“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:10-11, (emphasis mine)
The perfect formula for JOY is “Jesus, Others, You.”
When you put Jesus first in your life, you stay with Him and have the joy He promised His followers. When you are concerned about others and helping and encouraging them, you have no time to wallow in self-pity or self-concern. You see the needs of others, and your heart goes out to them. As we help them spiritually, emotionally, or materially, we can experience a joy unknown to self-centered people.
Sometimes the Lord lays someone on my heart whom I should phone. Often that person has exclaimed, “Oh, I’m so glad you called! I needed someone to talk to, someone who would pray with me!” After talking over their problems and praying, they often reach a state of rest in the Lord and I receive the wonderful blessing and joy of knowing God used me to help.
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39)
Put Jesus and Others first and YOU will have joy!
Who or what are you putting first in your life? Are you experiencing JOY? Is there someone you could be a blessing to today?
Father God, Thank you that You have given us the formula for joy. We know it is in putting You and others first in our lives. Forgive me for my self-centered ways and for the times when my self focus clouds You and others out. Guide me today to someone I can be a blessing to and fill me with Your Spirit as I go. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
by Muriel Larson
used be permission
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Faith can be expressed through prayer…
How to Pray in Faith to be Filled with the Holy Spirit
We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:
“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.
FURTHER READING
• To Love Others – by Phil Ware
• Businessman Ken Kolek on ‘Putting People First’
• Be Mindful of Others – by Ashlea Massie