"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10
As we begin this time of year getting close to the celebration of Easter, it is good to remember that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was filled with joy. Even though He knew He was going to die on the cross for our sins, He "counted it all joy." He was to endure horrible suffering and humiliation and death, but He was filled with the love and joy and peace of God.
How can this be? We think happiness comes from a good job, a nice car, a good bank account. But true and lasting joy comes from God. Jesus knew that in doing the will of God His Father He would save millions of people -- and that we could spend eternity in heaven with Him. "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning." Suffering on this earth, however painful, is still temporary. The Bible says that Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the suffering of the cross.
So let us be like Jesus who obeyed the will of His Father. We do not have to suffer and die on a cross, but we should obey God in what He asks us to do. And the Bible says as Christians we can ask God and by faith receive the gift of the Holy Spirit -- and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Do you want true joy in your life? Then obey God and ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior in every aspect of your life. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You can have God's joy even in the midst of difficult times.
So, this week, let us pray that
As we begin this time of year getting close to the celebration of Easter, it is good to remember that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was filled with joy. Even though He knew He was going to die on the cross for our sins, He "counted it all joy." He was to endure horrible suffering and humiliation and death, but He was filled with the love and joy and peace of God.
How can this be? We think happiness comes from a good job, a nice car, a good bank account. But true and lasting joy comes from God. Jesus knew that in doing the will of God His Father He would save millions of people -- and that we could spend eternity in heaven with Him. "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning." Suffering on this earth, however painful, is still temporary. The Bible says that Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the suffering of the cross.
So let us be like Jesus who obeyed the will of His Father. We do not have to suffer and die on a cross, but we should obey God in what He asks us to do. And the Bible says as Christians we can ask God and by faith receive the gift of the Holy Spirit -- and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Do you want true joy in your life? Then obey God and ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior in every aspect of your life. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You can have God's joy even in the midst of difficult times.
So, this week, let us pray that
- God will give us His joy no matter what our circumstances
- God will bring hundreds of people to our conference so that millions can learn about Jesus
- God will protect our volunteers and staff and the many people coming to Christ
- God will fill and control and empower you and me each and every day with His Holy Spirit
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