TBONE61
Feb 23rd 2009, 07:19 PM
John 15:9-14 ; 16:16-24 (New King James Version)
9] “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10] If you keep My commandments, you will 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. 12] This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13] Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14] You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ; John 16: 16] “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” 17] Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18] They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19] Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20] Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21] A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22] Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23] “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24] Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Fullness Of Joy
During His time in the upper room just prior to His betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus taught His disciples many things. Among those themes was the desire that his followers know a fullness of joy.
He revealed that such joy would be directly related to three realities.
The first one was the disciples obedience to His commands, the second one involved his presence with them after a time of absence, and thirdly was the emphasis on effective praying.
If you are presently lacking a fullness of joy check on your obeying, His staying, or your praying and make any adjustments where necessary.
FOR TODAY: Examine your heart's amount of joy today.
9] “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10] If you keep My commandments, you will 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. 12] This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13] Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14] You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ; John 16: 16] “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” 17] Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18] They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19] Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20] Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21] A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22] Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23] “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24] Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Fullness Of Joy
During His time in the upper room just prior to His betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus taught His disciples many things. Among those themes was the desire that his followers know a fullness of joy.
He revealed that such joy would be directly related to three realities.
The first one was the disciples obedience to His commands, the second one involved his presence with them after a time of absence, and thirdly was the emphasis on effective praying.
If you are presently lacking a fullness of joy check on your obeying, His staying, or your praying and make any adjustments where necessary.
FOR TODAY: Examine your heart's amount of joy today.