1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:17,960 Speaker 2: You're listening to every Day Prayers with Million Praying Moms, 3 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:20,159 Speaker 2: helping you pray God's word for your family in the 4 00:00:20,239 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 2: areas you need at most. I'm your host, Nicolette Bell. 5 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:26,560 Speaker 2: Here we believe prayer isn't a last resort. It's our 6 00:00:26,640 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 2: first and best response in parenting, and every day we 7 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 2: come together. 8 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:33,280 Speaker 1: To partner with God for the hearts of our children. 9 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 2: This fall, we are praying through the nine fruit of 10 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:39,640 Speaker 2: the Spirit in nine weeks using devotions adapted from our 11 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 2: Everyday Prayers devotional series. This week's prayer focus is joy, 12 00:00:44,320 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 2: My absolute favorite thing. 13 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:46,640 Speaker 1: To talk about. 14 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 2: Today's devotion is written read by me exerted from my 15 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:53,440 Speaker 2: new book releasing in October, every Day Prayers for Moms. 16 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 2: It's now available for pre order wherever books are sold. 17 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 2: To learn more about our ministry or to crabies of 18 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 2: our Everyday Prayers devotionals, visit Milliampraying Moms dot com. If 19 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 2: you click on shop, We've got a special code for 20 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 2: our podcast listeners. It's code Fall twenty for twenty percent 21 00:01:10,840 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 2: off your order. After a quick word from our sponsors, 22 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:15,400 Speaker 2: We'll pray together for our children. 23 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:20,720 Speaker 1: John fifteen eleven. 24 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 2: These Things I have spoken to you that my joy 25 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 2: may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 26 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 2: When THEO, my son, was eleven weeks old, I had 27 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 2: just finished nursing him and was fully engrossed in something 28 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 2: on my phone. To be honest, I can't even remember 29 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 2: what it was, so it couldn't have been very important. 30 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,960 Speaker 2: I glanced up from my phone and I found his 31 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 2: little eyes staring into mine. He was smiling with his 32 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 2: whole face, his eyes, his eyebrows, his cheeks, his gums 33 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 2: fully on display in the widest, most pure smile I've witnessed. 34 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 2: His little face was radiating joy, and it was fully 35 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 2: directed at me. Sadly, I had been distracted. Thea was 36 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 2: ligging at me with big eyes, like I was his 37 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: whole world and I was worlds away. I smiled at him, 38 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 2: and his legs started kicking, hands reaching for my face 39 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 2: as he cooed at me. His smile grew wider, and 40 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 2: my heart grew more convicted. I put my phone in 41 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 2: the other room and I just held him, and I 42 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:30,040 Speaker 2: talked to him, and I gave him my full attention. 43 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 2: Here was my precious boy, the one I had prayed 44 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,360 Speaker 2: for and longed for. Right in front of me, and 45 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: I had been distracted. I may not have been as 46 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 2: convicted if this was the only time, but I knew 47 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:47,359 Speaker 2: deep down this was a pattern, that the things outside 48 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 2: of my home were vying for my attention, and that 49 00:02:50,200 --> 00:02:54,160 Speaker 2: I was giving in to the pool. Realistically, I know 50 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 2: that we can't always give our children our full attention. 51 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: Dinner has to be made, Clothes have to be washed 52 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:04,320 Speaker 2: and folded and put away. That's the part I'm not 53 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:08,239 Speaker 2: very good at. Dishes must be cleaned, the floors need 54 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 2: to be swept or vacuum deadlines have to be met. 55 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 2: But when did we last take the time to really 56 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 2: enjoy our children? The parent child relationship is the one 57 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 2: God chooses to represent his shared love within the trinity. 58 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:24,640 Speaker 1: Let's not miss the significance of this. 59 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:28,559 Speaker 2: The Father doesn't just exist with the son, he delights 60 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,840 Speaker 2: in him. Matthew three seventeen records the father's declaration over 61 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:36,840 Speaker 2: his son at his baptism, When the heavens opened, a 62 00:03:36,880 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 2: dove descended, and God said, this is my beloved son, 63 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 2: with whom I am well pleased. The father takes pride 64 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 2: and delight in his son. Not only does God choose 65 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 2: the parent child relationship between him and his son. He 66 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 2: also chooses that relationship for us. First John three to 67 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 2: one tells us, see what kind of love the Father 68 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 2: has given to us, that we should be called the 69 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 2: children of God, and so we are. Many other scriptures 70 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: support the truth that we are God's children, including Galatians 71 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 2: three twenty six and four six through seven, Romans eight fourteen, 72 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 2: Second Corinthians six eighteen, just to name a few. 73 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 1: He delights in. 74 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: Us as his children, just as he delights in his 75 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,920 Speaker 2: son Jesus. Psalm one nine four tells us that God 76 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 2: takes delight in his people, and Zephaniah three seventeen tells 77 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:36,159 Speaker 2: us that God will rejoice over you with gladness. Our 78 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: Father delights in us. He takes joy in his relationship 79 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:43,479 Speaker 2: with us. Could it be that God's intent might be 80 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 2: for us to simply enjoy our children, to delight in them, 81 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: to rejoice over them, to slow down and soak in 82 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 2: the gift that they are. We have so much pressure 83 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 2: from the world around us for our kids to be 84 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:02,719 Speaker 2: successful and productive that we often apply pressure to them. 85 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 2: This can take away from our delight and make them 86 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 2: feel like our love is dependent upon their performance. What 87 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,920 Speaker 2: do our words and actions tell our kids about what 88 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 2: is important to us, just like the Father wants us 89 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 2: to realize that his love for. 90 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:18,600 Speaker 1: Us is a gift to be received. 91 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 2: May we show our children that we find joy just 92 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 2: in being their mom. Jesus tells his followers these things. 93 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: I have spoken to you, that my joy may be 94 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 2: in you, and that your joy may be full, as 95 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,480 Speaker 2: we read in John fifteen eleven. In this passage, Jesus 96 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 2: says it is his joy that he shares with us. 97 00:05:41,800 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: Joy belongs to Jesus. 98 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 2: It is nothing that we can come up with or 99 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 2: manufacture on our own. It is something that we receive 100 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 2: from His presence. Joy is not dependent on our circumstances, 101 00:05:55,560 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 2: but steady ensure in our relationship with Jesus. When we 102 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,160 Speaker 2: abide in Christ, when we actively remain in the vine 103 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 2: through prayer, joy is a fruit we will bear. When 104 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:12,040 Speaker 2: we commune with God in prayer, inviting Him into our 105 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:17,359 Speaker 2: everyday moments, our joy will increase. Showing our kid's joy 106 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 2: and delighting in them doesn't mean that we shelter them 107 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 2: from the hurt and pain in the world. I am 108 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 2: very protective of what I let my children watch and 109 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 2: consume because My four year old's little brain isn't meant 110 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:32,000 Speaker 2: to carry the weight of world wars, so I. 111 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:33,599 Speaker 1: Don't keep the news on in my house. 112 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 2: However, I do try to be honest about the hurt 113 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 2: and pain she may witness. When someone dies, we talk 114 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 2: about it. When someone is sick, we discuss it, and we. 115 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:44,159 Speaker 1: Pray for them. 116 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,839 Speaker 2: Hebrews twelve to two tells us that Jesus, for the 117 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:51,680 Speaker 2: joy that was set before him, endured the cross. We 118 00:06:51,720 --> 00:06:54,599 Speaker 2: can often skip over the significance of this verse. I 119 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 2: don't believe Jesus had a big grin on his face 120 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:02,479 Speaker 2: as he journeyed up Calvary Hill, experience and saying unimaginable suffering. 121 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,840 Speaker 2: When faced with this truth, we have to expand our 122 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 2: definition or understanding of joy. Joy isn't the absence of suffering. 123 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 2: It is a byproduct of the presence of God. This 124 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 2: type of joy Jesus refers to in John fifteen. 125 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:24,440 Speaker 1: His joy, It's an ever lasting joy. 126 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 2: It transcends our circumstances and is rooted in God. This 127 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 2: isn't a fake it till you make it, or a 128 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,800 Speaker 2: try harder mindset. This is a confident assurance of the 129 00:07:34,880 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 2: will and work of God in our lives, despite what 130 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 2: we may see right in front of us. When I 131 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 2: began serving in full time youth ministry, one of my 132 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 2: mentors told me, the greatest gift you can give the 133 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:51,280 Speaker 2: next generation is for them to see the joy of 134 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 2: Christ in you. I wrote this on a sticky note 135 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 2: and I pinned it to my computer. I read it daily. 136 00:07:57,520 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 2: I wanted the students and families I serve to know 137 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 2: that I found joy in God and enjoyed serving them. 138 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 2: We have the same invitation in motherhood. We have been 139 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,080 Speaker 2: given the privilege of showing our kids what it looks 140 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 2: like to have joy from Jesus. Jesus promises us that 141 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 2: when we find our joy in Him, no one will 142 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 2: take your joy from you John sixteen twenty two. It's 143 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 2: nothing that we can do on our own, but through prayer, 144 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 2: through abiding in Christ, we can model a joy that 145 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 2: lasts for our families. Let's pray together. Father, thank you 146 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 2: for calling me your child. Thank you that you delight 147 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:42,040 Speaker 2: in me and rejoice over me. May I receive joy 148 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 2: knowing that true joy comes from your presence. I can't 149 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 2: come up with it on my own, and my circumstances 150 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 2: can't give it to me, but you can. Your joy 151 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 2: is lasting and eternal. Help me today to share that 152 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 2: with my family. Help me to slow down and enjoy 153 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:06,440 Speaker 2: my children for the gifts that they are in Jesus' name. 154 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 2: As part of our Fruit of the Spirit prayers and 155 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 2: everyday prayers for the School Year book Club, Tarah Cole 156 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:17,319 Speaker 2: and I created a free car Conversations guide for your 157 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:20,920 Speaker 2: family to use this fall. The car is sometimes the 158 00:09:20,960 --> 00:09:25,320 Speaker 2: best place for our most precious conversations with our kids 159 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 2: as we are praying through the Fruit of the Spirit. 160 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 2: Our hope is that you can have meaningful conversations with 161 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 2: your kids about what living out these fruit looks like 162 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 2: in their daily lives. Tara and I created a series 163 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 2: of quick questions. She wrote some for the older kids, 164 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,160 Speaker 2: I wrote some for younger kids, and we share a 165 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 2: prayer that you can share with your children about each 166 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 2: of the Fruit of the Spirit. Download your copy for 167 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:52,280 Speaker 2: free on our website or the link in our show notes. 168 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 1: Until next time, friends, the Lord bless you and keep you. 169 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 2: Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. 170 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 2: May the Lord look with favor on you and give 171 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 2: you peace.