WEEK 22 – DAY 1

ABIDING JOY

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:10-12

Joy is conditional upon the act of abiding in our loving relationship with God the Father and Jesus the Son through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are perfected in their love. We do not love perfectly. We are messes being made into messages of God’s love, goodness, and grace. As we grow in our ability to love the Lord and people, our joy will increase. Part of this is not being “in love” with ourselves but loving ourselves. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV) “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” It is important to note that we cannot give away what we do not have. If we haven’t experienced and understood the love of God, we cannot properly love ourselves or others. Have you personally experienced God’s love in your life? If so, are you sharing it with others? If not, we pray the Lord will send someone to share His love with you.

Father, may we increasingly experience the joy of loving unconditionally as You do. As we abide in Your love and share that love with others, please cause joy to abide in us as well—joy that cannot be shaken by circumstances because we are secure in Your love.