Where Joy Abounds...

It is Monday Moments with Kim.

First, thank you Kim for having your Link Up moments because they get me blogging and hold me accountable. I missed last weeks due to the revolving sick kid door here at our house.

Second, I love how through years I find God brings a theme to my quiet time. I could just say that I noticed a theme, or I could realize it is God speaking to me through His word. I am learning to hear Him, apply His teaching and rest with Him in this theme. The past week I have been studying fear. I am a co-leader at one of my church's bible studies. This semester we are going through the book the fear factor by Wayne and Joshua Mack. Studying fear can make you do one of two things, deny you have any (which could mean I have a bigger PRIDE issue) or acknowledge God is trying to show me what type of fear he does and does not desire in my life.

 

From this study by Wayne and Joshua Mack I have been learning we all have natural fear, for instance if a lion begins to run after you, God has made us so we will react with a natural fear and run. God makes us aware throughout scripture that we are inclined to Sinful Fear. This is the fear that causes us to not do what God commands. This type of fear springs from an intense focus on self. We have probably all heard of Fear of Man. This is one type of Sinful Fear when we worship what others think of us or want from us more than God. The place God has shown me a theme is in the fear he commands which is Holy Fear. As the psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:161:

 

 My heart stands in awe of Your words.

 

This study said it so beautifully..."Holy fear is to be a spring of joy". God asks me to be inclined toward Him not myself. He asks me to dwell on His word. I can only do this if I am in His word and if I know what verses to dwell on. He continues to show me how connected Trust and Joy are to following His commands. So here is the theme....I desperately need to be dwelling on His thoughts (word of God), on what He thinks I should be thinking about, I am to trust Him with my circumstances whether in or out of trial, I need to be encouraging others with His word, I am to comfort others with the comfort He gives me and I am to look "Where Joy Abounds". One of my favorite verses I have dwelled on for years is Philippians 4:8-9. This verse tells us exactly how we are to be thinking, on what we are to dwell:

 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT

 

Since I am a simple gal, I love when God gives me a verse to rest in and He just keeps bringing me to this place again and again. So how I dwell on this is to literally ask myself:
"Is this thought true according to God?", "Is this thought or action honoring God?", or "Is this choice Pure?". I have just learned how to apply this verse to fear, "(Sinful) Fear often comes from doing just that--thinking on things that are not true." When I take the time to place my fears of health (insert your own) against the truth found in Philippians 4:8-9 I can find peace. Knowing how inclined I am to not be an encouraging spirit I have challenged myself to take this one step further and look Where Joy Abounds in my life. This past week I also rested the following truth:

 

You will show me the path of lie; in Your presence is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

 

Below are pictures of where I found joy abounding in my life over the past two weeks. Learning to not believe the sinful fears about my health future and put on His truth is bringing my eyes to notice the Joy around me.

I made these for all my small group friends and love the reminder to
Choose Jesus, Others and then You.

Kathryn's Viper swim meet swimming her favorite stroke, breaststroke. Love to she her swim.

Kathryn's Secret Garden diorama for Reading class. Notice the grass is coconut...yes we ate some.

 

Emma's first time at Wyldlife Christian Club. She had fun and was a good sport with the pie.

Kids at Newport Aquarium in Kentucky on MLK day.



Girls and I having Sushi on our girls day.

Sadie sits here almost all day longing to catch the rabbit. Love her!

Aaron has played Fall and Winter lacrosse and I find joy
watching him love this sport!

 

 

Mark getting to be at the awesome Butler game with good friends.

Thanks for stopping by to see how we are Spreading Joy,
Shari