Introductory Thoughts
The Lord wants His children to have joy and that without limitations. He wants Christians to experience the fulness of joy that only comes from right relationships. This fulness only exists in the lives of believers as certain conditions are met. The right relationship involves fellowship with God which in turn evolves into the right kind of fellowship with other believers. According to today's passage, the words of the Lord Jesus bring fulness of joy to the saint of God. Additionally, answered prayer offers fulness of joy (John 16:24). In addition to our fellowship with the Lord, the Bible suggests that fellowship with other believers also yields fulness of joy (2 John 1:12). Every astute Bible student recognizes that these two fellowships are inextricably linked (1 John 1:3). No dedicated Christian can experience true fellowship with other dedicated believers without first having the right kind of fellowship with God Almighty.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): The Lord Jesus wants His children to experience the greatest joy inside of us. That can only come from obeying. Jesus offered us the perfect example of obedience to His Father. God wants us to obey Him and His word also.
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(For everyone): Do you have the joy of the Lord in your life? Do you know the fulness of joy of which the Bible speaks? If not, what is the cause of the joy missing in your life? Do you have the right kind of fellowship with the Lord? Are you fellowshipping with other believers?
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We all tend to blame circumstances and other people for the problems which arise in our lives. Yet, who is really to blame for our life lacking the joy that God so richly wants us to experience?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to strengthen your fellowship with Him and with His people.
- Ask the Lord to give you fulness of joy.
Song
O! Say, But I’m Glad
