I gave this devotional on a monthly conference call for volunteer area coordinators for Operation Christmas Child. Feel free to make changes and use as would be of help to you.
The past 6 weeks has been somewhat stressful for me and I'm sure for many of you, also. This is my first year as area coordinator so count down event was a big thing for me. We got that done and I thought I would be able to slow down for just a bit. Well, my church's project leader is still recovering from surgery and chemo so I took over the things she had been doing. Then my cousin passed away after an illness. My brother was in a very serious accident, in a coma for 8 days and still has a very long recovery ahead. I just learned that my baby girl will be haing surgery in a week in NC. She's 44 years old, but she's still my baby. We've got floor problems at our house because of a plumbing problem. Needless to say, I've kind of gotten a bit depressed. I've felt somewhat overwhelmed with everything.
When Mark called me and asked me to do this, I started thinking about what scripture to use for the devotional. Every scripture that came to mind was about joy. One of my life scriptures is Phil. 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always and I will say it again, rejoice." So with everything goin on in my life right now, what do I have to rejoice about? Well....Everything! God has completely blessed me. I have a wonderful husband and family including a great church family. I get to serve the Lord through Operation Christmas Child! That is a huge blessing.
God's word is full of scripture about joy and rejoicing.
Zechariah 10:7 says, "Their children will see it (and to me that has to be the shoeboxes they see) Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord."
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us "for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 47:1 says "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy."
Psalm 92:4 "For you makie me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for you at what your hands have done."
There are liteerally dozens and dozens of scriptures about joy. God wants us to have joy even when Satan is attacking us with problems.
And now, back to Phil. 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Then a little further down in that same chapter Phil. 4:9 gives us assurance. "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, so seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." He promises us peace. So during this busy, busy time, let's all remember that whatever is goin on around us, God promises us peace and joy!
For more information about Operation Christmas Child go to www.samartianspurse.org or google Operation Christmas Child.
The past 6 weeks has been somewhat stressful for me and I'm sure for many of you, also. This is my first year as area coordinator so count down event was a big thing for me. We got that done and I thought I would be able to slow down for just a bit. Well, my church's project leader is still recovering from surgery and chemo so I took over the things she had been doing. Then my cousin passed away after an illness. My brother was in a very serious accident, in a coma for 8 days and still has a very long recovery ahead. I just learned that my baby girl will be haing surgery in a week in NC. She's 44 years old, but she's still my baby. We've got floor problems at our house because of a plumbing problem. Needless to say, I've kind of gotten a bit depressed. I've felt somewhat overwhelmed with everything.
When Mark called me and asked me to do this, I started thinking about what scripture to use for the devotional. Every scripture that came to mind was about joy. One of my life scriptures is Phil. 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always and I will say it again, rejoice." So with everything goin on in my life right now, what do I have to rejoice about? Well....Everything! God has completely blessed me. I have a wonderful husband and family including a great church family. I get to serve the Lord through Operation Christmas Child! That is a huge blessing.
God's word is full of scripture about joy and rejoicing.
Zechariah 10:7 says, "Their children will see it (and to me that has to be the shoeboxes they see) Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord."
Nehemiah 8:10 tells us "for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Psalm 47:1 says "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy."
Psalm 92:4 "For you makie me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for you at what your hands have done."
There are liteerally dozens and dozens of scriptures about joy. God wants us to have joy even when Satan is attacking us with problems.
And now, back to Phil. 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Then a little further down in that same chapter Phil. 4:9 gives us assurance. "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, so seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." He promises us peace. So during this busy, busy time, let's all remember that whatever is goin on around us, God promises us peace and joy!
For more information about Operation Christmas Child go to www.samartianspurse.org or google Operation Christmas Child.
