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?

Brought Back

Brought Back

1 Peter 2: ²¹ It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. ²³ When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge. ²⁴ Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed. ²⁵ You were like sheep that had lost their way, but now you have been brought back to follow the Shepherd and Keeper of your souls.

 

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After fulfilling my desires, it got old to be out in bars and clubs with loud music and drunk, inhibited people. “You want to hang out” was the request posed to me. “Nah” was the strange response I provided. Something inside me was changing and I no longer craved the night life.

 

• I was getting tired of trying to have “fun” but remaining empty.
• I got tired of chasing a fantasy when reality was not even close.
• I needed something more than a surface relationship.

 

Peter talked about the suffering JESUS went through to redeem sinners. JESUS committed no sin, and while trying to teach people how to truly love one another, was murdered by HIS own creation. Peter then compares us to lost sheep, helpless, defenseless and illogical.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sees when I am trying to fill the hole in my heart with the world’s emptiness.
• GOD wants me to accept HIS gift of love, which is JESUS, so I can have a filled heart.
• JESUS is my “Shepherd” who guides me to places of peace, wisdom and love.

 

Only GOD can truly fix the hole in my heart. I mean, when I try to fit in the world, I remain lonely, jealous, lustful and sad. After momentary sin, I feel even worse. BUT GOD has a better way.

 

JESUS gives my life purpose. HE opens my eyes to the tricks of the world that leave me in worse shape than following GOD. JESUS guides me back to a place of true security, peace and love. I am glad GOD cares for me to bring me back to HIM with welcome arms.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the analogy of “lost their way?”
• Have you ever felt great about serving GOD and then felt you needed to leave HIM to pursue “fun?”
• Will you consider returning to GOD so HE can guide you to a fulfilled life that is no longer empty 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?

True Victory

 

True Victory

1 Thessalonians 2: ¹⁷ As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while—not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body—how we missed you and how hard we tried to see you again! ¹⁸ We wanted to return to you. I myself tried to go back more than once, but Satan would not let us. ¹⁹ After all, it is you—you, no less than others!—who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. ²⁰ Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

 

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After “winning” the company’s most coveted prize, I felt elated. “I” had worked hard and “I” felt great. Months later, I found out the CEO of the very large company was going to visit. I thought this was my chance to make an impression. “I won the -blank, blank- award”, I blurted. “Good for you” was his snide reply as he walked past, not even asking me my name. “Why did I say that?” I said to myself frustrated!

 

• I thought awards would raise me up.
• I thought achievements would make me stand out.
• I thought accomplishments would take me places that were “higher” than where I was.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy expressed their desire to visit the people of Thessalonica, but were hindered by Satan himself. They tried and tried, but could not physically return, so they sent a letter, letting everyone know how much they cared for the Thessalonians, They also expressed that the true victory is speaking about them before the LORD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to be willing to go and serve other people.
• Watching other people grow in the LORD should be where I place my hope.
• JESUS will return one day and I will be able to brag about you because you are my pride and joy.

 

“It is you” are words that stick out to me. I mean, humans love “winners” but usually the focus is on themselves. “Look at what ‘I’ did” is the attitude that is innocent, yet when used too much, can lead to a desire to always be in the spotlight.

 

GOD wants me to see other people and to say “Look at what he or she did” versus “Look at what ‘I’ did.” My bragging and boasting should be about those who have placed their trust in the LORD. I am grateful for you and I am glad GOD has given you a special reward.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers are so fond of the people?
• Who do you brag about outside of yourself?
• Will you get excited when other people place their trust in the LORD and when he or she gains honor before the LORD today?

Stands For

Stands For

John 16: ²³ “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

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“Make us look good” was the statement posed to me. I was at a career fair, recruiting students from my alma mater. “What great stories can I tell?” I thought to myself. I came up with some of the facts and statistics that made the company look great.

• I really wanted people to come work for the company I worked for.
• I desired to show the benefits of working at “my” company.
• I wanted to show people what the company stood for.

JESUS says a familiar statement again. HE said “Whatever you ask the FATHER in MY name HE will give you.” So does this mean I can ask for “anything” I want? Maybe not.

• JESUS wants me to ask for things that represent HIM well.
• JESUS wants me to desire what HE wants.
• JESUS wants me to ask the FATHER for salvation of family, friends, neighbors and those who hate me.

“In MY name” doesn’t just mean mouthing the words “In JESUS name.” I believe it means “Represent ME well.” If what I am asking for involves anger, lust, envy, hatred, malice, slander, or greed, then more than likely I may not get it. Or even worse, maybe GOD will give it to me and let me fall away from HIM.

GOD wants all humans to be saved. That’s what HE stands for. Getting a new phone may be nice, BUT GOD wants “that” person in your life saved. All of heaven rejoices when one person stops rejecting GOD and accepts JESUS as their Savior. FATHER, I ask for those who are my family, friends and neighbors to know JESUS in a saving way. In JESUS name, amen.

• What are you asking for deep down in your heart?
• At the core of your thinking, which GOD can see, are you asking for things for you or for HIM?
• Will you ask for things that represent JESUS well?