Complete Joy

Complete Joy

1 John 1: We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it. ² When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us. ³ What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ We write this in order that our joy may be complete.

 

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When the new amusement park opened, everyone asked the same question, “Have you been there yet?” When the family got tickets, I was elated! We went and the experience was amazing! When I got home, I couldn’t wait to tell everyone how great the experience was!

 

• I was excited, so I wanted to tell everyone.
• I was amazed, so I described my experience in great detail.
• I was enamored, so I recommended that if you had not tried it, you should consider it.

 

John, the disciple whom JESUS loved, starts off his letter with amazement! He goes into detail about something that everyone had been waiting on for centuries, namely the arrival of the Messiah. This cure for misery, problems and troubles had been manifested as a human known as JESUS. He then said that sharing this Good News would make his joy complete.

 

My Observations:

• Good News is not Good News unless it is shared with other people.
• GOD did something truly amazing by becoming a human, allowing HIMSELF to be murdered by HIS own creation and being raised from the dead to conquer all sins.
• JESUS is the Word of Life whom I can place my full trust in.

 

Everyone wants to spread some good news, but unfortunately there is a lot of bad news. I mean, when life hits, it seems like there is nothing good to say. BUT GOD loves when I open my mouth to tell others how exciting it is to be saved by the MOST HIGH!

 

GOD wants everyone to be saved and has given you and me the task of spreading the Good News. In spite of trouble, fear and doubt, GOD’s wonderful message of love can ring from my lips. I gladly tell everyone about GOD’s love for me, which is CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

 

Challenge

• How excited is the writer?
• Have you ever received some good news and could not wait to tell people about it?
• How do you feel when you have a lot of bad news?
• Will you consider how amazing GOD’s love is for you, enough to tell people about it, to encourage someone today?

Great and Glorious Joy

Great and Glorious Joy

1 Peter 1: ⁶ Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. ⁷ Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, ⁹ because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him.

 

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“Why me?” was my cry. It seemed like “everything” was going wrong in my life at the time. I began to explain to GOD what I was doing for HIM as I tried to get my life back on track with HIM. My explanations were met with more pain.

 

• I was tired of facing more problems.
• I was tired of being in pain.
• I was tired of the situation I was in at the time.

 

Peter gave some hard to hear advice. He told those who were chosen by GOD to be glad, even though they were facing some difficult times. He then explained the purpose of the difficulty. Each person’s faith would be tested with the fires of trials to make it genuine.

 

My Observations:

• Life is far more than what I can see when I am in the middle of a trial.
• Looking back on the trials in my life, I understand more than I would, had I not gone through the trial.
• GOD gives me the ability to praise HIM now instead of waiting on the day when JESUS returns.

 

Let’s be honest, trials are not fun. I mean, when I am in a trial, I want it to be over as quickly as possible. BUT GOD allows me to stay in the trial long enough to strengthen my faith in HIM. I cry out early in the trial, but later I see that HE is in the fire with me. HE protects me and guides me.

 

I can rejoice during the trial versus waiting for it to be over. This is a sign of “joy” over “happiness.” I can see GOD at work even though the results have not come to fruition. I praise GOD for what HE has done, is doing and will do!

 

Challenge

• What purpose is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever gone through something difficult and came out stronger?
• Will you praise GOD with “joy”, knowing JESUS has won the victory over all your trials and your salvation is more precious to HIM than you could ever imagine?

Joy

John 3: ²⁷ To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.” ²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.’

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Grousing all about, I could tell I was not very approachable. I was having a bad day and people could tell from my face that I did not want to be bothered. I felt comfortable being miserable that day. I can’t even remember the circumstances that put me in the bad mood, but I’m sure I was justified, right?

• Sometimes I just want to be in a bad mood.
• Sometimes I just want to be mad.
• Sometimes I just want to feel low because I “deserve” some things I am not getting.

John explains to his disciples, it is alright that JESUS is making HIMSELF known as the Messiah. He then tells them a quick parable of the joy a friend receives while attending the wedding of the bridegroom. John felt that joy.

• GOD wants me to have joy in my life.
• GOD wants me to ignore the things that can take my eyes off of HIM.
• GOD wants me to see HIS power in the middle of my storm.

Joy is something that cannot be explained. It supersedes happiness, problems and any negative thoughts or words. True joy only comes from heaven. GOD opens my eyes daily and shows me HE is still with me no matter what is going on. I must make JESUS great and myself small, which in turn, makes my problems small. I am grateful for the joy HE has given me.

• What mask are you wearing?
• Are you hurt and letting people know about your pain?
• Do you know GOD feels your pain and wants you to give it to HIM?
• Will you release what is going on in your life and fill the void with the joy of GOD today?

Being Excited

Psalm 45: ¹ My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

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“I am finished!” I declared as I ran down the hallway of my dorm. With my first set of finals under my belt, I was filled with elation. I could not hold the words inside. I gleefully galloped down the hall, slipped and hurt my shoulder! I went to the infirmary and they placed my arm in a sling.

The sling could not hold back my joy.  The semester was a difficult transition for me and the mystery was now complete.

• When I am excited I can face pain.
• When I am excited I can face problems.
• When I am excited I can face difficulty.

Discouragement is exactly what the enemy wants me to feel. There is no excitement on discouragement, in fact, discouragement leads to dragging everyone around me down to the ground. Soon, I look around and there are nothing but sad faces and pain for miles. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to wake up praising HIM for the things HE has done.
• GOD wants me to be excited about this new day rather than approaching it with dread.
• GOD wants me to focus on the fruit of the spirit rather than the waste that flies out of the body of pain.

Whatsoever is good, whatsoever is true whatsoever is pure; think on these things keeps my mind clear and sharp. Excitement about this new day makes my heart leap with joy as I look forward to what GOD has in store for me!

• Are you excited about life?
• Can you recognize that the ALMIGHTY GOD has a wonderful plan for you today?
• Can you stop thinking about how GOD is doing things and let HIM masterfully weave a tapestry of love in your life today?