THE JOY-FILLED LIFE, PART 2

"Rejoice ye in that day, and LEAP FOR JOY"
(Luke 6:22-23).

We think of being joyful when everything is going great in our lives. However, this is the opposite to the message of the Bible and the lifestyle of the early Christians. Let’s look at the Scriptures that encourage us to be joyful. It’s amazing to find that it’s not only for when we are living the good life, but when things are difficult.

1. WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTED OR SUFFERING

Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Have people spoken evil things about you? Have they ridiculed you for believing in Jesus? What do they say about your being at home with your children? Homeschooling? Or having another baby? Do you get negative and sarcastic remarks? Don’t get upset, dear mother. Rejoice. You are walking in truth. You are walking in the perfect will of God. Why would their remarks concern you?

I think it’s time to give up the wimpy life, don’t you? Let’s not get downhearted because someone says something nasty or ridicules what we do. What’s a few negative words? There are millions of precious believers being tortured for their faith. Many are martyred. And all we get are some negative words. Let’s stand strong, rejoice, and leap for joy! The passage in Luke 6:22-23 says: "Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy."

After the apostles were beaten for their faith, Acts 5:41 tells us: “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”

Paul confessed in Colossians 1:24: “I rejoice in my sufferings for you.” Read also Philippians 2:17, 18.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (JBP): “You remember how, although accepting the message meant bitter persecution, yet you experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

1 Peter 3:14: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled.”

1 Peter 4:14: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

WHEN YOU ARE SUFFERING

2. WHEN EVERYTHING IS TAKEN FROM YOU

Habakkuk 3:17, 18: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

3. WHEN ALL YOUR GOODS ARE PLUNDERED

Hebrews 10:34: “You took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”

How do you react when everything is taken from you, or you lose everything by fire?

4. WHEN YOU FACE FIERY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

1 Peter 4:12, 13: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

What was Paul’s testimony? “I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4). What is your testimony?

James 1:2: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”

5. WHEN YOUR STRENGTH FAILS

Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

6. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH POVERTY

In 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NLT) Paul tells us about the Macedonians who were experiencing extreme poverty and yet at the same time they were “filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.” Even in poverty, they weren't only joyful, but abundantly joyful and abundantly generous!

What's wrong with us saints today? We complain miserably when we think we don't have enough money. They were suffering poverty worse than us and yet they rejoiced.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Dear Father God, please strengthen me to know that my life is hid with You. I do not have to be laid low by any circumstances or any hurtful words that are spoken to me. Help me to rejoice in You in all circumstances. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

My aim is to live a rejoicing lifestyle!

THE JOY-FILLED LIFE, PART 1

“He maketh the barren women to keep house,
and to be JOYFUL mother of children”
(Psalm 113:9).

We all know the Scripture: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” We sing the melody with gusto and yet don’t always live it out.

What does it say? “Rejoice in the Lord always." And to remind us when we get tired of rejoicing, it says: “Again I SAY, REJOICE.” We don’t have any excuse, do we?

How does this apply to mothers? Do we have to be joyful all the time? Did you know that God equates motherhood with joy? And it’s not an average kind of joy. It’s exceeding joy.

The Hebrew word used in the above Scripture, Psalm 113:9, is sameach. It means “to be merry-hearted.” It’s the same word used in Proverbs 14:13: “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.” And again, in Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

But there’s more. It’s the same word that is used when people drink wine and get happy (Isaiah 14:7). When they are “eating and drinking and making merry” (1 Kings 4:20). It’s the same word that was used when Solomon was made king and the people “rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them” (1 Kings 1:40). Did you get that? The HCSB makes it clearer: “rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth split open from the sound.” Yes, that’s what the Bible says.

This is the joy of motherhood! “This is a bit over-the-top” you exclaim! Dear mothers, it’s meant to be over-the-top! God is not average or ordinary in any way. He doesn’t only give us life, He gives us “abundant life” (John 10:10). He not only gives us joy but “exceeding joy” even in sufferings (1 Peter 4:13) and “joy unspeakable and fully of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

So, why aren’t mothers joyful? Unfortunately, most women are brainwashed against motherhood by in-laws, out-laws, the media, and the education system. They are told that motherhood is an insignificant career and they should be doing something more beneficial. Because of this they have the wrong attitude about motherhood, and if you have the wrong attitude, you’re not going to be very happy.

The truth is that God created you for motherhood. Your body is created for this purpose. When God gives you children to raise in your home you are in the very perfect will of God. God does not see motherhood as insignificant. He exalts motherhood (Ezekiel 19:10, 11), He glorifies motherhood (Hosea 9:11), and He enthrones motherhood (Psalm 113:9 Sugden).

We either live according to God’s plan or stay in our misery. It’s all in our mind and attitude. We choose! We choose joy or misery, no matter what our circumstances.

How do we get into the joy?

1. Embrace the truth. When you know the truth, it sets you free to be who you are!
2. Acknowledge that you are in the perfect will of God as you mother your children.
3. Confess the truth. It’s not enough to know the truth, you must confess it. Your words determine your life. What you speak is what you become. Therefore, thank God for the joy of being a mother. Speak aloud: “I am a joyful mother,” “I love being a mother,” or “Motherhood is my greatest career.”
4. Change your attitude. Your words and your attitude affect your life. The wrong attitude makes you miserable. The right attitude fills you with joy.
5. Purpose to be joyful. Joy has nothing to do with feelings or circumstances. Anyone can be happy when everything goes according to plan. But life isn’t like that. It’s full of challenges and difficulties which must be overcome. This is how we mature in life. This is how we become one of the overcomers!

Jesus Christ is filled with joy, and He dwells in you if you have embraced Him into your life. Therefore, you can live His life of joy, no matter what circumstances you face or what your lying feelings are telling you.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Thank you, dear Father, that You are the source of all joy. Thank You that I find my joy in You and not in my circumstances. I thank you that when I embrace Your plan I can be filled with joy. Help me to live Your plan instead of falling into the devil’s plan. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am a merry-hearted mother! I am making a joyful marriage and a joyful home!

WOMEN OF DILIGENCE!

“Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life”
(Proverbs 4:23).

The woman “after God’s own heart” diligently follows after “every good work” (1 Timothy 5:10).  The Word of God also tells us in 2 Corinthians 8:7 that we are not only to be diligent, but to abound in diligence. Here we have this Greek word perisseuo again. It’s always popping up. It means “to exceed the fixed measure, over and above, large measure, overflowing, abundance, abounding.” Wow! This should be our attitude toward diligence. No room for apathy here.

Would you like to do a little Bible Study and find out the ways God wants you to be diligent? It’s a good idea to make each one our own personal confession.

I will diligently keep my heart and soul.

Deuteronomy 4:9 and Proverbs 4:23.

I will diligently observe and keep God’s commandments.

Deuteronomy 6:17; 11:13; 28:1; Joshua 22:5; Ezra 7:23; and Psalm 119:4.

I will diligently love God.

Deuteronomy 11:13 and Joshua 22:5.

I will diligently walk in all God’s ways.

Deuteronomy 11:22 and Joshua 22:5.

I will diligently serve God with all my heart and all my soul.

Deuteronomy 11:13; Joshua 22:5; and Ezra 7:23.

I will diligently cleave unto the Lord.

Joshua 22:5.

I will diligently listen to God’s voice.

Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 28:1; Isaiah 55:2; and Jeremiah 17:24.

I will diligently obey God’s voice.

Zechariah 6:15.

I will diligently search out the facts before pronouncing judgment.

Deuteronomy 13:12-15; 17:4-6; and 19:15-19.

I will diligently develop my hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 6:11, 12.

I will diligently add to my faith—virtue, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. 

2 Peter 1:5-8.

I will diligently make my calling and election sure.

2 Peter 1:10.

I will diligently endeavor to be without spot or blemish at the coming of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:14.

I will diligently seek the Lord. I will take every opportunity to meditate in God’s word.

Hebrews 11:6.

I will diligently make sure that I do not fall from God’s grace. 

Hebrews 12:15.

I will diligently make sure that I do not allow any root of bitterness to take root in my heart.

Hebrews 12:15.

I will diligently abstain from immorality. I will run from fornication. I will not put myself in any situation where I could be tempted.

Hebrews 12:15.

I will diligently show respect and reverence for the things of God.

Hebrews 12:16.

I will diligently teach God’s word to my children.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and 11:19.

I will diligently follow every good work—to bring up children, show hospitality, wash the saints’ feet, and relieve the afflicted. This is my life work as a woman.

1 Timothy 5:9, 10.

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, my desire is to be more diligent. Save me from giving into the flesh. Help me to put my right foot forward and take steps in the right direction regarding the things which You are convicting me about. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

With God’s help, I am learning to live a life of diligence.

HOW SHOULD WE DRESS?

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety . . . But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works"
(1 Timothy 2:9, 10).

If you have just read the above Scripture, you may wonder what it is talking about. The King James version uses words that we have never heard of today. They sound as though they come from another world. Well, perhaps they are from a different world in which we are living today. However, don’t get too dismayed. Come with me and let’s find out what they really mean.

I could have used a more modern translation, but I thought we’d start with the original and go from there.

I believe the Bible is our guideline for every aspect of life, even for what we wear. This Scripture gives us three guidelines:

1. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES MODESTLY

The Greek word for modest is kosmios and means to act in an orderly manner and behave well. Did you know that this word is only used one other time in the Bible? This time it refers to the character of a man who aspires to be an elder (1 Timothy 3:2) and is translated “good behavior.” A woman who dresses modestly understands what is right and doesn’t go beyond her conscience.

2. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES REVERENTLY

The word in the King James version is “shamefacedness.” No one uses this word today, so we better find out what it really means. The Greek word is aidos and means “downcast eyes, bashfulness, modesty, reverence.” Help! Does anyone have this attitude today?

One commentary says the word should be translated as “shamefastness.” In other words, we stand fast against bringing any shame or dishonor to God, to our husband, to our womanly nature, or to the people of God. Once again, this word is used only one other time in the Bible where it relates to both men and women. It is found in Hebrews 5:9 where it tells us to “serve God acceptably with reverence (aidos) and godly fear.” This relates to the behavior of both men and women.

3. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES APPROPRIATELY

I am a great believer in wearing what is appropriate for the appropriate occasion. The context of 1 Timothy 2:9 is the gathering together of the saints. It’s not talking about the beach or the bedroom. It is talking about meeting with the people of God. We don’t wear clothes to church or a prayer meeting that we would wear to the beach or out hiking. We must wear what is appropriate.

The word for apparel in this Scripture is katastole meaning “a lowering, a garment let down.” Most commentators say that it was a long dress. Remember, this is talking about clothing in the church, not playing volleyball. And yet many today come to church in jeans with holes and even shorts! Other translations say:

NLT: “Wear decent and appropriate clothing.”

God’s Word: “I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable.”

ESV: “Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel.”

Robert Spinney, professor at Patrick Henry College in Virginia says that many men ask the question: “Why can’t we have at least one haven from tight clothing, cleavage, bare shoulders, and short skirts? Why can’t people be sure to dress modestly when they attend church meetings? I expect to be tempted by scandalous clothing when I go to a college campus, but God’s people shouldn’t have to face that kind of temptation at church services. Can’t Christians be more considerate of others?”

4. WE ARE TO ADORN OURSELVES WITH SELF CONTROL

The King James Version uses another old word, sobriety. It’s the Greek word sophrosune and means “soundness of mind, self-control, soberness, well-balanced state of mind arising from habitual self-restraint, safe-and-sound mindedness, sensibleness, and sound judgment.”

A sound godly mind knows that cleavage, bare shoulders, short skirts, and showing too much of the body is not appropriate clothing for public worship or even anywhere outside the home.

Let’s walk in the fear of God, serving Him and the body of Christ with reverence. Hebrews 12:29 says: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

Blessings from Nancy Campbell

www.aboverubies.org

PRAYER:

Dear Father, please forgive me for wearing that which is dishonoring to You. You were the first clothes designer and You made clothes to cover the body. You want me to cover my flesh, not to uncover. Please help me to be faithful to teach my children how You want them to dress rather than how the world wants them to dress. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

In each different situation I dress to bring glory to God.