These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full. Jn 15:11.

Joy is spontaneous. The joy of a little child arises so naturally and springs forth so easily. It seems to lie in awaiting only to burst forth like the dawn of a new day whose light dances across the horizon and fills the sky with even more brightness. The scripture passage before us describes God’s plan to fill us with the fullness of His joy. His desire is “that My joy be in you, and your joy be full.” The joy God supplies is solely in Him rather than the ever-changing circumstances that surround us. The world around us is always changing, unstable, and full of troubles, but Jesus is full of joy that He gives to all who hear Him and come to Him. All who receive Jesus, receive His joy. His joy is in and through the constant, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit that flows like sap from the vine to the branches. “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy” (Gal 5:22). Though circumstances change, and we pass through the seasons of life, His joy fills and flows to those grafted into the true Vine to experience “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8). His joy is sweet (Song 2:3) to the one that abides in Him (Jn 15:5). And His joy is made perfect to one who “keeps His word…to walk just as He walked” (1 Jn 2:5-6). Dear friend, hear the word of God “spoken unto you” that you may know “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10) and “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Eph 6:10). When Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into jail, the joy of the Lord within them broke forth in prayer and sang praises unto God that a great earthquake shook the prison and the chains that bound them fell loose. Dear friend, the joy of the Lord fills you that it may free you from the chains of the world that bind and burden you. Though the weights and burdens in this world may linger like the dark of night, dear friend, hear the word of God say, “rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice” (Phil 4:4) for “joy comes in the morning” ((Ps 30:5). Father thank You for the joy of Your salvation that is in Christ Jesus. In His fullness I will ever rejoice and sang praises unto You. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:13

The cool air and the colorful leaves signal the end of another harvest season. The fruits of the harvest season have been gathered, the vines and branches now become silent, and the earth prepares for the quiet rest of winter. During this time of winter quiescence, the roots are resting, but ready for the opportunity to expand their root systems in search of water and nutrients in advance of spring bud break. The rest and readiness of the roots are vital to the fruit that will bear forth in the next harvest season. The scripture passage illustrates to us the greatest fruit of Christian living is love. Of all the things one can think of or relate to in Christian living “the greatest of these is love.” Love is the natural produce of eternal life in Jesus Christ. The “fruit of the Spirit” begins with love (Gal 5:22). As the seeds of God’s word are sowed in the life of the child of God, the Holy Spirit roots Himself within for the sap of God’s love to rise from the seedling roots to produce fruit that will nurture the starving hearts of man. The fruit of love is of the work of Jesus that He produces through the life and obedience of the child of God. “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). It is the greatest desire of Jesus that His children be “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph 3:17). Dear friend, break the harden soil of your heart and cleanse the things that choke out the roots of God’s word and hinder the sap that flows from His love. Dear friend, does your life seem like it’s going through a winter season? Does coldness surround your life and does unforgiveness, bitterness, loneliness, and pain chill your heart. Do you desire feel the warmth and the sunshine of God’s love? Humble yourself and open your heart to God then you will know that “the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart and…contrite spirit” (Ps 34:18). My friend, the total package of the Spirit filled life for the child of God is that “faith, hope, and love” abide within, “but the greatest of these is love.” Jesus promises that “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you…and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7) and you will know the eternal flow of His love. Father thank You for Your love that abides and flows from Immanuel’s veins. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen. 

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ. Jude 1

The Fall season is a special time of the year. The earth prepares for the cold of winter as we take notice of the colorful leaves that paint the country and hill sides. People begin to dawn their winter coats to preserve themself from the chills in the air. In times past, many homes were filled the smell of fresh apples being cooked, canned and preserved the cold months ahead. The practice of canning and preserving has faded and been replaced by refrigeration and the availability of market items at local groceries. These modern conveniences have opened the way for consumerism so that little thought is given for putting away or preserving for the future. It is something we don’t think about because it’s taken care of by someone else. The scripture passage is a great reminder of the One who keeps us for the change that lies ahead and our future in heaven. The child of God is “preserved in Jesus Christ” for the new season in heaven. The phrase “preserved in Jesus Christ” is also translated “kept for Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are washed by His blood (1 Cor 6:11), cleansed from sin and all unrighteousness, and “sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30).  Jesus, by His own blood, preserves us and keeps us for Himself until the day that we will be with Him and be like Him (1 Jn 3:2). Yet, while we anticipate the new season of His soon return, we are now kept for the season of His harvest. Our spirit is being kept for His Spirit. Our soul is being kept that His mind may transform us. Our heart is being kept as the bowl of a fountain that His love may flow in and out of us. Our body is being kept that He may use our members for the glory of the Father’s will. Dear friend, while we await His soon return, renew your commitment to Jesus as a faithful laborer in His harvest. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matt 9:37). Will you answer His call and so labor in the kingdom that you offer yourself “a sweet aroma to the Lord” (Lev 2:2). My friend, we are kept by the blood Jesus, seasoned by His love, and sealed with the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We are kept for Him and for His good work that “all men…be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). Father thank You for Your love, Your mercy, and Your faithfulness to keep all by faith in Jesus Christ. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.