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Glory Seed Devotionals, 2015: Year of Promise
Celebrating the Gifts of Christmas 2015…
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring GREAT JOY to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:9–11, NLT, emphasis mine)
Today we celebrate the Gift of Joy. The Gift of Joy we receive at Christmas goes beyond (yet includes) happiness. Let’s call Christmas Joy what it really is the Joy of Jesus. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians wrote, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:10, NLT)
“We are poor, but we have spiritual riches,” Paul writes. The Joy of Jesus is not ours it is a gift to us from Jesus yet one that Jesus maintains ownership because as long as Jesus maintains ownership it will NEVER fail us. Speaking not only about the gift of Joy but His other gifts as well Jesus gives us this promise. “…Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:37–38, NLT)
Peter while writing to all Christians for all times and especially for our time writes, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, NLT) One of our greatest needs (especially mine) has been the need for a personal inner “Peace Accord” so we can live in the Light of Jesus rather than under a cloud of despair. God IS the Author of that “Peace Accord” written in and through the life of Jesus.
Paul’s words, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.” Is our promise that the “Peace Accord” written in our hearts through the life of Jesus may not bring an end to those things creating clouds of despair but WILL illuminate our lives with the Light of the Joy of Jesus.
Come LORD Jesus, come and give us the Gift of Joy!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!
Grace and PEACE, Amen!
Gary
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“For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13, NLT)
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“Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.”