Finding Joy   Scripture Reading – Psalm 119:1 - 2 (NLT)

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts."  

After all of the presents have been unpacked and as the bills from the season become a reality in many of a people's lives, today's text points to the eternal truth of where one can be assured in, 'Finding Joy'.

Joy, can be found alone in the hearts of those individuals who search out and then by the grace of God follow hard after the ways of God. Rather than being restrictive, His ways are in fact the ways that lead to life and liberty.

Joy overflows from the hearts of those who continually bring their hearts into the light for examination by the Father, praying that He would illumine any ways that are displeasing and then walk in the light and love of that revelation. Joy finally is found in the word itself:                                      J - esus first in your life                                                            

                                     O - thers next               

                                     Y - ourself last  

Prayer Father in heaven, help me today to put Jesus in His first and rightful place in all I say, think and do. Open my eyes to the needs of others that You place before me to share Your life and love with. Thank-You for filling my life with the joy of the Lord as I follow hard after You.  

Memory Verse:  Revelation 21:5 NLT “And the one sitting on the throne said, '______, I am making everything new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."