Joy

John 15:9-11 ESV
“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Some people reading this will immediately tune in to the fulfillment of joy, and I understand that. These days people seem to steal our joy, or more appropriately we actually give away our joy, no one can actually steal it without our consent.

What does giving away our joy look like you may ask? This week I seemed to find the people that desperately wanted my joy and in return to give me the emotion of annoyance. I had two choices in every situation this week, keep my joy and continue on my merry way, or give them my joy and become annoyed. I confess, I failed at a couple of them, but overcame in most of them.

To get to this fullness of joy, according to Jesus, is first of all obedience. Obedience to His word and obedience to what He is saying to our spirit on a daily basis. This obedience progresses and proves our love for the Master. When obedience is achieved then love takes over and fullness of joy is the fulfillment in our relationship with Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, my trust in You is my first action to obeying You. When I trust You explicitly, I will obey You explicitly. I know I prove my love for You when I listen and obey. Thank You for being faithful to always pursuing me and love me even when I do not feel lovable. In my quest to love and serve You more in our relationship, fulfill Your joy in me. In Your name Lord Jesus I ask, Amen!