CAP 8

Keys to Joyful Living

As born-again believers, we are complete. God made us complete as

three-part beings—with body, soul, and spirit-and He desires for us to
live abundantly in each of those categories. God gives us richly all things
to enjoy (I Timothy 6:17). As we look at the concept of

"joy," we will see that it is God's will for us as believers to live each day
joyfully. Joyful living is ours to manifest as sons of God when we apply
basic keys in the physical, mental, and spiritual categories of life.

The mere mention of the word "joy" communicates something positive, a

quality of life in ones existence.

Webster's New 20th Century Dictionary defines joy as "a very glad
feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight." The word "joyful" means
"full of joy; feeling, expressing, or causing joy; glad; happy."

When I was growing up, I would often hear my mom say to me, "Make
the most of it!" It could have been when I was going to play with a
friend, leaving for school, doing my homework, or even when we were
on our summer vacation. In my young mind, I would often ask myself,
What does she mean, and how can I contribute to my making the most
of something? Now as I look back on that statement, I understand the
Biblical principle my mom had been trying to get across to me. She was
telling me to do my best to take advantage of, and to get the most out
of, everything I did each and every day—and above all to enjoy what I
was doing.

That's not to mention living in the moment! This principle reminds me of

a verse that I heard many times when I was first introduced to The Way
Ministry.

Psalms 118:24:

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in
it.

This verse clearly communicates what my mom had been telling me to

do all those years. When we rejoice and are glad in anything, we will be
living joyfully! For years I had never really thought about how God had
His hand in my life, and that He could help me "make the most" of every
day. Then, by going to the Word of God, I began seeing that the Word
could be my guide for living joyfully.

II Peter 1:3:

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us
to glory and virtue.

Wow! Our God gave us all things that pertain to life and godliness, and
it's through a knowledge of Him that we find out what He gave us. That
word "life is the Greek word zõe, and it means "life in all its manifesta-
tions; from the life of God down to the lowest vegetable." I have heard
that this word "life" can also mean life in all of its fullness and vitality.
Hey, that sounds like joyful living!

So how do we live life that way? We live life to its fullest by taking
actions physically, mentally, and spiritually that contribute to our well-
being. It's our joy to claim! And what is it that can help us attain a good
life, let alone a joy-filled life? KEYS... Keys are the actions we can take as
believers to live joyfully. Let's look at some of the keys to joyful living.

What can we do in the physical realm to contribute to our joyful living?

When I think of the physical realm, I think of how God designed us, along
with the resources He has provided, so that our existence would be
abundant.

Psalms 139:14:

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully (magnificently or awesomely) and

wonderfully made: marvellous are ay orks, and that my soul knoweth
right well.

Here we see the psalmist praising God for how he was made. When we
make it a point to recognize and acknowledge Who made us, we should
be even more blessed to steward our human bodies. We take care of the
things that God has provided for us to move His Word. A valuable key to
joyful living is that we take care of our physical bodies in order to move
the Word most beneficially.

I Corinthians 4:7:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us.
This is an amazing verse! When we understand that God gave each of us
a human body (an earthen vessel) to house the gift of holy spirit within
us, it behooves us to take care of ourselves. Our physical bodies can be
a very important resource to God-and the healthier we keep our bodies,
the more we can accomplish. This reminds me of Way Corps Principle
#3, which states,

"Physical training making your physical body, the vehi-clẻ of

communication of the Word, as vital as possible."

"Vital" means "full of life and vigor; energetic."

As much as I have worked hard over the years to stay physically fit, I do
notice that the older I get, the more I realize that my physical body does
not stay fit or vital on its own. In any season of life, a very important key
to joyful living is to keep ourselves in the best possible physical
condition. Whether it's swimming, walking, running, cycling, canoeing, or
playing a sport, physical exertion improves our vitality; and by doing
that, we put ourselves in the best position to serve God.

Proverbs 13:19:

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul....

Faithful physical exercise also gives you a sense of accomplishment, and

you feel good about yourself. The physical conditioning gives you a
mental boost, which in turn brings joy and gratification. Exercise is an
investment and a way to give back to yourself because you can improve
the quality of your life, building stamina and endurance. When you feel
good about yourself, you have more to give in service, and that
contributes to joyful living!

I Timothy 4:7 and 8:

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto
godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little [for a little while]:but godliness is

profitable untanal things, having promise of the life that now is, and of
that which is

to come.

My favorite way to exercise is running. I have been doing it for over forty
years. In high school, track and field was my sport of choice. For me,
running just seemed to be the natural thing to do. Today my moti. vation
has changed as I've grown in the Word. As much as I still enjoy
competing, it's the increased capacity and vitality that comes with
running that gives me greater joy in service. When we have strong
physical bodies, we have more confidence and energy to serve. As sons
of God, whether young or old, taking actions to keep our physical bodies
vital and healthy contributes to our joyful living

Another great key to joyful living in the physical category is cheerfully

giving and then receiving God's bless-ings. You may have heard the
phrase "You can't outgive God." This statement is true, and God loves for
us to be cheerful givers.

II Corinthians 9:7 [The Amplified Bible]:

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his
heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves
(He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to
abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous,"prompt to do it") giver
(whose heart is in his giving).

The March/April 2010 Way Magazine article "Giving Cheerfully-Blessing

Bountifully" shares this about a cheerful giver: "What does it mean to be
a cheerful giver?

In addition to cheerful being joyous and prompt to do it, Bullinger's

lexicon states that this word denotes one whose countenance shineth as
it were with joy and satisfaction? A cheerful giver enjoys what he is
doing. As we give cheerfully, we shine joyfully?' Want to live more
joyfully? Look for ways to give and then make up your mind to give!

I love to give and bless someone in need. And one way I can help them
is by repairing their automobile-a category in which I have expertise.
One way my wife loves to give is by baking desserts to share. Whatever
you are good at, give of your time and energy doing it. Be sensitive to
others' needs. Giving is gratifying.

"Get on the give" a lot, and do it with cheerfulness in your heart. In

return, God will bless you with a joyful lifestyle!

Another important key in the physical realm to living joyfully is

understanding Who supplies our physical need.

Confessing lack or that we are our own sufficiency does not produce
joyful living. As a matter of fact, that confession produces just the
opposite. Instead, we confess the Word and claim God's sufficiency-not
our own.

II Corinthians 3:5 [The Amplified Bible]:

Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form
personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but
our power and ability and sufficiency are from God

As sons of God, we can confess that we have no lack and go to our

heavenly Father as our sufficiency. Then we will put ourselves in a very
favorable position to live joyfully!

Philippians 4:19 [The Amplified Bible]:

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

We have a great, big God, Who desires to take care of us physically and
in every category. Now that's a confession to hang on to!

II Corinthians 9:8:

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

As we keep our focus on God's abundant supply instead of on what we

are seemingly lacking, our joy will be full, for He is able. He is the source
of our joy. We live joyfully when we recognize God as our sufficiency and
source of prosperity.

Mental Keys to Joyful Living

What we think about has a profound effect on how we live our lives.
Have you ever had one of those days when you weren't joy filled? What
were you thinking about? Did you ask yourself, how did I get this way?

What can you do to change your day to a joyful one? A simple key is to
redirect your thoughts to God and His Word. Yes, redirecting our
thoughts is a choice we make.

We change our thoughts to ones that will produce joy-filled living.

Regardless of how long you have been in the Word, consider yourself the
expert of your own personal thoughts. I've heard it said this way: "You
are the boss of your thoughts." That's right, you are in charge of your
life, which includes your thought life.
Proverbs 4:23 [The Amplified Bible]:

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you
guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

The "heart" is the seat of our personal life. In order to live joyfully, we
need to guard our hearts. What we think about impacts the joy we will
experience. So, we guard what we think about, directing our thought life
to the Word of God. We have joy to the degree that we dwell on and live
God's Word.

Romans 12:2:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the

renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God designed our minds so that we can transform, or change, what we

think about. He also gave us something totally perfect to renew our
minds to-His Word! That's powerful and that's dynamic!

Psalms 16:11:

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at
thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Renewing our minds to God's Word shows us His path in life and brings
joy to the believer. God's desire is that we have not only joy but fullness
of joy. Now, that's a lot of joy! In God's Magnified Word, by Victor Paul
Wierwille, it reads, "…

as we grow in the knowledge and

the grace of the greatness of God's Word, we become more certain; and
the more we believe, the more sure we become, the greater the joy we
have in living…" By developing strong mental habits centered around
God's Word, we put ourselves in a position to live joy-filled lives.

Proverbs 15:23:

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due
season, how good is it!

Proverbs 15:13:

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the

heart the spirit is broken.
Another key to joyful living is having a positive confes-sion. What we talk
about has a lot to say about what we are thinking about. Keeping things
positive lends itself to an upbeat attitude.

Psalms 35:27 and 28:

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea,
let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure
in the prosperity of his servant.

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the
day long.

Proverbs 21:23:

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Psalms 63:5:

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth

shall praise thee with joyful lips.

Wow, what confessions! In these verses, it is quite simple to see that the
more we think (put on) the Word, the more we will speak it forth with
joyfulness.

Do you ever talk to yourself? I do. I could say I'm coaching myself when I
do that. On my desk is a small, framed card that shows my name
originally meant

"Brave Warrior" and quotes Nahum 1:7: "The Lord is good, a strong hold
in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." If I'm not
feeling the greatest before taking on an important responsibility, I tell
myself that I'm a brave warrior for God. It doesn't take long to see the
positive influence of my confes-sion. My less-than-joy-filled thoughts are
replaced with encouragement from the Word that I can trust in His
goodness and strength. In turn, a positive affirmation results and the
action follows. This key to joy-filled living involves seeing the Word,
saying the Word, and doing the Word. Another great action verse to
apply with this key is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me." Being encouraged by the Word brings joy to
our lives.

Another powerful key to joyful living is to live one day at a time.

Remembering that there is no time like now to live helps us live in the
present, without looking back into the past or looking too far into the
future. We rejoice and are glad in this day (Psalms 118:24).

Matthew 6:34:

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take
thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Philippians 3:13 and 14:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus.

Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul lived this way.

They lived in the moment, and because of that, their service-filled lives
were full of joy. Our lives can be the same as we live one day at a time.

Philemon 7:

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of
the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

Philippians 1:4 and 5:

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

Fellowship, companionship, edification, and encouragement are also

keys to joyful living. We are refreshed when we spend time with other
believers. We are built up and strengthened. Joy is manifested when we
fellowship around God's Word with like-minded believers.

The Way Ministry has taught me that if I want to be my best, I should

hang around the best. The same holds true when it comes to joy. Habit
patterns of joy breed habit patterns of joy. I have to admit that Way
believers are the happiest, most blessed, and most joy-filled group of
people I have ever met!

In our kitchen above one of our doorways is a sign that reads, "There is
always, always, always, something to be thankful for." Above another
doorway in our home are displayed the words "Give praise and thanks."
A thankful heart contributes to keeping life simple and in proper
perspective.

Colossians 3:15 (The Amplified Bible]:

And let the peace... from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your
hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your
minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one
body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative),
[giving praise to God always].

Psalms 100:2-4:

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we
ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be
thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Living and serving with a thankful heart is an important key to joyful

living. Thankfulness is a mind-set we can have regardless of the
environment we are surrounded with.

Spiritual Keys to Joyful Living

When we got born again, we became sons of God.

We received holy spirit and all spiritual benefits. As His sons, we have a
Father Who desires for us not only to know Him, but also to have
fellowship with Him. As we see ourselves as sons of God, utilizing our
God-given abilities, we will manifest joy in our lives.

Romans 8:16 and 17:

The Spirit [God] itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

I John 1:3 and 4:

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also
may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father,
and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

In The New, Dynamic Church, by Victor Paul Wierwille, we read the

following: "Fellowship with God as our Father is the secret to spiritual
happiness and power in our day-by-day walk on earth. Without
fellowship we cannot bring forth the fruits of the righteousness which we
received from God. Fellowship makes the family life a happy one....

" What a testimony of how that fellow-

ship with God brings joy to our lives!

Jude 20:

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying
in the Holy Ghost holy spirit.

With the new birth, we received the ability to operate nine

manifestations. Speaking in tongues, which is perfect prayer, builds us
up spiritually. When we speak in tongues, we are reminded of all that
comes with the new birth. Knowing that God gave us this manifestation
to edify ourselves is not only uplifting but also a key to joyful living as we
acknowledge what God has given us spiritually to utilize (I Corinthians
14:4).

Galatians 5:22 and 23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I read this about spiritual fruit in God's Magnified Word: "One element of
the fruit of the spirit is joy. New fruit is brought about as we operate the
manifestations of the spirit. As we cultivate by the process of the
operation of the manifestations, we produce the fruit of the spirit one of
which is joy. So we cultivate and we pro. duce fruit.." It makes sense
then that excelling in the manifestations is a very important spiritual key
to joyful living. Want more joy? Operate the manifestations!

I John 4:4:

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater
is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Jeremiah 32:17:
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy
great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for
thee.

We are God's desired children, and He yearns for us to acknowledge Him

as our heavenly Father. Practically, part of that acknowledgment is
relying on, confiding in, and including Him in all that we do. I clung to
every word and the strength and support my earthly dad gave me when
I was growing up. So too, I've built that kind of relationship with my
heavenly Father. Building a strong relationship with our heavenly Father
is another important key to joyful living. I remember being taught,

"The ability of God within us is limitless-how can you ever lose with that
kind of Father!" Knowing that you and God make a majority brings great
comfort, reassur-ance, and joy!

Along with having a strong reliance on our heavenly Father, another key
to joyful living is having an active and dynamic prayer life.

Philippians 4:6:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Romans 8:26 and 27:

Likewise the Spirit [God] also helpeth our infirmi-ties: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit [spirit, the gift in
manifestation] itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which
cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit
[spirit, the gift], because he maketh intercession for the saints according
to the will of God.

As sons of God, we can pray with our understanding and also pray
perfectly via speaking in tongues. God knows our need, and He desires
to answer our prayers even before we pray. Having that trust and
confidence in God gives us great joy!

Ephesians 6:10-13:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We have a healthy respect for the adversary. Key to our joyful living
spiritually is recognizing who we are in Christ and what we have been
equipped with to win in the spiritual competition. God has provided us
with all that we need to stand, and as we stand for Him, we will have joy.
The great Apostle Paul testified of this in Acts 20:24 when he said, "...
that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have
received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Paul
finished his course with joy because he had the Word living in his heart.
Paul was "strong in the Lord." We too, as sons of God in the twenty-first
cen-tury, can run our full course with joy and resolve—just as the Apostle
Paul did.

As born-again believers, we are complete in Christ, and God-our

heavenly Father-desires that we make the most of and richly enjoy life.
Joyful living is a direct result of the quality of life we live. As we act on
God's promises and apply these basic keys, we can live joyfully every
day. As His children, let's rise up and take believing action in the
physical, mental, and spiritual categories to enjoy the abundant life He
so richly provides.

RECEIVE, RETAIN, RELEASE

1. Go back through this chapter and highlight each of the keys to joyful
living under the three categories of physical, mental, and spiritual.

2. Write or type out a list of Keys to Joyful Living, using the subheadings
of Physical Keys to Joyful Living, Mental Keys to Joyful Living, and
Spiritual Keys to Joyful Living. Include corresponding scriptures also.

3. As you plan your week, review your list of Keys to Joyful Living and
scriptures, and incorporate at least one key to take action on from each
category.

4. As you carry out your "joyful living to-dos," find opportunities to share
with others how to live life to its fullest and claim Psalms 118:24: "This is
the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

144