DAILY DEVOTIONAL: THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
SCRIPTURE READING
Scripture: John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Jesus refers to “these things” he spoke to His disciples. What “things” does He mean?
You remember He has said His disciples need to abide in Him. You remember He has said we need to bear fruit for Him. You remember He has said His Father will prune us so we bear even more fruit. He has said it is the preaching of His Word that prunes us. He has warned that we can’t bear fruit if we don’t abide in Him. He has warned that we can’t do anything without Him. He has warned that the disciples who don’t abide in Him will be gathered up like dead branches, and thrown into the fire.
He has said if we abide in Him and His Words abide in us, God will answer our prayers. He has said when we bear much fruit, His Father is glorified and we know we are His disciples. He has said He loves us like His Father loves Him. He has commanded us to continue in His love. He has told us obey Him.
Now He tells His disciples why He’s said these things to them: “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
You see, it is all for joy. Jesus is not a killjoy. Jesus is a makejoy. Jesus gives us warnings and promises and commands so we will have lots and lots and lots of joy. Don’t ever forget this.
Satan is a liar. The one thing Satan can’t do is tell the truth. So one of the ways Satan destroys souls is by telling them Jesus doesn’t want them to have any joy. But remember, Satan always lies. Satan is the real killjoy.
Jesus is the opposite. He cannot lie. And here Jesus says He wants our joy to be “full.” He has taught us these things so we will be full of joy.
Scripture: John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
QUESTIONS
- How much joy does Jesus want His disciples to have?
- Who tells us obeying God will make us miserable?
- Do you want lots of joy?
SONG OF THE WEEK
The Love of God
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen could ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
The erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race–
The saints’ and angels’ song.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song. (x2)
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Thank You, Father, that Your Words were given to bring me joy. May I always rejoice in Your Scriptures and profit from them as I should, eagerly seeking the wisdom and life contained therein as I would for hidden treasure. Amen.
SCRIPTURE MEMORY THIS WEEK
John 15:7-8 (KJV)
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
