6/21/24 Lit Word “Good Medicine”

Date: 6/21/24
Today's Reading:
OT: 2 Kings 3:1 - 4:17
NT: Acts 14:8-28
Psalms: 140:1-13
Proverbs: 17:22

Neal’s Lit Word

Title: “Good Medicine”

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Acts 14:21-22 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Observation: What is God saying to me?

My joy in your strength. The joy of the Lord is your strength. Tribulations come and want to break you down. The challenge is to continually be strengthened by the joy of the Lord while walking through trials in this world.

You have two choices when you experience trials.
1️⃣ Allow the trials to wear you down, break your bones and bring anxiety, fear and doubt.
2️⃣ Allow the trials to push you to your knees in submission and surrender to your Savior who brings joy in the midst of trial.

As you journey with Jesus you will grow in maturity and strength as you allow Him to bring joy in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Happiness is dependent on happenings in your life.
You can’t be happy unless good things are happening.
Joy is different from happiness.
Joy is accessible no matter what is happening in your life.

Set your sights on My salvation and love for you and joy will fill you up no matter what is happening to you or around you.

Application: What will I do about it?

In your Tracker Journal, answer the Tracker Questions below.
Fix your attention (mind and energy) on the promises of Jesus in the midst of trial. There will always be a trial that you are walking through that challenges your faith. Focus on the passages below in the midst of your trial.

James 1:2-4
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 
Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You walked through gruesome trials while here on the earth. You know the pain of having to protect joy in the midst of trials. Teach us to walk like You, being full of joy in the midst of challenges. Amen!

I Am Grateful For… the presence of joy while walking through trials.

Tracker Questions

What trials and tribulations are you going through right now that seek to steal your joy?

What is your plan to protect the joy within while you walk through the trial?