21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
--John 16:21-24 (NLT)
Life with Jesus is a joyful life. For my brothers and sisters in Christ out there, you know exactly what I’m talking about. For anyone who is still in that process of deciding to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, keep reading!
The joy that comes from placing faith in Jesus Christ is something we’ll carry for the rest of our lives and on into eternity. No matter how bad it gets in this world, no one can rob us of this joy! No matter how good it gets, we still know the best, most valuable thing we've got is the sheer joy and eternal life that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
There’s only one way human life enters this world, by being born of a woman. In the same way, there’s only one way to our Father in Heaven, and His name is Jesus Christ. I’m not being closed-minded, just speaking the Truth—the most loving thing one can do. The Truth is God loves us so much, He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
It’s very important to recognize Jesus is the only way. But even if you don’t, if you are still open and willing to give Him a chance, He’ll come flooding into your life, changing everything about it for the better…and sooner or later, you’ll come to the sound conclusion that Jesus truly is the only way!
As Jesus was preparing to enter His passion and make the ultimate sacrifice, this is a portion of the prayer He prayed right before He was arrested: And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts] (John 17:13 AMP).
Joy is a very powerful thing. It enables us to do things that might otherwise be impossible. Nehemiah 8:10 states: Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! If you allow the devil or your own wrong mindset to steal this amazing joy God has given us, you’ll immediately be sapped of your strength.
This will not only cause you to live in misery, but will also halt the advancement of the Kingdom of God, which should be our first and main priority (Matthew 6:33).
What’s more, joy is one of the highest forms of faith. Are you disappointed about the way something turned out? Let God have the final say about the matter. Find out what His Word says, because His Word trumps the circumstance! Do you really think that situation can stand up to what God has to say about it? When God said “Let there be light,” did the darkness put up a fight? Nope, darkness fled. Stay in the Word, stay in the Light.
Don’t waste time getting caught in a tizzy. Calm yourself and allow God’s joy unspeakable and full of glory to come pouring forth, ushering in a new wave of boldness, strength, and confidence that God will see you through to the end. Don’t wait till the battle’s over, shout now! If you’ve got Jesus, you’re on the winning side!
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! (Ephesians 3:20-21 MSG)
