Today’s New Covenant nugget is from John 15:11
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
It is so important to keep our joy levels up in these times of challenge – the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10) – it is with joy that you withdraw waters from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3) – a joyful heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) These are just three of the many blessings that are found in joy… STRENGTH (including physical, mental, emotional strength, the power of God in your life as well as strength of leadership, resolve and steadfastness… MEDICINE (The anointing of JOY provides divine impartations of vaccines, vitamins, minerals and everything else that you need for healing and divine health) WITHDRAWING WATERS FROM THE WELL OF SALVATION (This includes provision, prosperity, protection, health and everything that you need for life and godliness)
Jesus gives us the answer on how to keep our joy levels up…
John 15:9-13 - “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Jesus gives us a commandment (not a suggestion) that will keep our joy levels at full and overflowing. The commandment is ‘to abide in His love and then to share that love with others.’
The Greek word translated as ‘abide’ is ‘ménō’, it could also be translated as ‘continue in, tarry in, or immerse yourself into’… so, we are to immerse ourselves into Jesus’ love in worship, in meditation, in thought and in life.
The Greek word for love is, ‘agápē’, it could also be translated ‘charity, feasts of charity, benevolence, or freely lavishing generous undeserved gifts upon’… this is the ‘agápē’ love of Jesus that continually pours undeserved blessings upon us. We dwell, or immerse ourselves in this ‘agápē love’ by continually being mindful of it and continually receiving Jesus’ ‘agápē love’.
Philippians 4:8 is part ‘a’ of Jesus commandment… part ‘b’ is sharing this ‘agápē love’ with others.
If you obey Jesus’ commandment, and make it the focus of your existence, then your joy levels will remain full and overflowing.
Blessings on you, Nick
