Hello friend,
The hymn “Joy to the World” is a great reminder for us to “repeat the sounding joy.”
As intercessors and followers of Jesus, we should be willing and ready to spread this reminder throughout the year.
It was joy that moved Paul and Silas to sing and praise God from prison:
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25
In Hebrews 12:2 we see that it was joy that allowed Jesus to endure the cross:
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
May you choose joy with each day God gives you.
Ministry Updates
In my last newsletter, I shared the following with you as my testimony of choosing joy:
“Even though it is very different from what some would call a normal career path, I am grateful for the path God has me walking. The Lord has opened multiple opportunities for me to minister and serve Him with the gifts, talents, and passion He has given me.”
I received feedback from several people about this statement, including a long-time friend who has been a coach and encourager to me. He is a pastor and writer whose path has also taken some unexpected turns, but he continually chooses joy. He said this sentence is a source of encouragement and admonition for those who walk a “very different” career path than planned or expected.
I hope it encourages you in whatever season of life you are in and know that God loves you and desires us to be available to work in our lives.
I urge you to take this theme “Choose Joy” to heart and commit to doing it. The world around us needs to see followers of Jesus committed to the Christian life and not wavering from our walk with Jesus because of life’s circumstances.
Thank you for your love, generosity, and support in the work God has me doing this season. As I go out to serve in the community, I count it a joy to have someone like you encouraging and praying for me. As I think of you, my heart is full of joy because God has allowed our lives to intersect.
As I continue to serve the Lord, I am grateful for the opportunities God is opening for me to minister to families, including families with the Louisiana State Police. People all around us are dealing with challenging issues today. The attack on the family is real, and I am grateful that God is using me to minister and equip families for the spiritual battles they are facing.
As the Lord brings me to mind, please pray for wisdom as I minister to families along Louisiana’s 1-12 and I-10 corridors. The Lord has also been extending this effort to minister to families in the Krotz Springs and Opelousas area of SW Louisiana.
The Lord is also growing the prayer ministry opportunities.
I am leading a prayer time in Baton Rouge on the first Tuesday of the month. I hope you can join me as we pray for Louisiana and the seven mountains of influence. We will gather at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, so pick a time that works for you and join me. I continue to lead a prayer gathering in Washington, DC, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Please message me for the location in Baton Rouge, LA or Washington, DC, at 615-260-4752.
The prayer calls provide an opportunity to gather with people from across the US. I encourage you to dial in and participate in one or all calls.
The Saturday Prayer Call focuses on the seven prayer mountains and provides ministry time for intercessors.
The Monday Prayer Call focuses on praying for the family. Please join us to pray for the family and invite others to join us for prayer.
The Tuesday Prayer Call focuses on praying for the US government and elections. We will pray for all government leaders, elections, and other needs as the Holy Spirit reveals those things to us.
The Louisiana Prayer Call focuses on praying for the seven mountains of influence in Louisiana which include families, religion, education, economics (science, technology & business), government including military, media, and celebration (arts, entertainment, and sports).
Join me:
National Prayer Call:
- Saturday @ 7:30 am EST
- Monday @ 11:00 am EST
- Tuesday @ 1:00 pm EST
Louisiana Prayer Call:
- Tuesday @ 8:00 pm EST
How to join:
Phone number to call: 425-436-6287
When prompted, dial: 970542#
Feel free to share and invite others to join us to pray. It would be great if they would email me at jay@jayjohnston.org so I can include them in a weekly email reminder about the call.
I hope you and your family have a Happy New Year, and remember to Choose Joy! Thank you for being on this journey of life with me. Jerilyn and I love you and are grateful for your love, support, and encouragement as we choose joy and commit to living daily to love, honor, and serve Jesus.
With a Grateful Heart,
Pastor Jay
