Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a video of Chris Tomlin, leading worship, and singing a contemporary version of the classic Isaac Watts Christmas Carol … Joy To The World, expressing what we, as Christians, should feel all 365 days of the year … JOY - JOY - JOY!! … and THEN TO THIS LINK to hear Twyla Paris singing … The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength.
Highlight Passage John 15: 11 [NKJV] …
11 “These things [on the true vine] I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
… Jesus’ word picture of the joy which should always be found in our relationship with Him.
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Highlight Context - John 15: 1-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… The joy and fruitfulness of being connected in Christ
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Reference Passage #1 - Psalm 98: 4-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Overcoming circumstances, our joy should always be in the Lord and what He has done for us
Reference Passage #2 - Habakkuk 3: 17-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Prophet discovered how to retain the joy of the Lord in spite of circumstances
Reference Passage #3 - Matthew 19: 13-15 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus really loved the little kiddies.
Reference Passage #4 - John 3: 16 [NKJV] …
… Hopefully you know this one as well as I. … Jesus loves us all … but do we feel the joy from His love?
My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder, used a personal story of seeing a little boy who spontaneously broke into song at an airport, LOUDLY singing Joy To The World and never missing a word, … merely exploding with the type of joy we Christians should feel 24/7 - 365 days of the year, not just at Christmas.
And Crowder’s ODB piece today reminded me of the wonderful pencil drawings of Jesus, by Jean Keaton, depicting Jesus sharing great joy with children (my favorite of which is attached). Somehow because of the trials Jesus faced, which were admittedly serious stuff, we get the idea that He must’ve been serious all the time; but I think the attached picture captures what must’ve been His mood most of the time and especially when He was with the children, who likely flocked to be with Him. And do you think he loves you and me any less than He did those kiddos? … Of course not!!
Think about it. Jesus, The Son of God and His Heavenly Father were ONE! He had the deepest and most abiding relationship with The Lord of any human Who ever lived. And God’s Spirit abided in Him more deeply than with any other human. If that we me, I’d by one happy dude, for sure!!! What about you?
Back to the attached photo; because we know how much Jesus loved the little children [see Matthew 19: 13-15 above]; and He loved all of us [see John 3: 16] enough to die for our sins and to save us. Shouldn’t that spark some joy in our souls?
So, today, go back and join me to sing a little of that Christmas Carol, Joy To The World, along with Christ Tomlin (see link above); and let’s share a little joy with the Lord today.
My Prayer Today: Oh Lord, … Joy to the world, my Lord … JOY TO THE WORLD!!! Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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