joy...Jesus at the center of my life

Holley Gerth’s Coffee For Your Heart Encouragement Challenge writing prompts are so inspiring to me each week! Her prompt this week is, “What brings you joy?”

We have often heard the acronym for JOY being: "J" for having Jesus first in your life; "O" is for placing others second; and "Y" is for placing yourself last. However, I recently heard a new praise and worship song, “Jesus At The Center,” performed here by Darlene Zschech, which shifts our focus to...
        Jesus at the center of our lives,
                 Jesus at the center of our marriages,
                         Jesus at the center of our families,
                                  Jesus at the center of our homes,
                                           Jesus at the center of our work,
                                                   Jesus at the center of our relationships with others,
                                                           Jesus at the center of our churches.

It’s all about Jesus. That is what brings me joy...Jesus at the center of my life...from the inside-out, from the innermost part of me where the Spirit of Christ dwells, not dependent on my circumstances. 

“When the Spirit of Christ controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23—Living Bible

I was reminded of a quote included in the book Sherrie Eldridge and I co-authored, Under His Wings, from the book, The Art of Intimacy, by Thomas Patrick Malone, M.D. & Patrick Thomas Malone, M.D.:

"Intimacy is derived from the Latin word, ‘intima,’ meaning ‘inner’ or ‘innermost.’”  

                 Innermost—the center of it all.

I experience joy as I pray God’s Word...

“May the Spirit of Christ Who dwells in the innermost part of me, take authority over my soul (the seat of my emotions) and my body (my fleshly desires and appetites)”

          ...taken from these Scriptures...

I Thessalonians 5:23-24—May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

I Corinthians 6:17—But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

I Corinthians 3:16—Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you. 

I experience joy when every part of me--body, soul, and spirit--is surrendered to the wise, loving, and liberating authority of the Spirit of Christ who dwells in the innermost part of me--joy is the fruit of His authority.

Let's invite Jesus into the center of our lives, so that we can experience joy every day, regardless of our circumstances.

Please feel free to share your thoughts with me in the “comments” box below, I'd love to hear from you!