VERSE FOR THE YEAR: But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV
Healthy fear and reverence for someone requires a humble spirit. Happily serving others requires a heart of sacrifice. Considering what others have done for us requires expressed thankfulness. Together these bring both joy and satisfaction to life.
My husband, Coach Brown, has experienced joy and satisfaction from his 50+ years of coaching. The best return is his past players showering him with comments like these...
“I had a healthy fear of you when you were my coach and it has carried me through my chosen career.”
“You always made us want to please you and we tried our best to do it!”
“We always talk about the great wins we had when you were our coach!”
But GREAT JOY is his coaching as a ministry unto the Lord.
Our scripture for 2017 carries with it more than simple expressions joy and satisfaction. It reveals the secret to GREAT JOY with his challenge:
FEAR THE LORD ENDELESSLY...
The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. Isaiah 33:6 NIV
- There is joy in revering another but GREAT JOY comes when we revere our Creator.
SERVE THE LORD REGULARLY...
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20
- There is joy in giving but GREAT JOY when we give in Jesus’ name!
REMEMBER WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE CONTINUALLY....
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 NIV
- There is joy in receiving from others but GREAT JOY comes when we recognize it as from our Heavenly Father’s hand!
PRAYER: Today I commit to fear you endlessly, to serve you regularly and to always remember all that you have done for me. Thank you for your power, your plan and your purpose. Please help me to walk in them daily. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
CONSIDER TURNING YOUR PRESENT JOY...
INTO “GREAT JOY”!
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