Joy is a Choice

Joy is one of the most recognizable signs that someone is following Jesus. It is our choice to receive the grace available through Jesus and rejoice in it. Every day we can choose to have a joyful attitude about life.

Here’s a great Bible study to help you pray and in prayer learn how to choose joy.

Please note that the Bible verses listed below are almost entirely directed to people who have received the love and forgiveness of God. Are you a “Jesus follower”? A personal relationship with God is the vehicle through which we can turn away from our past and turn toward our loving Savior. That is where we find this joy!

Please pause to look up and read each passage listed and glance at my summary or questions. Make your own observations. Ask yourself about how you can apply that truth. Then set out a plan to do one thing about it.

Philippians 4:4  Always be full of joy, in the Lord. Celebrate God all day, every day.

Psalms 27:6  I will sing, speak, and shout about God’s goodness (even when I don’t feel like it).

Psalms 33:1  I will sing for joy to the Lord. He’s the one who has made me pure.

2 Chronicles 29:30  I will sing about how good God is, with gladness!

Psalms 90:14  I will sing for joy, until the day I day, because God has satisfied me with unfailing love.

Nehemiah 8:10  The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Psalms 63:5-7  I will describe God’s goodness in song. God satisfies me more than an amazing meal at a huge party! I think about God through the night and sing about Him when I am close to Him, under his protection.

Proverbs 17:22  When I choose joy, my happy heart is better than any other prescription.

Psalms 5:11  I choose to speak and sing my joy because God is my protection.

Psalms 30:10-12  I choose to thank God every day because he turned my lowest low into my highest high.

Psalms 68:3-4  I will choose to be filled with joy in the presence of God. I will sing LOUD about His goodness!

Matthew 5:11-12  I will choose joy when people say bad things about me and do bad things to me. I will remember that a reward is waiting for me in Heaven and other people have endured the same experiences.

James 1:2-3  I will choose joy when times are tough because when my faith is tested my endurance grows.

Luke 10:20  I choose joy because my name is registered in Heaven.

John 15:9-11  I can choose joy because I have a constant connection with Jesus and His love.

Here’s a few questions to ask:

What do you hear? What do you see? What do you think? How do you feel?  …about what you’re reading.

How does this make a difference? Why does this matter?  …in your life.

Faith for the Workplace

At CBC we’re helping people connect with Jesus, grow in faith, and share His love.

That includes your daily life.

 

• God gives faith
• Faith can grow
• Faith helps work

 

From the Garden of Eden, to Daniel, to Esther and Nehemiah we see that “Work with a Purpose” is God’s idea.

I know it’s tough, but we can find purpose regardless of what our work is!

Paul gives us excellent advice for being full of faith in our workplace, in Romans 12.

From Paul’s counsel we see that we can live our daily life as a worship and that through that lifestyle we can overcome evil.

 

I recommend reading all of Romans 12 before you read this:

Through our work we…

•Love God – live as a worship

•Serve people

•Meet our needs

•Build trust & earn influence

•Earn money to help others

     (from Your Work Matters to God)

We find God’s will for our work by…

•Knowing what He thinks via Bible

•Using wisdom & getting help

•Examining God’s design

What can we do when we encounter evil?

•Don’t be shocked  Eccl 5:8

•Live like God’s in control Prov 3:5-10

•Overcome: dream big think small Rom 12

Remember:Faith is an expression of confidence in the person and character of God.When you interact with tension ask these questions:

What is bothering you?

What is the solution?

What should be?

That will help you find solutions, be happy, and get promoted by:

• Seeing God’s purpose & design
• Asking God about your role & goals
• Acting on purpose for the good
• Identifying & address issues with love

So, now you can pray and plan:

Pray for opportunities.

Plan as if you expect God to answer your prayer.

Our God Provides

Here’s a great Bible study to help you pray and trust that God provides.

Please pause to look up and read each passage listed and glance at my summary or questions. Make your own observations. Ask yourself about how you can apply that truth. Then set out a plan to do one thing about it.

Here’s a few questions to ask:

What do you hear? What do you see? What do you think? How do you feel?  …about what you’re reading.

What truth do you see/hear? What is being said? What principle can be used?  …in what you’re reading.

How does this make a difference? Why does this matter?  …in your life.

  Below the verses listed you will find a couple more questions to consider.

Genesis 22:13-14  Our God “Yehovah Yireh” will provide.

Deuteronomy 8:18  It is God who gives me the ability to earn money in order to fulfill His promise.

James 4:2  I do not have because I do not ask.

Matthew 21:22  So I ask, in prayer, believing and I know that I will receive.

Deuteronomy 28:1-8  As I diligently obey God I will find blessing wherever I go.

2 Corinthians 9:8  God will provide for my needs and bless me so that I may be blessing to others.

Luke 6:38  As I am generous God will be generous with me.

Proverbs 3:5-10  As I trust God He will guide me.

Psalms 33:18-19  Even when times are tough, God will look out for me and provide for my needs.

Psalms 37:18-19  Even when times are tough, God will provide for me now and forever.

Romans 8:35-39  Even when times are tough, nothing can separate me from God’s love and I am on top.

Philippians 4:12-13  Even when times are tough, God will provide according to His riches in glory by Jesus.

Acts 2:44-45  Even when times are tough, we can help each other and prove to be God’s answer to prayer.

Luke 22:35  When God sends me, He will provide for my needs.

Proverbs 28:27  I will give to the poor and I will not lack.

Psalms 34:6-10  As I trust God He will provide for my needs.

Matthew 14:14-18  When I see a need, I find a way to meet the need (even giving my own cash) and ask God to provide.

Walk in love

Walking in Love

Here’s a great Bible study to help you pray and in prayer learn how to walk in love.

Please pause to look up and read each passage listed and glance at my summary or questions. Make your own observations. Ask yourself about how you can apply that truth. Then set out a plan to do one thing about it.

Here’s a few questions to ask:

What do you hear? What do you see? What do you think? How do you feel?  …about what you’re reading.

What truth do you see/hear? What is being said? What principle can be used?  …in what you’re reading.

How does this make a difference? Why does this matter?  …in your life.

  Below the verses listed you will find a couple more questions to consider.

Ephesians 5:1-2  Imitate God because you are His children. Live a life filled with love following the example of Jesus. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, to God.

Romans 5:5  God gave us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.

Ephesians 3:17-19  I am strong when my roots are in God’s love. I will begin to understand it, experience it, and display it.

Matthew 22:38-39 I will love God with all my heart, soul, and mind. And I will love my neighbor as myself.

John 15:12  Jesus directs us to love each other in the same way that He has loved us.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15  Jesus died that we would no longer live for ourselves, but live for Him.

Colossians 3:14  Putting on love, like it’s a new jacket, every day will keep us together in perfect peace.

Romans 12:9-10  Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Have fun encouraging each other.

Matthew 5:43-44  Because of Jesus I can love my enemies, those who curse me, do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who use me & attack me.

1 Peter 4:8  When we show deep love for each other, it makes up for the way that we have wronged each other.

John 13:35  If I have love for others, people will know that I’m a follower of Jesus.

I Corinthians 8:1  Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up the church (my spiritual family).

Ephesians 4:1-3  By our love, we can make room for each other’s faults and grow together in peace.

Galatians 5:22  One of the results of the Holy Spirit at work in my life, is love.

2 Timothy 1:7  God has not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

Ephesians 4:15-16  Our spiritual family will be healthy and grow as we speak the truth in love.

1 Thessalonians 3:12  God can make our love for each other grow.

Hebrews 10:24  We should think of ways to motivate each other to acts of love and good works.

1 Peter 1:21-23  We must show sincere love for each other, as brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:14-19  Because Jesus gave His sacrificial love to us we will give sacrificial love to each other.

1 John 4:7-8  As I grow in love, I will come to know God in a more complete way.

1 John 4:18  Perfect love kicks out fear.

Jude 1:20-21  As I pray and grow in faith, I will keep myself in the love of God.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14  I will let all that I do be done with love.

1 Corinthians 13  Love is patient, kind, keeps no record of wrong, believes the best, is always hopeful, lasts forever, it is not jealous, proud, rude, irritable, and love never gives up. Love will last forever!

How do we walk in love?

1. Ask God to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Live in contact with God daily. Romans 5:5 Galatians 5:16-26
2. Ask God for a love for people and receive it. 1 John 4:7-8 Philippians 4:6-7
3. Use God’s love language every day. Ephesians 4:1-5:26 Renewed mind filled with God’s words, meditating on the Bible daily, setting a filter on your mouth, repent from bad talk and gossip, encourage people with words that give grace.
4. Be quick to forgive. Ephesians 4:32 Matthew 18:21-35
5. Adjust your lifestyle. Ephesians 5:2 1 John 4:7-21 Romans 14:15

Dear God our Father, please fill us with your Holy Spirit and your love. Please give us a love for people.