Dreamer
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Paul had joy even in extremely rough circumstances. Joy is not happiness, but acceptance of our circumstances and an inner glow and peace that shines through in spite of trouble. I love this devotional that LadylovesJesus sends me in my e-mail. Here is today's devotional about Christian joy:
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Todays Devotional - Saturday April 14th - Foretaste of glory
"Filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:8
These believers (1 Peter 1:1-2) did not know the Jesus of the gospels. They had Old Testament scriptures and the apostles' teaching. As they believed what they heard, they encountered the Lord. Despite suffering and persecution they pressed into God's presence, rejoicing in His salvation and love for them. In that encounter something of the glory of God and the joy of heaven was being powerfully experienced.
Joy is a touchstone of Christian hope. A joyless Christian is like a cold sun - a total contradiction! "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3) We experience God's forgiveness and adoption into His family through the indwelling Holy Spirit. His love begins to engulf the heart. This love - for God, His Son, His Word, His people, His world - progressively releases cleansing, healing and restoration to the whole person. There is so much God has for us.
There is no limit to how intimately we can know God. If first century Christians could get this close to Jesus, so can we. If they could walk in revelation knowledge, so can we. If they could experience the glory of His presence, so can we. If they could be filled with His joy, so can we.
Lord Jesus, I'm grateful that You are alive and living in me. Resurrect those parts of my life still in darkness that I might reflect Your glory and joy. Amen.
from Nationwide Christian Trust
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Heartlight Daily Devotional
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according Scriptures.
Thoughts on today's verse
The Gospel story is pretty simple to understand. The grace of the Gospel is glorious to receive. The sacrifice of the Gospel is incomprehensible. The victory of the Gospel is life.
Prayer:
Almighty Lord, thank you for the empty tomb and Jesus' victory over the grave. Just as Jesus' death pardoned my sin, his resurrection assures my future. Thank you for grace and glory. May my life today be lived by the power of the resurrection. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
__________
Todays Devotional - Saturday April 14th - Foretaste of glory
"Filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 1 Peter 1:8
These believers (1 Peter 1:1-2) did not know the Jesus of the gospels. They had Old Testament scriptures and the apostles' teaching. As they believed what they heard, they encountered the Lord. Despite suffering and persecution they pressed into God's presence, rejoicing in His salvation and love for them. In that encounter something of the glory of God and the joy of heaven was being powerfully experienced.
Joy is a touchstone of Christian hope. A joyless Christian is like a cold sun - a total contradiction! "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3) We experience God's forgiveness and adoption into His family through the indwelling Holy Spirit. His love begins to engulf the heart. This love - for God, His Son, His Word, His people, His world - progressively releases cleansing, healing and restoration to the whole person. There is so much God has for us.
There is no limit to how intimately we can know God. If first century Christians could get this close to Jesus, so can we. If they could walk in revelation knowledge, so can we. If they could experience the glory of His presence, so can we. If they could be filled with His joy, so can we.
Lord Jesus, I'm grateful that You are alive and living in me. Resurrect those parts of my life still in darkness that I might reflect Your glory and joy. Amen.
from Nationwide Christian Trust
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heartlight Daily Devotional
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you... that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according Scriptures.
Thoughts on today's verse
The Gospel story is pretty simple to understand. The grace of the Gospel is glorious to receive. The sacrifice of the Gospel is incomprehensible. The victory of the Gospel is life.
Prayer:
Almighty Lord, thank you for the empty tomb and Jesus' victory over the grave. Just as Jesus' death pardoned my sin, his resurrection assures my future. Thank you for grace and glory. May my life today be lived by the power of the resurrection. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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