Skip to main content

The Empowering Emotion of Joy

Feb 21, 2013
Read | John 15:9-17
Jesus promised us His joy. However, such gladness evades most Christians.
There are certain important points that we must understand about joy. This gift to every believer in Christ has a spiritual source—the Holy Spirit—and is produced from within by Him. Since divine joy is supernatural, it exists independently of our circumstances. In contrast, happiness comes from external causes, is earthly in nature, and increases or decreases as events change. Recognition by others, completion of a project, and a favorite team’s win all represent sources of earthly happiness.
Joy will emanate from the Holy Spirit as we . . .
• Focus on our relationship with Jesus. Because of the Lord, our sins are forgiven, our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and we are forever His. Nothing can separate us from Him now or in eternity.
• See His transforming work in others. Notice and draw pleasure from what God is doing: rescuing people from bondage to sin and conforming them to His Son’s likeness.
• Serve those He sends to us. Obedient, loving care for others brings spiritual joy.
• Meditate on God’s Word. Through Scripture, we receive an outpouring of His love and precious truths on which to build our lives.
The Holy Spirit desires to produce His gladness within you. Take a few minutes to ponder the wonder of your new birth, share someone’s spiritual joy, serve as God directs, or receive guidance from His Word. Then check your emotional barometer. Are you singing hallelujah yet?
Dios te bendiga!
Amen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Danger in Being a Christian: It began as a Jewish sect; fierce persecution only helped it spread Today's reading: Acts 8 Acts 8:1 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. In some countries, a person who becomes a Christian forfeits a good education and job. And in a few countries, a person who converts risks his or her life. One church historian estimates that more Christians were martyred in the twentieth century than in all preceding centuries put together. Yet, strangely, more often than not, intense persecution of Christians leads to a spurt of growth in the church. An ancient saying expresses this phenomenon: "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church." The First Big Advance For a while, the new faith enjoyed popular favor. But very soon it involved grave risk. In the book of Acts, the persecution that produced the first Christian martyr, St...
1 comment
Read more

Reverenfun

Post a Comment
Read more

One Day at a Time - May 21

Reflection on Genesis 44:33 Sometimes we get a second chance. When we do, it’s important to seize the opportunity. That’s what Judah did. When his brothers wanted to kill Joseph, Judah didn’t rescue Joseph but instead suggested that they sell him as a slave (see Genesis 37:26–27 ). His second chance came when Benjamin’s life appeared to be in danger. This time Judah put his own life on the line to protect his half brother, Rachel’s other son. Perhaps this commitment was taken into account in the blessings that God inspired Jacob to give his sons; eventually the Messiah came through Judah’s descendants (see Genesis 49:10 ). God often gives us second chances in life. When he does, we need to take advantage of the opportunity and set things right.
Post a Comment
Read more