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.
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...
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.
Greek-American
Bible scholar,
Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, explains that the Greek word for “count” in this verse
should be translated, “’think forward, consider, regard.’ As you live in the
present, consider the future, think forward to the future.”
That
was the phrase that got me,
“think forward to the future” … learning to look at our situation from God’s
perspective, just like Jesus…
Fixing
our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God—Hebrews 12:2 NASB
I
was greatly encouraged
by this story about missionary Andrew Murray, who, in 1895, was suffering with
terrible back pain from a previous injury. One morning while eating breakfast
in his room, his hostess told him of a woman downstairs who was in great
trouble and wanted to know if he had any advice for her. Andrew Murray handed
her a paper he had been writing on and said, “Give her this advice I’m writing
down for myself. It may be that she’ll find it helpful.” This is what was
written:
In
time of trouble, say, “First, God brought me here. It is by His will I am in
this strait place; in that I will rest.” Next, “He will keep me here in His
love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.” Then say, “He
will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to bestow.”
And last, say, “In His good time He can bring me out again. How and when, He
knows.” Therefore, say, “I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His
keeping, (3) under His training, and (4) for His time.”
Was
this encouraging to you?
Please feel free to leave your comments in the box below, I’d love to hear from
you.
Linking up with Holley Gerth and Heather Faria as an encourager.
Linking up with Holley Gerth and Heather Faria as an encourager.
