Day 8: by Juno Smalley
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Today, we light the candle of Joy on our Advent Wreath. The familiar Christmas Carol, rings in our minds and hearts, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”.
Yet, so many people live a life opposite of Joy. For numerous reasons we have chosen to live lives of fear versus that of Joy. It really is an intentional decision, a decision that we have to think through and evaluate, for as soon as we choose joy, Satan fills our hearts with fear which in reality forces joy out of our lives.
Around our neighborhood, city, state and world joy is appears absent as it’s been replaced by fear and brokenness because life is often consisting of pain and fear, yet the angels said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
33 years later, the angel said, in Matthew 28: 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Maybe it's the reality that Satan is stealing our joy, by having fear take up residence in our hearts?
Maybe Satan is always pointing to the sins, failures, and brokenness that is apart of life, and having us focus on what we feel hasn’t gone as expected, verses us remembering that life is indeed full of broken promises and pain, disappointments and failures. Yet Jesus takes our shattered lives and gives us purpose and gives us hope and restores our joy. Maybe it’s time we give Satan an eviction notice and allow Jesus to regain the joy in our lives.
Today, we light the candle of Joy on our Advent Wreath. The familiar Christmas Carol, rings in our minds and hearts, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”.
Yet, so many people live a life opposite of Joy. For numerous reasons we have chosen to live lives of fear versus that of Joy. It really is an intentional decision, a decision that we have to think through and evaluate, for as soon as we choose joy, Satan fills our hearts with fear which in reality forces joy out of our lives.
Around our neighborhood, city, state and world joy is appears absent as it’s been replaced by fear and brokenness because life is often consisting of pain and fear, yet the angels said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
33 years later, the angel said, in Matthew 28: 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
Maybe it's the reality that Satan is stealing our joy, by having fear take up residence in our hearts?
Maybe Satan is always pointing to the sins, failures, and brokenness that is apart of life, and having us focus on what we feel hasn’t gone as expected, verses us remembering that life is indeed full of broken promises and pain, disappointments and failures. Yet Jesus takes our shattered lives and gives us purpose and gives us hope and restores our joy. Maybe it’s time we give Satan an eviction notice and allow Jesus to regain the joy in our lives.
Sunday's Song
Today’s song is the inspiration of the cross in our prayer room. It’s a reminder that we are all broken and it's because Jesus came to earth, was crucified, died, and rose again that we have purpose, meaning and joy can be a part of our lives.
Click here and allow the words of this song to remind you of what Jesus has done for you, and may what Jesus accomplished bring joy to your life as it casts out fear.
To take a look at our Prayer Room, click here.
Click here and allow the words of this song to remind you of what Jesus has done for you, and may what Jesus accomplished bring joy to your life as it casts out fear.
To take a look at our Prayer Room, click here.
Sunday's Prayer
Lord, Thank you for picking up the broken pieces in my life and making me whole. Thank you for removing the sin in my life and making me clean. Thank you for your forgiveness, and help me not to let Satan take up residence, rather thank you, for being the Lord of my life and restoring the Joy you came to give. May I live a life that reflects all you have done for me. Bring me into relationships with others so that I can, out of friendship, love, and concern share how you have made me whole. All for your glory and the hope you can bring wholeness to my friends and family.
AMEN
AMEN
Posted in Advent Devotional 2022