Week 3 Joy ~ the inner assurance policy
Truth Verses
Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right
hand are pleasures forevermore
I Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word
in much affliction with joy of the Holy Spirit.
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may
abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength
Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is...Joy
Truth Story
The 120 plus members of the Belfast Community Gospel Choir (BCGC) constitute a united community of love and hope. They perform a variety of songs rooted in urban contemporary gospel music, sometimes referred to as 'black gospel'. Through singing they bring joy to business people and politicians hosting corporate functions. They also regularly help fundraisers at charitable events. Their versatility and magnanimity is such that they also perform at church concerts and have even backed theatrical productions.
My wife has been a BCGC soprano since it's inception and wanted me to spend more time with her "feeling the joy." So in the summer of 2014, flush with our newfound empty nest, an idea was hatched for me to possibly join her. I auditioned for a tenor part and the rest is history. I'm certainly no Pavarotti, but nonetheless, passionately sing my wee heart out (my choreography is however somewhat developmental) as I too now "feel the joy". Catching up on learning 55 joy-filled songs sure is hard work though!
The uniqueness of singing ‘gospel music’ is that the inherent message reassures listeners, encouraging them to receive a newfound confidence throughout the ups and downs of their lives. An example song would be "hold on, don't quit Gods on your side." This particular song encapsulates how joy is more than circumstantial happiness. In the face of the storms and trials of life we can have a confident assurance that things are going to be all right. It continues in a crescendo, with the words of my old Boys Brigade motto: "We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move, hold on..."
This expression of joy strengthens our resolve to hope in our ever-present friend and faithful God. What seems like apparent defeat can often just be a delay. Remember, even then, it's Gods joy that will give us the strength to get up and get on!
Truth Unpacked
There is something about the atmosphere of praise and thanks that commands the presence of God (Psalm 22:3; Jonah 2:9,10). Ushering in a joy that is tangible uplifts everyone's spirit and blows away any melancholy or any feeling of the blues (Isa 61:3). The joy of the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10) springs from God's Spirit and has God as its object (Psalm 16:11; Romans 14:17). If your joy levels are dropping, raise your rejoicing quotient by getting into a praising environment. Its there God comes and turns mourning into dancing and depressive sadness into gladness (Psalm 30:11).
Quote Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation (Kay Warren).
Praying the Word
Lord, give me a new song today (Psalm 40:3). Be my song Lord (Psalm 118:14). King Jesus, let my life be one that always overflows with your Spirit’s fruit of joy. Let me be a joy-bringer (Psalm 16:11).
Thank you for your faithfulness in every season of my life (Lamentations 3:22-23; Ecclesiastes 3:1). In knowing that you are always with me (Matthew 28:20), let me experience your inner joy and rejoicing to help me in the temporary trials and setbacks of life (Romans 5:3, 12:12; James 1:2).
Take me back, take me back dear Lord, to the place where I once received you, Take me back, take me back dear Lord, where I first believed ...Renew my faith, restore my joy and dry my weeping eye
(Andraé Crouch - Gospel singer/songwriter 1942-2015).
Lectio Divina [Prayer reading]
Pray, read and reflect.
• Have those that are willing pray, asking that the Holy Spirit would help them hear His voice (John 10:27).
• Read the scriptures again.
• Then go around the room [allowing for ‘neighbour nudging’ to let people opt out should they not want to share].
Have everyone willing then reflect, acknowledging one thing they sense the Holy Spirit is saying to them as they read.
Pray, reinforce and contemplate.
• Close the connect group time by praying that the Spirit would help empower everyone to demonstrate Jesus-like characteristic of Joy.
• Reinforce this by a participating in symbolic gesture or creative activity that does something to express our desire to receive this change (e.g. Take several minutes to express Joy by singing a favourite song or chorus or even by writing your own song or poem. Sing or read someone your creative thoughts).
• Ask everyone to contemplate; to consider how they can demonstrate this characteristic more in their everyday lives.
