Take It Back, IV

Psalm 126:³ “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY.” (NIV, emphasis added).

The Lord has done what great things for us, so we focus on the great things that the Lord has done, and we are filled with joy. The opposite is also true; if you do not focus in on the great things the Lord has done for you, you will not be filled with joy. Focus! Study after study show us that the attitude of gratitude is the healthiest human emotion. We have seen it in different reports and in different scientific journals that deal with psychology. Naturally, the next question people ask is, how do you stay fired up? It is simple, I feel your life with good things. I read good books. There is nothing wrong with television and you know that I will not tell you to throwaway your television. But some of us spend too much time with the television and honestly it is not helping you. Research shows that by the time the average American reaches retirement age, they would have spent nine and a half years watching television.

Nine and a half years watching tv! If you split that time in half and you spend four years plus reading books, your life will change dramatically. Your worldview will not only be expanded, but it will also change totally. Many of us are just feeding on junk, on crap and it is killing our joy and also killing the life of God in us. How do you stay sharp, stay on top of issues, and stay joyful? I choose what I feed on. I am extremely deliberate about what I feed on. In my house, the area where I lounge has books strategically positioned everywhere and I know where every book, or journal is. Prov.15:¹⁴ “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” (emphasis added). What do you feed on, knowledge or trash?

So number one,  admit, number two, number three, number four?

How do I get my joy back? After you have admitted it is lost, analyzed the cause, corrected what is wrong, and focused on the good in your life. The next thing is to spend time with God every day. Spend time with God every day in the Word, in prayer, and in singing. Jer.15:¹⁶ “Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great JOY.” (TLB, emphasis added). When you spend time in the Word, you find great joy. When you spend time with God, you spend time in the Word. When you spend time with God, you spend time in prayer. 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.” (NIV, emphasis added). What is it to pray and get results? When you spend time with God, you spend time in singing. Ps.95:¹ “Let us sing for JOY to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” (NIV, emphasis added). We are to sing and shout for joy. When you spend time in the Word, you pray, and you sing – your joy will know no bounds.

Prayer: Father, indeed You have done great things for me and I will be filled with joy to You the Rock of my salvation, my Source of joy overflowing, in Jesus Name. Amen!