Anchor Devotional

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Joy Beyond This World

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

How very like the heart of man to want good gifts from the Father but not want the relationship with Him that He offers. I recently heard about a celebrity who said she’d given up Christianity, claiming, “I tried it, and it didn’t work for me.” I wonder what exactly “it” is that “didn’t work.” Did she try “being religious” and find—understandably—that it just didn’t satisfy?

Whatever the case, I’ve known people who felt that Jesus and Christianity didn’t bring them what they hoped for. There was no path out of their trouble, no answer to their questions, no new job or spouse or money. And most of all, there was no peace or joy.

God sent His Son into the world so that anyone who believes in Him might find life and have it to the full (see John 10:10). Christ’s joy placed in believers is a joy the world cannot give. When we know Him and continue faithfully in our relationship with Him, we have the fruit of His Spirit in us. He changes our lives, our priorities. We look to Him rather than to the things of this world for our true joy.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
John 15:9-17

INSIGHT
Lord, help us see that our lasting joy goes far beyond the parameters of this world. Thank You for making our joy complete through Jesus. Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 17
Proverbs 19
1 John 3-4

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