Joy

November 12th – John 15:11

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John 15:11

How often do we catch ourselves saying, “If only”? If only we had more money, a bigger house, a better job, fewer problems, or a life that looked a little more like someone else’s.

We convince ourselves that once those things happen, then we’ll finally be happy. But the trouble with living in the land of “if only” is that there’s always something else we’ll want or think we need before we allow ourselves to be joyful.

John 15:11 reminds us that Jesus wants His joy to be in us and for our joy to be complete. And that joy isn’t something we have to wait for until life gets better. It isn’t found in a bank account, a clothing size, or having everything go our way. It’s found in a relationship with Jesus.

The kind of joy He gives isn’t dependent on our circumstances, and it doesn’t disappear when life gets difficult. I’m reminding myself that I don’t want to spend so much time wishing for a different life that I miss the blessings in the one God has given me.

We can have joy right now, right where we are, because we have Jesus. So let’s stop putting our happiness on hold until our “if only” becomes a reality. Let’s learn to recognize the goodness of God in the life we’re living today and remember that the greatest source of joy is already ours.

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November 8th – Psalm 90:14

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Psalm 90:14

Psalm 90:14 reminds us to ask God to satisfy us each morning with His unfailing love so that we can rejoice and be glad all our days. I love that! Because it’s easy to wake up thinking about everything we need to do, everything we’re worried about, or all of the things we wish were different.

We can spend so much time looking for happiness in our circumstances, in what we have, or in what we hope to accomplish, that we forget the greatest source of joy has already been given to us. And that’s God’s love.

Nothing this world offers can compare to the security and peace found in knowing we are loved by our heavenly Father. His love doesn’t change when our circumstances do, and it doesn’t disappear on the days when we’re struggling or falling short.

A grateful heart begins when we stop looking for something more to make us happy, and start recognizing the incredible gift of God’s love right where we are. That doesn’t mean every day will be easy or that we won’t have disappointments. But it does mean we have a reason to rejoice even in the middle of them.

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November 2nd – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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1 Thessalonians 5:18

It’s easy to thank God when life is good. When our prayers are answered, and things are going the way we’d hoped. But what about when life hurts? When we’re disappointed, worried, or facing something we’d never choose for ourselves?

I’ll be the first to admit that finding reasons to be thankful isn’t always easy when my heart is heavy. But this verse reminds us that we’re called to give thanks in all circumstances, not necessarily for all circumstances. There’s a difference!

God doesn’t expect us to pretend we’re happy when we’re hurting or to ignore the struggles we’re facing. What He does ask us is to remember that even in our hardest seasons, He is still good. God’s love never changes, and we are never beyond His care.

Sometimes gratitude is a joyful celebration, and sometimes it’s a quiet prayer whispered through tears. Both matter to God.

So today, even if life isn’t giving you much reason to smile, look for one small thing you can thank Him for. It may not change your circumstances, but it can remind your heart that your circumstances don’t change who God is.

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November 1st – Psalm 107:1

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Psalm 107:1

It’s easy to thank God when life is going well. When our prayers are being answered, and everything seems to fall into place. But what about those days when we’re worried, disappointed, or wondering what God is doing?

I’ve learned that having a grateful heart doesn’t mean life is perfect or that we never struggle. It means choosing to remember that even when our circumstances change, God’s goodness and love never do.

Sometimes we’re so busy looking for the big blessings that we overlook the little ones right in front of us. Maybe it’s a beautiful sunrise, a kind word, a loved one’s laughter, or the quiet reassurance that we’re never walking alone. God’s goodness isn’t measured by how easy our lives are, but by who He is. And His love endures through every season.

So today, let’s challenge ourselves to look beyond what we wish were different and notice the blessings God has already placed in our lives. We may not have everything we want, and we may still be waiting on some prayers, but we always have a reason to thank Him.

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October 29th – Psalm 126:5

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Psalm 126:5

When the Israelites finally returned to Jerusalem after years of exile, their hearts overflowed with joy and laughter. After all the sorrow, hardship, and longing they had endured, they were finally home. No wonder they celebrated the goodness of a God who had brought them through. What a beautiful reminder that our tears never go unnoticed by the Lord!

Each of us will have seasons of weeping. Times when our hearts are broken, and our prayers seem unanswered. We wonder how much longer we can hold on. And although we might not understand why God allows certain seasons or how He will bring us through them, we can trust that He is with us in every tear we shed.

And while we may not see our circumstances change as quickly as we would like, sorrow doesn’t get the final word for those who belong to Jesus. There is a day coming when every tear will be wiped away, every hurt will be healed, and the sorrow of this life will give way to everlasting joy in His presence.

But until then, keep planting those seeds of faith, even through your tears. Keep praying, keep trusting, and keep holding on to His promises. Because the same God who carries us through our weeping is the One who will one day fill our hearts with a joy beyond anything we can imagine!

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October 7th – John 15:4

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John 15:4

A branch doesn’t have to work hard to produce fruit all by itself. It simply has to stay connected to the source that gives it life. That’s what Jesus is asking us to do. To make our home in Him and stay connected to Him.

In today’s world, that can be hard. We have so many things competing for our attention. Our phones are constantly calling for us, social media fills our minds with other people’s lives, and the worries of everyday life can leave us feeling pulled in a hundred different directions. We can get so busy trying to keep everything together that we forget we were never meant to do life apart from God.

But Jesus also says, “and I in you.” We aren’t simply trying to stay close to God while hoping He notices us from a distance. He remains in us. Through His Spirit, His truth, His love, and His presence, He works within us. He changes our hearts, shapes our character, gives us strength when we are weak. And produces fruit in our lives that we could never produce on our own.

So today, let’s stay close. When life gets busy, stay close. When you’re discouraged, stay close. When you don’t understand what God is doing, stay close. When you’re joyful and everything seems to be going well, stay close. Remain in Jesus, and He will remain in you.

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October 2nd – Proverbs 4:32

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Proverbs 4:23

In ancient times, kings would have guards stationed around their most valuable treasures. Their job was to protect what was precious and keep thieves from getting inside, taking what mattered most.

Our hearts are precious too. Scripture tells us to guard them carefully because what takes root in our hearts eventually makes its way into our thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions. We have an Enemy who would love nothing more than to steal our peace, rob us of our joy, and fill our hearts with fear, bitterness, discouragement, and doubt.

But our hearts belong to Jesus. And we have been given something far more valuable than earthly treasure. The peace, joy, love, and hope that come from knowing we are His. And that’s worth protecting.

So today, let’s be mindful of what we allow through the gates of our hearts. Not every voice deserves our attention. Not every thought deserves a place to stay. And not everything we encounter needs to take root.

Guard what God has entrusted to you. Protect the peace He gives, hold tightly to His truth, and don’t let the enemy steal what Jesus died to give you.

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July 2nd – John 8:36

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John 8:36

Dwight L. Moody once said, “If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you are free.” Throughout the month of July, we celebrate freedom as a nation. It’s a time to reflect on how precious freedom really is and to appreciate the many blessings we enjoy. But for me, that celebration isn’t complete without thinking about the greatest freedom I’ve ever been given. And that’s the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ.


Jesus didn’t simply come to make our lives a little better. He came to set us free. Free from the guilt of our past. Free from the power of sin. And free from shame, fear, and condemnation. He willingly laid down His life on the Cross so we could experience a freedom that nothing in this world can ever offer.

The freedoms we enjoy in this life are wonderful, but they can change with time. The freedom Jesus gives is different. It isn’t based on circumstances, governments, or anything this world can control. It is eternal. No one can take it away because it was purchased by the blood of Christ.

That truth gives me so much hope. No matter what happens around me, I know who I belong to. My heart has been set free, my sins have been forgiven, and my future is secure in Him.

As we celebrate freedom this month, let’s remember the freedom that matters most. The precious freedom Jesus died to give us. It is the greatest gift we will ever receive, and it is ours forever.

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July 1st – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

This month, our nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday. As we reflect on what freedom means to each of us, I hope we’ll never take lightly the sacrifices of the brave men and women who laid down their lives so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. Their courage came at a great cost, and we honor them with grateful hearts.

But as thankful as I am for those freedoms, I’m reminded of an even greater freedom. One that could only be purchased by Jesus Christ. He willingly laid down His life on the Cross so we could be set free from the power of sin, guilt, shame, fear, and condemnation. No one took His life from Him. He gave it because He loves us.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Those words remind me that Jesus didn’t suffer and die so I would continue carrying the very burdens He came to remove. Too often, I find myself picking up worry, fear, bitterness, or trying to earn God’s approval, forgetting that Christ has already set me free.

As we celebrate freedom this month, may we remember the price that was paid. A price paid not only by those who defended our country, but by our Savior who gave everything so we could have eternal life. And because He laid down His life for us, may we choose each day to walk in the freedom He purchased, never returning to the chains He came to break. That is the greatest freedom of all.

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June 18th – Galatians 5:13

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Galatians 5:13

One of the most beautiful truths of the Gospel is that Jesus came to set us free. We no longer have to try to earn God’s love through rules, rituals, or religious performance. Salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Christ alone. Yet sometimes, after receiving that freedom, we can fall into the trap of using it the wrong way. We begin judging others, arguing over secondary issues, or expecting everyone to grow at the same pace we have.

But Galatians 5:13 reminds us that Christian freedom was never meant to make us proud. Instead, it was meant to make us loving. Jesus didn’t set us free so we could condemn others. He set us free so we could serve them. Instead of criticizing those who are struggling, we should encourage them. Instead of arguing over every difference, we should point people to Christ. Instead of acting as though we are the Holy Spirit in someone else’s life, we should trust God to continue the work He has begun in them.

Every believer is on a journey of growth and sanctification. The same grace that rescued us is the grace that will help others grow as well. Our role is not to burden people with religion, but to help them discover the freedom, joy, and hope found in Jesus. When we serve one another in love, we reflect the heart of Christ far more than we ever could by winning an argument.

The world has enough critics. What it needs is more believers who extend grace, offer encouragement, and lovingly help others walk in the freedom that Christ died to give them.


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