‘There Is Joy…….’

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!” 

Proverbs 15:23

As Believer’s we all share a responsibility and account of all we do and say , not just towards each other, but to those outside the faith as well; and so knowing the right word at the right time is a great gift!  

Unfortunately I must confess that the best of my words are not nearly as good as those that the Holy Spirit gives.  Nevertheless, we cannot excuse ourselves for our insensitive speech , unkindness, or missed opportunities…

Not paying attention to what was said is no excuse. Not being spiritually in tune with the needs of our spouses, family, friends, or yes, even strangers can become a convenient ‘cop out’.

Simply not knowing Scripture well enough that we may bless others with real life giving words at the appropriate ‘Divine Appointment Times’ is self-deception.

I find that the greatest way to bless someone is to have something, you’ve heard and listened to God in His Word, and than wait for the right moment, we become tuned and our ears and hearts become a means that God blesses others.

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!” 

I really like the way the Voice interpretation looks at this verse:  “There is great joy in having the right answer,     and how sweet is the right word at the right time!”

It seems to me that probably the most element in our Christian walks that is often not seen is Joy.   And yet, when experience joy in our hearts, it’s nearly impossible to hide. 

I remember back when I was going through school there was one instant where I was having an extremely difficult time in my Math class.  No matter how much I tried, I just couldn’t keep up with the rest of the class.

It came down to a point where I received my first (and thank God) only F grade.  It resulted in me having to take a Summer class to make things right.  Needless to say, I had little hope and joy that, I would get any better, and that I would have to devote part of my Summer break to taking the class all over again!  A funny thing happened though.  I not only ‘got it’ as far as understanding why I wasn’t ‘getting it’ before and I got an A for the same class I had just flunked.

I can still remember the joy when I received my grade!  And you know what? It wasn’t that I didn’t know Math altogether; it was a few simple foundations that I had missed.

In the same way, joy became one of the words to describe how I felt when I finally ‘got it’ and came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Sadly, as one matures in our relationship with Him, we sometimes forget the foundation of joy that we had when we were ‘babes’ in Christ.  We become more serious and straightforward, forgetting that joy is something so important not just in our own lives, but in the way we express it to others.

How can we expect to have a right word at the right time when we aren’t prepared because we don’t have inside to give out?

“But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and I will rejoice in My people; and the voice of weeping will no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying be heard in her.” Isaiah 65:18-19

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!” 

Proverbs 15:23

Maybe there is someone the Lord has put on your heart, to spend a few moments with, to bring them the Gift of Joy…..maybe it’s your spouse, family member, a friend, or a stranger…. Ask God to lead you as He arranges the perfect time for someone to be blessed by the fruit of His Word.  It could mean the difference in someones life, right now.  Pick up the phone, hand write a letter, invite someone out to eat…. the ways are endless, the moments precious. You’ll never be the same again!

Today’s Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsfC2V2s_rg