Just one month ago, we celebrated Christmas and the birth of our Savior. A time of remembering when the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10) Friends, that good news was meant for us then over 2,000 years ago and is meant for us today and everyday. Because of Jesus, we can have joy! The world tells us to "choose joy". We see t-shirts, posters and coffee mugs that profess this truth. So can we just "choose joy"? Is it as simple as waking up in the morning and deciding to have great joy? I say, yes and no. Try choosing joy with your effort alone, and you will fall short. You will become exhausted and defeated. But if we wake up in the morning and decide to fix your eyes on Christ and abide in Him, joy will come without our effort. Joy will overflow from the depths of our souls like a water spring shooting out of a rock! According to usgs.gov, "A spring is the result of an aquifer (rock) being filled to the point that the water overflows onto the land surface." Isn't that what Jesus promises us in John 15?! His joy fills us to overflowing! After He tells us to abide in Him like a branch to the vine, He says "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" (John 15:10-11) When we are filled with Jesus, joy overflows out of us onto whatever or whomever is near. When we remain in Him and His perfect will for us, the good news that causes great joy cannot be taken away. Paul says it like this to God's people in Philippi, "But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy." (Phillipians 2:17-18). Even from prison, Paul took great joy in living obedient to God. Paul knew Jesus and had been transformed by Him. He simply could not stop the spring of joy in his heart from pouring out on others.
So, we do well to ask ourselves often if we are living life as an offering to God. Because if we trust Him in this, we can say "Joy to the World" all year long! Friends, we continue to pray that as you connect with Christ, you will be filled with joy that overflows to your family and community.
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Kaylee & HeatherWe were just two moms who started abiding in Christ and praying together weekly. Find out more about Our Story. Archives
September 2020
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