God's Gift of Joy

Have you had your JOY JUICE today? Has anyone ever told you how important it is to drink in the Joy of the Lord consistently?

            I think it’s safe to assume that most of us like to experience joy in our lives.   Jesus spoke of having joy in John 15:11. He said: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

             Jesus says that HIS joy may be in you---and me!  What a delightful truth!   The JOY OF THE LORD really can be in each of us. If it’s in our heart, then it will be on our lips, in our actions, and we will reflect the joy of Jesus in our lives.   

             The previous verses in that passage state that if we obey his commands, we will remain in his love. And then He instructs us in verse 12 to: “Love each other as I have loved you.”

            Are you loving others with the love of Christ?  It’s easy to love some people, but what about those difficult people? When we allow God to love through us, we are bringing joy to Him….and …then, that joy bounces right back to us! Do you remember the children’s song says: “I’ve got peace like a river, love like an ocean and joy life a fountain in my soul”? That can happen, but only when we allow the joy of Jesus to permeate our lives.   

Accept God’s gift of joy in your life.  He wants you to have HIS JOY in you so that your joy will be complete.