But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…
Galatians 5:22

 Joy is number two on the Holy Spirit’s top nine list.  We often use joy as a synonym for happy, but they are vastly different:

• Happy is temporary; joy is eternal.
• Happy is circumstance dependent; joy transcends circumstances.
• Happy can be baked, bought, and driven; joy only comes from the Holy Spirit.

Nothing wrong with an apple pie, new pair of shoes, or shiny sports car. But those things are temporary. The new car smell fades. The apple pie is eaten (or gets buried in the fridge and goes bad). And I inevitably wear the heels off my new shoes. We can enjoy those fun (and delicious) things, but we don’t need to settle for them. As women of God, there is more – so much more!

When we chase after joy, we need not be held hostage by our emotions. An overdue bill can’t rob us of joy, and we can stay out of the ring when mean people and whiny children want to go twelve rounds.

 Joy brings a calmness to our spirit that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

If you are writing along with us in October and November, our verses on joy are familiar – but taking the time to write them out and think them through prompts some contemplation and consideration.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 
Psalm 95:1

Our salvation is cause for great joy. No matter how long we have known Jesus, our identity in Him should prompt grateful praise and shouts of joy. Have you taken time this week (month, year?) to be amazed again that the creator of the universe loves you and died for you?

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 
Psalm 119:111

What a blessing to see His statues not as rules to be kept, but blessings to be enjoyed. Our sanctification brings this transformative thinking.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 
John 15:9-11

Do you see how love dovetails with joy? As we abide in God’s love, choosing to keep His commands is a natural result. We live in that sweet spot of want to, letting go of the have to. Our heavenly Father knows that obedience to Him releases the blessing of complete joy in our lives.

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Acts 2:28

Nothing else satisfies like the blessed assurance that comes from being in His presence. Joy!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Romans 15:13

The more we abide in Him, the more peace and joy begin to define us. We live on earth with an eye toward heaven. A daily awareness that my true identity is in Him and my true citizenship is in heaven brings a heart overflowing with hope.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 
III John 4

I’ve often used this verse to declare praise to God when I see my children making godly choices. But perhaps it also represents the joy we give to God when He sees us as His children walking the light of His truth. Are we giving Him great joy with our actions, attitudes, thoughts and behaviors today?

Are you ready to set your sights higher than happy … and allow JOY to fill you?

 

 Don’t forget to download the October bookmark
& begin writing along with us as we explore
what Scripture tells us about
the Fruit of the Spirit.

 

 

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Editor’s Note: Our friend Melissa Habermas of Create4Good has recently designed some beautiful t-shirts showcasing each of the nine traits of the Fruit of the Spirit. You can see (and order!) the collection on Amazon … but Melissa has been kind enough to offer a FREE shirt (in the design of your choice) to one of our readers.

There are two ways to enter:

1) leave a comment on the September 27th Write The Word: Fruit of the Spirit  blog post, and/or …

2) share your thoughts, favorite verse of the week, or a photo on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest with the hashtags
#AReasonForHomeschool and #WriteTheWord.

You’ll receive one entry for each comment or social media post. At the end of October,
a winner will be chosen to select a free Fruit of the Spirit t-shirt from Create4Good.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Open to U.S. residents only. Winners must provide a valid email address when leaving a blog comment.
To enter via social media, your privacy settings must be configured to allow us to see your posts.
Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram entries must use BOTH hashtags:
#AReasonForHomeschool and #WriteTheWord
A winner will be selected randomly from entries received by 11:59 p.m. (Central), October 31, 2018.