START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION
(KJV) Philippians 1:4
Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
JOY / PHILIPPIANS 1:4
This is a key theme in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. Joy is a central part of our spiritual salvation and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. True Christian joy reflects an inner peace and delight in God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is the blessing that flows from our relationship with them (2 Corinthians 13:14). Joy is deeper than emotional happiness, which often depends on outward circumstances. Joy is based on God’s immeasurable love for us and on the peace and hope we have because of what Christ has done for us. Our greatest joy will come when God reveals what is stored up for those who remain faithful to Him. God’s Word teaches the following things about joy.
- Joy is directly related to the spiritual salvation (forgiveness of sins and a personal relationship with God) provided by the personal sacrifice of Jesus Christ, “who loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 1:3-6; Psalms 5:11; 9:2: Isaiah 35:10). Joy is also directly connected to God’s Word (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalms 119:14). For this reason, true joy does not increase or decrease depending on our feelings or circumstances because it is based on the solid foundation of what Christ has already accomplished for us and on His eternal and unchanging Word (Luke 21:33; John 1:1).
- Joy comes from God as one aspect of the Holy Spirit’s “fruit” – the character traits He develops in Christians’ lives (Psalms 16:11; Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22). Joy does not come automatically but is experienced only as we remain in a growing, personal relationship with Christ (John 15:1-11). Our joy increases as the Holy Spirit gives us a deep sense of God’s presence and nearness in our lives (Proverbs 16:11; John 14:15-21; John 16:14). Jesus taught that complete joy is directly connected to knowing and remaining in God’s Word, obeying His commands (John 15:7, 10-11), loving others and being set apart from the evil in the world (John 17:13-17).
- Joy comes from the comfort and delight of God’s nearness (Acts 2:28) and His gifts of forgiveness, spiritual salvation and an eternal relationship with Him. True joy cannot be destroyed by pain, suffering, weakness or difficult circumstances (Matthew 5:12; Acts 16:23-25; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Joy provides the highest motivation and strength for serving God and fulfilling His purposes for our lives (Nehemiah 8:10).
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Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
