February 22, 2019
Today’s Promise
John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Happiness is a fleeting illusion. When you attain whatever it is you think will make you happy, you often find a disappointing result. Happiness will never make you “happy.” What we need is joy.
This promise centers on joy.
In the verses before this promise, Jesus described how He is vine and we are the branches. We cannot thrive outside of our union with Christ.
Jesus walked in complete joy because he walked in complete obedience and union with God.
We rarely think obedience and joy go together. Obedience brings to mind a list of rules and regulations. The dos and don’ts of religion.
Jesus walked in joy because He walked in obedient intimacy with God. Our joy comes as we walk in obedient intimacy with Jesus.
Obedience to Christ is not following a set of rules and regulations. Obedience is walking like Jesus walked. We are called to be followers of Christ, imitators of Him.
Jesus said, that if we obey Him, we will abide in His love and if we abide in His love, our joy will be complete.
For the Christian, there is joy in obedience. We don’t obey out of fear or intimidation. We walk in obedience for we know as we obey we are conforming to the life pattern of Jesus.
The more we walk in obedient union with Christ, the more “full” our joy is.
Today as you walk in intimate obedience to Christ, you release His joy into your life.
Never settle for seeking happiness, when you can have the joy.
Let’s review the verse one more time
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. – John 15:11
Confess this with me
Today, as I walk in obedience to Christ
I have the joy of Jesus.
Obedience isn’t a set of rule, but a way of living.
My joy grows as I walk in intimate obedience to Christ.
His joy is in me, and my joy is full
I will not seek happiness
I want JOY
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Are you experiencing the joy Jesus promised?
Share your thoughts below.
My marriage is in crisis to the point my wife wants a divorce. These past few days, including this morning, I referred to John 15, humbly reminding God of verse 7 and asking for the restoration of my marriage. As you can probably imagine I was encouraged and filled with joy to read today’s joy, it’s one of those “oh God” moments where he’s telling me, “I am with you, I hear you, now, trust me.” In effect Jeremiah 29:11-14 comes to my mind. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Hi Henry,
I am believing with you that your marriage will be restore. I know it may seem like it’s out of hand and the fact is that both of you are hurting, the Truth is that Jesus Christ has already forgiven the two of you. Be patient and continue to love. I want to share with you what I had gone through. My wife and I have been married for two years now and at times I felt as if everything she did was wrong. I continued to prayed and the Holy Spirit showed me that I was being selfish because it was all about my needs and wants. He took me to Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” After reading this, I broke down and saw all of my flaws. For so long I just thought about my selfish desires and never thought about what my wife wanted and needed. I began to work on her needs and soon found the JOY that I’ve been missing. I wanted to share with you this because sometimes we can be so caught up because our wives isn’t meeting our expectations or do the things we want them to do. I understand that you want someone to love you back as well, especially your wife, but Love doesn’t demand anything back, it only demands to give our all. I’m sure you love your wife to the point where you’ll die for her. Deep down inside, I’m sure she loves you as well. God has His plans for the both of you and He will bless you.
I am in the very same place Henry, and it is so painfully devastating!
I will pray for you and your wife.
You may also want to try this 21 day challenge. I have found it useful
http://Www.prayingforher.com
Praying for strength for you at this time. That God Will show you favor!