JOY.
It’s my word for 2015.
Just seeing it makes me smile. Hearing it makes me smile. JOY reminds me of Christmas – which always makes me happy. JOY is deeper than “happiness” though; it’s a feeling of positive peace no matter what the circumstances. JOY reminds me of the acronym for JESUS, OTHERS and YOU.
I think if I set my priorities in the order of Jesus, other people and then myself, then JOY will come automatically. That’s my plan for 2015. I want JOY in my life and it only makes sense if we put Jesus first that Joy will come automatically.
Jesus told parables to get us to understand the love of God. In John 15:1-17 He tells the story of the vine and the branches. In verse 11 Jesus says “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus was talking about loving others as He loved us.
This verse supports me choosing JOY as my word for 2015 as I strive to live the life that produces JOY – prioritizing in this order JESUS, OTHERS, YOU – trying to love as Jesus did.
Nehemiah 8:10(b) – “for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. That says it all…….I want the strength of the Lord that JOY provides……….what’s your good word for 2015?
My words for 2015:
GRACE & HOPE – Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
GRACE is a gift and always will be. We live surrounded by His goodness, which brings us HOPE.