible for us. Joy in Christ’s success lies at the heart of who we are in Christ. This is the joy we claim. This is the joy we cultivate!

PRAYER:

Written by Scott Cairns, a contemporary American poet, professor, and spiritual essayist.

 O Holy One Who Comes, we turn again to you, and we open our hearts, we open our minds, we open our entire beings to your approach. We ask for strength and wisdom that we may now prepare the way. We ask that all may receive you in joy. Now and forever. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), a Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher, best known for the devotional “My Utmost for His Highest.”

What was the joy that Jesus had? Joy should not be confused with happiness. In fact, it is an insult to Jesus Christ to use the word happiness in connection with Him. The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). “I delight to do Your will, O my God…” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me?

Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is. Have the right relationship with God, finding your joy there, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Be a fountain through which Jesus can pour His “living water.” Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live “your life…hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). A person who has the right relationship with God lives a life as natural as breathing wherever he goes. The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.

PRAYER:

A matin, from the Byzantine Rite. The Byzantine Rite consists of liturgical texts developed to guide services of vespers, compline, midnight office, matins, and hours. The original Rites were developed in the late 4th century.  They have been adapted and are still used by Eastern Orthodox churches today.

As you have once given light

to the blind from birth,

shine upon my soul, which does not see your light,

O merciful Lord,

but lies buried in the darkness of sinful forgetfulness

and in the cares of this life. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by George Whitfield (1714-1770), an Anglican cleric and evangelist who was one of the founders of Methodism.

O! What heart can conceive, what tongue can express, with what unspeakable joy and consolation shall we then look back on our past sincere and hearty services. Think you then, my dear hearers, we shall repent we had done too much; and blush we were so backward to give up all to God; when he intended hereafter to give us himself? Let me…exhort you, my brethren, to have always before you the unspeakable happiness of enjoying God. And think withal, that every degree of holiness you neglect, every act of piety you omit, is a jewel taken out of your crown, a degree of blessedness lost in the vision of God. O! Do but always think and act thus, and you will no longer be laboring to compound matters between God and the world; but, on the contrary, be daily endeavoring to give up yourselves more and more unto him; you will be always watching, always praying, always aspiring after farther degrees of purity and love, and consequently always preparing yourselves for a fuller sight and enjoyment of that God, in whose presence there is fullness of joy, and at whose right-hand there are pleasures for ever more. Amen! Amen!

PRAYER:

Written by Rachel Wojnarowski, a contemporary Christian author.

This world seems to move faster and faster.

And I’m trying to keep up.

But God, in the whirlwind,

Instead I get caught up.

Like an unbeatable force it pulls me in

But I know eventually I cannot win.

I must learn to rest in your perfect peace

And though good, let all endeavors cease.

Oh that my feet would mimic your pace.

So your joy would be set on my face.

Help me, Jesus, to slow down when you would.

Help me, Lord, to rest as I should.

Thank you for loving me just as I am;

Thank you that rest is part of your plan.  Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Debbie McDaniel, a contemporary Christian author

Many of us may have heard Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” over long years. But what’s interesting to know is that it’s set right within a Psalm where the author is writing about huge adversity. It’s not written about when times are good, but when times are hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy, he felt pushed back, and about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles shared, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God. Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. We can still choose to give thanks. We can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through all difficult seasons. We might be facing the toughest of times, but the truth is this, He’s still given us today. He’s with us and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us, His peace sustains us, and His joy gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security that Truth brings. May His blessings overwhelm you today as you look to Him and choose joy.

PRAYER:

From “The Valley of Vision — a book of Puritan Prayer.”

It is your duty and privilege to rejoice in God: He requires it of you for all his favors of grace. Rejoice then in the Giver and his goodness, be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing but God, for whatever a man trusts in, from that he expects happiness. He who is the ground of your faith should be the substance of your joy. Where then comes heaviness and dejection, when joy is sown in you: promised by the Father, bestowed by the Son, in wrought by the Holy Spirit, yours by grace, your birthright in believing?

Are you seeking to rejoice in yourself from an evil motive of pride and self-reputation? You have nothing of your own but sin, nothing to move God to be gracious or to continue his grace towards you. If you forget this, you will lose your joy.

Are you grieving under a sense of indwelling sin? Let godly sorrow work repentance, as the true spirit which the Lord blesses, and which creates fullest joy; Sorrow for self opens rejoicing in God, Self-loathing draws down divine delights.

Hast thou sought joys in some creature comfort? Look not below God for happiness; fall not asleep in Delilah’s lap. Let God be all in all to thee, and joy in the fountain that is always full.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Maree Dee, a contemporary writer, speaker, advocate, and ministry leader.

From a biblical perspective, we see “joy” and “happiness” as two different things. Joy is a gift from God received when we choose to abide in him. It is based solely on our relationship with God. It will withstand the storms and not be dependent on our circumstances. Have you ever felt this kind of joy? It is incredible and makes no human sense. Our hearts can be full of delight even though our world appears to be crumbling all around us. Joy is dependent on our relationship with Christ, not on our circumstances.

Happiness is entirely dependent on what is going on around us or to us. When things are going well, we are happy, but the minute they take a turn for the worse our happiness goes away. Joy does not have to go away…In crises God and I are tight, and my faith is unwavering. Each of us has a vulnerable spot; mine happens to be when things are going well. I don’t always make him a priority and my dependence on him waivers.

Sometimes we do lose our joy, but the good news is we can find it with ease by turning to God who is always waiting for us. Is something hindering God’s joy from flowing into your life? You might ask yourself: Am I seeking happiness over joy? Do I spend time in His word? Is obedience to God a problem? Am I abiding in Christ – spending time and deepening my relationship with God? Remember we have to choose “joy” and trust God will restore it.  God does want us to have happiness in our lives but attaining joy must be the priority. Once you are abiding in him, by all means, make sure you are adding things to your life which make you happy. Knowing the difference between the two will be essential to attaining both. Remember joy is a gift! Don’t waste the gift or fail to open it. If you do, you could end up joyless and unhappy all at the same time. We know life is hard and we won’t always have happiness, but joy is something we can have in all circumstances.

PRAYER:

Written by Meg Bucher, a contemporary writer and teacher.

All of creation reminds us of You. The beauty of nature and marvel of the changing seasons. The uniqueness in all of us and the diversity in the daily horizon. Surround us with reminders of You often, through nature, the people you place in our lives, and the Bible. May the Holy Spirit help us to understand Your Word, and will for our lives. Bless our hearts with sustaining joy, and the strength to hold onto it no matter what.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Randy Frazee, a contemporary pastor and author.

The first order of business is to identify the difference between joy and happiness. For many folks today, being happy is fully dependent on whether life is “all good.” … Problems rise; happiness goes south. Troubles begin to go away; the happy scale starts to climb. Joy, however, is not dependent on circumstances, and, in fact, ironically, can become strongest when trouble comes. Joy has more to do with remaining in the presence of Jesus than with avoiding problems and struggles in our lives. We know that joy is always available to us when we remain in Christ, through whatever life brings. Happiness is a state of mind, while joy is a mind-set. Happiness comes and goes, while joy can be constant, Happiness is dependent, while joy is independent. Happiness is conditional, while joy is unconditional. Joy becomes a filter through which we view life. We’re not talking about rose-colored glasses, but about actually having brand new eyes! Joy can change our perspective and our perception of negative circumstances. We aren’t simply in denial, sticking our head in the sand, but rather we choose to rise above the circumstances and adopt an eternal mind-set. Stress can come from many different factors today. We can worry and fret because we feel we’re not in control. Joy is an ongoing reminder that God is in control — that He is in charge of the outcome. Joy lifts others up, just as despair brings them down. If you choose joy on a regular basis, you will not only be a far more approachable and relatable person, but your attitude will rub off on others and make a big impact on all the environments you are in. When those around us can look at us and see that we choose to express joy, no matter whether life is good or bad at the moment — therein lies the strongest testimony we can offer, even without words. Notice the path we have taken here — from an inward focus of ending personal stress to an internal transformation to an outward attraction of people to Christ. As joy grows in the heart and mind of the believer, it infiltrates the soul and then moves outward to impact others. Loving God and loving neighbor. We all will have good and bad days. We will all experience life’s ups and downs. But has life robbed you of your joy, or are you growing in this virtue? What does your face reflect to others? What does your attitude communicate about your faith?

PRAYER:

From the Mozarabic Rite, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal.  Developed during Visigoth (Arian Christian) rule of the Iberian peninsula  in the 500s AD.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who art the ineffable joy of Christians, take away from us whatever is not Thine, and make us Thine in all things. We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. AMEN.

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MEDITATION:

Written by F. B. Meyer (1847-1929), a prominent English minister.

“The sad heart tires in a mile,” is a frequent proverb. What a difference there is between the energy of the healthy, joyous heart and the forced activity of the morbid and depressed one! The one leaps to its task, the other creeps to it. The one discovers its meat and drink in self-sacrifice, the other limps, and stoops, and crawls. If you want to be strong for life’s work, be sure to keep a glad heart. But be equally sure to be glad in the joy of the Lord. There is a counterfeit of it in the world, of which we must beware—an outward merry-making, jesting, and mad laughter, which hides an aching and miserable heart…Ours must be the joy of the Lord. It begins with the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance in the Beloved. It is nourished in trial and tribulation, which veil outward sources of consolation, and lead us to rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus…It lives not in the gifts of God, but in God Himself. It is the fruit of the Spirit, who begets in us love, joy, peace, long-suffering. Get the Lord Himself to fill your soul, and joy will be as natural as the murmur of a brook to its flow.

PRAYER:

A traditional Irish Blessing

May God give you,

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

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MEDITATION:

Written by C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), an English Baptist preacher, highly influential among Christians of various denominations. This is from his work  “Morning and Evening.”

God’s great design in all His works is the manifestation of His own glory. Any aim less than this would be unworthy of Himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man’s eye is not single in its focus; he always has a side glance toward his own honor, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted. And this is the reason why He often brings His people into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when He comes to work their deliverance. He whose life is one even and smooth path will see but little of the glory of the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying and hence but little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who navigate little streams and shallow creeks know but little of the God of tempests; but they who are “doing business on the great waters” see “his wondrous works in the deep.” Among the huge waves of bereavement, poverty, temptation, and reproach, we learn the power of Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road: It is this that has given you your experience of God’s greatness and loving-kindness. Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge to be gained by no other means: Your trials have been the crevice of the rock in which Jehovah has set you, as He did His servant Moses, that you might behold His glory as it passed by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance that continued prosperity might have involved, but that in the great fight of affliction you have been qualified for the outshinings of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you.

PRAYER:

Written by Charles Spurgeon, the author of our meditation.

We worship from our hearts the Three in One, the infinitely glorious Jehovah, the only living and true God. We adore the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. We are not yet ascended to the place where pure spirits behold the face of God, but we shall soon be there, perhaps much sooner than we think, and we would be there in spirit now, casting our crowns upon the glassy sea before the throne of the Infinite Majesty and ascribing glory and honor, and power and praise, and dominion and might to Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Terrell Curry, who works with the Salvation Army. This is an excerpt from The Salvation Army’s Releasing God’s Glory devotional series.

How do we begin to see each other as brothers and sisters? How do we begin to be the Good Samaritan? I believe it starts with an encounter with God’s Glory (Selah)! God’s manifested presence in our lives. The Glory of God, when released, enters into the hearts of people that read, “Do not disturb, Road closed, Dead end, Divided Highway or Danger keep out.” Those are the places in the heart God wants to access in all of humanity. Without the change of heart, the conversion becomes superficial in the life of an individual. God wants our hearts to be fixed on the Eternal not the external. The scripture reminds us to set our heart, on things above and not on things below. It was not until Saul of Tarsus encountered God’s Glory on the road to Damascus, that his heart was changed from being the persecutor of the Church, to becoming the Preacher for the Church. It was not until the Woman at the well encountered God’s Glory, that her life began to drink from the living water, her life adopted a new lifestyle, and her life became a testimony to many. God’s Glory is the remedy to what America and the entire world is facing. God’s Glory has the ability to show you, then touch you and then change you! It was not until God’s Glory was revealed to Isaiah the Prophet, that he saw himself as undone and unclean. But God’s Glory is able to remove all guilt, shame, insecurities, brokenness, abusiveness, deceit, pride, arrogance, hypocrisy, racism, hate, false doctrine, and false teaching. You ask how can God’s Glory be released? I am glad you asked! We have to lift up our heads toward Righteousness, Goodness, Justice, Equity, Love, and Unity. Things will not change until the Church shows up; our communities will not change until the Church shows up; our government and laws will not change until the Church shows up and the injustice will not change, until the Church shows up. It is our response to the wickedness in the world that creates the platform for God’s Glory to be released. In order to release the Glory of God, we must have first experienced it for ourselves.

PRAYER:

Written by Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), a cardinal and archibishop of Milan.

Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches. Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them. Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain. Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for bringing others to the knowledge of the wonderful things you have done for all your creatures. Help me to be faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me. Amen.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Timothy Keller, a contemporary pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his book “Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God.”

You’re glorifying something when you find it beautiful for what it is in itself. Its beauty compels you to adore it, to have your imagination captured by it. This happened to me with Mozart. I listened to Mozart to get an A in music appreciation in college. I had to get good grades to get a good job, so in other words, I listened to Mozart to make money. But today I am quite willing to spend money just to listen to Mozart, not because it’s useful to me anymore but because it’s beautiful in itself. It’s no longer a means to an end. And when it’s a person you find beautiful in that way, you want to serve them unconditionally. When you say, “I’ll serve, as long as I’m getting benefits from it,” that’s not actually serving people; it’s serving yourself through them. That’s not circling them, orbiting around them; it’s using them, getting them to orbit around you…To glorify others means to unconditionally serve them, not because we’re getting anything out of it, just because of our love and appreciation for who they truly are.

PRAYER:

Written by Robert Benson. a contemporary author.

Deliver us from the service of self alone,

that we may do the work You have given us to do,

in truth and beauty and for the common good,

for the sake of the One who comes among us as One who serves.  Amen.

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