Joy Entered In

What a joy to share another’s joy! When you enter into the joy of another, their joy overflows back on you, making you joyful as well. Perhaps it’s enjoying a child or grandchild open a present with joyful expressions, or observing someone complete a perfect musical presentation. Maybe it’s tearing-up with the Olympic athlete as they stand on the gold medal podium or sharing with someone you love as they receive good news. Better than all of this human joy is the experience of entering the joy of the Lord. In the parable of the talents, the Master rewards the two faithful servants for their investment and increase by encouraging them to “enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21 & 23). “The joy of your Lord” may mean either the rejoicings at His return, or the present rewards which the Lord prepares for his faithful servants, or both. Whatever the meaning, it is an awesome thought that we could actually enter into His joy and have it overflow into our lives. Have a joyful week.

Join me this week in remembering the following global concerns:
• Pray for the women of Nagykanizsa, Hungary to attend a one day Women’s Conference on “How to Have Joy”. Missionaries are asking God to bring 50 women to the event.
• Pray for Cathie (former missionary to Spain) as she goes to M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston on Monday for a series of scans.
• Pray that the Lord will work in a mighty way through the Discipleship Multiplication Training that will be taking place March 3-7 in Lisbon, Portugal.
• Pray for Kathy in Australia as she goes back to the doctors this month for a possible electrode study of her heart.