Bite of Bread: Filled With Joy

Joy. 

I think of “happy” as fleeting and surfacey but I think of “joy” as the deeper, more grown-up version of happy. Joy doesn’t depend on circumstances–not the joy God gives, because joy from God is birthed from His grace.

[bctt tweet=”Joy from God is birthed from His grace. ” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

This is how Rick Warren defines joy:

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.

Settled assurance, quiet confidence, determined choice . . .

Those definitions don’t sound very joyful, but Pastor Rick is onto something. He knows that joy is more than 24/7 smiles.

I recently taught Isaiah 61 at a women’s retreat. It’s become my scripture for the year–I’ve actually used it in the last three events I spoke at. This is the beginning:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair . . . -Isaiah 61: 1-3

Let’s study Joy this week. I’ve got a list of verses we’ll read each day that will help us focus  on this gift that I believe only God can give us–true deep joy that can weather life’s storms and tragedies.

Take a screen shot or jot this list down in your journal. Pour your coffee, light a candle, and spend some time with the One who wants you to know Him and His joy. I’ll meet you on Periscope at 8:20 ET on my daily broadcast. I can’t wait to start digging and find the treasures the Lord has for us this week about joy.

AND!!!! I have a winner of Lord, It’s Boring in My Prayer Closet!

Congratulations, Yami Melton! Thank you to all of you who commented and shared the post. I loved meeting many of you for the first time and hearing your thoughts and heart concerning prayer.

See ya Wednesday.

By His Grace,

andy