“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him…” – Romans 15:13 (NIV)
At last! Christmas is in the air, this wonderful and joyous season we embrace with much anticipation and excitement. Around the world, people will attend many festivities, and they will eat, drink, dance, smile, and exchange gifts. While some people are genuinely happy and experience joy, others, even though they smile and seem to be the ‘life of the party,’ deep down, are sad and depressed. They have no joy in their souls; they are just going through the motions.
Joy is defined as the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation (Dictionary.com). However, according to www.theologyfortherestofus.com – “The Biblical definition of joy encompasses a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is rooted in who Jesus is, rather than external circumstances. Joy is described as coming from the Holy Spirit and is characterised by inner contentment and satisfaction, even in challenging situations. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated response to God’s presence and work in our lives, exemplified by figures like Job, who maintained faith despite adversity. Joy is also expressed in the Psalms, reflecting the believer’s relationship with God and His steadfast love”.
Based on the above theological definition, the joy we are recommending to you is a feeling of good pleasure that comes as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in your lives. One can only experience this joy as a result of a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are feeling sad or depressed, there is hope for you. An early Christmas present is available for you. It is joy unspeakable and full of glory (1st Peter 1:8). Jesus came into this world to bring joy to your life, regardless of your circumstances; you can experience joy in good and bad times. The world cannot give you this joy and thus cannot take it away (John 16:22) – it will be cultivated deep down in your soul.
Accept this free offer today; there is no waiting, you can access it right away. Just repeat this simple prayer and Jesus, the Source of all joy, will come into your life and cause transformation – ‘Lord Jesus, I come to You today because I need a Saviour. I recognise that true joy, peace, and hope can only be found in You. I want to experience these virtues deeply within my soul, so I surrender my life to You, knowing that You are able to bring about change where needed in my life. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Once you’ve repeated this prayer and mean it, you are now in the right relationship with God. You have exchanged sadness and depression for joy, peace, and hope. Rejoice, for this will be for a lifetime once you remain connected to God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life.
Read: Proverbs 10:28; John 16:24
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 136:1-12; 1 John 1; 1 John 2:1-11; Daniel 5:17-31; Daniel 6