IS YOUR JOY FULL?

Psa 16:8-11, 89:15-16, Jhn 15:11; see also “Caged Bird Ornis”

THE SCENARIO: In good times, in not so good times, whatever the circumstances, Xara's joy is full. You see, Xara has the joy of Christ in their heart. Xara has learned to acclaim Him continually, and to walk in the light of His presence. Xara rejoices in His Name all day long, and exults in His righteousness.

In the outworking of this scenario please consider the following:

1. How would you define joy; that is, what is joyous for you specifically? How would you define full joy, as Jesus speaks of full joy in Jhn 15:11?

2. The joy of Christ—is this something that is different for different people, or is it a standard that is the same for everyone? Please explain and support Scripturally.

3. How does one acclaim Jesus, to self, to others (what is there to acclaim)? How does this acclamation redound to one's joy; how about others' joy? Christian friend, do you acclaim Him regularly? For what specifically do you acclaim Him and how do you do it (praying, service, singing, witnessing...)?

4. Xara's surpassing joy is anchored by Jesus' abiding presence in their life. Please pick any three of the following beautiful verses that promise us His presence and reflect on how these promises fill your heart with the joy of knowing He is with you (Gen 28:15, 2Ch 15:2, Psa 22:24, 40:17, Isa 58:9, 43:4, Mat 28:20, Jhn 14:18, 2Cr 6:18). What part of God's Word do you turn to when you need to be reminded of His abiding presence in your life?

5. It is good to dwell on God's Name, like Xara and the psalmist do, even all day long (O, That Name!” perhaps). It is good to remind oneself of God's Name regularly because His Name is a testimony to who He is, and it is that testimony of Him that is cause for great rejoicing: What He rejoices in, what He stands for, what He has done, what He is going to do, for the Creation, for you and I and our brethren. We always rejoice particularly in His Name IMMANUEL—God with us, for so it is now, and so it shall be throughout eternity for His people. Imagine that...

6. Christ's righteousness fills Xara's heart with joy because His righteousness is their righteousness; and Xara knows that in this righteousness is life eternal with Him—Salvation--true grounds for joy. We simply cannot fully know today the richness of that Salvation, and this abbreviated knowledge blunts sometimes our joy as our day-to-day struggles might easily loom larger and more pressing and real perhaps. The “here and now” gets in the way of the “then to come.” Would you agree that just like our Salvation was wrought and secured by God, so too our joy, even full joy, must be wrought and secured by Him? Lord teach me how to attain and maintain full joy, even in you great savior God!

7. Dear Christian friend, it is our prayer that your joy be ever full; be ever full in our great savior God. Rejoice, for Christ loves you with an eternal love. He shall bless you today and forever Christian friend.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE LEGEND

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