Timeless Truths: Joy Story – Three Steps to Joy

"Some Assembly Required" series.

Series Theme Verse

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of our relationship with God.

The fruit of the Spirit is not evidence of our God-gifts.

·      This is not the “produce section” in your local store.

·      There is no choice among the listed attributes.

·      All the attributes listed are part of the single fruit.

Joy Story – Three Steps to Joy

First step to joy: Focus on giving rather than receiving.

·      You can give without loving.

·      You can’t love without giving.

There is more happiness in giving than receiving.
Acts 20:35

·      Love and joy are tied together.

·      Both love and joy are choices.

 Three kinds of love

A.   I love you IF . . .

B.   I love you BECAUSE . . .

C.   I love you PERIOD – without qualification.

Joy comes from making other people happy.

Learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and final you will grow to love them deeply.
2 Peter 1:6-7 (Living Bible)

Second step to joy: Focus on healing rather than hurting.

·      Joy and suffering are found close together in Scripture.

·      Don’t hold onto your hurts.

Be gentle and ready to forgive; never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13 (Living Bible)

Again: our responses are choices.

[W]e can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles. Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance; this, in turn, will develop a mature character
Romans 5:3b-4 (Phillips)

Love is a series of problem-solving adventures!

Third step to joy: Focus on God’s power rather than my problems.

·      God can give you the courage to start over again.

·      Choices, not circumstances, determine the direction of our lives.

Trust in God at all times: pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 (Living Bible)

Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 (Living Bible)

How will you make your choices this week: with or without God’s help?

That’s your first choice.

Choose God’s help!

Next week: Patience in an Imperfect World

Special thanks to Dr. Keith Newman for the primary teachings used in this post. I invite you to his blog, which he's titled, Curious Sojourner.

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