As Christians, when we talk about the weapons we have, we know the Bible (our Sword) and prayer are at the top of that list! Although, how often do we truly open our “swords”, reading all the instructions to find out how we can correctly use it?
You may not be as impatient and stubborn as me, but when I buy something that comes in 100 pieces, it never fails to go something like this. I look at the picture, attempt to assemble it on my own, and it’s not until all my efforts fail and I’m completely frustrated and exhausted, that I open the instructions to see exactly what to do.
In life, I often feel the same way. Not until I’m completely broken and laying on my face, not having a clue about how to put “life’s pieces” together, do I say “Ok, Lord, I’m listening. What do you want me to do?”
Well, friends, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of getting hurt in the battle and then running back later trying to search for the instructions. I want to be on the offense and be prepared as I step out into each new day! Some days will be good, some days will be bad, but every day, because of our Savior’s amazing love for us, we can fight through it with joy!
I hope you will join me each morning by praying and reading the most precious gift we can put our hands on – The Holy Word of God. It gives us instruction and wisdom to help us through whatever we may face. It is our instruction manual for life! And I’m excited that over these next 6 weeks we will be focusing on JOY! We don’t usually look at “joy” as being a weapon, but I hope by the end of this time together, we will all exclaim with Nehemiah “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is y(OUR) strength“!
As I’ve mentioned to many of you, I decided to omit the videos and just use the study guide. I do skim through the couple of pages before each session to see if there’s anything I can relate to without seeing the videos, but I focus mainly on the daily lessons. On page 11, Margaret shares an activity where you build a party hat. You may want to do this as a reminder of the things that bring you joy. If you’re a crafty person and decide to do this, please share a picture – we’d love to see it!
Please also make sure to turn to page 168 and read that if you haven’t already. Start keeping track of some of the joy bombs in your life! This is something I have loved doing during my pre-study of this guide and I intend to keep it going long after we finish! Some of the ones I’ve listed: gorgeous sunset, pj’s on a cool fall Saturday watching football, picnics with my daughters “just because”, pumpkin spice keto lattes, holding 2 brand new babies, watching my niece play soccer, finding a Christmas sweater I forgot about as I pull out my winter clothes, long phone calls with my sister… I could fill up this page with a load more, but maybe I will save a few to share as we travel along. I’d love to hear some of your “joy bombs” as well!
I hope through this time, our eyes will be open to true joy! That we will see the “things” that trick us into thinking they will give us joy. That we will recognize the areas that are sucking the joy out of our very souls, and that we will begin reclaiming “what the locusts have eaten”!
On a scale of 1-10, how much joy do you have right now? Write that number in response to the first question on page 14.
Now, let’s join together in opening our Bibles, this study guide, and praying that God will open our hearts and minds to hear Him clearly. We will work on our own each day and then on Mondays, we will connect with each other through the blog post. If you have a friend that may still want to join us, reach out to her – she can text the words “BYGRACE” to number 42828, and she will be added.
“Joy emanates out of the abiding sense of God’s fierce love for us!”
Holy Spirit, we invite you now to please teach us, guide us, change us, and mold us! For Your glory, Lord!
By His Grace,
+Linda
