Category - Devotionals

12/10               Nehemiah 8:10

10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” 

LORD

The Lord of all is our strength.  He has come to us, seeking us and striving to help us do the right things.  We however turn aside at every opportunity and sin. Jesus loves us so much that he forgives and forgives and forgives seeking to help us journey on the straight and narrow path.  Life is harsh but Jesus brings wonderful joy to harsh lives.  He is seeking you.  Let Christ give you the strength you need for living and His joy. 

12/9                 Luke 15:7

7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 

JOY

Joy in heaven is great joy.  Joy in our lives is momentary when we base our joy on ourselves: winning, recognition, success, etc.  When we base our joy on our salvation, on the Father, on the Holy Spirit’s guidance: that is real joy.  Joy like those in heaven experience.  It is joy that is not rooted in my humanity but instead is grounded in Christ.  He is our joy. 

12/8                 2 John 1:12

12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. 

FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship has always been important in the church. We are to care for one another. Jesus calls us to fellowship with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.  People count with Jesus.  They should count with us.

12/7                 Romans 15:3

3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 

CHRIST

Jesus the Christ takes our sin upon himself.  He gives us His righteousness.  In Christ we are new creatures created to have fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Praise the Lord Jesus sets us free.

12/6                 1 Peter 1:8-9

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 

JOY

There is great joy in knowing the Lord.  We know Him and have been given life like His for eternity.  We accepted His free gift of a life like His, eternal, through the work that Jesus did, dead-buried-raised from the dead by the Father.  Jesus is truly the Lord and we will worship, praise and serve Him. 

12/5                 Proverbs 10:28

28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. 

CHOICE

I have a choice to make.  Who will I stand with?  The wicked for they will come to nothing.  The godly for they will come to happiness.  Oh Lord help me to come to you and to receive your joy.  Praise the Lord for there is much happiness in Him. 

12/4                 Ecclesiastes 9:7

7 So go ahead. Eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of this! 

DAILY

The Lord would that we live our life in peace and joy.  The truth is that each day when we rise in the morning we are to give credit for our daily life to the Lord.  Praise the Lord, I am grateful for the breath of life.  Lord thank you for waking me up this morning.  Thank you for seeking me out and giving me life.  Praise His name with everything that is within me.  Praise the Lord. 

12/3                 Isaiah 9:3

3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.

ACTIVITY

When I experience the activity of the Lord in my daily life, I rejoice.  It is always moving and a blessing to see the Lord working in our life.  Our Lord is our father and He is the giver of all good and perfect gifts.  Praise the Lord.  Praise His name with singing, dancing and clapping.  Praise the Lord.  He alone is worthy of all of our praise.  Praise the Lord. 

12/2                 Psalm 47:1

1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! 

MOVE

When we move with passion and excitement in the Lord, He is praised.  We clap our hands.  We stomp our feet.  We raise our voices in praise to Him.  Oh Lord help me a sinner as I seek to be the one who praises you-Worthy is the Lord.  Praise the Lord. 

12/1                 James 1:2-3

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

TEST

Life is a test.  We are called to meet the test of our faith-will I change and trust God or will I do it my way.  The joy of the Lord is a great blessing and we find that in simply trusting Him.