Is it fair to say that writers must be resourceful? With a bible handy, we can escape most predicaments by using what is readily available to serve our readers while meeting someone else’s deadline. Today, joy-filled scripture is my solution for this very predicament.

Remember, a Christian writer’s first goal is to serve God by serving our readers. But we still have to meet that deadline.

When I decided to write about Joy this month, the first place I went for writing ideas was the Book of Psalms. I used an app to search Psalms containing the word Joy. Then I sorted the verses by like phrases and filed them for easy retrieval in preparation for a day when I ran out of ideas.

This is a great way to research a topic quickly and create a go-to idea generator. Here’s what I found:

• Shout for joy
• Fullness of joy
• Restore joy
• Joy of my heart
• Sing for joy
• Oil of joy
• Spring of joy

Meeting our first goal

Now, I’ll share one verse from each of the phase categories listed above:

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11 (NASB)

 

You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

 

I will never lay aside your laws, for you have used them to restore my joy and health. Psalm 119:93 (TLB)

 

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111 (NIV)

 

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 (NIV)

 

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions. Psalm 45:7 (NASB)

 

Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes will say, “All my springs of joy are in you.” Psalm 87:7 (NASB)

I trust that each verse will serve you well. But spend some time with the one or two that stand out for you because that’s the Holy Spirit tapping your shoulder. He’s creating a pause in your thinking for a reason. So, pause. Allow Him to be the joy of your heart.

The joyful job of the day

1. Get out your phone and search the Book of Psalms or Philippians (sometimes called the book of joy) for verses containing the word Joy.
2. Choose a verse that is especially meaningful to you. Write it down, take it with you, reading it several times throughout the day.
3. Take time to meditate on it and then ask God why He drew you to that specific verse.

Friends, I believe this activity will bless you.  It may be something you can turn into a daily practice that won’t feel anything like a job. Instead, it will help you develop a better understanding of scripture and a deeper relationship with God.

That is my prayer for you today.

This post is part of the #Write28Days writing challenge. The prompt today is PREDICAMENT. Check out the other great writers participating in this challenge. Thanks to Anita Ojeda for host the event.