Experience True Joy

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Lighten up a little”

Our Bible verse for today: “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

Our thought for today: “Experience true joy”

On Friday Jesus died a terrible death on a cross. That was Friday, but Sunday was coming. On Saturday Jesus was in the grave and His followers were in mourning. That was Saturday, but Sunday was coming. On Sunday Jesus arose from the grave – and nothing has been the same since!

The resurrection changes everything. Death has been defeated and the promise of a glorious eternal life in heaven now belongs to all those who place their faith in the Resurrected Savior.

Have you experienced the joy of Jesus in your life? All this month in our devotional series we’ve been exploring the concept of “Lighten up a little”. The idea is that we often miss out on much of the joy that Jesus wants us to have. Many people have resigned themselves to simply trudging through their days, wearing life like a heavy old coat, putting one foot in front of the other and simply getting through life. That shouldn’t be, and it’s not the life the Lord intends for us to experience. As author Chuck Swindoll taught us in his book by the same name, we need to learn to “Laugh Again”.

In John 15:11 Jesus said that one of the purposes of His ministry here on earth was so that we might have His joy in our hearts. In Galatians 5:22-23 the Apostle Paul described for us what a life like that might look like. Once we embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord, and as the Holy Spirit begins to transform us more-and-more into the likeness of Jesus, we begin to experience and exhibit His personality traits. Paul described them for us: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” This is the “completion” Jesus was talking about, and joy is second on that list.

Most devotionals in this series end with a joke, or a whimsical thought, or a cute story, but no jokes this morning. Instead, I encourage you to simply spend a few moments thinking about the joy of Jesus in your life. I hope you are experiencing it in increasing measure.

I also want to invite you to worship with us at Oak Hill Baptist Church. If you are anywhere near the Cumberland Plateau, please join us for Sunday school at 9:00 and for worship at 10:00. The love and joy of Jesus will be abundant! If you cannot join us in-person, then please join us online on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville.

Every Sunday is a celebration of Easter. Jesus is alive – and He wants us to be too. Not just physically alive but fully, spiritually alive, living our best lives. Jesus wants you to have a life that is filled with His joy.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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