Good morning…
Praying aloud in front of a crowd, Jesus said to our Father: “Now I’m returning to you. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them” (John 17:13, MSG). It is an incredible thing to think the joy we experience in our everyday lives is actually the “joy of Jesus” being completed in us.
Earlier John records similar words. Jesus says, “I have told you these things so that my joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be full and complete and overflowing” (John 15:11, AMP). So now, my friends, any genuine joy we feel today is an offshoot of the “joy of Jesus” multiplying within us, from full and complete to overflowing. Isn’t that so cool?
Yet to be joy-filled, we must be bonded, we must BE ONE WITH GOD NOW. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne (Hebrews 12:2, NLT). From heaven Jesus now advocates for us, empowering us-ordinary-people to practice heavenly joy. “We practice by choosing union freely – ahead of time – and now,” says Richard Rohr. “Heaven is the state of union both here and later. As now, so will it be then.”
Could this also be true? As now, so it always has been. …for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10b, NIV).
Touch on the “Past Blog Posts” button below to witness how the joy of the living Christ continues to live on and on and on through you and me, day by day, now and forever.
…Sue…
P.S. For those in the Atlanta area, the final Crucial Conversation held in Northside Church chapel will tackle the tender topic of FINANCIAL BALANCE. Join us from 5:00 to 6:30 pm tonight as well-loved Northside member Art Rollins teaches us how God guides us to become financially fruitful through every of stage of our lifespan.
