Monday, December 16 – “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) Here’s the deal: You can do a great many things, under your own power. The question that you’re called to ask is this: Are the great many things that you can do, under your own power, the great many things that God wants to do in you and through you? Your joy is found in doing everything you want to. As long as your want to lines up with God’s want to.
Tuesday, December 17 – “John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord.’” (John 1:23) Do you want to experience joy in your life? Find out who you are and then be it, to the best of your ability. Joy can’t be manufactured or achieved. Joy can only be experienced. Joy is experienced in being who you’ve been created and gifted to be. Nothing more and nothing less.
Wednesday, December 18 – “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (John 1:30) John the Baptist was born six months before his first cousin once removed, Jesus. John always knew that he would be the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. He wasn’t the main event, he was simply the opening act. And his joy was made complete, in being the best opening act that’s ever been.
Thursday, December 19 – “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) John the Baptist found joy in his work. For he knew who he was and he knew what he had to do. He embraced his purpose and he lived it. How about you? Do you know your purpose? Have you embraced it? Are you living it? Just in case you need a hint: Your purpose is so much more than a job.
Friday, December 20 – “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pin. I must bring them also. They too listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) These are the words of Jesus. He knew that his good news would be for more than simply the nation of Israel. Which is good news for all of us, who aren’t blood descendants of Abraham. Jesus knew who he was and his joy was made complete in being who he was. Even when being who he was made other people really mad.
Saturday, December 21 – “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17) My hope is this: Simply reading those words brings you joy. The Holy Spirit and I are inviting you to “Come!” Are you broken? Come! Are you hurting? Come! Are you disenfranchised? Come! Are you bitter? Come! Are you depressed? Come! Are you fed up? Come! Are you bored? Come! Are you…? Come!
Tuesday, December 17 – “John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord.’” (John 1:23) Do you want to experience joy in your life? Find out who you are and then be it, to the best of your ability. Joy can’t be manufactured or achieved. Joy can only be experienced. Joy is experienced in being who you’ve been created and gifted to be. Nothing more and nothing less.
Wednesday, December 18 – “This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” (John 1:30) John the Baptist was born six months before his first cousin once removed, Jesus. John always knew that he would be the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. He wasn’t the main event, he was simply the opening act. And his joy was made complete, in being the best opening act that’s ever been.
Thursday, December 19 – “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4) John the Baptist found joy in his work. For he knew who he was and he knew what he had to do. He embraced his purpose and he lived it. How about you? Do you know your purpose? Have you embraced it? Are you living it? Just in case you need a hint: Your purpose is so much more than a job.
Friday, December 20 – “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pin. I must bring them also. They too listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16) These are the words of Jesus. He knew that his good news would be for more than simply the nation of Israel. Which is good news for all of us, who aren’t blood descendants of Abraham. Jesus knew who he was and his joy was made complete in being who he was. Even when being who he was made other people really mad.
Saturday, December 21 – “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17) My hope is this: Simply reading those words brings you joy. The Holy Spirit and I are inviting you to “Come!” Are you broken? Come! Are you hurting? Come! Are you disenfranchised? Come! Are you bitter? Come! Are you depressed? Come! Are you fed up? Come! Are you bored? Come! Are you…? Come!
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
