Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Joy … Key Passage(s)

Week 1 For the Glory of God Psalm 43:4 2 Corinthians 1:24 1

Week 2 Always 1 Thessalonians 5:16 6

Week 3 Defined Psalm 16:11 11

Week 4 What Has Happened? Galatians 4:15 16

Week 5 Restored Psalm 51:12 Jude 24-25 22

Week 6 Given by God Ecclesiastes 2:26 Psalm 4:7 27

Week 7 Was Born Luke 2:10-11 33

Week 8 Is the Good News of Salvation Isaiah 61:10 39

Week 9 Is a Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 45

Week 10 Comes from Understanding God's Word Jeremiah 15:16 John 17:13 51

Week 11 Is Promised to Christ Followers Psalm 132:16 Isaiah35:10 57

Week 12 In the Presence of God Psalm 16:9-11 62

Week 13 Is Not Found in Things Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 68

Week 14 For the Peacemakers Proverbs 12:20 Matthew 5:9 74

Week 15 In Between Romans 15:13 80

Week 16 In Doing Right Proverbs 21:15 Micah 6:8 85

Week 17 For the Rescued Colossians 1:11, 13 Luke 10:17 91

Week 18 In Spite of Evil Proverbs 12:20 97

Week 19 From Generation to Generation Psalm 145:4 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 102

Week 20 Instead of Despair Isaiah 61:1-3 107

Week 21 In the Waiting Room Psalm 63:6-8 112

Week 22 In Surrender Psalm 37:4-5 117

Week 23 In Becoming Wise Proverbs 15:23 123

Week 24 Through Forgiveness Psalm 51:12 129

Week 25 When Everything Is Gone Habakkuk 3:17-18 134

Week 26 In Worship Psalm 100:2 Psalm 149:1-5 140

Week 27 In Affliction Romans 12:12 146

Week 28 In the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17 Luke 10:21 152

Week 29 Because of Heaven Luke 10:20 Matthew 5:12 158

Week 30 When You Are Waiting 2 Chronicles 20:21, 27 163

Week 31 Instead of Bitterness Lamentations 3:19-23 169

Week 32 Serving Others Philippians 2:1-5 175

Week 33 In God's Comfort Psalm 94:18-19 1 Peter 5:7 181

Week 34 Without Delay Psalm 68:3 187

Week 35 While the Storms Rage Isaiah 12:2-4 193

Week 36 When We Celebrate Believing Acts 16:29-34 199

Week 37 In the Hope of God Romans 12:12 204

Week 38 When You Are Ridiculed Acts 5:41-42 Romans 12:14 209

Week 39 In Abiding John 15:9-11 215

Week 40 In Our Trials James 1:2-4 220

Week 41 In Generosity 2 Corinthians 8:2 226

Week 42 In Gratitude Isaiah 12:3 232

Week 43 In Faithful Work Matthew 25:21 237

Week 44 In Friendship and Hospitality Acts 2:46 242

Week 45 In the Mundane Psalm 32:11 Philippians 4:4 247

Week 46 When You Are Weak Nehemiah 8:10 253

Week 47 In Obedience Psalm 119:14 John 14:21 258

Week 48 In Knowing God More Psalm 19:8 263

Week 49 In the Kingdom Matthew 13:44 Matthew 6:33 268

Week 50 In Sorrow 2 Corinthians 6:10 274

Week 51 In Response to Our Blessings Psalm 126 279

Week 52 So That I Bear Fruit Galatians 5:16 Galatians 5:22-23 John 15:16 285

Acknowledgments 291

Notes 293