Day 11 "You Are Joyful"
Joyful Adoration
Photo by Courtney Cook on Unsplash
Good Morning Beauties!
It’s a bright and sunny day and a perfect backdrop to our next virtue - Joyful. I tend to think of sunshine and the color yellow when i hear the word “joy.” How about you? What first comes to mind?
We’ve all heard sermons that teach joy is not a feeling, it’s more than that. How would you describe it? Take a few minutes to write down your definition.
I find the Bible teaches us from Jesus’ example that joy usually accompanies some sort of trial or suffering. Look at this example in Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” How do you reconcile “Joy” and “enduring the cross”?
In Romans 12:12 we instructed, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we’re given the same instruction, “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus taught us by his example, that joy is ever present and will strengthen us as we go though hardships, pain, and suffering. It’s also our testimony to others to encourage them in their faith
Let’s look at John 15:19-14 It’s a beautiful scripture where Jesus describes our ultimate blessing as a result of following His command. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 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. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Selah.
Let’s celebrate the love and joy of Jesus with our first Christmas hymn…
Hymn of Joy - Chris Tomlin
Love and Blessings,
Kendra
“...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”