OUR DAILY BREAD : HEART OF JOY

[cimi]

TUESDAY MAY 5


HEART OF JOY

READ:
John 15:11
_________________________________________________________________________________
These things I have
spoken to you,
that My joy may
remain in you, and
that your joy may
be full.
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While waiting in the gate area of Singapore's Changi Airport to board my flight, I noticed a young family__mom, dad, and son. The area was crowded, and they were looking for a place to sit. Suddenly, the little boy began loudly singing "joy to the World." He was about 6 years old, so I was pretty impressed that he knew all the words.

What captured my attention even more was the look on the boy's face__his beaming smile matched the words he was singing as he proclaimed to everyone at the gate the joy of the Christ who has come.

This joy is not limited to exuberant children nor should it be confined to the Christmas season. The overflowing joy of knowing Christ's presence in our lives was one of the themes of Jesus' final teaching with His disciples the night before He died on the cross. He told them of His extravagant love for them__that He loved them as the Father loved Him (JOHN 15:9). After sharing what this eternal relationship looks like, Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (v.11).

What a promise! Through Jesus Christ our hearts can be filled with joy__real joy!

**Lord, You have chosen me and redeemed me, crowned me with love and
compassion. I can do nothing less than overflow with joy at Your great love
for me, for those I love, and for the world. ___________________________________________________
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In every season of life we can know joy in Christ.

**************************Today's Bible Reading __ John 15:1-11***************************
1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes
away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that
it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because
of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides
in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me,
and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do
nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a
branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them
into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My
words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and its shall
be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear
much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My
love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide
in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Jesus often spoke in picturesque language to
help people understand what He was saying. In today's passage,
He explains the relationship between Himself and His followers by
talking about a vine. The key word in this passage is "abide," which
is used 10 times. We stay connected to (abide in ) Him ( the vine) by
the power of the Holy Spirit, through the reading of His Word, and
through prayer. In this way we (the branches) remain in fellowship
with Him and know true joy.