LOGOS TRADING POST - JOY PASS ALONG CARDS

Joy: A Wonderful Gift

Paul writes in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Joy is a gift to us from God, filling our hearts by means of His Holy Spirit. It is our pleasure, then, to provide these cards such that you can be a part of the joy in the hearts of other believers through the sharing of scripture.

Indeed, joy is something not to be hoarded but shared, otherwise, it will certainly fade away. What we mean to say is that joy finds its truest meaning when it is shared. Whether introvert, extrovert, or something in between, God has designed the human heart to connect with others, and He has ordained that His people connect as the Church. As such, it is His desire that we share many things, and joy itself is certainly no exception.

After all, just a few chapters earlier - in Romans 12:15 to be exact - Paul also wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Our joy simply means more when it is shared, and our joy is great indeed when our hope and faith are in God.

However, as we share joy with those around us, let us take care not to forget the true origin of our joy. After all, the Psalmist mused in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” We may experience some fleeting joys in our own experience, and this isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, but God’s joy is full and everlasting.

We can say so confidently in light of the words spoken by Jesus in John 16:22-24, “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” God cares about our joy and He cares that we share joy with one another, but He doesn’t leave us out to dry on this matter. If we are faithful to Him, He is faithful to fulfill us with joy and love, so that we can give freely to others without concern of whether or not they will give back to us.

After all, the return on our efforts of helping others is promised already. Jesus says in Luke 6:35-38, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” If we give, we will receive, even if it’s not from the same place; whether we are giving of our resources, our love, our patience, or even our joy, God is faithful to return those things to us in an even greater measure.

Giving Joy & The Gift of Pass Along Scripture Cards

Of course, we mention this matter of giving to others freely because that is the very nature of our pass along scripture cards, especially these ones on the subject of joy! These Bible verse cards come in such large packs because they are designed to be shared as a small blessing to others. Sharing the joy we have in knowing God doesn’t always have to be this grand, evangelistic gesture, as grand as that joy is. Love for one another is expressed in the little things, like buying someone a Christian gift, a cup of coffee, giving a hug or a kind word, or even sharing a pass along scripture card with an encouragement straight from God’s Word. These are the little ways of sharing that bring us to life and give God great joy.

These little acts are fulfillment for our own souls as well. A proverb by an unknown Jewish author says, “It’s better to give one shekel a thousand different times than a thousand shekels at once, because each time you give, you become a kinder person.” God indeed fills us up with joy so that we can share joy with others, but it is also true that there is joy found in the act of kindness itself.

Therefore, the pass along scripture cards we offer are not only a small gift to others, but they are a great gift to you, the giver! Consider what Paul said to the elders in Ephesus in Acts 20:33-35, in which he says, “I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Both Paul and Jesus Himself understood the truth, and have taken care to share it with other believers; giving joyfully and sharing joy is a great joy in itself!

So, all of that said, whether you share joy with others through our pass along scripture cards, any of our Christian gifts, or in some other way, be faithful to do so. This manner of giving is not only a kindness to others, but it is edifying and fulfilling for your own spirit, so be faithful to give to others, for “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”