Fruit Of The Spirit Saturday Joy
Saturday January 7, 2017
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
Always be joyful. Is that possible? Can anyone be genuine and be joyful all the time? Many of us have faked a smile on our face at various times to appear happy when our insides were reflecting something quite different. It seems that to appear joyful all the time requires a great cover-up and a real lack of integrity. Why then would God instruct us to always be joyful? How can we hope to achieve this? The following words of Jesus may help us understand.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. … apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:4-7, 9-11 NLT)
We were not created to manage life on our own. We were created to live daily embraced by God’s love and filled with His life. A branch cannot produce grapes unless it remains in the vine. The vine gives the branch everything it needs to produce fruit. We cannot stay strong and joyful unless we know and consistently practice the things Jesus tells us to do.
When we are hurt, we are to come to Him for healing and love rather than remaining in hurt and bitterness. When we fail, we are to be filled with His forgiveness rather than separating ourselves in the isolation of guilt and shame. As we live in this new way, remaining in God, following His Word, and relying on His unconditional love, we will be filled with overflowing joy.
When we are hurt, we are to come to Him for healing and love rather than remaining in hurt and bitterness. When we fail, we are to be filled with His forgiveness rather than separating ourselves in the isolation of guilt and shame. As we live in this new way, remaining in God, following His Word, and relying on His unconditional love, we will be filled with overflowing joy.
Prayer – Lord, I never want to be separated from You. Help me to obey Your commandments and remain in Your unconditional love today so I can be filled with great joy. AMEN
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