Stay Connected to Jesus

Let’s begin with what may be a hard truth to accept: joy is a command. WHOA! Before you roll your eyes because that sounds like a cliché you’ve heard a million times, let me explain.

When you read the Bible, you will realize that joy is not a suggestion for the believer but a command. In fact, it is one of the most repeated commands in the Bible. Commands such as “rejoice,” “shout for joy,” and “be glad” are all ways God commands us to choose joy. He wants us to be joyful. How do we obey this command? We stay connected to Jesus. When we are connected to Jesus, we can have joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.

Staying connected to Jesus requires prayer, praise, and time in His word. Real joy is only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we trust in him, the Holy Spirit works in us to fill us with joy, peace, and hope. The Bible says: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.” (Romans 15:13a NLT).

When I was younger, one of the things that mesmerized me at weddings was the overflowing punch fountains. Whenever I saw one at a wedding, I was intrigued by the seemingly never-ending supply of punch. I thought it was magical!! Eventually, I learned that it wasn’t magic. In order for the fountain to have a constant overflow of punch, it has to be connected to an electric source that activates a pump and provides a flow of liquid (that’s already inside of the fountain) up and out of it. Just like that fountain, when we stay connected to Jesus, the joy inside us is activated and pumped up and out of us.

As we pray, praise, and spend time in the Bible, we experience His presence, the place where there is fullness of joy. In His presence, we are infused with an abundance of joy that is stirred up as we restore our relationship with Jesus, talk to Jesus, filter our thoughts, receive God’s peace, listen to music, and stay connected to Jesus.

Ponder

What makes choosing joy hard at times? How can you obey God today and choose joy?

Pray

Dear God, thank You for filling my heart with Your joy. Lord, I thank You that You are the giver of joy. If I ask You for joy, You won’t fail to fill me. Help me to be joyful in good times and tough times. Despite the burdens on my heart and challenges in my path right now, I choose to praise Your name and rejoice in You.

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