What is your source of joy and delight?

 

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More than anything God wants us to find our delight in him.

He wants to be our source of joy.

He wants to be the one we go to for everything.

He wants to be our all in all.

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Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

 

Have you noticed?

God leaves it all up to us.

He knows the benefit for us when we delight in him.

Yet, he doesn’t make us delight in him.

Instead, he gives us every opportunity to know him, to delight in his handiwork, and to receive his amazing love.

 

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For a long time, I focused on the second part of this verse…

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

You, too?

 

Let’s face it…. most of us are self-seeking in every way.

We love and care for others. At least we try to, most of the time.

Often, if we’re honest, we are more concerned with our personal comfort.

We have a “bless me, God” list that includes… happiness, good relationships, health, financial resources, and so on.

Right now, I desperately want to be well.  I want this blog to bring in more money so we can move from this apartment and into our own home.  And there’s more, too.

All are the desires of my heart.

 

What’s interesting… God doesn’t want us to focus on the second part of this verse.

The desires of your heart are not an exclusive all-inclusive resort state-of-being.

Instead, it’s the overflow of the first part of this verse…

Delight yourself in the Lord;

 

 

Pretty fall leaves and berries - Devotional on the desires of our hearts - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I’m reminded of another verse, also found in the Psalms…

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 

When we want God to that degree….we find delight in him.

When we turn our eyes to see the beauty in our world…we find delight in him.

When we receive his love and grace and mercy…we find delight in him.

And when we find delight in him…we just have to tell somebody.

It bubbles up, it overflows, it’s a joy and happiness we cannot contain.

 

Beautiful red fall leaves and berries - Inspirational devotional on the desires of our heart - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

 

  • What are the desires of your heart?
  • What is your source of joy and delight?
  • Do you think God’s desires for you are different than yours?

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JoyDay! Inspiration on God's Heart for YOU - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s Joy Day!

Maybe we could call it delight day this week. Do you have a joy and happiness you just cannot contain?

Let’s look back over our past week and see God’s hand in our lives…loving us, gracing us, delighting in us so that we will delight in him.

It’s a time to count our blessings and give thanks in all things.

Won’t you join me in counting just seven?

You joy meter will rise.  Guaranteed!

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  • hope that comes only from You.
  • a windy warm day and a cold day of sunshine in the midst of a week of rainy days.
  • being able to encourage and inspire when I don’t feel it.
  • Your deep, amazing, everlasting love.
  • Tim’s vacation days and the fun and relaxation we had.
  • being able to eat again and the delicious meals we made.
  • knowing You are able to do exceedingly more than I can ask or imagine.

Now it’s your turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the share your extraordinary thoughts section below.  You’ll be glad you did!

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Comments

  1. Minnie says

    Happy Joy Day!
    Funny isn’t it, I always think of the happiness and joy we find in God is like a snow ball rolling down a hill.
    It started off slow and picks up speed and more snow and is huge before long. (cartoon version)
    The more happiness and joy you find the more happiness and joy you find.
    Lord I thank you for,
    1. Another big project I’m doing for free. Only 2 bandaids so far! LOL
    2. The warm October winds blowing my trees softly.
    3. While looking at ideas on Pinterest about something completely unrelated a message from you popped up to remind me that you are with me.
    4. The comfort you bring me.
    5. The good news from S.
    6. The little surprise from C.
    7. The memories that I have…I hold them tight
    Thank you Diane for your time, planning and ideas that you bring us.
    I love the way you allow God to work through you!
    Blessings to you!
    Minnie

    • Minnie, that is such a good word picture!! Thank you for sharing that! <3

      Oh no! Already a TWO band-aid project!! Glad October is gently blowing through your trees… she’s been hurdling like crazy through our trees. It’s pretty bad when there are green leaves on the ground!!! 🙂 Minnie, I LOVE how you process God’s faithfulness in your life through your “seven.” Have a blessed blessed week and keep spreading your JOY!! xo

  2. My greatest desire is to see all my kids,gkids and as many as come to be active in ministry and sold out for God.1.im thankful for Sunday,2.my stomach being better,3.a good vacation with my kids .4.my daughter coming to our ladies conference.5.a warm home.6.Strength to work.7.Hus love for me and never giving up on me.

    • Wanting your kids to be sold out for God is the best kind of desire I think you could have, Betty! I’m sure that your constant prayers make a difference in guiding them that way, too. Praising God with you for all the good things he has blessed you with. May your week be filled with many unexpected God moments. xo

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