Joy May Be Full

Joy May Be Full

2 John 1: ¹² Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

 

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Going through life’s trials, I wondered when I could have some peace. It seemed like everything was crashing around me. Something inside me said “Go to church”, but I ignored it. A neighbor who rarely spoke to me asked me if I had been to the church on Anthony street. “Why did she ask me that question?” I asked myself. I went and felt joy!

 

• My problems were still there, but I felt better.
• I felt all alone at first, but for a moment, I felt I was part of a family.
• I had a lot to learn about how to fill the empty space in my heart.

 

John concludes his second letter with anticipation. He expressed excitement by saying he has a lot to talk about, but he would rather do it face to face. He knew that by meeting together, he would bring good news and so would they. Joy would be made full.

 

My Observations:

• Joy is far greater than happiness, because it can be present when problems are there.
• Gathering with people who seek GOD’s SON can bring me joy, and I can bring joy to them.
• GOD enjoys when I seek HIS kingdom and HE fills my heart with joy.

 

Joy keeps my hope strong. I mean, when life deals out its vicious, poisonous blows, I can withstand them with joy. But where does joy come from? GOD! HE is the owner of joy and is ready to hand it out in plentiful portions. HE knows you and I have an adversary who wants to steal our joy and turn against GOD and one another. BUT GOD has an answer.

 

JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to be the Comforter who resides in me. HE puts out the fire that I am facing with joy. HE leads me to calm places, similar to still waters and HE restores my emotional state so I can have clarity to not blame GOD and to love those around me who may be struggling too. I am glad GOD owns joy and is read to give it to you and me in full.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writer is excited about?
• Have you ever felt better even though your problems remained?
• Will you ask GOD for joy over happiness so you can face many difficult situations life may throw at you today?

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?

Urging

Urging

1 Thessalonians 2: ¹⁰ You are our witnesses, and so is God, that our conduct toward you who believe was pure, right, and without fault. ¹¹ You know that we treated each one of you just as parents treat their own children. ¹² We encouraged you, we comforted you, and we kept urging you to live the kind of life that pleases God, who calls you to share in his own Kingdom and glory.

 

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“You should do it!” was the message of the dare. As more people joined in, the dare became more appealing. “I bet you won’t” were the words of the final straw! There was no turning back!

 

• I had to do what people were urging me to do.
• I did not want to be embarrassed so I did it.
• Now that I did it, people urged me to do some other dare that made no sense.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy spent a tremendous amount of time with the people of Thessalonica. They made sure their conduct and motives were pure, right and without fault. They were very careful with the people, just like parents are with their children.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to treat HIS children carefully.
• Encouragement is a gift GOD wants me to give in generous doses.
• Comfort is needed when GOD delivers someone to me who is going through things.

 

Sharing in GOD’s Kingdom is the goal. HE has better stuff, a better place and no worries. HE wants everyone to have a better life. Unfortunately there are times when I think that life can be obtained here on earth. I try to scrape as much money together to pretend I am living a great life. BUT GOD has a better way.

 

HE wants me to live my life with HIS purpose. This means I should govern myself in a way that is pleasing to HIM. Encouragement and comfort should not be held back from anyone, friend or foe. I am glad GOD calls me and you to share in HIS kingdom.

 

Challenge

• How did the writers treat the people?
• How would you like to be treated?
• Will you seek to share GOD’s kingdom with everyone and live a life that is pleasing to HIM today?

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Philippians 2: ¹⁷ Perhaps my life's blood is to be poured out like an offering on the sacrifice that your faith offers to God. If that is so, I am glad and share my joy with you all. ¹⁸ In the same way, you too must be glad and share your joy with me.

 

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Working hard, day and night, seemed to pay off. Our team won an award and we were recognized throughout the company. We came together and traded “war” stories. “Remember when things seemed awful?” we reminisced.

 

• I worked hard to accomplish something for a job.
• I poured many hours into something I believed in at the time.
• I was part of a team who also shared in the pain and the reward.

 

Paul considers the hard work and hardship he went through as his “life’s blood.” He was not looking at this like a trophy or an accomplishment for a workaholic. He knew it took sacrifice to give up a life for GOD and the believers in JESUS were worth it.

 

My Observations

• It took JESUS’s blood to save me for eternity.
• It took HIS sweat like blood as HE prayed for me to be saved.
• It took HE tears as HE cried over me knowing I did not know what I was doing while sinning.

 

Blood, sweat and tears is a human term for someone’s life’s work. I mean, many people pour themselves into something they may or may not be known for. GOD sees how we spend our time and has criteria unknown to us that creates rewards for those who believe in JESUS as the Savior.

 

We fight, get knocked down and get back up because we serve people to bring many to CHRIST. We do not do this alone. We serve JESUS together and share in the joy when we see HIS fruit. I am glad to be part of an adopted global family who seeks joy through CHRIST.

 

Challenge

• Who is the writer excited about?
• What does faith have to do with life’s work?
• Can you share your joy with others so they can be encouraged that you are serving the LORD and are determined to continue at all costs today?