In light of our series Emotional Survival Manual, let me read you another survival tip from The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook that you may find helpful:How to escape a wild taxi ride
Claim you have no money. Tell the cabbie you forgot your wallet. The ride should end immediately.
Light a cigarette. Tell the cabbie that his driving is making you nervous and light a cigarette (or a cigar, for better results). Smoking in cabs is usually illegal and your driver may stop the car.
Threaten to vomit. Inform the cabbie that his driving is making you sick. There are few things cabbies like less than a passenger who vomits in the backseat. The driver may ask you to exit the cab.
Use your cell phone. Make a loud show of pretending to call police (or the local taxi commission) and reporting the driver’s name and license/medallion number. The driver will want to get rid of you as soon as possible.
Run. If the cab stops at a light, open the door and take off.
Jump. If the driver will not stop, wait until the cab approaches a turn or slows for a light. As the driver brakes, open the door on the side of the cab facing the sidewalk. Do not bail out in traffic. Tuck your chin to your chest, cover your head with your hands, and jump out of the car. Roll away from the taxi in a somersault position, protecting your head with your arms. If you have a bag or leather briefcase, hold it on top of your head for added protection. Make sure your path takes you away from the rear wheels. The cab’s forward momentum will cause you to roll for several yards before coming to a stop.
Joy
Last week we talked about depression and we kind of enjoyed it. This week we are talking about joy, so I hope it doesn’t depress us.
Sometimes it seems as though there is a drought of joy… as though the events of joy in our lives are few and far between. With that in mind, let’s look at a passage of scripture to frame our discussion about joy, and then I want to share with you some of my favorite joy verses.
Numbers 21:10-20 (NKJV)
10 Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Oboth. 11 And they journeyed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, in the wilderness which is east of Moab, toward the sunrise. 12 From there they moved and camped in the Valley of Zered. 13 From there they moved and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14 Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord: “Waheb in Suphah, The brooks of the Arnon, 15 And the slope of the brooks That reaches to the dwelling of Ar, And lies on the border of Moab.”
The children of Israel were plodding along, going from one hard-to-pronounce place to another, from one wilderness to the next. Does your life ever feel like that? Where is the joy?
16 From there they went to Beer, which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! All of you sing to it— 18 The well the leaders sank, Dug by the nation’s nobles, By the lawgiver, with their staves.” And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah, 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth, in the valley that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah which looks down on the wasteland.
10 Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Oboth. 11 And they journeyed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, in the wilderness which is east of Moab, toward the sunrise. 12 From there they moved and camped in the Valley of Zered. 13 From there they moved and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14 Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord: “Waheb in Suphah, The brooks of the Arnon, 15 And the slope of the brooks That reaches to the dwelling of Ar, And lies on the border of Moab.”
The children of Israel were plodding along, going from one hard-to-pronounce place to another, from one wilderness to the next. Does your life ever feel like that? Where is the joy?
16 From there they went to Beer, which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! All of you sing to it— 18 The well the leaders sank, Dug by the nation’s nobles, By the lawgiver, with their staves.” And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah, 19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth, in the valley that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah which looks down on the wasteland.
Traveling in the wilderness you need water. When it has been a while since you have seen water and you don’t know when you’ll see it again, a well or a spring is cause for great joy. It was an oasis from the rigors and the routines of life. They sang and they celebrated. Not only did they fill their water pots with life-giving water, they also filled their souls with life-giving joy. Both are greatly needed.
SPRING UP, O WELL
There is an old camp song based on this passage: “Spring up, O well, within my soul. Spring up O well, and make me whole. Spring up, O well, and give to me that life abundantly.”
The best thing about it are the actions and motions, where you jump up out of your seat and make splashing sounds and motions with your hands. I thought it would be fun to do it together… but I don’t think so. Let’s just use this idea to talk about joy.
There is an old camp song based on this passage: “Spring up, O well, within my soul. Spring up O well, and make me whole. Spring up, O well, and give to me that life abundantly.”
The best thing about it are the actions and motions, where you jump up out of your seat and make splashing sounds and motions with your hands. I thought it would be fun to do it together… but I don’t think so. Let’s just use this idea to talk about joy.
SURVIVAL TIP: Everyone needs joy. (Write in below: “And God knows it”)
From there they went to Beer… (Numbers 21:16)
Some of you may be very happy to hear me say that, in God’s mind, Beer is associated with joy. God saw that they needed something to give some joy to their life, so He said, “Let me take you to Beer.” Of course the word ‘Beer’ in Hebrew means “well.”
Some of you may be very happy to hear me say that, in God’s mind, Beer is associated with joy. God saw that they needed something to give some joy to their life, so He said, “Let me take you to Beer.” Of course the word ‘Beer’ in Hebrew means “well.”
I think you and I both need to have joy in our lives. It is not just a frivolous thing or an added luxury. We need joy. Everyone does. And God knows your need. He is a God of joy and a giver of joy. Jesus said:
John 15:11 (NKJV)
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
God is not against your joy. He is all for it.
SURVIVAL TIP: Joy has a reason and a response.
Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O Well!” (Numbers 21:17)
Israel sang because of the well. The well was the reason and the song was the response. Real joy has a reason and shows a response. Here are some examples:
Israel sang because of the well. The well was the reason and the song was the response. Real joy has a reason and shows a response. Here are some examples:
Luke 15:8-9 (NKJV)
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’
She throws a party because she found her lost coin. Here’s another:
Matthew 13:44 (NKJV)
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Finding a treasure is reason for joy. This man gladly gave up everything for it.
John 16:21 (NKJV)
21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
The reason for joy here is the birth of a little baby. Notice something else in this passage: Joy overcomes sorrow and anguish and pain. Could it be that our problem in life isn’t too much sorrow but actually not enough joy?
SURVIVAL TIP: Share. There is plenty for everyone.
Gather the people together… (Numbers 21:16) All of you sing to it – (Numbers 21:17)
There were a lot of people here. By all estimations there were a couple million, at least. Gather everyone together. Don’t be stingy. There is enough for everyone. Joy is to be shared. It doesn’t loss strength but gains strength when shared.
Nehemiah 8:9-12 (NKJV)
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
Share joy with others. This is the emphasis for our Host Homes this week.
SURVIVAL TIP: Fill up. It may need to last for a while.
Most of the time Israel didn’t know when they would see their next oasis. So they camped by the water. They drank deeply and they stored it up in any containers they could find.
Joy is the same way. You don’t know when your next oasis may be. Drink deeply of joy every chance you get. Fill up. When one time of joy comes to an end, it may be a while, but another oasis is coming.
Joy is the same way. You don’t know when your next oasis may be. Drink deeply of joy every chance you get. Fill up. When one time of joy comes to an end, it may be a while, but another oasis is coming.
Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Just around the corner… just when you need it… God will provide a well of joy. Don’t miss it.
SURVIVAL TIP: God is the source. Enjoy Him.
"The well the leaders sank, dug by the nation’s nobles, by the lawgiver, with their staves.” (Numbers 21:18)
People can help, but God is the source. Leaders can point you in the right direction. Noble, thoughtful people can help you dig. But God, the Lawgiver, is the source. There is no joy like the joy that comes from Him.
Acts 2:41 (NKJV)
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
Notice in Acts 2 that they gladly received His word. Where are those who are gladly receiving God’s word today? The root of that word is ‘hedone’ from which we get our word hedonist and hedonism, the love of pleasure. They didn’t receive God grudgingly or under a weight of guilt but joyfully, delighting in God.
Desiring God
I can recommend a good book on this topic from John Piper called, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. In it, he writes: “Then I was converted to Christian Hedonism. In a matter of weeks I came to see that it is unbiblical and arrogant to try to worship God for any other reason than the pleasure to be had in Him.”
One final passage. Jesus is talking to the seventy He sent out to minister:
Luke 10:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Desiring God
I can recommend a good book on this topic from John Piper called, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. In it, he writes: “Then I was converted to Christian Hedonism. In a matter of weeks I came to see that it is unbiblical and arrogant to try to worship God for any other reason than the pleasure to be had in Him.”
One final passage. Jesus is talking to the seventy He sent out to minister:
Luke 10:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
He is our constant source. That’s why Philippians 4:4 is able to say, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” We always have a reason and worship is our response.
CONCLUSION
Determining our quality of life
From his hospital bed on the eve of open heart surgery, Pastor Bruce McIver asked his cardiologist, Dr. Dudley Johnson, "Can you fix my heart?" The physician, known for being short and to the point, said, "Sure." Then he quickly turned and walked away. Following the 12-hour surgery, McIver asked Dr. Johnson, "In light of the blocked arteries that I had when I checked into the hospital, how much blood supply do I now have?" "All you'll ever need," replied the terse surgeon, who again ended the conversation by walking away.
Upon his discharge from the hospital, McIver's wife, Lawanna, asked the doctor, "What about my husband's future quality of life?" Dr. Johnson paused and then said, "I fixed his heart; the quality of his life is up to him."
[Bruce McIver, "Stories I Couldn't Tell While I Was a Pastor" (Guideposts, 1991), p. 244-247; submitted by Hugh Poland, Kingwood, Texas]
Your quality of life is up to you. What will it be?
How many wells of joy do we walk right by without noticing; without drinking up and filling up?
How willing are we to share with others the joy that we ourselves have received?
Do you enjoy your relationship with God, or is it a drag?
It really is up to you.
1 comment:
loved the sermon once again!
important points:
God knows we need it; joy.
... and other things for that matter! *bow* but the way you said this; with the timing hit the statement home for me.
love love love your heart of concern to remind us not to feel guilt, about not always being joyful, and not to spiritualize this as a flaw. did i word that right? lol. your sermon isn't showing for me to check. but i personally understood. *hug*
and p.s. thank you for giving a few extra mins of prayer with eachother. i was blessed greatly by the person i prayed with.
new hope is such an intune church to being knit together... and being connected with the resources God has blessed us with.
~love dee
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