Day 3: January 10, 2024
Planting the Seeds of Joy
Passage: John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Ponder: Who on this earth does not want to be happy? When you think of the Seven Dwarfs of Snow-White acclaim, who wants to be Grumpy or Dopey? Does anyone really want to be Sleepy? We actually caffeinate for that condition. To be Doc requires too much time in school. And Sneezy, well, we take medicine for that. But everyone wants to be Happy. Everywhere you look, people are on a pursuit for happiness - contentment. They’re looking in their bank account or someone else’s bank account. They are bouncing between relationships, jobs, hobbies, and fads.
As much as everyone wants to be happy, it is unsustainable if not outright unattainable. Happiness is centered solely on circumstances that one finds pleasing. Jesus offers something more fulfilling than happiness; He offers joy. And to be sure, there is a difference. Joy is a supernatural transaction of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and this joy abides in and sustains you even in the most uncomfortable, even painful moments of life. This joy that Jesus imparts is a deep-seated sense of contentment - well-being. And what does Jesus say in today’s verse is the key to this supernatural joy? Obedience to God. When you’re right with your Heavenly Father, all is right in your soul.
Practice: How are you allowing God’s true joy to produce contentment during this season of your life? If God’s joy is absent from your life, ask Him to show you any disobedience, and be responsive to repent and align yourself in obedience to Him.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I admit that I can be prone to seeking my own happiness at times, and missing out on your gift of joy in my life. I choose to remain in the presence and blessing of your love for me. Please help me to take hold of your supernatural joy. AMEN.
Planting the Seeds of Joy
Passage: John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Ponder: Who on this earth does not want to be happy? When you think of the Seven Dwarfs of Snow-White acclaim, who wants to be Grumpy or Dopey? Does anyone really want to be Sleepy? We actually caffeinate for that condition. To be Doc requires too much time in school. And Sneezy, well, we take medicine for that. But everyone wants to be Happy. Everywhere you look, people are on a pursuit for happiness - contentment. They’re looking in their bank account or someone else’s bank account. They are bouncing between relationships, jobs, hobbies, and fads.
As much as everyone wants to be happy, it is unsustainable if not outright unattainable. Happiness is centered solely on circumstances that one finds pleasing. Jesus offers something more fulfilling than happiness; He offers joy. And to be sure, there is a difference. Joy is a supernatural transaction of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and this joy abides in and sustains you even in the most uncomfortable, even painful moments of life. This joy that Jesus imparts is a deep-seated sense of contentment - well-being. And what does Jesus say in today’s verse is the key to this supernatural joy? Obedience to God. When you’re right with your Heavenly Father, all is right in your soul.
Practice: How are you allowing God’s true joy to produce contentment during this season of your life? If God’s joy is absent from your life, ask Him to show you any disobedience, and be responsive to repent and align yourself in obedience to Him.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I admit that I can be prone to seeking my own happiness at times, and missing out on your gift of joy in my life. I choose to remain in the presence and blessing of your love for me. Please help me to take hold of your supernatural joy. AMEN.
Posted in Harvest Devotionals
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