Listen to this devotion
Living in the Spirit … Gives Me Joy
In the Word
The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad (Psalm 126:3).
Of the Word
The fruit of the Spirit is … joy (Galatians 5:22).
Vacations. Vacation homes. Jobs. Better jobs. TVs. Bigger TVs. Parties. More parties. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Boats. Cars, etc., etc., etc. The list of things we think will bring us joy is endless. But the time, energy, and money spent on the pursuit of happiness are wasted because the material things we want today are not a source of everlasting joy. They will not bring comfort when troubles or sorrows enter our lives.
True joy comes to us as the Holy Spirit leads us into living with Jesus Christ. Through Him we have the precious gift of eternal life. Knowing this helps us to walk through the dark times into the Light of Christ’s love. The things of life are only temporary but God’s promises will last forever. Joy is God caring for us.
Let us shout with loud voices, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” He has come to give us this message: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).
Walking with my Lord
Lord, what comfort I have knowing the pursuit of spiritual things will never be time wasted. Thank You for the joy You have put in my life through Your Spirit and Your Son. In His name. Amen.
Mustard Seed: Living in the Spirit. Authors: Marcia Gomulka, Dcs. Betty Knapp, Myrna Lou Meyer. 22/30 ©2007 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
(Hymn text: “Joy to the World” — public domain.)
