Friday: The Joy of the Lord

"...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)

I hope you have been blessed this week as you looked at the joy of your faith. Joy is more than happiness. It is not based on success in the world or accumulation of worldly things. It comes through believing in God, living in His will and in fellowship with other believers, caring for and sharing the Good News with others.

Post your comments.

Pray, thanking God for His gift of love and joy!

Thursday: Opportunity for Joy

"Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy."
(James 1:2 NIV)

Post Comment: Can you have lasting joy without temporary happiness?

Wednesday - An Inexpressible and Glorious Joy

"Though you have not seen Him [Jesus], you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1Peter 1: 8,9 NIV)

Post Comment: Express as much as you can what it means for you to be filled with "an inexpressible and glorious joy".

Tuesday: Joy is Always With You

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety."
(Psalm 16: 8-9 – NLT)


Post Comment: When are you more aware of the
Lord's presence during your day?

This Week - January 26 - 30: JOY

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... "
(Galatians 5: 22-23 NIV)

As Christians, we strive to live by being led by the Spirit within us. It is the key to doing what we should be doing and not doing the wrong things (sin) we desire to do.

This week's topic: The second fruit of the Spirit in this passage, JOY.
Talk it out!

Monday: Filled with Joy

“Now I am coming to You. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with My joy. (John 17:13 NLT)

Post Comment: What is the Lord telling you that
fills you with His joy?

Friday: Learn a Life of Love

"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that." (Ephesians 5:1-2 The Message)

Post Comment: "Mostly what God does is love you".
What thoughts come to mind reading these words?
Talk it out!


Pray: Praise and thank God for His loving care.
Ask for His help to follow His example of loving others.

Thursday: Love Your Enemies

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never--I promise--regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind."
(Luke 6:35, The Message)

Post Comment: Loving someone can be difficult. How have you been able to move in the direction of loving your enemies?

Wednesday: Love for Each Other

"Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command."
(John 15:12-14, The Message)


Post Comment: How has the Lord loved you?
Do you love others as He has loved you?
Talk it out!

Tuesday: God's Love

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." - John 3:16 (The Message)

Post comment: Having just read this passage, what thoughts come to mind?

Our Topic for Conversation is LOVE

Welcome to a new week of sharing!

As Christians, we strive to live by being led by the Spirit within us.
It is the key to doing what we should be doing
and not doing the wrong things (sin) we desire to do.

Throughout this week we will talk about love.

Let's talk it out!

Monday: What is love?

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." --1 Corinthians 13: 4-7(NIV)

These are very familiar words.

Read them slowly and consider them closely.

Talk it out: How are you doing at allowing God's love to flow through you and be a blessing to others? Share your challenges, frustrations and hope.

Next Week

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5: 22-23

As Christians, we strive to live by being led by the Spirit within us.
It is the key to doing what we should be doing and not doing
the wrong things (sin) we desire to do.

Next week's topic: The first fruit of the Spirit in this passage, LOVE.

Come back and talk it out!

Today: Psalm 66:1-2

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of His name;
make His praise glorious! (NIV)

All together now-applause for God!
Sing songs to the tune of His glory.
Set glory to the rhythms of His praise. (The Message)

Let's take time this morning to bow before a great God.

Post comments of praise and thanksgiving.

Proverbs 4:11-13 (NIV)

I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.


Post comments: Talk it out

Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

Post Comments:

How has your heart been freed to "run in the path of [God's] commands"?

Psalm 18:29b (NKJV)

By my God I can leap over a wall.

Have you ever had a wall in life that you tried to jump over yourself
only to fall flat on your face?

Yesterday we skipped through the day, today we will leap over walls.

Thanks for leaving a comment!

Psalm 90:14

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (NIV)

Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long. (The Message)

I am looking forward to the thoughts you will share as we begin another week together!

My thoughts: I enjoy being up in the morning as night turns to day. Light from darkness happens gradually but there is a point where I realize the light has broken through. It always reminds me that God remains with me through every night and day. Though I may be going through dark times, I look for the Light and it comes at the right time every time. God is awesome!

Post your comments

Jeremiah 29:13 The Message

"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." Jeremiah 29:13

I am hoping the Daily Scripture Journal has been an encourager and reminder to meet with God every day in His Word. He is waiting every day to teach us and grow us into what he wants and needs us to be.

See you on Monday

Romans 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...

Romans 8:35 has special meaning for me. Please read my comment and post yours...let's have a conversation.

Spending time with my mother during her final days, I felt very alone with an overwhelming sadness. During one visit I experienced God with me and with mom in ways that were unexplainable under the circumstance. I experienced God’s presence. I experienced His comfort, peace and love. From that day forward I have had a habit of looking to see where God is whatever my circumstance. It is awesome! When I show my weakness, going off on my own, He draws me back. He shows me that it is better to allow Him to be in charge. It seems that nothing can separate me from God, except me. God is still there. I know He will never leave me. And I thank Him for His patience, grace and forgiveness when my faith shows my weaknesses.

Psalm 68:19 (NIV)

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."

Take a pause in your day to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to an awesome God!

Philippians 4: 12,13 & 19

From Judy: You might want to memorize one of today's passages for the days you especially need encouragement and hope. I find reading all of Philippians 4 helps focus my actions and thoughts on Christ and His power. We all need to remember Paul's secret during the circumstances we are passing through in these hard economic times.

(12, 13) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

(19) And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

2 Corinthians 4:16

We do not lose heart.
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Hope and Encouragement for 2009

What is one of your favorite and most encouraging scripture?
Share why it is special to you.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Happy New Year!