This is the third post in our J.O.Y. to the World Series. To read the first post that explains J.O.Y. Priorities and their combinations, please go to https://www.phersonalrevival.com/post/j-o-y-to-the-world
So at last, we come to the question that weighs heavily on all of our minds from time to time. How is it possible that real JOY could come from prioritizing Jesus, Others and then You? If so, what's in it for me? Let’s look at it.
Jesus - By putting God first, we are ensuring that we are always full, always restored, always prepared for even the worst things that life can throw at us. We get full on God’s Word and are living a faith filled life of prayer. We are filled with wisdom and God’s direction. We walk in His ways and are prompted by His Spirit in all things. We are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit and wearing the Amour of God. We are a part of a church body of believers being ministered to and perfected. We have fellowship and the love of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Positioning God first will ensure we are always full, lead us in our purpose, keep us from overstepping our boundaries, and guarantee that we have all we need. The joy of the Lord IS our strength (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 28:7). He awaits to show Himself mighty. It pleases Him to answer our prayers and to give us the desires of our hearts according to His will. Putting Jesus first is the best thing we could do for ourselves. It’s the best way we can take care of ourselves.
Others – We are created for purpose. The first of which is to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. After that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:29-31). The first four commandments of God teach us our duty towards God and the other six teach us our duty towards others (Exodus 20). Jesus also commands His disciples to go into all the world and share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-16). There is a proverb that says when a baby is born, they believe that the world is there to serve them and this is reinforced by everyone around them seeing to their needs. But children become adults when they realize that they are here to serve the world and see to the needs of others. Maturity is tied to our vision of purpose. Jesus also tells us that the way we treat His people is the way we treat Him (Matthew 25:31-46). We are God’s hands and feet on earth, and we will be rewarded according to how we use the many talents, resources and gifts He has given us. The Bible tells us that what we sow will also reap (Galatians 6:7). It also tells us that our giving shall be returned to us in greater measure than what we give, pressed down shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38). By putting God’s purpose for our lives next, ministering to others, we are ensuring that storing up treasures for ourselves that will bless us both here on the earth and for eternity. Blessing others really blesses us.
You - My Pastor used to say, “If we make God’s business our business, He will make our business His business.” This is so true. We see over and over in scripture God calling His people to greatness and their initial doubts of their worthiness, qualifications, time, ability, and even their own plans. Abraham, Moses, Jonah, Mary, Zechariah, Israel, and many others wondered if God whether they were really the ones to fulfill God’s will. But David said, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25). God called, equipped and even redirected them never making a mistake. Always seeing to their needs and even the desires of their hearts.
Jesus - Others - You is a WIN-WIN-WIN combination. Why wouldn’t we want to live our lives this way! I pray that you have enjoyed this series on J.O.Y. and that God has truly spoken to your heart through The Holy Spirit about His will for your life. If you have time, I'd like to pray with you.
Dear God,
I pray that the Sister reading this post will be a woman after Your own heart. Help her to live her life according to Your perfect plan. Thank you for burdening her heart to be more like Jesus and empowering her to do so by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the peace that will follow a life totally surrendered to You. Help her to hear Your voice and not exhaust herself trying to do these things in her own power, with her own understanding, and in her own strength. Thank you for helping her to always have the right perspective even when the enemy tries to convince her that she is not loved, seen, appreciated or heard. Please help her to feel Your presence and know that You are always there. When she gets off track please confront her with Your love, reach her heart, and redirect her focus.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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