2023-11-26
LJC Devotional (watch the video)
LJC Welcome & Announcements
Prayer
- Am I filled with the joy of the Lord when I hear His Word?
- Do I find joy in the Lord as I worship Him?
- Can I find joy when I am in the midst of trials?
Nehemiah 8:9-11
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.”
(Life Application Study Bible commentary on vs. 10: “The people wept openly when they heard God’s law and realized how far they were from obeying them. But Ezra told them they should be filled with joy because the day was holy. It was time to celebrate and to give gifts to those in need.”)
1. Am I filled with the joy of the Lord when I hear His Word?
____
Psalm 97:9-12
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
(Life Application Study Bible commentary on vs. 10: “A sincere desire to please God will result in an alignment of your desires with God’s desires. You will love what God loves and hate what God hates. If you love the Lord, you will have evil. Learn to love God’s ways and hate evil in every form-not only the obvious sins but also the socially acceptable ones.”)
2. Do I find joy in the Lord as I worship Him?
____
James 1:1-4
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
3. Can I find joy when I am in the midst of trials?
____
(optional: Do I have joy? What is robbing my joy?)
How do I follow Jesus?
- Receive His Word with gladness. Worship Him with ALL of my heart, soul, mind & strength. Trust Him in the midst of adversities.
(All scripture references are in NIV)