Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 22: JOY”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
So it’s with heavy heart that I will say that today will be the last of these daily devotions.
Thanks for reading and I pray they were uplifting to you.
Pastor Mike
April Fools! (OK I couldn’t help myself!)
This was probably a pretty lame attempt at an April Fool’s joke and perhaps you have some planned that are much more involved and deceptive. Have fun, but don’t hurt anyone!
Do you ever feel like it’s an April Fool’s joke that God is playing when he says,
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Always? You’re fooling, right?
“Nope,” God says. “Every day I give you a reason to rejoice.”
Your fooling, right?
“Nope.”
Every day comes with external circumstance that lead to happiness or sadness or a multiple of other emotions. Yet, the joy of the Lord residing in our hearts not only provides perspective on our day, but positivity in our life.
It’s not just a token “Turn the frown upside down,” but rather a unshakable joy that knows I rest secure in the grace and love of God. So I can rejoice no matter what the circumstances. Consider the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15 and following. Paul had a choice to get angry, jealous or defensive when he heard that others were preaching the Gospel with impure motives.
His reaction? I rejoice that Christ is preached.
Philippians 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Paul didn’t let his ego be threatened, condemn the motives of the others, or call on God to tear them down and lift him up. He simply saw that the Word of Christ was being preached and that was his reason to rejoice.
Satan loves to fool us into believing a lie that most days don’t have a reason to rejoice and be filled with joy.
So call out the joke and rest secure in God’s truth. You are a loved, redeemed, gifted child of God that has received God’s love, forgiveness and promise of eternal life.
This is a reason to rejoice in the Lord…always.
No foolin’!
Apply: Where does Satan try to steal your joy? What aspect of your relationship with Christ secures joy back in your heart?
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for giving me reasons every day to rejoice! AMEN.