6/2 – 6/8

“I choose joy” is a statement in the song “Joy” by the Christian group For King and Country. What about you? Are you choosing to rejoice and give thanks even when circumstances are not what you had planned or hoped they would be? Through the Spirit of the Lord we have God’s JOY in us. We can choose to cultivate that joy within us, in our families, in the church, in the community, and beyond. Will you help us to cultivate joy?

 

This week clergy and laity representing more than 600 United Methodist congregations throughout the state of Indiana, including pastors and two lay delegates from AUMC, will meet in Indianapolis to worship the Triune God and pray together, reconnect and enjoy fellowship, learn, encourage one another, celebrate Bishop Trimble’s decades of ministry and retirement, while focusing on organizational tasks and responsibilities of the denomination within this state and conference. Throughout the week, please pray for safe travels, humble Christ-like attitudes and collaboration among attendees, and the work of the Indiana Annual Conference. The theme this year is “Cultivate Joy” based on Romans 15:13. Because of the Annual Conference theme, the focus for the Living Faith Devotional this week will be “JOY.”

 

Joy is a theme in scripture that is found throughout portions of the Old Testament, with the people of God rejoicing because of what God has done, is doing, as well as for what the Lord promised to do. Jesus’ arrival, life, ministry, death, and resurrection, as described in the New Testament, provides ongoing reasons to rejoice. The apostle Paul teaches in one of his letters that God’s ongoing presence in us, known as the Holy Spirit, produces fruit that includes “joy” Galatians 5:22). The Bible verses we are reading and studying this week are those from the Old Testament that remind us of what God has done in the past, as well as prophecies about Jesus that were fulfilled in and through God with us (Matthew 1:23). Each day this week you are encouraged to cultivate joy as we invite “the God of hope” to fill us with “joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NRSV).

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

 

Each Day

– Read the Psalm

– Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord

– Listen to a song or hymn about JOY

– Read The Bible verses for the day

– Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them, or simply think about your responses

– Pray

– Read Romans 15:13

– Live guided by the Spirit of the Lord

 

DAILY PSALM:

READ PSALM 16 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with the Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Sunday – Psalm 43:3-4 (God’s light & truth lead us and praising the Lord)

 

Monday – 1 Chronicles 16:8-34 (a psalm of thanksgiving remembering God’s deeds)

 

Tuesday – Psalm 105:16-45 (more of Israel’s story and praising the Lord)

 

Wednesday – Isaiah 55 (a message to the Israelites in exile) and Nehemiah 8:9-12

 

Thursday – Isaiah 35 (a prophecy about Jesus coming to save God’s people)

 

Friday – Isaiah 61:1-7 (another prophecy about Jesus and everlasting joy)

 

Saturday – Zephaniah 3:14-20 (The Sabbath theme is “worship & rejoice.”)

 

 

VIDEO TO WATCH:

To learn more about JOY as described and revealed in scripture, or to be reminded of things you already know about it, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about JOY using the link provided:

 

JOY by The Bible Project

 

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond and experience the Joy of the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the same song on some or each day because of what the Bible verses bring to mind. Below are some suggestions for songs you can listen to each day:

 

Joy in the Morning by Tauren Wells with Elevation Worship

 

Joy by Rend Collective

 

Joy by For King and Country

 

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message within the verses. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

 

What is the biblical author revealing in these verses? You are encouraged to read the study notes from a Study Bible. If you don’t have a study Bible, you can borrow one from the AUMC library or find one online through www.BibleGateway.com or the Bible Gateway App.

 

What do the verses reveal about JOY?

 

What is God’s message for us within this text? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the verses.

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of rejoicing and worshiping God this weekend?

 

 

PRAY:

You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:

 

Sunday – Invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, form us, and guide the people of Jesus’ Church, including Avon UMC, congregations throughout Greater Hendricks County, as well as Christians throughout the world, to receive God’s love and respond to the Lord with thanksgiving, rejoicing, and worship.

 

Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends,

co-workers, and neighbors. And pray for the Indiana Annual Conference of the UMC.

 

Tuesday – Pray through your day, including who you will be with, or have already been with,

as well as what you will do, or have already done. Then lift up leaders and those who point others towards God. And pray for the Indiana Annual Conference of the UMC.

 

Wednesday – Pray for the concerns and worries you have about the world, our nation, this community, neighbors, family members, friends, and yourself. And pray for the Indiana Annual Conference of the UMC.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. You may find it helpful to write them in a journal or somewhere you can read through the list again some other time. And pray for the Indiana Annual Conference of the UMC.

 

Friday – Ask for the fruit of the Spirit to be in full bloom within the people of Jesus’ Church, including in you and the people of the Indiana Annual Conference of the UMC.

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized, such as the Lord’s Prayer, or let the words of the psalmists guide you.

 

 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE VERSE

READ Romans 15:13 as you conclude this devotional time set apart for the Lord.

 

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App or Bible Gateway App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.Bible.com or www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.