Daily Bible study excerpts from my book: “Looking for Contentment in All the Wrong Places”
I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I HAVE GOD’S LOVE
I cannot think of a more comforting thought than to know someone loves me and would do anything for me. You should rejoice daily that the awesome creator of this world loves YOU! He knows your name (John 10:3-4), and he “feels your pain” (Heb 2:17-18).
Zephaniah 3:17
Hi-lite:
- “Lord your God”, “Mighty One”, “will save”
Circle:
- “In your midst”
Underline:
- “He will rejoice over you”, “He will quiet you”, “He will rejoice over you”
“He will quiet you with His love”, what a beautiful thought. For me it brings to mind a mother comforting and stilling her baby in her arms. How does God do this for us? Through His word he gives us calming reassurance and promises that never fail. He truly is the God of comfort.
Psalm 73:21-26
Underline how the Psalmist feels:
- :21 “grieved”, “vexed”
- :22 “foolish”, “ignorant”, “beast”
- :26 “My flesh and heart fail”
Circle the reason word:
- :23 “nevertheless”
Circle the contrast word:
- :26 “but”
Hi-Lite the reasons we can rejoice:
- :23 “continually with you”, “You hold me”
- :24 “You will guide me”, “receive me”
Remember to notice the questions in scripture:
Put in brackets:
- :25 “Whom have I in heaven but You?”
Double underline:
- :26 “God is the strength of my heart and my portion”
Romans 8:37-39
Through whom are we conquerors?
Hi-lite
- :37 “we are more than conquerors”
- :39 “shall be able to separate us from the love of God”
Circle
- :37 “through Him who loved us”
We see a list in verses 38-39. Underline each thing in the list:
- Death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, height, depth, created thing
Paul says that none of these things can separate us from the love of God. But there is one thing (person) who can separate us….ourselves! If you aren’t close to God, who moved?
I HAVE JOY BECAUSE JESUS CALLS ME HIS FRIEND
John 15:13-15
HI-lite the great statement in verse 13.
Underline:
- :14 “You are My friends”
- :15 “I have called you friends”
Circle “if” in verse 14
Draw a line connecting “friends” and “do whatever I command”
In verse 15, Jesus says that we are His friends because He has given us “insider” information. What a great a wonderful privilege to be considered His friend! And Jesus has proven that He is our friend by laying down His life for us. He is the perfect friend He will never leave us.
I HAVE JOY BECAUSE I CAN TALK TO GOD IN PRAYER
Hebrews 4:16
Circle “therefore” and find out what it is there for (refers back to verse 14 and 15)
Hi-lite:
- “let us”, “come boldly to the throne of grace”
Why? Circle “that” (a reason word)
Underline:
- “obtain mercy”, “find grace”
Double underline:
- “In time of need”
The writer says that we are to approach God with boldness, not timidity! God has promised to answer if we call, so why should we be afraid to ask for His help with anything?
James 4:2
Underline:
- “do not have”, “cannot obtain”, “fight and war”, “you do not have”
Circle the reason word “Because”
Hi-Lite:
- “you do not ask”
We seek worldly and ungodly ways to “solve” our problems and yet James says that we don’t have because we do not ask! He says, just ask the giver of all good gifts! Can we “have” if we don’t ask? This ought to bring joy into our lives: We can approach God about anything and He will hear and answer.
John 16:24
Hi-lite:
- “Ask, and you will receive”
Circle the reason word “that”
Underline:
- “your joy may be full”
Our joy will be full if we ask. Faith is an important part of prayer. We must ask believing that it will be done or answered. Then, be willing to accept the answer!
We have discussed reasons to have joy in our lives, both from a positive and negative standpoint! We have much to rejoice about. Part of joy is gratitude. If we lack joy, maybe we should first have a “gratitude check”. Thank God for every good and perfect gift he gives. This will put perspective on our lives and help us see more clearly how to handle the difficulties we may face with joy and not bitterness.