LENT 2016 Day 35 - Complete Joy

Today I will try to take mini-breaks and be still in Gods presence. "Cuz only God can give us the joy we want.  (combining two different devotions here). God says that His blessings are richly poured out upon us but that there are some that are actively sought. What does that mean to us and for us? How can we actively seek out His blessings.  As soon as I wake up I thank God for the day. I say Thank you for a few of the many blessings:

•  this habit that I've started
• the laptop that I have to "jot" down my thoughts on (so that the world can read/share)
• the sofa and blanket which i use to find comfort and rest as I pray
• the coffee pot that was a gift from Carey's Mom to make our coffee one cup at a time (how spoiled we've become with that concept)
• the monitor that gives us the ability to hear and watch Claire as she sleeps
• I wonder what people did before monitors? Did they just not realize their babies were sick as quickly? I've had terrible feelings/experiences even with the monitor. Makes me sad sometimes to reminisce about it.
• the alarm that is on to protect us and keep us safe
• the money that we had to put in the alarm and garage door to keep us safe
• the knowledge to know how to use a gun if need be
• jobs to be able to provide electricity, water, clothes, food, this house
• for my family

I could go on and on.  The blessings are abundant.  What are the not-so-obvious blessings that we are ask to seek? We can begin by opening our heart to God and receive these revelations of blessings. Ask and it will be given to you; knock and the door will be opened to you. MATTHEW 7:7

"The LORD your God is with you, He is might to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  JEPHANIAH 3:17

Is it too much to ask for that lasting joy? Complete joy? God created it for us. I should go and added to the list of things I'm thankful for. "I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete." JOHN 15:11 What takes that complete joy from us? What robs us of this joy? Jesus wants this for us. He wants us to have this complete joy, this last peace. I didn't even really think about the next sentence until I read it.  Are you getting in the way of your own joy? I was quick to think of other variables. I did not hesitate to place the blame on other things and outside forces that keep me from enjoying this gift of God.  How selfish of me to not think that I am really the first thing that keeps me from joy. Can I find it in the Gospels? I hope that I can spend my time during the Easter season doing just that, reading and studying the Gospels. I will net let fear of not understanding them take away from the lessons that can be learned. I will not let fear rob me of the joy that is found in the Gospels. I want to do what Matthew Kelly suggested here.Testing the Gospels and see if I find complete joy. Pay attention.  Pay attention to the Gospels.  The Gospel is an invitation to Complete Joy.  I'm excited to start that journey. 

POINT TO PONDER: Gratitude is a sure path to joy. - there's another DUH statement. 

VERSE TO LIVE: "A joyful heart is life itself, and rejoicing lengthens one's life span."

QUESTION TO CONSIDER: What really brings you joy? 

I think that I need to come back to this one.  Claire for sure.  Aidan, Alec, Davis and Demi - Ashley and my friends...Mom and Dad, Carey - they bring me joy. 

PRAYER: Jesus, let me get of of the way so you can fill me with complete joy.

Short and sweet...I really like that prayer.  

Have a joyful day - be kind. 

-Gwen