The Joy of the Lord

Each Wednesday, I am posting another verse of John 15 (Vine and Branches). I will "recite" what we have learned so far. If you wish to join me in this challenge, you can either email your "recitation" or post it as a comment. (Let me know if you see any mistakes that I miss.)

(without looking at my Bible)
John 15:1-10
1. I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word, which I have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered,
and men gather them and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.
8. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love.
10. If a man do whatsoever I have commanded, he abideth in me; even as I abide in the Father and keep his commandments.

CORRECTIONS: looked 3 times, vs6 "and cast them into the fire", vs 10- "If ye keep my commandments,ye shall abide in my love, even as I keep my Father's commandments and abide in His love."



NEW VERSE
John 15:11
" These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."


When I hear the word "JOY", so many songs fill my mind.

One of my favorite is...
"I have the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart. (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart!
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay!"

What's the difference between joy and happiness?

Happiness is based on temporal circumstances, when what we wish comes true, when things turn out the way we would like, when good things happen to us. But it doesn't usually last a very long. It comes and goes and is varied with intensity.

Joy is a satisfied inner peace, a contentment, a feeling of security, a knowledge that all is well, being with the One we love...no matter the outer circumstances. This can only come from God's Spirit within us.

Our life will feel calmer, more settled, less harried and stressed, when we know that we belong to the Lord and He belongs to us. Nothing can happen that will change that.

The Lord wants us to be so filled with this joy that others will see this inner beauty and wonder, and His Name will be glorified.

You may know people who must live in extreme pain or in terrible conditions, and yet, they have a song in their heart and seem to shine wherever they go...spreading the joy to others.

Have you lost your joy? Have you lost the song in your heart?

Learn to count your blessings, looking for the things to be thankful for in every situation...play the "Glad Game" like Pollyanna. When you realize all you have in Christ: your salvation, an inheritance in heaven, forgiveness, etc., plus showers of blessings he pours on you each day, you can't help sing for joy.

How many quickly can you name 10 blessings?

Here's mine:
1. my husband coming home for lunch each day
2. my children (memories, phone calls, growing in the Lord)
3. cuddling my grandbabies
4. a cozy home in Maine
5. parents that live close enough to still see often and learn from
6. good teaching and fellowship at my church
7. the Bible in my language
8. the ability to walk and see and hear (I know that three things!)
9. emails
10. the security of salvation and promise of seeing my Lord

Can you name ten? Share them with me.

Get in the habit of looking for things to be thankful for each day.

Here's a story that I wrote about a woman with inner joy: Lilyanna



Nehemiah 8:10
"... the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Jan Ross has a wonderful devotional along this same line at The Plumb Line