The Bible for Women

Weekly Devotional

JOY

The following devotional was taken from the Western Hills church of Christ bulletin and was written by sister in Christ, Chris Gann.

Of all the people in the world, we as Christians should be the most joyous. When we deserved nothing, God gave up everyhting. The joy of the Lord is rooted in salvation. The joy of the world denies there is sin. God's joy gives forgiveness. I Peter 1:8-9 states "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

The joy of the Lord is unaltered by circumstances. The joy of the world is controlled by what happens to you. True joy springs from God's presence. In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they."

The joy of the Lord is enriched through service and self denial. The joy of the world is self indulgence. John 13: 14-17 says, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

The joy of the Lord brings an abundant life. The joy of the world ends with death. If we but follow God's will, our joy will never cease. "But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

"Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice."

Phillipians 4:4

May God bless your week. Margie