Just Ask

On our hike the other day, I mentioned how often we struggle with talking to our friends about a problem before we finally call out to God the Father. This week I struggled with which topic I wanted to share. There were so many areas from scripture I had studied and wanted to study more to learn.

The Lord stopped me flat. He spoke to me clearly that I should not study but to be still. His voice – JUST ASK ME.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16 NIV)

God wants us to ask Him when we have a question. We want to learn how to be restored to JOY. It has been my desire to find out what JOY is through studying the Bible. Going to the author, God the Father, has been exciting this week. Did you know that there are 88 times in the Old Testament and 57 additional times JOY is mentioned in the New Testament. He doesn't want you to just have a smile or a laugh but a deep exceeding gladness.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our JOY complete. (I John 1-4 NIV Emphasis added)

As I asked the Lord what is JOY, He led me to look back to the earlier languages the Bible was transcribed in. Are you fascinated with old languages? I became interested in the background of the verses when I first attended a Beth Moore Bible Study...but back to the languages. The Hebrew word for JOY is Simchah (sim-khaw). This word was used in a variety of contexts including: exceeding, gladness, mirth, pleasure, rejoice. They often celebrated JOY through a religious ceremony or festival. This is something I would like to talk about again. How is God speaking to you using the word Hebrew word Simchah definition?

The Greek word for JOY is Chara (khar-ah'). You could use this word to describe calm, delight, gladness, great, or exceeding JOY. In both of these definitions, we need to choose JOY. Let go of anger to allow the Holy Spirit access to bring peace which opens you up to be Christ-like. JOY is a product of Christ-likeness. Be still. When we stop in the midst of life to give thanks, we will see the beauty of Jesus. There we can experience JOY. Look for the blessings around you. Can you feel the JOY? I recently listened to a podcast by the Timewarp wife. She said, “When we see today as a gift, we need to look towards the giver.” He is the giver of JOY.

Today let us just ask Him to teach us what JOY is. Stop and listen. What did He teach you about JOY?

• How is God speaking to you using the word Hebrew word Simchah definition?
• What did He teach you about JOY?