For a few years now God has put two scriptures, together, on my heart: John 15:1-11 and Galatians 5:22,23 (you can read more about them in another post I wrote earlier this year and in one I wrote last month).  They answer an important question.  How can I live the Christian life when I still struggle with sin?  I think it starts with knowing that you cannot, on your own do anything.  Paul says, For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out (Romans 7:18).  In John 15, we see that Jesus has the answer to this difficulty and it is much easier than it would seem: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).  Can it be so simple?  James tells us:  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).  

So today Lorraine Hill reminds us that Joy is a natural fruit, resulting from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit .  As we draw near to God or abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit makes our heart His home and, because of His presence, we are able to do what we cannot do on our own…produce fruit.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. And in John 15 Jesus also explains that allowing Him to dwell within our hearts produces joy: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you,that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11  Yes, it is that simple! 

As a footnote, the Lord brought me to this topic – joy – for so many reasons.  I had just moved to a new place and was trying to make new friends plus juggling homeschooling with trying to keep house and not lose my mind 😉  There were a few other things going on too when I started out on this study and I knew choosing joy would be so good for me.  But the Lord knew more and He is so compassionate with me…I had no idea that He would shepherd me along my Journey to Joy to prepare me for a bigger difficulty: my godly, sweet, supportive, funny mom has ovarian cancer.  I found out the same week I started to write about Joy (remember we actually started, the first time, on October 17).  During this time, God has been really speaking to me through His word and showing me that joy of the Lord truly is my strength (Neh 8:10).  And today as I was laying in bed, before the alarm went off, this verse came to my mind (when I wasn’t thinking of the bible or anything else related to scriptures): You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you (Is 26:3).  I felt like that was a promise to me about this day.  Isn’t He just so good?

JustaGirl…just like you!