And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. (John 17:13)

We find in our scripture passage this morning the core character trait in the life of a Christian. The joy of Christ! In the final moments before His arrest and trial that would lead to His death on the cross, Jesus prayed to the Father that “My joy fulfilled in themselves.” Of all the things that Jesus wanted for His disciples, it was His joy. Jesus spoke often of His joy to the His disciples. They witnessed in His joy that came not from the world, not from the acceptance and appreciation of others, not from the approval of the religious leadership or those with authority, nor from His miraculous personal accomplishments. His joy was completely founded in the relationship He had with the Father. He had joy in knowing that word of God was being fulfilled. Jesus prayed that “they may be one as We are” and that His joy be complete and filled in them. My friends, joy is the birthright for every born-again child of God. The joy of Christ settles deep within our hearts as we grow in a fulfilled relationship with the Father and realize we are children of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom8:16-17). His joy is filled in our hearts as come to know that we were once dead in sin but now are alive in Christ (Rom 6:4). Jesus prayed that His disciples and, also “those who will believe in Me through their word” (v.20) to be filled with His joy. It is a joy that is unshakeable and not move by any circumstance. Father, I pray for all who trust Jesus as Savior that they be filled and characterized by the joy of Christ. Thank You for Your abiding Presence, for filling us with the Your joy and lead us to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8). In Jesus Name. Amen.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

I pray you had great worship on this past Lord’s Day in your local church! In the week ahead, many of us will reflect, remember, and where possible, reach out to our mother to show appreciation for their life and years of motherly love. Many have become children of God through the love of godly mothers. Our passage this morning assures us of the tremendous love that God committed to all His children through Christ Jesus our Lord. It is God Who saves. It is God Who keeps us. God “has sealed us and given us the Spirit…as a guarantee” (2 Cor 1:22). Having believed and been born again of the gospel for salvation, “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Eph 1:13). God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son that we might have eternal life. He gave us the word of God that we might have the blessed assurance to know that He has saved, sealed, and secured us for all eternity. The word of God assures us of His eternal love. The working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the child of God provides the evidence of eternal life able to persuade us that we are His and nothing can “separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” As you reflect and remember your mother this week, allow the Spirit of God to reassure you of the love that God has for all His children “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Take a moment to allow God to assure you of His love for you as you read and reflect on these scriptures (Luke 23:43; John 5:24; 6:47; 2 Tim 3:14; Heb 10:22; 1 John 3;19). Give particular attention to the words assure, assurance and assuredly. Father, thank You for the assurance of Your love. Encourage our hearts in Your word that we may sing along with the songwriter who sang “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.

“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Col 1:28

The Apostle Paul was clear about his call to ministry. His single mission and purpose were to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Not some men, but every man. Not better, but perfect. This was not only the standard for his ministry, but for the man Paul himself. He encouraged those for whom he preached and discipled to “join in following my example” (Php 3:17). He was clear and confident of his call to serve the resurrected Christ that he could say “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:14). He followed the example of the Lord Jesus Christ who began His earthly ministry with a call to certain men, who later became His disciples, to “Follow Me.” They would follow Jesus in His daily walk and observe His interactions with people from different walks of life. Those who followed Jesus learned from His example. They observed on every occasion of His life the Father’s love for all people and the Son’s love for the Father. Christ exemplified the Father’s love for a world lost in sin and the Father’s love for His Son who laid down His life that “whosoever believed on Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). The central truth in this scripture verse, and throughout the Bible, is the love of God. The people of God are examples of God’s love to the world. In Jesus’ final words to His disciples, He commanded “That ye love one another; as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). Begin this day assured of the Father’s love for you. Live out this day as an example of the Father’s love to others. Father, we love You, we praise You, and adore You. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who died for my sin and the sin of the world that we might know Your love through the forgiveness of sin. In Jesus Name. Amen.