Saturated in Joy

Yesterday, I got a surprise. I had just walked in the door a few minutes earlier when Karen came in from work bearing a package that had been in the door downstairs. Inside, was a contract offer for my book Moving at the Speed of Grace.

In just four weeks, I had received and signed a contract for The Colors of Grace, experienced a super week at the Aldersgate Conference, offered and accepted an opportunity to teach In Kakuru, Kenya, and seen God move in several significant ways at South Hill UMC. I feel soaked by God's awesome grace!

But, this is just the way our God works. He accelerates his grace when we are ready to ride with him. Psalm 16: 11 says "You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

This is the way God works. If you are not experiencing that fullness of joy, ask him to draw you deeper into his presence. Lord, break down any barricade to your grace in my heart or mind. Let me walk close to you. This path of joy is for everyone who follows the pathway of grace.

1. God starts us with joy. Psalm 19: 7 says "The law of the Lord is perfect" returning us to the starting point of joy between God and us.
2. God surprises us with joy to boost our faith and keep us open to the way his testimony can be repeated in our lives. (Psalm 19:7)
3. God strengthens our joy as we appropriate God's word and statutes. (Psalm 19:8)
4. God brings us success with joy. The focus of our service is sharpened and received more securely when presented with joy. (Psalm 19:8)
5. God enables us to stand in joy. Our worship, our reverence, our joy is the overriding influence that brings peace in every situation. (Psalm 19:9)
6. God sustains us with joy. What we practice and what we produce, our faith and our fruit become one.

I pray today that the joy of the Lord is your strength!