How Do We Find Joy, Jesus?--May 22, 2017

[From May 11, 2015 archive]

Lord Jesus, how do we find joy?

By eating our fill and blessing you

for the good land that you have given us.

Or by having an upright heart that

lets light dawn and joy come flooding in.

Or by facing trials that test our faith,

knowing that testing produces endurance.

Or remembering that those who

lose their life for your sake will save it.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 97; 145; 124; 115

Deut. 8:1-10

James 1:1-15

Luke 9:18-27

Selected Verses

Ps. 97:11

Light dawns for the righteous,
          and joy for the upright in heart. 

Deut. 8:10

You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you.

James 1:2-4

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

Luke 9:24

"…For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.  …"  [Jesus to his disciples]