Joyous Hearts

As I wrote recently, today is the first of several Treasure Tuesday devotionals by my long-distance friend and mentor, Pat Knight. Today’s devotional is taken from her book, REJOICE!

JOYOUS HEARTS

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. —Proverbs 15:30

Like the tantalizing, sizzling colors winding downward from the primary discharge of the fireworks display, in our thoughts we can supplant joy for the flashes of brilliantly colored light. As each burst produces unique colors and patterns, the major hues trailing through the sky divide and convert into brilliant colors until the fizzle of the initial burst recedes as the point of light remains.

Joy functions in much the same manner. A person with an effervescent spirit engages another in conversation or simply flashes a smile as a friendly gesture. There are burst and sparks of light, like an inner energy that is communicated from one source of joy. From the first burst of enthusiasm, joy divides into cheerful jubilation until, with just a spark of joy remaining, the fire is rekindled in the recipient’s heart, leaving the opportunity for the qualities of joy to increase until another vivacious spirit carries joy along to split and grow. “Rejoice always” [Philippians 4:4] is a direct command. Rejoice is the action verb of the noun joy.

Joy is a gift from God, like fireworks in a night sky with all manner of sparkling light piercing into our lives and awakening us to God’s inner workings. Joy is jubilation made evident as we worship God in the splendor of His majesty. Joy never loses its energy, emerging to consistently provide gratefulness during hardships and trials. “Rejoice always.” Joy is a command. Joy is active and reactive. When we radiate joy, we multiply its benefits and affect others by our delight and good cheer.

Gardening gloves that have been left outside to the elements need the fingers turned inside out to examine for the presence of insects or the growth of mildew on the fabric before being pulled onto the hand. God resides in the Christian’s heart where He is in charge of the seat of our emotions. Just as the gloves were turned inside out to reveal any internal growth, if our hearts were examined from the inside, joy would be clinging to the sides and growing prolifically, yearning for an outward expression. “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” [Matthew 12:34b].

Joy is an inner smile seeking an outlet. When we rejoice, we are exposing gladness of the heart. God resides in our hearts, at the epicenter of our emotional activity, surrounded by our joy. He also commands that we share joy with others. Joy is self-perpetuating: The more we share, the more we generate. There is little danger of diminishing our supply. Our worship of God creates a flourishing joy, used to extend enthusiasm and exuberance, naturally emitting a vital emotional energy. Joy is powerful, with the capacity to reach an apathetic heart with love and goodwill. For the Christian, “rejoice always” is not an optional activity, but a command from our Father in heaven. Cast a glimmer of joy and observe the magnificent light show that ensues.

My dear Pat, thank you so much for blessing all of us through your writing.

Beloved, if you are interested in purchasing a copy of REJOICE! please let me know by commenting in the section below this post.

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MISHMASH MONDAY

Here’s a big red heart composed of a mishmash of hearts for you today!

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SWEET SATURDAY

Someone has obviously been doing some serious playing with their food! Can you imagine all the time and work involved to transform this simple watermelon into such a unique and sweet work of art?

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TREASURE TUESDAY

I ♥ this treasure: a heart-shaped version of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, which hangs on our bedroom wall.

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MISHMASH MONDAY

I don’t have any tattoos myself and don’t really want any (I’m thinking too much pain involved). But if I did, there would definitely be a heart in it somewhere. Maybe one of the quilted hearts pictured above?

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HAPPY SUNDAY

The reason for this Happy Sunday is hopefully obvious …

my heart does belong to Jesus and that makes me very happy!

P.S. If you’d like to know how to be this happy, please check this out.

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SWEET SATURDAY

These sit on our dining table but obviously don’t have anything sweet in them.

Nonetheless, I think they’re sweet.

Don’t you just love the “better together” sentiment?

By the way, there is a small magnet on the base of each that attracts them to each other.

How appropriate is that?

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FRUGAL FRIDAY

Photo credit

Can’t you just see this in a frame on the mantle? Easy-peasy, cute and frugal!

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

I don’t have the talent to make my coffee look this cute and cool, but on this Thankful Thursday can I just say how thankful I am for coffee? Period.

Oh, and Thursday just happens to be the day each week when our local family gets together to share coffee and sweet conversation.

Lots to be thankful for…

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MISHMASH MONDAY

Warm My Heart Throw

This gorgeous throw is a mishmash of hearts that somehow all comes together beautifully.

I have been wanting to make this for awhile, so maybe 2012 will be the year?