OCTOBER 16, 2024
READ: John 15 (Focus vs. 9-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11
BACKGROUND
Go at the speed of joy. The phrase dropped into my mind as I prayerfully considered the year ahead one morning, and it seemed apt. I had a propensity to overwork, which often sapped my joy.
So, following this guidance, I committed to working at an enjoyable pace in the coming year, making space for friends and joyful activities.
This plan worked . . . until March! Then I partnered with a university to oversee the trial of a course I’d been developing. With students to enroll and teaching to deliver, I was soon working long hours to keep up. How could I go at the speed of joy now?
Jesus promises joy to those who believe in Him, telling us it comes through remaining in His love (John 15:9) and prayerfully bringing our needs to Him (16:24). “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete,” he says (15:11).
This joy comes as a gift through His Spirit, who we’re to keep in step with (Galatians 5:22-25). I found I could only maintain joy during my busy period when I spent time each night in restful, trusting prayer.
Since joy is so important, it makes sense to prioritize it in our schedules. But since life is never completely under our control, I’m glad another source of joy—the Spirit—is available to us.
For me, going at the speed of joy now means going at the speed of prayer—making time to receive from the Joy-Giver.
By: Sheridan Voysey
INSIGHT
Love, joy, and peace are key words in John’s gospel. In John 15:9-15, love and joy are associated with obedience. One can’t choose joy without choosing obedience:
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (vv. 10-11).
Love and joy are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as fruit or evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the lives of believers in Jesus: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Disobedience to Christ’s commands, specifically the command to love, robs us of joy. Empowered by the Spirit, however, we can obey Him, which results in joy that the world can’t give and can’t take away.
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What saps your joy? How will you rest in the Joy-Giver today?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Since joy is so important, it makes sense to prioritize it in our schedules… For me, going at the speed of joy now means going at the speed of prayer—making time to receive from the Joy-Giver.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“The joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10
PRAYER
“Holy Spirit, please fill me afresh today with Your love, peace, and joy.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“CENTER OF MY JOY” Richard Smallwood & the Gaithers
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
All that’s good and perfect comes from you
You’re the heart of my contentment,
Hope for all I do
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
When I’ve lost my direction,
You’re the compass for my way
You’re the fire and light when nights are long and cold
In sadness, you are the laughter, that shatters all my fears
When I’m all alone, your hand is there to hold, ohh
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
All that’s good and perfect comes from you
You’re the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
You are why I find pleasure in the simple things in life
You’re the music in the meadows and the streams
The voices of the children, my family, and my home
You’re the source and finish of my highest dreams, woah
Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
All that’s good and perfect comes from You
All that’s good and perfect…
You’re the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do
Jesus, Jesus, you are you are
The center (the center) of my joy
Jesus (Jesus), you are (you are)
You are everything (Jesus)…
Everything…
You’re my joy (Jesus)
You’re my hope…
You’re the lifter…
You’re my music…
You’re my joy…
All day long…
Jesus, you’re the center of my joy
Of my joy…
Of my joy
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
1 CORINTHIANS 13
