Shout
for Joy
Over
the Christmas holidays, I spent some time reading through the “joy”
scriptures in the Holy Bible. So many of them quote, “shout for joy…”.*
This got me thinking...do I really shout for joy!
I’m an
avid fan of sports. I’ll attend and yell my lungs out for almost any team,
especially those that show a passion for the sport. And can I yell!
We have season tickets to the Baylor University football games. Now Baylor
is not known for having the higher score, and many years I have seen them
not play as one unit; the team spirit just wasn’t there. However, I still
attend the games and am a faithful fan. When I witness passion and
a team playing together and enjoying the sport, this “little” woman yells.
Win or lose - I’m shouting. No one seems to return to the seats in front
of us year after year, that should tell you how loud I shout!
Well,
I think that’s what it means to shout to the Lord for joy! Yell loudly
and with passion. Do you dare use your “outdoor voice”? Where
is it safe to do this and not get carried away in a white jacket?
Find a place. A church that “shouts to the Lord”. Walking along the
shoreline of crashing waves. Out on a farm or ranch…find a place
to shout! Don't be hesitant - Come to the Lord and shout to Him.
When
God’s presence has been made known to you through a tough time, shout for
joy!
When
God answers prayer, shout for joy!
When
God loves you, shout for joy!
When
you count your blessings, shout for joy!
Joy to
you,
Martha
*Shout
for joy verses: Psalm 5:11, Psalm 32:11, Psalm 35:27
As Paul
said his good-byes to the Ephesian leaders…”…I
consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race
and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying
to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
“Not
by works of righteousness (not by the “good” things that you do in the
name of the Lord) which you have done, but according to His mercy, He saved
us. By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Titus 3:5
It is
a free gift. Yours for the taking. “God loves
you so much He gave His only Son to die for you so that you might have
never die.” John 3:16 (Martha’s
version)
Your
flesh may die, your body may turn to dust, but your spirit will live forever.
You will have a new body with Christ in Heaven. Only believe. Ask Jesus
to come be a part of your life today. He loves you. He cares about every
part of your life.
