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April 25, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Joy and the Word

Joy and the Word

Life happens and our joy is sucked right out of us. We’re blindsided by getting fired, losing a good friend, receiving a call from our child’s principal’s office, or . . . you fill in the blank. 

You might be in that place right now.

I understand.

I remember one of my most heart-wrenching moments. I heard about the death of a friend. He was only in his 30s and I learned the details on TV. The shock just killed me. I dropped to my knees in anguish before God and sobbed.

“No, no!” I shouted. “No, no!” Still, to this day, I grieve over the sudden loss of this dear friend.

How can our joy be restored when we are suddenly thrown to the depths?

The same way our joy is restored when we are lackluster, lukewarm or indifferent towards God and life.

I believe the Word of God is our anchor. There is something about his Word that feeds us supernaturally. Jesus said it himself, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Every single word of Scripture is from the mouth of God. We have a treasure trove of nourishment for our soul. This nourishment builds and restores joy. I can’t explain how it happens, but it does.

How about this truth? Jesus rose from the dead. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”  (Matthew 28:6) Now that really makes me happy. Not the world’s kind of happiness. Joyful! As only God can produce!

There are thousands of truths in the Bible that are foundational for our joy. I just mentioned one.  Centering on that truth alone will drill deep into your soul and produce a consistent joy.

Whatever has robbed your joy, it’s no match for God’s Word. I encourage you to feed on God’s Word today. Dwell on the truths that will build a deep joy in your life. A joy that will help you cope strongly with your current struggles.

Here are some promises you can read, think about and pray through. Feed your soul. Feed joy.

God’s inseparable love: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

The power of God’s Word to change your life: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

God relieves your fear: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Day of Joy. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).

January 1, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Faith and God’s Love

Faith and God’s Love

God commands me to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength. You know what? He has given his heart, soul and strength for me.

That’s a powerful thought as we start the new year. It’s a powerful reality.

Picture Jesus on the cross. He’s giving his heart and soul for us. He’s giving all his strength for us. He’s giving himself 100% for us. That’s a picture of what He is continually doing today. I doubt I’ll be asked to love God to the extent that He loved me on the cross . . . and unconditionally loves me today with all his heart, soul and strength. 

That’s a God I can put my faith in. I can fully trust this God with my life. I should have no fear. No anxiety. No worry. No uncertainty. I should be able to rest in knowing that I’m safe in the hands of this God of love. There is no safer place. It’s a fact whether I believe it or not.  He demonstrated his great, full-heart love and I can go back and read about it day after day. 

This love is my refuge, as David proclaimed. He knew God’s Love. Look at all the Psalms that state it over and over again. Study them and know the love of God as David did. Immerse yourself in the love of God, the same love that was so fully expressed on the cross.

David did not know the cross but he knew the love of God. This came by spending time with the Lord and turning his heart over to him. He poured out his heart and soul to God. He knew the command to love the Lord with all his heart, soul and strength. He had a reciprocal relationship with God who expressed his love to David.

David was a man after God’s own heart. He chose to be and to live that way.

Where does that leave you?  You know a God who has given himself 100% for you and you’re called to give yourself 100% to him. To fully trust him, believe him, walk with him, step out for him, serve him.

This is what is means to have complete faith in your loving God. Jesus sacrificed himself and loved you on the cross with all his heart, soul and strength.  He has done for you what he asks you to do for him. He has left you with a clear picture of his love. And that love continues today.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Faith).

October 9, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Praise and Joy

Praise and Joy

As you read my posts I hope you’re learning that joy isn’t something that you can produce yourself. You can’t talk yourself into being joyful. That lasts about a day.

Joy is something that God forms inside you through his Holy Spirit. We can know it, but experiencing it is another thing.

Today, let’s consider how praise is connected to our joy.

In fact, praise leads to joy and joy leads to praise.

They are siblings. Like two brothers who play well together for hours.

When I say praise, I’m referring to praising God for who He is. When you think through the character of God, and praise him for his character traits, your spirit will be lifted. Joy will emerge. Joy centered on the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

When you give God praise for who He is, there’s no room for anything but Him.

God’s faithfulness chases away doubt.

The Lord’s power overcomes fear.

His Spirit’s holiness pushes out sin.

Christ’s love melts indifference.

The Father’s goodness destroys our evil thoughts.

Here’s an example of how your prayers centering on one attribute of God, his faithfulness, can completely transform your thoughts, spirit, emotions and soul:

Lord God, I praise you for your faithfulness. I can always count on you. You never leave me or forsake me. In my hardest times, you are there. In my happiest times, you laugh with me. When I sin and let you down, you stay with me. No matter what, you are faithful. I lift up my heart to you and honor you for your faithfulness. When people disappoint me, you don’t. 

Father, I look around me and see a world that seems out of control. But you are a faithful God who is ever-present and in control. You are true to your Word. Praise you for your faithfulness. I will never doubt you. Oh Lord, may I keep my eyes on you, the faithful Father that I know. What a blessing to know that I am a child of the faithful God. Amen and amen!

As you praise God for trait after trait, your heart will be filled with joy. Take your time and let the reality of each character quality sink in. Enjoy your time of praise, whether it be silent or aloud. God’s Holy Spirit will give you a heart of joy.

That joy will lead to more praise. It’s a wonderful cycle.

Set your alarm to pause at times during the day. Choose one attribute of God and get lost in praise.

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

August 14, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Full Joy

Full Joy

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”  –John 15:9-11 ESV

I can’t think of any greater, purer, more complete joy we can experience than the joy of Jesus himself.  He describes this joy as “full.”

Don’t you want that?  Of course you do.

Why in the world would we try “joy substitutes” when the real thing is already planted inside us if we know Jesus?

My joy substitutes range anywhere from money to a Dodger victory. I’ve got several others, too, if I really take inventory.

How about you? Where does your joy come from?

The correct answer is “Jesus,” but don’t give answer unless it’s true for you.

Joy in Jesus is something that ebbs and flows in the life of every believer.  We let joy “substitutes” crowd out our Savior.  That’s why we go from one to another.  These substitutes never last. They don’t satisfy for long.

“…that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

When I hear Jesus saying that to me, I picture joy as a seed waiting to grow.  Jesus’ joy is inside, but it only grows when nourished.

What makes it grow?   Abiding in Jesus’ love, evidenced by our obedience.

For the past year, I begin almost every day by camping one certain verse.  It’s familiar to you, I’m sure: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” –Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV.

I remind myself that if I love God, that’s the most important thing I can do.  I should find myself  evaluating everything I do in light of whether I’m loving God by doing it.

Loving God takes effort.  All my heart, soul and strength!

This love relationship with God isn’t just me loving him.  Jesus died on the cross out of a deep, deep love for me.  God have his only son because he loved the world so much.

The nourishment for joy to grow in our lives is Jesus’ love for us.  This kind of love is rich soil, water and sunlight all rolled into one.  Just as a seed and plant draw on these elements to grow, we need to draw on Christ’s love for joy to grow.

“…that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Isn’t that wonderful?  We show our love for Christ through our obedience while Christ offers his love to us.  His love produces joy in our lives.

Take a look at that growing thing inside you called “joy.”  What is it today? A seed?  A seedling?  A young plant? A thriving tree?

The secret to full joy is abiding in the love of God.

In the quietness of this moment, think about God’s love for you. Here’s a verse to get you started:

“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”  –Psalm 86:15 NIV

I can’t think of anything more joyful than experiencing the love of God.  I’m ecstatic about it when I really consider it.

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

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