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A popular expression helps prevent us from lapsing into a selfish, overly emotional concept of love: “Love is a verb.” It reminds us that biblical love is a matter of what we do by choice, not how we feel by nature. The same can be said about another part of the fruit of the Spirit. You may feel the need to consult your dictionary, but it's true: joy is a verb, too.
In the Bible we read that there is joy in suffering, to count our trials as joy, and that joy even carried Jesus through the shame of the crucifixion. Joy is not just an emotion. It is a decision of the will to find satisfaction in what God has given. Joy is a verb.
This month in Today in the Word we will take a careful look at joy in the Bible and see that those who experienced joy were not the ones in the happiest circumstances. We'll learn to focus our minds on the things that bring true joy, and we'll find that God is a source of eternal joy both in the circumstances in which He places us and in the blessings that lie ahead.
As you study along with us in God's Word, our prayer is that you will joy in the things of God, and that He will satisfy you through it all. No matter what our natural emotions may be, God gives a supernatural joy for us to hold on to. Thank you for supporting the ministry of Today in the Word and passing the joy of His truth into the lives of so many.
Joy In Response To God's Character And Work
| Feb 1 - Psalm 90 Joy found in God's unfailing love, especially as we age |
| Feb 2 - Psalm 94 Joy found in God's help and justice |
| Feb 3 - Psalm 30 Joy in God's power and salvation, He clothes us with joy |
| Feb 4 - Isaiah 12 Joy found in God's rescue and deliverance |
Joy In Response To Suffering
| Feb 5 - Lam. 5 How can we pray when the joy is gone? |
| Feb 6 - Acts 13:42-52 Joy as a gift of the Spirit, even in difficult circumstances |
| Feb 7 - Heb. 12:1-11 Joy motivates us to endure suffering and discipline |
| Feb 8 - James 1:2-8 Counting trials and tribulations as pure joy |
| Feb 9 - Neh. 8:5-18 Joy of the Lord is strength, even while weeping over sin |
| Feb 10 - Psalm 51:1-17 Joy restored in confession of sin |
Joy As A Community Response
| Feb 11 - Deut. 16:1-17 Joy expressed in a community celebrating God's blessings |
| Feb 12 - 1 Chron. 16:7-36 Joy found in God dwelling with His people (the Ark's return) |
| Feb 13 - Ezra 6:13-22 Joy motivates us to endure suffering and discipline |
| Feb 14 - Phil. 2:1-4 Joy in a project's completion within God's sovereign plan |
| Feb 15 - 1 Thess. 2:17-3:13 Joy of leaving a godly legacy of godly people |
Spiritual Discipline Of Joy
| Feb 16 - Psalm 4
Joy is part of faith, more about God's presence than blessing |
| Feb 17 - John 15:1-15 Joy found in and expressed by love and obedience |
| Feb 18 - Psalm 20 Joy in the victory of answered prayer |
| Feb 19 - Psalm 98 Joy expressed in worship and singing |
| Feb 20 - Psalm 119:105-112 Joy found in God's Word |
| Feb 21 - Gal. 5:16-26 Joy as a fruit of the Spirit |
| Feb 22 - Phil. 1:18b-30 Discipleship defined as progress and joy in the faith |
Joy Found In Jesus
| Feb 23 - Luke 2:1-20 Christ's birth was good news of great joy for all people |
| Feb 24 - Acts 16:16-34 Joy of trusting Christ for salvation |
| Feb 25 - John 3:22-36 Joy of recognizing the Bridegroom's approach |
| Feb 26 - Isaiah 35 Joy of redemption and the coming of the kingdom |
| Feb 27 - Matt. 13:44-45 Joy found in the all-surpassing value of God's kingdom |
| Feb 28 - 1 Peter 1:3-12 Inexpressible joy of faith in Christ |
Managing Editor
Heather Moffitt
Associate Editor
Elena Mafter
Contributing Editors
Adam Kellogg
John Koessler
Writer
Brad Baurain
Design
Nancy Rudd
Production Manager
Paul Currie
In the movie Chariots of Fire, Scottish sprinter Eric Liddell was asked to run a race scheduled for a Sunday. This would have been a violation of his Christian convictions and he refused, even though he was under tremendous pressure as a representative of his country in the 1924 Olympics. But what mattered most to Liddell was God’s approval. He ran, as he said, because God made him fast. “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” How could he dishonor God by working on the day set aside to worship the Lord?
