Terri's Wellspring

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLV  

The Holy Spirit within us manifests itself with the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.   If we have the Holy Spirit these gifts should be evident in our lives.  One translation of this passage says that these gifts come into our lives the same way fruit appears in an orchard.  I remember being in orange orchard in Florida as a child.  I could see countless oranges in every direction for as far as I could see.  This was the first image that came to my mind when I read this passage. If we live God’s Way – the abundance of gifts into our lives will be evident.   What a vision for our best life to have more than enough of the gifts of the spirit -love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We desire these gifts to appear in abundance in our lives – like an orchard.

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.  Galatians 5:22- 24 MSG

Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again-rejoice! Philippians 4:4 

Living with a glad heart is a blessed life. Unlike what most people think I believe joy is more than an emotion. It is a conscious decision to recognize God’s blessings in our lives, both big and small. It is hard to think of God’s goodness and not express gladness and praise.

Just think, walking in joy…

• Is a decision – This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118: 24
• Provides strength – a tool for endurance- The Joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10
• Shows with a smile – A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15: 13
• Blesses us with the desires of our Hearts – Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37: 4

In the passage for today, Paul puts double emphasis on rejoicing in the Lord. It is important for our successful living and our pleasing walk with the Lord.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!  Philippians 4:4-5 MSG

In the beginning the Word already existed.  The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.     John 1:1-9

We need His light to shine in darkness, wherever it may be found. Dark decisions, dark emotions, dark behavior – we need His light. We are so thankful that His light can bring brightness and life wherever it exists. We live in a time where darkness is celebrated despite the strife it creates. His light brings peace and true life. We thank God for the power and brightness of His son Jesus Christ. We ask that His light shine in our souls, in our thoughts, in our decisions and our behavior so that we may experience His peace and demonstrate His love to all that we meet.

 Jesus is the Light, Light of the World. Jesus is the Light, Light of the World

Jesus is the Light, Light of the World. He is forever shining in my soul.

Devotional Song

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy;

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.    Psalm 16:11

The Word of God provides such a powerful source of instruction, strength and encouragement to our lives. I am so blessed to be able to read its words and the different translations that illuminate the depths and richness of God’s words to us. The word joy appears in the Bible many times. I love that it appears as both a noun and a verb. It is something that we can both experience and do. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” appears in Habakkuk 3:18. It is a conscious word of action to joy or to rejoice in our Heavenly Father who provides us with countless blessings. We can choose to delight ourselves in God’s word, His goodness to us and for who He is in our lives.

We can also experience His joy and spread it others. His joy is a source of strength. It provides healing to our souls and provides renewal when we need it most. It is a blessing that keeps on giving. We can spread His joy with our praises to God, kind words and acts that reflect His love. We want to share with the world even during this Christmas season of the blessing of His Joy.

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!

Praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.   Psalm 30-4-5

Joyful days are a blessing. I am so thankful that the Lord provides gladness that is based on the recognition of who He is in our lives. We may have “night” experiences where it seems that tears and uncertainty are the norm but our Heavenly Father is faithful to provide a new supply of mercy with the rising of the sun to allow us to experience His joy.   Joy is a powerful healer for hurt and pain. His Joy provides strength for us to endure despite difficult circumstances. I am thankful for His Joy, His goodness and His mercy toward me.

…for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2

We live blessed lives and often beyond measure. We could take it for granted that we live in this place, at this time with the people who love us. But when I think of the miracle of my life with the abundant experiences of love, peace and joy, I am thankful. We often think of tangible things, when we picture God’s benefits. I am also thankful for God’s provision and so thankful for peace in my mind and soul that allows me to know that I am blessed. I am thankful for all the good things that our Heavenly Father provides.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lordforever.  

Psalm 23:5-6

My heart is full this morning thinking about God’s goodness. Just thinking about God’s

mercy and His unconditional love for me gives me such joy and a heart of gratitude. Since I started this journey in relationship with the Father through His son Jesus Christ, my life has been truly blessed. Even when I have fallen short of my best for Him, He has shown me mercy in ways that I could not imagine. At times, I thought I had “problems” but everything is relative. He has turned those problems into stepping stones of my faith. I am thankful.

I have a blessed life. My family is blessed and it is all due to His goodness and mercy toward me. Today, I want to dwell on His eternal blessings on my life and keep His joy in my heart and His praises on my lips.