The Joy of Jesus!

Read:

John 16:33 (NKJV): “‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’”

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT): “Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.”

Psalm 18:19 (ESV): “He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.”

Act:

Let us be determined this week to:

Bring our struggles and weaknesses before Jesus. He finds joy in bearing our burdens and offering us rest. Life’s trials remind us that true strength comes not from ourselves but from trusting God’s power to carry us through. His heart is tender, and His mercies never fail (Matthew 11:28). Let us remember that our Lord is more pleased when we come to Him than when we try to manage on our own. When we rely on Him, He fills us with strength and peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6–7).

Go to Jesus just as we are. He welcomes us without conditions. We don’t need to fix ourselves before approaching Him. His transforming love meets us exactly where we are (Romans 5:8). He is our Good Shepherd, always watching over us and longing for a personal relationship with us more than our works. Let us draw near to Him, allowing Him to reshape us and empower us to reflect His light and encourage others (John 15:5).

Rejoice in the joy of Jesus. Our strength and joy are rooted in Christ’s unchanging love and never-ending presence. Unlike fleeting happiness, His joy sustains us through trials, giving us hope and confidence to press on (Nehemiah 8:10). May we find renewed trust, dependence, and delight in Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, who strengthens and restores us!

Pray:

Lord, we long for rest and renewal. Lord, You know the burdens that are weighing us down. You know, Lord, that You are the only One that can give us peace and true rest. So, Lord, forgive us for trying to figure this out on our own. Forgive us for being stubborn. Forgive us for always trying to go our own ways, Lord. We don’t want to do that anymore because that is exhausting. We want to come into that deep, intimate relationship with You, Lord. We want to truly know You. We want to learn from You. Thank You so much that You’ve already done the hard work on that cross, paying the prize so that we can have life in abundance.

Dear Lord, right now, I yield to the truth that I am weak, and You are strong. Forgive me for the arrogance and pride that make me think I can do anything good on my own. I pray that in my weaknesses, Your strength is made perfect. Help me to rely entirely on You, knowing that You are always with me and that Your power is greater than any obstacle I might face. Please use the broken places in my life to let Your light shine through me. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Lord Jesus, You absolutely know our hearts. Please, Lord, work in our hearts so that, indeed, we might put You alone on the throne of our lives. Allow Your Holy Spirit to change us so that, in truth, we put You first.

Father, I pray that we would remember that You delight in us, and I pray that You would be our delight. In Jesus’ name.

Dear Father God, thank You for this moment in time where we could acknowledge again who You are and who You are within our trials and testing times in our lives. Lord, will You help us so that we will, from now on, live in Your presence daily and reproduce seed that will be for Your Kingdom until You come again? Lord, will You make Romans 12:12 true in our lives: “Let us be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer”. We pray this in Your name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

(This WRAP is with great appreciation to Carli, Ingrid, Elisabeth, Mary Lynn and Liz)

Subscribe to our Podcast Channel