Listen:
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11, NIV).
Reflect:
As a child I was rebellious and always in trouble. I’d stamp my feet, refusing to help with the dishes. A couple of times my mother sent me to stand in the corner, and I defiantly spit at the wall. I knew early that I was a sinner.
When I was ten years old, our family went to a Billy Graham Crusade, and I went forward. That night I lay awake for a long time, marveling with happiness that Jesus had really come to live in my heart.
Over time I matured as a believer. However, some years ago, I lost my joy for an extended period. I could not understand why and began to beg God to show me what was wrong.
He pointed to the lies I was telling myself: You’re wearing God out. He won’t keep forgiving you for the same old things. You should be farther along as a Christian by now.
No wonder I could find no joy after confessing my sins. I believed that I had overshot the limit for repeat failures!
Why had I fallen into such doubt and unbelief? I was focused on me and my efforts to please God. The answer was to shift my gaze away from myself to him, to revel in his love and his joy-giving grace only.
What a blessing to once again be able to fully trust that Christ’s blood covers all my sin: past, present, and future.
Prayer of Response:
Lord, thank you for opening the way for a deep love relationship, unimpeded, unsullied by sin. Oh, how your lavish gift fills our hearts with joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- Have you ever experienced a season where you’ve doubted God?
- What thinking errors led to your doubt or may affect you even now?
Breath Prayer:
Inhale (Breathe in): Jesus’ happiness
Exhale (Breathe out): is in me.
—Submitted by: Ruth Wood
Ruth is a US/Swiss citizen and lives with her husband in Oregon. They have two grown sons, two awesome daughters-in-law, and one very spoiled cat. She works as a Licensed Professional Counselor and loves blogging at EspressoForTheHeart.org.
Feature photo by Ruth Wood.