Fullness of Joy

Lately the past few weeks have been ok. We must admit that it felt like we were just getting through each day, we found ourselves in a rutt.  We found ourselves feeling down, tired, discouraged, and just unmotivated. I say we felt joy-less.  This week has been an answer to prayer and God totally opened our eyes to see just how much joy we can experience only through HIM.  Gino was asked to speak at the young adults class this past Sunday and so instead of turning on the TV to relax after the kids went to bed, we actually spent time reading God's word, talking things out, and praying.  What a difference this week has been.  We also were given opportunity last week to share what God has been doing in our lives these past 3 years with a couple over dinner which was great and encouraging as well. Gino gave a message focused on Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.  One of the passages was:

Romans 12:6-8

 ⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

He talked about the body of Christ and how each of us have been blessed with individual gifts that are needed and important to furthering the gospel to the ends of the earth.  Not only that but he shared about how God opened our eyes to see that these gifts are to bring us joy.  God didn't create us and give us gifts that pull us down or make us depressed when we use them.  He challenged us all to look and reflect at what we are doing with the talents God has given us. Are we seeking Him out to hear what He wants us to be doing? Are we getting to know what gifts He's given us and the putting them to use for Him? Gino always thought his love of music was for his own pleasure only. He never dreamed that God had maybe given him those talents to be used for bringing the gospel message to others and maybe to also encourage other believers.  He had  a picture of what being used by God looked like - all sacrifice and no joy. But God has shown us over the years through His word - that in Him is life and life abundantly. In him is fullness of joy.  Gino has experienced first hand the joy of using his guitar skills to give God glory and bring others closer to God.  He's never experienced any joy like it.

I have been reading a book by John Piper called "Desiring God".  In it he says: " What would bring us fullness of joy? Not a padded and protected and comfortable life.  Rich people are as miserably unhappy as poor people. What we need in answer to prayer to fill our joy is the power of love.  Or as John puts it, the power to bear fruit.  Prayer is the fountain of joy because it is the source of power to love.  John 15:7-8: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit."  (You see this verse isn't stating that God is a Genie...if we have God's word in us and we know His word, then we know Him. If we know Him, personally, then we will know His will for us, therefore we ask....and it's done...and He is glorified because He made it possible.)

We are seeing personally that true joy comes from knowing God and loving Him and doing His will.  While there's hardships and trials, the joy that comes from doing God's will is worth it all.  Compared to so many missionaries in the world, anything we face here is trivial and yet we all have that same joy and that same drive to get God's work done and be a part of His purpose.  What encouraged me about Gino's message was that we ALL can be a part of getting the gospel to the ends of the world.  What's more is that we can enjoy and, in fact, have joy abundantly doing our part in getting the gospel spread.
Psalms 40:8 says: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."

God Bless!