Our joy

Father God, thank you for this special day. Thank you that everyday with You and in Your presence is special. Father, may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIrV)

"Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy some good food and sweet drinks. Send some of it to people who don't have any. This day is holy to the Lord. So don't be sad. The joy of the LORD makes you strong."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Today's lead Scripture also shows us that the joy of the LORD makes you strong. The first thing we see is joy comes from the LORD which means we have joy because Christ is in us and with us. Since the joy we have from the LORD is freely given to us, this also means He does not take His joy away from our lives when we are having a bad day or when sad. His joy is always present in our hearts and for this reason we give praise to God thanking Him for all the good things that He has given to us including everything that brings joy in our lives.

One thing for sure is God does not want anyone of His children sad. God desires for you to enjoy life and today's lead Scripture gives an example which is eating some good food and sweet drink like desert. This does not mean that food is the only way to enjoy life but when something brings celebration in your heart, God is always pleased to see His children joyful.

At the same time, we are also encouraged to share the joy we have received from the LORD with others. This may be by praying for them or by sharing your food with them as seen above in Nehemiah 8:10.

Let us pray: Thank you LORD for the joy that I have received from You. Thank you LORD that nothing can steal my joy just like nothing can take me away from Your love for me. So I rejoice in You and in Your goodness for me. Thank you LORD for enabling me to share this joy with others. Thank you that I walk in the joy of the LORD all the days of my life not by power, not by might but by the Spirit of the LORD in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Invitation to salvation: 

The best gift that Jesus gave is by laying down His life for us to receive salvation and eternal life which is a personal relationship knowing God as our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

If you would like to receive this free gift of God's salvation, please say this prayer with me:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that God sent His One and only Son who died for my sins and was raised from the dead so that I could have eternal life." - AMEN. 

Prayer: Father God, thank you for salvation and redemption that we have freely received from Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. Thank you LORD for each child and family member that just said this prayer and received Jesus into their hearts. Thank you LORD God that You are keeping them this day and forever and nothing will snatch them out of Your loving hands in the name of Jesus, Amen.

ACTIVITY: Think and write down ten good things that God has done for you this year and thank Him for them.