Joy Explained

John speaks of Jesus from the position of the closest of friends.  In fact, John was there from the beginning of Jesus' ministry and His baptism.  He ate with him, talked with him, witnessed Jesus' miracles and His teaching.  He stayed by Jesus' side as He was crucified on the cross and he ate with Jesus after He was resurrected (John 21).  He was known as the disciple Jesus loved.  If one was looking for a reliable witness to whom Jesus is, I believe that would be John.

John refers to Jesus as the Word of life, and indeed, Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of life.  He speaks of Him as having been with the Father, God.  John lets us know that eternal life was proved to him without any doubt.  Could you have witnessed the life, the death, and the resurrected Christ and not shared that truth?  John makes clear that his fellowship is with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Throughout this passage, he speaks in the plural using the pronouns we and us.  He is most likely referring  to the other disciples and believers who were intimately acquainted with Jesus, as well as Mary the mother of Jesus, who was given into John's care by Jesus Himself.  

Finally, in verse 3, I see in my mind's eye a continuous stream of believers in Christ reaching out to share the fellowship they have with one another because of their fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.  This is Life, whatever our circumstance, an abundant eternal life filled with hope.  I myself have had joy in the worst of circumstances:  my son lying in a hospital for 3 1/2 months,dying;  my mother's and father's death;  my own chronic illness, and other difficult life circumstances. I have experienced abundant joy even in those hard times,  and I have shared that joy with other believers also enduring difficult times.  This joy of which I speak transcends life's experiences:  it covers us.  It  is there waiting for us -- carrying us through, even when we cannot feel it.  Let the joy of Jesus Christ fill you with His love and hope that lasts for all eternity.  I echo John, "And these things we write to you that your joy may be full."

Prayer:   Father in Heaven, I pray that all who read this may experience the fullness of joy that can only be found in You.  May they see the truth of who Jesus Christ is, and I pray for them to connect with other  believers to share this fellowship of love and hope.  In Jesus Precious Name I ask these things.  Amen.

1 John 1: 1 - 4

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— ² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

(A note for those who have problems reading and comprehending lengthy blogs:  I sometimes experience brain fog, which affects people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  This devotion is a little longer than some I write.  Therefore, I suggest you read it through, and come back later to look at smaller portions of the piece.  It is wise to break it up into smaller portions, to savor and ask God for understanding of each section you read.  Even though, it IS important to read scripture in context, meditation sometimes requires us to consider smaller portions, and ask God how this applies to our lives.  I pray you will enjoy comfort and peace, the peace of our Father God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.)

Joy

Focus on this: God wants our joy to be full. We protest, "But I am in pain, I don’t have a job, I have family problems, I don’t even like myself."  We wonder why God is letting us go through the problems we have; or we feel guilty, because we never feel good enough.   

Quiet your heart.    

Listen.

And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1John 1:4  NKJV)

As I read this verse, my heart quiets and my head quits trying to figure out why things aren’t whatever “vision of perfect” I think my life should be. I rest.

Prayer: Father-God thank you for the peace that floods my soul when I stay in Your word. Thank you that You want us to have JOY. Bless the readers of this devotion. May they know the assurance that You care about them and love them. May they have JOY. In Jesus precious name, I pray. Amen.

Our next devotion is going to touch on the things that have been written to us in 1 John 1-3.

Calming My Heart

Today started quietly.  My heart and mind were calm:  all felt well with my soul.  Then, things began to happen:  I couldn't find a notebook that was important to me, so stopped and I did slow breathing exercises.  I decided to practice piano and get my mind off that illusive notebook, which I knew would turn up when I wasn't looking for it.  I did some housework, feeling pleased with the results;  moreover, I drank a healthy smoothie and the notebook did turn up.  Sounds great doesn't it?  

No Worry Here

However, as I sat down to rest and catch my second wind, I began to disintegrate into a frustrated, frazzled mess.  I felt impatient with myself and what I was doing on the computer.  Puzzled at my disintegration into chaos, I felt like throwing my hands up in the air and I grunted my frustration with a loud, "Arghhh."   Then, God's Holy Spirit spoke within me, "Read your Bible."  So this time, I listened, and I obeyed.  Peace, peace -- I knew I needed peace within, and I received it.  How?  I read God's word and rested in Him:  His precious word is so very true:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." 
www.lockman.org

Knowing That We Are In Him

 It has been too long since I have written here, but I am back.  Praise God:
He has gotten me through serious surgery and a move.  In fact, I'm still unpacking and putting away.

The scripture today is 1 John 2:  4-6 with the emphasis on verse 5.  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ( KJV, 2:5).  What struck me about verse 5 is it does not say we will be just like Jesus.  That may sound heretical to some people, but I don't mean it to be.  It is telling us that when we keep God's word, His love is perfected in us;  even though, as human beings saved by grace, we fail to live our lives free of sin.  I have found my inability to live a sin-free life frustrating;   but v. 5 gives me hope, that when I keep His word, His love will grow in me, and I will do better.

 I would like to back up a bit to verse 4 which says the person who claims to know Jesus, but does not keep his commandments is a liar.  I don't think a liar or a pretender feels the frustration of having failed to live up to God's standards.  A backslider may feel chagrin at falling short, but this is only right since he or she has not been abiding in Him. Knowing God's word and keeping God's word is bread and butter to the Christian.  If we do not do these things, we are starving our spirits, which throws us into a quandary of doubt.  The Christian who  saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  (KJV,1John 2:6).  This person will experience the peace and joy of the Lord.  However, it is not time to give up when we fail;  for, verse 5 does not say we will immediately be just like Jesus.  It says whoso keepeth his word -- His love is perfected in that person.  And it is by this know we that we are in him.  Being perfected is a process:  this is a process I want to continue in Christ Jesus my Lord;  and I hope you do to.


Prayer:  Dear Father, I pray you will help us to understand Your word more deeply and apply it to our lives.  Thank you for loving us, even in our weakness and afflictions.  You, oh God, are all that we need.  You are glorious.  In Jesus Christ's Name, I pray.  Amen.

All Scripture taken from the King James Version
Public Domain