Open Heaven 12 December 2024: The Joy of the Lord
MEMORISE: Isaiah 55:12
“For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
READ: John 15:9-11 (KJV)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Read Yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional Here
Many people mistake happiness for joy. Happiness is based on happenings, while joy is not dependent on any happenings at all. The only way to access real joy is through Jesus Christ. This is why, after a person becomes born again, he or she begins to feel so joyful, even though nothing special seems to be happening to him or her on the outside.
Many years ago, a professor, who had just given his life to Christ, came to me and said, “Can I ask you a question, sir?” I braced myself because I thought to myself, “If a professor wants to ask a question, it must be a tough one.” He then said, “I hope there is no problem with being so joyful. I don’t know why, but recently, I have been so joyful, and I am concerned.” I told him that what he was experiencing was very normal; everyone who connects with God experiences real joy. If you are yet to experience the kind of joy that goes beyond your circumstances, give your life to Christ today and live holy. You will begin to experience joy that you will find difficult to explain.
Some people have been born again for a long time but have lost their joy. They lost their joy, not because they had less money or less of whatever they used to have, but because they started disobeying Jesus.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. – (John 15:10-11)
In the Scripture above, Jesus said that if you keep His commandments and abide in His love, His joy will remain in you, and your joy will be full. If you really want that joy that chases depression and sorrow away forever, you need to obey Jesus and abide in His love. (1 John 5:3) says that God’s commandments are not grievous.
Beloved, the secret to real joy is in obeying the commandments of Jesus Christ. Commit to always obey Him, and as you begin to live for Him, His joy will flood your heart. He loves you, and He wants to give you unexplainable joy.
KEY POINT:
It is only in Jesus Christ that you can experience true joy.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Thessalonians 1-3
Open Heaven 12 December 2024
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