Joy
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Key verse: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
Thoughts to ponder:
In scripture, joy is an inner result of our outward expression of our relationship with God in service to those around us. Jesus went to the cross for “the joy set before Him”. It was His outward expression of the Father’s love for us. Our reconciliation to a personal relationship with God was the joy Christ was willing to die for in service to us while we were still undeserving.
In like manner, we are to be in such a close relationship with the Father and Christ that we experience joy in serving others and revealing God’s glory to them. Joy is all about what God has done and is continuing to do in our lives and the lives of those we love.(Which if you remember from yesterday, loving others is a choice.)
Joy differs from happiness in the sense that happiness is often rooted in our circumstances, our personal desires and hopes.
To truly experience the calm delight of joy, we must look beyond our selves and our hardships and walk closely with God for the sake of His purposes.
Challenge/Action Step:
Since God puts people in our live for a reason take a minute to think about the people you know that are the most joyful, how are they different from other people you know and what can you learn from them?
Ask God to reveal to you way you can practice joy and make a list of the things He shows you.
Please share one of those things in the comments below. I will be praying for you.
Prayer for today:
Jesus, Lord of all, thank you for dying on the cross for us. Thank you for choosing our reconciliation with the Father as your great joy. I pray today that you would give us an understanding of your deep love for us. Help us to know the joy of making a difference in the lives of others for your glory. ~ Amen
Please take a minute to leave a comment or question. I would be happy to connect with you. Also, join us again next time for our devotional on Joy.
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