Joy. Assessment Statements

Transcription

1 I have inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances. John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Assessment Statements I have inner contentment when things go wrong. Circumstances do not dictate my mood. I am excited about the sense of purpose I have for my life. I can be content with the money and possessions I now have. Other Related Indicators #100 - indicator related to Peace I have an inner peace from God # 11, #41, #71, #101 - indicators related to Patience I do not get angry with God when I have to endure suffering. I am known to maintain honesty and integrity when under pressure. I always put matters into God's hands when I am under pressure. I keep my composure even when people or circumstances irritate me. #43, #73 - indicators related to Faithfulness I discipline my thoughts based upon my faith in Jesus Christ. I follow God even when it involves suffering. #15, #75 - indicators related to Self-control I am not addicted to any substances - whether food, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, or chemical I do not have sexual relationships that are contrary to biblical teaching. #62, #92 - indicators related to God I believe that God has a purpose for my life and is actively involved in it. I believe God enables me to do things I could not or would not otherwise do. #63, #93 - indicators related to Jesus Christ I believe that, while on earth, Jesus experienced every human limitation except sin. I believe that Jesus will come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. #34, #64, #94 - indicators related to the Holy Spirit I believe His power and control are appropriated by faith. I believe that He dwells in Christians to empower them to live the Christian life. I believe that I must be yielded to Him in a moment-by-moment surrender or my selfimprovement efforts will be useless. #35 indicator related to Salvation I believe I will inherit eternal life because of what Jesus has done for me #96 - indicator related to Hhuman Destiny I believe all people who place their trust in Jesus Christ will spend eternity in heaven. 1

2 Understanding Joy Joy is characterized by an inner contentment and purpose in spite of circumstances. Joy is not to be found in this world. Jesus said as much: My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The Holy Spirit is the source of joy (Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6). According to Scripture, joy that prevails in spite of circumstances, incorporates these perspectives: a prevailing certainty of future glory that incomparably surpasses present circumstances (Romans 5:2, 8:18-25, 12:12, 15:13) a sense of suffering as Christ suffered, a sharing in His suffering (1 Peter 4:13) a knowledge that suffering produces positive qualities in the sufferer (James 1:2; Romans 5:3) a realization of suffering that is simply for the sake of Christ and His body, the Church (Acts 5:41; Philippians 2:17f.; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 4:13) In chapter 8 of The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi, Francis gives his friend Leo a very practical example in teaching him about what 'perfect joy' is. They are trudging through the snow from Perugia to the home of their group at St. Mary of the Angeles. For their brotherhood to give a great example of holiness and edification in all lands would not be perfect joy, Francis says. Nor would a great ministry of healing and raising the dead. Nor would possession of all languages and all science, nor all understanding of prophecy and Scripture, and insight into the secrets of every soul. Nor would the conversion of all unbelievers to faith in Christ! By this point brother Leo is amazed, and he begs Francis to teach him "wherein is perfect joy." The reply is that if, when they come to their quarters - dirty, wet, and exhausted from hunger - they are rejected, repeatedly rebuffed, and finally driven away by force, then, if we accept such injustice, such cruelty, and such contempt with patience, without being ruffled and without murmuring," and "if we bear all these iniquities with patience and joy, thinking of the sufferings of our Blessed Lord,which we would share out of love for Him, O Brother Leo, that here, finally, is perfect joy. Dallas Willard correctly identifies the need for an accompanying death to self which can be described as the condition where the mere fact that I do not get what I want does not surprise or offend me and has no control over me (Renovation of the Heart, p.71). Further, joy describes an inward state that does not stay inward. It always finds outward expression as well. In the Old Testament particularly, the inner presence of joy is manifested by making a joyful noise, shouting, singing, dancing, exuberance. In short, Old Testament joy was never bottled up. 2

3 Resources Chapter 4 in John Ortberg s The Life You ve Always Wanted on A Dee Dah Day ; The Practice of Celebration Finding Contentment by Neil Clark Warren Fruit of the Spirit Series: Joy, Maranatha Music Fruit of the Spirit Bible Studies; Joy: How to Rejoice in Any Situation by Phyllis J. Le Peau The Christian s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith C.S. Lewis on Joy by C.S. Lewis Great Joy by J.I. Packer Outrageous Joy by Patsy Clairmont Splashes of Joy by Barbara Johnson The Legacy of Sovereign Joy by John Piper Addiction & Grace by Gerald May The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis & John Eldredge The Journey of Desire by John Eldredge Chapter 4 in Marjorie Thompson s Soul Feast on Gathered in the Spirit; Our Common Worship Chapter 11 in Richard Foster s Celebration of Discipline on The Discipline of Worship Chapter 13 in Richard Foster s Celebration of Discipline on The Discipline of Celebration The Unquenchable Worshipper by Matt Redman Sections on Worship and Celebration in Spiritual Classics, edited by Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin 3

4 Community Christian Church message tapes: How to be a Survivor series # Vital Optimism # The Makeup of a Resilient Spirit # The Ultimate Hope # What is the Purpose of Life? # Learn to be Content # Taking Time Off Seriously # Upwords for Down People: Hope # Upwords for Down People: Mission # Hope in Discouragement # Living With an Attitude: Gratitude # Yea God! For Being Joyful # God Makes an Offer You Can t Refuse: He Offers Enthusiasm # God Makes an Offer You Can t Refuse: He Offers Purpose # Finding Hope When You re Full of Despair # Anticipating the Second Coming # Developing a Positive Spirit The Wonder of Worship series #EX Why Worship Matters #EX From Spectator to Worshipper #EX How Worship Changes Us #EX Worship as a Way of Life Scripture: Psalm 66 Psalm 84 Psalm 89:15,16 Psalm 98 Psalm 100 Psalm 118:24 Psalm 149:1-6a Psalms of praise ( , for example) Proverbs 17:22 Luke 8:13-15 John 3:29 John 16:20-24 Romans 8:18-25 Romans 8:35-39 Romans 12:12 Romans 15:13 Philippians 3:13,14 Philippians 4:11-13 Colossians 3:16 1 Timothy 6:8-12 Hebrews 12:2-12 4

5 Hebrews 13:5,6 James 1:2-4 1 Peter 1:8,9 Practices Serve impoverished people, taking note of their appreciation of simple things. Learn to poke fun at yourself. Enjoy wholesome jokes and clever puns. Relish good comedy. Learn to laugh. Spend time observing and playing with children. Practice making true celebrations and times of thanksgiving for birthdays, graduations, marriages, anniversaries, etc. Look for other opportunities to celebrate as well - or do so apart from any reason. Meaningfully expand your celebrations associated with Christmas and Easter. Practice self-examination for possible addictions to happiness highs such as television, food, exercise, achievement, people pleasing, drugs, alcohol, relationships, etc. Once discovered, develop a game plan for dealing with them. Practice delayed gratification. Pick days which you will very consciously try to do with the Father. On those days, pay attention to His gracious daily provisions, even the ordinary ones - a closet full of clothes, a hot shower, the ability to see, hear, and feel. When you sit down for a meal, imagine God preparing this table just for you. Slow down; enjoy the gift of food in His presence. Practice looking for examples of God s grace around you - in scenes of natural beauty, the face of a friend, meaningful accomplishments, moments that make you laugh. Practice interacting with people as if you were present with them for the very last time. Find a joy mentor. Develop a relationship with someone who exudes joy. Take stock of people who are joy stealers in your life. Devise a game plan for not letting your life be negatively impacted by them. Enlist the help of others who, along with you, will pray that the Spirit will produce this fruit in you. 5

6 Devote a specific day of the week to celebration. On that day, eat foods you love to eat, listen to music that moves your soul, play a sport that stretches and challenges you, read books that refresh your spirit, wear clothes that make you feel happy, surround yourself with beauty, etc. Practice abstinence from the television. Do a word study of chara, joy. Practice interpreting circumstances with this perspective: This situation, even if it continues for the rest of my life, scarcely represents a mark on the time line of eternity that I will spend with my Father in heaven. Attend Encounter with the focus of developing a worshipful heart toward God. Regularly listen to worship music. Practice utilizing your body in worship - lying prostrate, standing, kneeling, lifting the hands, clapping the hands, lifting the head, bowing the head, dancing. Practice worship in different settings - alone, with a small group, etc. Joy 6