Dudes, I am posting sooooo late today! I am so sorry!
But I AM still posting, so I am still going strong on my #write31days challenge! wHOOp!
Today, I wanted to share with you what I believe to be the way to find true JOY!
It’s really very simple.
And it is found in Matthew 22…
36 The Pharisee asked, “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?”
37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ 40 All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.”
My pastor summed up these verses by saying that Jesus was telling us to:
Adore God & Cherish People
Oh my gosh, how I love that.
Jesus said that was the GREATEST commandment! Love God more than anything, and Love People.
It made me think of the acronym that I was taught at church when I was a child….
True JOY comes from putting God first in our lives, others second, and ourselves last.
I know that God is supposed to be first in my life, and I try really hard to keep Him there, but man, I love mixing up the last two. I am guilty so many times of putting my own needs above the needs of others.
And you know what, usually when I am focusing on myself is usually when I am the most miserable, ya know? When I throw myself a pity party about what I don’t have, or can’t do, or wish I could be….just thinking of myself. I get really depressed. And the best way for me to cure that type of depression is to stop thinking about myself and start thinking of others. It works EVERY time.
Jesus gave us those two commands… side by side…because He knows what will bring us the most JOY. He knows that when we ADORE GOD and CHERISH PEOPLE our lives will be filled with JOY.
So as we go through this coming week, let that be our prayer.
“Lord, help us to LOVE YOU above all things, and help us to LOVE OTHERS. May we share with them the indescribable love that you have freely given us.”
AMEN!
So proud of you for keeping up with the posts!
Beautifully said! JOY….such a simple word that can change our lives! God Bless you and your family!
Oh my goodness Traci… God must have been preparing me for you to talk about having “JOY” in our lives. Because today I went into Lowes to pick up some things I was going to need for DIY stuff I am working on along with getting my fall stuff purchased for my outside decorating. And as I was walking in the store there right in front of me was the biggest light up letters of the word “JOY” {Christmas decorations) I was thinking that’s kind of big to display in your yard. But…. now I am having second thoughts and just maybe If we displayed it big!! It would get people to stop and take notice. And just get them thinking about what “JOY” could feel like if they had it in there life. So yes I am going to pray for “JOY” this week by being reminded of how I need to Love God and by Loving others. And I am going to start off by saying how much I love both you and your family Traci!!! Shawn in Md.
Funny, that was my prayer yesterday even before I read this post. :)
What a beautiful post and wonderful way to start the day! Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you so much for sharing! I really look forward toreading your blog daily! I just made a joy sign for Christmas…it will be a reminder to me to put Jesus first, others next and myself last! Love this! Have a blessed day!
Beautiful!
I love the simplicity of this message..thank you for sharing it!
I love this! Thank you :).