Today we have a guest post from author Lillian Duncan.
Though you have not seen him, 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. (1 Peter 1:8)
I don’t know about you, but I want some more of that inexpressible and glorious joy. But how are we supposed to get it when life is filled with numerous challenges and struggles. I believe the Bible tells us exactly how to do that and it’s a commandment from Jesus so…
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.‘ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 36-40)
Focus on Jesus.
Jesus said the first and most important commandment is to love God with all your heart and mind. It’s not enough to say that you do, you must show that love to God. One of the ways to do that is to spend time praising and worshiping God and I don’t just mean in church on Sunday.
Focus on Others.
The verses go on to say after loving Jesus, love others. Jesus talked of love again and again. He wanted His followers to show God’s love to others. Loving others is not a suggestion, but a command. The amazing thing is as by loving others, your own life will be filled with more joy.
Focus on Yourself.
Yes, we are to focus on first on Jesus, then on others but don’t think that we are not to focus on ourselves. God doesn’t want us to be selfish or self-centered but He does want us to enjoy our life. We shouldn’t put ourselves first all the time but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t put ourselves first sometimes. We should take care of our own emotional, physical, and spiritual needs as well as others.
So lets see what we have J (Jesus) + O (Others) + Y (Yourself) = JOY
As Christians, we are ambassadors for Jesus. Nonbelievers are always watching us. If we don’t enjoy our life and joy, then why would they want what we have?
Now you’ve got the secret formula for JOY. So go forth and be joyous!
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Lillian Duncan is a book lover as a reader and a writer. Her tagline on her website (www.lillianduncan.net) says it all: STORIES OF FAITH MINGLED WITH MURDER & MAYHEM. Tired of having to skip over all the four letter words and explicit sex scenes, she writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance.
To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net. She has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com Her most recent releases are Pursued (White Rose Publishing) and Deception (Harbourlight Books).
About Pursued: Reggie Meyers has spent her life pursuing the American Dream, but now she’s the one being pursued by an unknown killer. Putting her trust in Dylan Monroe, a man she barely knows, will either be the best decision she’s ever made or the last…