Joy to the world! We are called to give His joy to the world! Yet in order to give His joy and burn bright so that others see His light, we much receive His joy fully.
We receive joy through the power of His Word, reading, meditating, and reflecting on all He is and has done. The Christmas story is a great place to start. Let’s remain in awe, desiring to grasp more of His glory!
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8-20
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
We receive joy from living in the Good News and mercy. When we look at the genealogy of Christ, his family history is full of sinful, imperfect people. Let’s not let shame or guilt hinder our receiving His joy. The Good News emphasizes His crucifixion, death and resurrection, which He endured for His joy and ours, despite our sins and struggles!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrew 12:1-2
We receive joy in His presence, in Him alone.
You will show me the way of life,
Psalm 16:11
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
We receive joy beyond understanding through His Spirit. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, which must be received through the Vine!
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 4:17
We receive joy by remaining in His love. Let the Lord fill your cup so that is overflows!
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 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! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:9-13
We receive joy simply by asking in His name for it as well!
You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
John 16:24
Now let’s give this full and abundant joy to others.
And like in states in His Word, rejoice always!
(Philippians 4:4, I Thes 5:16)
Join us for our Joy: A Countdown to Christmas YouVersion Bible reading plan, beginning Sunday, Dec 18. Click the link to join and share this link with others!
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