Today, I Choose Joy!

Today was a wonderful day until someone smacked you in the face with their toxic stuff.  It hurts.  How can you pick up the pieces of your shattered joy?

Make Joy REAL in your life (Revelation, Encounter, Application, Life/Light).

I. Revelation (2 min)

Revelation is a higher truth – God’s truth.  Replace the toxic thoughts, words or event that stole your joy with God’s Joy.

Holy Spirit, open the following scriptures to me.  Let them guard my heart.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2 (NIV)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.   So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2 (NLT)

For the kingdom of God is … a matter of … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NIV)

II. Encounter (2 mins)

“Revelation is intended as an invitation to encounter and experience” Bill Johnson, Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind

“My lord,” he (Abraham) said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.” Genesis 18:3 (NLT)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Thank and praise God for what you are going to do with Him today.

Questions for Jesus

Ask Jesus one of these questions.  Wait for a minute or so.  You may see something, have an impression, a scripture or hear His still, small voice.  He will answer you.

• Jesus, you give me everything I need for life and godliness.  What joy are you giving me in this situation?
• Jesus, what about me gives you great joy?

III Application (2 mins)

What can I do to make joy my natural response?

… humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.  James 1:21-22 (NLT)

Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”  Acts 2:37 (NLT)

1. Renew your mind to who you are and what you are going to do today. Declare these truths out loud.

• Anger, I say “No!  I choose Joy.”
• Fear, I say, “No!  I choose Joy.”
• Jealousy, frustration and agitation, I say, “No!  I choose joy.”
• Defeat, failure, and depression, I say, “No! I choose joy.”
• I embrace Joy, like a long-lost friend, and I will NOT let go!
• Joy lights me up, makes me laugh, and lets me see things clearly.  I choose Joy!
• I will not be a victim.  And I will not lose control of myself or my emotions.  I am empowered by Joy!
• I can’t control many things that may happen to me today, but I can control how I respond.  Like Jesus, I choose Joy!
• Joy is my strength from God.  I accept and live in Joy.
• Like a muscle, my Joy gets stronger as I use it.
• Like the bread and fishes in Jesus’ miracles, as I give my Joy away, it multiplies and what remains is greater than what I gave.

2. Give others joy.  The more you give, the more you will have to give away.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

IV Life/Light (2 mins)

You are the Message. You are Light of the World

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Mat 5:16 (NIV)

1. Celebrate that you overcame evil with joy today!

2. Journal it!

• Write down what God told or showed you.
• Record what God did when you stepped out and applied His goodness to a bad situation.
• Notice how you were changed by this process.

3. Share your light. We would love to hear your experiences! Please post them in the comments on this blog post.

Today, you choose joy.  And you made it REAL (Revelation, Encounter, Application, Life/Light) in your life.  It’s going to be a great day!