No one will steal your joy!
Scripture reading for November 14th: Ezekiel 46-48, John 16
John 16: 19-22 “Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him, so He said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘a little while and you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”
As Jesus explained how He would go away for a time and then they would see Him again, the disciples struggled to understand. Jesus, perceiving this, used a woman giving birth as an illustration of how this event would affect them. As the labor brought pain and lament in the time immediately before the birth, so the disciples would experience pain and lament. The world would rejoice. As the woman quickly forgot the anguish of the birth, joyful at the new baby and new life, so the disciples would also rejoice at Jesus appearing again, having conquered death. He would confirm His resurrection to them in such a way that no one could ever rob them of their joy and hope! They would ask the Father for their needs and receive in Jesus’ Name! Amen!
John 16:23-24 “”In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My Name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in My Name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for these amazing truths and promises of joy and answered prayer. Forgive me for my unbelief in failing to ask You at times for my needs and power to accomplish Your will. Let the river of Your love through the Holy Spirit flow in me, the new ‘temple’, to reach the lost and dying in this world. Encourage me that everywhere that river flows, life will result! Amen!
Ezekiel 47:9 “And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.”
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