DEVOTIONS, JULY 12, 2014 WAKE UP AMERICA “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” Battle Hymn of the Republic - Julie Howe Today, we will talk about ‘Joy,’ a word that should not be a stranger for faithful workers for the followers of Christ. It is a word with feeling when the Lord lays upon you a mission in life in his service. To serve the Lord, the word joy must be felt in your heart to be successful. Joy is seen in your face and in the work you have been called to perform. It is also something to be guarded because it is a place where Satan strikes hard at the heart, to steal one’s joy. It is a precious gift given by the Lord that should always be guarded. Mariam Webster defines joy as a source of great happiness: something or someone that gives joy to someone. Let’s turn in our Bible’s to Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV-The Patriots Bible). Then he said unto them, Go your own way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. The New International Version of the Bible reads the same verse as follows: Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” COMMENT: The people wept openly when they heard God’s laws and realized how far they were from obeying them. But Ezra told them they should be filled with joy because the day was holy. It was time to celebrate and to give gifts to those in need. Celebration is not to be self-centered. Ezra connected celebration with giving. This gave those in need an opportunity to celebrate as well. Often when we celebrate and give to others (even when we don’t feel like it), we are strengthened spiritually and filled with joy. Enter into celebrations that honor God and allow him to fill you with his joy. Since the founding of America, its citizens have enjoyed having family values. Although morally our society has eroded, family values can still be found, even in the household of the faithful. Erma Bombeck, a 20th Century humorist, puts it this way. “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets “iffy,” and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. For me ‘joy’ is writing these devotions under the guidance of our Lord and Savior. In years past, it was starting a bus ministry. Now many of those kids are grown and are serving within the church, some as leaders. The young people, I had the privilege of teaching multimedia are now running the projectors and computers that aide in our church service. But the biggest joy is found in the little things like greeting and handing out programs to those who come to worship. Everyone needs joy. Sour faces are no good to the work of the Lord. When you find your joy, don’t let the devil and his demons take it away. He will rob you and take away from the Lord’s kingdom. Guard your joy as though you were the only guard on duty protecting the gold. LET US PRAY: Our heavenly Father, you have blessed this country with more than we could ever hope to repay. Although the gates of hell are shaking the very foundations, we pray that you will give us the guidance and strength to defeat the evil one until you return and settle all accounts. We praise you Father for your love and giving that love to our parents and family members. We pray that this day will be full of joy in your sight. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 08:47:17 +0000
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