December 14th

This Changes Everything

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 1 John 1:3-4

What kind of light do you have shining in your life? Is it the light that says your tank is on E, or is it the light of understanding?

You know, I think this time of year, it's really easy to start running on E. It's busier and higher pressure than any other time of year, cramming in Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, and all the shopping and all the parties and all the events and all the programs and on and on and on.

For the disciples, the highest pressure moment of their lives happened at Easter time, not Christmas time, but it was the very first Easter and Jesus was dead. Or at least that's what they thought. But when Jesus appeared to them and proved His resurrection, He gave them something that lit them up and took away all the gloom. He gave them the light of understanding.

Then He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.' And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45)

When the disciples got the light of understanding, it changed everything for them. Never again is it said of them that they were fearful or doubting, caving in to their high-pressure stressful situation. Ever after that moment, they charged ahead as hard as they could with nothing holding them back.

And why were they able to run ahead with so much strength? Because their joy had been made full in fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and the joy of the Lord became their strength. When they had joy in God's presence, nothing on Earth could shake them. Nothing could move them. Nothing could sway them. They were resolute and firm about the purpose of their lives to serve Christ and Christ alone.

Don't let yourself live in the light that's warning you that your tank is empty. Instead, live in the light of understanding so that your joy may be full in the fellowship of God's presence.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You for opening the disciples' eyes so they could be filled with Your joy! As You gave that to them, would You please also give that to me, so that I could have that same joy, fellowshipping with You in Your presence?

Amen