12 WEEKS OF UNITY | WEEKS
Access each week's video and written content by clicking on the numbers below.
1 | 2 | 3| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
SERMONS | 1 - Holiness | 2 - Humility | 3 - Authentegrity | 4 - Forgiveness | 5 - Trust | 6 - Collaboration | 7 - Joy | 8 - Communication
| 9 - Generosity | 10 - Perspective | 11 - Serving | 12 - Hope Overflowing
12 Weeks of unity
WEEK SEVEN – JOY
Where To Start
Read Psalm 67 and then watch the WEEK SEVEN video.
God has designed us to enjoy our relationships.
DEVOTIONAL
WEEK 7 – JOY
There is joy in God’s presence. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy is the fruit when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Unity brings blessings and joy. God has joy when we abide with Him. He wants to be close to us. Life is about relationships. Elisha and the Shunammite family connect because they offer him meals and a place to stay. Hospitality and opening up our homes are a wonderful demonstration of God’s love and hope. There is a deep joy when we are known and loved. We are called to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The Creator is greater than creation. The Blesser is greater than the blessings. We spend much time and effort chasing what cannot truly satisfy.
The angels rejoice when sinners repent and come home.
Connect with your family. Go out of your way to care for them. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Celebrate other people and their success. Worship and thank God in church every weekend. Be consistent. Receive God’s grace, encouragement, and wisdom. Be kind to your co-workers. Slow down and savor time with your children. If you are a grandparent, be playful and encouraging. Be intentional to love your neighbors. Put a smile on other people’s faces during the day. Bring a timely word to someone who is discouraged.
God’s joy multiplies as you bring hope to people locally and globally.
Joy is not the absence of suffering. Joy is a deep well of living water from Jesus that doesn’t run dry. We can act tough and self-sufficient, but that is a shallow game at best and often very empty and deceptive. People see Jesus in our pure joy. It is a contradictory message to invite people to follow the Lord but then paint a picture of complaining with a glaring lack of gratitude. Our attitude matters. People might read the Bible, but they will always read you. I am not saying fake it. I am saying unite with God and build great relationships and you will carry more joy than you realize. We don’t focus on joy, but we intentionally draw near to God. Jesus is our source of joy. Linger in those special times with God and the people God has placed in your life.
Just Choose Hope
HOPE POINT
Joy is both the inward and outward fruit of abiding with Jesus.
Additional Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 4, Psalm 100, John 4
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What does hospitality look like in your home?
When do you experience the joy of the Lord in your relationships?
How are purpose and gratitude connected with joy?
PRAYER
Father, You are good and Your love endures forever. Jesus thank You for living water that satisfies our souls. God, You give us a new song that the world cannot silence. Your joy strengthens and unites us. May we enjoy our families and church family too. May we bring Your joy to a world that is weary and discouraged. May Your joy fill our streets and communities. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your consistent joy in all situations. We gratefully worship You, Jesus, and in Your name we pray. Amen.
