Page 4 - Living Light - A Message of Joy! Sample

Monday November 27 - The fruit of joy
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy... Philippians 1:4
Praying with joy – hmm! Praying with tears, desperation and numbness often seems more appropriate, especially if you feel your world is falling apart! Surely, God wants me to be true to myself? Of course he does; rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Being true to oneself, yes; but how about being true to God? It’s when I’m true to God, ascribing greatness and goodness to him, that I can know joy. Not an earthly joy, but the joy of the Lord which becomes my strength (Nehemiah 8:10); and even in trouble I can know joy, because I’m looking at ‘the long game’ (James 1:2-3).
David knew the secret; joy is a gift. In Psalm 4:7 he sings ‘Fill my heart with joy!’ This gift from God is an outworking of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), second only to love. Those of you who are of a certain age will remember singing, ‘I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy; you alone are the real joy-giver and the apple of my eye.’
For Paul, this joy was shared (v 5) and assured (v 6). Dear friend, know that you are not alone, and your God is sovereign. Before doing anything else, why not take time to acknowledge God’s abiding presence and power? Let’s pray to be filled with his ‘inexpressible and glorious joy’ (1 Peter 1:8).
Heavenly Father, I rejoice because your presence and power are with me. You are ever faithful and good. Amen.
Tuesday November 28 - Confidence in God
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the
day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
‘Not finished!’ – comments scrawled in red across my school homework. Leaving things half done can be an indication of inability, disinterest or simple forgetfulness. Some people excel in starting projects and not seeing them through – half-written stories, half-decorated rooms, half-landscaped gardens. How maddening when a tradesman leaves a job half- finished!
Our God is not like that; he is the Beginning and End; the Alpha and Omega; the First and the Last. You can rely on him finishing what he has started! This is so important, especially for those who have chosen to follow him. The children of Israel struggled in the wilderness, often losing confidence in Moses and therefore in God; then much later some of Jesus’ disciples found the cost too great and ceased to follow him (John 6:66). In effect, they lost confidence in God. Destroying confidence in God is a key strategy in Satan’s battle for control.
Jesus Christ is a finisher! On the cross he declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30)! The means of salvation for all mankind, for all time was in place. Once saved, we must resolutely co-operate with Christ’s sanctifying work in our lives, conforming us to his image. Praise God! He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. God has not finished with you yet. Today, erect a warning sign in your heart – ‘DANGER, God at work!’
Father, thank you for all you have done in my life. Please continue your work of making me more like Jesus. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY