What Jesus teaches about Joy
Introduction
There is something irreplaceable about the joy that comes from God. A joy that surpasses all understanding, that aggressively fights through sorrow and anxiety, that infuses every moment of our lives with divine delight. In this devotional study, we meet Jesus’ teachings about joy and explore how the ‘Joy of the Lord’ is not just an emotion, but a fruit of the Spirit and a gift from God.
No matter what the circumstance or situation is, God’s joy is constant and unchanging, just like His character. Let’s step into the insightful words of Christ on joy that reveal the heart of God, whose deepest desire is for us to thrive in His presence.
Bible Verse
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:11
Meaning
In John 15:11, Jesus spells out His purpose in speaking to the disciples – it is to ensure that His joy may be in them and that their joy may be full. It’s not a fleeting happiness due to external circumstances but an eternal joy regardless of circumstances, because it comes from Jesus Himself.
Moreover, Jesus wants this joy to be full or complete, implying abundance and overflowing measure. It brings out the concept that God’s joy doesn’t simply exist in small measures but is limitless, continuous, and expansive.
The joy Jesus offers is rooted in a relationship with Him. It’s not just joy in the sense of feeling; it’s joy in the reality of His unchanging love. This is the joy of the Lord; the delight found in His presence, the pleasure drawn from His Word, His love, and His grace.
Actions to Take
- Start your day by acknowledging the presence of God and thanking Him for the gift of life.
- Throughout the day, practice the habit of thankfulness for both big and small blessings.
- Read a Bible verse every day, meditate on it, and seek authentic joy from it.
- Perform an act of kindness to spread the joy of God to others.
- End your day by reflecting on the moments where you felt particularly close to Jesus.
Journal Prompts
- Describe a time when you felt the joy of the Lord, even during a challenging circumstance.
- What changes can you make to cultivate a more joy-filled life rooted in Jesus?
- Write a letter to God expressing your deepest desires and ask Him to fill you with His joy, peace, and love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise of your joy, a joy that is fulfilling, immutable and pure. Help me to always keep my heart open to treasure your Word that never fails, your love that knows no boundaries, and your joy that strengthens my soul. I pray that as you fill me with your joy, others would see your reflection in my life and seek you and your eternal joy. Amen.
Social Posts
- “Discover the joy of being in presence of God, it’s not temporary happiness, it’s His everlasting love that reaches out to us each day. #JoyoftheLord #John1511”
- “God’s joy is not an option, it’s our strength! So choose joy today and let your joy be full. #ChooseJoy #JoyinJesus”
- “A full and abundant life comes from a relationship with Jesus. In His presence, there is unmatched joy. #EternalJoy #CompleteJoy”
Conclusion
The joy that comes from Jesus is distinctive because it’s rooted in who He is: a loving Savior who gave His life so we could have abundant, eternal life. This joy isn’t about temporary happiness—it’s about a deep-seated, passionate understanding of God’s love for us. It’s about the inexplicable joy we feel even in the midst of our trials and pains.
We invite you to continue to explore how the teachings of Jesus inspire us every day here at BGodInspired.com. Let us immerse ourselves in His Word, make it a habit to live a joy-filled life and let His joy be our underlying strength. Remember, when our joy draws from Jesus, it will be full!
Do you want to know more about what Jesus teaches about ANY topic? Then try our What Jesus Teaches GPT. This is a great modern-day companion – simply search any topic and see what Jesus has to say about it.
