Lessons in Joy from ‘Mom Maw Jane’ – Part 5

Psa 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Psa 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

These verses are probably some of the most common concerning joy. And these verses seemed to be common place with my mom. Just as I learned how to have joy from watching my mom, I also learned what will steal joy.

You could always tell when my mom was out of God’s will in some area of life. She would be distant. She would be short on the phone, and she was not in a hurry to get to church. She would even be a bit disgruntled with church.

She was never very good at faking joy.

But, I am glad that she did not get used to being out of God’s will. I am glad that she would always get right with God.

We are children of God who contend every day with the world, our fleshly nature, and Satan. We are prone to wander off into sin, but praise the Lord we do not have to stay there!

Beloved, when you have real joy, fake superficial joy will not do.

It is like home made banana pudding verses boxed banana pudding. You can eat the boxed stuff, but it is not like the real stuff.

I am saddened to think that some church goers have grown up on the boxed stuff and have never had the real stuff.

The joy of salvation is so real and so wonderful you miss it when it is gone. You do not need to be saved again, but you do need restoration.  You will find yourself crying out to God for a clean heart.

I am so glad my mother wanted her joy more than she wanted the things that can corrupt a heart.

I hope you have enjoyed these simple lessons about joy. I hope you will strive to have joy in knowing Jesus.

Love God Love Others,

Pastor

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